Winter Wishes: A Regency Christmas Anthology

by Cheryl Bolen

  Chapter 2

  Jonah Stanton wasn’t sure how he’d allowed himself to be talked into attending this ball. But after spending the past ten years away from home and earning his fortune, he supposed his attendance at such events was inevitable now that he was back in England. All it had taken was one disappointed look from his mother before he’d readily agreed to accompany her to this house party. He might be twenty-eight, but it was clear he was sorely out of practice when it came to holding out against maternal guilt.

  Of course, there was also the fact that he was trying to make up for his absence when his father died the year before. By the time he finally learned of his father’s death, several months had already passed. It had taken another six months before he was able to return home.

  He told himself this would be a good opportunity to become acquainted again with English society. He’d been away for so long he wasn’t sure anyone would remember him.

  It was late morning when they finally arrived at the Hathaway estate. The carriage deposited them at the dower house where his mother would be staying with her good friend Mrs. Hathaway. Or would she now be considered the dowager Lady Hathaway? Could one be a dowager when they’d never held the title of Lady Hathaway?

  So much had changed since he’d left. James now held the title of Viscount Hathaway, and the entire family had moved from Newmarket, where they’d been neighbors, to Northampton. They’d grown up together, however, and Jonah was looking forward to the upcoming reunion.

  After seeing his mother settled, he made his way on foot to the manor house where he would be staying with the other guests. He could have settled back into the carriage for the short distance, but he’d already been cooped up in its interior for the past day minus the few hours they’d spent at an inn along the way. Despite the cold, he welcomed the opportunity to stretch his legs and breathe in the fresh air. It was decidedly brisker than that to which he was accustomed after spending the past ten years in India. Still, he was back in England to stay now and would need to become reacclimated to cold winters and to the damp weather the rest of the year.

  He was about halfway through his walk when he noticed a small figure approaching. He’d been told Emily Hathaway lived with her mother in the dower house, but since the woman coming toward him was bundled up against the cold, it was difficult to tell if she was the young girl he’d once known.

  He did a few quick calculations in his head and realized Emily would now be a young woman.

  The approaching figure was covered from the neck down in a voluminous cloak that was sky blue in color, and her hair was tucked away beneath a dark-colored hat that could only be called practical. A few strands of dark hair had escaped to frame her face, adding an allure to her appearance that sparked his interest.

  As she neared and looked up at him with sparkling blue eyes, he could see this was none other than Emily Hathaway. It was almost impossible to believe she was all grown up.

  The way her head tilted to the side and her face scrunched up as she tried to place how she knew him reminded him of the lively child he’d once known. It wasn’t difficult to tell when she recognized him, for a large smile spread across her face and her eyes lit with happiness.

  “Jonah? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be away in India?” She gave her head a slight shake as though to remind herself to curb her tendency toward exuberance. He’d almost forgotten that about her. “No one told me you were coming.”

  “Actually, it’s Sir Jonah now. It seems that when one comes from an old family with ties to nobility and becomes personally responsible for ensuring the royal kitchens are equipped with enough exotic spices to satisfy the regent’s palate and impress all manner of visiting dignitaries, the crown can be very generous.”

  “You’ll have to excuse me for my ignorance, Sir Jonah,” Emily said before dipping into a deep curtsy. He didn’t miss the twinkle in her eye when she straightened. “I am but a humble woman. Tell me, do you possess a ring I should be kissing? I wouldn’t wish to offend you by not offering you all the courtesies you’re owed.”

  “I see you’re as precocious as ever,” he said, his tone dry.

  Her laugh still had the ability to make him smile, and he found himself doing so now as she let forth a peal of delight.

  “James and Edward will be so happy to see you! I’m going to have to box their ears for not telling me to expect you.”

  She turned and headed back toward the manor house, and he fell into step beside her.

  “Well, in the interest of saving them a little pain, I should confess that they didn’t know I was coming.”

  She glanced sideways at him, and her eyes narrowed. “Did Sarah invite you?”

  “Would it be a problem if she had?” He couldn’t understand why her jaw tensed at that. “Actually, it was Lady Hathaway—your mother—who extended the invitation. I don’t believe she was aware I’d returned when she invited my mother. Mother, of course, wrote back, and together they decided that she shouldn’t travel so far alone. Et voilà, you now have to endure my company.”

  “That’s nice. Mama did say something about Mrs. Stanton coming to stay with us over Christmas.” She stopped and looked up at him. “Oh, that means you’ll be staying as well. We’ll be able to become reacquainted properly after the ball when the guests leave.”

  “Yes, it’s all been settled,” he said as they resumed their walk.

  “I wonder why Sarah didn’t mention it?”

  “She probably has a lot on her mind with the ball being so close to Christmas. Mother will be staying at the dower house with you and Lady Hathaway, and I’ll be at the main house with the rest of the guests.”

  “Mama really doesn’t like being called Lady Hathaway. She’s still struggling with just how much our lives have changed since James inherited.”

