A Cotillion Country Christmas

by Carolynn Carey

  Robert looked toward Thea’s mother. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your assistance, Mrs. Presnell. Considering that the house had been closed up for so many years, it can’t have been an easy task to get it ready for us.”

  Thea’s mother merely smiled. “You would be within your rights to tell me that I’d no business taking on responsibilities in your household and if Christmas wasn’t right around the corner, I’d have hesitated to do so. But considering how much Thea is going to have to do and how little time she will have to do it in, I felt you would want me to pitch in.”

  Thea watched Robert carefully but as usual, his expression was inscrutable so she decided to jump into the conversation. “You’ll be surprised I think, Mother, to learn that Robert is not accustomed to our Christmas traditions. In fact, he and his father never celebrated Christmas to any extent at all.”

  Thea’s mother nodded and addressed Robert. “I recall hearing your mother saying as much to me that year you all joined us at Presnell Place on Christmas day. Your mother seemed delighted that we still clung to so many of the old ways and she declared that she was going to start observing more Christmas traditions herself in the future.” She paused and shook her head. “Unfortunately, of course, she passed away a scant three weeks after that day but I do believe she would have immersed you and your father in your own celebration the following year, if only she’d survived.”

  Thea quickly cut her gaze to Robert, who opened his mouth to speak but closed it again when Mrs. Gilbert entered the room, followed by a footman pushing a cart loaded with refreshments. Since it was Thea’s place to make sure everyone was served appropriately, she was soon busy but she still found herself wondering what Robert might have said about Christmas if only they hadn’t been interrupted.

  * * * * *

  Robert listened to Mrs. Presnell talk about his mother’s passing, which had taken place here in this very house and he braced himself, waiting for a suffocating cloak of grief to descend upon him. Instead, to his surprise, he was gifted with a rather comforting recollection of his mother’s delight whenever they as a family had been able to spend time at Maulton Manor. Although it was still hideous that she’s sickened and died here, for the first time he realized that perhaps she would have preferred to pass away here rather than in some other place that she had loved less.

  And if Mrs. Presnell was correct in believing his mother had hoped to celebrate Christmas more fully in the future, then perhaps she would have enjoyed knowing that her future daughter-in-law would want the same thing. Obviously, someway, somehow, he should try to squeeze out more time from his responsibilities to participate in Thea’s plans.

  At that moment, Thea appeared before him with a cup of tea and a plate containing both pound cake and macaroons. She smiled at him, so he returned the smile, feeling a portion of his lingering irritation with her dissipate. Besides, she was so beautiful! Whenever he’d thought of her over the years, he’d recalled the beauty of a young girl. Today she was a full-blown woman and Robert felt his blood warming at the sight of her.

  Then he looked into her eyes, which sparkled with intelligence and perhaps just a touch of mischievousness. For the first time, he wondered why a woman so full of life had married a solemn soul like him. It couldn’t have been for his money because her family was among the wealthiest in the country. And it surely wasn’t for his title, because she could have attracted the attentions of a marquess very easily. In fact, with her beauty and the size of her dowry, she no doubt could have married a duke if she’d wished.

  But she’d married him and then he’d ignored her. He realized now that he’d been in the wrong to leave her so much to her own devices following their wedding. Unfortunately, he held out little hope that she would ever understand the extent of his responsibilities.

  He accepted his refreshments with a murmur of thanks and watched Thea as she turned around and stepped back to the tea tray. Then his gaze drifted across the room to the portrait of his father that hung above the fireplace. The portrait had been painted at his mother’s request two years before her death and depicted a handsome man with bright eyes and slightly upturned lips. Robert suspected his mother had been in the room while his father posed for the painting because the only times he’d looked so happy was when he was in her presence.

  Certainly he had never smiled like that after she’d died. In fact, after she was gone, he’d become obsessed with his responsibilities and had stressed again and again to Robert that he must never completely trust anyone else to oversee any of his vast holdings.

  Which reminded Robert of the amount of work he’d brought with him. He placed his half-drunk cup of tea on the table beside him, rose and addressed his wife and in-laws. “I must ask that you ladies excuse me as I have much work waiting for me in the library.” He sketched a bow and hurried from the room, choosing to ignore his guests’ widened eyes or slight frowns of puzzlement that his hasty departure had elicited.

  Fortunately, the library had been cleaned and a fire had chased the chill from the room. Robert unpacked his papers, checked the state of his quill and ink and set to work reviewing the figures that had been sent to him by his estate manager in Essex. Surely the income was higher than it should be. Robert had always instructed his managers that the care of his tenants and the maintenance of the estate itself were more important than any profits. In fact, since he didn’t need the money, he much preferred that it be plowed back into the upkeep of the buildings and improvements to the land itself.

  Before he could make an educated appraisal of the situation, he would have to check his manager’s columns of figures that detailed outlays for various expenses. He tackled the longest column first, carefully adding the right-hand column in his head. He was within two numbers from the bottom of the row when a tap on the library door caused him to lose count.

  Thoroughly irritated, he called, in a tone that was louder than necessary, “Come in.” Then he turned to glare toward the door as it was pushed open.

