Who would have ever believed that she, Charlotte Aldridge, would feel such envy toward the former Evelyn Montgomery? Witnessing Evelyn's unselfish devotion to Jonathan and seeing the love he held for his bride had starkly emphasized what was missing from Charlotte's relationship with Edward.
Love. Edward cared for her, desired her, even liked her, but did he love her? Did she love him? She thought she might, but she was reticent, restrained, at times even fearful toward him. She admitted there was a part of herself she held back and she sensed that Edward did the same.
His love, she realized, was what she truly wanted more than anything and she honestly feared she might never get it. Because she did not know how to love him unconditionally in return.
They took a direct route back to the manor, with Edward leading the way. Charlotte could not help but notice the earl turning around continually, checking to make sure Jonathan and Evelyn were indeed behind them.
They made good time on the road and as prearranged, the two carriages met near a cluster of trees before entering the estate's drive. The afternoon hour was late, but they all held on to the hope that Lord Reginald had somehow been successful in keeping the truth of their absence a secret from the houseguests, the staff and most importantly, the countess.
"'Tis better if Evelyn and I walk from here," Charlotte said as she climbed down from the carriage. "If we are seen, we can say that I was feeling better and we decided to take some fresh air."
"A good plan." Edward nodded approvingly.
Charlotte walked to Jonathan's carriage and relayed the message.
"Evelyn will be with you in a moment,"Jonathan said.
Though she had not meant to eavesdrop, Charlotte could hear their conversation, with Evelyn trying to disguise the nervousness and apprehension in her voice; Jonathan, calm and in control, assured her that all would be well and that no matter what happened, they would be together as husband and wife for the rest of their lives.
It was eerily quiet after the carriages had driven away. The women exchanged slight smiles and started down the drive. They had walked no more than a few feet when Charlotte heard a familiar bark. She barely had time to brace herself as a scruffy fur ball launched itself toward them. But to her astonishment, the retriever sailed past her and nestled against Evelyn with a doggy sigh of contentment.
"You know Ranger?" Charlotte asked.
"I do indeed," Evelyn answered as she bent her head and nuzzled the dog. "We are old friends."
After receiving his due affection from Evelyn, the dog happily trotted to Charlotte's side, tail wagging enthusiastically. "A bit fickle, isn't he?" she said, scratching behind the retriever's ears.
Evelyn laughed. "Nonsense. He is a superior animal with excellent taste in women. That is why he has decided he likes us both."
After a few more affectionate pats on the head, Charlotte chased the dog off to the stables, fearing his happy barks might draw attention to them. Fortunately, he followed her commands. She and Evelyn took the longer route to the manor house, taking care to keep close to the boxwood hedges that sheltered them from view of the lower level windows.
Thanks to the Christmas Eve ball, the servants were much too busy and harried to be lurking about the hallways. The women were able to gain access through a little-used side entrance and reach Charlotte's room without being seen. Removing the key from her pocket, Charlotte unlocked the door. As she pushed it open, Evelyn grabbed her arm and pointed to the floor.
It was then that Charlotte noticed a covered tray of food had been left outside her chamber. Bless Grandpapa! He had no doubt instructed the servants to leave it there, instead of knocking and entering her chamber, so as not to disturb her rest and recovery. An excellent touch to keep their story believable and a practical way to supply her and Evelyn with some much-needed nourishment.
Snatching up the tray, Charlotte and Evelyn scurried into the chamber, both women nearly bursting with excitement. There was soup, now ice-cold, toast, cheese, fruit, slices of cold meat and mince pie. Forgoing the soup, Charlotte divided the rest of the meal into two equal portions, insisting that a very jittery Evelyn eat her share.
After they finished eating, they tried to rest, but each had too much nervous energy to fall asleep.
"Did Jonathan say anything about how he was going to tell the countess of your marriage?" Charlotte asked.
