Christmas Spirits

by Charles, Jane

  “You,” he pointed to Mary’s mother with his cane. “Take her upstairs. A maid waits with a bath and will help her prepare for tonight.”

  “But, Your Grace, I am not stayin’,” Mary objected. She didn’t want to be here. She did not want to stand by and watch as Benjamin danced with debutants. He may have said the words that warmed her heart about not covering her injury, but that didn’t mean he cared for her. Not like she did for him.

  “Yes, you are!” The duke thumped his cane and she took a step back. Suddenly, her fear of His Grace overrode her heartache.

  “You three,” he pointed to Lachlan, Benjamin and Nathaniel, “will join me in the library, now.” His Grace didn’t wait for them to respond but turned and walked away. Of course, when you are the Duke of Danby, you expect others to follow, and they did.

  Chapter 15

  His heart was shredded in his chest. His younger brother and Mary were in love. Anyone could see it by the way the two greeted each other, the tender way they held hands… their hushed voices as they spoke. Ben had finally found the woman he’d been waiting for. A woman that he loved, and now he’d spend the rest of his life watching her be happy with someone else. His brother, of all the blasted people.

  Thank goodness they brought all of that whisky because Ben was certain he’d need every last drop.

  “Well,” His Grace said with a thump of his cane. “Let’s get to it then.”

  “Get to what, Your Grace?” Brachton asked.

  “The marriage settlement, of course.”

  “Marriage settlement?” Nate asked. “Who’s getting married?”

  The Duke of Danby looked at Ben’s brother as if he were daft. “You, of course.”

  Nate was shaking his head and backing away. “I’m not marrying anyone.”

  “Come now,” Danby appeased. A tone Ben had never heard from His Grace before. “You need to be home. You are one of the few people Mary has talked of often to her brother. I saw you in the foyer. You are in love with her so let’s be done with it.”

  “That’s why you sent for me?” His brother’s mouth dropped open.

  Ben thought he’d be happy. He was certain that at any moment it would sink in and Nate would be celebrating. Something Ben could not stomach, even though it meant Nate would be happy and remain home. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t get foxed. Ben strode to the sidebar and poured a healthy glass of whisky. Hopefully he’d be pleasantly numb by the time the vows were repeated. Knowing Danby, there was already a special license with Nate’s name on it somewhere in his desk. All they’d need was the bride and the deed would be done.

  “Mrs. Soares is a fine woman and you need a wife. Why else would I send Ben to fetch her?”

  His Grace’s words sank into Ben’s brain and he turned. “You sent me to fetch whisky,” he reminded His Grace.

  “Bah, I have twice as much as I sent you for. Plenty to get me through the winter.”

  Ben stilled. His trip had been for naught? Mary had traveled alone, in a wagon, smuggling whisky just so His Grace could match her with his brother? “Do you know how dangerous it was for her?” He set his glass down. “The wheel broke on her wagon and she was stuck, out in the middle of nowhere, with only a coffin and two horses. She could have frozen to death if we had not come across her.”

  “But you did.” His Grace dismissed Ben with a wave of his hand. “If anyone can take care of herself, it is Mrs. Soares—that’s why she is perfect for Nathaniel.”

  “Me?” His brother’s voice practically squeaked and he looked around the room, as if looking for an escape.

  “You like adventures. She’s no wilting violet and is used to travel,” His Grace began to explain. “You love her. She loves you. It’s settled.”

  “Yes, I love her. But not as a wife.”

  Ben looked at his brother. Had he gone mad after all? How could he not love her enough to marry her? Any man in this right mind would want her forever.

  “Bah! I saw the two of you in the foyer, holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes.” He waved Nate away and turned to Ben. “Pour me a drink.”

  “You misunderstand,” Nate argued. “I love her like a sister, or aunt, or mother even.”

  “Brachton, talk sense into the man.”

  Brachton held up is hands. “I already told ye that I’ll do what Mary wishes. If she wants Nathaniel, then I’ll give my agreement.”

  “You have all seemed to have forgotten that Mary is a widow of three and twenty and can decide for herself who she wishes to marry,” Ben reminded them. At the way Nate was balking, perhaps he still stood a chance. He’d just need to convince Mary. How he was going to was beyond him, since she did love his brother. But maybe somehow he could convince Mary to be his because just as he was certain His Grace had a special license for Nate, Ben was equally confident there was one for him as well.

  He wouldn’t be surprised if His Grace had a printer’s press hidden somewhere in the castle and managed to successfully forge the Archbishop’s signature just to save time in these matters.

  “Brachton told me of the tales Mary used to tell him, and one thing was consistent. Yer name was always mentioned, Nathaniel,” Danby pointed out.

  “He could have just been telling you those stories because I’m your great-nephew,” he argued. Nate whipped around on Brachton, in a near panic. “Tell him, Brachton. I’m sure she talked of others.”

  Mary’s brother shrugged. “She mentioned you more than anyone.”

  Ben’s gut tightened again. Even if he somehow convinced Mary to be his wife, would she always love Nate more?

