Now Stemple blushed. “She is not ‘my’ Maude, my lady.”
“Did I say that? Pray forgive me. I must have misspoken. Thank you for your offer, but we are fine on our own.”
Stemple looked at her dubiously, then returned to the kitchen.
“You did say ‘your Maude,’” said Ava.
“Yes, I did,” grinned Rose. “They make a lovely couple, do they not? Even in the short time they’ve been here, I can see how much they care for each other. But men can be very stubborn. I need look no further than my brothers for proof of that. I reckon the more I hint at how well they’d do together, the more likely Stemple will finally bring himself to the point and kiss her.”
Ava laughed. “Lady Rosemary! You are direct and I must say I like that about you very much.”
“And it is a trait I admire in others, as well. I cannot abide ladies who talk for hours and never say anything. What do you think of my brother?”
Ava nearly dropped the plate she was holding. “I was not wrong when I said you are direct.”
“I also believe you said you liked that. What do you think of him?”
Ava went up the table straightening the place settings. “The earl is a very kind man. I hesitate to think of what might have become of me had I remained at Lord Clayton’s estate. I likely would be in the local gaol for striking a viscount, for one thing. It was also kind of him to bring Maude with us. I believe he is probably a good earl. I do not know much about his politics, but I imagine he takes his duties in the House of Lords seriously.”
“Yes, yes, I know my brother is kind and that he is a good earl. But what do you think of him as a man?”
“I do not think of your brother as a man, Lady Rosemary. He is my employer.”
“Who is also a man.”
“My lady, it would be highly improper of me to even think of your brother as anything other than my employer. I cannot think of the Earl of Ridgeway as a man.”
“Then what do you think of me as?” asked Colin, as he entered the room with Letty. “Perhaps I should not ask such a question for I might not like the answer. Letty, if Miss Conway does not think of me as a man, do you think she thinks of me as a cat?”
Letty giggled. “Maybe we should put a bow around your neck.”
“Oh, dear. I think I would like that as little as Jasper.”
Though Letty had succeeded in putting the bow around the cat’s neck, Jasper was now growling and doing his best to get the unwanted decoration off him.
Colin continued with a rogueish gleam in his eye. “If you don’t think of me as a man, Miss Conway, what do you think of me as?”
She took a breath to respond.
“And don’t say I’m your employer. What do you think of me as?”
“A pest, my lord.”
That set Colin and his sisters laughing.
“I think of him as my brother who went into hiding as soon as we began decorating,” said Rose.
“That is unfair! I was working on estate business. And I knew you ladies had everything under control. Jasper really hates that ribbon, does he not?”
Jasper had succeeded in getting the ribbon off his head and was now shredding it with his claws.
Stemple ducked into the room again. “My lord, my ladies. Dinner shall be served in one hour.”
“Excellent,” said Colin. “We shall meet back here in one hour, then Miss Conway shall tell us what she thinks of me.”
“And I shall still think of you as a pest, my lord.”
Colin could not help but laugh as he went to change. Life’s worries could wait. For now there was laughter and Christmas Eve.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Colin entered the dining room first to find Stemple lighting the candles.
“There are only four place settings,” said Colin. “Will you and Maude not be joining us?”
“We thought it only proper for the family to have this night alone, my lord. It is Christmas Eve.”
“But you are more than welcome to join us.”
“Thank you, my lord. But, to tell the truth, I do not believe Maude would be able to relax in such a formal setting.”
“Well, you must do what is right for your Maude.”
“She is not ‘my Maude,’ my lord,” said Stemple, almost knocking over a glass.
“Pray forgive me, but she seems to be your Maude.”
“No, sir. She is a good girl.”
“I did not mean to imply otherwise.”
“Of course not, sir. I shall serve the first course as soon as the ladies arrive.”
“That I cannot allow. I will help you bring the courses to the table all at once, then you can go enjoy your meal with your…I mean, with ‘no one’s’ Maude.”
Stemple chose to ignore that comment.
A quarter of an hour later, Miss Conway arrived in the dining room.
“I see we are to eat family style,” she said.
“Well, we are a family,” said Colin, as he admired how she’d dressed her hair for the occasion. At Clayton’s, her hair had been pulled back so severely it had been as if she’d been punishing it for something. But now, it was softer, more relaxed. The style was still simple. He imagined it would be difficult to do a more elaborate hairstyle without benefit of a maid. But the simple chignon at her nape suited her. As did the tendrils which floated down, framing her face. She was wearing one of her brown gowns, but unless he was mistaken, she’d left one or two buttons undone. She still looked more covered up than a nun. But it was a start.
However, something had brought her up short. He forced his eyes to return to hers. “Is something the matter?”
“Would you like me to eat with Stemple and Maude? I would hate to intrude on a family dinner.”
“I would like you to remain where you belong, dear Ava.”
“Miss Conway, my lord. Your sisters will be down at any moment.”
“Miss Conway, if you insist. You still have not answered my question from before. Do you think of me as a man?” He knew he was pressing her, but could not resist.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Colin felt his breathing hitch. All he wanted to do was ruin her pretty hairstyle by running his fingers through it. And the only thing he wanted to feast on was Ava.
