by Rose Pearson
Sarah was relieved that the subject of Mr. Grainger had been supplanted by a subject which vexed her but did not cause her to feel like she would like to run away. She saw that Jane meant what she said, that she was genuinely moved by affection to offer an apology for her own mother’s behavior. Sarah decided to answer as delicately as possible.
“Jane, it is good of you to apologize on behalf of your mother, but it is unnecessary. Your mother has every reason to remind me of my place in your household. It is by her generosity that I have a home to live in and a salary.”
“You are too good, dear Sarah. It vexes me in the utmost to see my mother treat you as if you were a person of no consequence.”
“I am a person of no consequence,” Sarah stated.
“I do not believe it. Just because your mother married for love and was driven from her parents’ house does not make my mother’s treatment of you any less disgraceful.”
“It is a burden I have borne for my entire life. I have learned to live with it.,” Sarah shrugged as she tried to remain calm. If she told the truth, she truly found it a most difficult burden.
She struggled more than she dared say aloud. The circumstances of her birth were not as unfortunate as Mrs. Brookes may have judged them to be. Her mother married a lieutenant with barely enough money to pay for his commission. When he died of fever, he left an insignificant income for Sarah and her mother. Yet, Sarah knew that was not her fault, and neither was it regrettable. It was people like her aunt who reminded her that she was lowly, that she was a woman who was barely more than a servant. When she was alone in the small cottage she shared with her mother, she did not wish for riches or luxuries. It was when she was in the presence of lords and ladies, of wealthy daughters and eligible gentlemen, that she was reminded of her inferior birth.
“I do mind,” Jane stated, firmly. “I mind how you are treated. If I am rude to you in any way, know that I do not mean to be. It has nothing to do with your modest upbringing, but everything to do with my own inability to act in accordance with the slightest of decorum.”
Thinking that Jane was making herself out to be a good deal worse than she truly was, Sarah shook her head. Jane was always polite and somewhat reserved, and the fact that she wanted to apologize for her mother’s lack of respect towards Sarah spoke of her sweetness of character. “I admire your kind heart, Jane. I wish I had the freedom to be more like you in that respect,” Sarah confessed.
“No, you do not. You have no need to. You are the epitome of a lady even if you do not carry the title. With your natural grace and charm, I shall be very surprised if you do not convince a duke to wed you. If you do, where will my mother be? She will have to sit below you at dinner and address you as my lady? What a lark that would be! I pray it happens simply to see the look of astonishment on her face.”
Sarah laughed at her cousin’s suggestions. Jane had a way of always cheering her, of making her feel better.
“That would be humorous, the idea that I will become a duchess. It’s far more possible that I should become the next queen before that happened.”
Jane giggled, “You never can tell, for, after all, it is Christmas and magic is afoot.”
Sarah rolled her eyes, mischievously, knowing that Christmas day itself was still over a month away. “If only there was a way to magically mend my pride in that time, so the sight of Mr. Grainger does not affect me in the slightest,” she said as she gazed out of the carriage window.
“Do not be concerned with Mr. Grainger. I am certain that you will find that he will make every effort to offer amends when we arrive at his family’s home.”
“Which, unless I am greatly mistaken, is in the distance,” observed Sarah as she peered out the window at the vast landscape of the Cotswolds.
In winter, the bucolic country setting of the Cotswolds was a serene reflection of the season in all its glory. Snow covered the tops of the gently rolling hillsides. Ice sparkled in the late afternoon light as it encased the dark branches of the trees which lined the roadway. Snow fell gently outside the carriage framing the view of the stately Tudor mansion in the valley below.
Hatherley Hall was the name of the house. The grand residence was commonly referred to as Hatherley by the local gentry, the villagers of Cheltham, and the nearby market town of Abbeford Hills. The hall, or house as it was referred to, was a tall structure built of brick with high pointed roofs and gables. The windows were narrow stained glass at the front entrance giving the house a gothic air. With its forest of chimneys reaching into the sky and the tree-lined avenue, leading to the house itself, the effect was impressive and imposing. Sarah imagined that the first Baron Carmody who commissioned the house must have demanded that it be an imposing residence. As much as she dreaded seeing Mr. Grainger again, she looked forward to a few days of holiday revels inside this historic mansion.
