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Authors: Lindsay Downs

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BOOK: A Christmas Surprise
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Thomas rose from his chair, nodded adieu to his friend, and departed .The last words ringing in his ears. Now he had to do something, but what he didn’t know. Maybe when he and Aleece met tomorrow they could come up with a plan.

Chapter Eleven

 

“Mother, do you mind if I cry off the afternoon calls. I know we leave London for the country on the morrow and was hoping to take a stroll instead,” Lady Aleece asked, entering the duchess’s private sitting room.

“Yes, of course, darling. I was contemplating the same, not a stroll, as it is a little too chilly for me, but relaxing. I have several letters that need answering, and I would like to do them now. Do not forget to take Debbi with you,” her mother responded.

“Of course, Mother. We won’t be out long.” She graced her mother with a smile before returning to her room.

Walking in she said, “Ah good, you’re ready. Let me change my footwear and we’ll be off.” She went to retrieve a pair of wool-lined walking boots from the closet. On her bed was a warm pelisse and bonnet.

As they stepped from the warmth of the mansion into the cold, both gasped at the chill in the air.

“I’m beginning to wonder if it wouldn’t have been better to send Mr. Thomas a note to inform him of the change in plans,” Aleece whispered since the doorman was still behind them.

“M’ lady, we’ve ridden in colder weather than this, and once we start walking we’ll warm,” Debbi answered back.

“Yes. So let’s get going. I don’t want to have him wait any longer than necessary.”

With that, they walked down the front stoop, turned right, and briskly set out for Hyde Park.

As they approached the area where normally the fashionable sat atop magnificent horses or relaxed in carriages, Aleece was surprised at the scarcity of people.

“M’ lady, is it that cold which makes us foolish to be out, or are we early?”

Aleece glanced at her friend and tried to smile, but the chill in the air wouldn’t let her lips cooperate.

“I’d say a little of both, but with so many readying to depart for the Christmas holiday most of the households are making final preparations.”

In a comfortable silence, they started to walk around the Serpentine when a familiar voice called out. Turning to the sound, Aleece watched as her Mr. Thomas, with Lord Sidbury at his side, strolled up.

“M’ lady, ‘tis a surprise to see you out and about on such a cold day,” Mr. Thomas announced as he brought her proffered hand to his lips.

“I do agree with your observation, kind sir, but as Debbi pointed out moments ago, we’ve gone riding in colder weather,” Aleece commented. The sight and touch of her gallant suitor warmed her. She glanced over to where seconds ago Debbi had stood and noticed her in deep conversation with her gentleman.

“Fear not. He won’t lead her to far from us. Shall we keep moving so as not to take a chill?” Even as she settled her diminutive gloved hand over his arm, a warm feeling of pleasure settled in her.

“I’m glad we agreed to meet here today, for I have some distressing news to impart,” Aleece declared, only to hear him gasp.

“Pray tell, you haven’t been offered for and accepted.”

“Even if it was true, I would refuse, as I wait for you, knowing there are things you have to resolve with your father first. No, my father has decided not to wait until the end of the week to return to the estate. He has decided that we leave on the morrow.”

“When did you find this out, my dear?” Disappointment was evident in his voice.

“This morning after awakening I was summoned to his study and informed. He, of course, didn’t give a reason but my suspicion—”

“Is it because you were in my company last night, dancing a waltz no less, and your father doesn’t want you near me?”

“I believe you may be correct. Last night he said there was someone my mother wanted to introduce me to. It turned out to be a ruse as we immediately departed the ball.”

Aleece heard a giggle from behind, turned and noticed Debbi was laughing at something Sidbury must have said. She glanced back to her escort. “You did say he would behave, didn’t you?”

“Yes. What are we going to do now, with you leaving? I could call on your father and offer for you.”

“You know father will refuse to see you, unless you were the first son of a duke,” dejectedly she said.

“The only possible son of marriageable age is Thomas, Marquess of Langdonly. Last I heard he was in Spain fighting Boney’s army.”

