A Cotillion Country Christmas

by Carolynn Carey

  Suddenly a bit unnerved by his expression, Thea nodded toward two chairs facing the north window. “Would you like to sit down?”

  He motioned for her to precede him. “After you.”

  Thea seated herself, then waited for Robert to take the chair beside her before she spoke again. “I believe you wanted to ask my advice about something, my lord.”

  “I do. You see, I learned a great deal about the estate while out riding with your brothers this morning. For example, I saw that many of the tenants’ houses are in need of repairs and when I stopped to speak with some of the men, I learned that they are in dire need of new plows and various tools that help them farm the land. Obviously, I have been remiss in not visiting Maulton Manor in recent years. However, I hope to correct my oversights now by becoming acquainted with my tenants and making an inventory of their needs.”

  Thea nodded. “I’m sure the tenants will be very appreciative, my lord.”

  “The thing is, I would like to meet some of their needs through the gifts they might expect on Boxing Day. However, as you know, I’m not at all familiar with the customs in this area so I’m hoping you can enlighten me.”

  “What, exactly, do you wish to know?”

  “To begin with, what’s this greenery business all about? Why do we need to scout out the locations of ivy and mistletoe and holly but delay bringing any of it home?”

  Thea felt her eyes widen, amazed that Robert really knew so little about the customs of the region. “First of all, it’s considered bad luck to bring greenery into the house prior to Christmas Eve but creating decorations takes a considerable amount of time. Thus, the men generally ride out early in the day to cut what we need so the women have ample time to make our wreaths and centerpieces and kissing balls.”

  “Kissing balls?”

  “That’s what the mistletoe is for and usually the kissing balls are confined to the servants’ quarters. Still, it’s important that we have nice mistletoe, preferably with lots of berries. According to tradition, each berry represents a kiss that is to be claimed by a gentleman.”

  “I see. What else do you do on Christmas Eve?”

  “We light the Christmas Candle and the Yule Log, both of which are supposed to burn through Christmas Day.”

  “Do they?”

  Thea grinned. “Usually. My brothers are quite adept at locating Yule Logs and I’ve already asked them to find one for us. They’ll bring it inside on Christmas Eve and you can expect them to insist that we sit on it before it goes into the fireplace.”

  “Why?”

  “For luck, of course.”

  Robert laughed. “In that case, I’ll be happy to oblige. I’m never one to turn my back on luck.”

  Thea’s heart gave a happy skip. Somehow, she hadn’t expected Robert to enter into the spirit of the holiday so readily.

  “What else do I need to know about the customs of the season, wife?”

  Thea’s heart did a complete somersault this time. He’d called her ‘wife’. Surely that meant that he’d accepted her as more than an obligation. She smiled widely. “That brings us to Christmas Day. We’ll go to church that morning and then my family will join us here for Christmas dinner. Mrs. Gilbert and I are still working on the menu but the usual fare consists of a pig and turkey, mincemeat and plum pudding. We’ve not decided on the side dishes yet.”

  “What about the Wassail Bowl?”

  “I’ll be using my mother’s recipe and for our first year, she’s giving us the wine and the spices. Mrs. Gilbert says she already has the apples we’ll float on top. Fortunately, the estate’s orchards did well this year.”

  Robert’s expression sobered. “That all sounds wonderful. But I’m most interested in the customs related to Boxing Day. You said that we are to present gifts to our servants and the needy on December twenty-six, which seems like the perfect opportunity for me to make up for any neglect the tenants may have suffered because of my absence in recent years. And that brings me to the subject I wished to raise with you.”

  “What would that be, my lord?”

  “I’d like you to visit some of the tenants with me. While I’m talking with the men to ask them about their needs, you can visit with the women to help determine what we can provide that will benefit them the most.”

  Thea’s smile faded. “I’ll be happy to accompany you, of course but I hope Mr. Frashton has not been in the habit of neglecting the tenants’ needs.”

