The Yuletide Countess: Harriet's Traditional Regency Romance

by Alicia Quigley

  The children eagerly chased after the footman, and Harriet turned back to Lord Francis. He gave her a rueful grin.

  “I beg your pardon; I did not expect to encounter you, Miss Walcott,” he said. “I’m sure Lord Glencairn has told you of my intention to depart on the morrow.”

  “Indeed he has, and a great pity I think it,” rejoined Harriet. “But I’m sure you must do as you feel best.”

  “My continued presence at this point must be somewhat awkward,” said Lord Francis. “And I would never wish to cause Miss Paley embarrassment.”

  Harriet stopped herself from offering the idea that a bit of embarrassment might be precisely what Isobel needed. “I hope that whatever has transpired between you and Miss Paley does not preclude us from being friendly,” she said.

  “Not at all, Miss Walcott. I will always be glad to meet you, and will always count you among my dearest friends.”

  “Thank you,” said Harriet simply. She held out her hand. “I wish you a safe journey to Strancaster, my lord.”

  Lord Francis took her hand in his. “Miss Walcott, do you know where Morgan Park is located?”

  Harriet did not blink. “I believe Lady Morgan indicated that it is some few miles outside Monmouth,” she answered.

  “I believe I may need to renew my acquaintance with Lord Morgan,” said Francis pensively.

  “Do you indeed? Well, I cannot disagree with you, Lord Francis.” Harriet smiled brightly.

  Lord Francis returned it, and for the first time since they began to speak, the heaviness seemed to lift from his shoulders. “Good-bye, Miss Walcott,” he said. “I hope to see you again soon.”

  “As do I,” said Harriet. “God speed, my lord.”

  Chapter 14

  Lord Francis hastened away, and Harriet hurried outside to join the children, her spirits somewhat lifted. Douglas and Sophy had already begun their work and they spent some time before their easels, attempting to capture the notion of a breezy day. Eventually Douglas set down his brush, and frowned.

  “I’m getting hungry,” he said.

  Harriet glanced over at him and forbore to offer a more polite alternative to this bald phrase. “I suppose it has indeed been some time since breakfast,” she said. “Perhaps we should finish what we are about and return to the house.”

  “Oh no,” Sophia protested. “I am getting on famously, and require a bit more time to complete this sketch.”

  Harriet rose to view her work, and saw that Sophia’s effort was both nearly complete, and quite accomplished. “Douglas, you may put away your paints and brushes, but you will have to wait for your sister and me to complete our work,” she replied. “It will be just a few minutes more.”

  Douglas grumbled, but complied, as Harriet and Sophia hastened to finish their work. Just as they were preparing to pack everything away, the tall broad shouldered form of Lord Glencairn could be seen striding toward them, the sun shining on his full head of white hair. Harriet felt her heart make a distinct flip in her chest at the sight.

  Glencairn stopped in front of them, and surveyed his children. “How is the painting going? Do I have budding artists here, or ham-handed amateurs?”

  “Fie, my lord,” Harriet chided him. “No one expects children just beginning to learn to be anything but amateur. But both Douglas and Sophia have at least some aptitude, although Lady Sophia’s interest far outstrips that of her brother.”

  “You’d rather be in the stables, or out in the river with Lord Francis, angling, wouldn’t you?” Glencairn asked him, reaching out to ruffle his son’s hair.

  “Indeed sir, but first I wish to find myself some lunch. I was up very early, and it has been quite a while since I ate breakfast.”

  “Well, help your sister bring her things back to the house, and take Miss Walcott’s as well. I hope that she will do me the honor of walking down to the folly to observe the recent rapid progress, if I offer her my arm.” Glencairn followed his words with the action, turning toward Harriet. She rose, and they strolled off, arm in arm.

  “Thank you for suggesting a walk to the folly,” Harriet remarked. “I’ve seen the construction from the terrace or the lawn, but haven’t actually been to observe it in nigh on a fortnight. It is plain that the progress has been rapid, so I’m eager to see the change at close quarters.”

