Annabel's Christmas Surprise/Regency Romp 2

by Sole, Linda

  ‘Pray take my arm, Miss Annabel,’ Robert said and offered it. ‘The grass here is rough walking and I would not have you catch your shoe and wrench your ankle or fall.’

  ‘How kind you are,’ she said and dimpled for she was not at fifteen normally treated as a fragile lady but rather as the healthy tomboy she normally was. ‘Tell me, sir, do you go often to London? I hope for a season when I am seventeen, but that is such a long time to wait.'

  ‘I was in the habit of it,’ Robert said. ‘My father was a great gambler. I fear he had been reckless prior to the unfortunate accident that killed my mother, my younger sister and my father. When I discovered the state our finances were in some weeks later, it was a shock to me.’

  ‘Yes, it must have been. I am sorry for it.’

  Robert looked at her then and the sober expression was in his eyes once more. ‘I do not care a jot for the money if I could have them back again,’ he said. ‘I dare say Father would have come about had he lived, for he was often lucky at the tables.’

  ‘I do not perfectly…the accident…’ She pressed his arm. ‘Do not tell me if it pains you.’

  He hesitated, then, ‘The coach drove through a rain-swept night to reach our home and took the road along the cliffs. Having come from London, neither my father nor the coachman had any idea of how terrible the storms had been the previous few days and no one had warned them of a landslide. The wheels encountered loose shale and the coach lurched sideways, taking them down to the beach below – a distance of many feet. My sister and mother were instantly killed they tell me. My father for his sins lingered more than a week, and coachman suffered two broken legs but recovers. My father suffered a great deal in his last days, knowing what he had done by his insistence on returning home that night rather than waiting for the morning.’

  ‘How sad for him and for all of you,’ Annabel said. ‘You were not with them?’

  ‘I was staying with friends at Newmarket, where I had gone for the racing. I was almost as mad a gambler as my father, you see.’

  ‘You do not blame yourself for the accident?’ She looked at him, sensing something but was met with a rueful look.

  ‘For that no, but I was expensive and may have contributed to my father’s desire to be home and to live modestly for a time.’

  ‘You could not have known what would happen that night.’

  ‘No more could he,’ Robert said and then stopped as the lake came into view. ‘That is a beautiful vista, Miss Savage. Your landscape artist is to be congratulated. Repton himself could not have done better I think.’

  ‘Thank you. Papa would be very glad to hear you say it, but the lake is natural and he but had some planting placed about it.’

  ‘You have black swans,’ Robert said as they approached the water. ‘Do you feed them?’

  ‘The keepers do,’ she said. ‘Sometimes I bring a little corn or even some bread. They adore the bread but I am told it is not good for them.’

  ‘I dare say not, but a little now and then will not hurt. My own swans at home are partial to a little croissant, which I used to save from my breakfast and take for them whenever I was at home.’

  ‘I confess I bring them something now and then,’ she said and gurgled with laughter, pleased they shared a secret. Her heart lifted as she saw the smile in his eyes and knew that her nonsense had lifted his spirits a little. ‘What think you of Lord Byron’s latest poem?’

  Her question was a lucky chance for Robert thought a great deal of the much-lauded work and not all of it good. Since Annabel, her sister and cousins had all fallen under the spell of the outrageous poet and his pen; battle was fairly joined and, by the time their walk had finished, the pair were much in harmony with each other, for nothing is so invigorating as a quarrel over poetry.

  Annabel was disappointed that she was forced to thank him for the walk and leave him to join the company again, her mother having called upon her to play the spinet for them. Since she had a light touch and a pretty if not strong voice, she was kept busy until everyone went up to change for dinner.

  She did not see their guest other than to exchange smiles across the table that evening, for out of a common spirit of wanting to lift the young man’s mind from his distress, he was monopolised by the gentlemen who bore him off to the billiard room and kept him there until just before the ladies retired for the night.

  Robert did indeed bid her goodnight, saying with a smile, ‘I had not expected to enjoy myself this Christmas, Miss Annabel. That I have done so is in the greater part due to you, and I must thank you for it.’

  Annabel blushed and thanked, pleased with the compliment and the expression in his eyes. He carried her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, which made her tingle all over.

  ‘I hope we shall meet again one day, sir,’ she said, a little shy. ‘I pray you keep safe and return to us for I shall think of you.’

  ‘And I of you,’ he promised.

  Lady Savage called to her and she went up with her. Kissing her mama’s cheek, Annabel had gone alone into her bedchamber, standing with her hands clasped over her heart as she thought of the walk and the tender farewell from a gentleman she had learned to like very well.

  Now, some four years later, Annabel blinked back the ready tears. In the interim she had lost her mama and understood all too well the pain of loss, for since that Christmas both her beloved mama and her aunt had departed this life.

  No, no! She would not be sad. They had been in mourning for too long and though, she had discovered one never ceased to regret, in time the pain was less sharp.

  ‘Are you ready to dress, Miss Annabel?’

  She looked up, a little surprised that her maid had returned with a large can of hot water for her. Where had the time gone? Her thoughts had been of that Christmas long past and she had no idea of how long she had been lying here thinking.

