His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time)

by Charles, Jane

  Six

  Rosalind glanced down the hall one last time as she followed Lady Penelope up the stairs to their chambers. Felding and Lady Jillian had not joined the others in to the parlor after the musical performances. Had they remained behind, or were they strolling somewhere else? Were they simply talking, or was Felding pushing his courtship?

  Was he kissing Lady Jillian?

  Rosalind squelched the thought. It was none of her business what the two were about. Lady Jillian was perfect for Felding, and Rosalind needed to accept the fact. She had known for years he would never be hers, but that didn’t mean she enjoyed watching him court a woman who was his social equal.

  She pulled the chamber door closed behind her after Lady Penelope had entered. “Thank goodness it is warm in here,” the young woman said after she stopped before the fire.

  Rosalind glanced about the room. The large bed had been turned down. The only other furniture in the room was a chair beside the fireplace and a settee and table beneath the large window. “I had assumed Lady Meadows would have ordered a

  trundle bed delivered to the room as we are sharing this chamber?”

  “Why ever for?” Lady Penelope asked turning toward her.

  “I am your servant,” Rosalind reminded her. “It is where I should sleep and it isn’t right that you be forced to share a bed, Lady Penelope.”

  The young woman rolled her eyes and sighed while shaking her head. “It is certainly large enough, and please quit addressing me as ‘lady’.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t.”

  Lady Penelope snorted. “You didn’t when we were children, and I don’t like that you do so now.”

  “We are adults now,” Rosalind reminded her.

  Lady Penelope turned more fully to Rosalind and crossed her arms over her breasts and raised a commanding eyebrow. “We are merely a larger and older version of what we were. I insist you simply call me Penelope.”

  A reluctant smile pulled at Rosalind’s lips. “Very well.”

  There was a scratch at the door. Penelope and Rosalind shared a confused look. They weren’t expecting anyone. Did Felding need to speak with his sister? Rosalind cracked the door open and peeked into the hall.

  “I’ve come to be of assistance,” a young maid announced. “I hope I am not disturbing you.”

  “Not at all.” Rosalind opened the door further to allow the young woman entry. As Rosalind had accompanied Penelope to the house party, it was decided she did not need to bring a maid as well. Rosalind had assumed she would act as the personal maid, but while they had visited after their arrival, someone else had put away their clothing. Tonight, while they were away, the bed had been turned down and a fire built.

  The maid went to the dresser on the far side of the room and removed Penelope’s nightdress. Rosalind decided she would prepare for bed once the maid had Penelope situated and moved closer to the fire.

  The maid then removed Rosalind’s nightdress from a separate drawer and placed it on the opposite side of the bed.

  “You don’t need to worry about me,” she insisted.

  “I am to take care of you and Lady Penelope,” the maid informed her.

  “You are a guest as well,” Penelope reminded Rosalind as she presented her back to the maid.

  It was odd having someone else see to her things. Rosalind’s life was humble. The only servants at the vicarage were a cook, butler, and housemaid. None of them ever had a maid to help them dress or prepare them for an outing. If a dress needed to be fastened there was always a sister about to assist. Her brothers and uncle learned to tie their own cravats. The boys helped in the stable and yard when they could, such as cutting wood, and the girls assisted in keeping the house clean and preparing the meals. With such a large family, it was difficult for one cook to see to every dish.

  As Penelope slipped out of her gown, Rosalind did the same and pulled the nightdress over her head. Before she was finished, the maid had taken Penelope’s gown along with Rosalind’s and placed them in the armoire.

  “Will you need anything else this evening?”

  “I don’t believe so,” Penelope answered.

  The maid stirred the fire and added more coal before facing the young women. “Please ring if you need me.” With a quick curtsey, she quit the room.

  Penelope practically jumped in the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin.

  “Are you still cold?” Rosalind asked as she slid into the opposite side.

  “Yes, and I can’t imagine why.”