  “I think you will be impressed Miss Walcott. Not only is the structure charming from a distance, the way that the light plays upon the interior is most appealing, and the workmanship is outstanding.”

  They conversed pleasantly about the many details of the design as they proceeded down the path, and it was soon apparent that nearly all of the structure was in place, with stone columns supporting a wooden peristyle covered with a tiled and ornamented roof, very much in the Roman style. Light streamed in through the columns, and under the roof; carved benches were arranged so that a view of the water lapping nearby or toward the park or the castle could be had. A pedestal awaited a statue, and on it was carved:

  “Grace shines around her with serenest beams,

  And whisp’ring angels prompt her golden dreams.

  For her th’ unfolding rose of Eden blooms,

  And wings of seraphs shed divine perfumes,

  For her the spouse prepares the bridal ring,

  For her white virgins hymenals sing,

  To sounds of heavenly harps she dies away,

  And melts in visions of eternal day.”

  “Alexander Pope,” said Harriet. “How much I love his poetry.”

  “Do you indeed?” asked Lord Glencairn. “I believe he is considered to be rather unfashionable nowadays.”

  “Then I am unfashionable as well, as I have no idea how words so lovely could ever be viewed as outmoded,” said Harriet. She looked around her. “How lovely and tranquil it already appears! Truly a spot to while away the idle hour surrounded by beauty.”

  “Yes, I think it a fitting tribute to the horticultural talents of my late wife, and in keeping with the art work that I have gathered here,” Glencairn responded.

  “And the statue?” Harriet inquired. “What will the subject be?”

  “A statue of the goddess Flora,” he replied. “I will come to London to see if I can acquire one, or, if not, perhaps spending some months in Italy searching for an appropriate piece would be pleasant.” He paused a moment, and cleared his throat. “Perhaps you can assist me in selecting it, Miss Walcott.”

  “I hardly think I am likely to see you in London, unless you plan to travel there for the next Season,” Harriet said. “Isobel and I spend the fall and the winter at Kitswold where she keeps very busy with her family, the neighbors, and her, um, other interests. She also rides with the hunt in the winter, so it will be March at the earliest before we remove to Town.”

  “As to that Miss Walcott, perhaps your plans could change.” The earl pulled at his cuffs, fidgeting in a way that was unusual for him. “Miss Walcott, it has not escaped me this summer what great friends you have made of my children, and how much Sophia in particular enjoys the time you spend with them. You have a truly marvelous touch with young people.”

  “Thank you, Lord Glencairn,” Harriet answered. “I hope it is a reflection of the very real pleasure I take in their company.”

  “And they in yours, madam,” he agreed. “Also, I have become aware of how social you and Miss Paley are, and what a visible and respected place your family, and you personally, occupy in the ton. As you know, I have lived very much retired for some considerable time now, but I have realized that I must change my ways, for the sake of my children. Thus, I have need of a wife, with the ability to bring me back into Society and to bring out my daughter in what I have realized will be only a very few years. I had thought that I would have to spend some time finding such a lady, one not too old, but not a demanding young chit either, with the birth and breeding that my countess must of course possess, and who has the ear of the patronesses of Almack’s along with the entrée to all of the be
st homes and Society events. But Miss Walcott, fate has brought us together this summer, and I see that you fulfill every requirement I could possibly have in a new wife. While our young friends have not obliged us with a wedding, perhaps Glencairn can yet host one this year. Will you please do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”

  The earl smiled warmly at her as he declared himself, and Harriet’s first thought was that here was the proposal she had hoped against hope for. But then the nature of his speech intruded upon her. He had assessed her value to him as a hostess, as a sponsor for his children in society, as a lady of birth and breeding who would grace his noble name, but there was not one word about her, Harriet, and any esteem he held her in, outside of these attributes. She read the quote on the statue once more, contrasting the sentiments it espoused and Glencairn’s emotionless proposal as she strove to answer him.