"No." Evelyn bit her lip. "I only pray I do not disgrace myself utterly. I am unsure how steady I will remain under the censure of her glare. I know for certainty my heart will freeze and the blood will drain from my face the moment she denounces our union.
"My greatest fear is that I shall faint and then everyone will assume I am in an interesting condition and thus our marriage was a necessity to save our unborn child from being labeled a bastard."
"Goodness, I never knew what an active imagination you have, Miss Montgomery. Or rather, Mrs. Barringer."
Evelyn blushed. "It was a long carriage ride. I had too much time to think about my reception."
"The countess has always held you in high regard. She might surprise you and be pleased about the match. "
"You are being much too kind. Once she hears the truth, the countess will most likely want to draw out a pistol and shoot me. Not only in anger, but to save the family the scandal of a divorce."
Charlotte, who was sitting at her dressing table playing with the bottles of fragrant creams and perfumes, nearly dropped the bottle of scent she was holding. "Shoot you?"
Evelyn shrugged, but Charlotte could see her mouth begin to twitch. The image of the countess, so stiff, so proper, so elegant, holding a pistol in the middle of the ballroom was too ludicrous to contemplate. Charlotte began to giggle.
"That is not supposed to be-funny, " Evelyn said, trying to choke back her own mirth.
Charlotte's giggles turned to gales of laughter. "Well, it is a sure sign we have lost all sense of reason because we both think it is hilarious." She took several rapid breaths and tried to shake off the lingering chuckles. "Come, let's find something spectacular for you to wear tonight."
Charlotte pulled open the door to her wardrobe and began riffling through the many ball gowns. Refusing to listen to any of Evelyn's protests, Charlotte insisted Evelyn try on several before deciding which one she wanted. Fortunately, the gown Evelyn selected needed only minor alterations at the hem and bodice, which Evelyn easily completed.
As the afternoon drew to a close, Charlotte rang for her maid. Jones entered the bedchamber cautiously, almost timidly, making Charlotte wonder how dire Grandpapa had made her fake illness sound.
"I am feeling much better. Thank you, Jones," Charlotte said when the maid had finally stepped completely inside the chamber. "Miss Montgomery has kindly offered to help me dress for tonight's ball, but I should like you to arrange my hair."
"Yes, Miss Charlotte."
"And when you are finished, I want you to fix Miss Montgomery's hair also."
Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, no, that is hardly necessary. Thank you, but-"
"I insist," Charlotte interrupted. `Jones is an artist when it comes to hairstyles and I'm sure she would enjoy the challenge of dressing your beautiful dark locks."
The maid nodded her head eagerly. "I'd be happy to arrange your hair," Jones replied with a friendly smile. "Truly."
After a leisurely wash and several hours of primping, it was time to make an appearance.
"Are you ready?" Charlotte asked.
Evelyn nodded.
"Come, we shall walk down together."
Evelyn reached for something on the dresser that a servant had delivered earlier and Charlotte saw it was a nosegay of beautiful white and red rosebuds mixed with holly sprigs. It was tied with red and gold ribbon, set upon a circle of white Belgian lace.
"A gift from Jonathan?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes. There was no time for a bouquet at the church. How thoughtful of him to get me one now."
"It is lovely."
Evelyn nodded, her eyes shining with tears. "I feel as though I have done him a terrible disservice by agreeing to be his wife. The countess will be furious, and no doubt only the first to disapprove. Jonathan deserves better."
"What could possibly be better than someone who loves him as completely and wholeheartedly as you?" Charlotte asked, amazed at Evelyn's unselfish attitude.
Nervous, scared and dreading this moment, Evelyn's main concern remained her husband and how all of this was going to affect him. Incredible.
"Chin up," Charlotte admonished. She saw that Evelyn was trying to summon a smile, but could barely manage a slight curve of her lips.
