Yuletide Happily Ever Afters; A Merry Little Set Of Regency Romances

by Jenna Jaxon

  “No.” She shook her drooping head. “I will simply give up this quest and submit to a third Season, like every other young lady who’s not found a husband after two years.”

  “Mari.” He grasped her hands. “Mother’s holding her Christmas house party in a week or so. Your family has, of course, been invited. And I will ask a chap I know from university.” He caught her doubtful look and smiled. “This one I know very well. And I promise to ask him every question I can think of to ensure he’s eligible and suitable for you.”

  “Truly, Will?” She stared into his face and a smile touched her lips.

  “Truly. And if he doesn’t suit you, I’ll marry you myself.” The words slipped out before he thought. Dread filled his chest, although dread of her acceptance or rejection he wasn’t quite sure.

  Instead, she giggled and twined her arm with his. “I am sure it will not come to that.”

  The question remained, did he wish it to?

  CHAPTER 6

  A dusting of snow had fallen the night before, giving Bramblewood Manor the look of a crystal sugar castle atop an iced cake. As Marianne and her parents approached Lord Cannock’s Georgian house, which they’d done frequently all her life, she couldn’t help but repress a shudder. She’d be seeing William for the first time since their wretched scene on the balcony at Lady Capri’s ball. How awkward that would be she had no idea. Even worse, her parents had insisted she stay on the property throughout the party, so she couldn’t even escape Will at the end of the evenings.

  According to Lady Cannock, there would be dancing, games, a trip into the forest to bring in the greenery, and lighting the Yule log. All the pleasant activities she’d done here for years. Not, however, with the strange new awareness she’d had of William since the balcony. She tried her best to ignore the feeling deep in the pit of her stomach whenever she recalled that night and how he’d cradled her against his broad chest…

  Shaking her head to dispel the image, Marianne instead focused her attention on the snow, sparkling in the late-morning light. A small amount was nothing; if a stronger storm hit, though, they could be snowed in for the entirety of the house party. What she’d do if she could not escape Will at all, she didn’t know.

  The carriage swept up to the door, and footmen raced out to take care of luggage and assist Marianne and Mama. Lady Cannock greeted them at the door, her welcome warm as always. The house seemed empty to Marianne these days, with two of Will’s sisters married and Julia’s wedding looming in the new year. She raised her chin and kissed her hostess on the cheek. “Thank you so much for inviting us, my lady.”

  “We wouldn’t have it any other way, Marianne.” Her ladyship cupped her chin and smiled fondly at her. “William tells me he’s been assisting you in your search for a husband. I believe he will be of great help to you during the party.”

  “What an attentive young man you’ve raised, Sarah.” Mama beamed at her longtime friend. “I told Marianne she was very fortunate to have such a friend. He must be truly fond of her to have rendered so much assistance to her.”

  “Thank you, Maria. Yes, I believe he’s been very fond of Marianne since they were children together.”

  Tired of hearing William’s praises sung, Marianne gave her mantle to the butler and moved toward the drawing room, where guests usually gathered. Facing east, the room glowed with the mid-morning sun that touched the light blue walls through a large bow window. Early guests, many of whom were known to Marianne, milled about the room, taking coffee or tea and chatting happily. She nervously smoothed out her deep rose day dress with small white flowers scattered over it, her gaze darting about in search of William. He must be at home, although, it seemed, not down yet. She must be prepared to meet him, although she dreaded doing so.

  As she moved into the room to get a cup of tea, deep male voices behind her sent a chill down her spine. Taking a deep breath, she motioned to a footman and took a cup of tea with shaky hands.

  “Miss Covington.”

  William’s voice startled her even though she knew he’d been behind her. She clutched the cup and saucer as she turned toward him.

  William stood before her, looking more dashing and handsome than she’d ever seen him—or ever noticed, more likely—in a well-cut, plum-colored morning coat, fawn breeches, and a perfectly tied cravat. His riotously dark curly hair made her want to muss it even further, as she’d done when they were children. Heat touched her neck at the thought, and she bent over, putting her cup on a table to hide her face.

