by Lisa Prysock
The candles were lit near every window and a fire glowed in every fireplace. The greenery had been freshened. The yule log was roaring in the Ball Room. A dark red carpet stretched from the foyer to the Ball Room so guests would not track snow into the Drawing Room. The cakes and lemonade were spread on the buffet to serve guests from the Dining Room. Footmen attended both the candles and the front door. Everyone’s nerves were on edge, wondering if guests would risk their lives to attend the event.
Finally, at about five minutes to eight o’clock, a light glistened in the distance in the windows. It was barely visible and seemed to fade and flicker away as the wind and snow covered it. Then, the light appeared again, only a little brighter. Then more lights appeared. Seconds later, a row of lights that seemed to be coming toward them, flickering… but nonetheless, a long row of lights became apparent. The lights were growing stronger and stronger until it became evident that they were sleighs filled with passengers.
“Alton, send two footmen outside with lanterns to wave them in!” Kingston commanded as soon as he saw the first light. “The conditions are still at almost zero visibility out there.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Alton replied as he hurried to place footmen on the veranda.
The Drawing Room erupted in cheers and some of the girls locked hands and danced about, even spilling out into the foyer with their excitement. Winnie could hardly believe her eyes. As she peered out one of the windows with Kingston beside her, it looked as though a long line of sleighs were coming right through the middle of that raging blizzard. Soon, they realized they were coming from two directions as another line of sleighs from the direction of Glad Crown joined those coming from the direction of Northampton. It was a sight to remember!
“Shall we announce our engagement this evening, my love?” the Duke asked.
“Oh yes, Your Grace, we shall,” she replied, looking up at him. It was the first moment she allowed herself to realize how truly handsome he was. “What about the musicians? They haven’t arrived.”
“The mayors will have placed musicians in the second, third, and probably fourth sleighs. There will be dancing and plenty of it!” Kingston assured. “The people of Northampton and Glad Crown have never let weather stop a country dance from taking place, and surely not a grand ball.”
Kingston was proven correct in minutes as the line of sleighs with lanterns began to pull up close to the veranda. Guests began to pour into the hall and footmen assisted them inside quickly. Hillbrook Hall groundskeepers, farm hands, and stable hands began driving the sleighs to the stable in order to get the horses inside the stables to warm up. After the musicians came extra help. The wealthier families of Northampton had sent extra footmen at the front of the line to help drive the sleighs and horses to the stables and accommodate guests, knowing the extra staff the Duke normally hired would not have been able to arrive in advance. They had travelled in caravan fashion to outsmart the blizzard and to have greater light as they approached. Ropes tied the sleighs and horses together. Winnie could not help but be astonished.
“I feel as though we should be in the foyer assisting Alton,” she said, a worried look spreading on her face.
“No, that would embarrass him. Let us take our places just inside the Ball Room instead of the Drawing Room as we did for the Christmas Dinner. Alton will arrange the footmen and settle the staff into greeting and assisting the guests out of their wraps and cloaks. For the Annual Christmas Ball, my parents always waited for Alton to announce the guests. If we do not allow our guests a chance to freshen up, they will feel we have ruined part of the surprise and their efficient methods of honoring us with their arrival.”
“Ah, I see,” Winnie clasped his elbow and allowed the Duke to lead her into the Ball Room. She had much to learn about the way the peerage did some things and why. Every single day she felt she was learning more, but this evening she was learning by leaps and bounds. When she reflected upon the unusual event, she realized she could not recall a single missed country dance or ball due to weather at West Chelmsford either. Perhaps being brave to attend country dances during bad weather was a true testament to the fortitude of the English people and an inclination she could be proud to be a part of.
The ball had been a success in spite of the terrible weather. Finally, when the household arose on Saturday morning, the storm had broken sometime in the middle of the night. At breakfast, the excitement multiplied when Kingston formally announced that their nuptials would take place on Christmas Eve. A few invitations would be dispatched to a select number of guests for the ceremony and breakfast. Servants and guests would surely talk… villagers and tenants would be sure to find out.
“We welcome you to our family, dear Catherine Edwina,” Lady Anne-Marie said as she rose from her seat and embraced Winnie. “I’m only sorry your family will not be able to be here with this weather… there is no way to notify them with Christmas Eve the day after tomorrow. We will do our best to be as helpful to you as if they were here. Perhaps we can have another party when they can come to visit us here at Glad Crown.”
