The Dressmaker's Christmas

by Eliza Lawley

  “You need to get your head out of the clouds,” Edie chided her one day after she made a silly mistake on a dress she was working on. “No man is worth losing your senses over.”

  While Thomas had kept their meetings a secret from his family, Holly hadn’t been able to lie to Edie. She’d confessed to the dressmaker almost immediately, and while the woman was less than approving of their courtship, she declared it wasn’t her place to keep them apart.

  Holly shot Edie and apologetic glance. “I’m sorry. I’m just worried. There hasn’t even been a letter from him.”

  “That’s a man for you,” Edie shrugged. Then, in a gentler tone, she said, “I’ve seen the way that boy looks at you. He’s not about to forget you so easily.”

  Holly wasn’t as sure.

  Each day that passed, she grew more and more disheartened. More and more convinced he would not return.

  Then, one warm summer’s day in June, as she straightened up the front of the shop, the door flew open and in he strolled.

  She whirled and gasped at his purposeful approach. He didn’t stop until he reached her, and he grabbed both her hands to hold in his.

  “Thomas! Where have you been? What are you doing?”

  He gazed down at her in determination. “Holly, it’s time for you to meet my parents.”

  She blinked, shocked. “What?”

  Pulling her closer, he declared, “I love you, Holly Clements. You’ve been the only thing on my mind for months and I want to court you properly. Officially. I want all of London society to know I wish you to be mine.”

  So many emotions fought for dominance, she wasn’t sure exactly how she felt. Confused. Ecstatic. Petrified.

  She was just a commoner with no family. An illegitimate. How could she possibly make a good partner for Thomas?

  “Holly? Say something.” His expression faltered for a moment in the face of her hesitation.

  “I…I…want to, Thomas, I really do. But, I’m afraid of what they’ll say. What they’ll think.”

  “I know, sweetheart. But none of those matter to me as much as you do. Say you’ll come with me.”

  “Thomas…”

  “Do you love me?”

  She did. With all her heart, but she was afraid to say the words out loud.

  “I do, Thomas.”

  “Then say you’ll be mine.”

  Her mouth opened, but she didn’t know what words would come out. This was all so sudden and overwhelming, yet exhilarating and wonderful.

  “My goodness, you two will be the death of me.” Edie’s firm voice cut through the air, startling them both. Holly and Thomas turned to find the dressmaker watching them from behind the counter, shaking her head.

  “You disapprove, Edie?” Thomas asked, a cold edge to his tone.

  “Absolutely I do… as you well know, young man,” she nodded. “It’s foolish, the two of you together, but I won’t try to stop you. If you’re willing to face the Lord and Lady with Holly on your arm, and you promise to protect her, I’ll stand behind you.”

  “Edie,” Holly whispered.

  “I suppose I should make you a dress for the occasion.” The dressmaker appraised Holly with a look somewhere between love and sorrow. “I warn you, my dear. This relationship is a fool’s errand.”

  Holly knew that Edie was right. She should tell Thomas to go home and never to contact her again. She should love him enough to walk away and not interfere in his life any longer. The truth is, she did love him enough and she would have been willing to do it. End this before they caused any kind of scandal for his family.

  But he looked at her with such love in his eyes; such determination. His hands on hers were so warm. His gaze so intent. His adoration so obvious.

  Holly feared that she might never say no to him. She would do anything for this man.

  Even face the rage of Lord and Lady Chesterford.

  Chapter 16

  “You look divine in that dress, my love.”

  Holly shot Thomas a small smile, and nervously ran her hands down her flared skirt. The dinner gown Edie had made her was indeed beautiful.

  The dress extenuated her figure, using a stunning mix of peach satin and chiffon, pearl-bead trimming to define the side edges and fluffy, short sleeves composed of lace frills. The whole thing was finished exquisitely with ribboned shoulder-bows and a pretty green sash around her waist.

