The Mistletoe Seller

by Dilly Court

  He chuckled. ‘You might be in for a surprise, my girl. I’m not one to give up easily.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Thanks to Jack and Danny, and a little help from Humphrey, the fires were lit and the temperature inside the house began to rise.

  Angel had intended to wear one of her old gowns to the ball, which was hardly worn and quite pretty, but perhaps a little old-fashioned. Aunt Eloise had made certain that Susannah had the best of everything, and Angel had always had to be content with hand-me-downs. She was about to step into her gown when Belinda barged into the room.

  She dropped the bundle she was carrying onto the bed. ‘I knew you wouldn’t have anything suitable for tonight,’ she said, smiling. ‘This was made for me, but to be honest it’s a bit too tight and this shade of crimson takes all the colour from my cheeks, but it would look lovely on you. Do try it on.’

  Angel fingered the shimmering silk. ‘I can’t take this, Belle. It must have cost a small fortune.’

  ‘I don’t know about that, but I’ll never wear it and the colour and style are just right for you. Put it on and see how you feel.’ Belinda helped Angel into the gown and fastened the tiny, fabric-covered buttons.

  ‘It’s wonderful.’ Angel fingered the delicate material. ‘It’s a pity I can only see bits of me in the small mirror.’

  Belinda stood back, surveying her work with a satisfied smile. ‘You look beautiful. It just needs the ruby pendant and your ring to complete the outfit. Oh, yes, and I almost forgot.’ She opened her reticule and took out a small velvet-covered box. ‘This is your Christmas present from me. It would be a pity to keep them until tomorrow.’

  Angel opened the case and her breath hitched in her throat at the sight of the ruby earrings set in gold filigree. ‘They’re wonderful. I love them. Thank you so much, but I’ve only got a very small present for you, Belle.’ She hugged her sister, blinking away tears.

  ‘You’re the best gift I’ve ever had.’ Belinda mopped her eyes. ‘Just look at us pair of sillies. We’d best hurry up or we’ll be late for the ball. I’ll put your hair up for you and then everyone will be able to admire your earrings.’

  ‘But what about you, Belle? You need to change into your ball gown?’

  ‘Walker has it ready for me and she’ll do the necessary. But tonight is your night, Angel. I want you to outshine every woman there. You’re my sister and you’re the mistress of Grantley. This has been a long time coming and I want you to enjoy every minute of it.’

  Minutes later, the young woman who looked out from the mirror was a stranger in Angel’s eyes. She had never thought of herself as beautiful, but Belinda had put her hair up in the most becoming style and Angel had to take a second look to be certain that her eyes were not deceiving her. Belinda had hurried away to her own room to place herself in Walker’s capable hands and Angel decided to visit the kitchen to show Lil her new gown.

  She found what appeared to be a party going on in the servants’ domain. The rich smell of roasting meat mingled with the tempting aroma of freshly baked mince pies, and there was a hint of port and brandy in the air as well as the more earthy scents of ale and cider. Baines was helping to unpack a large hamper while Cook and Lil exclaimed over the contents, but they all stopped short when they spotted Angel standing in the doorway.

  ‘My baby girl,’ Lil cried, covering her face with her hands. ‘Who would have thought you’d grow up to be such a lovely lady?’

  Angel crossed the floor, taking care not to snag her gown on anything and she wrapped her arms around Lil. ‘But for you I might not have survived infancy. You are my real mother and I love you.’

  This time Lil’s tears were real and she buried her face in her apron. ‘Who would have thought it?’

  Cook bobbed a curtsey. ‘Congratulations, Miss Angel. I know I can speak for us all, but we’re very pleased you’re the new owner.’

  ‘Thank you. I hope I can bring Grantley back from the brink, but we’ll do it together.’ She glanced at the hamper, frowning. ‘Where did that come from?’

  ‘Delivered from Fortnum and Mason an hour ago,’ Cook said proudly. ‘And there’s another two in the scullery. We’ll eat like kings this Christmas.’

  Angel nodded. ‘I hope you enjoy your evening. I’ll say Merry Christmas now, because it will be Christmas Day when we return from the ball.’

  The entrance hall at Westwood was dominated by a huge Christmas tree, blazing with tiny candles. Coloured glass baubles reflected their flickering light, and tinsel shone like frost against the dark-green pine needles. The reception rooms were crowded with county families and friends of the Westwoods, and hundreds of expensive wax candles shed their golden light on the revellers. An orchestra played in the ballroom and strains of a Viennese waltz greeted the guests. The spicy scent of chrysanthemums vied with the expensive perfumes of the ladies and the gentlemen’s colognes, Macassar oil and bay rum. To Angel’s surprise and Dolly’s obvious delight, Rupert looked pale but handsome in evening dress as he sat in a Bath chair, although it was clear from his expression that he longed to be on his feet and whirling his wife around the floor. Dolly sat beside him, refusing all offers to dance with polite smiles, and Angel held her breath when she saw Sir Eugene approach the couple. She was too far away to hear what passed between them, but all three were smiling when Sir Eugene bowed to Dolly and walked away. He joined his wife and Susannah, who was talking animatedly to a distinguished-looking gentleman. He looked to be a good twenty years her senior, and was obviously charmed by her company.

  ‘That’s Lord Loughton,’ Belinda whispered. ‘He’s as rich as Croesus and owns half of London, if the rumours are to be believed. He’s been on the lookout for a suitable bride for years, so let’s hope Susannah can convince him that she’s the one.’

  Angel unfurled her fan, holding it at an angle in front of her face. ‘It looks as though she’s doing very nicely. She’s always wanted a rich husband and a title would be an added bonus. I wish her well.’ Angel realised that she had lost Belinda’s attention. ‘Who are you looking at now?’

  ‘Over there – talking to Humphrey and Toby.’

  Angel turned her head and froze. ‘It’s Hector – and that must be Rosalind.’

  ‘He’s seen you, Angel. He’s coming this way. Are you all right?’

  Angel was calmer than she would have thought possible. The sight of Hector, resplendent in his uniform with his medals gleaming in the candlelight, would once have made her knees turn to jelly and cause her heart to hammer against her stays, but not now. She moved forward, holding out her hand as if greeting an old friend.

  ‘Hector, what a wonderful surprise.’ She came to a halt, looking the pale girl on his arm up and down, and liking what she saw. Rosalind Devane was tiny, like a beautiful child, with dark hair smoothed back from a high brow and large, pansy-soft brown eyes. ‘And this must be your bride. How do you do? I’m Hector’s adopted sister, Angel Montgomerie.’

  Hector kissed her cheek. ‘It’s good to see you again. You look wonderful, Angel. And you’re right, this is my lovely bride, Rosalind.’

  ‘How do you do, Miss Montgomerie?’ Rosalind whispered shyly.

  ‘I’m just Angel Montgomerie,’ Angel said, smiling. ‘This is Miss Montgomerie.’ Angel urged Belinda to the fore. ‘May I introduce my elder sister, Belinda, and I have a brother somewhere …’ Angel peered into the crowd. ‘He’s no doubt showing off his lovely wife, Blanche.’

  Belinda and Rosalind were talking animatedly and Hector drew Angel aside. ‘I want to thank you for saving Grantley. I should have stayed at home and fought for my inheritance, but there are some things that are more important.’

  ‘Affairs of the heart?’ Angel met his gaze with a smile. ‘She’s lovely, Hector. I don’t blame you for putting her first.’

  ‘I didn’t want to leave her when I returned on the Orontes, but I had a duty to Rupert and my men. I wasn’t called back, that was just an excuse, although I apologise
for not telling you the truth, my dear sister. You mean so much to me, Angel, but I knew I couldn’t live without the woman I love at my side – nothing else matters.’

  ‘I understand, Hector. I think I sensed that there was something you weren’t telling me, but it doesn’t make any difference – we’ll share Grantley,’ Angel said urgently. ‘I don’t want to take anything from you and your family. I owe you so much.’

  His smile embraced her. ‘I couldn’t wish for anyone better to have Grantley,’ he said softly. ‘I know you’ll look after my brothers and Susannah, but now my life has taken a different turn. Rosalind is an heiress in her own right and we’ll be moving to Yorkshire where her family own a large estate. It’s her dearest wish, and that makes it mine, too.’

  ‘Well, in that case I’m happy for you, but Toby and Humphrey will always be part of Grantley – it’s still their home.’

  ‘They’re men now, at least Toby is, although I doubt if Humphrey will ever grow up entirely. They can choose their own destinies.’ He glanced over her shoulder and smiled. ‘And I see that Susannah has got her hooks into an earl at last. She’ll be happy, but what about you?’

  He had already lost Angel’s attention. She was gazing at the new arrivals. Jack and Sally looked slightly embarrassed in their new clothes, and Jack was fingering his starched collar as if it were too tight, but it was Danny who caught her attention. He came striding through the crowd, seemingly oblivious to everyone in the room but her. Angel’s heart began to thud and her pulse raced. Hector stepped aside to talk to his bride, but Angel was aware of nothing and no one other than the handsome, broad-shouldered young man who approached her, holding out his hand.

  ‘You challenged me,’ Danny said softly. ‘You didn’t think I could dance.’ He took her by the hand and she did not protest. It seemed as though they were the only people in the ballroom as he led her onto the floor, and she felt herself melting as he took her in his arms. Danny moved with the grace of a panther and the gentleness of a dove, and Angel was transported to another world where love was all. How blind she had been, but now she could see and her heart was lost for ever.

  ‘You are an amazing dancer, Danny Wicks.’

  ‘With you in my arms I could do almost anything.’

  ‘I’ve been a fool, Danny. I’ve been chasing rainbows.’

  ‘Have you found your pot of gold?’

  She looked into his eyes and saw her future. ‘Maybe,’ she said, smiling.

  ‘That’s not an answer.’ He brought her hand to his lips and brushed it with a kiss.

  ‘I was wrong to turn you down, Danny. I didn’t know my own heart.’

  ‘You know that I love you, Angel.’

  ‘I love you, too.’

  He swept her into a twirl, whirling her round the floor until the last note of the waltz echoed off the crystal chandeliers.

  ‘Will you marry me, Angel?’

  She smiled up at him. ‘Yes, Danny, I will.’

  The clock in the entrance hall struck midnight and Danny led her outside into the orangery where he took in his arms and kissed her. Angel slid her arms around his neck and she knew that she had come home at last. When they parted to draw breath he produced a small box from his breast pocket and flicked it open. ‘I’ve been carrying this around for months – living in hope.’

  The solitaire ruby gleamed with fire as he slipped the ring onto her finger. ‘Merry Christmas, my beautiful Angel.’

  In the distance Angel could hear the peal of church bells. ‘Christmas will always be extra special for me now, Danny. I really do love you.’

  He kissed her again. ‘This is for ever – my own Christmas Angel.’

  A brand new series is coming from Dilly Court in 2018

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  About the Author

  Dilly Court is a Sunday Times bestselling author of over thirty novels. She grew up in North East London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband.

  To find out more about Dilly, please visit her website and her Facebook page.

  www.dillycourt.com

  /DillyCourtAuthor

  Also by Dilly Court

  Mermaids Singing

  The Dollmaker’s Daughters

  Tilly True

  The Best of Sisters

  The Cockney Sparrow

  A Mother’s Courage

  The Constant Heart

  A Mother’s Promise

  The Cockney Angel

  A Mother’s Wish

  The Ragged Heiress

  A Mother’s Secret

  Cinderella Sister

  A Mother’s Trust

  The Lady’s Maid

  The Best of Daughters

  The Workhouse Girl

  A Loving Family

  The Beggar Maid

  A Place Called Home

  The Orphan’s Dream

  Ragged Rose

  The Swan Maid

  The Christmas Card

  The Button Box

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