A Berkshire Christmas

by S. White

  Simon groaned. “Hurry up and eat so we can get the blasted gift giving over with.”

  Kate took her time with the wonderful meal the servants had prepared. She was the last to finish.

  ❄Epilogue ❄

  New candles replaced the ones from the wedding. A warm fire blazed in to fireplace. Simon sat on a settee near the fireplace with Kate beside him. Her hand was in his as they watched the family distributed gifts to each other. Emily sat at the pianoforte playing a lively rendition of Deck the Halls among other favorite Christmas Carols.

  As soon as the presents were opened, they would all circle around the pianoforte and sing Christmas Carols until after midnight.

  The children had great fun opening their gifts. Each child had one gift from every member of the family. They were soon off to bed leaving the adults to open their presents in peace.

  John was the first to bring a gift to Simon. He grinned as his brother opened the box to reveal a bottle of brandy.

  “Enjoy, brother.” John grinned before he turned to Kathleen. “I am afraid to say that I don't have a gift for you, Kathleen. You were such a surprise, but I will say, Welcome to the family.” John leaned over and kissed his new sister-in-law 0n the cheek.

  “Thank you. I never had a brother and now I do,” Kate said, with tears in her eyes.

  Emily was next to bring gifts to the newly married couple. A new inkwell for Simon and for Kate, three monogrammed handkerchiefs.

  “Oh, Emily, these are lovely, but when did you have the time to embroider the initials?”

  Emily's cheeks were a delightful shade of pink. “At night. When everyone was in bed.”

  “Thank you, Emily.”

  Simon rose to his feet and hugged his sister. “Thank you, sister dear, for welcoming Kathleen to the family.”

  After they received all the gifts from the rest of the family, Simon turned to Kathleen. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, wrapped package and handed it to her.

  Kate removed the wrapping and opened the box. She gasped. Nestled in the box was a gold locket on a chain. A small diamond was set in the center surrounded by engraved flowers.

  “Oh, Simon. It's lovely.”

  “Turn it over.”

  Kate gave a curious look but turned the locket over. There was an inscription.

  It read: To my wife, Kathleen. Love, Simon.

  Kate gazed at Simon with confusion in her eyes. “When? How?”

  “Two years ago when I first began my search after I learned your name., Like your slipper, I've kept it with me. I was hoping and praying that I would one day be able to give it to you. Inside, I will have will a miniature of our first born child made so you may place it inside.”

  Kate blushed. “Oh, Simon. This is the greatest gift I have ever received. I will treasure it always.”

  She handed the locket to Simon and turned around so that he might fasten the necklace around her neck.

  Kate turned to stare at the fire. Simon placed his arm around her and hugged her to him. “You are thinking of your father.” It wasn't a question for he knew the answer.

  She turned to face his new husband Tear glistened in her eyes. “Yes. I just wish he was here. He would like you, I think.”

  Removing a handkerchief from her bodice. Kate said, “I didn't have a pocket.” She handed him the folded handkerchief. “As you know I had to sell everything to pay my father's debts, but this I found in my drawer and kept it. My mother gave this to her husband on their wedding day. Now, I give it to you.”

  “Kathleen, you don't have to.”

  “My father would want you to have it.”

  Simon carefully unfolded the cloth to reveal a cravat pin. “Kathleen ...”

  “It is a rare amber.”

  The stone was golden brown and the largest cravat pin Simon had ever seen.

  It was his turn for tears to glisten in his eyes. “I will treasure this always and only wear it on special occasions.”

  The drawing-room doors opened. A woman stood in the entrance surveying the family. She was slightly older than the Dowager Countess, but they were similar in height and coloring.

  “Well, isn't anyone going to greet me?”

  Simon's mother was the first to react. She jumped up from her chair rushed to the woman with a smile on her face. “Evelyn, you're early.”

  Evelyn hugged her sister. “I am always early, darling.”

  James walked forward to hugged his eldest sister. “Sister, it is so good to see you. I didn't think you'd come.”

  “Of course, I'd come. I said I would, didn't I? It is good to see you too, brother. What is going on here?” Evelyn stepped into the room with her brother on one side and her sister on the other.

  Simon rose. “It is Christmas Eve, Aunt Evelyn.”

  “Oh, dear, I have been traveling so long I have lost track of the date,” Evelyn said.

  “Understandable. We are also celebrating my wedding which took place five hours ago.”

  “Well, nephew, 'bout time. Be a dear, pour me a brandy.”

  Simon rose to do his aunt's bidding. With a glass in his hand, he sauntered over to Evelyn and handed her the glass. She downed it in one swallow.

  “Very nice. Very nice, indeed, Simon.” She handed him back the glass and hugged her nephew.

  Evelyn snapped her fingers. Two Footmen brought in a giant trunk and placed it before her. She threw back the lid to reveal it packed with wrapped packages.

