It Happened One Christmas

by Kaitlin O'Riley

  “Are you ready?” Juliette asked, walking into her bedroom. Her sister looked stunning in a gown of scarlet silk, her raven hair arranged in cascading curls down her back.

  Lisette nodded hurriedly. “Yes. I’m quite ready.” “You do know that I wouldn’t do this for anyone else but you?” Juliette gave her a knowing glance. They all were aware how much Juliette detested attending formal social functions of any kind. “As long as this is what you truly want.”

  “It is.”

  Lisette’s mother and sisters had been very surprised when she told them of her sudden break with Henry Brooks, but they had been more than understanding and supportive of her. She had expected a chorus of “I told you so’s,” but oddly enough they refrained from that type of remark. They merely hugged her and told her that everything would be fine. Although Colette and Paulette had an idea of her feelings toward Quinton Roxbury, they had both kept their opinions on the matter to themselves and for that Lisette was most grateful.

  Just then Colette, Yvette, and Paulette entered her bedroom, as well as her mother.

  “The gentlemen are waiting for you downstairs,” Colette announced. “And they both look most dashing.”

  Genevieve, thrilled that Lisette had decided to venture forth into a Season, smiled with pleasure. “Tu es ravissante ! You look lovely, Lisette. Magnifique! You, too, Juliette. J’ai de si belles filles.”

  “Oh, your gowns both look so gorgeous! The colors complement your skin tones perfectly,” Yvette gushed, the longing in her voice quite clear. “I wish I could go to the ball with you.”

  Paulette rolled her eyes in condescension. “You always wish you could go with them.”

  “Because I think it would be such fun, especially a Christmas Ball! Don’t you ever wish to go to a ball, Paulette?” Yvette swung herself onto Lisette’s bed, her hand wrapped around one of the four tall posts.

  “I have more important things to do than worry about balls and dresses,” Paulette murmured with unfailing superiority. Her glance fell on Lisette and Juliette. “But you both do look very pretty.”

  “I almost wish I could go with you, too, but thank you for going in my place,” Colette added, her hand on her belly. She appeared weary again. “You shall have a wonderful time tonight, in any case.”

  “Are you nervous, Lisette?” Paulette asked.

  Lisette nodded with a weak smile. “Yes, a little bit.” “Well, you don’t look it. Just go and enjoy yourself. Who knows whom you’ll meet tonight?” Yvette suggested. Her eternal optimism and love of all things social and romantic were evident in her yearning expression. Yvette could not wait until she was old enough to make her debut, and she no doubt would enjoy it thoroughly. “They say everyone who is anyone attends the Duke of Rathmore’s parties.”

  Which was just what made Lisette so nervous. Ever since Lady Emmeline Tarleton had verbally attacked her in the bookshop, something inside Lisette had snapped and she didn’t feel the same. Lady Emmeline’s snide words and disparaging assessment of Lisette and her sisters had angered her more than she realized.

  Lisette wanted to prove to herself that she could carry herself in high social circles in spite of her middle-class bookshop background. She knew that class meant very little when weighed against the worth of a person’s character, but most people did not see each other that way. They judged a person by social class alone, as Lady Emmeline Tarleton did. The Hamiltons were a fine family and her grandfather had been a lord. The La Brecques on her mother’s side in France had come from an illustrious family background as well. It had been her father, Thomas Hamilton’s obsession with books that had entered the family into trade.

  As her sisters had, Lisette had grown up extremely well read and educated by her father to believe that people should be judged only on the merits of their character, not by where they hailed from. She had never believed she was a less deserving or less worthy person than anyone else, and Lady Emmeline’s comments had lit a fire within her. How dare the woman say she was not good enough to be the wife of someone like Quinton Roxbury, simply because her father sold books? How dare she say that no one would care to socialize with the likes of a shopkeeper’s daughter?

  Lisette had not told her sisters about her encounter with Lady Emmeline, nor had she divulged to them the specifics of her break with Henry. She was certain they harbored their own suspicions of her sudden desire to participate in a Season after all. But she had told Jeffrey Eddington everything that afternoon he met her on the street. He had taken her to his town house, where he had given her a good talking to about Quinton Roxbury. Surprised by how much Jeffrey knew about their situation, she had hung on his every word. When she explained to Jeffrey about her reasoning behind wishing to enter into society, he had more than willingly agreed to help her.

