A Victorian Christmas

by Lorraine Beaumont

  “Now what is so dire?” he asked.

  “Would you like to take a drink first?” she asked, stalling. “Perhaps you should drink the entire glass and then go and get another for both of us.”

  Devlin pulled on his cravat. “That bad, is it?”

  “I hope not, but one can never be too sure.”

  “You want us to get sotted?” he asked. “If that is your intention I can assure you it will take some time, for me. I find I have built up a tolerance over the years from attempting to drink away my own troubles.”

  “How has that worked out for you?”

  He chuckled. “Well…the problem is my troubles were always still there when I sobered up.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I suppose I am saying you may as well spit it out, for I fear the truth will come out anyway.”

  Sadie shifted uncomfortably. Her gown suddenly felt too tight. “I guess you are right.” She smoothed a wrinkle from her gown and picked at a thread.

  “I am sure it is nothing…”

  “I am from the future,” she spit out, cutting him off before she chickened out.

  Reaching out he took his drink and tossed it back in one gulp. He set the glass back down. “I knew you were too good to be real.” He pressed his palm to his forehead and shook his head. “What truths have you come to enlighten me about this time?”

  Sadie frowned. “What truths?”

  “You are here to tell me I am dead are you not, Ghost?”

  “What?” She gaped.

  “I keep seeing ghosts, so I am assuming I am dead. You are the third one that has come to visit me this day.” He laughed, and rubbed his hands over his face. “Bloody Hell!” he exclaimed.

  Sadie blinked stupidly. “Devlin,” she said and reached out to touch his arm. “I am not a ghost.”

  “How are you not a ghost?” he asked, lifting his haunted gaze to hers. “Why else would you be here?”

  “I am not sure…exactly.” She shrugged. “But I am real.”

  “Well, I do not believe you,” he said, a pained expression appearing on his face.

  Sadie went with her gut. “I will prove it to you,” she said, needing to prove it to herself, as well. She leaned forward to the point that their faces were almost touching and then she kissed him. Once again she felt a burst of what felt like fireworks lighting up the night sky on the fourth of July as her lips touched his. Boom, boom, boom, her heart pounded, kissing him for all she was worth. Snaking her hands around his neck she moved closer.

  “Surely you are an angel sent from above,” he murmured against her lips, smoothing her hair away from her face.

  She wasn’t going to disagree. Not now. Mrs. Flint’s words echoed back to her. “A heart wants what a heart wants…all you need to do is believe.” Oh, she believed. Now all she needed was for him to believe as well. Reluctantly she pulled back.

  “See,” she said, smiling. “I am real.” She pressed her hand to his chest, feeling the warmth under his crisp shirt.

  He covered her hand with his own. “If this is a dream I have found myself in, I do not want to wake,” he murmured.

  “Oh, Devlin,” she sighed. “I am not a dream. And I know this is a lot to take in, but somehow, someway I managed to travel from the future into your past.”

  “You did what?”

  “I know,” she exhaled. “I know it sounds out there, like really out there but as it turns out, as ludicrous as this sounds, it is also the sanest answer I can come up with.”

  “I don’t understand.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “How is that possible?”

  Sadie took a breath, reached down inside her gown, and pulled out the necklace. “This did it.” She held out the necklace so he could see it. “I think.”

  Devlin looked at the necklace and his eyes widened. He had seen that very same necklace before. Katherine had one, not to mention the woman on the street so long ago. “Where did you get that?” he asked, his heart beating faster.

  “A gentleman gave it to me by accident… I think or I did, but now I think he may have intended for me to have it all along.”

  “Why would he do such a thing…for me?”

  Sadie did a double take. “I am not sure.” She frowned.

  “Tell me exactly what happened?” Devlin took her hands in his own, holding them.

  “I ah…” She didn’t want to tell him about Bryon. She cleared her throat and began again. “I was visiting this um person, and ah..,”

  Devlin gave her an expectant look. “And…” he prompted.

  “And I ran into a gentleman and asked if he knew any knights in shining armor.” Color bloomed to her cheeks.

  “Yes, and what did he say…exactly?”

  Sadie swallowed hard. “He said he was afraid the only one he knew of was already taken.”

  Devlin laughed, and shook his head. “Then what?” he asked.

  Sadie had no idea what was so funny but she continued her story anyway. “He said the holidays were just around the corner and asked if I wished for anything. I didn’t give it much thought at the time.” She paused, only now remembering what she had asked for. “I asked him if he knew anyone else, from another century, and if any were available. I said he didn’t need to be perfect but workable.”

  “And what did he say to your request?” His face was unreadable.

  “He said nothing at first but then he um, said he may know someone.” She took a breath. “I didn’t give it much thought at the time, but when I was leaving, he gave me this and said for me to have a Merry Christmas.”

  Devlin frowned. “That is it. He didn’t say anything else?”

  “Well no, he kind of disappeared.”

  “Did he?” He grinned.

  “Yes.” She snapped her fingers. “Poof. Just like that.”

  “That sly devil,” Devlin said, shaking his head.

  “You know the man that gave me the necklace?”