  It was the most beautiful gown that Holly had ever worn.

  And now, here they were on their way to face their greatest obstacle.

  Holly and Thomas sat across from each other in his carriage just like the time when he had picked her up from the side of the road. Just as back then, their destination was Hamilrow Estate. They were on their way to meet Lord and Lady Chesterford, and Holly was terrified.

  Thomas reached across the carriage to take her hand in his. “It will be all right. I promise.”

  She released a shaky breath. “I hope so.”

  When they at last reached Hamilrow, Holly was convinced her heart would pound right out of her chest. Thomas exited the vehicle first and helped her down after him. Tucking her hand into his arm, he led her towards the front door. Were he not there to hold her up, Holly was sure she would collapse on the front steps.

  “All will be well,” he whispered as Buxton opened the door and they stepped into the house. “I’m right here.”

  She took comfort in his assurances.

  Lord and Lady Chesterford were waiting for them in a large parlour. Lord Chesterford was a tall, bearded man, sharply dressed, with round spectacles resting on his nose. There was a familiarity between the Earl and his youngest son, but nothing that struck Holly as immediate indication that the two were related. He regarded her with a sombre expression.

  Lady Chesterford perched on the edge of an uncomfortable looking dusty gold-coloured high-backed parlour chair. She was dressed splendidly and was dripping with jewels. Holly was taken aback by how young and beautiful she looked; more like Thomas’s sister than his mother. Her face was cold as she watched Thomas and Holly walk into the room.

  “Mother… father,” Thomas greeted. He stepped away from Holly to kiss his mother and firmly shake his father’s hand.

  “Thomas.” His father’s voice was stern and he didn’t take his eyes off of Holly for a moment.

  “Won’t you introduce your guest, dear?” Lady Chesterford’s tone wasn’t as cold as her stare, but there was a frostiness to it that made Holly shiver.

  “Yes… yes… of course, I’d be delighted!” Thomas turned to present Holly. “This is Miss Holly Clements. She is apprentice to dear Edie.”

  His father snorted in disapproval. “A dressmaker’s apprentice. You mean… she is a working girl?”

  Thomas nodded. “Yes, father. And very talented she is, too!” His voice was filled with pride.

  Knees shaking, Holly dipped into a curtsy. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance my Lady. My Lord.”

  Lady Chesterford released a heavy sigh. “You are welcome here, of course, my dear. I cannot say that I approve of your… friendship with my son, but he has spoken most fondly of you. We can be open minded, can’t we Charles?”

  Lord Chesterford shot her a narrow-eyed glare. She rolled her eyes in return and stood to her feet. “Come along. Dinner will be ready.” She took her husband’s arm and strolled out of the room. Thomas and Holly shared a surprised glance and followed after them.

  Dinner was an awkward affair, though not as painful as Holly had expected. Lady Chesterford made an effort to be pleasant, no doubt out of love for her son. She even managed to coax Lord Chesterford into the casual conversation. The evening was going much more smoothly than Holly could have hoped, and as the final course was served, she thought she and Thomas might make it out of the dinner unscathed.

  Her hope was premature.

  “Now Holly, tell us, how did you come to apprentice for Edie?”

  Panic seized Holly, and she blinked at Lady Ches
terford. Until that point, she had been able to steer the conversation away from her past. But now, she didn’t think she could avoid answering such a direct question.

  “I was introduced to her by a mutual friend.” She shot a glance towards Thomas, seeking some kind of guidance.

  Catching her look, he interjected. “She is really quite talented. You should see some of her work…”

  “What was your situation before meeting Edie?” Lord Chesterford asked, ignoring Thomas.

  Sweat beaded Holly’s forehead. “I worked at the home of…of relatives…”

  “You worked for your relatives?” Lady Chesterford’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  “Yes…I mean, no. I wasn’t employed, as such, I—”

  “What about your parents? Did you not live with them?” Lord Chesterford’s tone was suspicious, and Holly’s panic ratcheted.

