UnexpectedChristmas

by Jean Hart Stewart

  He should be horsewhipped.

  He unharnessed the horses and walked them around to the back to cool them a bit.

  He’d started to return to the front when the back door was flung open and the dragon stormed out.

  “See here, you, what are doing invading my back garden?”

  She stopped as she saw Sebastian, and recognition lit her suspicious eyes.

  “My lord, it’s you. What are you doing here?”

  Her voice had changed to sugar but Sebastian wasn’t fooled.

  “I’ve come to call on Miss Caroline. May I go around to the front and enter properly?”

  He flashed his sweetest smile. The dragon smiled back, a near-grimace showing it taxed her to do so.

  “Of course, my lord.”

  A few minutes later he entered the front hall, ushering in the maid he’d brought so she could warm herself a little. Not until the hall was that warm. Then he turned to deal with the dragon. My god in heaven, what a dreary place this was. When he asked for Miss Atterby to be told he was there, the bitch of a dragon hesitated.

  “I’m not sure that’s wise, my lord. I fear she was not herself for some days after you returned her here. I can’t stand moping and will not have it again. She claimed you had not led her on, so the silly girl probably pined for things she’ll never have. You can want nothing from her she should be prepared to give, so I think it best you leave her alone.”

  If she’d been a man Sebastian would have had her on the floor by now. With a broken nose, at least.

  “I came with my sister’s invitation to spend Christmas with us. We are at our estate near Bath for the month and Marianne longs to see her.”

  The dragon-bitch’s eyes widened.

  “I fear that is impossible, my lord. I am about to leave to visit my family for Christmas and Caroline is needed here. One girl whose parents are in India has no place to go for Christmas and Caroline must stay with her.”

  He was about to blast her and her sanctimonious remarks to kingdom come when he heard a slight noise and saw Caro had come down the hall. He suppressed the desire to grab her and fold her in his arms. She was thinner than when he’d last seen her. Her beautiful hair was stuffed into a mob cap and she looked nothing as he’d remembered.

  Then she raised those incredible eyes and he fell in love all over again.

  “Caro.”

  He stepped to her and took her icy hand.

  “My lord,” she said. “How kind of you to come check on me. I am well employed here, as you can see. There is no need for concern.”

  No need, when she did not meet his eyes and gave no sign of the welcome he’d expected?

  As she withdrew her hand from his she raised her eyes for a moment. The pain in them nearly sent him to the floor. What had this monstrous woman done to her? Helped by him, of course.

  He turned to the dragon-bitch with one of his best smiles. No matter she couldn’t see through to his raging heart.

  “I believe I must change my plans a little. My sister has charged me to bring Miss Atterby home with me. She’ll never forgive me if I don’t. We have a jolly Christmas at my country estate. I’m sure the young lady you mention will enjoy being at my home. There are always children around at Christmastime and I will make it my personal responsibility to see that she does.”

  He paused and fixed his eyes on the dragon-bitch. “I’m positive you can have no objection, madam.”

  He kept his gaze on the headmistress, letting all the authority he possessed as a powerful earl and man focus in his implacable stare.

  She flushed, glared at Caroline and then gave in, as he knew she must.

  “I see I have no say in this matter. Unless you do not want to go, missy? You might wish to decline, Caroline?”

  Her furious gaze promised retribution if she accepted but Caro did not look at her.

  “Madam, I do wish to go. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my good friend.”

  Sebastian could have kissed her on the spot but he kept his silence.

  “Then go.” The dragon-bitch had no choice. “Go before I change my mind.”

  She flounced out of the room.

  He let his relieved gaze run over Caro’s tense figure. By god, she’d lost too much weight, but her curves remained delectable. He could hardly wait to make her his fiancée. And put her where she belonged. In his bed.

  “Go pack for you both before she changes her mind. I’ll wait here for you.”

  She finally looked him in the eye.

  “Of course, my lord. Right away, my lord.”