  Jonah gave her words some thought, but in the end shook his head. “If I’m to adjust to being back here again, I have to practice my manners. I’ve become lax over the past few years, so I’m going to have to insist on formality so I don’t embarrass myself—or your family—around others.”

  “I suppose that means I’ll have to call you Sir Jonah now, and of course you’ll insist on calling me Miss Hathaway.”

  They’d reached the house and Emily stopped again. Jonah took a moment to admire the sheer size of the manor, marveling at just how much his friends’ lives had changed in the past few years. Their former home was large, but certainly not anywhere near the scale of the house before him now.

  He turned to face Emily, detecting a slight frown on her face that had him wondering as to its cause. “Is something the matter?”

  “Oh no,” she said, giving her head a vigorous shake and smiling at him. “I was just thinking how strange it is that I feel as though I know you so well when I don’t. Not really. You’re my brother’s friend, and it’s been ages since I last saw you.”

  “It’s been ten years since I moved to India and you were… ten years of age, was it?”

  “Heavens, I feel so old now. Mama always goes on about how time goes by more quickly as one ages, and now I understand what she means. It doesn’t feel as though ten years have passed. I was still a child the last time we spoke.”

  “I must admit, I find it difficult to imagine you’re all grown up, especially since I can’t see what you look like under that hat and cloak.”

  Emily laughed again, no doubt thinking he was jesting, but he was completely serious. She was taller than the last time he’d seen her, but at over six feet in height, he still towered over her. She’d always been outgoing and loved tagging along after her brothers, much to their chagrin. He hadn’t minded since he didn’t have any brothers or sisters and had enjoyed her penchant for trying to make them all laugh. But he found it almost impossible to picture what she’d look like when she removed her cloak and hat. From what he could tell, her personality hadn’t changed much from that outgoing girl he’d once known, although he had to admit she�
�d developed a sense of wit that he found charming.

  “You’ll have to wait a little longer to sate your curiosity,” she said, giving him a small push toward the door.

  “What? You’re going to leave me here all alone?”

  “Hardly alone,” she said. “My brothers are home. You can become reacquainted with them and meet their wives. Enjoy the quiet before most of the male population of England starts arriving later this afternoon. I’ll be back then to help greet them.”

  He raised a brow at that. “Just the male population?”

  “Well, my sisters-in-law insist that won’t be the case, but I’m afraid they’re matchmaking.”

  He gave a sympathetic wince, knowing he’d soon be facing the same thing next year when the season began. Only he wanted to get married, he told himself.

  “At any rate, enjoy the peace until then. I’ll return with Mama and Mrs. Stanton this afternoon and will stay through dinner.”

  With a small wave, she turned and walked away. Jonah watched her for a full minute, allowing his curiosity about what she looked like under that cloak to take hold of his imagination. Catching himself, he gave his head a shake to clear his thoughts and turned back to the house. Emily wasn’t wrong that he was looking forward to the relative peace before the other guests arrived. The ball tomorrow evening would be his official return to society.

  Chapter 3

  Emily waited for the carriage door to open, impatient with the formality of having to take the conveyance when the manor was only a mile from the dower house. She didn’t complain, however, because she knew it was important to her mother that they keep up appearances. Despite the fact they’d all settled into their elevated station in society, it was something about which her mother still worried.

  “Emily…”

  The note of warning in her mother’s voice brought Emily out of her reverie. She hadn’t even realized she was tapping her foot.

  “Oh, leave the poor girl,” Mrs. Stanton said with a fond smile. “She’s excited, and who can blame her.”

  Mama gave her head a small shake. “I’ll never understand where she gets her energy and her love for all manner of social events. It certainly wasn’t from her father or me.”

  The carriage door swung open, and Emily let out a sigh of relief. She waited as the young footman—a new member of her brother’s staff whose name she hadn’t yet learned—helped her mother and Mrs. Stanton out of the carriage. And then, finally, he was handing her down as well.

  Even though she was wary about her family’s matchmaking efforts, Emily couldn’t deny that her mother had been correct. She was still excited about the upcoming ball.

  They’d scarce entered the manor before Sarah descended on them. She greeted them warmly and waited while Mama introduced her to Mrs. Stanton.

  “Thank goodness you’re here,” she said, her voice low. “A number of guests have already arrived, and I’m afraid I’m being run ragged.”

  “Is something the matter?” Mama asked, her lips tightening in concern.

  “I don’t believe so. It’s just that it’s much more intimidating than I imagined, overseeing the well-being of houseguests with whom one has only a passing acquaintance. I can’t imagine why I thought this was a good idea.”

  “Nonsense,” Emily said, drawing her arm through Sarah’s. “Now that we’re here, you can delegate and we’ll help you. Tell me, has my brother gone into hiding yet?”

  Sarah gave a small laugh, but Emily could sense the tension behind her composure. “Not for lack of trying. The first guest arrived one hour ago, and I’ve already caught him trying to sneak away to his study three times! As punishment, I’ve set him up in the drawing room where he is now surrounded by would-be friends whose names I’m sure he can’t remember.”

