A Christmas Surprise

by Lindsay Downs

  “I approached her the same way a soldier would face battle, if I was a military man, straight on. The trick, my dear, is to never show fear. If you let the words spouted by someone wound you, then you’ve lost the battle.”

  Once free of the throng she glanced around to see who, if anyone, was within sight. Spying the area clear she easily guided him into the shadows. “Now, I feel you should be rewarded for your gallantry.”

  “My thoughts exactly, and I know the perfect way you can pay me,” he whispered.

  She felt a warm pleasurable tingle course through her as his arms encircled her waist, drawing her to him. Reaching up, she cupped his nape, guided his head down, and easily settled her lips over his offered mouth. With no need to be coaxed, she opened for him.

  A moan of pleasure slipped from her throat as he delved deeper. Her response was to press her body against his, aching for his touch. A feeling she knew was normal, or so she’d overheard from several of the maids as they described secret meetings with the stable hands who worked for her father.

  Every time they kissed she seemed unable to get enough of her Mr. Thomas, no matter how hard she tried. And the way he seemed to respond to her showed he was enjoying it as much as she.

  A subtle feminine cough seeped into her mind forcing her, against her wants and desires, to break the kiss. As she withdrew her mouth from his, she took his full lower lip between her teeth and teased it. She smiled to herself on hearing a pleasured moan escape from his throat.

  With a frown, Aleece stepped out from the comfort of his arms as she looked toward the sound. Seeing Susan being illuminated by the overflow of candle light from the ballroom, she let out a breath.

  “You scared me. I thought it might have been Mama, who’s been keeping a close rein on me lately.”

  “I’m sorry, but I would wager she will be looking for you both. Well, at least you, Aleece.”

  Mr. Thomas stepped into the light to join the two women. “And I, my dear Lady Aleece, must depart. I only stopped in tonight so I could tell you in person that I have to return to my estate as there has been a problem with a dam breaking. I must see to its repair before the damage gets too severe. Fear not though, good lady. I should be returning by the middle of next week, as I have already set things in motion for the repair to begin even without me.”

  Hearing the news, Aleece stuck out her bottom lip in a childish pout.

  “Then why must you go?” Aleece was even surprised at how whiney she sounded.

  “It’s my land and the people who live there, farmers and crofters, rely on me to make sure they are safe. Just as those who are within your father’s lands need him.”

  She was happy to hear that he insisted on taking good care of the tenants. Many, even those who had a title in front of their names, only took and never gave back. In this sense he was very much like her parents. What did puzzle her was how he could have obtained the land. She did know from previous conversations he’d invested in several businesses, including shipping along with the new invention — the railroad.

  Her father was always checking to make sure those under his protection were well-housed and had everything within his power to provide. Her mother spent so much time caring for the families, many of them named their daughters after her. Aleece enjoyed making the visits and as such several even named their daughters in honor of her. Not to mention there were more Simons than one could count.

  That Mr. Thomas was willing to drop everything and return to where he was needed boded well in her estimation of the character of the man. Yes, she thought, even if he’s not titled, if asked, I would marry him.

  “But, Mr. Thomas, by the time you return I will already have returned to the estate as the Season is coming to a close,” she said, not able to hide her disappointment that this would be the last time they’d be together, maybe forever.

  “But, that’s what I came to tell you, you silly goose. I talked to the duchess, and she’s agreed.” Susan stopped, seeing both staring at her.

  “What?” they asked together.

  “Yes, you’re going home, but only for a day or so. Then, miracle of miracles, you, Aleece, are traveling to my father’s for a house party. What makes it even better, only Debbi will accompany you.”

  “How is that helpful? I’ll be returning and Aleece won’t be here,” he all but demanded.

  “It’s simple. Jeff is going to invite you to attend the house party as well. We can’t have an odd number of guests, now can we?” Susan said with a smug look on her face.

  Hearing they were going to be together for a whole week, and with the social rules relaxed at this type of event, Aleece beamed a bright smile to her bosom-bow, then rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

  “That will have to hold you until we meet again.”

  Mr. Thomas shrugged. “Well, if that’s all I get now then I’d better be off to hunt down Lord Jeffrey.”

  “No need for that, for I’m here to invite you formally and to collect both of these wayward ladies.” He shifted his gaze between Susan and Aleece. “Seems two mothers are looking for their daughters. For what, I have no clue, but neither was in a bad mood. Yet,” Jeff announced, placing his sister’s hand on his arm.

  Aleece accepted the proffered arm of Mr. Thomas and followed the others inside.

  After delivering Aleece to the duchess, he made his bows then slipped out, leaving a curious Eleanor behind.

  “I can see why you are so animated when he is around. He has the same charm your father has. It is too bad about the injury preventing him from dancing, but I am sure with time it will heal.”

  “Yes, I believe so. And thank you for allowing me to attend the house party at the Earl of Whitchurch’s,” Aleece said.

  “Ah, here is our carriage. Let us be off,” Eleanor announced.

  Once settled Aleece glanced at her mother. “Mother, I understand that Debbi will of course be going as my maid and as I understand my chaperone also.”

