The family crowded the foyer while taking of their cloaks and began mingling with each other as she stood by the door and watched everyone. The very best present she could have asked for had happened. Freddy had always been her confidant, even though he was her brother. He always covered for her and amused her with tales from the military and the great heroic feats their country was known for. Dinner tonight would be highly entertaining for a Christmas Eve. Who knew what sort of tales he’d have for them, and hopefully none would frighten little Alec. Her father called out to her, and she approached him with expedience.
“Yes, Papa.”
“Do we have everything for dinner? Harriet mentioned there was an incident.” Clara’s lip twitched. She had hoped to omit that portion of the day’s adventure, but might as well fess up now.
“Well… your dog managed to snag an early supper with the bird we planned for dinner tomorrow, but Phillip saved the day and acquired another.” Her father parted his lips to say something, but then didn’t. Instead, he laughed heartily. “So, I guess I ought to thank Phillip then? Where is that blasted dog anyway?”
Clara looked around the room. “I don’t have the slightest clue, Papa. I think the last time I saw him was when Uncle Duncan, Andrew and little Alec arrived.”
Her father then took her hand and walked her to a corner as he glanced back at Andrew. “I see you’ve met Laird Cameron then?”
“I have, sir.” She smiled at her father, knowing all too well where this conversation was headed. She was at a loss as to why there was a sudden interest in her lack of prospects, or in particular, Andrew.
“He’s a handsome fellow, and a widower. I’ve heard he’s quite amiable too. I would be remiss in my duty as a father if I didn’t encourage you to consider him as a possible suitor.”
Clara patted her father’s arm. “How did I know you would say that?”
“He’d make an excellent husband for you, I think.”
She smiled and then looked over at Andrew. He was laughing now at something her uncles were both chatting about. “While I do not doubt that for a second, Papa, I hardly see how this is the time to discuss such things.” It was then that her aunt sneaked up behind her and her father.
“And pray tell, my dear niece, when is it an ideal time? You’re nearly past the expiration date for the marriage mart,” the sassy woman quipped jokingly.
“Edith! You are simply terrible,” her father added.
“I think he is quite handsome, but let us discuss any future marriage opportunities when there isn’t so many people around, please.” Clara walked away toward the stairs, hoping a quick respite before dinner would help. Instead, she was met with the boisterous little boy who was running down the stairs toward her.
“Slow down, my dear,” she called out to him, but all he could do was giggle in response until he came crashing into her skirts. Clara lifted the child and carried him into the kitchen. There she would fetch them a snack before heading upstairs for a rest.
It was a beautiful feeling, almost natural, holding the child and whisking him away for a short while. Not once in these last few years had she considered the possibility of having her own. Until now.
Alec wriggled in her arms until she sat him on her lap at the table. Harriet joined them a moment later. “What do you suppose the little master has a hankering for?”
“I’m not certain, but perhaps we can try a wee bit of toast with some honey. Umm… I think I’ll have some too, if it’s not too much of a bother.” The middle-aged woman smiled and nodded before leaving the table quietly. Alec fidgeted on her lap and then reached for one of her curls and began to pull on it. He continued to laugh as she bounced him on her knee.
When Harriet returned a moment later with their snacks, Andrew and the nurse rushed into the room. The nurse shrieked, “Thank goodness we found him. He simply wouldn’t settle down in the room and ran off the moment I turned my back.”
“Rest your nerves, madam. He is safe and happy as can be. I hope you don’t mind us feeding him some toast and honey.”
Andrew chuckled. “I certainly don’t mind. I’m sure he’ll still have some room for supper.”
“Very well. Why don’t you go join the others, and I’ll bring him upstairs once he’s all done eating?”
He grinned and she saw a gleam in his eyes. How he gave her such nervous flutterings.
“If you insist, Clara. Although, if you do find that you need assistance, please call for either me or his nurse.”
Clara smiled, then nodded and watched the handsome laird join the others in the parlor before dinner. She propped up the child facing her and unexpectedly wore the honey he’d smothered onto his cheeks when he embraced her.
“Well, my dear. I do believe you’re due for a tidying up. Come along, you sweet, adorable child.”
The little boy nestled into her arms and pressed his sticky face to her bosom. Someone was tired, including her. Perhaps a rest for the two of them was in order. Just as she reached the stairs, her mother walked with her and whispered, “The child suits you, my love. You’ll make a fine mother one day soon.”
Clara could only laugh at her mother as she carried the child toward her room. By the time she reached her bed, little Alec was sound asleep in her arms. Perhaps disturbing the child to wipe his face clean could wait until dinner. For now, she and this little angel would rest and dream of all the lovely dinner and goodies that would wait for them tonight and tomorrow. She placed him on her bed first, tucking a pillow to one side to keep him from rolling over and she laid down next to him once she wiped off the honey from her cheek.
An odd warmth fell over her as she brushed a stray, dark lock of his hair to the side. She hardly considered the feeling maternal instinct, or was it? Clara had never had any intimate dealings with children under the age of four. Any child younger than that at church would always be with their mama or left at home with a servant. Alec was a lovely child who no doubt would break hearts when he becomes a man. She yawned and wrapped her arm around him. Everyone would know they were safe and sound, and the nurse would appreciate the break, at least she hoped so. Clara settled into the familiar calm state before drifting off.
