Away in a Manger (26 page)
Authors: Rhys Bowen
“A doll? At your age?” Daniel's mother said, frowning. “Aren't you a little old for it?”
“Bridie can learn to sew by making outfits for it,” I said, trying to swallow back anger that she had spoiled Bridie's moment.
She had nothing negative to say about the book on Ireland, however. Daniel was delighted with his whiskey and his tobacco jar, and then he handed me a small package. In it was a delicate blue enamel watch on a pin shaped like a bow.
“Daniel. It's lovely,” I stammered.
“I thought that you, more than anybody, needed to know how to keep track of time,” he said. He pinned it on my front. I glanced at myself in the looking glassâme, Molly Murphy, actually owning a watch of her own!
The turkey was stuffed and put in the oven. The rest of the meal was prepared when Sid, Gus, and the children came over to join us. Of course there were more gifts and much excitement. Sid and Gus were delighted with their book on Indian cooking.
“How fortuitous, Molly,” Gus said. “We were just saying it was time we went to India. Sid is determined to ride an elephant, you see.”
Daniel caught my eye and he winked.
At around noon Miss Van Woekem and Julia arrived. Sherry was drunk and at two o'clock the turkey was carved and served. After we were full of turkey and puddings and pies, we retired to the parlor, where we played charades and word games until it was time to light the candles again on the tree. Then we sat around, singing carols. As I listened to Emmy's sweet voice I thought about that first time we had heard her, huddled in her doorway. I hoped her parents were looking down on her now, glad that she was finally safe and happy.
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RHYS BOWEN
is the author of the Anthony Awardâ and Agatha Awardâwinning Molly Murphy mysteries, the Edgar Awardânominated Evan Evans series, and the Royal Spyness series. Born in England, she lives in San Rafael, California. You can sign up for email updates
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Also by
Rhys Bowen
The Molly Murphy Mysteries
The Constable Evans Mysteries
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Contents
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
AWAY IN A MANGER.
Copyright © 2015 by Rhys Bowen. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
Cover design by Danielle Christopher
Cover photograph of woman by Shirley Green
Cover photograph of Christmas tree © Ruby Del Angel / Arcangel Images; lamppost and brownstone © Shutterstock; Christmas wreath and window garland © DNY59 / Getty Images
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-05203-2 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-5336-2 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466853362
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at
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First Edition: November 2015