The Christmas Countess

by Adrienne Basso

  Sadly, Rebecca shook her head. Though she initially believed she was desperate enough to do whatever was necessary to have Lily in her life, she realized it was far more complicated.

  “I fear my chances in court are slim, the risk of failure too high. Besides, any small legal victory would be clouded by the potential harm this would cause Lily. I cannot, in good conscience, subject her to this sort of turmoil. It would be far too selfish.”

  “I should like to believe there is something we can do to give you some leverage in this situation,” Daniel insisted. “Something that would not involve a public airing of our dirty laundry.”

  “Perhaps there is, although we must both agree to weigh carefully any considered course of action against the possible harm it would cause.”

  “Agreed.”

  Rebecca felt the weight on her chest ease slightly. It was so good to know she was not completely alone. “For now, I know I need to try and manage this as it stands. I always thought of myself as a pragmatic person. A survivor. But there are times that I suddenly feel like a very foolish woman, deluding herself about the future.”

  “It‘s not all that bleak.” Daniel smiled encouragingly at her.

  “You‘re right. By some divine miracle we now find ourselves in the earl‘s home, readying ourselves to share in a traditional Christmas celebration.” She tried to smile, but ended up letting out a short, sharp giggle as the irony of it all was not lost on her.

  Daniel cleared his throat. “As usual, life has a way of dealing one the hand that is least expected.”

  “Least expected? Even an individual with the most fertile imagination would never dream of my situation.” Rebecca tried once more to laugh, yet this time it came out as more of a groan. “I keep telling myself I need to try to change what I can and accept the rest.”

  “Sound advice. Yet far more difficult to enact, I assure you.”

  “As well, I know. But I must try.” Finally she succeeded in releasing a small laugh. “Goodness, listen to me prattle on! It seems as if some days I simply cannot stop myself from babbling. ‘Tis so very unlike me.”

  “If you talk a great deal, you have less time to think.”

  “Or else you merely speak without thinking.” Rebecca rubbed her forearms briskly, her emotions deflating. “Are you certain you don‘t mind staying at Windmere? You were hardly eager to celebrate Christmas and you certainly had no wish to stay here in the country, away from London and your business interests.”

  Daniel lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “As luck would have it I‘ve been able to conduct business here, since two of my principal investors in the Cornish mines are guests. And Viscount Cranborne has expressed interest in a land development deal that could prove to be even more successful.”

  Rebecca glanced closely at her brother. Was that a faint hint of a blush on his cheek? “It does not appear that this visit has been all business for you, Daniel. I noticed you dancing with Lady Charlotte earlier this evening.”

  Daniel shifted forward in his chair, picked up the fireplace iron and poked nervously at the burning logs. “I was merely being polite to my hostess.”

  “Stop blushing. I like her and I think it is wonderful that you have taken an interest in such a refined, kind woman.”

  Daniel prodded the logs once more. “Nothing can ever come of it,” he said quietly. “She is too far above me in station.”

  “Not so very far, Daniel,” Rebecca responded, offering her brother a smile she hoped was encouraging. “True, our ancestors were not of the highest nobility, well, actually they barely had any aristocratic blood, but we are hardly descended from peasant stock.”

  “Compared to the earl and his family we are mongrels.” Daniel slowly lowered his hand, returning the poker iron to its stand. “I have not lived so long out of the country that I have forgotten how things are done in certain circles. It would be humiliating for me to be thought of as a man who married for social position. Besides, Lady Charlotte‘s family would never view me as a proper suitor.”

  “If it is what you really want, then you must change their minds.”

  “Rebecca!”

  “Determination, brother. ‘Tis a quality I know you possess and it will serve you well if you find yourself seriously interested in Lady Charlotte.”

  “‘Tis hardly that simple,” he protested.

  “I am not suggesting that it is; I am merely pointing out what is needed to succeed.” Her expression lightened, as her resolve hardened. “I never was much of a fighter. I solved conflicts with reason and compromise or simply retreated, abandoning my desire and accepting the will of others. Perhaps if I had been more forceful with Mother and Father, I would not be in this position today. But I am trying to change, Daniel, because now I have something of great importance for which to fight.”

