The Marquess's Christmas Runaway

by Josie Bonham

  “Well, my dear, I must admit I was a little surprised at the timing of the wedding but I understand His Lordship’s worries about the weather closing in. Mrs Wright and I are thrilled to welcome you to the parish.” He beamed down at her.

  Georgie smiled back. “Thank you, Mr Wright. I’m delighted to be here.”

  The Vicar bowed in acknowledgement. Max put a hand under Georgie’s arm and shepherded her towards the gate. Georgie looked around and saw the footmen distributing foodstuffs amongst the crowd. She shivered in the cold wind.

  Max wrapped an arm around her. “It is something of a Lovell tradition to distribute food and money to locals attending a family wedding. It seemed particularly appropriate at Christmas.”

  “What a lovely idea.”

  Further conversation was impossible over the cheers of the crowd as they walked through the gate to the coach that was waiting for them. Georgie found it comforting that Max had traditional values and was prepared to help the poor. Her pulse quickened as Max helped her into the coach. Now they were married it didn’t have to be an open carriage.

  He climbed in beside her and called to the driver to move on. Georgie opened the window and leaned out to wave at the crowd. Once they were out of sight she quickly closed it. Max put an arm around her and pulled her close. She was intrigued by the scent of his cologne. He smelled of Christmas with hints of spice and oranges.

  “Max what was that incident outside the church all about? I was terrified the Huttons had found me.”

  “I don’t think so. A couple of men who weren’t from Hargreaves or Benfort villages were hoping to share in the community presents. The locals didn’t take kindly to it. Don’t give it a thought.” He didn’t meet her gaze.

  Georgie sighed. “What a relief.” Could she believe him though? He was making light of it but he didn’t look convinced himself.

  Max hugged her close. “This is almost as cold as the morning I found you.”

  Georgie pulled away a little and put her head to one side. “No, it’s not. I have never been as cold as I was on that morning. I was trying to move around when you found me but it all seemed so much effort. Looking back, I should have pressed on to the vicarage in Benfort the night before.”

  Max gave her a lopsided grin. “Ah yes, but if you had you might not have met me.”

  Georgie found she couldn’t look at him. Was she glad or sorry? The truth was she didn’t know. Max gave her a quizzical look. She tried to think of an answer but was saved when they pulled up at the front of Hargreaves Hall.

  ***

  “What the devil.” Max watched a line of coaches making its way to the stables. “I think you are about to meet more of my family, Georgie. Sally and Wakeley must have made it through.”

  “Oh dear, I think I’m in a bedroom meant for one of them.”

  Max frowned. “Your things will have been moved to the marchioness’s suite next to mine.”

  Georgie’s hands flew to her mouth. “I wasn’t thinking.” Her cheeks went pink.

  She seemed nervous. He was going to have to control himself until she relaxed. In any case with all his family around he felt awkward about bedding his new wife. His problem was his groin didn’t agree with him. He was in for an uncomfortable few days.

  The door of the chaise opened. He climbed out past Georgie and then turned to help her. Instead of taking her hand he put both of his hands on her waist and lifted her down. She was feather light. Much lighter than she had felt when he carried her back in the snow but he hadn’t been in very good shape that day. She was wearing fewer clothes too. He wished his family to the devil. All he wanted to do was throw her over his shoulder and take her up to his bedroom. He sighed. Duty came first.

  Max tucked Georgie’s arm through his and they walked up the steps to the front door. Georgie seemed quiet. He glanced down at her and smiled. Serious grey eyes met his and she gave him a faltering smile in return. He loved the way the shade of grey of her eyes changed with her mood. The door remained stubbornly shut when they reached the top of the stairs. Most of the servants would still be at the church. Eventually a harassed looking footman opened it.

  “Thank you, Evans. Can you tell me who has arrived?”

  “The Earl and Countess of Wakeley. LadyCecilia, Viscount…”

  “Ah, so my sister has arrived with her family. There is no need to tell me the names of my niece and nephews.”

