The Christmas Countess

by Adrienne Basso

  The line for the sleds moved quickly, since several of the adults had stopped after taking a single ride. Charlotte stomped her feet in the snow and slapped her hands against her sides, trying to get warm. She was certain her cheeks must be fiery red and her nose a similar shade, thanks to the cold. Yet as she settled herself for a second time on the sled, an errant thought past through her mind.

  She had never been happier in her life.

  ———

  Rebecca was feeling anxious about returning to the manor house, wondering how many people were aware they had been gone so long. Though unsure precisely what time it was, she feared they would arrive just as afternoon tea was being served, thus bringing additional unwanted attention to themselves. She dreaded the speculation that might occur, the curiosity about where they had stayed and what they had done while the storm raged.

  It seemed truly ironic that she should suffer such extreme pangs of guilt when they had not done anything so terribly scandalous. An intimate conversation and one passionate kiss hardly constituted a torrid, immoral afternoon. They had sought shelter to remain safe, not to steal time alone.

  Yet the guilt intensified. Possibly because deep down she had wanted something more to happen between them? Something more intimate, more physical, more compromising?

  Whatever the reason, she tried to ignore the guilt, deciding she was going to leave the explanations to the earl. It was his house, his family, his guests.

  They entered a thicket of woods that bordered the earl‘s estate. After a time they emerged on the other side, totally unprepared for the sight that greeted them. A substantial gathering of adults and children were clamoring up and down the large hill on sleds, shrieking with laughter, shouting out to each other and generally having a marvelous time.

  “Shall we join in the fun?” Cameron asked.

  Rebecca steered her mount next to his, then turned to find him close enough so that she could see the faint lines that fanned from the corners of his eyes. Eyes that normally held depth and maturity, that were often serious and considering. Eyes that were suddenly twinkling like a lad.

  “The horses must be tired, my lord. We should bring them to the stables as soon as possible.”

  “Tom can do that for us.”

  It was then Rebecca noticed a young groom running toward them. The earl dismounted. He advanced on Rebecca, wrapped his hands around her waist and practically pulled her from the saddle. When she reached the ground, he paused a moment and looked at her. She stared back, losing her thread of thought, forgetting that she wanted to ask him what story they would tell to explain their long absence.

  Movement stirred beside them. Rebecca blushed and noticed the groom patiently waiting, his eyes carefully averted. At the earl‘s command, the lad obligingly took hold of their horses‘ reins and led the animals away.

  Slowly they climbed the hill. There were shouts and waves from the sledders as they careened down the hill. When they reached the top, they separated. Rebecca noted the earl entered the middle of the pack of men, confident and commanding. They crowded around him, all seeming to speak at once.

  “We noticed you arrived on horseback. ‘Tis a rather odd time of day to be taking a ride, Hampton,” Lord Bailey commented.

  “We set out earlier to visit one of the tenant farms,” the earl explained. “Fortunately, we were able to stay ahead of the worst of the storm on our journey back.”

  “Papa!” Lily‘s shout echoed through the trees, flushing a flock of birds from their nest. “You must ride on the sled with me.”

  “Is it our turn?” he asked.

  “Oh, yes. Now hurry.”

  Laughing, he allowed the child to tug on his hand and pull him away. He gestured with his other hand, indicating that Rebecca should join them. She hesitated. Too long, unfortunately. One of the boys jumped on the sled and the trio went down the hill.

  Lady Marion approached, tucking her arm through Rebecca‘s. “Come stand with me while we wait our turn on the sleds,” she said, but Rebecca was not fooled by the ploy. No doubt Lady Marion wanted privacy for a different reason. Rebecca swallowed hard, fearing the other woman would quiz her about how long she and the earl had been away from the manor together. And what they had been doing.

  “Have you been having fun out in the snow, Lady Marion?” Rebecca asked.

  “I have indeed, Miss Tremaine and I am so pleased that you have joined us. It‘s been a grand afternoon, even with the antics of the men. They are acting more like boys than the young lads who came along. But no matter. There is something of extreme importance I need to discuss with you.”