“So I have heard. One thing father hasn’t threatened is selecting my husband for me and forcing me into a loveless marriage,” Aleece said, now a touch of hope in her voice.

“And if he does then I’ll come, take you away, and we’ll escape to Gretna Green and marry. Though I would much prefer he approve of us,” Mr. Thomas announced.

“As would I. All this talk is making me unhappy. Can’t we talk about something more fun?” she said. Looking around and not seeing anyone near-by, she tugged him behind a tree.

She let him back her against the massive trunk and watched as his lips descended upon hers. Once their mouths touched, she teased open his and started to devour him. As they dueled for supremacy, Aleece felt her body warm from the passion shared between them.

Easily, she guided her now ungloved hand up, cupping his face as he slipped his hands around her, pulling her tightly against him. After what seemed an eternity of blessed pleasure, a cough seeped into her mind. Not wanting to, but knowing she had to, slowly she pulled her mouth from his.

“I believe we are being called upon, my love,” she whispered, resting her head against his chest.

“I do believe you’re right. You’d better go before I forget myself.”

“I can’t wait until you can keep that promise to me. I’ll see you at the Holly Hall annual ball.” Hope graced her words.

“I’ve already arranged an invitation through Jeff.”

Separating, they stepped out from behind the tree only to catch Debbi and Sidbury in an embrace. Not to be outdone Aleece gave a cough to alert the lovers someone was watching.

“I dare say, seems we weren’t the only ones enjoying the benefits of this massive oak’s shelter,” Aleece teased.

“We were only giving each other a hug goodbye until we see each other again,” Debbi tried to confess.

Aleece shared a knowing smile with Mr. Thomas before adding in a soft speech, “At least we’ll be able to write to each other.”

“I count the days until your first letter arrives. We also have a month before Lord and Lady Kris Kringle hold their ball,” he said.

Hand in hand they walked to the edge of the park.

“Since you’re leaving on the morrow, so shall I. Without you here, I see no reason to stay,” he interjected, breaking the pleasant silence they shared.

“I was about to ask where to post my letters as I’m not aware of your direction in London.”

“Ah, well here we are, where we must part, but only for the briefest of times, my dear,” Mr. Thomas affirmed, raising Aleece’s hand, brushing his lips gently over her knuckles.

“Until the ball, my sweet.” Aleece then turned to Debbi, seeing she was finished making her adieus to her gentleman, with a look collected the girl and together they set off for home.

****

As the two gentlemen watched their ladies climb the steps to the front door of the Carlisle townhouse, Thomas looked over to his friend and asked, “Have you offered for Miss Overstreet?”

“I’ve made overtures, but she’s told me until her mistress is settled she’ll refuse me.”

“Well, cheer up. By the Holly Hall ball that matter will be settled one way or another.”

They turned, shook hands then went their separate ways.

Chapter Twelve

 

Duke of Carlisle Estate
Monday, December
20, 1812

The soft sound of footfalls outside her room stirred Lady Aleece awake from yet another tormented night of sleep. She knew the reason. It had been a fortnight since she’d received his last missive. If only she could hear from him, then her sleep would be restful.

As the days had passed by, she worried something must have befallen him. Was he snatched up by the press-gangs and now languished on a ship-of-the-line somewhere off the coast of France? There to face the hardships of a sailor? Punished at the whim of the captain for even the tiniest infraction? Had he, by some misfortune, been conscripted into the army to fight? Only to be sent to Spain where the war there was finally turning for the best?

The scratch of Cornelius, her collie, on the door finally stirred her to action. With a sweep of her arm, she tossed back the heavy satin bed curtain, which allowed the cool morning air to enter her warm haven giving her a chill.

“Coming, Cornelius,” she called out, swinging her feet to the floor and sliding into slippers. Walking to the door, she slipped her arms into a heavy dressing gown.

She started to reach for the latch when she heard Debbi's voice. If Aleece didn’t miss her guess, Debbi spoke to the collie, as she was as fond of the overgrown fur ball as Aleece was.