  “Yes, darling. I’ll be going back to the estate with you. Your father is remaining behind to finish up some sort of business and will join me later. Also, this sounds like such a young crowd Susan has assembled. And I have complete faith in Debbi to make sure you don’t get into mischief. It will also give her a chance to taste a bit of society.”

  Aleece glanced at her mother with a raised brow. “I don’t understand.”

  “In due time you will, but not tonight.”

  Chapter Four

  After a fatherly hug Simon, the Sixth Duke of Carlisle, handed his daughter into their well-sprung and appointed traveling carriage. He then turned, gave his wife a brief but warm kiss on the lips, and assisted her into the carriage. With hands clasped behind his back he waited until the conveyance turned the corner before entering the townhouse.

  As he crossed the threshold, he paused and glanced over to Horsfall, his butler, “Tell Cook I will not be here for luncheon. I have a meeting, and I don’t know how long it will last. I’ll be eating at White’s but will be home for dinner, which I’ll take in my office.”

  “Very good, Your Grace. Will you be taking Sabre or the carriage?”

  “Have my beast ready for me in thirty minutes. He’s been inside for the past few days, so I’ll take him for a good ride first. And make ready for my return to the estate day after tomorrow. This will give my two ladies some private time and also give Debbi that extra polish she might need before leaving for the house party.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.” Horsfall bowed and left to complete his assignments.

  At the appointed time, Simon rose from behind his oak desk, where he’d been going over the latest reports on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. This was to be the subject of the meeting with Robert Jenkinson, second Earl of Liverpool, otherwise known as the First Lord of the Treasury.

  Due to the sensitive nature of the documents, he tossed them into the fire and waited until they burned before exiting his study.

  At the front door, he was met
by his butler who handed over his black leather riding gloves. The duke waved off his hat and when Horsfall opened the door, Simon stepped out into a beautiful sunny London day. A perfect day, except for not having his wife with him. He did feel gloomy as it wasn’t their normal habit to be separated.

  Meeting with Liverpool was normal for him, and he would share freely, or as freely as he could, the information with Eleanor. Sometimes getting a different perspective on the event discussed even if not asked for, as his wife tended to be outspoken at times. It was the get-together later at White’s he didn’t want to be questioned about.

  After galloping the fidgets out of Sabre, he rode over to Fife Hall, Liverpool’s townhouse in Whitehall.

  The meeting went well much to Simon’s surprise since Jenkinson had only been the Lord of the Treasury for a few months. He graciously declined an invitation from Lady Liverpool to join them for luncheon saying he had a previous engagement. Simon made his good-byes, mounted on his charger, and made for White’s.

  After he turned over the reins to one of the grooms, Simon bounded up the front steps, with the entrance opening as he got to it. Handing his gloves over to the waiting footman, Simon followed another to where his second, and more important in his opinion, meeting of the day was waiting.

  As Simon approached the table where the man was reading The Times he motioned his guide to leave. He stood in silence for a moment taking in what he could see of his old friend and former rakehell, Kenneth Heritage, Duke of Somerset.

  The man’s hair was still as unfashionably trimmed as always with not a hint to top thinning. He did detect a few strands of gray at the temple, such as he himself had. It wasn’t from old age, as in his case also, but from an offspring who lived for danger.

  Somerset was a man who lived the lonely life of a widower, his wife having passed nine months before, mere weeks before Christmas. His only son was home from the war in Spain recovering from battlefield injuries. It was that individual who was part of the reason this meeting had been called.

  Taking a final step forward, Simon cleared his throat, evoking the appropriate reaction from his friend, who set down the newsprint.

  “Somerset, old friend, it is great to see you. You are looking well,” Simon said as he extended his hand.

  “Thank you. So do you, Carlisle,” Kenneth replied accepting the hand.

  Simon slipped into the high-backed, leather chair opposite. “So, what do you think about our offspring?” he started in, never one to mince words.

  “If it works out it will be wonderful. I do not think we could have planned a better match if we tried. How does Eleanor feel about it, any idea?” Kenneth responded as he signaled for a steward.

  Simon waited to reply until after sustenance had been ordered.

  “If she knows anything about it she has not mentioned it to me, so I do not believe she is aware of the tendre between the two,” he said, once the steward had left.

  “By the by, how is the charming duchess. I would have thought to see her this trip.”

  “You just missed them.”

  Kenneth raised a questioning brow at the response.

  “With the Season over until the Small Season in the fall, Eleanor hied it home with Aleece, who was invited to a house party. We had already planned to visit my estate in Scotland so the duchess will not be accompanying her.”

  “That would not be the one being held at the Earl of Whitchurch’s estate which his daughter organized?”

  “Why yes,” Simon started but stopped when their meal was set before them. Once again free of prying ears he continued, “How did you know? Wait, let me guess, Thomas received the same invitation?”

  With a mouthful of food all Kenneth could do was nod.

  The rest of the meal continued in a comfortable silence, with neither man wanting to disturb the other as they feasting on poached Dover Sole, parsley potatoes, and asparagus covered with Sauce Béarnaise.

  Once the dishes were removed and various cheeses and fruits were set before them, they resumed their discussion.