  Oh, no. Rebecca did not like the sound of that request. She cast her eyes about, hoping for a means of escape, but found none. “Is there some sort of problem, Lady Marion?”

  “I would not classify it as a problem at this stage. But unless something is done, I fear it could escalate into a deep concern. For both our families.” She drew closer to Rebecca. “Charlotte is enamored with your brother. And I am convinced, he in turn has fallen in love with her.”

  Rebecca stared at Lady Marion in amazement. Of all the things she feared the good woman might say, this was one thought that had never entered her mind.

  “What? How in the world can you be so certain? My brother is barely acquainted with Lady Charlotte.”

  Lady Marion dismissed her comments with a dramatic wave of her arm. “Love can happen in an instant. With one look, one touch, one whispered compliment. Isn‘t it marvelous?”

  For an instant all Rebecca could manage was a thunderstruck stare. “I am sure you are mistaken,” she finally remarked.

  Lady Marion looked offended. “I most definitely am not mistaken. Why, ‘tis as obvious as the nose on your face, Miss Tremaine. All one need do is to observe them. Have you not noticed how your brother‘s eyes follow Charlotte around the room and the way he grins like a besotted fool when he looks at her?” Her tone was serious, but there was a smile lurking in her eyes. “On, no, he is in love. Trust me, I am an expert on these matters.”

  “Daniel and Lady Charlotte?” Rebecca‘s voice trailed off in astonishment. She and Daniel had discussed his admiration for Lady Charlotte soon after they arrived at Windmere and Rebecca had encouraged him to follow his heart. Yet she never honestly believed it would come to anything.

  Could Lady Marion be right? Had Daniel developed a tendre for Lady Charlotte?

  “I suppose it is possible,” Rebecca began.

  Lady Marion silenced her with another dramatic wave of her gloved hand. “It‘s more than possible. It‘s very real! Of course the one sticky wicket in this lovely romance is Cameron. As you know, I adore my cousin, but like all men he can be a bit of an idiot sometimes.”

  Amazingly, Rebecca understood what Lady Marion was trying to say. “Yes, the earl would not approve of a match between Daniel and his sister.”

  “Probably not,” Lady Marion agreed. “At least initially. But with the right argument, he could be convinced. After all he has invited you into his home to share the Christmas holiday. That must mean he holds you both in high regard.”

  Rebecca shifted uncomfortably in the snow. If Lady Marion knew the real reason they had been invited, she would no doubt quickly change her tune. “The earl is generous and kind, but extending his hospitality to us and welcoming us into his family are two entirely different matters. We hardly move within the same social circles and certainly cannot lay claim to any significant noble ancestry.”

  “You are well educated and genteel and your brother is a highly successful businessman. In these matters, wealth does count for something.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “It should, yet I‘m sure Lady Charlotte is an heiress in her own right. She hardly needs to marry for money.”

  “No, but she does need to marry for love.” Lady Marion reached down, took Rebecca‘s hand and squeezed it briefly. “Don‘t look so glum. There is always hope. After all, Christmas is the season for goodwill, brotherhood and mos
t important of all, miracles.”

  Chapter 14

  “Ah, Daniel, I‘m so glad I caught you. Do you have a moment to spare?” Rebecca asked as she hurried down the hall toward her brother. “I need to talk with you.”

  After a restless night thinking about everything Lady Marion had said yesterday afternoon, Rebecca decided the only way to get to the truth of the matter was to speak directly to her brother.

  Daniel frowned. “Can it wait? Lord Hampton is taking us shooting. It would be rude to keep the other gentlemen waiting.”

  “Shooting?” Rebecca shuddered. “That hardly seems like a charitable Christmas outing.”

  “Don‘t be so softhearted, Becca. Many of the birds will starve if we don‘t thin out the flocks. And those we do shoot will be given to the local families. They will grace many a Christmas table and no doubt provide a good deal of cheer.”

  Rebecca forced a smile. “I suppose that makes it a bit better. But just a bit. Are you certain you need to dash? This won‘t take long. I worry if we don‘t speak now, we will never find the time to be alone.”

