The Patricia Kiyono Christmas Collection

by Patricia Kiyono

  “Good night.” Jeanne watched the young girl leave. Laura had come to work in the house shortly after the duke and duchess had arrived in London. She was a good worker, but didn’t intend to stay. She was more than happy to sign on as temporary help because she had plans to marry a young man in the spring. Jeanne supposed the girl was able to stay cheerful because she knew her job would be done eventually and she could put the long hours of drudgery behind her.

  What would it be like to not have a daily routine like she had? To have a family of her own to care for and love? She loved the Peartrees, but they were her employers. A part of her envied them their happiness.

  What would it be like to have a family of my own, a home where I could decide what to put where, and a husband who will give me children?

  Taking one last glance around the room, she noticed a candle out of place above the mantle. Pushing one of the library ladders over to the correct wall, she mounted the bottom step.

  “Miss Brown, please allow me.” Robert appeared behind her, and his nearness sent a warm glow through her.

  “Oh, I’m not going very high. I just want to straighten that candle up there.”

  “Then I shall hold the ladder steady for you.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but thought better of it and nodded. If not held still, the wheels on the bottom of the ladder could cause it to move. Robert put his foot on the bottom step and held on to the side rails, using his weight to hold the ladder still. She made quick work of straightening the errant candle and came back down.

  Stepping backward off the bottom step, her back made contact with Robert’s chest, and she realized he still held on to the ladder. She basked in the circle of his powerful arms. “Er, thank you.”

  “It was my pleasure. If the ladder had moved while you were perched on it and you were hurt, I would be devastated.” His warm breath tickled her neck, and a delicious shiver ran through her. The sensation burned in her memory long after they parted ways and she retired for the night.

  Blast the man!

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning, Robert listened with half an ear as Utley announced the day’s activities. He’d taken a chance, holding on to the ladder even after Jeanne descended from the last step, but she hadn’t resisted, hadn’t complained. Remembering the blow she’d delivered when he’d proposed, he supposed he was lucky she hadn’t objected to his nearness. Perhaps there was hope for a courtship with the enticing Miss Brown.

  A messenger entered, interrupting Utley’s monologue. The butler took the message and read it then looked up.

  “Miss Brown, the message is for you,” he intoned. As usual, his expression revealed nothing about what he’d read, and he waited for Jeanne to stand up and take the sheet of fine vellum from him. She took it back to her seat and waited until Utley finished his morning announcements and the rest of the servants had risen to begin their duties before she opened it. Robert held back, his curiosity getting the better of him. Jeanne had never spoken of any family. Who could be contacting her?

  His concerns multiplied when she paled and brought her hand to her mouth. Utley had also stayed behind, and he put a fatherly hand on her shoulder and spoke to her softly. She nodded and rushed up the stairs.

  A few minutes later, Robert entered the duke’s room in response to his summons.

  “Yes, Your Grace?”

  “I’m going to need my overcoat today.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “I’ve been pressed into service to accompany Miss Brown to the offices of Steward and Benchley at half past ten.”

  The mention of Jeanne’s name pulled Robert out of his doldrums. Why would she need to see a solicitor? “Er, yes, Your Grace.”

  Phillip turned a questioning eye toward him. “Do you know anything about this?”

  “No, Your Grace.”

  “She hasn’t discussed her summons with you?”

  “No, Your Grace.” Is she in trouble?

  “Your expression tells me you know something.”

  Though the duke had lost his hearing, he missed very little. “I noticed Miss Brown received a message this morning. She seemed… distressed.”

  “Apparently she shared her communication with my wife. And since she is dear to Amelia, I have been delegated to escort her and perhaps advise her if need be.”

  “I… see.”

  “You’re coming along, aren’t you?”

  “Coming along, Your Grace?”

  “I think perhaps I will need your assistance understanding the details the solicitor might impart. After all, my hearing is… compromised, and I want to be sure I understand completely whatever he says.”