  The footman looked at the floor. “I’m sorry, my lord.”

  Max saw Georgie frown. She was right; he shouldn’t take his frustration out on the footman.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about, Evans. Have a message sent to my sister and her husband that we will be in the marchioness’s drawing room. Then tell the servants who have stayed behind to report to Mr Barton as soon as he is back.”

  “Yes, my lord.” The footman scurried off.

  “I trust that is satisfactory, my dear. It will give us a few moments to ourselves.”

  “Of course, Max. I hope there will be enough food for them all.” Georgie bit her lip.

  Max propelled her towards the sitting room with a hand at the small of her back. “Don’t worry I had food delivered from Canterbury for the presents at the church and for the wedding feast. We had originally catered for the Fordhams.”

  Georgie laughed. “That’s good. I would hate to run out on my first event as a marchioness.”

  That was better. More like the spirited girl he had rescued. He looked around the drawing room.

  “When we go up to London you can choose new furnishings for this room and make it your own.”

  Georgie walked to the window and didn’t answer him for a moment. What was troubling her?

  She turned towards him. “There is no sign of them coming back from church yet. I think I had better go and warn Cook that there will be more people at the wedding breakfast.”

  Max watched her almost run out of the room. The domestic arrangements seemed to be troubling her. She was clever and would soon learn what was required. Then they could relax. He should be pleased that she seemed determined to take up the reins of the household quickly. Wasn’t that exactly what he wanted, someone who would be a good marchioness but not make too many demands on him personally? So why did he feel so piqued that she was more interested in running the house than she was in him?

  There was a rustle of silks and his sister Sally entered. Max took a deep breath and resigned himself to an inquisition.

  “You made it through the snow then, Sally?”

  Sally laughed and took a seat on one of the sofas. “We did but I think the weather is going to close in on us. You will be stuck with us until after twelfth night I expect.” She raised her eyebrows at him.

  Max moved away from the window and sat next to her on the sofa. “How did you find out?”

  “Rollo rode in to Canterbury to see what the roads were like and bumped into a friend of his. It’s all around the local clergy about you obtaining a marriage licence. Then we saw the crowd as we drove past the church. The question is who is she?”

  Max saw Georgie return out of the corner of his eye. She halted in the doorway and he waved at her to come forward.

  ***

  Georgie straightened her back and moved forward. At least she didn’t have to meet all of Max’s sisters at once.

  Max stood up to greet her. “Georgie, this is my sister, Sally, Countess of Wakeley.”

  He led her to the sofa. “Sally, this is my wife Georgina. You may know her as Miss Georgina Sherborne.”

  Sally jumped to her feet and enveloped her in a hug. Georgie tried to smile as Lady Wakeley stood back to look at her better. At least she seemed disposed to be friendly.

  “Georgina Sherborne. My word you’ve grown into a beauty.”

  Georgie felt heat rush to her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Lady Wakeley, you have the better of me. I’m afraid I can’t place you.”

  “Your aunt and I worked on a charity committee together a few years ago
. I remember meeting her in Canterbury when she had you with her more than once.” She turned towards Max. “Why don’t you leave us to have a little chat before the others arrive?”

  Georgie felt like begging Max not to go. Instead she inclined her head to Lady Wakeley. “That would be lovely.”

  She nodded at Max who seemed reluctant for a moment. Then he smiled at her and she caught her breath at the affect his smile had on her insides. When would she lose this stupid sensitivity to him?

  “Why not, Georgie has quite a few of you to get to know.”

  She found it hard to take her eyes off his retreating figure. This wouldn’t do. She forced her attention to Lady Wakeley. Shorter than Eliza, she had the same dark colouring and blue eyes as her sister. Were all the Lovells so attractive?

  “There’s no need to look worried my dear. I was sorry to hear about your aunt’s death and I wish I had posted straight down to see you then but I was rather distracted at the time.”

  Georgie couldn’t think of an answer.

