Love Begins In Winter

Sophia shook her head, "But no harm in torturing him a little while he's here." She winked.

They dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Finally they dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. Their mother was still in bed but their brother and guests were already at the table.

Emma silently thanked God for the fact that they had a cook.

Sophia nibbled on bread and drank her coffee.

"You all have a pleasant evening?" Thomas asked.

Emma smiled, "Wasn't bad."

Sophia nodded, "I beat James in cards then went to bed." She winked.

"She's lying." James laughed.

"Oh look." Sophia turned to the window, "Looks like it's starting to blizzard out there."

Emma stifled a groan and looked at Matthew, "How did you sleep?"

"Fairly well. I was hoping you could give me a tour of the house today."

"As you wish." Emma said.

He winked at her and then started talking to Thomas.

"What on earth is there to do here in a blizzard?" James mumbled to Sophia.

She sighed, "Not much. Drink?"

"No wonder she reacted like that." James said softly.

"If it eventually stops we can go outside but you'll get drenched to the bone." Sophia sighed.

"Isn't their anywhere out there that is warm but out of the house?" He grumbled. He was so pissed at his uncle in that moment.

Sophia shook her head, "Minus the barn. With all the snow it will be impossible to get to town. Aha it looks as though today, you'll be confined to doing no damage."

James snorted, "We shall see about that."

Sophia rolled her eyes, "One day lacking of self destructive behavior won't kill you. Indeed it'll do exactly the opposite."

He sighed, "Fiiiine. What do you have in mind?"

Sophia thought for a moment, "I was planning on baking.."

He looked at her incredulously, "Are you serious? You want me to bake?"

"It is not my job to entertain you, James." Sophia said, "But yes you're welcome to join me if you'd like."

"I'm sure that Matthew and Emma will also be helping. They see smitten." She told him.

"Fine." James eventually grumbled.

A few hours later, the two "couples" and Thomas were in the kitchen.

"You're awful at this." Sophie laughed as she tried to teach James how to kneed dough.