“Yes, we do welcome you and I look forward to having your family here with us!” Lady Amiée-Jo did not have to be persuaded to do the same. “Now, we will truly be sisters.”
“I find that arrangement something to very much look forward to,” Winnie replied, glowing with joy.
“I can attest to the enjoyment of marriage! Congratulations to the bride and groom!” Maguire inserted, tapping his orange juice glass with a fork and toasting the happy couple’s announcement.
“I completely concur,” Earl Boggs joined in, tapping his coffee cup.
“Yes, but what do the ladies say?” Lady Elizabeth inquired teasingly.
“We quite agree,” the Countess added, “do we not, Lady Stapleton?”
“We do, and have done!” The Viscountess submitted cheerfully.
During breakfast, Lady Myriah spent her morning returning the missing possessions with notes of apology. These were generally well received and with a great sigh of relief by Lady Frances whose gold locket was a cherished family heirloom. No one spoke a word of the matter to Kingston and Winnie did not feel the need to inform him since Lady Myriah had made the situation right again.
Hillbrook Hall guests soon climbed inside sleighs, including Winnie and Kingston, to shop at Glad Crown for last minute gift items. The party returned from the village, their arms laden with brown paper packages tied with festive string and ribbon. Some of the university boys from Northampton began to call in the afternoon, riding out to Hillbrook Hall by sleigh. Some of the ladies ran through the halls giggling and dancing, giddy with excitement yelling, “Ridge is here to see Lady Anne-Marie!” There was exuberance in the air with Christmas a few days away and snow banks that had grown up everywhere changing the landscape into a winter wonderland. Joy settled more deeply over everyone as they now had the wedding to look forward to, as well as Christmas... and much better weather.
The inhabitants of Hillbrook Hall wanted to escape to out of doors in the afternoon and take in the fresh air. A group went ice skating on the pond behind the main house which footmen, stable hands, and grounds keepers had partially shoveled earlier in the day. Winnie and the Duke joined his sisters in a snow ball fight while couples skated on the ice. Some couples did both. They didn’t mind acting silly for the first time in the mere twelve days since they had known each other. The laughter was good medicine for all of them after being cooped up indoors during the blizzard. Even Maxwell joined them in the snow. He darted in and out of snow banks playfully, barking whenever he sank in them. One time he sank so much that Winnie pulled the corgi out only to sink into one herself. Kingston rescued her and Max, all of them laughing, while Max barked and pranced all about after being set free.
When he pulled Winnie to her feet, she landed squarely in his arms. He steadied her and whispered in her ear, “I love you, Catherine Edwina Lyndon.” She knew in that moment beyond all uncertainty that Lady Emily w
as firmly behind him and her bouts of melancholy seemed a stranger to her. She marveled at how much the good Lord had changed her life in such a short time.
Lady Jane and Lady Constance soon joined in the snowball fight. Eventually Boggs, Crane, Maguire did so also… and before long, their wives and Ridge joined in. Soon, there were snowballs whizzing about everywhere while skaters glided over the frozen pond in the distance. Boggs was tall like Crane and very solid; strong enough to be able to hit almost any target and withstand a barrage of snowballs. Maguire, Kingston, Boggs, Ridge, and Crane were constantly hitting each other with snowballs and then laughing without remorse at the consequences. They were a merry and jovial lot. It took almost all of them to take Boggs down. They were more careful of the ladies, but that didn’t stop the ladies from returning snowballs as hard as they possibly could. Winnie ducked back into the house early to avoid being injured when one of the snowballs packed a punch that left her arm stinging even through her cape. The last thing she needed would be to sport a black eye or a bruised face for the wedding ceremony.
