A Cotillion Country Christmas

by Carolynn Carey

  Nellie began to smile happily once more. “That is a perfect solution, Mrs. Copley,” she answered excitedly.

  While still careful to keep her gaze averted from the picture, Clara smiled gratefully at Mrs. Copley. “May I look at your illustration now, Nellie?”

  “Yes, you may, Aunt Clara.” Nellie held the paper up proudly for Clara’s inspection. “It is not quite finished.”

  Clara studied the paper intently. Even with her untutored eye, she could tell that Nellie had a great deal of talent. “Why, you have drawn the façade of Bentley House, Nellie! This is very good, my dear! The front doors are open and someone is walking up the stairway.”

  Nellie pointed excitedly to the figure in the foreground. “I still need to complete the figures in the picture. This is Uncle Julian and I am going to place you here, Aunt Clara, standing and welcoming my uncle in the empty spot between the open doors.”

  Clara and Mrs. Copley exchanged amused looks. “That is very nice, Nellie. Your uncle will be quite pleased with his gift,” Clara assured her.

  Mrs. Copley also praised the child for her diligence. “You did a very good job concentrating on your task, Nellie. It is very important once you have begun work on something to do your best to complete the task within a reasonable time and to the best of your ability.”

  A firm knock sounded upon the door. Mrs. Copley bade the person to enter. The door was quickly opened and a man’s large, well-manicured hand appeared to encase the edge of the door.

  Clara could not stifle the gasp that escaped from her mouth. Her husband had chosen this moment to visit the nursery. She quickly maneuvered herself to stand in front of Nellie, effectively blocking the drawing from Julian’s view.

  Julian entered the room and shut the door behind him. He frowned slightly as he observed Clara’s movements. “I am glad to see you and Nellie are becoming better acquainted, my dear. But may I ask why you must stand directly in front of the child, so that I am unable to see her?”

  Clara could feel her heart begin to pound in her chest as she heard Julian’s question. He had the power to fluster her so easily. She must attempt to become more relaxed in his presence. “Nellie is working on a Christmas present for you, my lord,” she answered with a bravado she did not really feel. “I am merely making certain that you do not spoil the surprise.”

  Julian had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I am sorry that I interrupted you at your work, Nellie. I simply wished to ascertain that you and your governess were comfortable in the nursery. I can assure you that your Aunt Clara has made certain I have no idea of your plans for my gift.”

  Nellie moved to stand next to Clara so that she could see her uncle while at the same time making sure that he could not see her special gift. “Do not be concerned, Uncle. Aunt Clara has saved my surprise for you.”

  At that moment, a knock was heard once again on the nursery door. After Mrs. Copley called out her answer, the door was thrust open and a flustered-looking Warner entered what was fast becoming a crowded room. He spotted Julian and his countenance relaxed. “Excuse me, my lord. There has been a fire at Alton Ramsey’s cottage. I gather that there was heavy damage to the main living quarters. Mr. Ramsey is alive. The men have taken him to his daughter’s cottage. His son-in-law is caring for him there.” Warner paused in his concise dialog to take some air. “Ramsey heard you had returned home and he is asking for you, my lord.”

  Julian nodded to Warner and excused him. Then he turned to Clara. “I must go to Mr. Ramsey, my dear. I am certain I will not return in time for dinner.”

  “Of course you must go, Julian. Mr. Ramsey is an old and loyal employee of Bentley House. I will speak with his daughter, Mrs. Dixon and tell her to go home also.”

  At the mention of Mrs. Dixon, Julian had an arrested look on his face. “I forgot about Mrs. Dixon. Yes, please tell her she may have the use of the coach. I will inform John Coachman to be ready to convey her to her home.”

  With that pronouncement, Julian nodded to Mrs. Copley. He looked over at Nellie and told her that he would see her in the morning. “Please come with me, Clara,” Julian requested as he walked to the door.

  When they had reached the relative quiet of the empty hallway several paces from the nursery door, Julian turned to face Clara. “I was looking forward to having dinner with you this evening, my dear. I fear I expressed myself poorly this afternoon.” He stopped to run a hand through his jet-black hair in a gesture of frustration. “When I said that I wanted to take things slowly, I did not mean that I wanted you to stop showing me any sign of affection.”