  Bolstered by her own words, Rebecca walked to the door and opened it. She turned expectantly toward her brother. With a skeptical expression, Daniel rose from his chair and followed. They walked arm in arm down the hall, pausing briefly at the base of the staircase.

  “Do you wish to retire or return to the music room?” he asked.

  “The music room,” she answered honestly. She would stay for at least another hour. Determination. No matter that one look from the earl could make her thoughts scatter. If he deemed to cast any attention in her direction, she would simply ignore him.

  ———

  It was overcast the following morning, with a raw chill in the air that bespoke of the possibility of snow. Rebecca tarried in her room until breakfast was over, needing the time to gather her thoughts. When she left, she headed directly toward the nursery, hoping for a chance to spend some time with Lily.

  She met Lady Charlotte in the hall and discovered that many of the guests, and children, were meeting at the stables. An impromptu party to gather greenery to decorate the house for the upcoming holiday had been decided upon at breakfast.

  “I do not usually attend these outings,” Lady Charlotte said with a reserved smile. “My hip is not that strong and I find it difficult to walk for great distances. But it seems as if nearly everyone is going.” She blushed and lowered her gaze and Rebecca assumed Daniel was among those hearty souls who were venturing outdoors.

  “It sounds like a merry time.”

  “Yes, it does.” Lady Charlotte‘s eyes lit up with excitement. “Cameron has arranged for carriages to bring us to the west woods, though in truth it is more for my benefit. And the children. I hope you will join us.”

  Knowing she would never forsake an opportunity to be with Lily, Rebecca nodded in agreement. She returned to her room to dress in warmer clothing, then made her way to the stables to join the rest of the group.

  There was an air of happy excitement when she arrived. There were four children, including Lily, darting about, laughing, shouting, playing tag and generally getting in everyone‘s way. Instead of elegant coaches, simple pony carts were being made ready and servants were scuttling between the main house and the stable yard bringing lap blankets and braziers of hot coals to warm the passengers.

  Rebecca greeted several people, then walked beyond the crowd to gaze at the expansive grounds, admiring the beauty of the landscape. Though dormant in winter, the elegance and design of the estate‘s many gardens could be seen. She found an odd sense of contentment as she gazed at myriad curved paths lined with well-tended borders that meandered through acres of lawn and manicured hedges.

  It must be spectacular in spring and summer, when all was in bloom. Idly she wondered if she would ever be afforded the opportunity to view it at that time of year.

  Beyond the acres of gardens were sloping hills that led to the woods. Suddenly, the ground seemed to shake with thunder. Looking over to the small clearing in front of the woods Rebecca saw a large dog crest the rise of the hill and charge toward them.

  A few of the ladies shrieked in concern. Rebecca considered moving back into the crowd, but when she saw the beast‘s tail wa
gging, she remained where she stood. He was an enormous animal, quite possibly the largest canine she had ever seen and he seemed to grow in size with each long stride that brought him closer.

  His was of indeterminable breed, though she was hardly an expert on the subject. For all she knew he could be some sort of rare, highly prized dog yet his shaggy brown fur and a lolling tongue suggested otherwise.

  He skidded to a stop when he reached her. Lowering his head, he sniffed eagerly at her boots. She slowly extended an ungloved hand. The dog‘s head instantly lifted. He stretched out his neck and nudged at her palm with his cold, wet, black nose.

  Apparently satisfied with what he found, he sat directly in front of her, and raised a massive wet paw in greeting.

  Rebecca laughed. She had always liked dogs, especially large, friendly ones. She bent over to shake his paw, then patted him on the head.

  “Apollo, come.” The command was followed by a sharp whistle.

  The dog stood and ran obediently to his master‘s side. Rebecca straightened and watched the earl enter the stable yard.

  “Papa!”