Carolers descended upon the Hillbrook Hall kitchen throughout the afternoon, anxious for a gift that would help them survive the cold winter. The price of wheat was sky high and all those in need came with hope in their eyes. Each one who came wassailing was not disappointed, though St. Thomas Day was celebrated a day late. Mrs. Glenwood was nonetheless prepared. The kitchen remained open with mugs of hot cider, plates heaped with apple tarts, and a roaring fire where carolers could warm themselves. She distributed according to need, giving them each brown paper packages of various goodies. Some contained pies, others bags of wheat, some jars of jam and preserves, and some loaves of bread. Kingston and Winnie greeted many of the callers. To her delight, he happily introduced her as his fiancée. These were those that struggled so severely from poverty that most had not attended the ball for lack of proper clothing, transportation, or stamina enough to venture outside in the face of a blizzard. Winnie earnestly promised herself she would do all she could to help them in the days ahead.
Though an impossible undertaking to get the news of their wedding to Miss Lyndon’s family in time for the ceremony, the Duke dispatched a letter inviting them to come for a visit at their soonest convenience. The Earl of Milton, Aggie, and Lady Burke departed for Bath very early on Sunday, the day before Christmas Eve. The snow had begun to melt from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Hence, some of the local roads were passable once again by coach. The remaining guests decided to stay at Northampton for the wedding with the holiday nearly upon them, with the exception of Miss Higgens and Lady Margaret Ludlow. The roads beyond the immediate area were likely barely safe for travel and those who did not need to venture upon them did not. The local guests returned to their families in the locality for the holiday observance, with the exception of one other Northampton guest who remained: the Baron. Phillip, being a bachelor, was in no hurry to return to an empty house to celebrate the holidays. He was also prevailed upon to be one of the groomsmen in the wedding.
Winnie was delighted when Alton delivered a letter to her hands from Corabelle.
Dear Winnie,
What wonderful news! Mama and Papa will be so surprised when they hear that the daughter who has not had the pleasure of a coming out ball has been rewarded with such a hand as you have been offered. I confess, knowing you as I do, it does not surprise me in the least. I am overflowing with joy and happiness for you.
Caroline has a new and affectionate suitor named Avery Tertius. He owns a corn mill and will be able to provide for Caroline well. I think he shall propose to our dear eldest sister at Christmas. You may even hear of a January wedding, or perhaps in February, on Valentine’s Day. We like him far more than we did Vicar Bailey Abbot. Accordingly, I think she shall take your news quite well.
Careen is busy making Christmas gifts with Mama, as I am-- which is why few of us have been able to write. I think Careen is so good natured she will be genuinely happy for you. We are making handkerchiefs with initials embroidered in them for Papa and Edward, and flowers for the ladies of the household. I think we will each receive a book also because Mama has been asking to go to the bookstore. I’m still hoping for a new bonnet and am guilty of pestering Papa about it. I’m making a scarf for Edward and Papa. Mama is making a fichu for Tillie. Caroline is making a pair of slippers for Careen, and I suspect me. Careen has purchased new gloves for Caroline and Mama, and I think me. I’m going to try harder than ever to take good care of them. Papa has purchased some perfume for Mama. I am purchasing stationery and a new quill pen for Mama and our dear sisters. Mama will give a few extra shillings, a few days off, and a book to Hannah and Betsy for their loyal service to us.
Tillie and Edward only come to dinner once a week now, usually on Sundays, after church. She seems too tired from tending her own home to say very much, but she will be shocked for a time when she hears your news, and then adjust. Edward has found meaningful employment as a clerk for the granite quarry business manager.
It sounds like your companions will make very nice additions as sisters. We are all looking forward to the plum pudding and a yule log on Christmas Day. We’ve had some carolers, just a few. They came early, but Betsy had bags of wheat on hand and jars of relish, raspberry preserves, and blackberry jam.
Affectionately Your Sister,
Corabelle Louisa Lyndon
The letter made Winnie feel less homesick and gave her an idea that her news would be well received. The remaining household, including the servants, attended the Sunday morning church service in Glad Crown for a Christmas Service rendered by Vicar Taylor. A few invitations were hand delivered to a small group of friends for the wedding. Kingston and Winnie met with Mrs. Childers and Mrs. Glenwood after church to discuss the flowers, cake, and menu. They found it preferable to keep things simple, much to the relief of the staff. Winnie spent the remainder of Sunday preparing her wedding dress. It seemed odd to be preparing for the biggest day of her life without her family.
