Gift of Love

by Cynthia Moore

  Adrian guided his horse closer to her side. “I was thinking about what we were discussing with Cord yesterday. We were certainly mischief-makers when we were growing up. Do you remember when we would accompany your governess, Miss Spotter, bring a picnic here, quickly devour most of the food, and then meander through the wood looking for old coins?”

  Rebecca giggled. “Oh, yes, I remember searching and searching for those coins. Miss Spotter was quite beside herself attempting to keep us in sight. Paul had read somewhere that King James the first had passed through this area on the way to London at one time. We were certain we would eventually discover some sort of treasure.”

  “We didn’t ever find anything valuable, did we?”

  Rebecca pondered his query as her mare ambled along frequently lowering her head to sniff at the frozen undergrowth. “I found a coin that was not old, and I remember that Paul unearthed a piece of broken pottery. I don’t remember you finding anything of interest at all.”

  “I was probably too focused on assisting you in your searches to explore on my own,” Adrian replied with a grin.

  Rebecca turned to study him for a moment and then spoke. “The three of us certainly spent many hours together plotting new schemes. Paul and I were lost when you left to go to Cambridge.”

  “I thought you two were still able to come up with some sort of diversions after I had departed.”

  “Oh, yes we managed to invent a few escapades that kept us entertained for a time.” Rebecca stared across the open meadow to the stand of barren walnut trees that ringed the edge of the park. “Then I began to spend more and more time on my own in the summerhouse.”

  “What did you find to occupy you there?”

  Rebecca blushed rosily as she contemplated Adrian’s question. She turned to face him. “I spent most of my time there dreaming of meeting a handsome gentleman, falling in love, and getting married. You must know, daydreaming is one of the silly things young girls do in their free time,” she ended, a touch defiantly.

  “I confess, I find it hard to imagine the little miss, who acted like a hoyden for most of the time I spent with her, would suddenly change and spend her days by herself mooning over an imaginary person,” he countered.

  “I knew you would find it hard to relate the girl you knew when you went away, to the woman I became soon after,” Rebecca answered, somewhat soberly. “And then, almost four years later, I met James.”

  “I had forgotten. How did you meet?”

  “James had heard of my father’s interest in crop rotation; that we were experimenting with its methods. He visited Winton Woods to observe the process.”

  She reached out to pat her mare’s neck before continuing. “Cord informed James that my father was out in the fields and told him how to reach him. I was returning home from gathering flowers on the southern edge of our property when I nearly collided with James and his horse on the pathway.”

  “That was just before I graduated from Cambridge.”

  “Yes, you returned about a fortnight later. By that time, James was a frequent visitor to Winton Woods. In fact, I believe you met him the evening you arrived back home,” she remembered with some surprise.

  “I was intent on informing you that I had come back. I was loath to wait another day. I hopped onto my horse and rode like the wind, disregarding my family’s advice to wait to visit you until morning,” he replied somewhat ruefully.

  “It is all coming back to me!” Rebecca exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she remembered. “James had asked my father’s permission to pay his addresses to me that very evening. We were in the sitting room celebrating when you were announced.”

  “I was so eager to see you that I barely noticed the other occupants in the room. I rushed up to you and grabbed your hands only to realize that a tall, muscular gentleman was standing at your side observing my actions with some confusion.” Adrian abruptly stopped speaking and studied Rebecca’s expression intently.

  She gripped the reins tightly as more details of the evening came rushing back. “I was so surprised when you walked into the room. In the excitement and confusion caused by your sudden appearance, I momentarily forgot that you and James had never met. I was embarrassed when you abruptly stepped away from me and James inquired, somewhat bluntly, if he could be formally presented.”

  “That was certainly a very awkward moment,” Adrian agreed. He sat up straight and stiff in the saddle. “However, the oversight was swiftly remedied by your father, he introduced me and we moved on.”

