Home For The Holidays

by Sherry Ewing

  Her brow lifted. “Of course, I came. I believe I owe you a kiss… for charity, that is.”

  “Is this the only reason?” he inquired, hoping against hope that she would see the request for what it was; a foolish attempt to make amends.

  “Not necessarily.”

  She gave a simple answer but made no further reply, causing Nicholas’s brow to furrow. “I would hope you know me well enough to realize I would still honor the donation whether you kissed me or not.”

  She took a deep breath but stood her ground. “Lord Nicholas, we barely know one another,” she began in a calm voice. “The majority of our few times together have only been met with a fair amount of misunderstanding and a lack of trust.”

  He sighed and ran his hand across the back of his neck. “And for that I am deeply sorry.”

  “As am I.”

  He nodded, and the space between them seemed to lessen though neither took a step closer. “Why are you here, Grace? Is it only the kiss for the charity fund?”

  The smile she gave him lit her entire face this time. A piece of the ice surrounding Nicholas’ heart melted at the sight of it.

  “I am here because of this.” She crossed the remaining distance to stand before him. She tore off her gloves, throwing them onto a nearby chair, and reached for his hands.

  Warmth seared straight to his beating heart while Nicholas felt the last shreds of pain over his wife’s death melt away, leaving pleasant memories in its place, along with hope for a future with Grace.

  “Please tell me, Nicholas, that I am not imagining this strange connection between us. Such a feeling, whenever we are together, seems to have been trying to convey to us that we were meant to be together, even though we have been too stubborn to listen to its promptings.” Her hand trembled.

  He leaned down until their foreheads touched. “Those signals are not your imagination running wild for I have felt those same signs as well, Grace. I do not suppose I can somehow justify acting like a complete idiot toward you, but I can only pray you can forgive me my foolishness.”

  She leaned back to look at him then brushed her fingertips across his cheek. “I have the notion we shall both do a fair amount of apologizing in our foreseeable future.” She laughed.

  “Until you fell into my life all those months ago, I swore I would forevermore remain unwed,” he continued on. “My brother’s wife, Caroline, used to call me a wounded warrior when my wife passed away after a terrible accident. I hid away for more than two years while I mourned her, even going so far as to leave my daughter under their care.”

  “I am sorry for the loss of your wife, Nicholas. I am certain that was a difficult time for your family.”

  “The thought of moving on with my life with someone new and letting her go when her ghost still haunts me has been most daunting. Sometimes it is hard to forgive yourself, even though you know you were not to blame for something that was out of your control,” he admitted.

  “I also know this kind of loss, but no one says we have to completely let them go, Nicholas. Your wife was a part of your life, the mother of your child. You need not fear forgetting her. You will keep her alive in your memory, and she will live on there, and in the daughter you made together. I am certain she would want you to be happy and to move on with your life to possibly find love again. I believe my late husband Adrian would wish the same.”

  He took her face between his hands, his thumbs caressing her cheeks. “You make me believe that anything is possible, as long as I will have you by my side.”

  Grace lifted one of his hands and placed a kiss inside his palm. “Anything is possible if you let love into your heart.”

  “I believe you have that aright, my dear.” Nicholas left the endearment linger between them as he watched her face. He saw nothing but love shining in her eyes.

  “Perhaps we could try again? Start anew and see just how far-reaching our feelings for one another will take us?”

  “I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to court you, Lady de Courtenay,” Nicholas replied in a husky whisper.

  She gave a contented sigh. “Then I believe, Lord Nicholas, I owe you a kiss. We have many months to make up for, after all.”

  Nicholas’ heart lurched with happiness as he lowered his head and collected her kiss, the charity ball all but forgotten in their quest to start their lives together from this moment forward. Tonight was a good beginning…

  Epilogue

  Grace rocked the cooing baby in her arms while her cat, whom had been named Charity as a gentle reminder of the day she began to fall in love, nudged her feet. The fur ball was being persistent, apparently wanting her turn at her mistress’s affection. The little kitten had grown since it had all but adopted her from Hollystone Hall and had become a part of their growing family.

  “Blanche, be a dear and come take Charity for me,” she asked the young lady, who skipped over to her side, obviously more than happy to hold the feline. How Blanche had convinced her uncle to allow the cat in his home while they went to visit to see the newest addition to the family was still beyond Grace.

  “Yes, Mama.” Blanche picked up the cat who began to purr as though she had been starved for attention.

  Grace smiled with happiness knowing that Nicholas’ daughter, her daughter now, had accepted their marriage several months ago. Being apart from Nicholas had been unbearable, and he had felt the same, especially once they pulled down the barriers that had kept them at a distance during the holiday season. Nicholas had showered her with so much affection it felt as though they had courted for well over a year. Their engagement had been brief, and Grace had no issue when Nicholas suggested they wed without delay.

  The baby began to fuss, and Grace knew it was time for his feeding. Before she could return the precious bundle to his mother, Nicholas swooped in to pick up his tiny nephew. The duke, at last, had his heir and Nicholas was more than pleased that the title would now be handed down to his brother’s son.

