A Lively Christmas Season - Clare Jayne E-mail...
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A Lively Christmas Season
By Clare Jayne
Copyright 2016 Clare Jayne
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission in writing of the author, except for brief quotations used for promotion or in reviews.
All names, places, characters and incidents in this book are fictional and any resemblance to any person, business, place or event is entirely coincidental.
Chapter One
Amelia stood, hand on her husband’s arm, on the steps of Linville Hall, her country estate, as the first of
the carriages arrived. In the strictest sense, Linville Hall belonged to Lord Brightford and had been in
his family for generations but that in no way affected her proprietary enjoyment of it. Indeed, given how tirelessly she and the servants had been working over the last few weeks to make the upcoming
celebrations perfect, she felt entirely justified in thinking of it as hers.
Guy turned his head to smile at her and she returned the look, alight with happiness. He had proposed
to her just over a year ago and they had been married now for four months, ever since the mourning
period for her father had ended. She loved Guy more than ever.
A footman opened the carriage door and assisted Mrs Gallerton down. Amelia’s smile grew slightly
forced and remained that way as Mr and Mrs Harrington, Lottie and Benjamin’s parents, descended after
her. They had not spoken to their son since Benjamin had settled down, in an intimacy resembling the
marital state, with Nathaniel Fenbridge. They had agreed to come here, though, knowing Benjamin and
Nathaniel would be in attendance, so they surely did not intend to continue ignoring him. Amelia felt a
sisterly bond towards both Benjamin and Nathaniel and would not allow anyone to insult or mistreat
them under her roof.
She greeted her aunt and Mr and Mrs Harrington, leaving her husband to lead them inside while she
stepped forward to embrace her mother, who had been the final inhabitant of the carriage.
“I am so happy to see you,” she said as they held each other. There had been a time when they had
not had the warmest of relationships but the death of Amelia’s father last year had made them rely on
each other and had strengthened their relationship.
“You look tired,” Mama said, finally out of her mourning clothes and wearing an attractive red and
grey travelling outfit. “You have not been ill?”
“Not in the least. I have just been busy preparing for everyone’s arrival and ensuring you would all be
sufficiently entertained during your visit. Come inside out of the cold.” Amelia took her mother’s arm
and led her in, glancing at the sky as she did so. It had a colourless heavy quality and she hoped it
would not start snowing before the rest of her guests arrived.
Linville Hall was less than a century old, far newer than her own family’s estate which, since her
marriage, also officially belonged to her husband, but was still run by her mother. Guy was a generous
man who had given Amelia and her mother unlimited funds to renovate and alter the two estates, giving
her mother the opportunity to improve the houses of her tenants. Amelia had only updated a couple of
the rooms here, since they were already sufficiently modern and majestic to suit her. Tradition
demanded that the house could not be decorated with greenery until Christmas Eve but the floors and
furniture had been scrubbed and polished so that they sparkled.
A couple of hours later, Amelia was drinking tea with her mother, Mrs Gallerton and Mrs Harrington
when she heard noises from outside. She lowered her cup and put it with care onto its saucer – the new
tea set was an extravagance but the oriental style, dragons painted on each delicate piece of porcelain,
was of the latest fashion and had received numerous compliments. She had just put the cup and saucer
down on the delicately carved tea-table when the butler entered the room and informed her that the rest
of her guests were arriving.
She left the ladies to finish their drinks and hurried to the front door, just behind her husband, who
was clearly eager to see his cousins. The men all embraced and clapped each other’s backs as Amelia
welcomed Lottie, both of them in joyful tears at being reunited. Large flakes of icy snow were falling
now so, after Amelia had curtsied to the men and they had bowed to her, the whole party hastened
indoors, the men joining the ladies in the drawing room.
Lottie looked exhausted from the long journey from England so Amelia made her sit down on the
chaise longue in front of the blazing fireplace, placing a cup of tea and buttered scone in front of her.
“The tea should still be hot if you drink it straight away,” Amelia said.
Lottie took a sip and, smiling, said, “It is just what I needed.”
Mrs Harrington came to sit beside her daughter and at once criticised the lovely blue travelling outfit
Lottie was wearing. Amelia bit back a sigh of annoyance and turned round, only to see Mr Harrington
speaking enthusiastically to Mr Alexander Fenbridge and completely ignoring Benjamin and Nathaniel.
Mrs Gallerton was also talking non-stop at Mama and Guy on a variety of trivial subjects, not giving
them a chance to say a word.
It was not the best start to the festivities.
Chapter Two
Brightford shut the door of the library, separating the men from the women. He was happy to spend
time with Amelia’s mother and Mrs Fenbridge, being fond of them both, but was grateful to escape Mrs
Gallerton’s chatter and Mrs Harrington’s critical eye. It meant, though, that he still had Mr Harrington in his group and that gentlemen was still ignoring the existence of Benjamin and Nathan, which created
an awkward atmosphere. He would have preferred to have not invited Mr and Mrs Harrington but
Amelia seemed to have some kind of reconciliation planned and he could not deny his wife anything.