  As she sought the words of delight and acceptance with which she had dreamed of responding to such a proposal if it came, she was shocked to hear herself give a very different reply. “I am very sensible of the honor you do me in making me this offer of marriage. However, I find I cannot accept your very flattering proposal.”

  “Cannot accept my proposal?” Lord Glencairn echoed in an astonished tone. “Dear Miss Walcott, do you expect to receive another more advantageous offer than I have just made you?”

  “Indeed not, my lord. I realize that I am unlikely to ever receive another offer of marriage at all, whether advantageous or not,” she replied with gentle dignity.

  “What reason can you have then for thus refusing me?” Glencairn asked.

  “As is common among people of our station, you have made me a proposal based on dynastic and social considerations. You have wealth and breeding, but require a wife with the experience and connections so necessary to launching your offspring in Society. But I find, dear sir, that I wish for more than to be simply a useful appurtenance. I feel tender emotions toward you, which you plainly do not share. Perhaps I am influenced by many years of Isobel's company, but I find I do not wish for a marriage in which I am merely the most honored member of your staff.”

  “I would hardly consider a new Lady Glencairn as simply another member of the staff,” Glencairn exclaimed.

  “Indeed no, I don't think you intend me to be 'merely' a governess or a chaperone, but there is a great difference between a convenient wife and a cherished wife. And, in spite of the many joys of assisting your children as they make their way in life, I don't believe I can support being nothing more to you than a convenient solution to a problem.”

  “But I propose to endow you with a title, my handsome fortune, a generous allowance, and the ability to entertain and become a social figure in your own right,” Glencairn responded.

  “Yes, I understand that, but you do plan to endow me with your heart? During my many Seasons I have seen more marriages made only for such reasons than not, and they usually are not an unalloyed success. I find, to my own surprise, that I yearn for more,” she said sadly.

  Glencairn looked thunderstruck, and opened his mouth as though to protest. Harriet held up a hand and continued. “I know your heart is buried with your Elinor, my dear sir, as I can plainly see from the carving on this pedestal, but somehow, I cannot do without at least a little piece of it.”

  At the mention of his deceased wife, a look of irritation crossed Glencairn’s face. “No one can take her place,” he protested. “How can you even consider such a thing?”

  “I have no wish to take her place in your heart, or those of your children. But I do wish to have a least a small place of my own there.”

  “I had thought you a reasonable female, Miss Walcott. My children do love you already, will that not satisfy you?” he asked.

  “No, it will not. I have been trying to impress that upon you these five minutes now, my lord. I am a reasonable female, but I am also one who recognizes that although a crust in a cottage with love is not necessarily better than a loveless marriage in a mansion, I am so happily situated in my family and friends that I am not obliged to marry without any love at all. I am very sorry to disappoint you, for I am indeed very fond of you and your children, but I will not wed you under such conditions.” She looked up at him and smiled mistily. “I know that we are both rational creatures, so I hope that for the short period of time that remains before Miss Paley and I must return to England, we can be friendly, and that I can continue to spend time with Douglas and Sophia.”

  Glencairn continued to look rather as if he thought further argument would win the day for him, but he finally nodded his head reluctantly. “Miss Walcott, I know that you will never behave as anything except a lady, and I certainly hope that I am gentleman enough to match you. Let us cry friends, and think no more of this matter.”

  Harriet turned away from him, and stared blindly out through the folly, as she bit a quivering lip, and struggled to maintain a calm demeanor. The romantic nature of the setting Glencairn had chosen for his proposal contrasted forcibly with the matter-of-fact way in which he had totted up the advantages of their marriage, rather as though he were filling out a ledger book.

  She took a deep breath, then turned back to him with a brilliant, if forced, smile. “My goodness, how late it is getting. We really should be returning to the house. It has been so pleasant to see the recent progress on the construction of the folly in your company, Lord Glencairn! You have completely put to rest my concerns that dear Isobel might need to delay our departure still further. Not but what we love Ballydendargan, but the risk of the fall rains making travel unbearably slow, does rise apace with each passing day.”