  His companion was an interesting looking gentleman, of an age with William, though a bit taller and broader in the chest. The young man was well attired in a dark blue coat and brown breeches, a pale blue waistcoat and tall Hessians. Regular features, with a straight nose and very strong jaw made him rather appealing, although his most arresting feature was his almost-black hair with a startling streak of white in the front.

  “Miss Covington, how do you do?” William’s smile was forced and didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s so good to see you here. May I make Mr. Anthony Ayles known to you? He’s a good friend of mine from university.”

  Automatically, she straightened and curtsied. “Mr. Ayles, so nice to meet you.”

  “I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Covington.” The gentleman’s voice was pleasantly low-pitched. “William has spoken of you with great fondness.”

  “I was telling Mr. Ayles we should all go on an outing this morning to the woods to cut greenery. Mother’s proposing a party in a day or so, however, I think a few boughs, some holly, and mistletoe would put us in the holiday spirit from the beginning. We three can ride with a cart following behind us to carry the greenery.”

  “That sounds like a splendid idea, Stanley. A morning ride suits me best, especially when the air is crisp, so your scheme will be jolly fun. What do you say, Miss Covington?” he asked eagerly. “Shall we steal a march on everyone and bring back the prize?”

  Mr. Ayles seemed to have a fine spirit, if the five minutes they’d spent together was any indication. Particularly pleasing was his comment about early morning rides. She’d have to suggest they ride out tomorrow morning, without the other guests. Amazingly, the day was shaping up nicely.

  “I think it an excellent idea, Mr. Ayles.” She smiled encouragingly at him and was rewarded with one in return, his fine blue eyes shining with approval. “I will change into my habit and meet you both in the entry hall.”

  She glanced at Will, who’d been silent since the introduction. He stood, arms crossed over his chest, observing her with a cool eye. “Will that suit you, Mr. Stanley?”

  “Completely, Miss Covington.” His disinterested tone, so different from his normal voice, took her aback. Was he angry with her? “We will meet you there shortly then.” A curt nod of his head and he turned to his friend, suddenly all smiles. “Ayles, a game of billiards until then?”

  “Ah, Mr. Ayles.” Lady Cannock had sailed into the room unbeknownst to Marianne and now stood before them, her face wreathed in smiles. “I trust you are enjoying yourself so far?”

  “I am, my lady, very much so.”

  “I would ask for just a moment of your time, if you please.” She nodded toward he doorway.

  “Of course, my lady.”

  She took Mr. Ayles’s arm and began to steer him away from Marianne and William.

  “Shall I come with you, Mother?” A wary frown deepened the V in William’s forehead.

  “No, my dear. Please continue to entertain dear Miss Covington. I will send Mr. Ayles to you as soon as I may.”

  “It will be my pleasure to trounce you yet again, Stanley.” Mr. Ayles chuckled before turning his gaze on Marianne once more and bowing. “Miss Covington, I shall take my leave for a very short time.”

  Curtsying, she caught a glimpse of Will, eyes narrowed, face grim. Such an odd reaction.

  His mother continued to smile as she steered his friend away.

  In a moment, his forbidding c
ountenance had been wiped clean, a mask of indifference replacing it.

  “I will await your return, Miss Covington.” With an insolent bow, and he sauntered off toward the billiard room.

  Shaking her head, Marianne went with the housekeeper to be shown to her room. Once she found it, she discovered her maid had already set her things out. The girl now helped her undress and a sudden weariness descended on Marianne, making her arms heavy and her spirits droop. She needed a moment alone. “That is all for now, Cole.”

  The maid draped a dressing gown over Marianne and silently left.

  William had kept his promise. Mr. Ayles had turned out a much better prospect than anticipated, with handsome features, charming manners, and a common interest in riding. She moved about the room, from the window to the tall bed, ran a hand over its smooth blue brocaded cover then threw herself onto it. Why did the thought of William’s frowning face distress her so?