“Port or whisky?” he asked and poured out the drinks for each of them. They sat down in chairs
around the smaller fireplace and took sips from their glasses. “So what is the news from England?”
“In London the war is still the most important topic of conversation,” Alex, the older of Brightford’s
cousins, said. “Bonaparte may have forced Austria to sign a peace treaty but Britain will not stop
fighting for the foreseeable future.”
“The peace treaty with Denmark has also been finalised,” Benjamin said and, ignoring the glare Mr
Harrington aimed at his son, Brightford nodded, although he had already heard the consequences of
Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Copenhagen. He was not a soldier and there was more than enough
hostility in this room for him to contend with.
“And how is Mrs Fenbridge?” It had seemed like a safe question, the harmonious relationship
between Charlotte and Alex from the moment they met a source of pleasure and amusement to him and
Amelia, whose own volatile courtship could not have been more different. However, Alex froze,
expression unhappy, although an instant later he had fixed a smile on his face.
“Lottie is well and as excellent a wife as always,” Alex said. “I cannot imagine how I lived without
her.”
Brightford did not doubt that he meant this and was perplexed by his cousin’s initial reaction. Mrs
Fenbridge was a calm, kind lady and Alex was an easy-going fellow so it seemed unlikely that they had
argued. He could not ask anything personal in front of the others, so Brightford turned to Nathan and
Benjamin, who were standing close together in a manner that was either unconscious affection or a show
of unity to Mr Harrington. “Are the two of you still settled comfortably in England?”
The men exchanged secretive glances as Mr Harrington turned away to look out of the window,
clearly highly uncomfortable at any reference to the affectionate nature of the men’s relationship.
Benjamin answered, “I have some news, which will cause changes in our life, but that can wait until
everyone is together at dinner.”
Brightford liked Benjamin – he always had – but there was no denying that the young gentleman had
a reckless side. His announcement could concern just about anything, Brightford’s only certainly being
that, of all three couples, this one could at least not be expecting a child.
* * *
“Perhaps you should rest before dinner,” Amelia suggested to Lottie, who still looked strained,
although the warmth of the fire had brought colour to her cheeks. “Would you like me to show you to
your room?”
Mrs Gallerton was regaling Mama and Mrs Harrington with supposedly amusing anecdotes so Amelia
finally had a few minutes to talk to her friend alone. Lottie nodded. “That might be a good idea. I fear I
am being a dull guest but several days of travelling in this cold weather have left me a trifle unwell.”
They left the drawing room and walked upstairs, arm-in-arm. “I have only arranged an informal
dinner party for tonight,” Amelia said, “so if you would prefer to have a tray of food brought up...”
“No, that is not necessary,” Lottie said at once. “I will be fully recovered in a couple of hours.”
Amelia took her into one of the guest bedrooms on the second floor. Lottie’s maid had accompanied
her and was unpacking clothes from a travelling chest. Outside the window it was still snowing – a
layer of white already covering the countryside and out-buildings – so the parties had arrived just in
time. It was late afternoon now so the sun had set but a full moon along with the sparkling snow made
the outside world visible and rendered the view picturesque.
Amelia watched as her guest sat in an armchair and, heading to the door, said, “Rest well since it is
my duty as hostess to ensure you are kept busying enjoying yourself for the next month.”
“I look forward to it,” Lottie said with a smile.
* * *
Amelia had only invited half a dozen local people to join them for the evening and the first two of
these arrived an hour later.
“We left early,” Mrs Meikle said, handing her bonnet and gloves to the butler, “for fear that the snow
would delay us but the horses made good time after all.”
“It was a wise precaution,” Amelia said and complimented her on the pale apricot evening gown she
wore that was edged with lace and had orange satin flowers stitched onto it. The colour warmed Mrs
Meikle’s pale complexion and brown hair and the satin flowers enlivened the outfit. Amelia and Lord
Brightford took the couple into the drawing room and made the first round of introductions.
Mr and Mrs Meikle were an amiable pair only a few years older than her and, while the Church of
Scotland frowned on celebrations over the festive period, they clearly took as little notice of this as she
herself did. The atmosphere when she and Guy’s families had arrived had not been as warm as Amelia
had hoped but, by the time the rest of the local guests arrived and Lottie came downstairs, everyone’s
moods had lifted and the house was full of bright conversation and laughter.
The butler announced dinner and they paired off to form a procession – in strict order of social rank –
into the larger dining room where the best silver cutlery was laid out on top of a white tablecloth along
with napkins shaped into swans. Candles were lit around the table highlighting the set of porcelain
sculptures in the middle. The group took the seats Amelia had assigned to each of them and continued
their conversations, Amelia and Mrs Meikle discussing the balls they would each be holding over
Christmastide, while the servants placed china bowls of soup in front of them.
During a pause, Guy said to Nathaniel and Benjamin, “I am still awaiting the big news the two of you
have. We are all assembled now so you have no further excuses for delaying telling us.”