  “Mother, father, please. Holly doesn’t need to answer—”

  “Quiet, boy,” his father snapped, his eyes locked on Holly. It was as if he could see through her dressed up façade to the abandoned little nobody beneath. “Where do you come from, girl?”

  “Father!”

  “Thomas! Be quiet! Obey your father,” Lady Chesterford hissed.

  Tears sprang into Holly’s eyes, and she blinked to try and keep them from falling. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? How had she been backed into this corner?

  “Answer me, girl!” Lord Chesterford barked.

  “I don’t know!” she cried, breaking under his iron glare. “I was abandoned at a workhouse when I was born, and then given to a family who grew to hate me. I don’t know where I come from, or who I belong to.”

  Deadly silence followed her confession, but it was quickly broken by Lady’s Chesterford’s furious shriek as she shot to her feet.

  “An illegitimate? A child with no family? Thomas! How could you be so foolish? You can’t possibly be serious about this girl?”

  Thomas shoved his chair backwards, nearly toppling it. Holly clutched her hands in her lap. “Mother, that’s enough!”

  “Don’t speak to your mother in that tone,” Lord Chesterford boomed. He was on his feet now as well.

  “Buxton!” Lady Chesterford shouted. The butler burst into the room; his expression startled.

  “Yes, my Lady?”

  “Miss Clements is leaving. Please, escort her from this house!”

  “Mother, don’t do this!”

  Buxton nodded and gestured for Holly to follow him. She didn’t have the will to fight. She was too stunned to do anything but stand and rush from the dining room. She couldn’t comprehend what was being shouted anymore, could barely understand that Thomas was chasing after her, his parents storming close behind him.

  Buxton needn’t have escorted her out into the cool night air, she had already balled her skirts into her fist and was running through the open front door and down the steps to the gravel drive. Thomas followed, his strong arms wrapping around her.

  “Are you okay?” he murmured.

  She shook her head, unable to speak. If she did, she knew she would break down completely.

  “Thomas, get back in this house at once!” Lady Chesterford snapped.

  Taking a moment to make sure Holly was steady on her feet, Thomas rounded on his mother.

  “Apologise to Holly this instant, mother, or I swear, I will leave here and never return.”

  The slap came so fast, Holly heard it before she saw it. Thomas’ head was flung to the side by the force of his mother’s hand. He stared at her in rage and shock, and she glared back at him.

  “Don’t be a fool,” she snarled. “Is this girl worth more to you than your title? Your place in society? Your family?”

  “Mother—”

  “You must choose, Thomas. Miss Clements or this family. You cannot have both.”

  Holly felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces at his mother’s words, knowing this was an impossible choice for Thomas to make. There was only one option, he had to choose his family, she had lost him…

  “Her.”

  The world froze around her. She couldn’t have heard him correctly.

  “What?” Lady Chesterford gasped.

  Thomas raised his chin. “I said, I choose Holly. I love her. I won’t give her up for anything, not even for this family. Not even for you.”

  Lady Chesterford stared at him in disbelief, her chin trembling.

  “You have betrayed us, Thomas,” his father stepped forward and placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder.

  “You will have nothing,” his mother whispered fiercely. “You will be cut off. Disgraced. No land or title. No wealth. No family. Nothing. Do you understand me?”

  Thomas’ jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Yes. I understand. And I stand firm with my choice.” With that, he turned his back on his family home and took Holly’s elbow guiding her to the carriage.

  She was too shocked to speak and could only stare at him in wonder.

  The sound of Lady Chesterford’s anguished sobs chased them from the property.

  Chapter 17

  The sun peeked in through the curtains, poking at Holly’s eyes. She slowly opened them and stared up at the ceiling. Despite everything that had happened the day before, she’d slept like the dead. Still, she couldn’t fully understand why Thomas had chosen her. How could she feel so devastated, but so exuberant, all at once?