Her wedding shoes and the repaired shoes had been delivered by Cap on Saturday, the day before. Beatrice brought them upstairs Saturday and agreed to return late afternoon on Sunday, her day off, to help her prepare for the wedding. It wasn’t until that Sunday afternoon that she had a moment alone to consider the shoes. She reached inside each shoe to see if the shoemaker had left her a note. Sure enough, a slip of paper was tucked inside one of the velvet mules.
She eagerly pulled the note out and read it:
Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. May you have a happy, long, and prosperous marriage and be blessed with many children! May laughter ring through your home and may God’s mercies and grace be upon you always. Merry Christmas! Seth and Anna Wilmore
The note spoke to her soul at once! Truly, were it not for the Lord, she would have been consumed by grief, selfishness, and loneliness. She would have given up entirely on her deeply buried hopes and dreams of marriage and a family of her own had the Lord not revived it within her soul and made it possible. She hadn’t even realized the dream had died-- it had been buried for too long. He was indeed a God of mercy and she had much to be thankful for. She tucked the note into her jewelry box beside the other one the shoemaker had given her.
Lady Anne-Marie and Lady Amiée-Josephine stood at the chapel altar dressed in shades of pale pink on Christmas Eve morning, compliant and cheerful to be Catherine’s bridesmaids. The Viscountess, Lady Stapleton and the Countess, Lady Boggs, stood as Matrons of Honor wearing winter gowns in a shade of burgundy. Maguire, Boggs, Crane, and Ridge (Viscount Wheatley) were the groomsmen, all looking very dapper in their dark dress coats with tails, white cravats, and crisp, white dress shirts.
Catherine had risen to a bedroom full of flowers. Vases of flowers from Kingston with a note expressing his love stunned her as Beatrice set a tray before her with a cup of hot choc
olať and a croissant to calm her nerves. After breakfast, Lady Anne-Marie and Lady Amiée-Jo brought her a silver tray upon which sat a family tiara and more flowers for her hair, complements of Kingston. Catherine carried a bouquet of lily of the valley and white roses. She wore the plum velvet winter gown with the empire waist, puffed sleeves, and a demi-train. Though the dress wasn’t new, she had embellished it with help from Beatrice with alternating plum satin rosettes and pale pink satin rosettes running along the seams on each side of the bodice. She also added a long, wide, pale pink, satin sash; having sewn it into the empire waist, the length of which tied at the front side and streamed down most of the length of the gown. The sleeves were elaborate, plum velvet, puffed sleeves cinched at the elbows. They were her favorite sleeve designs of all of her gowns. She wore two cream satin petticoats trimmed in double layers of pale pink, lace ruffles beneath the gown which gave it the volume desired. The plum velvet mules embellished with jewels which the shoemaker had designed were complementary to the gown. She wore the tiara in her hair that had belonged to Duchesses that had gone before her and flowers just above the nape of her neck. Beatrice had worked wonders with her hair. The Duke looked handsome and dignified wearing his military officer’s uniform and sash.
News of their quiet wedding ceremony had spread quickly through Glad Crown since the day of the announcement on Friday made at the Ball. A small crowd gathered outside the chapel to wait for their Duke and his Duchess to emerge. Many of the Duke’s tenants and Glad Crown villagers lined the garden walkways and snow covered grounds, clapping and cheering as they took their first steps together as husband and wife. Seth and Anna Wilmore were given seats near the front of the church along with a few of the guests who had attended the Dinner Party. Vicar Taylor presided over the ceremony.
After the ceremony, while the villagers and tenants that had greeted them attended a parade in Glad Crown to celebrate Christmas Eve, a few guests in addition to the guests and inhabitants of Hillbrook Hall attended their wedding breakfast, including the shoemaker and his family; Vicar Taylor and his wife, Louisa; the mayor of Northampton and his daughter, Samuel Hughes and Miss Hannah Hughes; the mayor of Glad Crown and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Whitmore (who had to leave early to be wave to the parade); the Franklin brothers; the Farnsley sisters; the Millers; and the Andrews. The menu included ham or turkey slices, beef pies, gravy, boiled potatoes, scrambled eggs, apple sauce, cranberry orange salad, acorn squash casserole, turteulong, seed cake, marmalade jam, rolls, apple pie, orangeat, hot tea, hot chocolať, coffee, and water. Catherine made sure that the Wilmore family was seated close to the head of the table at their wedding breakfast where they could converse with them.