  “Yes, you became fast friends. Then James and I agreed to postpone our wedding when it appeared that Napoleon would never be brought to heel. You both went off to join your regiments soon after.” Rebecca suddenly recalled an occasion when she had interrupted a heated discussion between the two men. “The age difference between you never caused any tension or resentment in the beginning?” Rebecca inquired. She steadied her mare as it side-stepped over to the edge of the path.

  “At first things were a little awkward. James was only three years older than I am, but he seemed to feel that he needed to play the role of mentor and advisor with me. I was forced to make it clear to him a few times quite early on in our acquaintance that I was perfectly able to make my own decisions. Once James realized that I was uncomfortable with his somewhat domineering attitude, he stopped all attempts to control my life and we became close companions,” Adrian explained. He pulled back on the reins and reached down to pat the mane of his horse as it pranced forward.

  “I know James was very impressed with your accomplishments the day we visited your estate in Berkhamsted. Burton Keep is so well maintained, Adrian. I remember the grounds were so lush and green. The house was so welcoming and warm inside. You must feel slightly disenchanted at your inability to return to your home at present,” Rebecca said with some concern.

  Adrian smiled down upon her before answering. “I admit that I miss my home. But as you know, my parents urgently required my assistance at Haverston Hall. And it is Christmastime after all. My brother arrives later this afternoon. What better time to reside here with my family and my friends close by?”

  Rebecca agreed with his observation before she noted Jacob’s lone figure perched upon his horse behind them. “I promised Mother I would assist her with decorating the house. I should return home now.”

  “Of course. I will ride back with you as far as the Hall.”

  They guided their horses back around the edge of the meadow to join Jacob. Adrian spoke once again as they reached the pathway.

  “Do you still spend time in the summerhouse, Rebecca?”

  “I haven’t been there since the day after James’ funeral,” she answered soberly. “As I explained to you, it was always a place for me to go to think and dream. As I grew older, I found myself going there when I needed to reflect upon a turning point in my life. I went there when James first asked my father for permission to pay his addresses to me and when you and James left to join your regiments. I suppose you could describe the episodes that I went to contemplate as life-altering situations.”

  “It sounds to me as if the secluded spot has played an important role in your life.”

  “Yes, it certainly has been influential in allowing me to sort my thoughts and emotions in privacy. My father never could have conceived that the house would be used for that purpose when he first had it constructed.” She chuckled softly. “He initially built it for my mother as a place to escape from the main house to write her letters or to read. But she claims whenever she thinks of using it, the weather is too cool or rainy, and she hesitates to leave the relative warmth of the sitting room in that circumstance.”

  She decided not to ask him about the puzzling comment he had made to her the previous evening about conclusions and common sense. He might be vexed with her if he was required to explain himself. Soon the three riders arrived at the main gate to Haverston Hall. Adrian turned slightly in his saddle and saluted Rebecca with his rid
ing crop. “I’ll see you and your family here tomorrow evening for our holiday celebration dinner?”

  “Yes, of course. We look forward to the occasion.” She smiled warmly at her friend and lifted her gloved hand in farewell before guiding her mare forward with Jacob following close behind.

  Chapter Three

  Lady Winton, Miss Frost, and Rebecca moved to the drawing room immediately after breaking their fast. A housemaid joined them to assist with unwrapping ornaments that were placed among the greenery. One footman also stood by with a ladder to help hang the mistletoe.

  Lady Winton handed several tiny wax tapers to Henry the footman. “Secure these candles to the leaves over the fireplace mantel.”

  “Yes, my lady,” Henry replied as he sprinted up the ladder holding the tapers in his free hand.

  Miss Frost lifted a small, gaily decorated chest in bright green and red from off the floor and deposited it on the table in front of Rebecca, trailing her shawls behind her. “Inside are the little wax dolls that you like to place among the greenery. Mrs. Cord told me she put them in this chest, which she discovered empty in the attic after the other crate broke apart.”