  “The two of you spent a good deal of time together, or so I understand.” Brachton shrugged.

  “That’s because her husband was an ass.”

  The room suddenly quieted and Ben set his glass aside. “She never said anything disparaging against him.”

  “Of course not. Mary probably wouldn’t speak ill of anyone.”

  “Explain ass,” Brachton demanded.

  “Did you know nothing about the man your sister married?” Nate countered.

  “They met in London, she fell in love and he appeared equally smitten.”

  Nate rolled his eyes and strode toward the sidebar to pour himself a glass. “The major had added his name to a lottery. Only a few men could take wives on the campaign. He didn’t have one, but still won the lottery, taking a spot from someone who actually did have a wife he didn’t wish to be parted from. The major lied and said he was betrothed and would marry before we left for the continent. So, he set out to find the prettiest, sweetest and most naive girl he could find.”

  Nate laughed dryly and took a drink before continuing. “He thought it a lark that he had a wife who would do his cooking, cleaning and warm his bed at night while the rest of us had to make do on our own.”

  “He didn’t love her?” Brachton asked, and the cold tone made the hair stand up on Ben’s neck. If the major weren’t already dead, Brachton would probably murder him on the spot.

  “In his own way, if it was in the major to love anyone but himself.” Nate shrugged. “After Mary was injured, he was done with her. Couldn’t stand to look upon her. That’s when we became close. While the major was entertaining camp followers, Mary and I visited.” He took another drink. “And it wasn’t just me. Many soldiers cared for her and spent time in her company, while we all wished the major would disappear. He didn’t deserve such a kind and sweet woman.”

  “Did she know?” Ben found himself asking.

  “Of course!” Nate yelled. “The major brought them to his tent. She was there.”

  Ben fisted his hands, wishing the major was here right now so he could wrap them around the man’s neck and choke the very life from him.

  “That’s when we started walking at night. Whenever we learned the major was going to be entertaining, one of us took Mary for a walk so she didn’t have to witness her husband’s activities.”

  This time Brachton poured a gl
ass of whisky, tossed it back, and then another. The rage in his eyes chilled Ben to the bone.

  “He offered to sell her to me.”

  “What?” Danby demanded.

  “Occasionally, soldiers sold their wives.”

  “What did you do?” Ben asked slowly. Did Nate somehow own Mary now?

  “I broke his nose.” This time Nate grinned. “It felt good, but also got me transferred. I hated leaving her behind, but there were others to watch out for Mary.” He turned to Ben. “Do you remember the Richmond Ball?”

  Ben nodded.

  “It was the major who insisted she not attend. He didn’t want her ruining his perfect evening because she was no longer the perfect woman he’d married.”

  “She told me she didn’t wish to go.” Though Ben had a hard time believing a lady wouldn’t wish to attend such a grand event. Especially after following the drum. Now he understood and it sickened him.

  “After the battle,” Nate continued, “do you remember when I asked you to come with me to meet someone?”

  He had forgotten about it until now. He nodded.

  “I knew the major had been killed and the rules were that if a wife did not marry in three days, she had to return home. I wanted you to take Mary back to Scotland. To her family, so that she wouldn’t have to find a way on her own.”

  “She was already gone,” Ben muttered, recalling that day and the woman who had already left with a few of the Gordon Highlanders. To think, had they been earlier, he might have met Mary a year and a half ago. He would have escorted her back to Scotland for his brother. They might have grown close and perhaps already married. He knew then that Nate hadn’t loved that Mary. Ben had asked him pointedly. Nate just wanted her home where she was safe. Ben just hadn’t realized that they were the same Mary. Her name wasn’t unusual and Nate had never told Ben how he knew her.

  Everything fell into place and if he had just asked the right questions, he would have known immediately who she was and what she meant to Nate.

  “Well, it sounds to me like she’s someone you should marry, Nathaniel,” His Grace announced.

  “No,” Ben and Nate said at the same time.

  The Duke of Danby looked from one brother to the other. “You dare to defy my dictate?”

  “Yes,” they both said.

  “I don’t love her the way a man should love his wife,” Nate began to explain.

  “But I do,” Ben announced.

  * * *

  Mary waited as patiently as she could while the maid arranged her hair, but she was anxious to be away from here. Then she tried on the gowns. Five had been delivered to her chamber but only one fit, though she wasn’t so certain it actually did. The bodice was low, except the maid assured her that it was not. Perhaps it wasn’t but Mary felt nearly naked. Since the war and coming home, her chest was never exposed and rarely her neck. In this gown, her breasts were practically on display.

  “Is there something I can cover myself with?” She put a hand over her chest.

  “You are lovely, Mrs. Soares, and I assure you, others will be far more exposed than you.” The maid smiled. “What you are wearing is modest by the standards, so I’m assuming it belonged to one of the younger girls.”

  The maid stepped back. “Would you like to see?” She gestured to the mirror.

  She’d avoided mirrors for years—since the bandages were first removed and never looked at herself again. Did she really wish to see herself now, and how much of her was exposed, and the scar that slashed across her chest? “No.”

  “But you look lovely,” the maid insisted.