  Robert couldn’t keep the grin from his face, though he knew it wasn’t very dignified. Phillip must have deduced he’d developed feelings for Jeanne. How had he known? “Yes, Your Grace. I shall be ready to accompany you and Miss Brown.”

  ~~~~

  Later that morning, Robert sat back in his seat, his mind whirling with all he’d learned from Mr. Steward. Jeanne’s wealthy grandfather had escaped to Switzerland just after Michael Brown and his family had emigrated to England, and just before the revolutionaries had ravaged the country, executing members of the upper class and destroying their property. He’d managed to bring much of his considerable wealth with him and had continued to make money in his newly adopted land.

  Apparently, as Louis Gaudet faced his mortality, he’d come to regret some of the choices he’d made. He’d tried to reach out to his daughter and discovered that she and her husband had died, but his investigators had difficulty locating Jeanne and her brother. The old man had died rich, but unhappy. He’d bequeathed all his earthly riches to his grandchildren, with a generous amount awarded to the persons who found them. Since Pierre Brown had not been located, the entire inheritance would go to Jeanne.

  The new heiress sat between Robert and the duke, wearing an expression that told him she’d been as stunned as he.

  Another thought occurred to him and left him with a sour taste in his mouth. She could purchase any home she wanted. All he could hope to provide for her was a small cottage in the village near the Bartlett Estate. How could he possibly ask her to marry him now? She was far above him.

  But as devastated as he felt, he needed to put up a good front. His father had taught him to exude nothing but polite interest. He tightened his lips, hoping his expression wouldn’t betray his feelings.

  “It appears you will no longer need to keep your position as the duchess’ maid,” the duke observed.

  Mr. Steward laughed. “Miss Brown will need to conduct interviews to hire her own lady’s maid.”

  To everyone’s surprise, Jeanne’s shock turned to horror. “My own lady’s maid? Oh, no! No, I couldn’t. I just… couldn’t.” She dissolved into tears.

  Tears? The woman had just received a fortune! What on earth could she be crying about? A glance at the solicitor told him the elderly gentleman was equally at a loss. Having spent his entire life with men, he had no idea how to comfort a crying woman.

  Robert reached in his pocket for a handkerchief. “Er, could I offer you… this?” He held the cloth out to her gingerly, as if offering a morsel of food to a wild animal.

  Sniffling, she accepted the cloth and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Mr. Townley. I’ll wash it and return it to you.” She blew her nose then, and Robert held back a request for her to keep the handkerchief.

  “Well, now,” sputtered Mr. Steward. “If you wish to take the money to your own banking establishment, we can arrange for you to have the money delivered there. At the moment, it is safe in the Lombard Odier Bank in Switzerland.”

  “Oh, please don’t have it delivered,” Jeanne cried. “Leave the money where it is. I need to think about… all this.”

  Mr. Steward nodded. “A wise choice, Miss Brown. Now that we’ve located you for the family, you will be able to collect your inheritance when you know what you want to do with it.�
��

  Jeanne rose. “Thank you, sir. If there’s nothing else…”

  The solicitor rose and offered his hand. “Thank you for coming, Miss Brown. I think you’re wise to take time to consider your choices before making decisions. Receiving an inheritance of this size is a grave responsibility.”

  In a daze, Robert followed Jeanne and the duke as they left the solicitor’s rooms. His Jeanne was an heiress. Well, she wasn’t his Jeanne, though his mind insisted on thinking of her that way. He’d gotten rather used to the thought of them being together. They’d formed a comfortable partnership, working for the duke and duchess, and instructing the students at the school in the chapel. She no longer looked at him with distaste as she had earlier. It was as if they’d had an understanding, and he’d begun to envision the two of them raising a family in a little cottage in the village near the Bartlett estate.

  But it appeared his plans were for naught. She was no longer his peer; she was far above him. With her inheritance she could hire him. He was truly happy for her. Her good fortune meant she would never have to work again. It meant a change of plans for him, but he would carry on.

  Why did the thought hurt so much?

  Chapter Thirteen

  A half-dozen hackneys picked up the invited guests at the foot of the steps of St. Paul’s and carried them to the Bartlett’s townhouse. Most had never ridden in a coach, and the novelty was thrilling. For them, it was an evening not to be forgotten. The coaches took them to the door where a footman assisted them down to the street and up to the door, where Utley greeted them. Much to the children’s delight, the butler ushered them to the entrance of the large sitting room, announcing each child like royalty.

  At the opposite end, Phillip and Amelia Peartree, Duke and Duchess of Bartlett, received their guests. Some of the little ones started to run toward her, but most stopped short and bowed or curtseyed. The parents followed suit, having watched the lessons Robert and Jeanne had taught. Amelia praised them and chatted with each child, begging them to tell her all that had happened since she’d last seen them.

  Footmen floated about, carrying drinks and snacks until Utley announced dinner was served.

  The duke and duchess led the way into the dining room, and the guests filed in just the way they had been taught: the tallest pupil and his father, the next tallest and her parents, and so on. At Amelia’s request, Robert and Jeanne joined the students and their parents at the table.

  At previous Christmas dinners, the Bartlett cook had sent the dishes to the church. But that was far different from dining in the formal dining room. Jeanne was thankful Robert had insisted that each step of the meal be practiced. The guests waited patiently as the napkins were placed on their laps and the food was served. They waited until the duke picked up his fork before picking up theirs. And they ate quietly — well, relatively so. A few of them struggled with using the knife and fork to cut their meat, but in general, they did admirably.

  It was during the second course that Utley entered the dinning room, his normally placid expression a bit strained. He leaned down and spoke quietly to the duke, who nodded and rose. “Mr. Townley, would you come with me?”