  “I don’t think so but as you know, he isn’t here for me to ask, so I must ask the tenants instead.”

  Thea had the distinct feeling that Robert was not sharing with her the whole truth about his concerns but she didn’t know her husband well enough to question him further. “As I said, I’ll be happy to accompany you. When shall we go?”

  “Perhaps early tomorrow afternoon if that’s convenient with you. I’m expecting Mr. Murdock and his brother in the morning. As you probably know, I’m considering hiring a secretary and Mr. Murdock’s brother is interviewing for the position.”

  Thea clapped her hands. “I know and I think it’s wonderful. I’ve known Mr. Murdock and his brother Josiah for years and feel you couldn’t find a more accomplished and loyal secretary anywhere.”

  Robert grinned. “That’s a high recommendation indeed, my lady. I’ve a feeling that by tomorrow this time, I’ll be in possession of my own secretary.”

  “I do hope so,” Thea said. “In the meantime, will you be joining me for dinner this evening, my lord?”

  “Yes, I shall. And I’ll be looking forward to it. But in the meantime, I’d best let you get back to work. I suspect you still have much to do in preparation for Christmas.”

  Thea glanced around the room at the various piles that still had to be sorted according to size. And she needed to meet with Mrs. Gilbert regarding side dishes for Christmas dinner. She would be busy, of course but she loved every minute of the preparations. She stood and smiled. “Thank you for including me in your plans to help the tenants, my lord. I’ll look forward to it.”

  Robert also stood, then grasped Thea’s hand. “I assure you, my lady, that you cannot look forward to tomorrow’s outing more than I do.” With that, he bowed and dropped a quick kiss on the back of her hand. “Until dinner, then,” he said and with a smile exited the room.

  After he had gone, Thea lifted her hand and gazed at the area his lips had touched. Her entire hand tingled, as did a spot deep in her stomach and she felt a smile tilting her lips. This Christmas promised to be wonderful in more ways than one.

  Chapter Three

  By three o’clock the following afternoon, Robert had decided there was a great deal of good to be said about the activities surrounding Boxing Day. He’d learned long ago that tenants did not like to feel they were the objects of charity but with a tradition like Boxing Day that required the landowner to bestow gifts on his people, the tenants seemed well enough pleased to describe their needs.

  Robert was also delighted with Thea, who’d appeared for their outing in a forest green riding habit and a jaunty matching hat. At first he’d feared she was more appropriately dressed for parading in the park in London but she’d quickly proven herself to be an excellent rider and he’d experienced no fears for her as they wended their way along the forest paths, across creeks and through glens. As it turned out, she already knew many of the tenants’ wives and those ladies were more at ease with Thea than their husbands were with Robert himself.

  On their way back home, whenever the pathways were wide enough for them to ride abreast, they’d discussed the various tenants and their needs. Robert had been pleasantly surprised to discover that Thea’s sense of responsibility was as strong as his own but somehow she managed to take everything in stride, avoiding the suffocating fears of failure that so often plagued Robert. He’d spent too many hours in the past worrying that he would overlook a detail that would result in one of his people being injured in some way. If Thea felt such concerns, she hid them wel
l behind her frequent smile and sparkling eyes.

  As they neared the Manor, Robert pulled up and turned to Thea. “I want to thank you, my lady, for accompanying me this afternoon. I’m well aware that I accomplished much more because you were along.”

  Thea’s ready smile blossomed. “You are most welcome, my lord. Truth be told, I enjoyed myself immensely. Preparing for the Christmas season has always been one of my most enjoyable activities.” Her smile faded. “But tell me, my lord, did you get an opportunity to ask any of the men if Mr. Frashton has been an adequate manager?”

  Robert’s good mood evaporated. What he had learned was that he was very much to blame for his tenants’ needs not being adequately met during the past few months. The men had explained that Frashton had always refused to allot money for improvements until he received written permission from Robert and in recent months, so Frashton had told the tenants, Robert had not responded to his requests as promptly as usual.