  “I am sure you will be warm as soon as you are settled.” She turned the lamp down on her side of the bed, and Penelope did the same. The only light in the room came from the fire.

  “I heard what she said to you,” Penelope whispered in the dark.

  “Who?” Rosalind asked.

  “Lady Jillian when she told you not to make a mistake while she sang.”

  Rosalind shrugged. “It was a reasonable concern as I had missed notes in the song before.”

  Penelope blew out a sigh and rolled toward Rosalind. “It was not reasonable, and she talked to you as if you were her servant.”

  “I am a servant,” Rosalind chuckled.

  Penelope rolled onto her back. “You aren’t hers, and you aren’t one this week.”

  Rosalind said nothing. Penelope couldn’t understand what it was like to live in her world.

  “I am not so certain I approve of her for Noah.”

  “It was one comment,” Rosalind reminded her.

  Penelope shifted but did not argue. “I think I will spend a little more time with Lady Jillian. If she truly wishes for Noah to pursue her, then she would do well to encourage a friendship with me.”

  “Lord Felding’s wife should be on good terms with his sisters,” Rosalind agreed.

  “That is not why I want to foster a friendship,” Penelope said. “I am not sure I like her.”

  Rosalind could not fault Penelope. If one of her brothers was pursuing a woman with potential matrimony in mind, Rosalind would do her best to get to know the woman and find out as much as possible before it was too late, and they were all miserable.

  * * *

  Noah sat upon his bay and looked out upon the landscape as he rode toward the trees. It had snowed last night, and the once green lawn was a blanket of white not yet marred by footsteps or animal tracks unlike behind and ahead of him where the horses disturbed the snow. There was a peacefulness to the scene. He had come out of the manor before everyone else and simply stood. Nothing matched the silence as a world covered in snow. There weren’t many noises in the country, but it was never truly silent either. Not like when the world was covered in white.

  “Might I have a word with you, Felding?”

  He turned to find Broadridge beside him. The others had gone ahead, and Noah had lingered back enjoying the peace of the morning. He didn’t enjoy the hunt as so many others; he simply wanted to ride. The fact that Broadridge, who was an avid hunter, pulled away from the group to come back to him made Noah suspect what the man wished to discuss.

  “I’ve noticed that in London and here you have shown my sister particular attention.”

  He probably should have spoken to Broadridge, or Lady Jillian’s father before now, but he still didn’t know her well enough to engage in an official courtship.

  “I find Lady Jillian’s company enjoyable.”

  Broadridge nodded. “Your attention to her has prompted comments to me.”

  Noah pulled up on the horse and shifted in his saddle. “Are you asking my intentions?”

  Broadridge stopped beside Noah and lifted an eyebrow. “As her brother, I do have that right.”

  Of course he did, and Noah probably should have said something to the gentleman sooner, but he was not yet ready to make a declaration. “I met Lady Jillian only a short time ago. I had hoped to come to know her better this week.”

  Broadridge continued to stare at him as if waiting.

  “If all goes
as I hope, and if I believe Lady Jillian would be receptive of my suit, I thought to call on His Grace following Twelfth Night and asking permission to pay court to Lady Jillian.”

  The man said nothing but continued to stare at Noah making him very uncomfortable.

  “Is there someone else? Should I not consider your sister?” He would certainly rather know now before he expended more effort toward a courtship if there was not to be one. It wasn’t as if his heart was set on marrying Lady Jillian. He believed they would get on well with one another, and she could fit in with his family.

  A slow grin spread across Broadridge’s face before he clapped Noah on the back. “You have my blessing, and I am sure my father will agree.”

  Blessing? Noah wasn’t certain he was ready for anyone’s blessing, and a bit of panic surged through his veins. He was simply coming to know Lady Jillian to see if they would suit. He wasn’t ready for anything permanent to be attached to his attraction. Right now that is all it was: attraction to a beautiful woman. He was comfortable in her presence but beyond that he wasn’t ready to make any form of permanent declaration at this moment. “As I said, I am just coming to know Lady Jillian. I will let you know if I wish to speak with His Grace at the end of this week.” He nudged the horse to catch up with the others.