Amelia looked at the men with curiosity, not having heard anything about this.
Benjamin’s fiddled with his wine glass in a nervous manner then raised his eyes to them. “I have
decided to train to become a barrister. Nathan and I will be renting a house in Edinburgh next year so I
can attend the College and begin my law studies.”
Amelia’s eyes widened as she took this in, the law not being a subject she would have expected to
appeal to him. However, it made sense that Benjamin would want a profession now that his father had
disinherited him and there was nothing more dignified than becoming a barrister; he could even adopt
the title of Lord once he achieved it.
Benjamin’s blue eyes darted over to his parents and she could see the raw hope shining in them. It
was an eminently respectable goal – surely they would be happy for him? The seconds ticked by and Mr
and Mrs Harrington’s expressions remained stony.
“What a wonderful idea,” she hastily said and Guy agreed, Lottie leaning over to hug her brother.
He smiled at them all but Amelia could see in his slumped shoulders and dull eyes that his parents’
lack of response had wounded him.
Chapter Three
“I do not wish to,” Lottie insisted, shaking her head.
It was the morning after everyone’s arrival and after the dinner party. Amelia blamed herself for
having invited Mr and Mrs Harrington here and letting them once again make Benjamin miserable. They had always refused to accept that he had romantic feelings for men rather than women but she had
hoped that a year away from him would soften their hearts.
The excursion this morning had been intended to be something pleasurable to relax them all. She
glanced over at the icy layer over the pond then back at Lottie. “But you loved ice skating when we
were younger.”
“We are no longer children,” Lottie said in a steely tone and, for a moment, Amelia did not know her,
then she smiled and added, “I will have just as much pleasure watching everyone else.”
Amelia nodded and bent to put her own specially-made skates over her shoes. This holiday had been
supposed to bring them all closer than ever. She had needed Guy to see that she could get everything
right but, instead, it was falling apart. Benjamin was unhappy because of her and now she had somehow
offended her best friend too.
A gloved hand touched hers and Amelia looked round. Lottie said gently, “I am still a little tired from
the journey here, that is all. It is nothing for you to worry about.”
Amelia accepted this with relief. Mr and Mrs Harrington also refused to join them but said they
would enjoy a short circular walk through the snow-covered woods and would return to meet them all at
the pond. They waved off Guy’s offer to accompany them and the rest of the group took to the gleaming
ice.
Mrs Gallerton hesitated at the edge of the pond and Amelia reassured her, “Our head gardener tested
the thickness of the ice and it is perfectly safe.”
“Did he test the likelihood of someone breaking their ankle?” Mrs Gallerton shot back and Amelia
grimaced, gliding backwards to show how easy it was. Mrs Gallerton gave a put-upon sigh and stepped
forward, wobbling. Amelia skated forward, a hand out to help her, but Mrs Gallerton headed away from
her, gliding along a couple of feet on the slippery surface and saying, “I can manage very well on my
own, young lady.”
It was alarming to consider that she might have inherited anything from her aunt, but Amelia could
not help but think that they shared the same stubborn streak. She turned and Guy caught her gloved
hand in his, pulling her towards him with a wicked look in his eyes. She laughed and lifted her other
hand to grab his arm as she bumped into him. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“This was an excellent idea,” he told Amelia and all her troubles vanished as she looked at him. She
had not realised it was possible to love anyone this much and wanted desperately to be sure he felt the
same way. She could not bear the thought of disappointing him.
He took her other hand from his arm, kissed it, then, holding both hands in his, glided backwards,
pulling her with him. He must have spent a lot of time skating to have become so proficient at it and she
smiled as she remembered how dull and stuffy she had once thought him. She could not have been more
wrong.
He turned in a circle, spinning them both round and round, stopping before she became too dizzy. He
released one of her hands but kept hold of the other so they could glide round the frozen lake side by
side. Nathaniel and Benjamin shot past them, apparently racing each other. Alexander Fenbridge called
encouragements to his brother but it was clear Benjamin would win and, as they came to a halt, Amelia
saw Lottie standing by the edge of the pool, clapping.
Everyone was in high spirits and Amelia thought that perhaps she had not made such a mess of
planning the festivities after all.
Chapter Four
The group returned to Linville Hall in the afternoon after several hours of skating and walking for hot
drinks and the welcome warmth of the drawing room fire. After the almost blinded brightness of the
white world outside it took a moment to see clearly inside the house. Amelia sent out the butler with whispered instructions and he returned with a tray full of presents. She
announced to her guests, “Today is the sixth of December – St Nicholas Day – so there are gifts for
everyone.”
Several of the others, including Lottie and Mama, had had the same idea, so Amelia found herself
with several gifts of her own to unwrap. For a while everyone enjoyed their presents, exclaiming and
thanking the gift givers. Amelia was unaware of anything wrong until she heard Lottie, on the far side
of the room, speaking to her husband in a shrill tone that could not have been more unlike her.
“You should not have done it – I will not see him!” Lottie exclaimed and hurried from the room.
