Once Upon a Christmas Wedding

by Scarlett Scott

  Then the man had stormed from the room in self-righteous fury. Graham glanced at his father. He was already waiting by the altar, walking up and down nervously and trying not to fiddle with the perfectly correct arrangement of his cravat. The earl had chosen to wear a golden silk waistcoat with a pale gray suit of clothes for his special day. He looked dashing despite his impatience for his bride to arrive.

  Despite their argument, Graham had agreed to be his best man, so he waited with him, somewhat amused by his father’s nerves. They had greeted the tenants and neighbors who had appeared at the chapel and shaken many hands. The chapel was far enough from the house in this inclement weather to necessitate them driving along the lanes in a stream of carriages, which had deposited them at the chapel door before parking as best they could. For the coachmen, it would be a cold wait.

  Among the guests, there were undercurrents of excitement, surprise, and some chagrin on the part of Miss Penelope Barrows over the unexpected marriage of so sought-after a groom. They were still gossiping together as they filed into the chapel to find their seats. As the last guest was seated, a hush settled over the small gathering as they waited for the arrival of the bride. They were listening for one final carriage to appear, and then in the distance, they heard the clip-clop of the earl’s high-stepping matched grays, as he had decided his best team should honor the bride on their wedding day.

  The carriage pulled up outside the old ivy-clad chapel, and a footman raced to let the step down. The three bridesmaids gracefully descended, all dressed in white, although their dresses did not match; they had chosen to be warmly wrapped in festive shawls of scarlet, crimson, and green. Callie and Letty had been joined by his sister, Alice, who would become their stepsister.

  Christ. As he would become their stepbrother.

  Graham did his very best to not stare at Callie’s loveliness. This morning she wore a low-cut white gown, and her hair was caught in a loose chignon. She met his gaze, and her cheeks blushed apple red. Then she hurriedly looked away. He tore his gaze from her and concentrated on the carriage, hating the heaviness forming in his heart.

  They waited while the bride was handed out. Lady Danby wore a pale blue gown that she had covered with her dark gray cloak to travel the short distance to the chapel. She shrugged off its warmth to enter the church, and Callie handed it to the footman. Sometime overnight they had located a long cream veil in priceless Chantilly lace upon which was set a small diamond tiara, which was part of the Wynter family jewels. Bouquets of ivy and white roses had been made, and each of the girls carried a smaller version of the one the viscountess carried herself. The bride had chosen not to be given away as she was a widow, orphan, and of age. So she would walk down the short aisle alone, followed by her daughters and soon to be stepdaughter.

  The chapel was not provided with an organ or piano to accompany the congregation, but a string quartet who had been employed for the house party entertainment had been installed in the choir stalls and struck up a pretty piece of music by Purcell for Lady Danby to process to.

  She waited until the first phrases had floated through the chapel, evidently trying to ease her nerves and plant a joyful smile on her face. Then as the sweet music floated through her, she relaxed, and the smile became genuine. She straightened her back and set a dignified slow march down the aisle, followed by the three lovely girls in white. When she reached the front of the chapel, she handed her bouquet to Callie and smiled at her groom. The bridesmaids took the seats reserved for them and waited while their parents were led in their vows.

  Throughout the ceremony, Graham only had eyes for Callie, and she did her best to not look in his direction. Was she truly indifferent to him, and yesterday in the cottage had simply been a once only experience for her?

  The idea that she might not feel anything for him gnawed at his gut. The rest of the ceremony and wedding breakfast passed in a blur.

  “I’ve always wanted a Christmas wedding,” he heard the new countess say at one point. “But I thought that delight would be reserved for one of my daughters.”

  “Oh Mama,” Callie had said, laughing. “I am glad it was you! I am certain I am destined to remain a spinster.”

  “Oh, pish! That lovely Dr. Harcourt couldn’t stop staring at you today. I daresay he will come calling soon.”

  As if she felt his stare, Callie had glanced up at him. She didn’t reject her mother’s claim, only stared at him. When the countess saw him, she cried gaily, “here comes your new brother!”

  Sweet Christ, it was torturous. He wanted to roar that he was not her bloody brother but gravely kept his lips sealed. The cravat seemed to tighten around his throat when a mocking smile tipped Callisto’s lips, and she greeted,

  “Hullo, Brother.”

  Ice filled his veins as he gave her a glance of utter disbelief. “Ah…sister Callisto,” he said softly, mockingly. Graham wasn’t sure what she saw in his face, but the sarcastic smile slipped from her mouth, and she laced her fingers together.

  “We must make the best of the situation,” she said softly, casting a careful glance at her mother, to ensure the countess did not overhear. But she was busy receiving congratulations from her guests.

  And suddenly Graham knew he could not stay for the rest of the house party. He sketched a deep bow to Callisto. “I suppose we must. I am leaving Holliwell Manor today.”

  Her eyes widened, and she reached out and gripped his gloved hand. “What…why?”