  “Thank you. Perhaps Sally can assist you with arranging the sweetmeat and almond papers.” Rebecca indicated the young housemaid standing shyly in the corner of the room close to the door. She looked down at the chest and uttered an exclamation of surprise. “Mother, look at this.”

  As Miss Frost approached Sally and began to assemble the various fruits and nuts in wrappers for the estate children, Rebecca picked up the small container and brought it closer to her mother. Lady Winton studied the brightly colored item intently. “Is that not the chest that you made when you were about thirteen or fourteen years old?”

  “Yes, it is. I thought it had been lost years ago.” Rebecca gingerly placed the little chest on the floor and opened the lid. She reached inside and pulled out a wax angel carefully wrapped in a piece of white muslin. There were nine more similarly bundled angels in the box. When she had removed all the figures, Rebecca noticed that a tiny piece of the crate lining was lifted slightly in one corner. She reached inside in an attempt to fold the material back in place. Her fingers located something wedged underneath. The diminutive object came loose with a slight tug. She inspected the item and then began to giggle. “Mother, look what I have discovered. I had forgotten all about this. It is a tiny carved tree made from oak. Adrian made it for me about the time I made this chest.” She held the object up for her mother to hold.

  Lady Winton studied the little tree intently. “It has an inscription on it, ‘To Becky. With Love, Adrian,’” she read out loud. “How wonderful that you found this, my dear. It is a very special keepsake.”

  Her mother carefully dropped the carving back into Rebecca’s outstretched hand. She wrapped it in a discarded piece of muslin and placed it upon the table in front of her. “I shall bring the little tree to the party tomorrow night. I doubt if Adrian remembers making it for me.”

  “Somehow I do not believe he has forgotten it, my dear.”

  Miss Frost interrupted their discussion. “Excuse me, we have finished arranging the children’s gifts. Do they meet with your approval?”

  Rebecca looked up at the decorations and smiled appreciatively. “Everything is quite lovely. Do you agree, Mother?”

  “Oh, yes. I believe we have a much better display than last year. Sally and Henry can finish placing the last of the greenery on the end tables and then we will be finished.”

  Rebecca turned toward her companion. “Miss Frost, I have a few more gifts to purchase in town. Could you please accompany me for some last-minute Christmas shopping?”

  “Of course, I can be ready in a few minutes.”

  “I will request the carriage to be brought around. Mother, do you need anything from town?”

  “No, thank you, my dear, I have purchased everything I need.”

  “We will return in time for tea. Miss Frost, I will meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

  “I will be ready, Lady Rebecca.”

  They entered the coach twenty minutes later. Once they were settled inside the vehicle with warm bricks at their feet and an extra shawl upon Miss Frost’s lap, John Coachman gave the order for the horses to start.

  Rebecca studied the barren, wintry landscape passing by. She thought of the upcoming celebrations and of the holiday party at Haverston Hall tomorrow evening. Another year was almost over, she thought with a sigh.

  “Are you missing Lord Archly?” asked Miss Frost with concern when she heard her mistress’s distressed murmur.

  “Oh, my goodness!” Rebecca turned with a startled expression to her companion and then moved her gloved hands up to her face in an agitated manner to attempt to cover her suddenly flushed cheeks.

  “Whatever is wrong? Do we need to order John Coachman to turn the coach around?” Miss Frost exclaimed, now quite distressed.

  “I’ve just realized that I had not thought of James, Lord Archly for several hours. I feel quite guilty for not being true to his memory,” Rebecca gasped fretfully.

  Miss Frost reached across the coach to rest her gloved hand upon her charge’s forearm. “I would never presume to advise you on how long it is proper to mourn for a man who you loved dearly and had planned to marry. However, I’ve been concerned at your continued low and downcast disposition. Today you were more like your old self, more content and at ease. I have also seen the elusive sparkle back in your eyes which had been missing since Lord Archly’s death.”