Everyone turned to look at Alexander Fenbridge, who stood stiffly, a lost look in his eyes. He
explained in an uncomfortable tone, “My wife has been feeling ill for more than a week. I asked Guy to
arrange for a physician to visit the house.”
Amelia headed for the door. “Please let me speak to her.”
She found Lottie sitting, bending over to put pattens over her shoes to protect them from the damp
snow outside. Her hands were shaking.
Amelia crouched down beside her. “He is worried because he loves you.”
“He should not have made a decision behind my back,” Lottie insisted, wiping a tear from her cheek.
“I just need everyone to leave me alone to think.”
“If you still feel ill...”
“I am perfectly well. Please apologise to the physician and inform him that I have no need of him.”
She took her Norwich shawl, bonnet and muff and hurried to the door, the butler rushing to open it for
her, then she vanished outside.
Amelia had rarely seen her so upset. Had she and Alexander argued about something else? What did
she need time alone to think about?
She wanted to go after her friend but Lottie had made it clear she needed solitude so Amelia returned
to the other guests. She gave a helpless shrug to Alexander, whose expression was now distraught.
“Lottie has gone for a walk. She insists that she is well.”
Alexander excused himself and Amelia saw him heading up the staircase.
She ignored her own confusion and concentrated on diverting her guests’ attentions from Lottie and
Alexander’s argument. They all sat down to a set of card games but the atmosphere was subdued, no
one seeming able to give the games much of their concentration. Amelia could see that Benjamin was
just as worried as Alexander but, knowing nothing herself, was unable to reassure him. It was at
moments like this that he looked younger than his nineteen years.
The physician arrived and Guy offered him refreshments before sending him away again.
A couple of hours later Lottie returned to the house and faced the group with a look of utter misery.
“I owe you all my sincerest apologies for my shameful behaviour. I promise I am entirely well and was
overcome with embarrassment at causing such a fuss.”
Amelia had known Lottie for nearly their entire lives and could tell from her expression that this was
not the truth.
Alexander was not with the group and Amelia did not know what Lottie said to him but they came
down to dinner together in better spirits.
Amelia knew she would get nothing more from her friend but she had never known Lottie to tell a lie
before. Amelia could not imagine what problem would induce her to do so now.
* * *
Brightford sought out his older cousin for an explanation of the argument and to find out if he could
do anything to help them resolve it. Alexander was standing by the window in his guest bedroom
which, with no fire lit, had an arctic level of chill to it. He was looking out into the grounds at the back
of the house: the formal garden, the pond, woods and fields – dark foliage against white snow and a
moving figure in blue. Lottie.
“Are you all right?” Brightford asked.
“We were so happy until recently,” Alex said, still watching his wife as she got further away. “I have
no idea what went wrong and she refuses to talk to me about it.”
Brightford sat down on the four-poster bed. “Marriage is complicated. I worry about Amelia
sometimes – she worked herself to exhaustion making all the preparations for this holiday and now
cannot relax as she seems to feel that everyone else’s happiness is her responsibility. I do not know why
it matters so much to her.” He too worried about his wife and wished she would turn to him but he had
married a strong-willed woman who made her own decisions. Sometimes all he could do for he was to
love her. “Our wives still have their own private feelings and needs. Perhaps your wife needs to resolve
this for herself before talking to you.”
“We are married,” Alex exclaimed, turning to face Brightford. “Why would she possibly not turn to
me if something is upsetting her? There is nothing I would not do for Lottie.”
“I am sure this will sort itself out,” Brightford said with more confidence than he felt.
Chapter Five
Two weeks went by and Christmas Eve was upon them. The younger members of the group headed into
the freezing, snow-covered world outside to collect armfuls of greenery then everyone used it to make
garlands and kissing boughs, covering every ledge, mantelpiece and ceiling in the downstairs rooms. The men instantly took advantage of the kissing boughs with their wives, Guy bestowing an affectionate,
lingering kiss to Amelia’s lips that warmed her more than any fire could. The servants, in the meantime,
collected a large Yule log for the drawing room fireplace. By the time their work was complete Linville
Hall smelt like a forest and was covered in a green layer of Christmas finery.
There had been no more arguments since Lottie and Alexander’s disagreement and outwardly
everyone was happy and enthusiastic about the festivities, but Amelia felt the tensions still under the
surface between her friend and Mr Fenbridge as well as between Benjamin and his parents and those,
like Lottie and Nathaniel, who loved Benjamin. It made Amelia try harder than ever to mend the
problems and to keep everyone entertained. She was aware daily that she was failing.
Guy was nothing but loving and affectionate but she had the terrible feeling that she must be
disappointing him.
Mr and Mrs Meikle were hosting a masked ball that evening so Amelia had had a variety of masks
made for her guests and the preparations began mid-afternoon. Maids arranged their mistresses’ hair in
elegant styles and ball gowns were donned. Amelia was particularly pleased with the style and vibrant
blue colour of her own gown, which matched her eyes. When she descended the staircase her gaze
sought out those of her husband and his eyes swept over her, from head to toe then back again, warmth
and admiration in them. She gave a satisfied smile and let him lead her once more to a conveniently
placed kissing bough.