  When she realized what she had done, she quickly released him. “If there are any consequences to yesterday…you will inform me immediately.”

  Her lips parted and fear, stark and vivid, glittered in her eyes. “Consequences,” she whispered. “Do you mean a…a child?”

  His gaze dipped to her stomach and lingered there for an inordinate amount of time. “Yes,” he said grimly. He had lost his head and hadn’t thought about protecting her until after they had finished making love.

  She rested a hand protectively across her middle. “And if there are?”

  “Then we will marry and damn the scandal.”

  Pain darkened her eyes, and she stared at him wordlessly. “I…I see.”

  When she said no more, he sketched another bow and walked away, confident she should reach out to him if needed. He wished his father and new mother well, before calling for his horse and made his way from the swell of happiness behind him.

  Graham rode away, hating the piercing pain that suddenly flamed through him. How it had all shot to hell so quickly, his muddled brain still had to figure out. It is for the best, he tried to tell himself. Except he felt as if he were riding away from the best thing that ever happened to him, instead of hurtling toward Callisto with his heart and arms wide open.

  Chapter 10

  Christmas Day

  It was mid-afternoon, and the day was filled with laughter, and a sense of hope and expectation blanketed the air. Over the night, there had been snow, and a pristine white blanketed the grass and dotted the trees and shrubs of the estate. It was such a beautiful scene that Callie’s heart felt saddened that she could not share it with Graham. It had been all she could do to attend the Parish Church the night before for midnight mass with her family, she had gone through the motions although it had taken every bit of determination she had. Now where she stood on the path beside the lake, Callie fancied she could smell the sumptuous feast the servants were busy and joyfully preparing in the kitchens, although she was not looking forward to another meal pretending to be happy so she did not wear her heart on her sleeve.

  A flake caressed her cheek, she glanced to the sky which had darkened even further, the chill in the air had her hugging her coat closer. Despite the festivities Callie did not feel happy. Graham had departed Holliwell Manor over a week ago now, and to Callie’s enduring distress each night, she cried herself to sleep. She hadn’t realized the consequences attached to her reckless bid to taste passion, and worse the viscount seemed only willing to marry her
if she was with child. The wintry weather reflected the desolation in her heart, everything was so perfectly seasonal but she felt so desperately miserable and alone.

  Though she desired him with every breath in her body, she did not want him in that manner, where he would be forced to do the honorable thing for the sake of her reputation and their child. Once again, her breath hitched and a deep yearning scythed through her heart. A child…a husband…a family of her own. How badly she wanted it all! But that other longing to marry a man whom she loved and one who adored her just as ardently would not be a part of that bargain. How cold and indifferent Graham had appeared, and she could only blame herself for being silly to have such expectations in her heart.

  They did not truly know each other! Perhaps the passion they had shared had been an everyday occurrence for him. Perhaps the laughter they had enjoyed was not actually appreciated by him and he had just been toying with her affections to pass the time. Perhaps the tender way he had looked at her was in her imagination or a cynical act to allow him to bed her. Perhaps she had irrevocably lost all sense of herself when she gifted him her body. Perhaps she had imagined the hunger in his eyes when he had stared at her stomach as if he could have pictured it as if she was already with child.

  But she was not. She swallowed. Her menses had arrived yesterday, and she had cried even more. For deep inside, she had been willing to marry him with their child, bringing and tying them together, and then she had vowed to make him fall in love with her. It wouldn’t matter how or why they married, only that she would ensure they were happy.

  Only now…she had no reason to write to him, and he had none to visit her.

  She raised trembling fingers to her lips, hating that her throat burned with tears. Callie didn’t think she would ever recover from the storm of the last few days over the years to come. Her heart had been captured, and when he had left, he took it with him.

  “I want it back,” she cried in a sharp sob. “If I do not have yours, you cannot have mine!” I’ll storm his estate and demand it back, she thought fiercely. Yes, that is exactly what she would do. Travel to his estate before he could return to town and demand a clear explanation of how he felt about her from him. It could not be that the day in the cottage had been meaningless, she refused to accept that it was all lies. With that new resolve in her heart, she felt a little lighter even if the painful ache still lingered.

  “Callie?”

  She whirled around to see her mother approaching her, looking radiant and contented.

  “Mama,” she said with a wobbly smile. “Happy Christmas to you.”

  “The same to you, my dear,” she said with a bright smile. Her eyes searched Callie’s face. “Callie, I cannot help but notice how morose you’ve been. I fretted over it, but then Robert confided in me just now of what the possible problem might be.”

  Callie frowned, she had believed that she had hidden her feelings so well. What did the earl know of her heartache? “Mama—”

  “He told me of Graham asking to court you, and of the argument which followed. Is it that you were also open to your bro…to the viscount’s courtship?”

  She hesitated, blinking her bafflement. “Graham asked to court me!”

  “Yes…and it seemed my dear Robert objected strongly and they quarreled most fiercely.”

  Callie felt faint. “Why would he object?”

