One Enchanted Winter

by Victoria Oliveri

  “I was in good hands,” he offered with a smirk, but she glowered at him before she stepped away to undo her cloak and hand it to the awaiting maid.

  Moments later, the Earl of Harrington entered the room, his valet and footmen at his heels as he divested himself of his own cloak, gloves and hat. He caught sight of Dederick at once and the look Dederick received wasn’t one he could easily translate. It wasn’t one he’d ever seen before. It seemed to be a mixture of surprise, consternation, and worry. Dederick didn’t think he’d ever seen his father worry.

  “Father,” he greeted as he stepped forward.

  “You’re walking,” his father noted as his mother had.

  “Yes, I’ve healed well. Dr Wheatley is pleased with my recovery.”

  “Is he here?” the Earl asked, looking across the foyer to the other rooms.

  “Indeed. He’s in the library with Miss Wheatley. I thought we could let you both get settled first before we talk.”

  At the mention of Arabella, he watched as a facade dropped over his father’s face momentarily. It was not a good sign, but Dederick took a breath and awaited his father’s wishes.

  “We need not settle,” the Earl bit out. “Your mother and I didn’t come all this way to dawdle.”

  “As you wish, father,” Dederick said with a sharp bow of his head. “Mother,” he offered her an arm and his mother took it as he led them both down the hallway to the library.

  The picture before him pleased him as they entered. Arabella sat upright in a chair near the hearth, the fire playing beautifully off the brilliant fabric of her dress. She cradled a small book in her hands and looked so regal sitting there, as if she always belonged there. Dr Wheatley was in an opposing chair reading the evening paper and he stood immediately when he heard them come in. Arabella stood as well, setting her book aside.

  “Mother, father, you know both Dr Wheatley and his daughter, Miss Arabella Wheatley,” Dederick offered, gesturing to them, giving Arabella a wink.

  Arabella blushed ever so slightly and curtsied gracefully.

  “Lord and Lady Harrington, I pray your trip to the country was not an eventful one,” Arabella said, giving Dederick a soft nod.

  The Countess made a long sweep of her, eyeing every inch before she sniffed haughtily and made her way across the room to her.

  “Dr Wheatley, so nice to see you. I must congratulate you on your expert ministrations of my son. I see he has healed completely,” the Countess said, completely ignoring Arabella.

  “Thank you, Lady Harrington, but I must give credit where credit is due. If it weren’t for the quick attention of my daughter, I fear your son would have been far worse off.”

  The Countess gave him a succinct nod then took a seat.

  “Dr Wheatley,” the Earl said, nodding his head as the doctor bowed his acknowledgement. “We thank you both for your services. It was very kind of you, and we are grateful he is well now.”

  “I was in poor condition when they finally could get me here after the accident. I could not walk at all and my entire body was bruised.”

  “How is the coach?” the Countess asked, ignoring his recounting of the event. “I hope it is not out of commission. We’ll need that coach in the Spring.”

  “The coach is fine, mother. Tinley and a few men from town pulled it out of the ditch and he had the wheelwright fix the axle. It’s already back in the mews. The horses are fine as well.”

  “You should have left with the family,” The Countess admonished. “There was absolutely no reason for you to have stayed behind as you had.”

  “I had things to do, mother,” Dederick said, looking away. “There’s no need for me to explain now, it is already done.”

  The room went silent then and Dederick looked to his parent’s expecting that his father would at least take the situation in hand and get the discussion out of the way, but he did not. Which prompted Dederick to speak up.

  “So, mother...father,” he started, looking to each of them. “I would first like to say that I have already spoken to Dr Wheatley and expressed my intentions for Arabella and--”

  “Dr Wheatley, though I appreciate your agreeing to this match, which I am sure was no difficult task, you must understand that this is not something we wish to go into lightly or without first discussing it in private with our son,” the Earl stated, looking directly at Dederick.

  “I completely understand, Lord Harrington,” Dr Wheatley said with a bow of his head. “When your son came to me, I was wary of the fact that he had yet to speak to you, but I gave my blessing where it was needed.”

  “I’m sure you did,” the Earl said shortly, then looked to Arabella, who Dederick noted had paled considerably. “Would you mind leaving us my dear, and you as well, Dr Wheatley so we may discuss this privately with our son?”

  “Not at all,” the doctor said as he stood and offered a hand to his daughter. Arabella gave Dederick a sorrowful glance before she curtsied to his parents and followed her father out of the room.

  “Is there a reason you’re being so cold to Arabella?” Dederick asked as soon as the door closed.

  His mother held up her hand immediately, halting his words.

  “You do not speak, you listen,” she said, sitting back in the chair. “I do not know what mess you’ve contrived here with this girl, but it shall be undone and quickly at that.”

  “There is no mess to be undone,” Dederick said as he gritted his teeth. He expected this sudden turn of events to upset his parents, but he didn’t expect them to be so cold toward Arabella or her father. He expected them to at least be cordial.

  “You cannot marry this girl. I forbid it,” the Countess stated firmly.

  “Would you mind giving me a reason?” Dederick asked.