They took several carriages and, despite further snow, soon saw the flickering candlelight that lit the
rooms of the large medieval manor house owned by Mr and Mrs Meikle. The ballroom was already half
full of talking people wearing masks and grand outfits and was pleasantly warm after the iciness outside.
Amelia accepted a glass of hot mulled wine from her husband as she noted that their host and hostess
had also been busy today with decorations.
“I see two more kissing boughs,” Guy remarked with an arm around her waist.
Amelia laughed. “You, sir, are incorrigible.”
“Just hopelessly in love with my wife. Now which dances will you allow me to claim?”
“Whichever you desire,” she told him fondly.
Amelia’s love of dancing had not diminished so she seldom stopped moving for the next few hours,
the masks giving the ball an air of intrigue, although it was easy enough to recognise her guests in their
unique finery. She noted with no surprise that Benjamin and Nathaniel spent more time talking and
drinking than dancing and soon vanished into the card room. She was, however, concerned to see that
Lottie was hardly dancing and had a strained look on her face.
When Alexander headed to the dance area with Mrs Harrington, Amelia made her way through the
crowds of talking people to her friend.
“Are you enjoying the ball?” Amelia asked.
“Very much,” Lottie said with an expression that contradicted her words.
“I wish you would tell me what has been upsetting you recently.”
Lottie bit her lip, clearly making up her mind, then she turned and leaned nearer to say in an
undertone, “I am expecting a child.”
Amelia gasped then smiled in delight, Lottie’s fear of over-exerting herself over the holiday suddenly
making sense. No wonder she had not wanted to risk ice skating. “What wonderful news!”
“No, it is not,” Lottie said, blinking back tears. “It is terrible.”
Chapter Six
“How can having a child possibly be bad news?” Amelia asked. “Is Alexander not happy about it?”
“He does not know,” Lottie confessed.
They were alone in the library of Mr and Mrs Meikle’s home, Amelia having told a footman she felt faint and asked to be escorted to somewhere quiet. Amelia had shut the library door so the music and
laughter from the ball were muffled sounds that seemed much further away than they were.
“I do not understand,” Amelia said, her normally straightforward friend an utter mystery to her at this
moment.
Lottie clasped her gloved hands together then unclasped them and paced the room. She finally said, “I
fear I will be a bad mother.”
“Then this is why you should have told me your worries weeks ago – so I could reassure you of how
utterly ludicrous they are!” Amelia embraced her friend and Lottie held her tightly. For some reason
Lottie genuinely believed this idea. Amelia spoke again: “You will be the best mother imaginable, far
better than me and I hope to have the same news soon. You are patient, kind, affectionate. What
imagined fault do you believe you possess that would worry you like this?”
“I know only the way I was raised. My parents have been always criticised everything I did and look
at how unhappy they have made poor Benjy!”
“That is them,” Amelia said, putting all her conviction into the words, “not you. You have often been
more mother than sister to Benjamin and he adores you.”
Lottie came to a halt and looked at Amelia with a searching gaze. “You really believe I will not take
after my own mother?”
“You could not be more different.”
Lottie sank down into a chair, tears running down her cheeks. “I was so afraid. I have upset
everyone, particularly Alex, who is the last person to deserve it. I am such a fool.”
Amelia moved a chair over to sit beside her friend. “Then I have a confession of my own so you can
see that I was afraid too. You remember the disagreements between Guy and me when we first knew
each other.”
Lottie managed a watery smile. “You hated each other.”
“He thought so badly of me that he felt the need to warn a friend away from me.”
“But he changed his mind,” Lottie said, uncomprehending. “He loves you.”
“Yes, but I was afraid of not being worthy enough of him. I wanted to make this visit perfect for
everyone and solve all your problems so he would not think me the selfish child I used to be.”
“Guy did not know you, nor you him, when you first met. You have never been a bad person and,
once he got to know you, he came to love you, as he should. I am certain he will never stop.”
Amelia nodded, accepting the reassurance. She did not want to make Guy unhappy by looking for
problems that did not exist. She too had been a fool and it was time to relax and enjoy everything she
had in her life.
“You are not responsible for solving other people’s problems,” Lottie added. “Why should you think
you need to?”
“You and Benjamin are my best friends and I love you both. Of course I want to take away anything
that worries you and see you both happy.”
They hugged then Lottie said, “Would you ask Alex to come in here so I can tell him about the baby?”
“Yes, of course.” Amelia smiled as she stood up. “He will be thrilled.”
She returned to the ball, passed on the message to Alexander, then sought out her husband and pulled
him over to the nearest kissing bough.