  Thea stepped into the room and paused just inside. The smile she had been wearing faded quickly. “I’m sorry to disturb you, my lord but I wondered if we might hope for your company at dinner this evening.”

  Robert stood, then glanced down at his desk and the various columns of figures waiting for his attention. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, my lady but I can’t spare the time. Would you please see that a tray is brought to me here?”

  Thea’s lips thinned and her tone chilled. “Certainly, my lord.”

  Robert continued to stand, waiting for her to turn and leave. Instead she stepped further into the room. “I have another question for you, my lord.”

  “Yes?”

  “It regards my pin money. I need to know an amount so I can determine how much is available for me to spend on charity for the needy and to allot as gifts for the servants.”

  Robert stood a little straighter. “Is this part of the Christmas traditions you feel so strongly about?”

  “Of course. My family has always taken food and garments to the poor on Boxing Day and in addition we reward our servants with gifts of money. I must begin immediately purchasing the supplies needed to make up the boxes for the needy. In addition, I must visit with Mrs. Gilbert and determine how much each servant should receive. But first of all, I need to know how much money will be at my disposal.”

  A frown pulled at Robert’s brow. “Forgive me, my lady. I’m ignorant when it comes to these traditions but I would have thought the estate would bear such expenses.”

  Thea’s nostrils flared just a little. “That would be up to you, my lord. At Presnell Place, the estate pays for everything to do with charity for the local poor but since you’re not in that habit, I’m perfectly willing to pay out of my pin money, assuming you intend to make me an adequate allowance.”

  Robert was aware that he’d just been insulted but he couldn’t work up any indignation. For one thing, his wife was perfectly within her rights to take him to
task. They’d been married for over three weeks now and he hadn’t given one minute of consideration to her needs.

  Too, he found it difficult to become indignant with Thea when anger darkened her eyes to a shade approaching indigo and brought high spots of rosy color to her cheeks. He found himself unexpectedly wishing that they were true husband and wife rather than strangers who’d agreed to follow through on a betrothal that neither had initiated.

  He glanced again at his desk and the columns of figures waiting for his attention. A log in the fireplace flared and perhaps because of its sudden burst of light, the columns wriggled in front of his eyes, reminding him unpleasantly of a serpent. Robert picked up the sheet of paper and flipped it upside down.

  “Of course the estate will bear the expenses for gifts for the needy and the servants. You may spend whatever you choose. And now that I think of it, I believe I’ll join you for dinner after all.”

  If he had expected an expansive expression of thanks, Robert would have been disappointed. All he received from his wife was a quick nod of acceptance and the short announcement that dinner would be served in half an hour. At that point, she’d turned on her heel and marched out of the library, leaving Robert to wonder how on earth they would ever make anything at all out of their arranged marriage.

  * * * * *

  Dinner, as it turned out, was a cheerful affair because Thea’s mother and sisters had stayed to dine. They went out of their way to include Robert in their conversations and even educated him regarding some of the recent changes that had taken place in the neighborhood. Although Thea gave every appearance of paying attention to what was said, she contributed little to the conversation. And just as soon as Robert’s in-laws had said their farewells and climbed into the carriage to return to Presnell Place, Thea informed her husband that she had a headache and was going to retire now.

  Aware that he’d been dismissed, Robert returned to his columns of figures in the library and didn’t retire until ten minutes past two o’clock. He wouldn’t have stopped then except for the fact that his eyes would no longer focus but he instructed his valet to be sure to wake him no later than eight o’clock the following morning.

  He actually awoke a few minutes before seven o’clock and by eight o’clock, he’d dressed, breakfasted and returned to the library. By nine thirty, he’d managed to finish checking the columns of figures but he now needed to write at least five letters. He’d just dipped the tip of his quill into the ink when a hearty tap upon the library door preceded the entrance of Sheldon Presnell, who was trailed by a gentleman dressed in the somber clothing of a servant and then by the other four Presnell brothers.

  “Morning, Maulton,” Sheldon called in cheerful tones. “Mrs. Gilbert said I’d find you in here. I’ve brought Mr. Murdock, who’s looking forward to helping you with your correspondence. You just tell him what you wish to say and he’ll write those letters while we’re searching out the greenery the ladies will want for Christmas Eve.”

  Robert pushed himself to his feet. The last thing he needed this morning was this visit from his brothers-in-law, not to mention the interference of a secretary who knew nothing about his estates or the problems that needed to be addressed.

  But apparently this greenery thing was important to the Presnell females, including his wife who thus far this morning had managed to avoid him altogether. He’d hoped she might join him in the breakfast parlor so he could attempt to smooth things over with her but when he’d asked Mrs. Gilbert if his wife had risen, he’d learned that she’d already eaten breakfast and was on her way to the village to start shopping for items to be placed in the boxes for the needy.

  Obviously there was much more to Thea than the indolent lady of fashion he’d assumed her to be. Which meant that he couldn’t cry off from going with his brothers-in-law in search of greenery unless he was willing to give her further cause to be disappointed in him and strangely enough, her opinion of him had suddenly become quite important.