  “I am not positive of course,” he said, “but yes, I believe I do.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Now, that is a very long and sorted story.”

  “And this isn’t?”

  “Well, yes, but…”

  “So I am really in the past?” she asked feeling faint again.

  “Yes.”

  “And you are okay with that?”

  “Yes, I am.” He smiled, and squeezed her hand. “But the better question is, are you?”

  “I hadn’t given it much thought, actually.” She chewed on her lip.

  “Well, I don’t know how this works.” He lifted the necklace and looked at the bright red stone. “I fear if you want to go back to your own time you may not have much time here.” He released the necklace.

  “What?” She gaped. “I just got here. I don’t want to leave so soon.” It was the truth. She didn’t want to leave, not now… maybe not ever.

  “Well I know someone who may know a bit about the necklace. Her name is Katherine Jamison. Have you heard of her?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Who is she?”

  “She is a good friend of mine and she too mysteriously showed up here last year. She saved me… in more ways than one.”

  “Oh.” Sadie suddenly felt a surge of jealousy. “You care for her?”

  “Oh yes, she is like a sister to me. She is now married to the Earl of Ravenhurst, Sebastian de Winter.”

  “So she was able to stay here, in this time?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?” she asked feeling a bit better hearing the girl he cared so much for was married.

  “I am not sure,” he said. “We will have to speak with her.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Since the snow has let up, I suppose she will be here later.”

  “Oh no, is the Duke going to be here as well?”

  “Yes, I believe so.”

  “Well, I am not his niece.” She pressed her hands to her heated face.

  “I gat
hered that.”

  “What will they think of me?” Lifting her hand, she smoothed her hair.

  “You look beautiful… to me,” he said.

  “I do?” She didn’t believe him and tried to fix her hair once more.

  “Yes, you do,” he said, gathering her hands into his own.

  “Do you think Katherine will know what to do?” she asked staring at his handsome face, wanting nothing more than to kiss him again.

  “I believe so.”

  “Oh no, and I ate all the confections too.”

  He chuckled. “There are a few remaining.”

  “Should I change before they arrive?”

  “If you like,” he said.

  “All right,” she exhaled and stood up. “I am going to freshen up a bit and then I will meet you back here.”

  “That sounds like a good plan.” He smiled and stood as well. “I will freshen up as well and meet you back here.”

  She ran up to him, placed the gentlest of kisses on his cheek, and then pulled away. “Thanks for believing me.”

  “Not a problem,” he said, and made himself step away before he grabbed her into his arms and kissed her senseless.

  “Be back in a jiffy,” she said and rushed from the room.

  Devlin watched her run up the stairs a smile lingering on his lips. “I may not want you to leave either, Sadie. No, if I have any say in the matter you will not leave at all.”

  Chapter Eleven: Ravenhurst, Unexpected Visit

  “On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…eleven pipers piping.”

  “What is that bloody racket?” asked Sebastian, climbing from bed. He looked out the window. “Bloody Hell!” he exclaimed, staring down at the sleigh.

  “What is wrong?”

  “They are here.” He dropped the curtain, turning.

  “You are kidding.” Katherine sat up, pushing her long hair over her shoulder.

  “I wish,” he sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

  “Sebastian, that is not a very nice thing to say,” she said, climbing from the bed slowly.

  He walked over and helped her stand. “I know,” he said. “But it is the truth.”

  “Come on, get dressed,” she said, looking for the gown she had laid out to wear yesterday. It was a deep red, with black velvet ribbons on the sleeves and waist. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone.”

  “Do not worry, I will be a perfect host,” he said, not missing her stern look of warning.

  “Good.” She smiled, walking to the bath. “Now hurry, we don’t want to keep our guests waiting.”

  “Perhaps they will leave if I do not answer the door in a timely fashion,” he said hopefully.

  “You better get down there, right this minute.”

  He sighed. “Yes, wife,” he said. “I am going.” Quickly he pulled on his clothing and boots. “You will owe me for this.” Hastily he tucked in his shirt and pulled on his jacket. After tying his cravat, he opened the door and headed out to meet their guests.

  Playing with fire gets you burned…eventually

  “Sebastian!” Eliza flung her body against his once he opened the door.

  He staggered back, trying to stay upright. His hands pushed against her hips as he tried to dislodge her from his body. “Who are you?” He frowned down at the girl. She was wearing a dark blue velvet cape that matched her eyes.

  Isabelle walked through the doorway, her eyes widening. “Eliza, dear, step away so he may have room to stand of his own accord,” she instructed, pulling her gloves off a finger at a time, taking in all the pretty decorations. “Where is Katherine?”

  “I am right here.” Katherine looked down at the girl plastering her body against her husband, feeling a surge of jealously.

  “Oh, goodness, where are my manners,” Eliza simpered, still not releasing Sebastian fully.

  “Excuse me.” Disentangling himself from the girl he walked over and helped his wife down the last few stairs.

  “Who is she?” Katherine whispered.

  “Damned if I know.”

  “Merry Christmas, you are looking well,” said Isabelle cutting in front of Eliza. She removed her last glove and lifted her cheek for an obligatory kiss.