  Kenneth picked up the conversation where they’d left off. “Well, I say that it is interesting that the two will be attending. I wonder if they might be caught in a compromising situation, not that I would wish it on anyone.”

  “That, sir, I seriously doubt. Eleanor is sending Debbi, Aleece’s maid as chaperone. You remember the girl, don’t you?”

  “Yes. I wish Thomas had had someone to play with growing up, but the other boys were either too old or to young,” Kenneth replied with a slight sadness to his voice.

  “And speaking of him, my people noted most curiously that he chose not to stay at the ancestral townhouse while here. Do you have any idea why that might have been?”

  “Yes, one of his Guards friends has an apartment at The Albany. As he explained the reason to me it actually makes sense. If the matchmaking mommas saw or knew he was staying at the house they would know he was my son. And he, like you and I did, chooses to marry for love,” Kenneth said, popping a grape in his mouth.

  “So that explains why he is known around as Mr. Thomas. Smart, that young man of yours.”

  “Yes. And he says he attended Cambridge and was injured in an accident with his horse. Makes no reference to being in the Guards. Let me tell you when the matchmaking mammas and their hoard of featherbrain offspring find out he has been hiding in plain sight, heads will roll. That I will love to see, as long as neither of our children are hurt.”

  “I am in total agreement with you.”

  Over the next several minutes, the old friends caught up on what was going on in their lives. They also promised each not to interfere with their children’s budding romance.

  After brandy was shared and plans to meet again were toasted to, they said their goodbyes at the steps of White’s, promising to keep in touch.

  Chapter Five

  “Come in Aleece,” Eleanor said in response to a knock on her private sitting room door.

  “Yes mother?”

  She waved her daughter to a chair and waited for her to settle herself.

  “Before we inform Debbi she will be acting as your companion for the Whitchurch house party there is something you need to be made aware of.”

  Eleanor let her words sink in before continuing. “The reason your father and I wanted her to receive most of the same training as you is because of whom her mother was.”

  “A countess, yes Mother. I’ve known for several years but didn’t say anything because I knew you’d tell her and me when the time was right.”

  Stunned Aleece knew the truth, Eleanor rubbed her hands together as she tried to collect her thoughts.

  “I am not going to ask how you found out only to say thank you for keeping it to yourself. For her safety, and now is not the time to go into why, her true identity must remain a secret.

  “That I can understand and agree with you. So the reason to have her accompany me is to start introducing her into society. With this house party being small it will be a good way to begin.”

  “Yes, that was our thoughts entirely. Now, shall we tell Debbi she is going as your companion?” Eleanor rang the tea bell and in a moment Mrs. Linna arrived.

  “Please ask Debbi to join us for tea.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  ****

  Lady Aleece wanted to laugh at the surprised expression on Debbi’s face. The duchess having only a short time ago informed her she was going to act as chaperone during the house party.

  “It’s all right, Debbi, mother and I spoke with the countess and she doesn’t have any problem with you attending in that capacity,” Aleece said, giving her maid and confidante a hug.

  “But what about the other guests? They know I’m a lady’s maid. If they see me with you instead of going about my duties, there’ll be talk. At the house parties I’ve gone to as your lady’s maid I’ve seen the things that go on. Oh, I’m not talking about the kissing and sneaking around at night, but the games and
such. I just know I wouldn’t fit in. Please, Your Grace, can’t someone else be her chaperone?” Debbi pleaded.

  “Debbi, everything will be fine. If there is something you don’t or can’t do, there’s no reason you couldn’t sit out that activity. Right, Mother?”

  “Yes, darling,” Eleanor said, then turned to the still distraught girl. “And that also includes taking your meals with the guests. I know over the years Aleece has schooled you in the finer arts of formal dining, but you haven’t had to put the skills to the test.”

  “You can always beg off and take your meals with the staff if that would make you more comfortable. Better still, have a tray sent to the room we’ll be sharing,” Aleece said.

  Aleece was pleased that the hurdle had been successfully surmounted when she saw Debbi nod.

  “But all I have are the gray lady’s maid outfits. Nothing nearly fancy enough to wear or be seen in,” Debbi announced.

  “Ah, but that is where you are very wrong. You have a closet full. Do not forget you and my daughter are the same size, so you will be able to wear some of her dresses and such,” the duchess announced with a satisfied smile.

  Aleece took Debbi by the arm and started to leave only to halt at the door. She leaned over to her and whispered, “And if anyone is disrespectful of you they will answer to me.” She glanced back to see if her mother heard. The smile and wink she got told her yes. Then in a slightly louder voice, “Remind me to pack my sabre.”

  “Do not you dare take that thing. It is too unladylike,” the duchess declared.

  “I was only teasing, Mother. I’m sure the earl has one I can borrow if need be.” With that the two ladies departed.

  The next morning, after breaking their fast, Aleece and Debbi were handed up into the carriage for the four-hour drive to the Earl of Whitchurch’s estate.

  “Debbi, I’m jealous of you in that traveling dress. I love it, but with your coloring, it seems to suit you so much better,” Aleece announced as she settled herself on the seat.