  That, of course, was true. Robert had allowed his correspondence with all of his estate managers to languish while he engaged in the social niceties leading up to his wedding. However, he could hardly tell Thea that their courtship and marriage was to blame for any deficiencies that might be found on the estate, so he forced a smile. “I heard no real complaints about Frashton but as soon as he returns from visiting his mother’s sickbed, we’ll review his procedures here at Maulton Manor.”

  Thea’s eyes brightened again. “So you plan to stay at Maulton Manor for a while, my lord?”

  Truth to tell, Robert hadn’t thought that far into the future. He was accustomed to spending most of the year traveling from one estate to another but he doubted Thea would be content to accompany him on his odysseys. Perhaps he could leave her here in the country near her family while he continued his travels around the countryside but already he had grown accustomed to her company and didn’t look forward to going for months without seeing her.

  And somehow, he felt his wife wouldn’t be best pleased with that procedure either.

  Fortunately, he wasn’t required to answer her question because at that moment they rode out of the forest and were met by Thea’s brothers, who had come over to inform Thea that her sisters would like her to join them that afternoon at Presnell Place to help them plan a play they hoped to present during the holidays. Thea appeared delighted and immediately left to join her sisters. Her brothers watched her go, then dismounted and accompanied Robert into the house. Although he’d hired Josiah Murdock that morning, his new secretary wasn’t to start his responsibilities until the next week and Robert had a great deal of work to do but his brothers-in-law appeared to have no idea that he might be busy.

  They strolled into the library as though they were in their own house and they made themselves equally at home when they spotted the decanters of port on the sideboard. Within fifteen minutes they were sprawled comfortably on the chairs scattered about the room, enjoying their drinks and quizzing Robert about his various activities. Sheldon and Gerald, both of whom were accustomed to positions of power, appeared astonished that Robert kept such a close watch over his holdings.

  “Find yourself a good steward and let the fellow handle the day-to-day details,” Sheldon said.

  “That’s the thing to do,” Gerald chimed in. “You’ll be old before your time if you keep going at such a pace. Besides, when do you have time to enjoy yourself?”

  Robert blinked. He was not at all sure that men who were burdened with his responsibilities were supposed to enjoy themselves but he was wise enough not to say so. He had quickly learned that if he merely nodded occasionally, his loquacious brothers-in-law seemed to assume he was in agreement with them and stopped trying to convince him to see things their way.

  After a full forty-five minutes, Sheldon got to his feet and announced that it was time for them to go. Robert walked them to the front door and, after turning down an invitation to go hunting with them the following morning, waved goodbye as they rode away.

  He had just started to turn back inside and return to his work in the library when he spotted Thea riding up the drive. His heart suddenly felt immeasurably lighter and a smile lifted the corners of his lips. He decided to wait for his wife and help her dismount. That exercise, he had discovered, was an excellent excuse to hold her in his arms for a few seconds, an experience he was beginning to enjoy more with each passing day.

  Thea’s bright smile appeared to arrive ahead of her. “Good afternoon, my lord,” she called to Robert. He smiled and threw up a hand as he stepped out onto the drive to meet her. “Well met, my lady,” he called back.

  Thea pulled her mount to a halt just as a groom came dashing around the corner of the house to take the reins from her. “Thank you, Jasper,” she said but her gaze had not left Robert’s face. Her smile widened as he walked to her side and held his arms up to help her dismount.

  “Did you have a nice visit with your sisters?” he asked after lowering her to the ground.

  “Yes but it’s nice to be back home.” She slipped a hand through his arm. “Did my brothers nearly drive you insane with their boisterous prattle?”

  “Actually, no. I enjoyed them.” Robert was amazed to discover he meant what he had just said. The Presnell brothers were beginning to grow on him, he supposed. He just wished he could sometimes feel as carefree as they apparently did.

  “In that case, perhaps you’ll permit me to change and join you in the library for a few minutes before dinner. I’m hoping we can remember all we talked about this afternoon and make a list of what we wish to provide to each tenant.”

  “Excellent idea, my dear,” Robert responded. He watched Thea carefully to see if she felt he was being too forward by using an endearment when speaking to her and was much encouraged to see a pleased smile touch her lips before she turned and headed up the stairs toward her chamber to change clothes.

  * * * * *

  The days in December seemed to fly by but Thea felt she had the activities leading up to Christmas Eve well in hand. Mrs. Gilbert had been a tremendous help and of course whenever Thea felt she needed extra hands, she could always call on her mother and sisters.

  She did face one problem, however, one that she couldn’t discuss with anyone. Her relationship with Robert continued to be a worry to her. Although he often appeared to enjoy her company and occasionally found an excuse to touch her hand or wrap his hands around her waist to help her dismount, he never showed even the slightest interest in consummating their marriage. Thea was beginning to think there was something wrong with one of them but she had no idea what it could be and she couldn’t bring herself to ask her mother or sisters-in-law for advice. The mere thought of bringing up such a topic brought hot blushes to her face.

  Still, there had to be something she could do to arouse Robert’s interest in her. She was already twenty-four years old and if she didn’t become a wife in more than name only, she was never going to be able to start the family she so desperately wanted. Unfortunately she didn’t know what to do other than smile, flirt a little and hope for the best.

  Still, there were small signs of progress. Robert no longer ignored her in order to immerse himself in his work. Ever since he’d hired Josiah Murdock as his secretary, he’d appeared much more at ease. He still spent a few hours each morning in the library but now he made it a point to join Thea for dinner and for an hour or two of conversation in the drawing room after they ate.

  Of great encouragement to Thea was the fact that they were never at a loss for things to talk about. Robert showed a good deal of interest in Thea’s family and was forever asking her to expound on the characteristics of one of her brothers or sisters so he could understand them better.

  And the activities of the neighborhood were a frequent topic of conversation. Robert had spent so many years avoiding Maulton Manor that he needed to become reacquainted with most of the local people.

  Thea longed to tell Robert how she felt about him—how she had felt about him sinc
e she was thirteen years old. But her greatest fear was that any confession she might make in telling Robert that she loved him would merely make him feel responsible for her happiness and the last thing he needed was another responsibility.

  So Thea threw herself into their Christmas preparations. She and Mrs. Gilbert spent hours going over recipes Thea had borrowed from her mother and together they decided on a variety of side dishes for Christmas day dinner. They also cleared off mantels and sideboards throughout the house in preparation for the decorations they would create when the men carried in the greenery on Christmas Eve.

  The magic day of December 24 was growing nearer and nearer. Only six days to go, Thea reflected with joy the morning of December 18 when she awoke. She rang for Mabel and then hurried to dress and dash down the stairs to the breakfast parlor where she would join Robert for a substantial meal and a discussion of their individual plans for the day.

  Today, however, she found him at the foot of the stairs already dressed in his riding clothes and greatcoat. His expression was solemn and he reached to grasp her hands when she halted in front of him.

  Thea’s good mood evaporated. “What is this, my lord, that you are going out so early? Is something amiss?”

  Robert’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry to leave you so precipitously, my dear but I just received a missive from my estate manager in Essex. There’s been a fire. One of my tenants has lost his home and two of his family members were injured. I need to travel to Essex to review the situation.”

  Thea’s shoulders slumped. “I’m deeply sorry. This is a terrible time of year for a fire. But surely your manager could ensure that the injured receive proper medical attention and also find a home for the family until they can rebuild.”

  Robert shook his head. “I can’t expect my manager to make these decisions without me. Unfortunately, I doubt I’ll be back before the end of the month.”

  Thea felt tears burning at the back of her eyes but she willed them away. She refused to let her disappointment add to Robert’s burdens. Although she felt he should have more confidence in his managers’ abilities to do their jobs, she knew she could not change him. “Do you have all you need for your trip, my lord?”