“Colin!” cried Letty as she bounded into the room, with Rosemary just behind her.
“Everything is beautiful! And it smells so good and we’re to have a real dinner tonight. And best of all when we wake up tomorrow it will be Christmas!”
“And so it will, my sweet,” said Colin, trying valiantly to turn his thoughts from devouring Ava to celebrating Christmas. He seated Letty and Rose, but Miss Conway was too fast for him. His smile clearly told her he knew she was avoiding him, but that she couldn’t do it forever. Her smile back to him said “Watch me try.”
The meal before them was simple: potato soup, game hens, freshly baked rolls and roasted turnips. Colin compared it to Christmas dinners of the past, when the table had overflowed with roast goose, vegetables, puddings and desserts. Yet, Maude had somehow turned this simple repast into an elegant meal. And there was no doubt that the company was better than the years when they’d had to suffer through outbursts from one or both of their parents.
“Maude has done an excellent job,” said Rosemary. “And we have Stemple to thank for the game hens, do we not?”
“We do,” said Colin, as he reached for a platter.
“Should we not thank the Lord first?” asked Letty.
Colin put down the platter. “Of course we should. Would you like to do the honors?”
“Me?”
“I can think of no one better.”
Letty beamed and bowed her head. “Dear God, thank you for this Christmas Eve dinner. Thank you for bringing Colin home and for having him bring Miss Conway and Stemple who was hurt in the war and Maude, who’s a very good cook. Thank you for looking after James in America and Win in London and Nick wherever he is.”
; Colin nodded. “That was a very good…”
Letty continued. “Thank you for this house and for Jasper who’s been hiding ever since I put the ribbon on him. Please look after him wherever he’s at. Please bless Kathleen…”
Colin mouthed “Kathleen?” to Rose, who whispered back “her doll.”
“Please bless Miss Patton, who I hope is done being cross with me…”
Colin frowned. “I don’t know why Miss Patton deserves a blessing.”
Letty looked up. “The ones who don’t deserve blessings are usually the ones who need them most. And I’m not done with the thanks.”
Letty bowed her head again. Rose could barely keep from laughing and Ava was biting her delicious lips.
“Dear God, thank you for this meal. And now that you’ve brought Colin home again, please keep him here. Amen.”
Colin wondered what Letty would think if she knew he planned to return to London in the new year. He hated the thought of it himself, but he had no choice. “Are you done, sweeting?”
“Amen is the end, Colin. You should know that.”
“Perhaps it has been a while since our brother was in church,” said Rose. “But that will change tomorrow when we all attend services.”
“How early do they begin?” asked Colin.
“Early enough, brother,” said Rose.
The next few moments were filled with joyous silence as they all tucked in to the meal. The food was excellent and Colin hoped that when Stemple finally did get around to marrying Maude, he wouldn’t take her away from the house.
“What are the tenants like?” asked Ava.
“We have not yet met them, though we have heard a thing or two,” said Rose. “I know we should have gone up there to welcome them to the estate, but we’ve been quite busy getting settled in. I expect we’ll see them tomorrow at church.”
“How early is the service?” asked Colin again.
“My lord,” said Ava. “I believe we can all look forward to celebrating the meaning of the day in the company of family and friends once a year without thought to lost sleep.”
“Are you scolding me again, Miss Conway?”
“A tiny bit, my lord.”
“Good for you!” said Rose. “Colin, as soon as you begin to actually pay Miss Conway, can you give her a raise in wages? I do believe she has earned it.”
“Colin?” said Letty.
“Yes, my dear? Are you going to tease me, as well?”
“Oh, no. But I just remembered that I forgot to thank God for my lovely room. Should I start the blessing again?”
“I believe you can just add that as an addendum, silently.”
As Letty bowed her head in silent prayer, Colin whispered to Ava. “Are you going to scold me for that?”
“If given a chance, yes.”
Colin looked up to see Rose grinning at the two of them. Great. The last thing he needed was for Rose to get the notion into her head that he should court Ava. Especially since he wanted to so very much.
After dinner, they cleared their plates – positively horrifying both Stemple and Maude, who ushered them out of the kitchen as quickly as possible. Of course, Colin had a feeling Stemple would do every chore on the estate if it meant he could spend time alone with Maude.
“Colin!” said Letty, once they’d repaired to the sitting room for coffee. “What shall we do tonight?”
“Whatever you would like, sweeting.”
“Will you sing for us?”
“I would much rather have you sing for us. It has been an age since you have done so.”
“And she’s quite good,” said Rose. “Much better than I could ever hope to be. Please, Colin, sing a duet with Letty.”
Given Rose’s request and Letty’s subsequent enthusiasm, Colin could hardly refuse.
*
As Ava listened to Colin and Letty sing, she was filled with what could only be described as a joyful sadness. Colin had a very good voice, despite his earlier protestations to the contrary, and Letty was quite impressive for her age. But it was the obvious love between them that touched Ava. She could understand why Colin would make sacrifices for his sisters. They obviously meant the world to him.