  Juliette announced hurriedly, “We should go now. I’m sure my husband is pacing the floor like a caged tiger about now. Harrison hates to be kept waiting.”

  Within minutes Lisette was seated beside her brother-in-law, Lucien Sinclair, in the elegant Devon House carriage with Captain Harrison Fleming and Juliette on their way to the Duke of Rathmore’s town house. The duke was hosting some of the most powerful and influential people in the country. And Lisette Hamilton would be among them.

  “Lisette, I hope you behave better than your sister did at her first ball,” Lucien said teasingly while they were still in the carriage.

  “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re referring to,” Juliette responded with mock innocence. “I behaved like a perfect lady that night, so please don’t listen to a word he says, Harrison.”

  “Knowing you, Juliette, I can’t imagine that you ever behaved like a perfect lady.” Captain Fleming chuckled and placed a kiss on his wife’s cheek. “But that is part of who you are.”

  Lisette was growing to like Juliette’s American husband. Tall, with tawny hair and gray eyes, he was handsome and good-hearted. And he had managed to capture the elusive Juliette, so that alone made him special.

  Lucien continued to tease Juliette about the night he had first met her. “I seem to recall you ignoring the guidance of your uncle, dancing with the most inappropriate men, and flirting outrageously all evening.”

  Juliette’s light laughter filled the carriage. “You were so disapproving, Lucien. You had a permanent scowl on your face every time I saw you that night.”

  “Because I could not believe a young lady such as yourself would stick your tongue out at Lord Eddington.”

  “That sounds exactly like something Juliette would do,” Lisette remarked in amusement. She had only heard Colette’s version of her sister’s first foray into society. Lucien’s side was much more interesting.

  “Jeffrey deserved it,” Juliette pointed out. “He was so impertinent.”

  “Jeffrey is always impertinent. But I can assure you, Lucien,” Lisette added, “that I intend to behave myself this evening. I shall comport myself with the utmost decorum.”

  “But you should try to have a little fun, too, Lisette,” Juliette suggested, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I, however, won’t make any such assurances about my behavior this evening.”

  “Hold on to your hat, Harrison,” Lucien warned, feigning alarm at Juliette’s declaration. “I think we’re in for it tonight.”

  Lisette beamed in contentment, her anxiety about the party forgotten in the warm companionship of the carriage ride. She was lucky to have such a family. Not only did she have four sisters who loved her, but she now had two brothers-in-law who loved her as well. She merely mentioned that she wanted to have a Season and they had all dropped everything in order to escort her to her first ball. These two men, and their dear friend Jeffrey, were so good to her. Her two older sisters had managed to find incredible husbands who loved them and their family as well. Lisette could only hope to be so lucky.

  The image of Quinton Roxbury entered her mind, and it occurred to her that he would fit in easily with these men. A deep longing filled h
er heart.

  Oh, how she needed to stop thinking about him! She had not seen Quinton since the evening in his carriage, when they admitted they had feelings for each other. Obviously nothing good could come of those feelings. Yet by meeting Quinton Roxbury, she learned she did not truly love Henry Brooks. Maybe it was fate that had suddenly brought Quinton into her life, however briefly, in order to save her from making a dreadful mistake by marrying a man she did not love?

  Was that all it was?

  At times that was how it seemed to her, and that thought filled her with sadness.

  There was a crush of carriages arriving at the duke’s town house, and it took them almost an hour before they could get from the carriage into the house. When they finally managed to make their way through the crowd of guests, Lord Jeffrey Eddington came to greet them, with his usual charming smile. He looked handsome in his formal evening clothes, his black hair slicked back.

  “Welcome!” Then he added dryly, “Nice of you to stop by for my father’s little party.”