  Perhaps he should have waited until the Season began to spend more time in her company. He could have danced with Lady Jillian at a ball, ridden in Hyde Park, and attended any number of activities that would not have been as obvious because several gentlemen would have been doing the same. It was a safer venue if one wished to come to know a lady. Here, with a select few guests, any attention he showed one lady in particular was remarked upon and courtships were being discussed.

  Should he cease seeking her out? Should he ask another lady to stroll with him? There were several misses attending the house party. There were many who would suit just as well as Lady Jillian.

  Perhaps that was what he should do and renew his attention towards Lady Jillian in the spring.

  Noah groaned as they came upon the group of riders. He didn’t want to wait until spring. If they didn’t suit, he would need to begin his search again which took time. If he had to listen to his step-mother and sisters exclaiming over his bachelor state for another season, he might just end up in Bedlam.

  As much as he didn’t wish to bring attention to his intentions, it was best that he continue what he began. If he and Lady Jillian did not suit, it was better to learn now so that he was prepared to seek out the perfect woman when the Season began. There had to be one lady who would make a fine wife.

  The clouds thickened, and Noah glanced towards the sky. The sun was completely blocked, dulling the day, which began to match his mood.

  Looking for a wife was a difficult task even with his simple requirements. He needed a lady to stand by his side who could navigate society. He needed a lady to see to his homes and accept that he had a step-mother and three remaining sisters to care for. He needed someone he enjoyed spending time with and who he could converse with on a variety of subjects. And lastly, he needed an enjoyable bedmate.

  Noah pulled up again. Lady Jillian was most of those things even if he had never had a long conversation with her. Her personality seemed to suit his. The one concern was the type of bedmate she would be. Noah dreaded the possibility of marrying a lady who saw the producing of heirs, and how one went about it, as a duty not an enjoyment. He didn’t want a cold marriage where he visited her room, lifted her gown, went through the motions, and left her alone to return to his cold bed. Was it too much to ask for a passionate wife if he couldn’t have love?

  Lady Jillian was reserved more so than most ladies. She was also the daughter of a duke which might be the reason for her demeanor. Perhaps marriage would be a more relaxed role for her. There was the possibility that a passionate woman lurked beneath the proper façade, but how did one determine if such was the case?

  He glanced over at his friends, Lavins, Meadows, Chambers and Parker. He had no doubt they had chosen their wives well and found enjoyment with their spouses. They were also in love. Was love required for passion?

  Noah dismissed the thought. He had known passion with a number of women, so love was not necessary. However, he truly wished for it to be present in his marriage. He just needed to determine if he would find such passion with Lady Jillian, and the only way to go about it was to kiss her.

  Seven

  Rosalind stretched and yawned before rolling on her back and opening her eyes. The room was much brighter than she anticipated, and she jerked her head toward the window. The sun had been up for hours, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so late. She looked to the opposite side of the bed. Penelope lay curled on her side blankets drawn up to her chin. Rosalind slipped quietly from the bed so as not to disturb the young woman before padding across the room to check the time. A small watch was sitting upon the dresser, and she lifted it turning the face toward the window. It was only half past nine. While not terribly late by Society standards, it was far past morning for her. If she had been in the Sandlin household, Rosalind would have already been dressed, and the twins would have been awake for hours.

  Penelope groaned and rolled to her back; her face was alarmingly flushed. Rosalind rushed to her side and placed a hand against her cheek and then forehead. The young woman was burning up with fever. That was why she was so cold the night before! She was becoming ill!

  Penelope cracked her eyes and looked at Rosalind. “What time is it?” Her voice was more of a rasp than a whisper.

  “Half past nine.”

  She let her eyes fall closed again and moaned. “I hurt everywhere.” Her tongue darted out, and she tried to lick her dry lips.