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Mary moved towards the door.

  “But the ball isn’t ready to start.” The maid rushed after her. “You are ready long before I expected.”

  “Perfect, I need to speak with someone.”

  She didn’t have the heart to tell the maid that all of her work was for naught because Mary had no intention of attending the ball. If she could find Lachlan, surely he would understand and help her leave. She might not make it back to Falkirk, but she could leave for his estate and be there by tomorrow.

  Mary paused at the door. “Do ye ken where Lord Brachton might be?”

  “He was with His Grace in the library.”

  She nodded and made her way through the castle, after asking the direction of the library, and stopped just outside the door to listen before she knocked.

  There were four men inside and it wasn’t long before she heard her brother. But why was he with Benjamin, Nate and His Grace? Mary stepped closer to the crack in the door, intent on listening and then suddenly wished she hadn’t.

  Tears sprang to her eyes. Why had Nate told him what happened? Her deep humiliation sent tears scolding down her cheeks. She wanted to run, hide, and get away from here. How could she face Benjamin or her brother again? That was the past and she wished nobody knew of it, but now they did.

  All the more reason to be gone from here. As soon as Lachlan emerged, she would demand he take her to his estate. From there, she’d use one of his carriages to return to Falkirk, and never leave again. Never!

  She nearly groaned out loud when His Grace announced that Nathaniel should marry her. He didn’t have the right to interfere in her life, even if he was the Duke of Danby.

  “But I do,” Ben announced.

  Mary stilled. Surely she misunderstood. Ben was speaking of something else. Surely not her.

  “Ye barely ken her,” Lachlan argued.

  “I know her enough,” Ben declared. “I believe I fell in love with her that very first night.”

  He’d fallen in love with her? Mary’s heart soared, but she quickly shut it down. They could be talking of someone else. She needed to be certain.

  “When she pointed a pistol at me when I lay down beside her.”

  “Ye slept with my sister?” Lachlan demanded.

  “We were outside and had few blankets,” Ben argued.

  Mary put a hand over her mouth to hide the smile, not that anyone was around to see her.

  “The pistol was deterrent enough—I kept my distance. We only shared the blankets.”

  “That was one night. Ye’ve been traveling for days.”

  Oh dear, Lachlan was getting angry. She was a widow. What difference did it make if Ben had touched her?

  “And we’ve shared a bed,” he announced.

  Perhaps she should be embarrassed. She knew what her brother, Nate and His Grace were thinking, which was far from the truth.

  “You’re still a virgin,” Nate announced then laughed.

  Mary’s eyes blinked open. Virgin? After being with the regiment for four years and overhearing conversations she probably shouldn’t have, Mary had been convinced no man was a virgin past the age of six and ten.

  Silence prevailed and she wished someone would answer.

  “I couldn’t have heard that correctly,” Lachlan said in disbelief.

  “Nor I,” His Grace grumbled. “Though it explains much.”

  “I’ve been waiting for the right woman, if you must know,” Benjamin defended. “It just didn’t seem right to well, share something so personal, with someone that was …”

  Laughter bled through the crack in the door, and indignation flowed through her. How dare they laugh at Benjamin?

  Without thought she pushed the door open and stomped inside. “Well, it’s better than tossin’ up the skirts of any willin’ lass whenever the mood strikes ye.”

  Stunned silence followed and Mary realized they were staring at her. Suddenly she was very self-conscious of her appearance and brought a hand up to cover her chest.

  “I always knew you should wear a lavender gown,” Nate said quietly. His voice was warm and deep.

  “Aye, Mary, it’s been too long since I’ve see ye dressed so fine,” Lachlan said and for a moment, she thought there were tears in his eyes, but in a blink they were gone.

  Ben simply stared at her, his brown eyes full of lo
ve. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had the honor of knowing.”

  His words warmed her more than any declaration of love and she removed her hand from her chest, allowing the horrendous scar to be on view. “Truly?”

  “Yes.” He smiled.

  “Did ye mean what ye said? About love?”

  His face colored. “Yes, Mary. I’m in love with you. I think I’ve waited my whole life to find you.”

  This time when her heart tried to soar, she let it and freed all of her emotions. “And, I love ye.”

  The smile on his face was her undoing and for the first time, in a very long time, the tears that fell from her eyes were from happiness.

  “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  “Aye,” she cried and rushed across the room.

  Ben opened his arms and grabbed her close, before lowering his lips to hers. The moment they touched, everything in her melted. She was home. Finally home where she belonged. She’d been searching for a very long time, not knowing what she needed, but now she’d found it and she wasn’t going to ever let him go.

  The Duke of Danby cleared his throat, loudly. Benjamin broke the kiss and Mary pulled away, her face heated with embarrassment.

  “Well, this isn’t exactly what I had planned, but at least one of my grand-nephews is doing his duty.” He glared at Nate. “But don’t think for one moment I’ve forgotten about you.”

  About Jane Charles

  Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion. In addition to historical romances, she has been pulled to write contemporary and began penning her new series, Baxter Academy of Arts. She intends to continue writing both historical and contemporary.