  One could only laugh at Jeffrey’s humorous assessment of the extravagant event. The Duke of Rathmore had spared no expense for his lavish Christmas Ball as hundreds of guests filled the ornate town house. Decorated with evergreen garlands, pine wreaths, and boughs of holly leaves tied with red and gold silk ribbons, the rooms sparkled with a myriad of beeswax candles and gaslights. An enormous Christmas tree stood majestically in the center of the hallway and reached almost to the top of the twenty-foot ceiling, impressing even the most jaded of socialites. Decorated with more candles and German glass ornaments in lovely colors, the tree glistened with cranberry garlands and red silk ribbons.

  Liveried servants scurried about, serving punch and champagne, and an endless variety of foods were displayed on elaborately arranged tables. An orchestra played “The First Noel” while carolers sang with angelic voices. The older guests were occupied partaking of the refreshments and greeting old friends while the younger ones were busy flirting and waiting for the waltzing to begin.

  “You haven’t lived until you’ve been to one of Rathmore’s Christmas parties,” Lucien said to the others. “I’ve attended them for as long as I can remember and they are not to be missed.”

  The three men had been good friends for many years. Lucien and Jeffrey had known each other since childhood, and it was through their business association with Captain Fleming that they eventually became good friends with Harrison, too.

  Jeffrey took her hand in his. “Lisette, you look even more beautiful than you usually do.”

  “Thank you.” For the first time in her life, Lisette actually felt beautiful. Well, at least she did not feel like her usual self. And no wonder! She had spent practically the entire day in preparation for this evening, with her lady’s maid and her sisters fussing over her for hours, but the effect had certainly been worth it.

  “What about me, Jeffrey?” Juliette asked with an arched brow.

  “You look like a presentable married lady, Mrs. Fleming. A most charming wife and mother.”

  Juliette stuck her tongue out at him and Jeffrey erupted in laughter.

  “You haven’t changed a bit, Juliette!” he exclaimed, embracing her. “Come with me, everyone.” He then ushered them into the ballroom and toward the receiving line. They were each announced as they entered and they followed Jeffrey to the head of the line to meet his father.

  The Duke of Rathmore, surrounded by a large group of people, was an older version of Jeffrey, Lisette thought, struck by the similarities between the two men. The duke’s hair was gray, while Jeffrey’s was black, and they were both certainly handsome men, but it was the spark in their eyes that was so striking. There was no doubt that these men were father and son.

  Lisette had heard the story that Jeffrey was illegitimate, but he had been claimed by his father (for who could doubt it, given their remarkable resemblance?) and given a title. Jeffrey was raised knowing he was not the heir to his father’s dukedom, but had been treated as his son in all other ways. Of course, Lisette had always wondered about Jeffrey’s mother. It was common knowledge that she had been a beautiful dancer, but who was she? And where was she now? Lisette had never had the courage to broach the subject with him. The Duke of Rathmore’s long-suffering wife, who had turned a blind eye to her husband’s numerous affairs and had quite graciously accepted Jeffrey into her home, had died some years ago, but the duke had not remarried. The talk going around was that his latest mistress was an Italian opera singer.

  Lisette had to admit that she trembled a little at meeting this infamous man.

  The handsome Duke of Rathmore turned his attention to Jeffrey as they approached.

  “Father, I would like to present some very good friends of mine,” Jeffrey began. “You know Lucien, of course. His wife, Colette, is unable to join us tonight.”

  Lucien shook hands with the duke, whom he had known since he was a child.

  Jeffrey continued with the introductions. “You remember my friend Captain Harrison Fleming, from New York. This is Harrison’s wife, Mrs. Juliette Fleming, who also happens to be Lucien’s sister-in-law.”

  “At last I am able to meet the infamous Juliette Hamilton, whom my son has been telling me about for so long,” the duke said, his merry eyes twinkling.

  “I’m afraid I’ve been in America for the last two years, Your Grace.” Juliette replied engagingly. “I would have come to meet you much sooner had I known you were more handsome than your son.” Not at all intimidated by the duke’s wealth and importance, Juliette flirted expertly with him and the older man was charmed with her, as most men were upon meeting her.

  The duke laughed with her. “Well, I’m delighted that you made it back in time for my Christmas party this year. It’s always a privilege to have a beautiful woman as one’s guest. And, Captain Fleming, you are a most fortunate man to have such a wife.”