“I am pleased we have arrived before sundown. I hope we are not late for dinner. I am famished!” Jane exclaimed.
Sarah did not know if she would be able to eat a bite the entire time she was a guest at Hatherley. Her own humiliation was too much to bear but bear it she must for the sake of her cousins. As Jane reminded her, she and Katie had known the heir to the title and his younger brother all of their lives. The Graingers were a good sort to be aristocrats regardless of the events of the previous summer. Sarah decided she would endeavor to forgive Mr. Grainger even if he had led her to believe he harbored feelings for her.
“I hope we will be given the rooms in the west wing. How I adore the tower, it makes me feel like an archer of old as I prepare to defend the castle,” Jane exclaimed.
“What an imagination you have! If I were to find myself in the tower room, I would think of myself as a princess,” Sarah stated.
With a confident manner, Jane held her head high as she remarked, “Then you shall be a princess and I will be an archer. Together we shall do what must to be cheerful until Twelfth Night.”
“I hope we have a good few days here, but I do not know how joyous it will be for me. I will be the only woman in attendance who could be mistaken for a maid.”
“Sarah, you can wear any of my dresses if you choose. I promise that you shall have a wonderful time. Do not torment yourself about your present circumstances. Not when there is celebrating and merriment to be had. We can return to our gloomy lives, you and I, when we arrive home again in a few days.”
Reaching for her muff, Sarah slid her hands inside the cozy warmth of it, as she leaned back into the velvet seat of the carriage. She promised herself she would not be gloomy, no matter how much she wished to be. Jane was correct. It was the month of Christmas, she was a guest of the Baron Carmody. She would enjoy cards, music, a ball, and delicious food for a time before returning to her own modest life at the vicarage. She would be a fool not to endeavor to have a splendid time. With her mind on the upcoming schedule of diverting recreation, she tried to quell her nervousness. She was going to Hatherley, just as she had during the summer. She hoped that this time, she would come home with delightful memories.
Sarah will have to face Mr. Grainger soon. Hope it is not too painful! Perhaps she might meet someone else during her stay? Check it the rest of the story on the Kindle Store. Love and Christmas Wishes: Three Regency Romance Novellas
My Dear Reader
Thank you for reading and supporting my books! I hope this story brought you some escape from the real world into the always captivating Regency world. A good story, especially one with a happy ending, just brightens your day and makes you feel good! If you enjoyed the book, would you leave a review on Amazon? Reviews are always appreciated.
Below is a complete list of all my books! Why not click and see if one of them can keep you entertained for a few hours?
The Duke’s Daughters Series
The Duke’s Daughters: A Sweet Regency Romance Boxset
A Rogue for a Lady
My Restless Earl
Rescued by an Earl
In
the Arms of an Earl
The Reluctant Marquess (Prequel)
A Smithfield Market Regency Romance
The Smithfield Market Romances: A Sweet Regency Romance Boxset
The Rogue’s Flower
Saved by the Scoundrel
Mending the Duke
The Baron’s Malady
The Returned Lords of Grosvenor Square
The Returned Lords of Grosvenor Square: A Regency Romance Boxset
The Waiting Bride
The Long Return
The Duke’s Saving Grace
A New Home for the Duke
The Spinsters Guild
A New Beginning
The Disgraced Bride
A Gentleman’s Revenge
A Foolish Wager
A Lord Undone
Convenient Arrangements
A Broken Betrothal
In Search of Love
Wed in Disgrace
Betrayal and Lies
A Past to Forget
Engaged to a Friend
Landon House
Mistaken for a Rake
A Selfish Heart
A Love Unbroken
A Christmas Match
Christmas Stories
Love and Christmas Wishes: Three Regency Romance Novellas
A Family for Christmas
Mistletoe Magic: A Regency Romance
Home for Christmas Series Page
Happy Reading!
All my love,
Rose
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