  Rolling over, she gazed down at him. He slept on the floor next to her bed. She had brought him to the shop the night before and begged Edie to let him stay. They had explained everything to the dressmaker, who shook her head at them both.

  “I warned you, didn’t I?… I just knew this would happen.”

  She’d allowed Thomas to stay all the same, and he’d promised to find lodgings in a boarding house the next day. He had a little money to his name but now that his mother and father had cut him off, it wouldn’t nearly be enough.

  As quietly as she could, Holly snuck from her bed, tiptoed around Thomas, and moved into front parlour, where Edie was already awake, sitting in her chair next to the fireplace. She met Holly’s eyes when she entered the room.

  “How are you feeling today, dear?”

  “Better,” Holly croaked, her throat sore from sobbing into the night. “Overwhelmed. Heartsick. Overjoyed.”

  Edie’s smile was small and kind. “All perfectly understandable.”

  Holly slipped into the chair across from her. “He chose me over his family, Edie.”

  “I know.”

  “I don’t know why he did that.”

  Edie chuckled. “Foolish girl. That boy’s mad for you.”

  He was. She knew it, and she felt the same for him.

  Still… “I don’t know what to do next.”

  With a sigh, Edie said, “Well, you two will need to figure out a way to support yourselves. The money you make here with me won’t support a whole life for you both.”

  “That’s true…” She hadn’t even considered that.

  “The boy will need to find a job.” Edie raised her eyebrows. “He’s educated and smart. He shouldn’t have a problem securing work, although I dare say there’s not much in Whitechapel. He’ll have to look further afield.”

  Holly sighed, knowing she was right.

  A sudden pounding on the shop door had them both moving to the edge of their seats.

  “That’s odd,” Edie murmured. “Who would be calling this early?”

  “I’ll go check.” Holly stood and hurried from the room and down the stairs. By the time she reached the front door and opened it, however, there was no-one in sight. Stepping out to look down the street, she was surprised when something crunched beneath her foot.

  A letter.

  With her name on it.

  Heart thundering, she tore it open and scanned it, letting out a small yelp when she saw who it was from.

  Silas. Her papa.

  Dearest Holly,

  I am writing to inform you t
hat I will soon be departing for America. I have accepted an offer of employment at a firm there and will be leaving within the month. Rose and Daisy will accompany me, of course.

  It is with deep sadness that we shall likely never see one another again.

  Holly, my love, I wanted to say once more, how truly sorry I am for everything that happened to you at the hands of my family. I wasn’t the father you needed or deserved, and that will be the greatest regret of my life. I will take it with me to the grave.

  I hope that you find happiness in the life that you have so cleverly built for yourself, despite all that took place. If you haven’t done so yet, please take the locket to the gentlemen I mentioned to you previously. I believe it could greatly contribute to your happiness.

  I wish you only the very best, my dear girl.

  Yours Truly,

  Silas Clements

  A single tear fell and stained the paper. Holly smeared it with her thumb, her heart pounding with sadness and relief. The pain of his betrayal and Rose’s treatment of her was still there, deep in her soul. It was a wound she didn’t know she would ever fully heal from, but it didn’t stab her as sharply as it once had.

  The past was just that…the past.

  The Clements had been her family once but were no longer.

  She was making a new family for herself, with Edie and Thomas.

  Pulling the locket from beneath her gown, she studied it for several moments. It no longer offered her the same comfort it once had. She didn’t need it anymore, not when she had the love and support of the two people who meant the world to her.

  Removing the locket from around her neck, she decided it was time to heed Silas’ request.

  Later that day, with Thomas by her side, Holly dug out the small white card that Silas has given her in the street, and she took the locket to the address imprinted on it. It was the address of a high-end jeweller in Knightsbridge.

  After studying the piece for several moments, the old man glanced up at her with suspicion. “How did you come to possess this locket? Did you steal it?”