  She pounded her fist into the soft cover and a tear trickled down her face. Deny it though she might, she feared her dismay stemmed from the moment on the balcony when he’d taken her into his arms, had promised her things would be all right. Because she’d known in that moment that nothing would be right unless she could have William Stanley for her husband. How this had come to be she could not fathom.

  They’d fought all their lives. He’d pulled her hair as they played tag and pushed her into the pond when she’d visited wearing a brand-new frock. She’d pounded his foot with a pall-mall mallet when he’d sent her ball skittering far away and nearly choked him after he’d made her drink vile vinegar. How could he now be the one man she wanted to marry more than anything on earth? It was utterly ridiculous. She beat the mattress again and again until, panting, she turned over to stare at the blue-fringed canopy.

  Even worse, it seemed William still had no feelings for her at all. He’d brought his friend for her to bring up to scratch. Would a man do that if he was even slightly attracted to a young woman? These unsettling thoughts would drive her mad.

  To stem the tears about to flow, Marianne crawled off the bed and rang for Cole, determined to banish all thoughts of Will forever. Perhaps her attraction to him was simply a cruel jest her mind was playing on her. Well, she would put it to rest by pursuing Mr. Ayles, who, she suspected, she could come to like quite a lot. But, sadly, never as much as she did William.

  * * * *

  The cold, crisp air stung her nostrils, although it did little to dampen Marianne’s spirits as the three of them rode into the forest that bordered the manor house. She’d shaken off her melancholy, determined to put her mind solely upon the charming Mr. Ayles. Riding along beside her, that gentleman was proving quite delightful as a companion. His conversation was witty as it touched upon several different topics and his manners were as pleasant as any young man of her acquaintance.

  The same could not be said for William, who rode in brooding silence the entire way. If he would be so boorish, he shouldn’t have come at all.

  “Did your billiards game prove as enjoyable as you expected, Mr. Ayles?” Marianne sent him a coquettish smile, her glance darting past him to William’s dour countenance. Could a loss of the game be the reason for his gloomy manner?

  “It did indeed, Miss Covington.” Mr. Ayles grinned and pointed his riding crop at William. “Stanley here did not acquit himself well at all. Two games, and he scarcely sank a single ball. Made winning seem almost dastardly.” His eyes twinkled. “Almost.”

  “Perhaps Mr. Stanley had other things on his mind.” Raising her brows at William, she cocked her head. Had he been thinking of her and Mr. Ayles? Regretting their introduction, in fact?

  “No, I don’t think so.” Uncannily, Will seemed to answer her question. “Just a run of bad luck, I’d say. I think we’ve come to a good spot.” He pulled his horse to a halt and strode back to the cart to grab an ax, leaving Mr. Ayles to assist her down from her horse.

  “Sore loser.” Ayles grasped her waist and she slid down to land directly in front of him. So close, in fact, that his warm breath touched her cheek.

  Marianne stepped back quickly, a fluttering erupting in her chest. Although her proximity to the gentleman wasn’t improper, she didn’t want to appear eager. She sent a glance toward William, who seemed not to notice her at all. Ignore her, would he? Pursing her lips, she boldly took Mr. Ayles’s arm. Let William make what he would of that.

  Soon, the gentlemen were busy sawing and chopping down evergreen boughs. Marianne found a holly bush and carefully cut branch after branch. The slight scent of the broken limbs contrasted greatly with the clean-smelling boughs the men were gathering. The fragrance of Christmas itself that brought a secret smile to Marianne’s lips.

  “Look what we’ve just brought down, Miss Covington.” Mr. Ayles held up a huge ball of mistletoe, the shiny white berries nestled in the soft green leaves. “I’ll wager many will find their way underneath this in the next few days.” His bright gaze seemed to linger on her lips.

  Heat kissed her cheeks, and she shifted the boughs of holly in her hands, wishing she could fan her face with them.

  “Here, let me put this down and I’ll take those from you.” He hurried toward the cart. “Mustn’t let you get scratched.”