  Her tone was almost contemptuous and Sebastian smiled. This was the Caro he knew and loved. He pulled up a chair, swung one immaculate Hessian boot over his knee and prepared to wait.

  He did not have long. Caro appeared shortly, a girl of nine or ten clutching her hand. The child was as skinny as Caro and frightened half out of her wits if her white-fingered clutch on the portmanteau she carried was any indication. Caro also had a small valise with her. For the first time Sebastian wondered if she had any clothes at all suitable for Christmas at an earl’s manor. Damn if he hadn’t been thoughtless again. Not that he wouldn’t have practically kidnapped her, even if she’d been dressed in rags. But he should have consulted his sister about getting some suitable things for her.

  “This is Becky Armstead, my lord. Her parents are in India right now so we have the pleasure of her company for the holidays.”

  Sebastian knelt in front of the child. “You will be my honored guest too, Miss Becky.”

  The child slowly smiled, her face softening as she looked at the handsome man kneeling before her.

  “Oh you’re pretty. I think I like you. Do you have horses?”

  Sebastian stood and took her valise. “Then we like each other. You’re pretty too. What a good beginning for your visit to my home. And yes, we have lots of horses.”

  Caro’s eyes met his for a moment and he thought he saw a flash of pleasure. She liked horses too? And where had she learned to like them?

  Becky gladly took his hand and trotted along beside him. He could only carry one valise so he took the child’s. Caro picked up her own portmanteau and Sebastian escorted them all to the carriage. It was a tight fit but Sebastian didn’t mind. He smiled ruefully to Caro in case she did, and to his delight she half smiled back, although she didn’t meet his eyes. He wanted to get her and this sweet child safely to his home, where he could convince his love of his sincerity.

  That it would not be easy, he well knew.

  * * * * *

  Becky was not Sebastian’s only surprise that day. They had no sooner entered Sebastian’s impressive manor house than a beautifully gowned figure came running down the stairs.

  “Seb, I’ve been waiting for you. Do you intend to…?”

  Sebastian rolled his eyes but stepped forward to grab his sister’s hand.

  “I didn’t know you’d still be here, Marianne.”

  His tone was dry as he rapidly ran the advantages and disadvantages of having his sister on hand. Could she help him in his courtship? He damn well wouldn’t permit her to hinder him.

  He looked up to see Marianne put her hands to her lips then drop them and run to Caro. Throwing her arms around her and kissing her on both cheeks, Marianne looked about to explode in excitement.

  “Abigail Halloway, is it really you? You can’t know how I’ve tried to find you. Oh Abby, how could you disappear like that? All your friends searched and searched for you. We all wanted to offer our support.”

  Sebastian was speechless while he tried to put this revelation together in his spinning brain. Abby? Halloway? A friend of his sister’s?

  A close and cherished friend?

  He watched as Caro first flushed with pleasure, returning the hug, and then paled and withdrew. Her face changed back to its most reserved expression.

  “Marianne. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you.”

  But the words were wooden and her eyes
sought the floor.

  “I go by Caroline Atterby now, my lady. Atterby was my mother’s name before she married, so I feel no shame in doing so, and Caroline is one of my names I didn’t use when you knew me. I’ve been a French teacher for three years. I’m no longer the Abigail Halloway you knew.”

  “What nonsense, Abby. Names don’t matter. I’ll call you by any name you want. Friends support other friends. All of us wanted to help you. Now stop this milady nonsense before I get angry. You’d probably outshine me if you came back to society. You always did, you know.”

  Marianne moved to hug her again but Caro stepped back.

  “I am no longer in society to any degree, milady, so that does not apply. But I thank you for your kind words.”

  Sebastian saw the tears in her eyes behind her bravery. At the same time his brain was busily putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

  Halloway. Stratford. The disgraced earl who had gambled away his lands and his fortune. When his bankruptcy was disclosed, he’d put a bullet through his brain. His daughter had found the body. His wife, ill for months, had died only days before. The daughter had disappeared after watching his creditors descend to strip the Stratford estate and claim the land and property in its entirety.