  Nicholas handed the child over to Elinor, who promptly went upstairs to her mother. Caroline had had a difficult delivery and was still recovering. Her husband had all but ordered her to remain in bed. With the birth of his son, he had become the doting husband and could not do enough to ensure his wife’s health and happiness.

  Nicholas began making his way back across the room with eyes smoldering as though they were completely alone. She blushed when heat flushed her cheeks. The man was incorrigible when he wanted something, and she loved him for it. He pulled her into his arms and placed a quick kiss upon her lips.

  “Not now,” Grace whispered. “What will the children think?”

  “They will think we are in love, my dearest.” He chuckled then placed his hand on her stomach. “I look forward to when we can hold our own son or daughter in our arms.”

  “Nicholas, please, this is hardly the place for us to be discussing my pregnancy.”

  “Why not? We are among family.”

  She warmed at the thought of sharing her news with the people who loved them both, but then noticed Blanche, smiling at them over the head of the cat. She pulled on the lapel of Nicholas’s jacket so he would lean down in order for her to whisper in his ear, “I should think we might inform Blanche first before announcing it to the rest of the family.”

  Nicholas kissed her forehead. “How right you are, my dear,” he murmured. “Blanche, sweeting, come here please.”

  “Not now, Nicholas,” Grace groaned, while poking him in the ribs and laughing.

  He looked at her and gave her a wink. “Yes, now, Gracie.”

  Blanche put Charity down and joined them. “Yes, Father?” she asked with a soft smile.

  Grace took ahold of Blanche’s hand once Nicholas pulled the girl closer. They formed a small circle together. The young girl looked up at Grace, who returned her smile.

  “Your father and I have some important news we hope you will be pleased to hear,” Grace remarked, praying she would be correct
in her assumption that the girl would be happy their family would be growing in the coming months.

  Nicholas brushed a stray lock of hair from his daughter face. “How would you feel if we were to tell you we shall be having a baby in the near future?”

  Blanche’s eyes widened. “Truly? I am to be a big sister?”

  Nicholas laughed. “Indeed. Before you know it, we shall be a family of four. Does that make you─”

  A squeal of delight erupted from Blanche. She began jumping up and down then proceeded to give them both a hug before she ran over to her cousins to tell them the news. Everyone in the room began talking at once as words of congratulations resounded.

  “See? Nothing to worry about whatsoever,” Nicholas proclaimed with a smirk of satisfaction.

  “Do you think we could at least have some sort of conversation in the future the next time you would like to spout out about matters that are personal between us?” she teased.

  “They are my family. We should probably tell yours, too, by the way,” Nicholas proclaimed.

  “Tomorrow will be soon enough,” Grace replied.

  He leaned down to kiss her again. “I am indeed a lucky man that I can claim all of your tomorrows, my lady.” His husky whispered words raced straight to Grace’s heart.

  She took a step closer. “We are indeed blessed to have found one another.”

  “Even though our beginnings may not have been smooth, I would not have missed finding you for all the world, my love.” Nicholas caressed her cheek.

  “Perhaps we should head home. I am feeling the need to… rest.” She blushed when Nicholas threw back his head and laughed.

  “When did my wife become able to read my mind?”

  “The day you gave me a kiss for charity. I have never been the same since.”

  “Nor have I. Have I told you today that I love you?” Nicholas asked with another roguish grin.

  Grace leaned back to gaze up into his sparkling brown eyes. “Why, I do not believe you have, husband. Perhaps I should be cross with you for not having done so.” Grace did her best to toss him a you-are-in-trouble sort of look, but failed when a merry laugh escaped her.

  Nicholas’ face grew serious. “Let me rectify such a mistake on my part. I love you.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you.” He kissed her cheek and continued to repeat those treasured three words while he kissed each place on her face until he at last placed one upon her lips.

  Grace cared not that others were nearby as she returned her husband’s affection. “I love you, too, my darling husband.”

  Hours later, Grace lay curled in her husband’s embrace. She placed her hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat beneath her palm. He clasped her hand, brought it to his lips, and murmured a soft I love you before falling asleep, a soft snore passing his lips.

  Grace quietly disengaged herself from Nicholas’ embrace in order to blow out the lantern on their bedside table. Their domino masks lay side by side next to the lantern. A mischievous smile swept across her face when she remembered their love making this night. She blew out the flame and snuggled back into her husband’s arms which tightened around her even in his sleep. Life, indeed, would be a grand adventure with Nicholas Lacey at her side. She looked forward to their journey together.

  Bonus Material

  The following pages were original posts that appeared on the Bluestocking Belles’ Teatime Tattler blog. I have also included a piece from Caroline Warfield’s blog so you can get a glimpse of Nicholas and Grace’s life one year later.

  Happy reading and enjoy!

  Wedding Night Jitters

  Lady Grace de Courtenay gazed around the room at their wedding guests. Everyone was having a marvelous time and Grace had never been happier. One man, in particular, drew her attention. How could he not? She could hardly believe she was married, let alone to her second cousin. Relation or not, she had always held an affection for him and obviously the feelings had been reciprocated considering they were now man and wife. Her father may have protested that she was too young to wed when Adrian first offered for her, but both her parents knew that the marriage would be advantageous to both families.