  “I’ll take them.” With swift strides, William stalked over to her and abruptly plucked the branches from her hands. “I think we have enough now. We can’t collect too much greenery, or it will spoil Mother’s party.”

  Marianne stared at his backside as he marched away, restraining the urge to kick it. Was Will being a complete cake for a reason? He’d brought her and Ayles out here, she assumed, so they could get to know one another. Now he seemed to act the jealous suitor when they were together. Did he have some regard for her or not? She longed to simply throw up her hands and banish them all from her mind. But she couldn’t do that. More and more, she found the idea of going back into Society for a third Season repugnant. So if Mr. Ayles was her final chance, she would make the most of it, despite what William Stanley did or did not do.

  She turned to Mr. Ayles, who’d stopped to stare at William’s rude behavior. “Mr. Ayles, will you assist me to mount, please.” She cast a glance at William, hoping it declared her intention to him firmly. “You were just about to tell me your strategy for playing billiards when we arrived here. I must hear it as we return to the manor house, for I would dearly love to learn to play. Do you think you might be able to teach me during the house party?”

  “I would be most happy to do so, Miss Covington.” Eagerly taking her arm, Mr. Ayles escorted her to the horses the grooms had been walking. “Shall we get up a little party tonight? I believe you will prove quite an apt pupil.”

  “That would be lovely. I shall look forward to it after dinner.” Marianne spoke loudly enough that William must hear her, but he seemed oblivious as he took his horse’s reins and mounted swiftly.

  What a dunderhead.

  Mr. Ayles tossed her up onto Duchess, and she gathered the reins, now more determined than ever to forget every warm feeling she’d had for William Stanley. “So, Mr. Ayles,” she called as soon as he’d mounted, “how did you manage to thoroughly trounce Mr. Stanley yet again?”

  * * * *

  The hall of Bramblewood Manor had never looked so full of holiday cheer. Above the entryway, boughs of evergreen surrounded three large oranges that perfumed the entire hall with a sweet and fresh aroma. More greenery wound its way up the stair railing, and Marianne’s holly branches had been tucked into the top of the long case clock and displayed in pride of place in a large vase on the entry table. Marianne stood on tiptoe, handing the huge ball of mistletoe to Mr. Ayles on a tall ladder so he could hang it from the room’s massive chandelier. With Lady Cannock’s permission, they’d begun decorating as soon as they’d returned from the woods. William had taken himself off somewhere, so the business had been left solely to her and Mr. Ayles.

  “I’ve got it, thank you.” He gripped the ball, now tied with
ribbon and decorated with a huge red bow. “Go stand over near the doorway to see if it is low enough.”

  Smiling, she backed the farthest she could from him and gazed critically at his handiwork. “Can you manage to move it just a trifle higher?”

  He complied, leaning over to pull up the ribbon.

  “Too far. It needs to go lower.”

  Again, he reached over and made a slight adjustment to the huge ball.

  “No, now you’ve gone too far the other way.”

  Mr. Ayles peered down at her, grinning. “I believe you are making a game of me, Miss Covington, in the hopes I will lean too far and topple to the ground.”

  Laughing up at him, she shook her head. “Never, sir. I would be much too sad should anything happen to you. And to prove it, I declare that the ball is perfectly positioned. You may return to safer ground.”

  With a chuckle, he swiftly descended the ladder and joined her, gazing up to admire their work. “I think you are correct, Miss Covington, or almost so. There’s one thing that still needs to be done.” He walked under the ball and gazed up at it.

  Brow wrinkling, Marianne followed him until she stood under the mistletoe with him. “What still needs to be done?”

  He turned to her, a mischievous smile on his lips. “It needs to be tested.”

  CHAPTER 7

  “Mr. Ayles!” Gasping, Marianne retreated a step, not sure whether he was serious or not.

  “My name is Jonathan,” he said, grasping her arms and pulling her close.

  Her doubts dissolved. Excitement surged within, a tingling warmth of anticipation building into a rush of fire to her cheeks.