  Harrison laughed. “So I have been told.”

  Jeffrey continued the introductions. “And, Father, this is yet another of Lucien’s sisters-in-law, Miss Lisette Hamilton.”

  After he shook hands with Harrison, the duke’s keen eyes fell upon Lisette. “Miss Hamilton, it is my pleasure to meet you.”

  “Good evening, Your Grace. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “My dear, you are most welcome. The party will not lack for lovely ladies this evening, that is certain.” The duke turned to his son. “Another beautiful Hamilton sister? I hope you are planning on marrying this one, since you let the first two slip away, Jeffrey.”

  “I think Miss Hamilton has her sights set for someone far more deserving of her affections than I, Father,” Jeffrey said with his usual self-deprecating good humor.

  The duke smiled broadly at Lisette. “Well, Miss Hamilton, my son may be right at that, but I have a feeling that he’s still a fool not to try for you. Now, my dear, come with me. I need someone lovely and charming by my side while I greet my guests, and I think you will do quite nicely.” He extended his arm to her.

  With no choice but to politely accept his invitation, Lisette swallowed her fear. After all, this was the main reason she had come out this evening in the first place, to see and be seen. With a bright smile, she placed her hand on the duke’s arm.

  “I would be honored, Your Grace.”

  With the amused eyes of the others upon her, Lisette allowed the Duke of Rathmore to lead her among the distinguished guests at his party. She spent the next hour being introduced to every significant peer of the realm as well as all the political players in the government. When she found herself discussing education reform with the prime minister, William Gladstone, Lisette felt a bit faint. But she surprised herself, too. She possessed more self-assurance than she had thought.

  As she moved through the crowd with the duke, Lisette noted with great satisfaction that no one turned up their nose at her. Not one person looked askance or questioned what a shopkeeper’s daughter was doing at such a high-society event as the Duke of Rathmo
re’s Christmas Ball in the first place. Not a single gentleman looked bored or seemed uninterested in anything she had to say. Everyone was polite and charming to her, inquiring about her with something akin to fascination.

  Perhaps it was merely because she was with the duke himself, and who would dare disapprove of her in his presence ? But Lisette had to attribute some of her social accomplishment to herself. People genuinely seemed to like her and enjoy her company. Lady Emmeline’s spiteful words faded away to nothingness.

  When the dancing began, Lucien came to claim her for a waltz and for that she was most grateful.

  The duke relinquished her graciously. “I must thank you, my dear Miss Hamilton, for being such a lovely companion this evening.”

  “Oh, thank you, Your Grace. I have had a most wonderful time meeting everyone.”

  “You are quite welcome, but you can thank me by saving a dance for me later on.” He gave her a wink.

  She laughed, promising him a waltz, and she moved to the ballroom with her brother-in-law.

  To the strains of one of the Strauss waltzes—she never could remember the names of them—Lisette realized she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Attending a major social function was not as arduous a task as she had first anticipated.

  “I’m happy to see that beautiful smile, Lisette,” Lucien said to her. “Everyone is talking about you. It means you are quite a success.”

  “I am?” A thrill of pride welled within her.

  “Yes. You are the belle of the ball, unquestionably. I’ve been bombarded by so many questions about my pretty, and unattached, sister-in-law all evening that I am exhausted with answering them all. You have made quite an impression.”

  “Have I truly?” Her jaw dropped in astonishment and shock that anyone would ask about her.

  It always surprised her when people even remembered her name. Lisette was simply another one of the Hamilton sisters, the quiet one with auburn hair. She didn’t think that she stood out in any special way. She was not businesslike, determined, and independent like Colette. She wasn’t wild and reckless as Juliette had been. She was not at all smart and bookish like Paulette, and was not charming and girlish like Yvette. She was not the smartest nor the wittiest nor the prettiest among them. Her sisters all stood out in their own way, while Lisette was just Lisette—unassuming and quiet, in the background, doing nothing in particular of any note. At least that was how she saw herself. So to have made an impression upon people she did not even know left her quite speechless.