  Adrian must have felt her stare for he turned from the gentleman he had been speaking with and gave her a smile that spoke a thousand words and more. Her heart fluttered within her chest wondering what was in store for her this evening when the night would finally allow them the privacy of their bedchamber. Her mother had prepared her for the inevitable, but that did not help the nervous knots that formed in the pit of her belly. He is just so handsome, Grace thought, before she became lost in the memory of when his lips touched hers for the very first time. She had known, in that instant, she would be forever lost. Her fate had been sealed the day she happily accepted his offer of marriage.

  Grace watched when her husband excused himself and began making his way across the crowded room. He was a gentleman that any lady would be glad to call her own. Tall, broad shouldered, with hair as dark as the midnight skies, along with piercing blue eyes that could rival a clear summer day. This was no idle gentleman of leisure, as his physical appearance would attest, and he was all hers. Grace snapped her fan open and began to wave it before her flushed face. Did the temperature of the room increase the closer he came to her side? Her knees began to buckle with each step he took. She reached for the settee directly behind her until she was able to sit. She could not miss his eyes twinkling mischievously as though he knew her inner most thoughts. The rogue, she pondered, hiding her own grin behind her fan when he at last stood before her.

  Adrian leaned over to pull out one of the pristine white roses in a nearby vase before sitting down next to her. He traced the petals of the flower across her cheek. She shivered, but it had nothing to do with being chilled. No, far from it. She was burning with a need that only her husband could satisfy. His lips replaced the rose and she wished with all her might that their wedding supper was at an end so her husband could put her out of her misery.

  “I missed you,” he whispered huskily in her ear.

  She gave a light laugh, snapped her fan shut, and playfully tapped his arm with it. “I was hardly far, my love.”

  “You were much too far for my liking, my dearest. If I could, I would keep you ever close to my side.”

  “That would certainly give society something to talk about in the morning,” she replied wishing for nothing more than to be alone with him, especially when he began nibbling at her ear. “Adrian, you must stop. What will people think?”

  “They will think that I am madly in love with my beautiful young bride, which, of course, I am,” he declared handing her the flower.

  She peered around him to watch several gentlemen frown in their direction. “We are being watched, and it appears they are not pleased with our public display of affection, darling.”

  “I do not care what they think. Besides, we are celebrating our union. Maybe they will remember when they were also in a state of wedded bliss,” he answered and then proceeded to kiss her cheek. The sound of louder than average laughter caused Adrian to turn to stare at the crowd, which began to disperse after having been caught staring rudely at the bride and groom. “Why am I suddenly under the impression that people are sniggering behind our backs?”

  Several people continued whispering to one another and Grace could only imagine what their conversation entailed. She tugged on her husband’s sleeve and he leaned over to hear her whispered words. “Do not give them the satisfaction of letting them know you are cross.”

  “I am not cross.”

  “You are frowning.” Grace giggled.

  “At least I have you smiling and that is what matters most,” he stated with another warm smile. “You have honored me this day by becoming my wife, Grace.”

  He kissed her parted lips, apparently not caring that all of society was watching their every move. Grace sighed in pleasure. “I am the one who is honored, Adrian, but if we can find a way to remain out of
the latest edition of the Teatime Tattler it will be a miracle.”

  “That gossip rag that is taking all of London by storm? What could they possibly find interesting in the news that we are married, my dear?” Adrian stood to watch their guests again then pulled her from the chair. He placed his arm around her for support.

  Grace leaned into his embrace taking comfort when his arm tightened around her. “We are the talk of the town, darling. How you do not know this is beyond me. It is not every day that a woman marries a man with exactly the same given and family name as her brother, never mind that he is her second cousin. Let us not even go into the confusion of your title being the same as our family name, so that all that changes with our wedding is that I become Lady de Courtenay instead of Lady Grace de Courtenay.”

  Adrian chuckled, apparently amused by the whole situation. “Is that all?”

  Grace looked up at his face and laughed. “Well if you do not care that we are being talked about then neither will I. I am sure half the people here already doubt your sanity in marrying an educated woman.”

  Adrian’s brow rose at her implication. “They might just learn a thing or two about the advantages of having a woman who speaks her mind as a wife.” He perused the crowd again until a truly wicked gleam entered his eyes.

  “I am afraid to ask what you are thinking,” Grace said. He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow.

  Adrian only took a few steps before he swooped her up into his arms. "Since we will most likely be in tomorrow's edition anyway, we might as well give them something to talk about."

  He began carrying her from the wedding reception. Before they left, he turned around at the entryway to the ballroom to face their startled guests. He somehow managed a short bow. “Please enjoy the rest of the festivities. Grace and I are in need of…”

  Grace muffled a laugh as Adrian left his words lingering in the air. She heard gasps of shock from the ballroom as her husband took the stairs two at a time. Reaching their room, he closed the door to their wedding suite. As Adrian set her down upon her feet, Grace looked forward to finally becoming Adrian's wife in every sense of the word. In the months to come, she would relive and treasure each and every moment with her husband, after an unforeseen tragedy destroys her world.