  Forcing a smile, he nodded to his in-laws. “Good morning, Sheldon, Gerald, Theodore, Samuel, Thomas. If you’ll just give me a moment to explain my needs to Mr. Murdock, I’ll change into my riding clothes and we’ll be off.”

  Three hours later when the greenery-scouting party returned to Maulton Manor, Robert was delighted to discover that Mr. Murdock had done an excellent job of writing his letters. Not only had he adequately expressed Robert’s desires but he’d done so neatly and more succinctly than was Robert’s habit.

  Thus, when Sheldon happened to mention that Mr. Murdock had a younger brother who was a secretary in need of a position, Robert invited Murdock to bring his brother by the following day for an interview. The thoughts of actually having a capable man to take some of the paperwork burden from his shoulders had Robert in such sympathy with his brothers-in-law that he was almost sorry when they declared that it was time for them to get back to Presnell Place. He walked with them outside, waited while they remounted and then waved goodbye as they rode away.

  When he turned to go back inside, he was both startled and pleased to see Thea waiting for him just inside the door. “Good afternoon, my lady,” he said, aware that his tone had turned his statement into a question.

  She pulled her shawl closer around her shoulders and moved out onto the front steps. Her gaze met his but the sparkle appeared gone from her eyes. “I wanted to ask if the greenery expedition was successful.”

  He grinned. “Not only was it successful but it was a great deal of fun, just as Sheldon said it would be. If I may say so, my lady, your brothers are extremely amusing. I haven’t laughed so much in years.”

  He was pleased to see some of the wariness fade from her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed them.”

  He climbed the few steps required to meet her face-to-face. “I feel honored by their acceptance of me into the family. As you know, I’ve had no experience with brothers and I see now what I’ve been missing.”

  The corners of her lips curved just slightly. “I agree that having brothers—particularly those five—is an experience equal to none. Of course there was many a time when we were growing up that I would gladly have traded the bunch of them for a nice, quiet hyena.

  Robert laughed aloud, then took a step closer. “The air out here is growing a bit chilly, my lady and I need to ask your advice on a particular matter. Would you join me in one of the drawing rooms for a few minutes?”

  Thea’s eyes widened and her posture grew more relaxed. “Certainly, my lord. In fact, I’ve discovered a charming sitting room just down the hall from your library and I’ve decided to use it for my activities. If you’ll join me there, I’ll show you what I managed to accomplish with my visit to the village this morning.”

  Robert breathed in quickly. The room Thea had discovered could be none other than his mother’s sitting room and he’d not entered the chamber since the day before he left Maulton Manor for the last time following her death. His father had ordered the servants to pack away all his late wife’s things and to store them in such a way that they wouldn’t gather dust or be exposed to any of the sun’s destructive rays that might creep through the windows. Then he’d asked Robert to inspect the room to ensure that her books no longer sat on the table and that her tatting no longer lay on the settee where she’d placed it just before her illness, expecting to return to it and eventually to edge one of her handkerchiefs with the exquisite lace.

  Robert remembered stepping into that room, which had been stripped of all the pleasures his mother had enjoyed there and feeling the weight of grief settle so heavily on his shoulders that his knees had almost buckled. But he’d held up and after looking around, he’d stepped into the hallway to assure his father that the servants had followed his instructions to the letter.

  Now Robert’s own wife had taken over the chamber, oblivious to the sad memories that still lay in wait for him there. He couldn’t blame her for claiming the delightful room, which enjoyed a corner location and boasted wind
ows on the north side that looked out into a formal garden and windows on the east that enjoyed the morning sun.

  But could he enter that room again without revealing the sorrow that was sure to descend upon him? Yes, he could and he would. He owed his wife that much. So he squared his shoulders and followed Thea down the hallway.

  Thea smiled to herself as she walked ahead of her husband toward her new sitting room. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat encouraged about the state of their marriage. After all, she was by nature an optimistic person and even though her husband had turned out to be much more solemn than she had expected, she hoped he could be persuaded to worry less about his responsibilities and to reap more enjoyment from his blessings.

  She’d left the door to her sitting room open so she stepped inside and looked back at Robert. A worried frown touched his forehead as he paused in the doorway and looked about him. As usual, she found herself wondering what was going on in his mind.

  Then he smiled and Thea was struck anew by how handsome he was. His mop of dark hair had not changed at all since she had fallen in love with him when he was fifteen. And the breadth of shoulders that had been a mere promise when he was a lad was now fulfilled, giving the impression that he could bear up under many burdens. Perhaps, she reflected, he already had.

  His smile broadened as his gaze swept the room. “From all appearances, you had good luck with your shopping this morning.”

  Thea returned his smile and swung her arm wide to encompass the various chairs and tables piled high with stacks of gloves, scarves and hats. “Yes, thank goodness. I probably should have thought of making these purchases when I was in London but I did not and now I’m glad. The shopkeepers in the village were delighted with me this morning.”

  ”No doubt.” He finally moved further into the chamber, gazing about as though seeing the room for the first time. His smile faded.