  Caro. His Caro was the daughter of an earl. She’d already suffered more loss than most people do in a lifetime. And she’d been treated as a slave by that dreadful headmistress. For three years. Dear God in his heaven.

  Seeing her begin to tremble, he surmised she was near the breaking point.

  “Marianne, I’ll show Caro to her room now. Would you help Miss Becky get settled? We’ll talk later.”

  He did not wait to see if she complied. He took Caro’s arm firmly and led her to the huge curving staircase leading to the second floor. He’d had Caro placed in the room next to his, with Becky at the end of the long corridor. The housekeeper had raised questioning eyebrows at the arrangement, but he’d looked his haughtiest and held fast.

  His heart plunged as he looked at Caro’s bent head beside him. Her bonnet had slipped during Marianne’s embrace, was hanging now by its ribbons, and her golden head gleamed in the sun shining through the multitude of windows. He could feel misery wafting in waves from her distraught mind.

  He’d been planning on seducing her again, if necessary. His main strategy was to propose to her one way or another, in her room or his. Now she would never believe he’d planned to ask her when thinking her a lowly French teacher. She might easily think it because she was a proven and aristocratic lady.

  He couldn’t think what he could do to convince he wanted her no matter her rank or fortune, no matter the sins of her father. To add to her burdens, a suicide was banned from decent burial. She must find that hard indeed. And she’d been left destitute and alone.

  How had she managed? How could she have survived such sorrow?

  His anger flared against the dead earl. To be so irresponsible as to leave his family to face his own sins horrified him. What man could such a despicable things to those he loved?

  His normally intelligent mind seemed to have slipped its moorings. He couldn’t think what to do. How could he best help his love find any enjoyment at all in Christmas?

  And to accept his suit and his love?

  He had only one week. One week to convince her that his love was sincere.

  How in hell could he get her to come back his arms and stay there where she belonged?

  By god and his angels, he’d never, never let her go back to that damn school. Whether she married him or not, he’d protect her to the end of his days.

  Pray all the angels she would let him do it as his husbandly right.

  He led her to her door and kissed her hand, his lips lingering until she withdrew her fingers, then left. He intended to go find Marianne, consult her and then send her up to comfort Caro. At this point his love would accept nothing from him. He himself would see how Becky was faring, and if he could help there.

  * * * * *

  For once his plans seemed to work a little better. He found Marianne and Becky looking out the window at the stables, where several horses were being walked for exercise.

  “Oh, they are all so beautiful. I love horses.”

  “Do you know how to ride, Becky? I’m sure we can find you a suitable horse and teach you, if you do not.”

  She drew herself up with a childish pride. “I’ve been riding since I was three years old. My parents and I love to ride together.” Her voice fell. “At least we did before they went on this last trip. They’ve been gone so long.” Now her voice softened to a whisper. “I do worry about them.”

  Marianne gave her a hug. “We’ll find a horse for you, won’t we, Sebastian? We’ll all go riding together. Did you know your teacher is a superb horsewoman, Becky?”

  Another fact he hadn’t suspected about Caro. He’d not thought to ask her to tell him about herself. He was one damn idiot.

  “I’d like to take Miss Becky on a tour, maybe even to the stables. Would you go see to Caro, Marianne? Make her comfortable so she will enjoy being here? It would mean a lot to me if you would.”

  Marianne’s eyes widened as confirmed her belief he was serious about her friend.

  “There’s nothing I’d like better,” she said. “Wait ‘til you see her decently dressed.”

  Flashing him a shining smile, she set off for Abby’s room. By any name, her friend was a jewel that she’d longed to find for three years.

  But those dreary clothes.