  Rebecca listened intently to her companion while attempting to calm her jittery pulse. “You’re not the first to mention my recurring somber disposition. I have lately agreed to rejoice in the part of James’ life that I was lucky enough to share with him and not to perpetually lament his loss.”

  “I believe that is a very wise course to take. Not only for your own health and well-being but as a respite from the worry and concern your friends and family have experienced because of your continued gloomy and depressed temperament for the past few months. It is understandable to be sorrowful in the beginning, but now it is time to move on.”

  “I will do all I can to become more like the person I was before James’ death,” Rebecca vowed.

  The coach rolled to a stop. Miss Frost began to gather her shawls together. Rebecca took several deep breaths in an effort to calm herself. The groom opened the door, bowed to the women, and lowered the step. After he assisted her and her companion to the ground, Rebecca stepped around to the front of the vehicle to give her orders to the driver.

  “John, please meet us back here in just under an hour. We should have completed our errands by that time,” she requested, feeling more like herself once again.

  “I will do that, Lady Rebecca,” replied John Coachman with a bow. He waited until the groom had taken his place beside him on the seat once more. Then he called out to the horses, and the coach rolled away.

  Rebecca shook out her slightly crushed skirts while Miss Frost adjusted her shawls. Along the main avenue of the town, the walkways were teeming with people. It appeared that half of the population of Amersham had decided to do some last-minute Christmas shopping.

  Rebecca strode forward calling out greetings and happy wishes of the season to acquaintances as she went along. Miss Frost managed to squirm past portly gentlemen, dodge boisterous groups of children attended by exhausted looking governesses, and stay relatively close to her charge’s side.

  Several people, both men and women, were intently studying the merchandise in the display windows of Douglas & Son Jewelry Store. Rebecca did not pause but proceeded inside.

  The interior of the shop was also crowded with customers. The elder, Mr. John Douglas, was behind the counter calling out an order to one of his clerks. “Lord Burton requested the necklace to be delivered to Haverston Hall tomorrow, Jack. See that it is done, lad.”

  “Yes, sir!” promised the harried clerk.

  Rebecca ra
ised her eyebrows slightly and shared a look of amusement with Miss Frost. “It appears that Lord Burton has been here before us. He has certainly wasted no time carrying out his Christmas purchases.”

  A bustling man who was a younger version of his father, John, halted in front of her and hastily bowed. “Good afternoon, Lady Rebecca. What items may I bring out for your perusal? Perhaps a coral necklace?”

  “Thank you, but no, Mr. Douglas. I would like to purchase some earrings for my mother. May I please see your selection?”

  “Of course. We have some particularly fine pieces that I could show you with tiny seed pearls and diamonds fashioned in delicate flowers surrounded and lined with silver.”

  Young Mr. Douglas brought out a tray with several delicately fashioned pairs of earrings. Rebecca studied them, discussed various merits with Miss Frost and finally decided upon a pair that included stems and leaves. The earrings were slightly larger than the other versions and they both agreed that Lady Winton would appreciate the jewelry’s intricate design.

  As the earrings were being wrapped, Rebecca studied some paintings of local landscapes displayed on the shop’s rear walls. “Mr. Douglas, I don’t remember noticing the paintings you have for sale at the back of the shop. Are they a new acquisition?”

  “Why, yes, they are recently acquired. Widow Barnes apparently has been painting local landscapes for several years. My father assisted the lady about a fortnight ago when she wanted an old table brought downstairs from her attic. Father discovered a treasure trove of paintings tucked away under an old blanket. He offered to sell some of the landscapes in our shop as a supplement to Mrs. Barnes’ income.”

  Rebecca walked to the back of the shop to study the paintings. Miss Frost trailed close behind.

  “There are the stand of trees and the meadow. This is the park where Lord Burton, Lord Paul Russell, and I spent so many happy days of our childhood!” she explained excitedly.