She grasped Evelyn's hands and gave them a quick squeeze. Then side by side, they left the bedchamber. When they reached the entrance to the ballroom, they paused in the doorway. Most of the guests had already arrived and the receiving line had been disbanded. The women could hear the soft murmur of voices as the guests mingled, greeting old friends and making new acquaintances.
More than one brow rose when Charlotte entered the ballroom, with Evelyn by her side. The two women looked stunning, dressed in complementing red and gold silk gowns. Edward, standing near the center of the room, correctly surmised that the beautiful dress Evelyn wore must be borrowed from Charlotte. It was far too stylish and expensive to be part of Evelyn's wardrobe.
The two women passed through a large archway framed with holly, ivy, evergreens and a vast array of fruits and berries all tied with silk and satin ribbons of gold, red and green. The earl noticed their eyes widen when they saw the ethereal glow from the magnificent Christmas tree. The tiny candles positioned on each branch had been lit and an anxious footman strategically positioned to ensure that no guests accidentally came too close and lit themselves afire.
The earl was too far away to easily reach their side and he was pleased to see his brother did not have a similar difficulty. The ballroom was crowded with merry guests, laughing over the sounds of the orchestra. Edward could not help but wonder if this joyful spirit would remain once he had announced Jonathan and Evelyn's sudden marriage. Well, no matter how it all came out in the end, this was certainly going to be the most memorable and talked about Christmas Eve ball ever held at Farmington Manor.
Edward had spent the carriage ride back to the manor contemplating his life and his future. Jonathan and Evelyn's love and selfless devotion to each other had been humbling to see and had forced him to confront some harsh truths about his own relationship with Charlotte.
Above all, it made him envious for the most basic element that was missing from his life-happiness. Despite all the possible difficulties they faced, there was no denying that Jonathan and Evelyn were deliciously happy.
Edward had never thought happiness to be something of great importance, had never expected or craved it for himself. Hell, he had not precisely believed that happiness, like true love, really existed.
But he had felt happiness, albeit briefly and at odd times, when he was with Charlotte these past few weeks. A sense of contentment and joy, but beyond that, a sense of peace with his life and himself, a sense of eagerness when looking toward tomorrow, a belief that tomorrow would somehow be a better day than today simply because she was a part of it.
In many ways, Charlotte was the most exasperating woman he had ever known, and yet with her and only with her, he had found a measure of joy that added meaning to his days. Though he had tried, he could not explain it. He had thought it was like so many of life's great mysteries, something that was simply unexplainable.
But seeing Jonathan and Evelyn together made it all very clear to Edward. Jonathan and Evelyn shared the type of happiness he desired because they had taken their relationship one important step further. They loved each other. Freely, openly, without restraint.
He suddenly understood why Charlotte had refused his earlier proposals of marriage, had been so insistent that they wait. Perversely, he now agreed with that decision. She knew she wanted more, she had told him she would accept no less than unconditional love from her husband. He had not believed that more existed. Until now.
He had cared for her, but he had not declared his love for her. He had shared his body, his thoughts, even some of his feelings, but he had not been willing to share himself completely. He had not committed himself to their relationship with the type of selfless devotion she deserved.
Yes, they had made love and it had been wonderful, magical, but he admitted only to having a deep attraction for Charlotte. He had treated it as a temporary passion, and Charlotte had known that could not result in a lifelong, happy, loving marriage.
Guilt, confusion, perhaps even fear had masked the true feelings of his heart, but the mask was now gone, ripped away by the truth of his needs. Edward loved Charlotte, needed Charlotte and intended to do whatever was necessary to prove it.
But first he had a commitment to his brother that he needed to complete. Edward signaled to the orchestra to cease playing, then checked to make sure that Evelyn was still standing beside his brother.
"Please gather 'round, everyone. I have a most important and splendid announcement to make."
The earl's booming voice could be clearly heard in the vast room. The chatter of private conversations dwindled as all eyes turned curiously in his direction. Edward was more nervous than he had expected, but Jonathan was depending on him and he would not forsake his brother.