  “I should explain. Anne confided to me once that if anything happened to them the only relatives to take you in were rather ramshackle, since your family were estranged from the cousin who inherited the barony. From the bits of the story I’ve heard, about you being on the stagecoach, I assume they were worse than she could have imagined.”

  She gave Georgie a beaming smile that put her in mind of Max. “I have to say though that the result of my neglect has been fortuitous. You’re just the sort of sensible girl to curb Max’s wild ways. It’s about time he settled down.”

  Georgie was full of questions but the sound of arrivals interrupted them. “There will be a wedding feast in the formal dining room as soon as everyone is back, Lady Wakeley. Cook was nearly ready when I checked. She said there was enough for an army so there should be no problem with your family joining us.”

  “That sounds promising.” Lady Wakeley laughed. “I’m sure Eliza knew we would get through if we possibly could. We would have been here yesterday evening if we hadn’t agreed to wait for Rollo to come back from Canterbury before we started out. No one wanted to miss Christmas at Hargreaves Hall.”

  The door opened and Eliza swept in. “Sally, I’m so glad you made it.”

  “That wasn’t too difficult but looking at the sky we’re in for more snow. I was telling Georgina I think we will be with you until twelfth night and probably beyond.”

  Eliza released her sister from the hug she had wrapped her in and plopped down on the other side of her. “I’m afraid we will too. It will be lovely for the children but not ideal for a newlywed couple to be doing so much entertaining immediately.”

  Georgie raised a hand to a burning cheek. “Perhaps we should make our way to the dining room?”

  Eliza jumped up and ran to her side. “I’m so sorry to put you to the blush. You will soon get used to our blunt ways.”

  Lady Wakeley screwed up her face. “As to that, Eliza, that wasn’t very tactful even for you.” She turned towards Georgie and smiled. “You will have to forgive Eliza she was always the scatter-brained one. Now that we’re sisters I hope you will call me Sally.”

  “Thank you, Lady… Sally. I’m generally known as Georgie.”

  “Georgie it is then. Now come along. Let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

  Georgie felt swept along on an irresistible tide as they walked to the dining room. She looked down to hide a smile. If some of his sisters were as masterful as this, no wonder Max had almost begged her to marry him.

  Barton was in the entrance hall when they left the wing of the house that was home to the marchioness’s drawing room.

  “His Lordship has given Mrs Powell leave to spend a few hours with a sick friend in the village, my lady, but everything is in hand. Would you like me to announce the wedding feast?”

  “Yes please, Mr Barton. Would you thank all the staff for their hard work when you have a moment?”

  Barton bowed low. “Of course, my lady.”

  Georgie caught smiles of approval from both ladies. It was much easier to be positive in her new role with Mrs Powell out of the house. She might have to follow Eliza’s advice and consider replacing her. She heard Max’s voice coming towards them together with the sound of young children. Lord Wakeley appeared to be carrying Judith. They were a delightfully informal family. How she longed to be a proper part of that family.

  “Georgie, my dear, Peter has something to ask you.” Max shepherded forward a suddenly silent young man.

  Georgie bent down to the boy and smiled at him. “What would you like to ask me?”

  Peter looked around at his uncle and then back at her. “Uncle Max said you would like me and Judith to come to the wedding feast.”

  Georgie’s lips twitched as she watched Max turn around to hide a grin. “He’s quite right, Peter, as this is a family occasion everyone should be here.”

  Max smiled his thanks over Peter’s head. Peter tucked his hand in hers. “May I sit with you, Auntie Georgie?”

  Max squatted down by him. “I’m afraid that place is for me, Peter, but your cousins are here and you will want to sit with them.”

  Georgie glanced around. She didn’t even know how many children the earl and countess had.

  “That’s a point,” Sally said. Where is everyone else?”

  “I think the young people all went off with Nat to look for the best places to pick holly and mistletoe,” Max said.

  Georgie noticed a slight hesitation before the word mistletoe. Unless she was mistaken there was a blush to his cheeks. Eliza was right. It was strange being newly married and it was awkward having other people around to witness that. There was the sound of an outside door opening and closing and a few minutes later Nat arrived with four young people in tow. There were three teenage boys and a young woman who was probably the eldest.