  Lily too ran toward Lord Hampton, arriving nearly at the same time as the dog. The earl greeted the enthusiastic pair, then turned his gaze to Rebecca.

  “I hope Apollo did not frighten you, Miss Tremaine.”

  “Hardly, my lord.” The animal had returned to her and she bent down to scratch his ears, unconcerned about the brown hairs shedding onto her black woolen cloak. He was a delightful beast with liquid brown eyes and a sweet, friendly disposition. “He is quite lovable. Though very heavy.”

  The earl bristled at her comment. “He is a trim hunting dog, bred for strength and muscle.”

  “Well, he must weigh ten stone.”

  “How do you know how much Apollo weighs?” Lily asked in curious fascination.

  Rebecca smiled. “He is sitting on my foot.”

  Three pairs of eyes looked down. Sure enough, Apollo‘s rump was parked squarely in the middle of Rebecca‘s left boot.

  “Apollo!” The earl gestured with his hand and the dog stood. “Heavens, Miss Tremaine, even my dog lacks the proper manners to appease you.”

  Rebecca‘s spine stiffened at what she perceived was a veiled reference to her comments about Lily‘s behavior. She turned sharply toward the earl, ready with a rebuke, but then noticed the twinkle of amusement in his eyes and her ire quickly deflated.

  “I do not fault Apollo‘s manners.” She reached out and rubbed his silky brown ears. Apollo‘s tail thumped rhythmically against the ground and his tongue darted out to lick her hand in appreciation. “I believe he suffers mostly from the belief that he is a lapdog and therefore wishes to be cosseted and spoiled with attention and affection.”

  “Isn‘t that something all living creatures crave?”

  “Hmm. Perhaps I should scratch your ears, my lord? It might improve our relationship.”

  “Indeed.”

  He smiled. Rebecca nearly sighed out loud as her awareness of him kicked into high gear. Lord Almighty, the man was almost too handsome for his own good. But it did not matter. She simply refused to explore her thoughts or feelings, refused to even fully acknowledge the attraction. Today she was simply going to enjoy the moment, every moment and not think beyond it.

  It was time to set out for the woods and begin the task of collecting Christmas greenery. They broke into groups and loaded themselves into the pony carts. Rebecca found herself in the same conveyance as her brother, Lady Charlotte and Lord and Lady Bailey.

  In high spirits, they chatted amicably. Servants drove them to the edge of the forest where they disembarked. The earl led the way into the woods, with the rest of the party straggling behind. They walked slowly, talking as they went and soon the ladies were clustered together and likewise the gentlemen were a separate group.

  The three boys and Lily ran between them. The six gentlemen, of disparate ages, interests and temperaments, soon found common ground for conversation—what they quickly labeled the ridiculous demands of the women in the party.

  “Whose idea was it to allow the women along anyway, Hampton?” Viscount Cranborne grumbled in a teasing voice. “This is man‘s work. The females will be in the way.”

  “Hampton invited the women because he knows you can‘t bear to have your wife out of your sight for more than ten minutes,” Mr. Halloway replied.

  “Actually, ‘tis twenty,” the viscount replied with a good-natured smile. “But I could stretch it to an hour—or more—if she doesn‘t stop telling everyone where to go and what to do.”

  “My cousin is a woman inclined toward strong opinions, lovable teasing and occasional blasts of temper, but it has gotten much worse since she married,” the earl said. “You indulge her every whim.”

  Cranborne made a rude noise and the men laughed. “This criticism from a man who spoils his daughter beyond reason? Mark my words, Hampton, you are creating a miniature Marion.”

  The conversation ended as a thicket of lush holly bushes was discovered, with their dark green leaves and bright red berries. Several of the men, including the earl, began to cut sections of branches with the small saws they had brought along.

  Lady Marion, ever the organizer, energetically arranged the pile of holly into bundles, then instructed the men to each carry one.

  “It‘s prickly,” the viscount declared, shaking his finger.