  Curious, Robert followed the duke to his study. His eyes widened to see Ralph Wilcox.

  Ralph nodded at Robert then turned to the duke.

  “Your Grace, I apologize for interrupting your dinner party. I have a special delivery for your valet, Mr. Townley.” He stepped aside, revealing the wide-eyed child.

  “Andrew!” Robert was unable to contain his relief and knelt before the boy. “I’m so glad to see you. Please forgive me for not coming for you sooner.”

  “Mr. Townley, I waited for you, I did. I knew me mum was dead, but I stayed with her because you said you’d be back. Those men, they made me to go the big house. And it was scary there. I got food every day, but the bigger boys, sometimes they would take mine and eat it before I could.”

  Robert’s heart bled for the poor lad. He took Andy’s hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry you had to endure that. I promise you will never have to go to that house again, not as long as I live. I want you to be my ward, if… if you like.”

  The boy’s eyes widened. “Truly? Like I’ll be yer boy?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll learn how ta read and write and work hard, I will. So you won’t haf ta beat me.”

  “I won’t beat you. Ever. That is a promise I know I can keep. I have never raised a hand to a child, and I don’t expect I ever will.”

  “Never? Papa said I’d never grow up to be a man if he didn’t toughen me up.”

  Robert wished he could have a few moments alone with the boy’s father to see how tough he would be when dealing with someone closer to his own size. “I don’t agree with him. There are ways to become tough, and when you’re a little older, I’ll show you how my father helped me. But right now there is a delicious dinner being served, and I think we ought to get some for you.” Remembering Ralph, he rose, intending to thank his friend, but he had gone. Stepping out of the study, Robert heard Utley letting the man out.

  “Utley, will Mr. Wilcox be back? I need to thank him.”

  The elderly gentleman shook his head. “I believe the duke took care of that.”

  He thanked Utley and took his new charge to the dining room. Jeanne was the first to spot them. She leaped out of her chair and raced to them, her arms outstretched.

  “Andy! You’re safe.” Heedless of the rest of the dinner party, she held the little boy to her breast and sobbed.

  Several of the other children got up and started toward Andy, but they stopped suddenly and looked at Robert, remembering his admonition to remain in their seats until they had been dismissed. He nodded, understanding their excitement, and soon Andy was surrounded by his friends.

  An extra chair was pushed up to the table and another plate filled. The boy sat, but his wide eyes kept going from the mound of food on his plate to the grandeur surrounding him.

  After everyone ate their fill, the duke led the party into the sitting room. The children took their seats on the thick wool rug in front of the fire while the duchess read a special Christmas story by A. P. Worthington. While some listened intently, Robert noticed a few were more intrigued by the rich rug they sat upon, fingering it with awe.

  After Amelia finished reading, she and Phillip, who’d been sitting in a chair opposite her, rose as a servant brought two enormous baskets of gifts. A large bundle was handed to each child: a warm blanket, a book, and a scarf and hat knitted by the duchess herself. Robert nodded with approval each time a child accepted his or her gift and voiced their thanks clearly and sincerely. Sarah had been right. They just needed to be taught the expectations, and they would behave accordingly.

  Andrew stayed close to Robert’s side. After the rest of the guests left, he turned frightened eyes to Robert.

  “Where do I go now?”

  Robert’s heart ached. Would the child ever be able to trust him again? He took Andy’s hand. “You’re not going anywhere. We’ll have to arrange a proper bed for you, but tonight, you can have mine.” They headed toward the servants’ wing.

  “Mr. Townley,” Jeanne called. “I would like a word with you. Tonight, if at all possible.”

  He hesitated but then nodded. “I must settle Andy into bed first. I’ll come down to the library shortly.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Exactly fifteen minutes later, Robert entered the library to find Jeanne pacing. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her so agitated. She planted herself directly in front of him and he braced himself for… whatever she did.

  “Andy told me you were going to be his papa,” she began.

  “I said I would be like a papa. I can’t quite adopt him if his father is still alive.” His brow dipped and he added, “Although I’m not certain I want to find the man. I’m likely to let my fists do the talking if I ever see him again.”

  She scoffed. “That man do
esn’t deserve to be Andy’s father.”

  “True. But I mean to see that Andy has a safe, stable home from now on.”

  “You’ll be wonderful for him.”

  He studied her for a moment. It seemed her words were genuine. “Thank you. I hope he comes to feel safe with me.”

  “He will. But you will have to be both mother and father to him… unless you have plans to marry.”

  He shook his head and stared at his hands. I once hoped she would fill that role.

  “Well then, I shall have to volunteer.”

  His head snapped up. “I beg your pardon?”

  She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She’s quite fetching when she’s determined. He stifled a smile and listened to what she had to say.

  “If you are taking on the task of being Andrew’s father, I would like to be his mother.”

  “His mo—”

  “No one else knows him like I do. No one else cares for him as I do. You couldn’t find anyone better for the job.”

  “Of co—”

  “Don’t you argue with me, Mr. Townley. You know as well as I do that what this boy needs is a woman to make sure he’s eating right, has clean and properly fitting clothes, and behaves like a gentleman.”

  “But I—”

  “Hear me out. Now that grandpère has found me — or rather his solicitors have — I am free to leave the Bartletts’ service and take care of him.”

  “You’re going to — to leave?” She plans to take Andy away, and I won’t be able to see either of them. How will I go on?

  “If I am to do a proper job of raising a child, I can’t very well be taking care of the duchess as well. Oh, you shan’t pay me. I don’t see myself as a nanny, just — a mother figure. Someone he can come to with questions. Someone who is there for him while you are seeing to the duke’s needs.”

  Pay her? His heart lifted as he realized Jeanne didn’t want to take Andrew — she simply wanted to help raise him.