  “The scandal would be lurid—”

  “The earl expects us to rest our happiness on the possibilities that people in Society might not approve?” Callie gasped in angry astonishment. “Mama! I like him so very much…I am falling hopelessly in love with him.”

  “My dear you speak nonsense—”

  “No...I am not.” Callie kissed her mama’s cheek quickly and hurried away, then broke into a run. She skidded on the snow-soaked grass when she saw a very rumpled Graham heading toward her. He looked as if he had ridden hard to reach Holliwell Manor, and he had a shadow of a beard. How utterly rakish and wonderful he looked!

  He reached her, and all the emptiness she had endured for the past week was suddenly filled with such hope, she trembled. They stared at each other wordlessly, his gaze skipping over her features. Callie merely stared, tongue-tied.

  He reached for her, tugged her tightly into his arms, and with a groan, he slanted his mouth over hers fiercely as if the tether on his control had snapped. The kiss was one of violent tenderness, and it communicated such longing and regret, tears burned behind her eyes. Their mouths parted, and his thumb swiped tenderly over her lips. “It has only been eight days, but I missed you so damn much!” Then he placed another kiss at the corner of her mouth.

  “You left me,” she said against his mouth with a sob. “With such uncertainty and pain, a living entity in my heart. I am not likely to forgive you!”

  But then she hugged him to her in a fierce embrace.

  He stepped away from her and cupped her chin. “Forgive my momentarily lapse from common sense,” he said gruffly. “I rode home to Hampshire, resting my horse each night while I slept at inns. Once home, I knew I had to come back right away. I was a damn fool for leaving without expressing to you the hopes I had in my heart towards you. I am falling so deeply in love with you…I just might be there already. My heart…my entire being feels enmeshed with yours. Callisto…will you allow me to court you… to marry you?”

  Her entire body flushed at the raw hunger, which leaped into his eyes. Her mother gasped, and Callie glanced over her shoulder to see Mama’s eyes growing wide with astonishment.

  Turning back to Graham, she hugged him again. “Yes!” Callie cried. “I’ll allow you to woo me, Graham.”

  “And marry you?”

  “Maybe,” she said softly. “Who knows if I’ll like your courtship?”

  With a soft chuckle, he said, “Challenge accepted.”

  Then he held out his arms, and they strolled together toward the main house.

  Epilogue

  St James’s Church, Hanover Square, London

  June, 1823

  It was to be the wedding of the Season, and everyone who was anyone in the ton had been invited. The church was packed to the rafters, and everyone was agog to see what the bride would wear. Miss Callisto Middleton had been the acknowledged diamond of the Season, despite being older than the debutantes who had expected that plaudit to have been awarded them.

  Callie had found the experience very strange, since she was launched anew into Society by her mother, the Countess of Deerwood. Although it was very obvious that she was avidly courted by Viscount Sherbrooke, she had many other suitors who were apparently enamored of her delicate charms although Callie suspected few would have shown so much determination to woo her without the dowry of ten thousand pounds her step-father had settled on her.

  Callie and Letty had lapped up the attention, the flowers, the balls where neither of them had been allowed to sit out a single dance and all the other excitement from their stay in Town at the earl’s magnificent townhouse.

  But in her heart, there had only been Graham. Since that one time they had made love in the cottage, he hadn’t attempted to seduce her again. It had been a lesson in restraint. One night as they had scandalously danced every dance together at a midnight ball he had whispered,

  “I am dying to taste you and love you again…but upon my honor I will wait until our wedding night.”

  That had been over four months ago. Each day she had fallen in love with him on a deeper level, and Callie felt a sense of shock and such happiness that today she would finally be his wife. Earlier the townhouse had been pandemonium as servants rushed to make sure everything was perfect for the wedding breakfast of Lady Callisto Sherbrooke and her beloved Graham, Viscount Sherbrooke.

  Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she entered the church. All the whispers died down, and an air of anticipation throbbed through all the family and guests. Graham waited for her, resplendent in dark trousers and matching jacket, an expertly tied cravat, an
d a green silken waistcoat. The look of awe and love on his face pierced Callie with the sweetest feelings. Her hair had been caught in the most elegant of chignons with becoming wisps framing her face, and a coronet of flowers woven between the strands. She wore the most beautiful high-waisted ivory silk gown seeded with pearls.

  You are beautiful, he mouthed, the love in his eyes on display for the world to see. I love you.

  With a trembling laugh, she walked towards him, never taking her eyes from his. I love you so, she whispered softly. She reached his side, and he reached out and took her gloved hand between his. Her whole being seemed to be filled with wonder and reflected in his eyes she saw the same emotions whispering through her heart.

  The earl gruffly stated that he was giving her away before taking his seat.

  The bishop began the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate…”

  Callie could not prevent the wide smile that curved her lips when Graham winked. She had to restrain the urge to fling herself in his arms and hug him.

  The bishop turned to him, “Graham George Wynter, Viscount Sherbrooke, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

  “I will,” he vowed, the beginning of a smile tipping his mouth.