  “It‘s holly, dear. It‘s supposed to pinch.” Lady Marion broke off a small sprig from the bundle in her husband‘s arms and carefully tucked it in the ribbon band on the brim of her bonnet. A few of the other women imitated her actions. Rebecca selected a sprig also, but placed it in Lily‘s bonnet. The little girl smiled with delight and preened for anyone who glanced her way.

  “The Druids believed that good spirits lived in the branches of holly,” Lady Charlotte told everyone.

  “Then I will help you find a few more branches to bring back to the manor,” Daniel said. “One can never have too many good spirits sprinkled around the house.”

  Lady Charlotte smiled a shy reply. Rebecca noticed a flush of additional color beneath the rosiness that the wind and cold had whipped into Lady Charlotte‘s cheeks. The other woman‘s reaction called to mind the conversation she had with Daniel last night.

  She hoped he would pursue his interest in the earl‘s sister, for clearly the lady held him in regard. How foolish of Daniel to forsake a chance at love, at happiness, on the ridiculous belief that the conventions of society were of greater importance.

  Next on Lady Marion‘s list were evergreen boughs. After much discussion, it was decided to leave the holly bundles behind while the evergreens were gathered.

  “You need to talk with Tremaine about some of his business ventures, Hampton,” Sir Reynolds said as they continued tromping through the woods. “I‘m certain he could find some project that needs investors.”

  The earl‘s brow lifted. “Why do I need additional investments?”

  “Clearly you are hard up for cash. Or else you would have your servants taking care of harvesting the greenery.”

  “It is a tradition for the lord to participate,” Lord Hampton said. “If you are feeling tired you are welcome to return to the manor to rest in front of the fire, Reynolds.”

  “Don‘t tempt me.”

  “A roaring fire sounds glorious, but my wife would have my head if I didn‘t participate,” Viscount Cranborne admitted.

  The men laughed.

  “I give you fair warning, gentlemen, we also participate in decorating the manor,” the earl said. “‘Tis a matter that my mother claims cannot be left for the servants and she takes great pride in her lavish decorations.”

  Several of the men groaned in mock horror. “Lord save us!” Mr. Halloway cried. “Days spent climbing up and down ladders and in and out of various niches and alcoves trying to hang greenery in a way that meets with the approval of an exacting female. If not for your well-stocked wine cellars, Hampton, I would leav
e tomorrow.”

  “I will take you all shooting in a few days,” the earl promised. “That should lift your spirits.”

  “Cranborne can pretend the bird is holly and exact some revenge,” Sir Reynolds quipped as he added another large bough to the ever-growing pile of greenery.

  “Mistletoe, gentlemen,” Lady Marion cried. “We have enough evergreens, so now we search for mistletoe. And as we all know, the very best of it grows in the tallest oak trees.”

  “My mother gave me specific instructions to make sure there was an abundance of it,” Lady Charlotte informed them all.

  “For the kissing boughs,” Lily pipped up.

  They turned to look at her and she covered her mouth with her hand and started giggling. Rebecca realized then that the little girl knew exactly what happened when a person was caught standing beneath one.

  Once again the earl took the lead, bringing them through the woods to a section of tall oaks. For all their complaining about the indignity of climbing trees and ruining their perfectly polished boots, Rebecca thought the men scrambled rather nimbly up and down. And seemed to be enjoying themselves greatly in the process.

  The women and children clustered around the base of the trees, shouting encouragement and spotting those particularly fine specimens that simply must be retrieved. Good-naturedly the men complied as they joked with each other at how ridiculous they must appear.

  “We will all need naps when we return to the manor,” Lady Marion declared. “All this fresh air and exercise is exhausting.”

  “I am too old to take a nap, cousin Marion,” Lily declared.

  “You will be a very grumpy little girl if you do not rest,” Lady Charlotte warned.

  Lily shook her head vehemently. “Papa promised to play backgammon with me today.”

  “That is a very grown-up game,” Rebecca commented.

  “I like it better than piquet,” Lily said. “But Papa will play both if I ask him.”

  Startled, Rebecca turned to Lady Marion, certain she must have misheard. “Cards? But she‘s only six!”