A Glorious Christmas of Forgiveness

by Grace Fletcher

  To show that you have accepted my apology, I would like to invite you to my house for dinner. I would be the happiest man in the world if you can honor my invitation.

  He sealed the letter and handed it over to his secretary with instructions. His secretary was about to leave when another thought struck his mind.

  "Buy a pearl necklace and get it delivered to her alongside the letter.” He knew how well women responded to gifts, and he has decided to take advantage of that. He was quite sure that Freya would not definitely honor his invitation, especially since he has added a gift.

  He had set the ball rolling now, and all he had to do next was to wait and see how things turn out.

  ***

  Just a look at her parent's face told Inese that something was wrong. Her mother's eyes were hardened, and she sighed intermittently. Her father, on the other hand, had his lips pressed tightly together and with the look he was presently shooting her, she could tell that he was incredibly angry.

  She had been waiting right in front of them for what seemed like forever before her father finally cleared his throat.

  "Inese, you are leaving for Germany today," he said with a tone that she had never heard him use with her before.

  "Father!" she gasped.

  Not even after the scandal broke out did he use the angry tone that he used now. He was indeed angry.

  "Nothing you say can change my mind."

  "But you said that I would be leaving London after Christmas in three days’ time. Why have you changed your mind?"

  It was her mother who responded. "That would have been the case if you hadn't gone on to disgrace us once again."

  "What?" Unlike the time her parents got wind of the scandal, she knew not what they were talking about this time.

  "Are you going to keep pretending that you don't know what you have done once again?" her father snarled, his eyes blazing fire.

  "Father, I assure you I have done nothing."

  "That is what you would have us believe yet you keep bringing disgrace to this family. We are tired of having our only daughter bring shame to us. You are leaving today, and all that you would be needing for the trip is already in the carriage that would take you to the ship. You should be thankful that we have managed to get you a spot in the ship that would be sailing by sunset."

  Inese's temper was beginning to rise, but she tried to curtail it. After all, getting angry at her parents would not make things better. On the contrary, it would only make things worse for her.

  "Mother, would you be kind enough to tell me what has happened?" she said in the calmest voice she could afford.

  She responded by slapping a newspaper that she hadn't noticed earlier in her hand. She unfolded it and almost immediately, she groaned.

  On the page titled society, a short article was there. She didn't have to read it before she knew it was about her.

  It seems that a certain German bird has quite a taste for earls. This bird, who had earlier been found in a compromising state with the most notorious rake in London, has also paid a late-night visit to another earl. The visit had been said to have lasted for a long while after which they both departed.

  The purpose of the visit is unknown and socialites in London are wondering if the two could be having an affair.

  Inese clenched the paper tightly in her hand as anger surged through her body. Her blood riled. Was there any part of her life that could go unnoticed and without comment? Could she not even afford a visit to her friend without society knowing about it? Does she have to answer to all of London every time she took a step?

  "It is not what it seems," she said to her parents who were looking at her with disappointment clearly etched on their faces.

  "This is what you say every time!" her father bellowed angrily, and she shrank.

  "It is not what it seems, is it?" her mother asked, her brows raised questioningly.

  "I... I..." she didn't know how to tell them without confirming what was in the newspaper.

  "Tell us," her mother said calmly, "did you or did you not pay a visit to a certain earl?"

  She bit her lower lip in confusion. Agreeing that she had paid a visit to a certain earl would confirm what they had read and denying it would mean that she had lied.

  "Have you lost your tongue?" her father asked, peering closely at her.

  "I paid a late-night visit to an earl. However, it was only a vis..."

  "Say not one more word before you anger me even further!" her Father snapped as he looked daggers at her.

  "But...."

  "Tell me, Inese," her father started, "what honorable and respectable maiden pays late-night visits to earls?"

  Inese dropped her eyes. She should have known better than telling them the truth. They would never believe no matter what she said. No one would even think that the visit to Bedford was an innocent one.

  "I am sorry, Father. I...."

  "Do tell me, Inese. Who is this earl that you visited at night and were you escorted?" her mother asked.

  She shook her head. "I did not take an escort because I didn't want to be seen by anyone," she answered, expertly avoiding her other question.

  "Who is the earl that you paid a visit to?" her mother asked firmly.

  She knew then that she had no choice but to tell them the truth.

  "The Earl of Bedford."

  "What?"

  "I don't believe this!"

  Her parents both exclaimed. She shrank away from them, knowing full well that they would definitely vent their anger, not only on her but also on the innocent Bedford.

  "I cannot believe that you are also having a tryst with Bedford," her mother said.

  "I am not getting personal with anyone," she said hotly.

  "I thought you did not want to marry Bedford?" her father asked.

  "Yes, I don't want to marry him, but he is my friend, and I paid him a visit at night because I was... "

  "You don't want to marry him, but you would gladly have an affair with him. Why have you decided to bring us nothing but shame, Inese?" her father asked.