  She thought furiously even as she walked. She wanted to dress Abby as she should be dressed, but how to do it without triggering an explosive rejection? Sebastian was already intrigued. She wanted to dress Abby as the lady she was, not the prim schoolmistress she’d tried to become. But Abby had already demonstrated her prideful concerns. Lordy, dressed as she should be Sebastian would lose his heart on the spot.

  But she thought he already had.

  And how to get that proud lady to agree?

  Marianne’s thoughts made her grin. She’d think of something. She’d burn those dreary clothes if she had to.

  * * * * *

  Sebastian took Becky’s hand in his as they walked through the stables. Extensive, immaculate and filled with prime horseflesh, they were Sebastian’s pride. He resolved to bring Caro here as soon as possible. The beautiful horses would please her and possibly help his cause. How beautiful she’d look racing him across the fields of his country place, her hair flowing down her back.

  A loud whicker came from the stall to his right. King Thunder, his favorite stallion. A handsome horse of impeccable lineage, Thunder was the prize of the stables, but he had a wicked temper. Sebastian was the only rider he allowed on his back. Sebastian grinned at the thought of the battles he’d had with his horse. He’d rebelled every time the grooms put a saddle on him, until the grooms were afraid to come near him. But Sebastian had triumphed with patience and a stern affection that brooked no quarter. Now Thunder knew his master was near and welcomed him.

  “Oooh, he’s beautiful.”

  Becky stood spellbound as Thunder stuck his nose from his stall.

  “Yes, he is, Becky, but he responds only to me. He can get angry and be quite dangerous, so don’t try to even pet him. Not until I get him to be more civilized.”

  He took an apple out of his pocket and held his palm outstretched while Thunder nipped it from him. He patted his horse’s nose and murmured to him and then turned away.

  “Come, Becky, let’s go find a mount for you.”

  “Don’t forget I’m a ‘sperienced rider.”

  Sebastian laughed and ruffled her hair. “Of course I’ll take that into account.”

  He was as good as his word, stopping before a bay mare of smaller stature than the others.

  “This is Dolly. She’s a sweetheart. She’s responsive and a smooth ride. Would you like to try her?”

  Becky’s face lit and then darkened. “I don’t have any riding clothes
with me. I never could use them at that stupid school.”

  She started to say something else but then stopped. Probably something interesting about the stupid school, Sebastian said to himself.

  He grinned at her. “Nobody’s looking but me. Why don’t you just go ahead and ride. Tuck your skirts in your waistband.”

  Her little face lit like a shining star.

  “Oh can I? Now?”

  “Of course.”

  He stood by, ready to grab the reins if she had any trouble, but soon relaxed. For her age Becky was a creditable horsewoman and Dolly responded to her like the little lady she was.

  Summoning two grooms, he charged them with watching her and bringing her to him after an hour. She’d be using muscles she hadn’t used for a while and he didn’t want her too tired.

  He hurried to Caro’s room. As he paused outside he thought Caro’s voice sounded distressed and he knocked and then entered.

  Marianne greeted him with a smile.

  “Seb, will you help me here? You shouldn’t be in Abby’s room but I want Abby to borrow one of my dresses and look her best when our guests come tonight. Some of them will be old friends and will be thrilled to see her again. So why not look beautiful at the same time?”

  Sebastian shook his head at his sister.

  “I will not try to persuade her, Marianne. Caro is always beautiful to me. She needs no adornment.”

  He fixed his eyes on his love and was pleased to see her direct a small smile in his direction. She turned back to Marianne.

  “Indeed, I am quite persuaded after all. I will wear whatever you choose, Marianne. But I’m a little thinner than I was.”

  Marianne beamed as if heaven had opened the pearly gates.

  “I visit so often I keep a small wardrobe here. I have several gowns that have for some reason grown too tight for me. And my maid Rosie is a genius at sewing. I’ll be back in a minute with some gowns and Rosie. Can I trust you for a minute or two, Seb?”

  She flounced out of the room with a grin that plainly said she’d be happy if they misbehaved. Sebastian took Caro’s hands in a tight grip.