  Sally stepped forward. “Georgie, let me introduce the children. In age order we have Cecilia, Rollo, Timothy and Neil. Now I suggest we all follow your uncle and new aunt to the dining room.”

  Max smiled and held out his arm for her. She noticed that some of the large formal dining table had been taken out. When they were seated they were close enough to make conversation comfortable. It was a merry meal. She had Max on one side of her and Lord Wakeley on the other. The young people opposite were holding a lively conversation which she would have liked to have heard more of. She noticed with approval the way the bigger boys included young Peter. Judith was seated on her father’s lap but seemed to be taking in everything that was happening. She also had a healthy appetite.

  A wave of longing hit her. What would it be like to be part of a family like this? She had a vision of a row of little boys all looking like their father. Would she be able to give him sons and how would Max feel if she didn’t? She had found the courage to escape her cousins. Now she must reach out and find the courage to try and win Max’s heart. She mustn’t think about what it would be like if he rejected her. Surely the prize was worth fighting for?

  Chapter Nine

  Georgie was rather quiet but she seemed composed. Perhaps she was a naturally quiet person. She had handled Peter well. She must have realised the little rascal had twisted his words. They were such an informal family it was good that she had allowed the children to attend the meal. He tried to concentrate on his food. Looking at Georgie did uncomfortable things to parts of him that he was glad were hidden. He would never survive until after twelfth night. Somehow, he would have to pretend that his family were nowhere near once they were alone at night.

  “Uncle Max, will you come and help us collect greenery this afternoon?” asked Neil.

  Max turned to Georgie. “I know it’s old fashioned but we have always kept to the customs of decorating on Christmas Eve. Are you happy with that?”

  Georgie smiled at him. “I am, with one condition.”

  “Which is?” Max held his breath. The children loved decorating the hall for Christmas. As his marchioness it was her r
ight to order the household. It was a pity he hadn’t had time to discuss this sort of thing with her beforehand. He could see everyone’s eyes on her.

  “That you take me with you. It sounds like fun.”

  Everyone started talking at once.

  “Quiet,” said Max. “Yes, of course, we will. Any member of the family who wants to collects holly, laurel and so on from the woods nearby on Christmas Eve. Cecilia is usually the best at it.”

  Cecilia wouldn’t meet his eyes. Had she been about to excuse herself from collecting until she realised Georgie was going? She was growing up fast.

  “Cecilia always manages to find the mistletoe,” Neil said.

  Max glared at him. “Perhaps we won’t bother with mistletoe this year.”

  “Uncle Max, you can’t have Christmas without mistletoe,” Rollo said. He exchanged glances with Tim who grinned. “The servants would be so disappointed.”

  Max ignored the comment. His jaw tightened. This was going to be a difficult Christmas.

  The footmen arrived with the last course. Once they had eaten their fill Sally looked across her husband to Georgie.

  “This is the point we would normally leave the gentlemen to their port,” she said. “I think they will be prepared to forego that today as the light will be fading in an hour two.”

  Half an hour later the foraging party assembled near to the stables. There was a biting north wind and Max turned up the collar on his greatcoat. Eliza and Nat appeared, each holding one of Peter’s hands. Max put his arm around Georgie shoulders. She had changed into the brown velvet gown with a thick cloak over it. A warm hat covered her brown curls. She looked adorable with her nose tinged with pink.

  “We’ll have to go without Cecilia if she doesn’t come in a minute, ” he said. “We’ll all freeze standing here.”

  “The rest of you carry on,” Rollo said. “We’ll wait for Cecil.”

  Max sighed. Unless he had missed his guess there would be an awful lot of mistletoe this year.

  “Thank you, Rollo. Right, I spotted a good place for laurel and holly the other day.” He selected baskets, some with shears inside, from the ones he had borrowed from the gardeners. He handed a small basket to Peter and full-sized ones to the other three.