  At this point, she decided that she had had enough. She could not endure another minute of rebuking from her parents.

  "I know that you both do not believe me, but I want you to know that I had no illicit activities with either Coventry or Bedford. I paid Bedford a visit because I knew that he is the only person who could believe me and he didn't disappoint."

  "You are leaving for Germany today. After all the shame that you have brought to us, you don't deserve to celebrate Christmas with us. Seeing you sit at the table with us will only make us sad. You can celebrate Christmas on the sea with sailors and other passengers."

  Inese was hurt deeply by her father's words, but she would rather die than let him know how much his words broke her heart. Instead, she raised her head proudly, straightened her shoulders and looked her father directly in the eyes.

  "I have no intention of celebrating Christmas here with you. I would rather be with strangers who would treat me with kindness and love than be with my parents who don't give a care about me. All you care about is the family honor and your name, and you have never tried to hear what I have to say or even believe me. You would rather believe the gossip of the Morning Times than your own daughter who has never given you a reason to disbelieve her before."

  Her parents were gaping at her with surprise at this point.

  "I will gladly leave your presence and leave for Germany today. I will not miss either of you."

  "I will be paying Bedford a visit today. He has a lot to explain to me," her father managed to say, still looking at her with disbelief.

  "I will take my leave now," Inese said and walked away.

  Chapter 8

  A Wonderful Christmas

  "Lady Freya Bradley!" the doorman announced as Freya entered Bedford's salon. Bedford rose to his feet to welcome his visitor.

  "Lady Bradley," Bedford said with as much enthusiasm and excitement as he coul
d offer.

  "Lord Bedford," she curtsied.

  She was a beautiful woman, no doubt, Bedford thought as he smiled and welcome her. She was wearing a pale green dress that complemented her green eyes just fine. However, he did not find her attractive in the least. She was just like every other woman to him. The only woman that he had ever found attractive was Inese.

  He offered Freya a seat, and she took it, smiling and looking excited.

  "Thank you for the gift, my lord. You are too generous," she smiled.

  "I'm glad that you liked it," he continued.

  "I love it, and that is why I have it on right now," Freya giggled as she touched the pearl necklace that was sitting on her neck.

  Bedford groaned inwardly. He had no idea that the necklace that Freya was wearing was the one that he had instructed his secretary to get for her. Heck! He didn't even know that she had a necklace on.

  "It looks quite beautiful on you," he flattered her.

  "Thank you," she said again, blushing really hard.

  "I certainly hope that you have accepted my apology, Lady Bradley," he said.

  He needed to make her relaxed enough to be able to trust him with her secrets, and he would do anything to make that happen even if it meant giving her false hope.

  "My lord, you did not offend me. Quite the contrary, in fact. I need to apologize for having come to you with questions about Inese that day. You were so much in love with her, and I understand that you are still quite bitter about it."

  Bedford shrugged. "I am certainly happy that she showed me early enough that she was not an honorable woman." Bedford's heart caught in his chest as he uttered those words. He, however, forged ahead. If he was going to gain Freya’s confidence, then he had to speak ill of Inese.

  She gave him a wide smile. "I'm glad that you can now see Inese for the dishonorable lady that she really is. I have known for a very long time that she was having affairs with several men in the ton."

  Bedford's blood riled up.

  "I believe you are not as corrupted as she is then, madam," he said and gave her a little wink which made her blush even harder.

  "Of course not, my lord," she shook her head, "I always made sure to admonish and advise her, but she never listens. She is set in her ways."

  "You are quite right. I must say that you are a very beautiful lady," he continued. Flattery worked very well on women, and he knew that Freya was not an exception

  She blushed again. "Thank you, sir. I have to tell you something even though you might not feel the same way."

  "What is that?" he asked, even though he could tell what she was about to say.

  "I have always been in love with you ever since the very first day I set my eyes on you," she said, and looked boldly at him.

  He feigned surprise, then smiled. "I find this hard to believe," he said.

  "My lord, I have always loved you, but I knew not how to make it known to you."

  "But... but... How can a beautiful lady like you be in love with me?" He could see her smile and blush happily at what he had just said.

  "I had always pined in silence, hoping that you would notice me and tell me you feel the same way about me, but it just seemed like that day would never come. I was heartbroken when I learned that you were courting Inese. It was then that I knew that there was no hope for us ever being together anymore," she said dreamily.

  "That must have been quite awful," he goaded her on.

  "It was, especially since everyone always chose Inese over me. Every person that I have ever taken to, prefered Inese to me. They always chose her even when it's sure that she doesn't want them. It was as though she pulled them with a kind of magical power."

  Seeing that she was lost in her own thoughts and was now vulnerable, he decided to hit the nail on the head.

  "That's quite awful. It must have been the reason why you decide to get Inese out of the way," he said in a soothingly calm voice.

  "Of course, I..." she must have realized what he was trying to do because she stopped short and frowned.

  "I don't understand," she said.

  "You were just telling me why you decided to take her out of the way," he reminded her.