  Simon and Kathleen glanced at each other and laughed. “Leave it to Aunt Evelyn to liven up a Christmas Eve, my darling. Shall we sneak away while everyone is feasting on the presents.”

  “I am surprised at you. That is very rude.”

  Instead of answering, Simon pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her with just hint of the passion to come before morning.

  Both were breathing hard by the time they broke apart. The couple realized there was complete silence in the room. They looked up and around. Everyone was staring at them and smiling.

  Evelyn grinned. “That is what I call a Christmas Eve kiss. Who needs a Kissing Bough?”

  The

  ❄ Kissing ❄

  Bough

  A Regency Christmas Story

  S. J. White

  Copyright © 2019 by S. J. White

  ISBN:

  Cover design

  __________________________________

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval system — except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews — without permission in writing from its author, S. J. White.

  The characters and events portrayed in this historical novel are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Apart from well-known historical figures, any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental or not intended by the author.

  ❄Chapter One ❄

  London, England

  December 20, 1814

  White's Gentlemen's Club was one of several exclusive, members only clubs, in London. The club offered male members of the Ton a place to meet friends, to gamble, to drink, to read quietly, or to have a meal. Membership was exclusive. All applicants screened and approved by a committee.

  The kitchen was open twenty-four hours, seven days a week. On the upper floors, a gentleman might rent a room on a temporary basis.

  David Chambers, the Earl of Markham, was just about to reach his thirty-first birthday. He sat alone in a chair by the window which looked out onto St. James Street. Although, it was the Christmas Season, his mood was somewhat melancholy.

  He reflected on his life or lack of one. He didn't notice the snow flakes lightly splattering the window.

  What had he accomplished in those thirty one years? Not much. His father died early so he inherited the title at a young age. David was a good son to his widowed mother and the best brother he knew how to be to his young
er brother and sister. Although David held a drink in his hand, he didn't drink in excess. He was a good employer to his servants and fair landlord to his tenants.

  However, he was not yet a husband and father. It was time David did something about that. He started his search for a wife earlier in the year. Among this year's crop of debutantes, there were none who caught his eye or touched his heart. However, he felt he had to choose one so he commenced courting one young lady or at least, tried to.

  His valet cut his dark brown hair in the latest fashion that very morning. He wore black britches with a dark gray long tail coat. His valet tied his cravat in the mathematical and placed a twinkling ruby stickpin within its folds. All in anticipation of the young woman’s father consenting to the match. He thought he looked very well and hoped his chosen lady would think so when they meet at the Braxton's Christmas Ball that evening.

  He morosely sipped his brandy before sitting the half-empty glass on the table. A untouched plate of pastry sat in front of him. He eyed them a moment but didn't reach for any of the delectable treats. David usually left for his country home the week before Christmas.

  That would have been tomorrow. What was the point? There won't be anyone there to celebrate Christmas with.

  David received a letter from his mother that very morning informing him that she and his younger brother, Thomas and sister, Prudence, were off to spend the Holidays in Italy.

  His mother, the Dowager Countess of Markham, further stated in her letter that she knew how he hated family gatherings and she wanted to spare him the pain of attending this year.

  The truth was he actually looked forward to this year's Christmas celebration in Leicester. He thought that he might have some happy news to tell the family but that wouldn't happen either. He had hoped to make an announcement at the annual Braxton Christmas Ball this evening.

  Try as he might, he couldn’t get an audience with the father of the young he had chosen to be the next Countess of Markham. He would try again at the Braxton Ball. It wasn’t the idea location for such a discussion, but it would have to do.

  ❄Chapter Two ❄

  Lady Elizabeth Stanton's father had been avoiding him for the last week. He didn't know why. The whole situation had him second guesting himself and put his nerves on edge.

  He applied to her father asking permission to pay court to his eldest daughter. The man had him squirming until he answered.

  David wasn't much of a gambler nor did he drink to access, The man knew this about him. He also held a title equal to Stanton’s. That was one mark in his favor. The man finally gave him leave to pay court to his daughter and he had been trying to do that for the last five weeks. The longest weeks of his life.

  David was never able to get the young lady alone which would have been a faux pas anyway. She was always surrounded by other men seeking her favor.

  Ever since his best friend, Simon Audley, married the woman he loved last year, David had been thinking about marriage more seriously than in years past.

  It was about time he married and set up his nursery. Simon seemed so happy. He longed to join him in his married state. They have always did things together so why not marriage and children?

  He looked up when he sensed someone was standing at his table. He was surprised to see his friend, Simon, the Earl of Stratmore, frowning down at him. He carried the morning edition of the Time News sheet.

  “David, I have been looking for you all over the place.” Simon plopped down in the empty chair.

  “What are you still doing in London? I thought you would be in Berkshire with Kathleen.”