  ‘Yes, I shall get up,’ she said and smiled, showing her maid the gorgeous fur muff. ‘Is it not adorable, Janet? I am sure I never expected it – and, I shall give you my old one, which is not as fashionable or wonderful as this, but I think you quite like it?’

  Janet stared, her young face wreathed in smiles. Her young mistress often gave her a scarf or sometimes a gown, which she might alter for herself, but the fur muff was a treasure beyond compare, and only a year old.

  ‘I’m sure I don’t know how to thank you, miss. I’ve already been given five shillings for Christmas, which is more than generous.’

  ‘That was from my father,’ Annabel said. ‘I had been wondering what to give you, for I had quite exhausted my pin money and could not buy you a gift – but you shall have my old muff…’ She went to her armoire and took it from the shelves. ‘There, take it, and I hope you will enjoy using it as much as I have.’

  Janet stroked the fur muff, which was something she would never have aspired to and thought herself fortunate to have such a kind good mistress.

  ‘I shall love wearing it when I go to church and on my days off,’ she said and her eyes sparkled. ‘What gown will you wear today, miss?’

  ‘My new gown is for this evening, when we dine with my uncle and cousins at their home. This morning, I shall wear the dark blue silk with the crimson ribbons please – and my walking boots.’

  ‘Do you go out, miss?’

  ‘I shall take a walk as far as the lake,’ Annabel said. ‘I saved some croissant from my breakfast and want to feed the swans. It is Christmas after all, and they should have a treat – do you not think so?’

  ‘Yes, of course, miss – but it is very cold out. You will need to wear your thick pelisse.’

  ‘Yes, I shall,’ she agreed. ‘But I shall tuck my hands into my new muff and not be at all cold.’

  ‘I’ll have your gown ready in a moment, miss.’

  Annabel went behind the exquisitely painted dressing screen and took off her nightgown, washing herself with the warm water and her favourite soap, which smelled of roses. She emerged wearing the fine si
lk slip Janet had placed with her unmentionables and stood while her maid helped her into the dark blue morning gown. It had two rows of frilled ribbon around the skirts, and a band of the same colour but much wider beneath her breasts. At the back there was a small bow with trailing ends that fell halfway down the skirt. The neck was square and edged, with a band of ribbon and lace, and the sleeves were elbow-length with frilled cuffs, and the colour set off her fair hair to perfection.

  Annabel sat while her maid caught her long hair up into a double knot at her nape and secured it with pins with pearl heads. Around her throat she fastened a ribbon with a little pearl brooch pinned at the centre just above the pulse spot.

  Janet placed the pelisse about her shoulders and fastened the buttons at the front. Then she placed a fur-lined bonnet on Annabel’s head and the ribbons were tied in a large bow at the side. Janet brought the wonderful new muff forward and Annabel slipped it over her hands, turning to look at herself in the mirror. She smiled as she saw the effect. She looked what she was, the daughter of a wealthy man, fashionable and perhaps a little spoiled.

  ‘Oh you do look lovely, miss,’ Janet said.

  Annabel blushed. She thought she looked very well and was more than content with the picture she presented.

  Leaving her maid to tidy the room, she went out and walked along the landing. Passing Mary’s room she hesitated for she had not yet wished her sister Happy Christmas, but she would do that on her return.

  She went down the stairs to the front hall. The footman looked a little surprised to see her going out so early on Christmas morning, but he sprang to life and opened the door for her.

  ‘Happy Christmas, Stephen,’ she said. ‘I dare say you are looking forward to the party downstairs later this evening?’

  ‘Yes, Miss Annabel,’ he said and grinned. ‘We all are – May I take the liberty of wishing you Happy Christmas from us all?’

  ‘Thank you. I had a lovely card signed by you all – and the gorgeous bon-bons that Cook made as a gift from all of you. It was very kind and I shall enjoy them.’

  Leaving the house, Annabel walked through the formal gardens to the back of the house and then set off across the wide expanse of grass towards the lake. It was very cold but she was well prepared for the cold and her eyes sparkled with excitement. She was a very fortunate young woman, and if there were one thing she lacked, she would not let it weigh with her or spoil Christmas.

  Chapter Two

  Major Robert Goss looked about him and frowned. The house was much the worse for wear after more than four years of being let to tenants. He had instructed his agent some months ago to cease renting it out, because he intended to have it refurbished and take up residence again. However, it would take far more work than he had previously thought, and though there was no longer a need for economy he was not certain that the house would suit him. It might be better to continue to let it out after some renovation had been done, and look for another property. After many successful years in the Army, where he had managed to acquire both rank and a repair to his fortunes, he had taken an extended leave and come back to England. Robert had thought he might be able to settle in his family home, but the emptiness of the place had given him a dislike for it, his own fault perhaps. Instead of coming here with just his groom and his faithful Jim Salter for company, he should have had it opened up some weeks earlier. Servants, a sense of being occupied and perhaps some guests might have made it more acceptable to him, and yet the house was in no fit state to welcome guests just yet.