  As she spoke, his lordship offered his arm to her, and they began to make their way up the path to the castle, which stood gleaming in the rays of the late summer sun. Glencairn remained somewhat quiet, but Harriet maintained a stream of unexceptionable conversation to cover the awkward moments. Never, she thought, would she let him believe that she was heartbroken over the events that had just transpired.

  They entered the castle and paused awkwardly, each wondering what to do next. Harriet did not wish to intrude further on Lord Glencairn’s day, but was fully aware that Sophia and Douglas would be surprised if she left. With great relief she saw Miss Dalburn approaching down the long hallway, and she turned to her with relief.

  “Miss Dalburn, how lovely to see you,” she said.

  Catherine approached, her eyes moving curiously from Lord Glencairn’s stern face to Harriet’s flustered expression. “Miss Walcott, I am likewise delighted. Thank you so much for painting with the children this morning; it gave me an opportunity to prepare a geography lesson for Douglas.”

  “You know how much pleasure I take in spending time with your charges, so you have no need to thank me,” replied Harriet. She released Lord Glencairn’s arm and turned to him with a smile. “Thank you very much for escorting me to the house, my lord. I’m sure you wish to join the children for lunch. I—I have a headache, and believe I must return to Dargenwater Cottage. Pray give my excuses to Sophia and Douglas and tell them I will visit them again another day.”

  “Yes, of course,” said the earl, clearly relieved at the opportunity for escape she had offered him. “I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” said Harriet. She watched regretfully as he walked away, still amazed at her temerity in rejecting his proposal.

  “What a pity that you have a headache,” said Catherine. “The children will be very disappointed.”

  Harriet took her hand and squeezed it. “I don’t—or at least I did not, though perhaps I feel one coming on now. My dear, I can scarce believe it, but Lord Glencairn made me an offer of marriage.”

  “Oh Harriet, I am so pleased for you!” said Catherine.

  Harriet shook her head. “I refused him,” she said, her voice hovering on the brink of a sob.

  “You refused him?” repeated Catherine, stunned. “He is an earl! And so very kind! Why ever would yo
u refuse a wealthy and pleasant titled gentleman whose company you enjoy?”

  “You are surprised, of course,” Harriet remarked. “I was too. I found that I have become too fond of him to be merely a member of his staff to whom he happens to be wed.”

  “Do you not think he could grow to return your affections? Would it not be worth trying?” Catherine inquired.

  “Oh, he asked me at the folly, you know. In front of the pedestal for the statue to his dead Elinor, with an inscription that says quite clearly that his heart is dead and buried with her.” There was another pause before Harriet continued, “It is really quite absurd of me I know, but I felt I could not do without at least a little corner of it for me.”

  Catherine glanced at Harriet, and said, “I think it’s a habit for him, being the bereaved widower. It gives him an excuse to enjoy living in the country, and protects him from females seeking a rich husband. But I don’t think that he still mourns her in a way that leaves no possible room for another. More likely he has just never considered the possibility.”

  “You are likely quite correct, and I know I am doubtless a fool,” said Harriet. “But his proposal was very much as though he was purchasing a horse; he enumerated my excellent qualities as a hostess and a stepmother, with no word of love, or even affection. And, he took me there in my oldest dress, with marks on it from teaching the children to paint, as though there was nothing out of the ordinary about the occasion. I never thought I would be distressed by such trivial things, but I found, to my surprise, that they do indeed matter to me.”

  “Oh, my dear, what a pity,” said Catherine. “I had such hopes that you would be the mistress of Glencairn Castle!”

  Harriet sighed. “As did I. But I find I am almost as foolish as Miss Paley. Though, I suppose I do know my heart, where she does not, and I have decided that I must listen to its dictates.”