  “True, there does always seem to be something going on around here.”

  “Precisely. Who ever knew that socializing could be so very time-consuming and exhausting?”

  Daniel consulted the large clock in the hallway. “I can give you a few minutes. Come, let‘s step in here.” He opened the nearest door.

  They went inside. It was a lovely chamber, boasting a cozy sitting area in front of a pair of French doors that led out to the terraced gardens. A cheerful fire was lit, giving the space a warm, welcoming feel. It seemed the perfect spot to gain some privacy, and Rebecca could not help but wonder how many rooms there were in this enormous, rambling mansion.

  “I wanted to speak with you about Lady Charlotte,” she said.

  Daniel stiffened noticeably, his expression growing guarded. “Lady Charlotte? The earl‘s sister?”

  “Yes.” Alarm bells began to clang in Rebecca‘s head, but she forced herself to be calm. She paused, trying to frame her question in such a way as to not offend. “When we first arrived, you expressed an admiration for her. I was wondering if you still held such an opinion.”

  “About Lady Charlotte?”

  “Yes, Daniel, about Lady Charlotte.”

  He shuffled his feet, moving closer to the fire. “She seems like a perfectly respectable lady. Kind, thoughtful. Rather shy.”

  “Have you been spending a great deal of your time with her?”

  He inhaled sharply. “Why do you ask?”

  Rebecca rubbed her brow. This was proving far more difficult than she imagined. They were simple, straightforward questions, but Daniel‘s reactions made her feel as if she were prying into something very personal. Something that was not any of her business.

  “Your attention to Lady Charlotte has been noted by another, who remarked upon it to me,” she said.

  “Who? Was it the earl?” Distress flickered in Daniel‘s eyes. He paced toward the French windows, stopped, then turned. “Has there been a great deal of gossip about myself and Lady Charlotte? What are people saying?”

  “I don‘t think they are saying anything. Well, not that I know of, anyway. As far as I am aware, only Lady Marion seems to believe there is something going on between you and Lady Charlotte.” Rebecca took a step closer. “Is that true, Daniel?”

  Her brother was now prowling restlessly about the room. “Nothing unseemly has happened between us.”

  The look in his eyes made her feel self-conscious. “I never thought that it had. I know you are a gentleman, a man who respects a lady.”

  A wary expression crossed his features, which then took on a decidedly guilty look. “I did kiss her, though. Twice.”

  Rebecca swallowed her surprise. “Two kisses? Goodness, you must be smitten.” She tried to make light of it, but the teasing lilt in her voice fell flat.

  “Two kisses hardly constitute a torrid romance, Becca. Charlotte is a lady, a tenderhearted, innocent woman.”

  Rebecca tried to smile, but she was still struggling with her shock. “I think she is delightful.”

  “She is more than delightful. She is exceptional. A rare jewel. Intelligent, kind, unspoiled.” He ran his fingers through his hair, then after an interval of silence added, “Would you kindly stop looking so horrified. I know my growing obsession is not good for me. Or her.”

  Rebecca could not have disagreed more. “Whyever not?”

  “Nothing can ever come of it.”

  “You sound so sure. Has she rejected you?”

  “No.”

  “Then I don‘t understand.”

  He stopped pacing, but drummed his fingertips nervously on the edge of the padded armchair. “Your, hmm, shall we say, unique situation with Lord Hampton precludes me from making any serious considerations about my relationship with Lady Charlotte,” he said. “Though I‘ll own I have a tough hide, and sometimes have acted with far more bluster than brains in my life, ‘tis damn hard to be put in a position where you have to threaten your future brother-in-law. Even I would be unable to pull that off.”

  “Threaten?” She stared at him wordlessly.

  “You are my sister. I owe you my loyalty, Becca. Lord Hampton has been more than fair by allowing you to see Lily, but we know he could change his mind on a whim and deny you access to the child. If that happens, we must be prepared to do whatever is necessary. Including threats.”