  Dutifully, Sebastian kissed his Mother on her proffered cheek. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to make it,” he lied, removing her cloak.

  “Yes, Grayson and I had thought the very same thing. As it turns out, we were wrong.” She smoothed her gown. “Katherine darling, look at you,” she said, reaching out and gave her a quick embrace and then pulled away. “You are practically bursting,” she chided. “I can barely give you a proper hug.”

  Katherine tensed. “Yes, well, the baby is getting rather big,” she agreed and ran her hands over her swollen belly.

  “Oh right, of course,” she tittered. “How silly of me to forget you were pregnant.”

  Katherine’s face reddened brighter than her gown.

  “You look beautiful,” Grayson intervened and gave her a warm exuberant hug.

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling up at him. He was the sweetest man.

  “Ahem,” Eliza cleared her throat. “Isn’t someone going to introduce me properly to…” She turned her back on Katherine. “The Earl?”

  “Could you be more obvious,” Isabelle muttered, rolling her eyes.

  Grayson grabbed his niece’s elbow and pulled her back out of Katherine’s way. “Sebastian, may I introduce you to my niece, Eliza.”

  “It is a pleasure to ah…” He stared at her for a moment. “I believe we have met before, have we not?” he asked, his brow creasing trying to remember where he had seen her.

  Eliza preened. “I knew you remembered me.” She sidled up next to him, grabbing his elbow. “How could you forget after our…” She glanced over her shoulder, pulling him toward the library. “Encounter in the conservatory,” she whispered breathily in his ear.

  Sebastian’s step faltered. He knew he had seen her somewhere but could not place her until this very moment. “That was a long time ago,” he reminded her.

  “Do not worry, your secrets are safe with me,” she assured him, squeezing his arm affectionately.

  “Let me fetch you a beverage.” He disengaged his arm from her hand and turned abruptly, walking back out of the library.

  “Hurry back,” she called.

  Katherine’s eyes boggled. Was that girl hitting on her husband? Why yes, yes, she was.

  “Do not worry dear,” Isabelle said, walking up to her side. “I doubt he remembers the chit, he was just being kind.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.

  Isabelle adjusted her skirts. “Oh, nothing, I ah…oh, what a lovely tree,” she changed the subject and glided across the room.

  Grayson stepped forward. “Forgive my niece,” he said. “She is a bit ah… spirited, and has apparently misplaced her manners.

  “You think?” Katherine glowered at the girl. Spirited was not the word she would have used.

  Hawthorne Manor, the inevitable visit

  Sadie dressed in the pale ice blue gown she had pulled out earlier and fixed her hair with a ribbon she had found in the bureau. Tying it around her hair she made a bow on the bottom of the left side and pulled the rest over her shoulder. Adjusting the necklace so it hung properly, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She really did look like she belonged here even though she knew she didn’t.

  “What am I going to do if I have to leave?” She looked down at the necklace. “I don’t want to leave, do you hear me?” She shook her head. She was being ridiculous…but if the necklace was what sent her here, wouldn’t removing it or say, losing it, stop her from going anywhere? It did make sense. Well, it did if she if she truly believed the necklace is what got her here in the first place.

  “There is only one way to find out,” she said, and unclasped the necklace. Immediately she felt better. “Now where do I hide it?” She looked around the room
for a good place to stash it for a while. After much deliberation on the best hiding place, she decided to put it inside a vase on the mantle. That way it would be out of the way and highly unlikely anyone would look inside. Reaching up she pulled down the vase and put the necklace inside then put it back on the mantle.

  Now all she needed to do was tell Devlin she had lost the necklace and then she wouldn’t have to go anywhere. At least it bought her some more time with him.

  “What if he wants me to leave?” She sighed. “There’s only one way to find out,” she said, and walked over to the door, leaving her new room and the necklace behind.

  Wish upon a star

  Tugging on his waistcoat, Devlin took a deep breath and then ran his hand over his hair. He took special care with his clothing, making sure every crease was smoothed. His cravat was tied with precision, and even Brummell himself would be proud. Walking over to the sideboard, he poured two drinks. Already he had set out the leftover confections on a tray. If no one showed, he and Sadie could finish them off in front of the fire, later. He felt a presence and turned. His breath caught. He had only known her for a short while but he knew in his heart she was the one he was intended to live out his days with. The problem was he didn’t know if she felt the same way.

  “Am I late,” Sadie asked nervously from the doorway.

  “Not at all,” Devlin recovered. He swept his arm out. “As you can see we are the only ones here.”

  The length of her skirts made a soft rustling sound on the carpet as she closed the space between them. “Devlin, I have been thinking,” she said, twisting her hands together.

  “Yes, and what have you been thinking about,” he asked a tightening gathering in his chest.

  “About the necklace and why I am here.”

  “And…” he prompted when she stopped.

  “I am not sure why I came back here to your time,” she said even though that was not the whole truth. She had wished to be here hadn’t she? “But I am sure there is a good reason and I don’t think I should leave until we figure out what that may be,” she said, hoping no praying he would say the same.