“Yes, of course, I am all right. You do know that I am very happy for you. Lord Satterfield seems like such a lovely man, and I am sure he will make you very happy.”
Eleanor retreated to her room and sipped tea by the fire, lost in her thoughts. Ever since returning from Nathaniel’s home, she spent a lot of time alone. Even though it was nearly Christmas, Eleanor had no desire to celebrate.
Rebecca chose an elegant blue dress for dinner. Even in her melancholy state, Eleanor wanted to make a good impression on Lord Satterfield’s family for her sister’s sake. She dressed for dinner and put on the façade of a cheery disposition.
She headed downstairs to the drawing room, and when she entered, she came face-to-face with Nathaniel.
“Your Grace,” said, Eleanor surprised. She didn’t want to make a scene, so she kept her next words quiet. “What are you doing here?”
“Your father was gracious enough to invite my family to join you for Christmas. We have only just arrived. My mother and sister are still getting dressed for dinner.”
“I would like to speak to you after dinner, Lady Eleanor, if you will allow me the privilege.”
Eleanor noticed how he had addressed her by her formal title, and assumed Nathaniel was going to apologize and then tell her about his engagement to Lady Mary Fortington. The same thing had happened with Charles.
“Anything you have to say to me, can be said in the presence of others. Now, if you will please excuse me, I believe that Emma would like to introduce me to Lord Satterfield’s family.”
***
After dinner, the men joined the women in the drawing room. Emma led the group in Christmas carols, while Lord Satterfield’s sister played the piano. Lord Satterfield’s sisters and mother had already formed a bond with Emma, and it was easy to see they were happy with Lord Satterfield’s choice in a bride.
Eleanor had been avoiding Nathaniel and his mother the entire evening. Although she was pleasant and polite, she didn’t go out of her way to make them feel welcome.
Towards the end of the evening, Eleanor excused herself to go to bed. Almost everyone had retreated to their rooms, including Nathaniel. Or so she thought.
“Eleanor, before you go to bed, I want to show you something. Lord Satterfield and I have the most wonderful Christmas present for you,” said Emma.
Eleanor was intrigued, “A Christmas present? Well, you know I don’t like to wait, as I can’t handle the anticipation.”
Emma laughed, “It’s in the library.”
Emma and Lord Satterfield walked Eleanor to the library. Nathaniel was waiting outside of the large oak door.
“What have you done, Emma? You know what happened between the duke and me. I don’t understand why you would trick me like this.” Eleanor felt betrayed.
Lord Satterfield spoke, “Please, Lady Eleanor, you must hear him out.”
“You told him?” asked Eleanor, who was visibly hurt. “I told you what happened in confidence.”
“Eleanor, the duke went to great lengths to arrange this meeting. I agreed to help lead you to the library because you need to speak to him.”
Eleanor turned to leave and ignored her sister. Feeling like the world was against her, Eleanor started to leave. Nathaniel gently grabbed her arm and begged her to stay.
“Please, Eleanor. I must speak with you.” Nathaniel was once again using her familiar name.
Eleanor silently relented and followed Nathaniel into the library. Nathaniel closed the door behind them and led her to the place where they first met. The fire burned bright in the fireplace, and candles provided a soft light, creating a romantic ambiance.
Eleanor walked to the window and sat in the seat that was tucked into the alcove. Placing her hand on the glass, she stared out the window. It was a full moon, and the snow sparkled and glistened in the moonlight. She couldn’t bear to make eye contact with him. She loved him, and like Charles, he betrayed her.
“Eleanor, please, will you look at me?” asked Nathaniel as he took a seat next to her.
As soon as Eleanor met his gaze, the tears that she had not yet wept began to flow. He took her in his arms and kissed her on the top of the head. The wood in the fireplace crackled and popped.
“Please don’t be upset with your sister or Lord Satterfield,” started Nathaniel. “I begged them to bring you here. I needed to explain my side of the story.”
“You don’t deny that you are engaged?”
“I don’t deny that I was engaged,” said Nathaniel, while placing an emphasis on the past tense of the engagement.
“You made a fool out of me. Do you know how awful it was to have her come to my room and tell me you were betrothed to another?”
Nathaniel was still holding Eleanor as he explained, “My parents planned the engagement with my mother’s cousin when I was just a child. I was to wed Lady Mary Fortington when she came of age, but I do not love her. In fact, I don’t even believe we could be friends.”
“Does Lady Mary want to get married?” asked Eleanor.
“Not at all!” laughed Nathaniel. “After we met for the first time, we both decided that we didn’t want to go through with the marriage. That took place shortly before I met you. After I had met you, I told my mother that you were the woman I wanted to marry.”
“You knew you wanted to marry me that long ago?” asked Eleanor.
“Of course I did. I have never met anyone like you. I would even dare to say that I knew that I loved you when you first curtsied. You were so nervous and unsure of yourself, and then you told me exactly what you were thinking. Nobody ever tells me what they think because they are so eager to be in my favor. You didn’t care that I was a duke, and I loved that about you. Then, I found out we had so many of the same interests, and I knew that you were the one for me.”
“I still don’t understand why your mother said you were engaged if you had already broken it off.”
“Mama had her heart set on my marriage to Lady Mary. When I told her we broke it off, she refused to believe it. She thought you were the reason I broke off the engagement, so she figured with you out of the way, I would go through with the marriage to her cousin’s daughter.”
“Then, why did she agree to come to my family’s home for Christmas? To make me feel even worse than I already do?”
“Eleanor, I told my mother that I am going to ask you to marry me and she needs to accept my decisions. My mother’s true concern is my happiness. When she saw how distraught I was when I thought that I’d lost you, she confessed to what she had done.”
“So Emma didn’t tell Lord Satterfield what happened? I thought that Lord Satterfield must have been the one to tell you.”
“No, Eleanor. It was my mother who confessed. She wants to apologize to you, but I told her not to speak to you about it until I had a chance to meet with you in private.”
Nathaniel leaned towards Eleanor and gently held her face in his hands. She closed her eyes, and Nathaniel brought his gentle lips to hers. Eleanor warmed to his touch and felt as if all of her worries disappeared.
When their lips parted, Nathaniel confessed, “Eleanor, I love you with every breath in my body. I can’t imagine spending my days without you. Will you ever forgive me? And if you choose to forgive me, will you marry me?”
“Nathaniel, there is nothing to forgive. And yes, my love, I will marry you.”
They sat side-by-side on the window seat in the glow of the fireplace, holding hands and whispering until the early hours of the morning.
Chapter 9
December 24, 1814
Eleanor woke with a start. She bolted up in bed and immediately jumped to her feet. At long last, it was Christmas Eve. It was her favorite day of the year, and she was especially excited as Nathaniel planned to make the official announcement of their engagement after he asked her father for permission.
She dressed quickly and put on her warmest clothes. Eleanor didn’t wait for Rebecca to fix her hair; she just got ready by
herself like she used to when she was just plain Eleanor Chatham. She could hardly wait to decorate the house with greenery. Already some of the servants were out in the woods gathering holly, mistletoe, and evergreen branches. The groomsmen had been charged with the task of bringing in the yule log.
She walked back upstairs to wake her siblings.
“Wake up! It's Christmas Eve,” she shouted, as she opened each of their bedroom doors.
Emma, Katherine, and their brother were soon dressed and joined in the Christmas festivities with their sister. The rest of the household was still sleeping. The Chatham children had always loved Christmas and treasured their time together on Christmas Eve.
They sang Christmas hymns and gathered holly branches. Katherine made a snowball and threw it at her brother. Soon, Eleanor and Emma joined the fun as they had the most magnificent snowball fight. When Katherine got too cold, they decided it was time to head back to the house. They carried the holly inside, changed into dry clothes, and then helped the servants finish decorating.
“Good morning, Mama,” they chimed as she made her way through the great hall.
“Good morning children. You are up bright and early,” said their mother. “Have you tried the fig pudding yet? Maybe we should sneak down to the kitchen for a taste.”
The two younger children squealed with delight, as they followed their mother to the kitchen.
The groomsmen and stable boys brought in the yule log. It was gigantic and required eight men to carry. Eleanor hugged Emma as they lit it; it felt like Christmas had arrived.
***
Before dinner, Eleanor and Nathaniel’s engagement was announced, which created even more reason for the families to celebrate.
Emma sat at the piano and played Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Eleanor sat beside her and started singing. Nathaniel and Lord Satterfield then joined in, and it didn’t take long before the whole party was singing carols.
The duchess took Eleanor aside and apologized for her behavior. Nathaniel came over and joined the conversation. Emma and Lord Satterfield soon followed.
“Eleanor, Lord Satterfield had a splendid idea,” said Emma.
“Well, I can’t think of anything that would make this Christmas Eve better, but please do tell,” said Eleanor, smiling.
“Well, how would you and the duke feel about a double wedding?”
“What a wonderful idea!” exclaimed the duchess.
Nathaniel quickly chimed in, “Mama, I also think it is a fine idea, but I think we need to let Eleanor decide on that matter.”
“You mean, we would marry tomorrow? On Christmas Day? But, I don’t have a dress,” said Eleanor.
“Oh, but you just had that lovely blue gown made. I know it is not a wedding gown, but it’s so beautiful. You could wear that,” said Emma, happy with herself for coming up with a solution.
Eleanor looked up at her betrothed, “Nathaniel, I would love to get married tomorrow. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“My dearest, Eleanor. You have given me the best Christmas present that a man has ever received.”
***
The End
Bonus Romance Stories
Damsels in Distress Regency Romances
A Lady’s Reluctant Heart
Text and Illustration Copyright © 2016 by Caroline Johnson
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.
First printing, 2016
Publisher
Love Light Faith, LLC
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A Lady’s Reluctant Heart
By: Caroline Johnson
A Lady’s Reluctant Heart
CHAPTER 1
“Mama! Mama!”
The familiar annoyed voice made the duchess close her book with a sigh as her fingers moved to her temples to massage them.
“One day my nerves will get the better of me and these two will be left to shout at the walls,” she told her brother, who shook his head in amusement.
A door slammed in the distance and the sound of stomping became louder and louder until a fair-haired girl barged into the room, wearing a very prominent scowl. “Mama, tell Lizzie that she cannot claim the first dance with Lord Deering. She just wants him because I do and it is just not fair!” Isobel stamped her foot on the ground in frustration.
Another young girl glided into the room and shrugged in a dainty manner. “Too bad. Do get over it, my dear, and stop making such a fuss. The servants are starting to gawk.”
As her sister picked up the book her mother had just put down, Isobel clenched her fists. “Be quiet, Lizzie! Mama!”
The duchess gave a pleading look to her brother, who sighed and stood up. “Why don’t you and I take a walk, Isobel? And let us see if we cannot sort through this mess.”
Isobel looked at her quietly smirking sister and then at her uncle. Gritting her teeth, she bit out, “I’ll get my bonnet.”
As soon as Isobel exited, the duchess looked at her oldest, disapprovingly. “Really, Lizzie? Lord Deering? What has gotten into you?”
Lizzie made a sound. “I cannot help it. He saw me whilst I was out riding and he asked me. How could I say no? I did not wish him to think my manners were poor. Besides, Isobel’s reaction amused me.” She made a face at the book and handed it back to her mother, “I’ve read this one. I did not approve of the ending.”
Her mother put the book on her lap and shook her head. “Must you tease your sister so?”
“Why should I not? She makes it so easy, Mama. I cannot help it.” Lizzie sat on the seat by the window and picked up her sewing. “Besides, I want Papa to come back. I am so very bored.”
The duchess looked on disapprovingly. “You are the daughter of a duke and duchess. I find it hard to believe that you find the time to be bored, darling.”
Lizzie just made a noncommittal sound and focused on her task. Lord Deering was too old for Isobel. The duchess was so determined that both her daughters make a good match that she had forgotten that Isobel needed someone who could temper that energy inside of her. Lord Deering seemed hardly the person for that. Lizzie planned on making sure Lord Deering stayed far away from her sister. She’d play with him like she had done with many others, and then toss him aside. Isobel would find the perfect match. After what Lizzie had experienced, she was determined to guide Isobel to a man who would treat her well.
Lizzie turned her head, watched her sister walk in a very unladylike manner and nearly snorted. She would make a lady of Isobel yet.
When Uncle James returned with a calmer niece, Lizzie rang the bell for tea, and as Isobel left to freshen up, her sister followed her.
“What?” Isobel asked in a sullen manner, as she sat down at her dressing table. A maid was waiting to fix Isobel’s hair.
“Leave us. I’ll do that,” Lizzie ordered the maid.
“Very good, m’lady.” The fresh-faced maid hurried out of the room.
“Why did you do that?” Isobel turned around in annoyance.
“Oh, hush now!” Lizzie undid Isobel’s curls and started setting them again. “Have you seen Lord Wentworth’s nephew?”
Frowning, Isobel played with the pins on the table, her fingers restless. “Which one? Lord Wentworth has relatives all over England.”
Grinning, Lizzie pinned up another curl. “The one who could not take his eyes off you during the ball last night.”
Isobel’s fingers stilled. “Why didn’t he ask me to dance?”
“Mayb
e he was too shy or perhaps you just did not give him the opportunity to ask. You should look for him today. He seemed quite taken with you.” Lizzie chuckled. “I nearly missed a step when I was dancing with Sir Bale.”
Isobel made a face. “Why? So that you can take him from me like you did Lord Deering?” She yelped when Lizzie pulled on her curls in reprimand.
“Lord Deering is practically ancient. He might just fall asleep while dancing.”
That made Isobel giggle against her will. “He is not that old. Granted, he may have a few gray hairs, but all distinguished suitors do these days.”
Lizzie met her sister’s eyes in the mirror, seriously. “Is that what you want? Do you want to tie yourself down to a boring old man? You will be bored to death, darling.”
“Then why did you accept his invitation to dance?”
Lizzie raised her brow. “Because Lord Deering is looking for a young wife whom he can control.” She tightened her hands on Isobel’s shoulders. “I will not let that be you.”
As they exited the room, her sister asked, “What if he decides he wants to marry you? I heard Lady Frederica asking Uncles James about whether you plan to accept a marriage proposal. Soon there won’t be any eligible men left, Lizzie. You keep turning every suitor away.”
Lizzie grinned. “Do not worry about me.”
CHAPTER 2
A ball was taking place at Lord Deering’s. Lizzie and Isobel greeted friends and acquaintances with plastered smiles. Being that they were the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, many people sought their attention. As always, Isobel and Lizzie were expected to be on their best behavior. After an exhausting hour of niceties, the sisters found a hidden corner and let themselves breathe.
Christmas Wishes: The Love of a Marquess Page 18