Chapter Three
Clara and the child woke up to the sound of a shrill squeak. She lifted her head from the pillow, and the nurse shouted, “I’ve found them, laird!”
She sat up, trying to comprehend why Andrew, her uncle, mother and father had entered her room without knocking first. Had everyone’s manners escaped them today? The intrusion was utterly vexing. “What seems to be the problem, Papa?”
She watched as he tried to maintain a stern face, but only to fail and smile. “We thought we had lost the youngster there for a bit.”
“What on Earth… Even Mama saw me carry him upstairs? Where else was I going to go with the child?”
The little boy crawled away from her to the edge of the bed where Andrew collected him and wrapped his arms around him making a few silly gestures to amuse the child.
“All is well. We should leave Clara to ready for dinner then.” Andrew said with a smile before leaving the room while the nurse looked back at her, scowling the whole time.
Clara rose from her bed and sat at her vanity. Trying to find the words to tell her mother she could have settled this in an instant without everyone barging into her room and interrupting hers and Alec’s nap.
“Well, I will leave you ladies and return to our guests,” her father noted before closing the door behind him.
She spun around then. She hadn’t meant to be so agitated, but Lord was she ever.
“Did it not occur to you that I would have the child?”
Her mother pursed her lips and then softened her irritation. “It did, but given your limited experience with children, I never thought your intention was to bring the child to bed with you.” She smiled then. “But Lord, did you see the way Andrew’s face lit up when he saw the child curled up next to you?”
Cla
ra smacked her forehead. “Mama, this is hardly the time to suggest…”
“There’s nothing to suggest when it comes to Laird Cameron’s interest in you. He’s already smitten, and I expect he’ll be courting you before the holiday is over.”
Courtship. She winced. A small part of her supposed she’d have preferred to have been a spinster, but the child was amicable and his father seemed pleasant enough. To be courted by a laird, who’d have thought it possible? She certainly hadn’t. Her mama had mentioned when she first came out that her own transition in moving from the Scottish Lowlands to marry her father had been an exasperating one. She’d primarily spoken Gaelic, so to speak fluid English took time, even though she had butchered the language. If Andrew eventually proposed, would he expect her to master his language too? Could one really learn a new language at this age? She gave her head a shake.
Clara began to stroke her hair with the silver hairbrush her father had given her as a gift last year, trying to tune out her mother’s prattling on about what she should wear to dinner and some other nonsense about having to return to London sometime soon. Her nap hadn’t given her the rest she expected, and toss in the irritation of waking up to everyone in her room, words couldn’t describe how unnerving that was.
She gazed into the mirror and watched her mama pull out her peridot colored gown. The dress possessed an overwhelming amount of lace, which was of the fashion these days, but she disliked the fitting around the bodice. No one wanted to be in a lovely dress only to have it laced up so tight that they had to gasp for air. The addition of a corset didn’t help either, but perhaps she’d convince her mama enough to not have to wear one of them this evening.
“Have you heard a word I’ve said, young lady?”
Clara swung in her seat and faced her mother. “I’m sorry, Mama, I seem to be lost in thought.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “That is another thing you should avoid, my dear. The opinions of unmarried misses are something that should be kept to like-minded company, not when we have guests for Christmas. Now, up with you and let us get changed, and rather quickly.”
She couldn’t help but sigh out of frustration. Tonight, may very well be the longest night of the holidays, and only because her mother expected her to say nothing that interested her. So much for having a joyful Christmas. At least Freddy had joined them and would bring some measure of entertainment with his eccentric behavior. While her extended family was quite familiar with his re-enactments of inappropriate conversations and mocking displays of patriotism at its best while intoxicated, she couldn’t help but worry what Andrew might think of the display. Would he brush it off as fun, or be insulted by the lack of propriety? She prayed he’d take it all in stride.
Clara began to undo her laces in the front while her mother went in search for a servant to aid her in dressing. Why women required so many complicated layers of clothing was beyond her comprehension. It was so vexing and difficult to move at times, and while she wasn’t in possession of the great many exquisite gowns society ladies were famed for, her mother made certain her gowns were always kept to the latest fashions and practical. Well, as practical as it could be. While her mother never expected her to do chores, she was always to look her best as one didn’t know when Papa would bring guests home.
She supposed, with a potential suitor in the house, it couldn’t hurt to pinch her cheeks a bit more for a little more blush, and at least her mama would select a gown that would best suit her coloring for their evening.
Andrew stood before the mirror, vexed with his own cravat. He looked over at his son, who played joyfully on the floor near the bed. He couldn’t recall a time he ever had to wear such a confounded article. Not even to his own wedding. No. There was no need to carry such pretenses, though his late wife’s uncle would be cross with him if he didn’t make a decent effort to look civil in these parts.
They were in the country, and for that he was grateful. He supposed if the irritating fabric was slightly off-centered, no one would notice. Yet, if he wanted to discuss having a future with her father, he had to look and behave his best. Clara was a lovely lass. An unmarried one too, and from what he’d been told, didn’t receive many respectable offers either.