  “I should not have to give you a reason, you should know better than to even ask me such a thing. She is not of the proper breeding. She’s barely of an acceptable class. No, you cannot marry her.”

  “Father?” Dederick looked to his father hoping the Earl could be more sensible.

  “I don’t know of these things. You are not heir or even second in line and you have no rank of your own, but you are a part of this family, of which holds a noble title and one that is afforded some reverence when it comes to who we choose to join our ranks. You may not see it that way, but it will be apparent to everyone around us if you chose poorly. I am sorry, but she is a poor choice. Your mother is right.”

  Dederick was astonished by what he was hearing. He could not believe they were treating the woman he loved as if she were a piece of livestock not fit for their paddock.

  “And if I marry her without your consent or blessing?” he asked boldly.

  “Then you shall see no further assistance from this household. You will be on your own,” his mother said flatly, sniffing into the air as she looked away from him.

  He knew this was a half-truth, perhaps her way of scaring him into shying away from his decision. But he was not his brothers. He did not live lavishly and though he enjoyed living in some of the best properties in the country, it was something he could live without if it meant having Arabella. She was all the home he needed. He would make a living, perhaps invest what money he had and call in favors on money owed him from friends to help them get started.

  “So be it,” he said, standing. “Then we shall go it alone, without your consent or blessing.”

  “Sit down,” his father stated loudly, pointing at his seat.

  Dederick did not sit, but crossed his arms and looked to his father, giving him a curt nod.

  “What is the importance of marrying this woman? Did you spoil her, is that it?” his father asked and Dederick was suddenly seeing red.

  “I’m not my brothers, you know that well. You have never had to pay off my gambling debts. Not once have my feet touched the floor of a brothel or a tavern where comely girls ply their trade, so why should that change now?” he said loudly, staring his father in the eye. “Arabella is a good
woman. She’s kind, and smart, and she comes from a loving family. That should account for something.”

  “Her father is a physician,” the Earl said as he crossed his legs. “A good one at that. If you marry his daughter, we would lose his services.”

  Dederick looked to his father queerly, furrowing his brows.

  “You mean to deny me my happiness because you don’t wish to lose your physician?” he shouted. “Are you mad?”

  “Dederick, sit down and lower your voice,” the Countess barked and Dederick turned an angry glance her way before he hesitated then returned to his seat.

  “You will not shout at me, do you understand?” the Earl growled at him, lowering his own voice. “This discussion is finished. You will not marry Arabella Wheatley and that’s my final word.”

  Dederick returned his father’s glare. He was seething and could not believe his parents were being so heartless and unmoving on this. He knew it would upset them that it was not discussed with them first, not that it could have been, but he did not expect them to flat out deny him even to speak about it or talk them into agreeing. He did not expect them to cut off all hope he may have had. And it had come to that.

  “You are giving me no choice,” he said calmly. “I love Arabella, I want to marry her, and that is my final word.”

  His father grumbled something under his breath, then cleared his throat.

  “Why is this so important to you?” his father asked. “You only just met her. How in love could you truly be?”

  “I did not just meet her. She’s been coming to the manor for several years. She used to come with her father when she was a girl and more recently, she’s come to retrieve her sister during holidays. I have known her and have spoken to her for at least eight years now.”

  “And how well could you possibly know her?” his mother asked.

  “I feel I know her well enough. Over the past weeks that I’ve been laid up here, we’ve spent hours chatting. She’s a brilliant woman. I am taken by how intelligent she is and how charming. She aided me for most of the time as her father could not get here through the storm and without her aid, I surely would not have healed so quickly. I owe my health completely to her. You can ask her father and he will tell you as much.”

  “But you were alone with her, that is entirely inappropriate,” his mother groused.

  “Would you rather they would have just dumped me in bed and allowed me to writhe in pain for two weeks until her father could arrive? She was at my side from the moment I arrived and treated me with the utmost care. She saw to my every comfort.”

  “I’m sure she did…” the Earl mumbled.

  “I will not have you speak of her as if she were a common whore,” Dederick growled. “Every moment we were together her focus was on my pain and nothing more. She made sure I was fed and had one of the stable boys step in as my valet so I could wash and dress in clean clothing. I have the utmost respect for her and am glad she was here to help me, otherwise this could have turned out much worse.”

  “For her service to you, I am glad she was at hand. She must be very adept to have been able to be of such relief to you,” his mother offered softly.

  “She told me she learned much of it from her father, who spoke often about his practice and taught both of his daughters basic skills for cases such as this where no one was at hand,” Dederick offered, hoping beyond hope that his parents might finally see her for who she really was.

  “Will you please give your mother and me a moment to discuss this and send the girl in. I’d like to talk to her alone,” his father said. “And ask that tea be brought in.”

  “Yes father,” Dederick said then quickly left the room. He asked Mrs. Gendy immediately for the tea service then went to find Arabella, who was waiting nervously with her father in the sitting room. “My parents wish to speak to you alone.”

  “Me? Alone?” Arabella squeaked as she stood.