  Clara felt a rush of warmth in the region of her heart when she heard Julian’s awkward explanation. She put a hand on his arm and looked up at him with an imploring expression on her face. “Please do not worry about what you said, Julian. We have much to learn about each other but now that you are home we have much time in which to accomplish that task. We will both be somewhat clumsy in our attempts to express ourselves at first. But I am sure in time we will become much more comfortable with each other.”

  Julian stared down at Clara in the dimly lit hallway. “You are right, my dear. I feel much better about our future when I hear your reasoning.” He reached up with one finger to lightly brush one of her cheeks. “I must go to Ramsey, my dear,” he sighed and then dropped his hand to his side. “I will send word of his condition to you as soon as possible.”

  “Take care, Julian,” Clara whispered to him in an imploring manner. A tremble of fear suddenly shook her body at the thought of her husband riding though the dark, cold night on horseback became a reality. Without further thought to her actions, Clara lifted her lips to Julian’s warm mouth and kissed him.

  Julian grinned as she hastily pulled away when she realized what she had done. He quickly reached for both of her arms and tugged her back into his arms. “The thought of that kiss will keep me warm tonight, my dear.” With that, he dropped a hasty kiss on the crown of her head and strode down the hallway to the staircase.

  Chapter Four

  Clara woke early next morning to the welcome sight of pale blue sky peeking through a crack in the curtains at her window. She threw back the bedcovers and reached for her robe which was lying across a nearby chair. She walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain. Yes, the weather looked fine. It was cold but clear. It was definitely a nice day to do some shopping in town.

  Last night, just before she had retired to bed, Susan had brought a note to her from Julian. Ramsey was resting comfortably in his daughter’s cottage. He had a cough from the smoke he had inhaled but he was already claiming to Julian that he would be up to help repair his cottage in no time.

  After she had received the note, Clara had thought about suggesting to Mrs. Copley and Nellie that they go into town to do some shopping for presents. Nellie had the gifts she was making but certainly she would enjoy an outing in town and the chance to purchase some additional small gifts.

  Clara intended to approach Julian at breakfast this morning to tell him of her plan. Once he had agreed to her scheme, she would go to the nursery to announce her idea to Nellie and Mrs. Copley.

  Susan entered her room a short time later and Clara was once again dressed and ready in record time. Today she chose a nut-brown walking dress made of wool to keep her warm while she and her companions strolled around the local town’s city center. Susan piled her mistress’s matching pelisse and fur muff into her arms and indicated that she would have the items ready for her in the entry when Clara and her companions were ready to leave. Clara gathered her gloves and bonnet and headed down the hallway to the stairway.

  She reached the breakfast room doorway to observe Julian deep in concentration, busy reading the newspaper. Clara hesitated to disturb her husband but he looked up at her shortly after she had entered the room.

  Julian rose to stand by his chair as he noted her presence. He folded the paper and dropped it to the table. “Good morning, my dear. I trust you slept well?�
��

  “Yes, I did, Julian. Thank you for your note detailing Ramsey’s condition last night. The information relieved my mind considerably. I informed Mrs. Dixon yesterday evening before she left for her home that she need not return to Bentley House today if her father required her assistance.” Clara took a seat close to Julian’s and she poured herself a cup of tea from a fresh pot placed close to her place setting.

  “I believe Ramsey has pleaded for her to return to our kitchen. I was informed by Warner this morning that Ramsey was suffering from what he termed ‘being excessively coddled’.” Julian studied his wife as she sipped her tea. He noted her walking dress and the gloves and bonnet which she had dropped on a nearby chair. “You appear to be dressed for an outing, my dear. May I inquire as to your plans for the day?”

  Clara finished swallowing the hot liquid in her mouth and turned to her husband, blushing slightly. “You have found me out, Julian. I intend to use the coach today to take Nellie and Mrs. Copley to town on a Christmas present shopping excursion.”