Chapter Seven
It was Christmas Day. This meant several hours spent in an icy church sitting on uncomfortable wooden
pews. Luckily the vicar did not take the view of many of his Scottish brethren and admonish them for
trivializing a sacred day with frivolities. Instead he spoke of the blessings of the season and the opportunity to help those less fortunate. It was a subject Amelia felt no guilt over since she had
expensive gifts for the servants’ Christmas Boxes for opening the next day and had arranged for extra
cooks to be hired so presents of food could be taken to all her tenants. She, therefore, left the church in a
cold but happy mood, taking in with pleasure the view ahead of her of a snow-covered stile leading out
onto fields and trees as well as the fresh smell of the air after the mustiness of the church.
Their carriages took them back to Linville Hall, everyone putting blankets over their legs to warm
their shivering bodies. Once inside the fires finished the job and they sat close to them to play a few
games of speculation, although they did not play for money on this day. Benjamin had a lucky streak
and won every round.
It was soon time for them to change into evening outfits for a grand Christmas dinner, enjoying
venison, specially prepared vegetables and plum pudding until they could eat no more. They then
headed to the drawing room, its popularity due to its having the largest fireplace in the house. Amelia
felt sleepy and content as she watched the flickering copper flames, all her dancing and the late finish of
the ball the previous evening catching up with her. However, her duties as hostess were not yet
complete.
“What parlour game shall we play?” she asked her guests.
“Nothing that involves moving,” Mrs Gallerton promptly replied.
“You mentioned an English game called Snapdragon,” Benjamin said to Nathaniel, who nodded.
“Yes, it is a game for the gentlemen involving brandy and a good deal of courage,” he answered with
a dimpled smile.
Intrigued, Amelia asked a footman to bring the required items: a bowl half-filled with raisins and a
bottle of heated brandy. The guests all watched with interest as Nathaniel poured the brandy over the
raisins then lit a slither of wood in the fire and used it to set the brandy alight.
“Would you put out the candles?” he asked the footman, who did so, leaving the room in semi-
darkness lit only by the fire and the blue glow of flame on the surface of the bowl of brandy. “The
purpose of the game,” he said, “is to consume the raisins without getting burnt using only your mouth to
collect them.”
“I will try,” Benjamin said at once. Amelia held her breath as he approached the bowl and she could
see Lottie with a hand over her mouth, looking equally concerned. It did not seem possible that he could
do this without injury.
He leaned over the bowl and the blue flame lit his face. He plunged down, grabbing raisins with his
teeth and emerged victorious, chewing the raisins. Several people, including Amelia, applauded him
then some of the other men took turns, managing to escape almost unharmed, although Guy did
complain of a sore lip which Amelia later felt compelled to privately kiss better.
They moved on to the far more sedate games of charades and bouts-rime which kept them entertained
until they retired for the night.
All in all it had been an exceptionally pleasing day but, if Amelia thought the season of goodwill was
finally improving the relationships amongst her guests, she was soon to be proven wrong.
Chapter Eight
After so good-natured a sermon on Christmas Day, Amelia and her guests cheerfully sat down in church
for another service two days later. When the vicar began his sermon Amelia grew cold, hardly believing
what she was hearing. She could feel half her guests stiffening in their seats and could only imagine how they felt about such a personal attack. The unpleasant words went on and on.
The service finally ended and they were able to escape. Amelia was so distraught that she barely
noticed Mr Harrington speaking to the vicar.
She could not speak outside, as she wished to, in front of the rest of the congregation but, as soon as
they all reach Linville Hall, while they were still removing their outer coverings in the hall, she turned to
Benjamin and Nathaniel. “I am so sorry. He has never spoken on that subject before and I cannot
imagine why he should do so now.”
“It is not the first such sermon I have ever heard,” Nathaniel said dismissively, managing a smile.
“I should think you might do well to take the words to heart,” Mr Harrington said to his son in a
lecturing manner. “Sodomy is a sin...”
“This was your doing!” Mrs Harrington exclaimed, looking at her husband with an appalled
expression. “That was why you were talking to the vicar. How could you take such a private matter and
make it public?”
Amelia pursed her lips at the fact she was more concerned with a scandal than her own son being hurt
but at least it caused Mr Harrington’s smug expression to fade away. “The vicar had no idea the subject
affected Benjamin. I simply suggested the topic.”
“It was an unforgiveable cruelty,” Alexander Fenbridge said, standing beside his brother and
Benjamin and Amelia saw that his support worried Mr Harrington, who had always been proud of his
wealthy, well-respected son-in-law.
“You disowned me less than a year ago,” Benjamin said to him, white faced, “so let me do the same
now to you. I have no father. Once we leave here I have no wish to ever see you again.” He turned and
strode out of the house, Nathaniel following.
“Since you clearly take no pleasure in being here,” Amelia said to Mr Harrington, “perhaps you would
care to end your visit early.”
She walked into the drawing room, overhearing Mrs Harrington saying, “You have taken this too far
and now look at the consequences.”
Amelia did not hear whether there was any response. The other guests – all except Mr and Mrs
Harrington – followed her into the room, expressions subdued. Lottie hurried to a window and Amelia,
following her gaze, saw she was looking at Benjamin and Nathaniel talking outside in the garden. Even
without knowing what they were saying, Amelia could see Benjamin’s dejection.