  “It’ll be fine,” he said, offering her his arm. Walking her to the door of the library, he took her hand and turned her to him. “Do not let them intimidate you. Speak your mind and be yourself. They will love you as I do.”

  Arabella inhaled slowly and looked at the foreboding door.

  “How will I manage this?” she asked, biting her lip. “I can barely stand, I am so nervous.”

  “There is nothing to be nervous about. Just speak to them as you speak to me. You’ll do fine,” he said, kissing her forehead, then he turned her to the door and opened it for her, ushering inside. Giving and receiving a nod from his father, he shut the door and bowed his head. She may be nervous, but it terrified him. He had no idea what they were about to say, but he was sure he would soon see Arabella tearfully rushing from the room.

  “Please, sit my dear,” the Countess said, and Arabella did as she was told, considering her every move. She swept her hand beneath her skirt and smoothed it as she sat as slowly and as gracefully as she could manage. Back straight, head high, she clasped her hands loosely in her lap and gave them a soft smile, willing herself to remain calm. She could hear her mother in her mind talking her through every step. She was the one who taught her etiquette and manners for so many years, and she was glad to have her voice with her now when she needed it most.

  “I understand you and my son have become acquainted these last few weeks,” the Earl said matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, Lord Harrington,” she answered with a quick nod. When he did not continue with his question, she added. “We were together often due to his injury. It was a pleasure to have been on hand to comfort him when he needed me.”

  “And what do you know of Dederick?” the Countess asked, her eyes taking in every inch of her.

  “My Lady?” Arabella was not sure what she meant to receive as a response. Instead of rambling incoherently as she was sure she would, it couldn't hurt to ask for clarification. That she learned from her father.

  “You say you have spent countless hours in my son's company,” the Countess started, feigning boredom. “What have you learned about him?”

  “Your son is a gentleman in every sense of the word. He is kindhearted and intelligent, and I enjoyed conversing with him every evening. We share a love of books, so we shared favorite titles with one another and discussed several topics found within them. I find him charming and altogether pleasing. He is a wonderful man, you should be very proud.”

  The Countess’s expression changed then. Arabella could tell she meant to keep her stern, intimidating face in place, but it slipped for a split second as if her words melted her heart. The Earl smiled softly as well, but he was not looking so angry as his wife in this matter.

  “Yes, well,” the Countess waved her off and looked to her husband.

  “You realize this life, this world that Dederick lives in, is not one that can just be taken up lightly. The ton is not forgiving, and one misstep can ruin a person,” the Earl offered pointedly, and Arabella nodded.

  “Yes, my lord, I understand completely. Until recently I acted as governess to the Marquess of Ashburne’s children and worked closely with him and his wife as to the education and etiquette taught to them so they could better navigate your world without the benefit of having gone to finishing school first.”

  “And how were you able to do that, being uneducated yourself?” the Countess asked.

  Arabella bit her tongue and took a breath. One could not truly comment on what they did not know, she had to keep that in mind.

  “My father made sure my sister and I were both educated. We attended a girls' school, especially after my mother passed, since he could not watch after us being on call as he is most days. While in school, I trained to be a teacher and my skill level was exemplary enough for them to award me a certificate. Becoming a governess was just the next step.”

  “I was not aware that you were educated,” the Earl said with a nod. “What school did you attend?”

  “St Agnes school, my lord,” she said.

  “St Agnes is a
renowned girls' school. How were you able to gain entrance so easily?” the Countess asked, shock clear on her face.

  “My mother attended there and became a respected teacher there for many years. When she married my father, she left the school, but many loved her and so they offered admission to us on my mother’s good merit alone.”

  The Countess, her shock clearer now, looked to her husband.

  “There are children in our own circle that cannot get into that school. I am amazed they gave you both such lenience,” the Earl managed, looking stunned himself.

  “I could put in a good word for them if you’d like, my lord,” she said with a generous smile and for a moment, the Earl chuckled, then caught himself and straightened in his seat.

  “This business with my son,” he started. “I am not sure you are the proper choice for him. You are a smart woman, that much is clear, so you must realize what I expect of him. His wife must be well bred and able to navigate our world without misstep.”

  “I beg to differ, my lord,” she stated plainly. “Though I have no rank to speak of, I know how to navigate in your world, I have done so many times while employed in noble households. I have trained children for many years how to do the same, without misstep. I could not have continued with my employment had I no idea how to go about it. It was my sole purpose for being there.”

  Her answer made the Earl sit back and exhale. Arabella could not read his expression, but it was not a bad one. The Countess, on the other hand, looked fit to be tied.

  “Please give us a moment,” the Countess asked. “And send our son in as you leave the room. I am assuming he has been hovering near the door since the moment you entered.”

  Arabella concealed a smile on that comment, bobbed a graceful curtsy and left the room. Dederick was indeed hovering outside the door.

  “Your parents wish to speak to you,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze.

  “What did they say? Did they give any indication of their decision?” he asked eagerly, and Arabella shook her head.

  “I believe we can convince your father. Your mother, on the other hand, is one tough opponent. I have no idea where her thoughts were headed. I did my best to assure them I am no serving wench out to steal your money, so the rest is up to you.”