  Julian grinned as he noted her embarrassment. “That sounds like a fine idea, my dear. I am certain Nellie is beside herself with excitement.”

  Clara looked up at Julian in a rueful manner. “I confess I have not broached the matter with Mrs. Copley as yet, my lord. The idea came to me last night. Nellie was so concerned about her presents for us, I thought it would be fun for the three of us to have an outing into town to search for some additional gifts.”

  “Indeed, I am sure Nellie will be ecstatic over your plans, my dear,” Julian agreed. “Unfortunately, I have assured Crawley that I would spend most of the day working on correspondence or I certainly would have joined in the excursion.”

  Clara smiled her thanks as a servant placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. She turned to Julian who had resumed his seat at the table. “I am happy you are in agreement with my plan, Julian. I believe one is able to capture a little more of the true spirit of Christmas when one joins the happy, bustling shoppers just days before the holiday arrives. I hope Nellie will enjoy the day.”

  Julian reached for the paper once again. “I am sure she will, my dear. I will let you finish your meal in peace. I am sure you are anxious to inform Mrs. Copley of your plans.”

  With that pronouncement, Julian effectively discouraged any further conversation. Clara obediently cleaned her plate while Julian concentrated on reading the newspaper. With one last sip of her tea, Clara rose from her seat. “I will leave you now, Julian. I am certain I will return in time for afternoon tea.”

  Julian hurriedly dropped the paper and rose from his seat. He walked across the room and cupped his hand around her elbow. He moved his thumb slightly and rubbed it across the sensitive skin in the crook of her arm. Clara could not stop the sudden increase in her heart rate even though her skin was effectively covered with the heavy cloth from her dress. Julian reached out to cup her chin with his free hand. “Enjoy your day, my dear,” he whispered as he slowly lowered his mouth to hover just above her left cheek. “I will be eagerly awaiting your return.”

  “Julian…” Clara never finished her sentence. At that moment Julian lightly covered her lips with his mouth in a swift, masterful move which ended in a breathtaking kiss. As he slowly pulled away, Clara took a deep breath and attempted to bring a semblance of calm to her suddenly chaotic pulse. She stared with an abrupt longing at her husband’s profile. Just as Clara noted Julian’s eyes widen as if a sudden realization had occurred to him, she nodded her head to clear her lightheadedness and reached for her gloves and bonnet. Julian’s hand slid away from her elbow as she moved away from him. In an effort to avoid further embarrassment, she turned to hasten from the room.

  * * * * *

  Mrs. Copley and Nellie greeted Clara’s idea with obvious enthusiasm. Nellie was quickly dressed in warm clothes suitable for the outing. Mrs. Copley announced herself to be ready soon afterward. Within minutes, they were safely tucked into the coach with warm bricks at their feet to ward off the winter chill.

  The main street of town was full of last-minute Christmas shoppers. Clara was happy to note, as she gazed out from the window of the coach, that people still took time to stop and greet friends and neighbors and to wish them a happy holiday season.

  John Coachman pulled their coach to the side of the road within walking distance of the best shops in the center of the small town. The tiger jumped down from his perch on the back and opened the door as the vehicle came to a stop. He then adjusted the step and stood outside in order to assist them to alight from the coach.

  Nellie scrambled to her feet, grabbed Clara’s hand and tugged on it in an excited manner before quickly releasing it to exclaim, “I am so happy, Aunt Clara! Which shop should we visit first?”

  Clara, in possession of her hand once again, gathered her reticule, made certain the strings on her bonnet were secure, and pulled on her gloves. The fur muff was placed temporarily on her lap. Then she reached up to adjust the wool scarf which Nellie wore more securely around the child’s neck Clara nodded her head to Mrs. Copley to indicate that she should exit the coach before her.

  “We will not rush, my dear. Shall we simply stroll and look into the shop windows? If we see something we like, we will go inside and study the shop’s wares in more detail.”

  Nellie quickly agreed to her suggestion and exited the coach with relative calm. Clara pulled her fur muff over her gloved hands and followed immediately behind. The three companions soon found themselves caught in the crush of holiday shoppers.