“I must go and speak to Benjy,” Lottie said and left.
Amelia wanted to follow, aching to say or do something to help, but not knowing how. Guy put an
arm round her shoulders and said, “They know we love and support them. They will recover from this.”
She nodded, still upset, as Guy turned to the other guests and suggested a game of piquet.
She kept an eye on the window as they played, excusing herself from the room when she saw Lottie
heading inside.
She met her friend in the hall and asked, “How are they?”
“Nathaniel is distressed for Benjy’s sake, who says he is not upset, when he clearly is. How could my
father do such a thing?”
The depth of Lottie’s agitation worried Amelia and she said, “I know it is difficult but you must try to
be calm or you might harm the baby.”
Lottie’s hand flew to her stomach and she made a visible effort to compose herself.
“You never told me how Alexander responded to the news that he will be a father,” Amelia said to
distract her from further worrying.
“He is thrilled that I am expecting a child but hurt that I did not confide my concerns to him. I should
have done so. Now I think he feels our marriage is not as strong as he had thought.”
Amelia, at a loss as to how to help either Lottie or Benjamin, took her hand and squeezed it before
leading her into the warmth of the drawing room.
Chapter Nine
Amelia had sent out invitations some time before for a ball at Linville Hall to celebrate Hogmanay. She
did not think any of her guests were in the best mood to enjoy it, still subdued after the fateful Sunday,
but it was too late to change her plans. “I should have known that it was a mistake to invite Mr and Mrs Harrington here,” Amelia said to her
husband as her maid, Walker, dressed her hair.
“You did it with good intentions. I wish you would stop blaming yourself for any of the
disagreements that have arisen. Other people’s lives are their own responsibility.”
“Then I should not concern myself with making you happy?” she teased him.
He smiled, dark eyes warm. “You make me happy whether you try or not. The only thing that dulls
my mood is seeing you distressed.”
She got up from the chair in front of her dressing table, ignoring Walker’s objection over her half
pinned hair, and embraced her husband. They kissed and she said, “I cannot be unhappy for long if you
love me.”
“Then you should always be content.”
When she stepped back Walker brandished a hairbrush, although there was a hint of a smile on her
lips, so Amelia returned to her seat, smiling at her husband in the mirror.
“I will see you downstairs,” he said.
“I will not be long.”
Walker began working on her hair again, pinning the black curls in place. “He’s right, My Lady.
Other people can sort out their own problems.”
Walker had known her since she was born but that knowledge went both ways. “You never worry
about your friends when they are unhappy?”
Walker grimaced. “Maybe, but your husband, staff and tenants all think highly of you so perhaps you
should consider that, lassie.”
Amelia smiled, mood lifting further. “I will. Thank you.”
She walked downstairs carefully in the new slippers that matched her green ball gown. Her husband
and half her house-guests were already in the ballroom and the orchestra was setting up its instruments
at the far end. Those present unfortunately still included Mr Harrington, since the snow had deepened,
making him and his wife unable to make the return journey to their estate safely. He had stiffly
informed her they would leave as soon as they could and that he had not meant to cause any
embarrassment to her or Mr Brightford, however, as far as she knew, he had not said a word of apology
to his son. Amelia had hoped Mrs Harrington’s attitude, at least, had softened a little, since she had been
upset with her husband on Benjamin’s behalf, but there had been no reconciliation there either. Most of
the others took Benjamin and Nathaniel’s side but Mrs Gallerton supported Mr Harrington’s unkind
opinion, which had led to some harsh words spoken between Amelia and her aunt. Mama refused to
take sides.
Lottie and her husband joined them a few minutes after Amelia’s arrival and the couple looked more
contented than they had so far this visit, so Amelia had hopes that all was well between them again.
Benjamin was the last to arrive, straightening his tailcoat.
Amelia was expecting over twenty couples – the deep snow might put a few off but she thought most
people lived sufficiently close by to make it safely. In fact, only two older couples failed to arrive, the
ballroom soon filling with people. The music and dancing began and her duties as hostess kept her busy
when she was not dancing with Guy.
The hours raced by until it was time to celebrate the start of the year Eighteen Hundred and Two by
singing Robert Burns’ song, Auld Lang Syne. Despite everything that had happened, she would wish to
be nowhere but here with her husband and friends on such a special night.
Chapter Ten
“What has happened?” Amelia asked, horrified, as Nathaniel and Alexander Fenbridge half carried
Benjamin into the hallway. There was blood over half his face and neckcloth and he did not appear to
be conscious. The commotion brought the other guests into the hallway and Lottie and Mrs Harrington ran forward,
exclaiming in shocked voices.
“Would you send for a physician?” Nathaniel asked Guy, who nodded and passed on the instruction to
the butler.
“We must get him to his bed,” Lottie said. “He must rest. I will need a bowl of warm water and a
cloth to wash away the blood.”