"Earlier this morning my brother, Jonathan, and I, along with Miss Evelyn Montgomery and Miss Charlotte Aldridge, took a carriage ride to Somerville. There, in the lovely village chapel, my brother and Miss Montgomery were married by the town's vicar. It was my great joy and privilege to be a part of such a happy event, and I ask you all to join me, and my mother, in congratulating the newly married couple."
At first they were all unsure how to react. There was an instant of shocked silence and then, as Edward had expected, pandemonium reigned. The guests began talking and shouting at once, exclaiming their astonishment and total surprise.
The surprise soon gave way to alarm and then wariness, as he had feared. A few of the older matrons even glanced away quickly, refusing to catch his gaze. Clearly, they were all waiting for the countess to give them the cue on how they were to respond to this most incredible news.
His mother stood alone, near the orchestra at the far side of the ballroom. Her face was a frozen mask of surprise, her eyes shaded by the candlelight so that he could not see them clearly, but Edward knew they must be blazing with fury.
For an instant he worried that he had made the wrong choice, that he should have told his mother the news in private, instead of announcing it so publicly. Maybe it would have gone better if he had given her a chance to become accustomed to the idea of her younger son marrying her companion, for at this moment she was exhibiting a frosty degree of outrage and offense that spoke volumes of disapproval.
But there was no opportunity to second-guess his decision. In for a penny, in for a pound. His course set, Edward forged ahead, determined, for Jonathan and Evelyn's sake, to sway the outcome. Lifting two fluted glasses of chilled champagne from the nearest servant, he crossed the room and presented one to his stunned mother.
"Let us raise our glasses high and drink a toast to the happy couple," Edward shouted, his face wide with an exaggerated smile. Lowering his voice to a mere whisper, he commanded, "Drink, Mother."
The countess regarded him with an unblinking, rebellious stare. "I am not thirsty."
"Drink," he repeated, "or else you will be most displeased by the consequences."
A flicker of wariness crossed the countess's face. Then to his vast relief, she lifted her goblet fractionally and touched her lips to the rim. The crowd broke out in a happy cheer and downed their own drinks. Only Edward saw that the champagne did not reach the countess's mouth.
"He has made a fool of himself over that girl!" the countess hissed. "How could you not only allow this to happen, but to sanction it?"
"D
o you really need to ask?" Edward replied. "They are in love."
The countess stared incredulously at him. "Love." She snorted. "What a bunch of rot. Claiming to be in love hardly gives them license to act like fools. An elopement! I shall never recover from the scandal."
Edward's lips thinned out. Though he had known in his heart this would be his mother's response, he had started hoping she might feel differently.
"You may rant and rail and beat your chest all you wish in private, but publicly you will stand beside me and show one and all how accepting and happy you are over this marriage."
The countess gritted her teeth in exasperation. "Never!"
Edward drew in his breath sharply. "I know this is difficult for you, Mother, but you have no choice. 'Tis done. They are married and will remain so until death parts them. Evelyn is of good birth, gently reared and a fine woman who has been an asset to you and this household for several years. Try to remember how much you liked her before you cut her and Jonathan from your heart."
The countess clamped her mouth shut. Edward could see the vivid flush of color climbing her cheeks as she seemed to realize all she could do was fall back on her indignation.
"Evelyn might have held my regard and even my affection at one time, but all that changed when this odious girl became so openly disloyal." The countess made a look of disgust. "And I most definitely do not appreciate your high-handed attempts to tell me what I should think and how I should feel."
"At last the shoe is on the other foot. Perhaps now you will understand my reaction when you and Father insisted I take Charlotte for my wife all those years ago.
"That was not the same."
"It was very much the same."
The countess lifted her goblet again and this time drank until the glass was empty. She then sniffed. "I did what I thought was best for you, best for the family. Perhaps it was not the right course to consider. Hindsight, while superior when making judgements, is useless in correcting mistakes."
The Christmas Heiress Page 28