  Emily wasn’t surprised, especially since she still couldn’t believe her brother had agreed to host this event. But not only had he agreed, now he was engaging in polite conversation with strangers? He must be desperate to see her settled. But despite her unease, she vowed to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. After all, it wasn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility that she’d meet her future husband over the next two days.

  Chapter 4

  James found her in the library several hours later, browsing the bookshelves for a distraction.

  He came to a stop next to her. “We seem to have switched personalities. Why is it I’m out there and you’re hiding away in here?”

  She glanced toward the doorway, and when she saw the door was open, she crossed the room to close it. She leaned against it and let out a breath. “Lord Kirby has been relentless. Every time I turn around, he’s there. I just needed ten minutes to myself before it’s time to head in for dinner.”

  James lifted one hand to rub at the back of his neck. “About that…”

  Emily narrowed her eyes. “What did you do?”

  “He’s a good man. You should give him a chance. Everyone speaks very highly of him.”

  Emily sighed, telling herself that her brother meant well. But she couldn’t help cringing as she imagined the conversation he and Lord Kirby would have had that led the latter to believe he was her brother’s choice of a husband for her.

  “Getting to know him is one thing, but he’s scarce given me a moment to breathe since we’ve been introduced.”

  “That’s a good thing, is it not? It means he likes you.”

  James looked so confused. Emily wanted to tell him that she felt no spark of interest for Lord Kirby, but perhaps her brother was right. His own wife had been in love with another man when they’d wed, and look at how well their marriage had turned out.

  She nodded and took his arm, allowing him to lead her back to the drawing room. The moment Lord Kirby spotted her, he started in her direction. The man was fair-haired, and she had to admit he was attractive, even if his pale blue eyes were a little unsettling.

  Emily took a deep breath and greeted him with what she hoped was a warm smile. Then she spotted Jonah entering the room and no longer had to pretend to be happy.

  “Sir Jonah,” she called out in greeting. “Please join us.”

  Jonah’s head swiveled in her direction, and she watched as his dark eyes swept over her. She remembered their earlier conversation and how he’d joked about not being able to imagine what she looked like under her cloak.

  She took the opportunity to examine him as well. He’d been slimmer all those years ago, but now he filled out his navy-colored jacket in a most becoming manner. His hair was the same sandy brown, the lightened ends just touching the edge of his cravat. She remembered how his hair had always been a wild mess and felt the urge to tousle the strands from their current immaculate state.

  One corner of his mouth tilted up. “Miss Hathaway,” he said when he reached the small group. He gave her a formal bow before greeting her brother and Lord Kirby.

  “It is so good to see you,” she said. “Where have you been hiding?”

  “Lady Hathaway introduced me to her and James’s sons, and I’ve been keeping them company in the nursery. I’m afraid I might have bored them with tales of India.”

  Emily laughed. “That’s highly unlikely. I’m sure William and George talked your ear off and barely allowed you to get in a word.”

  “You’ve caught out my lie.” His mouth turned down in an exaggerated grimace as he turned to James. “Were we that rambunctious as youths? It’s a wonder our parents survived.”

  “We were worse,” James said.

  “Well, I for one would love to hear about your adventures abroad,” Emily said, ignoring the small frown that appeared on Lord Kirby’s face before he excused himself and turned away from the group.

  “Emily.” James’s tone told her he didn’t approve of her silent dismissal of the other man.

  She lifted one shoulder. “I haven’t seen Jonah since I was ten! We have so much to talk about.”

  She took Jonah’s arm and he led them to one of one the new settee
s Sarah had arranged for the comfort of the guests.

  “Where would you like me to start?” he asked.

  She considered his question for a moment but didn’t know what to ask. She couldn’t imagine visiting such an exotic location, let alone living there for ten years. “Tell me everything.”

  Chapter 5

  Jonah followed the sound of laughter down the path to what he was told would be a small pond.

  It was deuced cold that morning—certainly too cold for him to be outside—but that hadn’t deterred Emily from deciding to go ice-skating. The activity wasn’t on the approved list of entertainments for the guests, but that hadn’t stopped her from volunteering to take her two nephews outdoors to work off some of their excess energy.

  Jonah had almost decided against the outing, but when Mrs. Hathaway mentioned over breakfast that she expected Lord Kirby would want to join her daughter, he’d wasted no time donning his outerwear and searching them out.

  He’d watched Kirby fawning all over Emily the evening before during dinner, and the display had bothered him more than a little. Kirby was far too boring for Emily, and it irked him to no end that James seemed to be pushing for a union between the two. It was also clear it was a match Emily didn’t want, and he could hardly be considered a friend if he didn’t help her avoid being alone with the man.

  He paused to take in the sight before him when he rounded the last bend. He scanned the area and felt his tense muscles loosen when he didn’t see Lord Kirby. The boys’ nurse—an older, matronly woman—stood off to the side, watching the group with what looked like trepidation. Jonah couldn’t blame her. He himself had never participated in this particular sport.