  Oh, dear, this was all because of her? “I am humbled by your support, Daniel. Far more than you will ever know.” Her eyes jerked up to meet his. “But my problems with the earl are my own. They should not affect your feelings or your future with Lady Charlotte.”

  He looked at her closely, then looked away. “Even if I wanted to consider a future with Charlotte, it would be impossible. I would never be warmly greeted as a potential suitor. We are not of the earl‘s social stature and in his world, breeding, rank and position are everything.”

  “But you are more than his equal,” Rebecca cried out in protest. “In character, in wealth, in social graces. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Daniel.”

  Her optimistic statement did not coax a like response from her brother. There was something else, something he wasn‘t telling her. She was just about to ask, when he spoke.

  “There is another reason. A foolish one, really. Born of my insecurity.”

  “Tell me.”

  A flicker of something entered, then left his eyes. “Charlotte has led a pampered, yet difficult life. At her core she is lonely and has not very often been in the company of men. She seems to return my regard and yet I cannot help but wonder if her interest is merely a result of my being the only man who has paid her any significant attention.”

  “I doubt that very much.” Rebecca would have smiled, but her brother looked so serious, so concerned. He really was unsure. “Lady Charlotte is an intelligent woman, for all her naivete. I don‘t believe she would be so easily taken in by a handsome face and some witty conversation. And she allowed you not one, but two kisses. Clearly she cares for you, perhaps even loves you. But you know there is only one way that you can discover the truth.”

  “One way?”

  “You must ask her, Daniel.”

  “Egad, I‘m acting like a lovesick fool, aren‘t I?” His voice rose a notch.

  “I find it rather endearing.”

  “I find it rather nauseating.”

  Rebecca understood his embarrassment, sympathized with his predicament. Yet she would have considered herself a poor sister indeed if she did not encourage him to act upon his feelings. Love was a rare and wondrous emotion, not to be squandered if one was lucky enough to find it.

  “Listen to me, Daniel. If you search your heart and discover that you do indeed love Lady Charlotte, then you must act. Do not allow this real chance at happiness to slip away from you because of a few difficulties.”

  He pressed his fingers to his temples, rubbing them furiously as
though he had a searing headache. Then he lowered his hand and let out a short, gruff laugh. “I should have known you would go all starry-eyed and sappy on me. Women are such romantics.”

  “We are, indeed.” Rebecca stretched our her arms and gave him a tight hug.

  “I will consider everything you have said most carefully, Becca,” he whispered.

  “Good.” She pulled back and gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “Just remember, you do not have much time to make a decision. It will be Christmas in a few days and we shall depart Windmere soon after the holiday.”

  “I know.” The porcelain clock on the fireplace mantel chimed the hour. “Goodness, I need to hurry,” Daniel exclaimed as he rushed out the door.

  Rebecca followed slowly, almost laughing at her own bravado as she recalled their conversation. She sounded so sure of herself, so confident in the rightness of her opinion. Yet she could not help but wonder, if the opportunity to express her growing feelings for the earl ever presented itself, would she have the courage to follow her own advice?

  ———

  “I want to go ice-skating,” Lily said. “Papa promised we would go today, but I can‘t find him. Will you take me, Miss Rebecca? Please?”

  Startled, Rebecca looked up from the basket she was arranging. Several of the ladies were assisting the dowager countess with the final touches on the gift baskets for the local families. She had joined them directly after speaking with Daniel. Rebecca was pleased to help, for it was a familiar task, one she had done often with her parents for the families of their parish.

  Lily had wandered in to watch and then surprised Rebecca with her request. With her grandmother and aunt present, why had the little girl chosen Rebecca? She would have liked to think it was because Lily craved her company, but was realistic to know there was probably another reason. Most likely Lily thought she‘d have the best chance of getting her way with Rebecca, especially with this outdoor activity.

  “I would very much like to take you skating, Lady Lily,” Rebecca said sincerely. “But I‘m afraid I too am busy right now. Would you like to help with my baskets? As you see, I am putting some of the cookies we baked the other day in each one.”