  They strolled happily along the street, pausing occasionally to exchange holiday greetings to other equally jubilant shoppers. Mrs. Copley conveniently spotted an item she wished to purchase just as another item that would be perfect for her governess caught Nellie’s eye inside a neighboring shop. Clara and Nellie made their purchase while Mrs. Copley completed her transaction next door. All three emerged from their respective shops with satisfied expressions on their faces.

  A short time later, Clara spied a deluxe chalk set elegantly displayed in a shop window. Careful to walk several paces beyond the shop, she called out to Mrs. Copley and Nellie who were ahead of her. Her companions halted and rejoined Clara. She quickly explained to Mrs. Copley that she had seen a gift which she would like to purchase in a nearby shop. The governess swiftly discerned her mistress’s need for privacy and indicated that she and Nellie had also seen an item which her charge wished to purchase for her aunt and uncle. The three agreed to separate to conduct their transactions. Then Clara pulled one hand from her muff and reached down to open her reticule. She removed several coins and handed them to Nellie. “Have fun choosing your gifts, Nellie.”

  Clara swiftly retraced her steps to the shop where she had seen the set so regally exhibited. She pulled the door to the shop open, intent on making her purchase. “My dear, what is the reason for such haste?” a man’s deep and now very familiar voice inquired in her ear.

  Clara paused with her hand on the shop’s doorknob and looked up to discover Julian dressed quite handsomely wearing a Carrick coat with many capes, a dark green woolen waistcoat, masterfully tied cravat, buff-colored breeches, leather Hessian boots and kid gloves. He carried a silver topped walking stick in one hand and a top hat in the other. He deftly switched his hat to his other hand as he reached out to assist Clara as she pulled open the shop’s door. Once inside, Clara turned to face her husband.

  “I saw an elegant chalk set on display in this shop’s window. I am going to purchase it as a Christmas present for Nellie while she and Mrs. Copley are busy obtaining another gift.” Clara paused in her explanation and looked at Julian in a questioning manner. “I had understood that you were busy working with Crawley today on correspondence, my lord.”

  Julian grinned down at her. “You are correct, Clara. However, I found myself wishing I could join you on your expedition. I told Crawley to take the rest of the day off.”

  Clara felt lightheaded as she heard her
husband state that he wanted to spend part of his day in her company. But just as quickly she chided herself on reading too much into his actions. I must remember that he wishes to take things slowly, she reminded herself as she walked to the counter to discuss purchasing the chalk set with the clerk.

  The clerk was effusive in his praise of her choice of gift. “This here set be fit for a princess, my lady. You will make someone very happy on Christmas.”

  Julian also admired her purchase. “The range of colors is astonishing, my dear. Nellie will be able to create many masterpieces in the future.”

  Careful not to give away a clue as to the type of gift Nellie was giving him, Clara gave Julian a short reply. “I believe it is a gift which will provide her many hours of enjoyment.”

  The purchase was quickly completed and the chalk set was carefully wrapped. When the clerk handed the package to Clara, Julian reached out to take the item. “I will see that John Coachman puts this in a safe place inside the coach, my dear.”

  Clara retraced her steps to the door of the shop. Julian was several paces behind her. As she reached the door, Julian called out to her. “I have seen an item I wish to purchase, my dear. I will be with you momentarily.”

  Clara indicated she had heard Julian with a slight nod of her head. “I am certain Nellie and Mrs. Copley will be waiting for me outside. I will join them.”

  Clara exited the shop and quickly spotted her companions intently studying something in a shop window several steps away. Nellie saw her aunt and waved enthusiastically. Clara hastily walked toward the others, getting somewhat jostled by the other shoppers on the busy street as she did so.

  When Clara rejoined them, Nellie eagerly pointed toward the shop window which had obviously engrossed her for several minutes. “Aunt Clara, see the beautiful clothes? The material looks so soft and shiny.”

  Mrs. Copley smiled at Clara as she observed her mistress’ suddenly intent manner as she studied the clothing on display in the window. “They are quite beautiful, are they not, my lady?”