Suspecting the poor girl’s hands were filled with her breakfast tray, she started to open the portal. All it took was a tiny opening before Cornelius pushed his way through and dashed past Aleece. His target, the bed, snow wet paws and all.

With a nod, Aleece acknowledged the curtsey from Debbi then waited while she set the tray on a table next to the fireplace. She suspected that earlier a footman, under the stern, watchful eye of her maid, had slipped in to stir the fire up and add wood if need be.

Aleece knew that by the time she’d finished breaking her fast the room would be warm to where she could dress in relative comfort.

Taking her seat, she started to address the tea and toast points with fresh churned butter and the last of the plum preserves. Under one of the china dishes, the edge of a foolscap caught her attention.

From her seat she glanced over to Debbi, who was in the process of stripping the damp sheets from the bed, courtesy of Cornelius. “And when, pray tell, were you going to inform me of this?” She lifted the paper out from under its hiding place and shook it at her.

“Only if you didn’t discover it when I removed your tray, m’ lady,” she replied.

“If that’s the case, then next time I go riding it might slip my mind to inform you,” Aleece teased back.

As she unfolded the note, save for the crackle of the fire interspersed with the happy panting of Cornelius filling the room as she started to read over the dispatch.

 

December
16, 1812

My Most Precious Aleece,

Pray forgive me for not writing sooner. Dearest pater sent me north to take care of several problems.
Then I had business in
London,
which isn’t the same without you
there.

As you read this
I am preparing to remove myself from
the estate
and make haste to be near you
when you arrive for the Christmas ball.

I won’t be staying at the Kringle’s but
plan to rest my head
at the
nearby estate of a university friend.
When everything is confirmed,
since
he
is
at his father’s estate,
and I’m waiting to hear
from him,
I’ll send my new direction
to our hosts.

Until we meet,

Your loving and humble servant,

Mr.
Thomas

 

As she read the letter, she wanted to cry for joy that he was safe and that they’d see each other in seven long days.

“M’ lady,” Debbi started to inquire, when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Come,” Aleece announced, but only after seeing she was properly covered.

“M’ lady,” Horsfall, said as he bowed. “The duke and duchess wish to speak with you this morning.”

Aleece peered over the lip of her teacup, fully aware her eyes were bigger than the saucer she’d lifted the cup from. Never, in all her one and twenty years had she been requested to be in their presence at such an early hour.

Taking a sip to rid her mouth of the sudden desert-like feeling, she looked to her maid in hopes of gaining a clue from her. All she got was a non-committal shrug. Not getting an answer there, maybe the bearer of the news might shed some light on the subject at hand.

“Might I inquire as to why they wish to see me at this hour? Is something amiss?”

“I’m afraid I’m not privy to that information, m’ lady.”

She studied him as he spoke, looking to see if he was being truthful or not. When she spied the slight twitch of an eyebrow, she knew she had him. “Now, Horsfall, you know you can’t let anything slip past me. You who knows everything that goes on in this house as well as all the others, even before word reaches my father. You’re holding something back. Now out with it!” she announced with a pleasant smile on her lips.

Horsfall dipped his head, more from being caught than anything. “Yes, m’ lady. You’re correct. I overheard the duchess and duke talking. Seems they have decided not to wait until the Kringle’s ball to marry you off.”

“What?” Aleece yelled at the hapless man. “They can’t do this. My father gave his word.”

“If I may, m’ lady. Neither the duke or duchess have any faith in you finding a suitable match,” the man said, now cowering from fear.

“And why is that, might I inquire?” Aleece demanded, rising from her chair. “Do I not have everything a man of excellent breeding would want in a wife? Am I not beautiful, or so I have been told? I can talk about the most inane topics a person could imagine. Not to mention I play the pianoforte better than most. And thanks to the teachings of Mrs. Linna and the duchess, I can manage a household, no matter how big or small.

As Aleece spoke, she watched Debbi and Horsfall nodding in agreement. “So, then what’s the problem?” Her tone, she made sure, left room for retreating not that they would. As it was one of their endearing qualities.

BOOK: A Christmas Surprise
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