  Simon's face flushed bright red. “Kathleen made me return to London for a bit. She says I hover.”

  David laughed. “It is almost always the way when a man waits for his first child to be born. Justin St. John, Marquess of Treyhorne said the same thing. It might get easier by the tenth child.”

  “Tenth?” Simon's jaw dropped. “Kathleen is not going to have ten children. We are not going to have more than four or five. Six at the most.”

  “How are you going to prevent it?”

  “There are ways. Perhaps the French letter.”

  Simon looked down at the news sheet. “That is not why I sought you out. Have you read the Times this morning?”

  “No. Why?” David's brows rose.

  “Here. Read this.” Simon thrust the paper into his friend's hands.

  The paper was open to the Society Announcement page. David glanced at the top article and then moved back to it.

  “Lord Jamison Barrington is pleased to announce the betrothal of his daughter, Clarissa, to Viscount Thomas Forsythe.” David looked at his friend. “Looks like your ex-betroth has caught another man in her snare. I wonder if he will wiggle free.”

  “No. No. I don't care about Clarissa. Although it took long enough to net another one. The announcement I wish to show is further down the page.” Simon looked over the edge of the paper and pointed to an announcement about halfway down. “That one.”

  David began to read the article aloud. “Lord Benjamin Stanton is pleased to announce the betrothal of his daughter, Elizabeth ...” He angrily mangled the paper and tossed it on the table.

  “I'm so sorry, David. I know you wanted to pay court to the young lady and perhaps marry her.” Simon's voice held all the sympathy he could muster.

  “I don't understand. I asked her father if I might pay my addresses to his daughter. He gave me permission to court her, but to wait until we knew each other better before I asked for her hand.”

  “I guess you won't be going to the Braxton Ball tonight.”

  David looked dazed. “I guess not. That son of a … I doesn’t know if I could want to see her with her betrothed.” His disbelief had turned to anger towards Benjamin Stanton. “I might even plant her father a facer.”

  He couldn't believe what was happening to him. Elizabeth's father had played him. If the lord with the greater title didn't come up to scratch, then the old man had David dangling on his string. He should have known something was up when the man reluctantly gave his permission to sort of court his daughter.

  He felt used. He didn't love Elizabeth, but he thought they might deal well together. Perhaps, love would have grown between them. He will never know now.

  Maybe love is just an illusion or is now firmly out of my grasp.

  “I suppose you will head on down to Leicester to spend the holidays with your family.” Simon finished his cup of coffee. A server gave him a refill before he could stop him.

  “I won't be going home this year. Just had a note from my mother. The family is off to Italy until March.” David tried to hid his feelings about the matter from Simon.

  “What about your birthday, David?”

  “I will be spending Christmas and my birthday in London. Alone.”

  “Good. I ...”

  David scowled. “What do you mean good? I thought you were my friend.”

  “I didn't mean it like that. You didn't let me finish. I meant that now you are free to spend Christmas in Berkshire with me and my family.”

  “What about Kathleen? I don't think she likes me very much. She think I corrupt you.” David grinned. “Besides, I'm not much in the mood to celebrate.”

  “It was Kathleen's idea. Our birthday's are only a day apart and we have never spend them together. I think it is about bloody time,” Simon said. “Com'on pack your bag. We leave in two hours.”

  “I don't think ...”

  “What kind of friend would I be if I allowed you to spend Christmas and our birthdays alone.”

  “Well, if you're sure.” David found himself giving in. He didn’t want to be alone at Christmas.

  “Of course, I'm sure. Christmas is only a week away and I am rather excited about the idea of spending Christmas and our birthdays together for once. It has never happened before in all these years.” Simon paused a moment. “You will have a marvelous time. My brother will be there and so will my siste
rs. The brats too, but don't let that put you off.”

  “All right. I have nothing better to do. Not anymore.”

  “Be at my townhouse in an hour and half.” Simon rose from his chair. “I have a million and one errands to do before we are off. Including buying a Christmas gift for Kathleen and the baby.”

  “But the child is not even born yet. You don't know if it is a boy or girl,” David grinned.

  “Kathleen is sure it will be a boy. It doesn't matter to me one way or another. I just care that my wife and child comes through the birth safely and my son or daughter is healthy. Christmas is a marvelous time to be born, don't you think?”

  “I don't know about that, Simon. Instead of birthday present and Christmas present, I always got one or the other.”

  “I always got both. Remember, be at my house in an hour and a half.”

  Simon didn't wait for David's reply before he strolled towards the club's entrance.

  ❄Chapter Three ❄

  David arrived at Simon's townhouse two hours after they had parted company. He knew his friend wouldn't be quit ready to depart. It was already beginning to snow again just a bit, but a glance at the sky told him that it promised to become heavier as the day progressed.