  Mayhap, a part of his mood was owed to the incident on his journey here, which had saddened him and given him food for thought. His friend’s funeral and the interview with the magistrate, and a letter conveyed to Bow Street by a man he was assured was trustworthy, had delayed him by some days and he had expected to have things in better case by now.

  Jim had soon started a few fires and rustled up some food but it was Christmas and the house was too empty, the more so because he might have had a friend to bear him company had Sir Freddie not been murdered before his eyes. During his years in the army Robert had always kept Christmas day in some fashion or the other, and though at times on campaign they might have been short of food or in damnable lodgings, he’d always had company.

  Making up his mind, he called for his servant and told him to make the chaise ready.

  ‘We shall visit my father’s friends,’ he said. ‘Sir Geoffrey rode over yesterday and told me he should be glad to see me over Christmas. He told me there was no need to let him know and that I might stay for a few days should I wish. This house needs servants to make it habitable. I shall consult Sir Geoffrey and then we’ll see whether it will be home to us.’

  ‘It is a good solid house, but much in need of a lady’s touch,’ Jim said and grinned for they were on such terms that his advice was often sought, if not always heeded. ‘If you was thinking of getting hitched, major…’

  ‘Ah, there’s the rub,’ Robert said and laughed. ‘I fear the fashionable and proud Miss Georgina Hatcher would not think this house a fitting home for her person. I do not fool myself that all the new curtains in the world would transform it into what she would consider a suitable abode.’

  ‘The young lady is a beauty and no mistake – and her fortune considerable, sir,’ Jim said. ‘A trifle cold perhaps…but you may see a different side to her?’

  Not for the world would Robert reveal the reason why he had cooled towards the idea of asking Georgina to be his wife. He had indeed toyed with the idea, but leaving the heat of a prestigious ball in Paris for a breath of air, he had seen her in a passionate embrace with a young but penniless officer. Later that evening she had flirted with Robert, and he knew that she had expected him to offer for her, but her conduct had given him a disgust of her and he had left for England two days later.

  Robert smoothed a tiny crease from the perfection of his coat, made for him at one of the more fashionable establishments in London. Not quite a dandy, he was dressed in boots, breeches and coat that a country gentleman would die for, his cravat tied to perfection, a diamond stickpin placed just so in its snowy folds. Between his brow was a tiny crease as he studied his servant.

  ‘Cold, you say?’ He shook out the ruffles from beneath his sleeves and picked up his gloves. ‘She is certainly proud, as she has every right to be – but cold? If that were the case I do not think we should suit. I prefer a young woman to have some warmth…some life about her.’

  ‘The tale in Paris afore we left was that you would offer for her, major,’ Jim said. ‘Tell me to mind my business if you please, but I think you might regret it – and sooner than later.’

  ‘Indeed?’ Robert arched one fine dark brow. ‘Mind your business, Jim. Put up enough clothes for a week and join me with the chaise as soon as you may, I shall ride my mare. I dare say you may be right regarding Miss Hatcher, but I have not yet decided whether I am ready to marry…after all, my main concern is to set up a home where I may live comfortably when I sell out, as I shall as soon as things are settled.’

  His most pressing need for the moment was to settle the business of his friend’s ruin and murder, to say nothing of Miss Askew’s seduction and untimely death. By God, the villain would pay before Robert was done with him!

  ‘It’s your comfort I’m a thinking of, major,’ Jim said but was silenced with a look, for he knew when he’d said enough.

  Robert left the house and walked down to the stable. He informed his groom of his plans, waited while his horse was saddled and then set out. Until the previous day when his father’s old friend had ridden over to invite him to spend the festive season at his house, he had not seen him or thought of him often. When deciding to visit his own house, he had written to tell Sir Geoffrey for he intended to ask if he knew of a nice property for sale that might suit him. He was in a position to buy a large house with a few hundred acres and thought he might settle in the area. He had already purchased a house in London, and the remainder of the
fortune he’d managed to acquire was divided between a wine importing business with a friend and certain blue chip funds. With good luck and some imagination, he had invested well over the years and with some decent prize money, he was now richer than his father had been before his run of ill luck at the tables. Years of hard campaigning had taught him the folly of hazarding his all on the throw of a dice for he’d seen all the thrills and excitement any man could need in a lifetime.

  It was he believed time to settle down. He did not have an illustrious title and there was therefore no need to get an heir to carry it on, though his family was an old county family and had been well respected despite his father’s unhappy predilection for the card tables. Yet deep down there was a wish for some peace – and he would like to have a family about him. He had cared deeply for his mother, father and particularly his young sister. Of all those that he had lost, he missed his sister Annie the most. He had hardly known how he would bear to spend Christmas that year, and it had been hard indeed. For an hour or so a young woman’s smile and her chatter, which had reminded him of Annie, had lifted the gloom.

  Yes, he had hoped to find peace at last, but Sir Freddie’s death had changed things. The name Freddie had spoken with his dying breath was in his mind – and it was a name that meant something to him, though it had taken him two days to place it. Yet it complicated things for if he knew the family…though where this particular person fitted into the family he was not sure.

  He must look into the matter carefully. His first loyalty was to Freddie and he had sworn an oath to avenge both him and his sister. However, there might be difficulties…but when had life ever gone smoothly?