  “Let me get you some water.” Rosalind hurried across the room to pour a glass of water and came back to Penelope. “I’ll help you sit up.”

  She settled on the side of the bed as Penelope struggled to rise. Supporting the young woman with an arm behind her back, Rosalind placed the glass against her lips to help her drink.

  “What is wrong with me?” She asked after a few swallows.

  “You’re ill,” Rosalind stated as though it was obvious. “Do you hurt anywhere specific? Are you nauseated? Does your head hurt?”

  Penelope leaned back, and Rosalind shifted so that she could rest on the pillows. “I just ache.”

  If she were coughing or had a specific pain, it could be more serious. “Is your throat sore?”

  Penelope barely moved her head. “Dry.”

  “I’ll ring for tea.”

  Penelope burrowed further beneath the covers and closed her eyes. Rosalind dashed across the room to give a yank to the bell pull and stood by the door worrying her hands. Penelope had to get better soon. She had been looking forward to this week for so long. It would be horrible if she remained ill for the duration.

  A young maid arrived a few moments later, and Rosalind quickly explained that Lady Penelope was ill and requested tea and a mixture with Willow Bark brought to the room. The young woman bobbed a curtsey and quickly left. Rosalind moved back to the bed and pulled a chair up so that she could be close to Penelope in case she needed something.

  A few moments later there was a quiet knock on the door. Rosalind assumed it was the maid returning with the tea and medicine and called for them to enter. Instead it was Lady Meadows. Rosalind jumped to her feet at her entrance.

  “Penelope is ill?” the lady asked concern marring her brow.

  “Yes. I woke this morning and found her burning with fever.” Rosalind moved to the side so Lady Meadows could see to Penelope. As Rosalind had done earlier, Lady Meadows placed a hand on Penelope’s cheek and brow. “Goodness! She is hot.”

  Rosalind bit her upper lip, worried that perhaps Penelope was more ill than she realized.

  “I’ll send for Doctor Harper,” she announced.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll also have cook brew some broth, and
we will try and keep her as comfortable as possible.” Lady Meadows moved toward the door. “I will ask Agnes to come sit with her.”

  “Agnes?”

  “She was my nursemaid and is still with the household. She can take care of Penelope.”

  “No,” Rosalind blurted out. “I mean, Lady Sandlin sent me to see to her sister, and I would like to do so.”

  A small smile formed on Lady Meadows lips. “That is the reason Phoebe gave you to come here. It was never anyone’s intention, other than Noah’s perhaps, that you act as Penelope’s companion.”

  “Still, I would like to remain and take care of her. I would not feel right enjoying the house party while Lady Penelope is suffering in her room.”

  Lady Meadows pursed her lips before giving a quick nod. “For the moment, let us see what Doctor Harper says, and we will decide what kind of care she will need.”

  Lady Meadows opened the door to leave and allowed a young maid to enter. “Cook brewed the willow bark tea as you asked.” She set the tray on a small table.

  “Thank you,” Rosalind murmured and poured a cup. She helped Penelope drink until it was gone while Lady Meadows watched on. “I’ll have cook prepare a tray and have it delivered.”

  Rosalind glanced up. “Thank you.”

  She sank down into the chair after Lady Meadows left. Why had Lady Sandlin lied to her? Did she no longer wish for her to be the nursery maid to the twins? Was she not doing a good enough job? Had Lady Sandlin only been being kind until now because of what had happened, and she knew nobody else would hire her? What did Lady Sandlin hope to accomplish by sending her to a house party where she clearly did not belong?

  The questions rumbled about in her head and a certain queasiness developed in her stomach. Was it because she felt sorry for her? Did Lady Sandlin hope Rosalind would find another position or that by being with those in society, the rumors would be put to rest so she could obtain a position in another household?

  “What are you thinking?” Penelope whispered.

  Rosalind glanced up to find a glassy eyed Penelope studying her. “Does your sister wish to let me go?”