  "Take her out of the way? Who?" she asked feigning innocence.

  "Inese, of course," he said.

  "I did not do anything to take her out of the way, please. Inese was my friend, and I was quite sad when I learned what she had done," Freya said, obviously scared.

  "Have no fear, madam," Bedford said, giving her another little wink, "I would understand perfectly if you had orchestrated the scandal. I would be quite flattered even to know that you took her out of the way because of me. You are an exceptional woman, because few women would have the courage to do anything just to get the person that they loved."

  Freya smiled a little. "Would you have really loved it if I had planned Inese's scandal just to get to you? Wouldn't you think that I am an awful person?"

  Bedford laughed, then shook his head. "No, I would not think that you are an awful person. We've all had to do unspeakable things just to get to the things that we want. I would only see a woman who is so deeply in love with a man that she decides to have him to herself at all costs. After all, all is fair in love and war, they say."

  Freya seemed relaxed now. "Can I confide in you then?" she asked.

  "Definitely." He already knew what was about to come next.

  "I was the mastermind of Inese's scandal," she said.

  "Wow!" he feigned surprise, "that was quite ingenious. Tell me, how did you plan it so perfectly?

  She smiled, pleased with herself.

  "I saw the Earl of Coventry—who is known popular Rake—walk into the tearoom, so I quickly devised the plan. I told my maid, Lisa, to tell Inese to meet me in the tearoom and I watched as she entered the room. Next, I told Lisa to lock her in the room. That was all I did while the rest of it fell in place."

  "You are such an awful person," he said suddenly, dropping all pretense.

  "What do you mean?" she looked scared again.

  Bedford rose to his feet. "Inese is the sweetest and most innocent girl ever. She has never harmed anyone, yet you decided to ruin her reputation. You need to ask for her forgiveness and let everyone know that she is innocent."

  "But she really is not as innocent as you think," she replied. "I know this because just this morning, I read it in the Morning Times that she gave a certain earl a late-night visit. This shows that she really is what I painted her to be. The fact that she spent the night in another earl's house means that she is quite immoral."

  Bedford shook his head. "You know nothing about this. She paid the earl a visit at night because she had an important issue to discuss with him."

  "Your Grace, how can you be so sure when you were not even there?" she asked.

  "I can be sure because... "

  "...the Earl of Bedford is the earl that Inese paid a visit to at night," a voice said, and they both looked towards the doorway where the voice was coming from.

  Hans, Inese's father, walked right into the salon. Freya gasped while Bedford was confused.

  "You heard all that we have been saying?" Bedford couldn't help but ask.

  Hans nodded. "I heard everything."

  Freya gasped again, then picked up her skirts and rushed out of the room.

  "The doorman was nowhere to be found when I came in, so there was no one to announce me. I was about to enter when I heard Freya mention Inese's name. That was when I waited to hear everything that had been said."

  "I hope you see now that Inese is innocent," Bedford said.

  "I have," Hans said solemnly, "I will do right by her. However, her reputation is still at risk, and we have decided to send her to Germany today."

  "Today?" Bedford couldn't believe his ears.

  "Yes. In fact, she is on the carriage that would take her to the ship. The ship is scheduled to set sail tonight."

  He didn't even have to think about it. He knew
what he wanted to do. "I'm going to Inese right away."

  ***

  Inese trudged ahead reluctantly. The ship that she would be boarding was just a few feet away and for every step that she took, she was tempted to turn back and run off to Bedford's house. She wondered just how heartbroken and sad Bedford would be when he learned that she had left.

  She sighed. This was easily the worst Christmas she had ever had. She was going to be lonely and miserable in Germany, and she knew it. However, there was nothing that she could do.

  "INESE!" a voice that she knew so well shouted.

  It could not be, she thought, she must be hallucinating.

  She looked back to see Bedford running towards her. She stood there, transfixed and too shocked to utter a word.

  When he finally got to her, she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Seeing him right before her with love shining in his eyes and knowing that he loved her so much, she burst into tears.

  "Inese!" he said, panting, "Inese, the worst is over now. Freya has confessed, and your father knows everything."

  "He has changed his mind?" she finally found her voice.

  "Completely."

  She wanted desperately to believe him. A look into his eyes told her that he was saying the truth. His eyes were filled with such desperate hope and love that she couldn't hold back the love that she had for him.

  "Bedford! What joy you have brought into my heart."

  He looked at her, his eyes searching her face. "There is one very important thing yet to be done."

  "What is that?"

  He sank to one knee and extended his palm towards her. "Inese Strupule, will you take pity on this lovesick soul? Will you do me the extraordinary honor of being my wife?"

  Inese's heart raced. She covered her mouth with a hand, unable to speak. She couldn't believe it. She moved slowly towards him and nodded.

  "Yes. I will be your wife."

  She was wrong, after all. This was easily the best Christmas she had ever celebrated.

  *** The End ***

  A brief note of thanks: