The Yuletide Countess: Harriet's Traditional Regency Romance

by Alicia Quigley

  “Well, the Paleys and the Walcotts are married into so many fine families, of course, and Isobel’s brother is Viscount Wereham, as you know. And Lord and Lady Walcott are connections, though more distant. But I am very lucky that Isobel enjoys spending time in London during the Season; for the past three years I have been her companion, and she enjoys attending balls and going to Almack’s.” Harriet paused, reflecting that a tiny white lie about Isobel’s emotions concerning Almack’s could certainly be forgiven. “I’m lucky enough to count several of the patronesses among my acquaintance, and I find them to be very pleasant indeed.”

  Lord Glencairn looked delighted. “Then I have made an excellent friend in you,” he exclaimed. “I fear I travel to London seldom, and have neglected the duties that must come with introducing a young lady to Society.”

  “I would be delighted to assist you in any way, as would Isobel, I’m sure,” said Harriet. “Though the Learmouth name must open all doors, I’m sure. You would have no need of my very slight influence over the patronesses.”

  “But your experience with Miss Paley has stood you in good stead in knowing the ways of the world,” suggested Lord Glencairn.

  Harriet waved one hand casually. “Well, I do not like to flatter myself, but I do think that I have seen far more than most women, and know quite well how to manage in Society. Even Isobel will allow that, I’m sure.”

  They had reached the lawn, and Harriet looked about, delighted. “Your children must love playing here,” she said.

  Lord Glencairn nodded. “They did, but they are getting older now, and Douglas is gone much of the year. I fear that Sophia must be lonely at times.”

  “But she has her governess, of course. I must admit to you, Lord Glencairn, that I have met Miss Dalburn and her charges from time to time. I hope that you will not mind that I have had some conversation with them. They are such well-behaved children, and Miss Dalburn seems to be a very sensible woman.”

  Lord Glencairn beamed at her. “You have met my children? I thought perhaps I might ask if you would care to do so, but now I find that not to be necessary.”

  “Sophia is very beautiful,” said Harriet. “And Douglas is so charming, and well-spoken. I can see why you are so proud of them.”

  “What a pity you had no children of your own,” said Lord Glencairn. “You appear to have much affection for those of others.”

  “It is a great sorrow of mine, of course,” agreed Harriet. “But we cannot always have that for which we wish. I find the life I lead to be very agreeable, and it has put me in the way of many adventures I might not otherwise have had. Indeed, I would not have met you, or your children, or seen this lovely garden, had I been married when I was twenty.”

  “No indeed,” agreed the earl, much struck by this observation.

  They strolled up to the lake, and Harriet smiled at his lordship rapturously. “I thought that the gardens were so lovely, and the lawn so grand, but now I see that the best is here at the end,” she said. “What a beautiful lake, and the willows add just the right touch of melancholy as their branches trail in the water. There! You see, it has made me positively poetic, a trait I am not known for at all.”

  “I must agree that this is my favorite part of the Glencairn grounds,” said the earl. “And here is the site of the folly.”

  He led Harriet to one side, a bit farther from the lake, at the end of the lawn. She glanced around approvingly.

  “What a perfect spot,” she said. “You will be able to sit in it and admire the lake, and it will also be possible to see it from the terrace, where it will enhance that view, if that is possible.”

  “I see you have an excellent eye, Miss Walcott,” said Lord Glencairn.

  “If I do, I’m sure it is from knowing Isobel. She is so very knowledgeable about these things.”

  As the two surveyed the scene, the sounds of young voices could be heard approaching, and Sophia and Douglas appeared across the lawn. The hem of Sophia’s gown was wet and muddy, and Douglass’ shirt was streaked with dirt, but they were smiling widely and seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Miss Dalburn followed at a distance, obviously having given up on keeping pace with her charges.

  “Miss Walcott!” called Douglas, and he broke into a run. Sophia hitched up her skirt in a most unladylike fashion, and followed him.

  “Miss Walcott, how nice to see you,” said the boy, panting a bit as he drew to a stop in front of her.

  “Good afternoon, Douglas,” said Harriet.

  Sophia arrived close on Douglas’s heels, and, coming to an awkward halt, bobbed a half curtsey. “Miss Walcott, how are you?” she burbled. “Only fancy, Douglas and I have been fishing!”

  “Did you catch anything?” asked Harriet, smiling warmly.

  “No, because Douglas was too impatient. He would not stand still, and so the fish knew we were there.”

  “It was not my fault,” protested Douglas. “Sophy had no idea what she was doing, and I was trying to help her.”

  “Nonsense,” protested Sophia.

  Harriet began to laugh. “Surely your father could teach you both how to fish, or Lord Francis might, if you ask him nicely. He is very proficient at the art, I’m told. How nice to see you, Miss Dalburn,” she added, as Catherine made her way up to the group.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Walcott,” said Catherine. The two women exchanged a meaningful glance.

  Lord Glencairn beamed at the group. “I see that I will not have to introduce you all,” he said. “Miss Walcott seems to be quite one of the family.”

  “She has helped me with my watercolors,” said Sophy. “It is a great deal more fun to paint outside than it is to do so in a dreary schoolroom.”

  “I suppose it may be,” observed Lord Glencairn. “Not being a student of the art, I cannot judge, but being outside in the summer is preferable to being in a musty room, no matter the activity.”

  He watched as Sophy took Harriet’s hand in hers and tugged her to one side. “You see, Miss Walcott?” she said, pointing toward the castle. “Is this not a splendid view? Will you help me sketch it out?”

  “I would be very happy to do so, if Miss Dalburn has no objections.”

  “Not at all,” replied Catherine. “Your skills at water colors are far superior to mine. But first I think you should change your dress, Sophy.”

  “Indeed, I think we all need some relaxation,” said Lord Glencairn. “Miss Walcott, would you care to have a cup of tea with my children and myself?”

  “I would be very happy to do so,” said Harriet.

  The group turned back toward the castle, the children running and bobbing about, and Miss Dalburn walking slightly behind Harriet, who leaned on his lordship’s arm. All in all, Harriet reflected, it had been a successful afternoon.

  Chapter 11

  Dearest Pippa,

  I know it has been some time since my last letter; I have been so busy that I’ve had hardly a moment for myself. I am sure that you are surprised that my letters from Scotland are so long and full of stories of parties and picnics, as, in the past, I believe I have told you mostly of reading and solitary walks. But my acquaintance with Miss Dalburn and Glencairn’s children has led me to spend hardly a moment at Dargenwater Cottage.

  On most days I take the carriage to the castle (I often find it difficult to believe that I am truly visiting a castle!), or walk, if I am feeling strong and the weather is good, and I help Lady Sophia with her painting, or I discuss the things she will need to know when she makes her debut. She is a sweet girl, but sadly lacking in sophistication, as she has been much loved and sheltered by her father. Thus, she has no idea at all of the difficulties that she may encounter. I do not wish to frighten her, for a young woman’s debut should be a pleasant time, but she must have a firm grip on the intricacies of London Society. And so we discuss the great families of England and how to speak to a peer, and to a gentleman, and to a servant, so that her manners will be thought pleasing, and all of the m
inutiae of tonnish behavior. In this way she will know how to get on the world, and, in the meantime, Miss Dalburn has more time to spend with Douglas and his schoolbooks. I think the poor boy is a bit envious of his sister, as it appears to him that she is playing while he works, but you and I know, Pippa dear, that a man, and the heir to an earldom, will be given much more leeway than his sister, who looks to make a good marriage! Despite her father’s wealth and reputation, it is always possible to go astray. Only think of poor Caro Lamb, who threw away her entire reputation over that ridiculous poet! I allow that he is handsome, but to discard a husband such as William Lamb is outside the realm of good sense!

  We also take advantage of the lovely summer days and stroll in the gardens and watch the folly take shape. I think it is a delightful building, and while I cannot appreciate all the fine details that Miss Paley explains to me, I do know that Lord Glencairn and his descendants will take great delight in it. It is wonderful to see Miss Paley and Lord Francis consulting with one another; indeed I think that she spends far more time on it than is necessary, and that she takes great pleasure in his company. Lord G and I are very pleased that our little plan seems to be working so well, and I have great hopes of an eventual engagement between the two.

  As for me and my hopes, dearest sister—I do find myself thrown into Lord G’s company a great deal. I know he loves his children and wishes to see them, but I do cherish a hope that my presence is one of the reasons he comes to the schoolroom or to the garden so often. Miss Dalburn assures me that he was not nearly so regular a visitor before I started to come to the castle each day, and he does seem to listen attentively to my advice. I tell you, and you only, that I find myself more and more charmed by Lord G; at first I thought him a pleasant man, but of late I have found stronger emotions stirring in my breast. It is very odd indeed, but I do not think that the word love is too strong for what I feel. I can only hope that some slight reflection of my emotions is also growing within Lord G!

  And now, my dear, I will end this letter as I must leave soon for the castle. I have promised Miss Dalburn that I will be there by twelve-o-clock. Hug your precious children for me!

  Affectionately,

  Harriet

  Harriet stood in the garden at Glencairn, her easel in front of her, and her watercolors at her side. She frowned slightly at the painting she was working on; it was of the castle itself, and while it was a fair representation of that noble building, she felt that somehow it failed to capture its essential charm. Perhaps she had become too fond of the place to be able to view it simply as another picturesque structure.

  “Miss Walcott, do please help me,” said Sophy.

  Harriet turned to her young friend. “What is it, my dear?”

  “I cannot mix these colors correctly. I wish to produce the shade of green of the trees, and I cannot seem to do it.”

  Harriet moved to her side and gazed at the painting. “You need a touch more yellow, child,” she said. “Here, let me show you.” She took Sophy’s brush and dabbed at the yellow paint, mixing more of it into the blue on the palette.

  “Thank you!” said Sophy. “That is perfect. I do feel lucky that you are here to help me, Miss Walcott.”

  “It is I who am lucky, my dear. I have enjoyed my days here with you, your brother, and Miss Dalburn a great deal.”

  “And Papa,” said Sophy.

  “What? Oh yes, and your father, to be sure. He has been very kind to me as well.”

  “He says very complimentary things about you,” said Sophy guilelessly.

  Harriet firmly squashed her immediate desire to plumb the girl for information. “Does he indeed?” she asked. “How kind of him. I’m glad to have the esteem of such a pleasant gentleman.”

  “He is very happy that you are helping me to learn the ways of Society,” said Sophy.

  Harriet felt a slight chill of disappointment and firmly banished it. “It has been a great pleasure to me as well,” she said. She set her brush down. “I must be going, my dear. I need to discuss with Cook the meals for the next week at Dargenwater Cottage, and she will be very annoyed if I am not along before she must begin to prepare dinner.”

  “What a pity,” said Sophy. But she began to obediently pack up her paints, and Harriet did so as well. She gestured to a footman, who promptly carried their easels and other materials into the castle. Sophy and Harriet strolled behind him, and entered the building, pausing in the main hall.

  “Will you visit me again tomorrow?” asked Sophy.

  “I would love to, my dear,” said Harriet. “We need to finish our paintings, and I know that Douglas means to join us as well. I will be here in the morning.”

  Lord Glencairn strode into the hall at that moment, in a well cut black wool riding coat, buckskin breeches that showed off his still-muscular thighs, and riding boots. He looked strong and rugged, yet his well-fitting clothes were clearly those of a gentleman, and Harriet’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him. He was a very fine figure of a man, she reflected.

  “What, Miss Walcott, are you leaving us so soon?” he asked. “I thought you might join us for a cup of tea.”

  “Duty calls at Dargenwater Cottage,” she said regretfully. “Some small household matters need to be attended to, and if they are neglected, larger problems will surely occur.”

  “A sensible observation, Miss Walcott,” said his lordship. He gave her a searching look, and Harriet felt a moment of relief that her bonnet and pelisse were really quite dashing, and her dress was of the finest muslin. It was fortunate that Isobel had always insisted that Harriet be dressed in the first stare of fashion. While she had never worried much about her clothing, her wardrobe had no doubt gone far to convincing Lord Glencairn that she indeed knew her way about the London scene.

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  “Did you walk today Miss Walcott?” he asked.

  “I did indeed. The weather was too lovely not to enjoy it, and the path between the castle and Dargenwater Cottage is so beautiful that it seemed a pity not to enjoy it.”

  “Then will you allow me to escort you home?” he asked.

  “Oh! Yes, of course, I would enjoy some company. The scenery will only be enhanced by pleasant conversation.”

  “Then by all means let us enjoy the scenery and a conversation!” said the earl.

  He picked up his hat from a nearby table, and a footman leapt to open the door. Harriet said her good-byes to Sophy, promising once again to return the next day, and then she took Lord Glencairn’s arm and he led her out of the castle and down the broad steps. They walked a few moments in comfortable silence, each enjoying the play of sunlight on the trees and the gentle breeze. As they reached the little path that led to Dargenwater Cottage, Lord Glencairn turned to Harriet with a smile.

  “I believe I must thank you yet again for your kindness to my little Sophy,” he said. “Just in the few weeks you have been coming to visit, she has seemed to grow from a little girl into a young woman.”

  “I thank you, though you are doubtless overestimating my influence,” said Harriet. “She is a very intelligent girl, and while I have assisted in some small way, she does not need much guidance. She has a natural good sense that no doubt comes from her father.”

  “You flatter me, Miss Walcott,” said Glencairn, but a pleased look played over his face. “She does remind me at times of my mother, who was much sought after in her day, and was also famous for her common sense and intelligence.”

  “I have seen your mother’s portrait in the Long Gallery at the castle,” said Harriet. “She was very beautiful, and Sophy seems to be proud of her.”

  “I was fortunate that my parents were fond of one another, and also were affectionate toward my sister and myself,” said his lordship. “I have done my best to emulate them.”

  “You are the very best of fathers,” Harriet responded. “Sophy and Douglas speak of you often, and with great affection.”

  “Do they?” asked the earl. �
�I am touched.”

  “They do indeed,” Harriet assured him.

  They walked some steps further, and then Harriet glanced up at him. His face was relaxed, and she admired the fierce blue of his eyes and his white hair swept back from his brow. Lord Francis was perhaps the image of Adonis, but Lord Glencairn made her think of Zeus, king of the gods.

  “How is the work on the folly coming?” she asked. “I have not visited it these past days, as Sophy and I have been busy with our painting.”

  “It is proceeding apace,” he responded. “I believe it will only be a week or two more until it is complete, with only a few touches to be added. I am hoping that Lord Francis’ project with Miss Paley may be coming to fruition as well.”

  Harriet laughed. “That is my fondest wish as well! Every evening I think to hear the good news from her, but while she speaks of him often, there is no word of a proposal.”

  “Lord Francis plays his cards close to his chest,” said the earl. “But I think we do not have many days more to wait.”

  “I hope Isobel does not ruin her chance at happiness,” fretted Harriet. “She can be so stubborn that at times I would like to shake her. But then, in the next minute, she is all that is kind and charming, so one truly cannot hold that against her.”

  The truth of this remark was so clear, that Glencairn had no immediate answer, and for a few minutes they walked on in silent harmony, enjoying the afternoon sunshine and the beauty of the countryside.

  Chapter 12

  Harriet and Glencairn were almost halfway to the cottage, when they passed the entrance to a dell opening off the side of the path, with a screen of trees lightly shielding it. Lord Glencairn glanced to his side, and then he reached across to lightly clasp Harriet’s hand where it rested on his arm. She looked up, surprised, and he nodded in the direction of the trees. Harriet looked over, and saw two people at some distance, sitting on a rustic bench and clearly wrapped in an embrace. After a moment, her eyes widened as she recognized the auburn of Isobel’s hair and the gold of Lord Francis’.