This was Ava’s first Christmas without her father and she missed him a great deal. She’d lost her home when he left this earth and she had not thought she’d ever find another. This certainly wasn’t her home. But she could borrow it for a while as she watched this family overcome the obstacles before them. Perhaps she could even help them do so.
She also wondered about Rose and Lord Grayson. Ava did not want to alert Colin to her suspicions yet, but she had a hunch Rose’s feelings for her neighbor were more than nostalgic affection. Ava might not be the girl’s governess, but she would keep an eye out to make sure this lord was worthy of Colin’s sister.
“Miss Conway!” said Letty. “You must sing with us now.”
“Lady Leticia, I thank you for the invitation, but I am quite without talent. I would much rather listen to you and your brother sing.”
“Oh, no,” said the earl. “I must insist you join us. And you, too, Rose.”
“But you know I am terrible at it,” said his sister.
“Nevertheless, you both shall join us in some carols. What did you say earlier, Miss Conway? Something about enjoying the meaning of the holiday without thought to my loss of sleep? Well, you both can enjoy it without thought to carrying a tune.”
Rosemary groaned, but joined them at the pianoforte. “If you insist. Come, Miss Conway, I cannot be expected to embarrass myself alone.”
“But…”
“That is an order, Miss Conway, or I shall cast you out in the snow,” said Colin.
Letty was horrified. “Colin, you wouldn’t really!”
He looked at Ava, but stage-whispered to Letty, “No, but do not tell Miss Conway that.”
“Fine,” Ava said, joining them. “But I have given you fair warning.”
“And so you have.” He began playing Good King Wenceslas, looking at Miss Conway in disbelief once she began singing, for she was truly terrible at it. But since Rose was, too, and Letty didn’t seem to mind, they continued singing for the rest of the evening, laughing heartily.
Even Jasper joined in, though from the sounds of it, perhaps more in protest than in enjoyment.
*
Several hours later, after reading Letty a story before Colin tucked her into bed, Ava entered the sitting room to admire the Christmas greens. The fire was banked since everyone else had already gone to bed. She thought about how excited Colin’s sisters would be the next day. Not for the presents they would get – for even young Letty knew the family’s finances were not good. But because their brother was finally home.
Ava had to admit she looked forward to seeing Colin the next morning, as well. She knew she should not lose her heart to him any more than she already had. He was an impoverished earl who needed a rich wife. But while she had not found a future husband in him, she had found a friend.
She heard the creak of the door and looked up to see Colin standing there. He wore no waistcoat, jacket or cravat. His shirt was unbuttoned just enough to show a hint of skin. Suddenly the room seemed much warmer.
He was a remarkably handsome man. She did not know how he’d remained unmarried this long. While she did not know how many heiresses were on the marriage mart, she had to think at least a few of them would have taken one look at this man and done everything in their power to bring him to the altar. Had he really tried to find a wife?
His breeches hugged his legs and his shirt was as fitted as she’d remembered the night he’d tried on her gown at Clayton’s. But this was the first time she’d seen him with so few clothes since they’d arrived at the dower house, thanks to the warmth of the fire. If this was her reward, Ava would make it her personal mission to keep every fire in the house blazing, even if she had to cut down every tree in his grand forest to do so.
In the few short days she had kno
wn him, Ava had been looking for any weakness in his character. After all, no one could be as perfect as Colin Emerson appeared to be. But so far, all she’d learned was that he loved his family and that protecting others was second nature to him. He must have faults. Everyone did. And if she stayed in this house long enough, she was certain she would see them. But right now, all she saw was a good, honorable man who would sacrifice anything for those he loved.
And he looked very nice in breeches.
*
As Colin had listened to Ava read to Letty, he’d thought about what it would be like to one day have his own daughter or son. He vowed to be the kind of father he never had. His children would always feel loved, safe and wanted. He wasn’t even sure he could bear to send a son off to Eton, knowing what he did of that institution. And he needed a wife who would be the kind of mother his children deserved. Not like his mother. Though from what he’d learned from friends, few ladies in the ton took the time to truly raise their children, leaving most of the work to servants.
In his case, it hadn’t just been the work that had been delegated, but also the love and encouragement. What little love he’d had in his life growing up, had been from his siblings and his nannies and nurses. When he’d left for school, he’d been sad to leave them behind, but not his parents.
He had to marry wealth for the sake of his sisters. But he also wanted to marry the right woman for the sake of his children. And, ideally, he would like a wife he could grow to love. A woman like Ava.
She was rarely far from his thoughts. In the short time he’d known her, she’d seeped into his soul. He’d had more than a few fantasies about what it would be like to remove one of her plain brown gowns to find the bounty beneath. Of course, with as cold as the dower house was, he’d also have to remove a few shawls, scarves and woolen socks. But he was confident he could persevere until he had her where he wanted her: naked in his bed.
Just the thought of it warmed him enough that he could take off his jacket and waistcoat, which was how he was dressed when he found her in the sitting room.
“Are you here to check on Father Christmas’s arrival?” she asked when he entered the room. “I fear he has not yet come.”
Always Come Home (Emerson 1) Page 13