When Duncan had written him to join him here with the Sedgewicks, he at least had been warned of the young lady’s appeal. She was a beauty, well-schooled, and had been helping her father with his business from what he’d overheard earlier. A task that irritated her mother to no end, he figured, but it was his opinion that a woman should know a thing or two of arithmetic and economics. It wasn’t until he arrived that he was, indeed, struck by her beauty, quick wit and the show of maternal instinct by taking the child for a rest this afternoon.
Oh, glory to the moment when he found his son napping with Clara. While he understood everyone’s exasperation with not knowing she had taken the child with her upstairs, the way her arm wrapped around Alec’s body… cradling him from harm. The moment stole his heart. She had his immediate forgiveness, and that quickly changed to a longing he had not felt in many, many months since his wife passed.
If only he could switch places in that moment and hold the lovely woman in his arms. He would be hers if she wanted him. She had unknowingly earned his trust and somehow managed to bring him back to the land of the living.
Andrew would always remember his wife, but he was most certainly ready to move on. As laird, he needed more sons to carry on their name, and for that he needed a new wife. Alec required a mama, and his estate needed a woman’s touch and lead. His ancestral home was now falling apart, and the servants and he and his son were now quarantined to the front portion of the estate.
He could see no one more suitable and with a mind for numbers and a heart with room to love. Clara would be a wonderful wife and excellent mother. Toss in the addition of her being bonny, then he supposed he was fortunate indeed, though that wouldn’t have mattered either.
Andrew settled on his knot, picked up his son and then headed below where dinner was soon to be served. As he opened his door, Clara opened hers. Simultaneously, they stepped into the hall, only to stop and stare. His breath caught in his chest, and he may have squeezed his son a little too tight.
The woman was bonny. Her hair had been pinned up in a manner that suited a princess, and her gown… a green so deep it reminded him of the yew at home, while the gown’s bodice clung to her womanly curves and accentuated her blessed shape. Andrew nearly choked on his saliva. Christmas, man. Get a grip of your emotions.
She and her maid moved forward after nodding to him and made their way below. How on Earth was he going to get through dinner without images of her floating around in his mind? He wanted her, and without a doubt, just as soon as he caught her father alone, he would make a sound offer that would elevate her from her current station in life. Not that he thought she cared enough for that sort of thing, but at least she didn’t put on airs of pretension.
He arrived downstairs in the parlor where her brother jovially discussed politics and his future.
Andrew looked around the room for Clara, but didn’t see her anywhere. He set his son down at his feet and watched the little boy crawl toward Frederick. The child stopped for a moment and then continued on until he reached Clara’s brother and began to tug on his pant legs.
Frederick then picked him up and took his son to the fireplace mantel where he handed him a wooden soldier ornament. “Here you go, little fellow. It’s not much, but it is very smart looking like you.”
Andrew’s son grinned and grip the ornament with glee as they walked back toward him.
Clara’s brother then passed Alec to him. “An adorable little man you have, Andrew.”
“He is very much so, thank you.”
Her brother frowned and cast his eyes down. “I’m quite sorry about your wife though. It must be hard raising a little one on your own.”
Andrew’s heart tightened. “It is, but my wife’s family helps us when they can,
and actually referred the nurse to us. Which has been a blessing, let me say. With all the lands having been officially transferred over to me, I’ve had a hell of a time trying to find a balance with work and managing my son.”
Frederick chuckled, and they were soon joined by Mr. Sedgewick.
“I’m hoping that will change soon,” Andrew nearly whispered.
“Oh!” her brother exclaimed with a smile.
“What are you gentlemen discussing? My son is quite engrossed,” Mr. Sedgewick asked with a grin.
Now was hardly the time to discuss an offer with so many people around. Not to mention he hardly thought Clara would appreciate so many ears listening on the matter.
“We were just discussing my son, sir. Would you spare me a moment of privacy later this evening? I’d like to discuss with you a private matter.”
Mr. Sedgewick gripped his shoulder with a smile and full rosy cheeks. “For you, Andrew, of course. Let me take the lad from you for a while. I’m sure Mrs. Sedgewick will enjoy holding a little one for a bit.”
Andrew was grateful for the welcome he received. The Sedgewicks couldn’t have been finer people. “Of course, sir.” He handed his son over and observed Clara’s father’s interaction with the child. He had an inkling that Mr. Sedgewick would support his offer of marriage, but time would tell how Clara would receive the news. Especially considering how unimpressed she was that everyone invaded her privacy earlier. Between the nurse scowling and her mother beaming with pride over her daughter’s maternal instinct, Lord only knew how she’d react to his proposal.
Chapter Four
Clara should have been setting the table, but spied from a distance, with sheer surprise, at how her father took the child from Andrew. What had they been talking about? Her own brother couldn’t even hide his amusement over their discussion. It was then her brother caught her watching them and then winked. A moment later, Andrew followed suit and smiled. She returned the gesture and spun on her heels back into the dining room.
The Nutcracker Reimagined: A Collection of Christmas Tales Page 65