“I will have it brought to you,” Amelia said, leaving the men to get Benjamin upstairs as she hurried
down to the kitchen and told one of the housemaids what was needed. Once this was done, she found
herself at a loss, unable to go up and enter a gentleman’s bedroom but desperate to know how badly
Benjamin was hurt and how it could have occurred.
It was Monday, four days after the Hogmanay Ball, and the guests were due to depart on Wednesday,
the day after the Twelfth Night celebrations. Benjamin, Nathaniel and Alexander had gone out for a ride
after breakfast this morning. Amelia had had letters to write and had then gone for a walk around the
garden with Guy and Lottie, returning shortly before the brothers’ appearance with Benjamin.
How had Benjamin been injured during a ride? Had he fallen off his horse? Had someone attacked
him?
The wait for news was interminable, the doctor finally riding up to the house about an hour later. His
arrival caused Lottie and Mrs Harrington to cease their ministrations and come downstairs, only
Nathaniel remaining with Benjamin during the physician’s examination.
“He woke up not long after we lay him down,” Lottie told Amelia, as the guests waited for the
physician’s report in the drawing room. “He said he was perfectly fine but of course he would say that,
no matter how bad he felt.”
Amelia nodded, knowing Benjamin’s first concern would be to attempt to ease his family’s concern.
“Did he or Nathaniel say how he came to be injured?”
“Nathan mentioned a fight in the village. I did not think to ask further. Benjy was white as chalk –
for one hideous moment when they brought him in I thought he was dead.” Lottie put one hand over her
stomach, the other clutching Amelia’s hand.
“But he is alive,” Amelia said, trying to reassure herself as well as her friend. “If he spoke clearly to
you that is an excellent sign. The physician will see to anything else that is needed to heal Benjamin.”
They continued to wait then the drawing room door opened and Mr MacDonald, the physician came
in.
“How is my son?” Mr Harrington demanded.
Amelia’s concern overrode her surprise at this unexpected reaction and her gaze remained fixed upon
Mr MacDonald.
The physician said, “Mr Benjamin Harrington knocked his head when he was struck but the injury is
not severe and his nose is not broken. He refused a measure of laudanum but I have left him a sleeping
draught to be taken as necessary. After a few days of rest he will be fully recovered.”
Lottie gave a choked sob and fell into her husband’s arms while Mr Harrington put an arm round his
wife. Amelia wiped her own eyes and walked to the door to show Mr MacDonald out. “We are so
grateful to you,” she said.
“Not at all. I am glad the young gentleman’s injury is a minor one.”
When he had left Amelia gave a shaky sigh, pausing a moment in the cold hallway. She wondered if
next year they might manage the peaceful, affectionate Christmas she had envisaged or if life would
always be this dramatic. Perhaps she should forbid her guests to leave the house or to argue for the last
bit of their stay here. A mischievous smile touched her lips as she returned to the drawing room,
imagining their expressions were she to suggest the idea.
Chapter Eleven
It was time for the last of the guests to leave. Mama and Mrs Gallerton had left the previous day, as
planned, while the others had postponed their departure until they were sure Benjamin was entirely well
again. The weather had turned milder, melting most of the snow, just in time to ensure that their journeys would be safely made.
Benjamin had ventured downstairs on the evening of his accident, Nathaniel hovering at his side, so
the other guests had finally found out how his injury had occurred. It turned out that he had tried to
calm down a brawl between two drunken villagers and had been struck by accident.
His mother had embraced him then berated him for getting involved in the altercation. Mr Harrington
had shaken his hand and gruffly expressed his relief that the injuries were not worse.
“Are you quite certain you will not take one more day to recover?” Amelia asked Benjamin for the
third time as the footmen loaded travelling chests onto Nathaniel’s carriage. “You know I regard you as
family so can stay as long as you wish.”
He smiled affectionately. “And I consider you my second sister. When Nathan and I move to
Edinburgh later in the year I hope we will all see a great deal of each other. In the meantime, though, it
is time for us to give you and your husband some peace.”
“At least you avoided any further duels this year,” she commented and he laughed and agreed.
There was a round of farewells as he and Nathaniel left, then another as the Harringtons departed.
Lottie and her husband were the last to leave, Amelia and Lottie clinging to each other and sniffing, both
wiping their eyes as Alexander said, “You are both invited to stay with us next Christmas and meet our
firstborn child.”
He and Lottie exchanged loving smiles as she and Guy agreed to this.
Amelia waved as the horses got moving, pulling the carriage away.
“I believe you managed to solve everyone’s problems after all,” Guy said, leaning over to kiss her
cheek. “Mr and Mrs Harrington are reconciled with their son and Mrs Fenbridge and Alexander are in
high spirits again.
“No,” Amelia said, taking his arm as they walked back into Linville Hall, “you were right. Everyone
solved their own difficulties and never needed my interference.”
“Does that mean you are resolved not to interfere in your friends’ lives in the future?”
“What an absurd notion,” she said and turned to stand on tiptoes and kiss him.
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