A Christmas Surprise

by Lindsay Downs

As the entrance opened, he glanced up from one of the many estate reports he was reviewing. “Yes, Horsfall?”

  He watched as the butler stepped inside the cavernous room. “Your Grace, the Duke of Somerset.”

  Simon rose from behind his antique oak desk and strolled around to meet his friend, hand extended in a warm greeting. “Somerset, it is good to see you again. Do come in, unless you need to refresh yourself first.”

  “No, I am fine, thank you,” he replied.

  “Have a seat,” Simon said then turned his attention back to Horsfall. “We will be having luncheon here, and I want you or one of the burliest footman standing guard outside the door. We are not to be disturbed under any condition.”

  “Very good, Your Grace. I’ll make sure the mansion doesn’t catch fire then.”

  Simon couldn’t help but notice the beginnings of a smirk on the man’s face. It didn’t help matters when he heard a chuckle emanate from his friend.

  “Somerset, do not encourage the man.”

  “Cheer up, friend, mine is just as bad. If I didn’t know better I’d say our two butlers were related,” Kenneth added.

  With a wave of his hand, Simon dismissed Horsfall. Walking over to the sideboard, he lifted a cut crystal carafe. Turning back to his guest, he raised the container. “Brandy?”

  “French?” he queried.

  “But of course. I have several locals with smuggler connections get it for me. Just because we are at war with Boney does not mean we cannot enjoy some of the finer pleasures in life.”

  “In that case, I do believe I will partake of a glass. After all, ill-gotten goods always taste better,” Kenneth responded, taking the proffered glass from his host.

  “How are you faring these days? I know it must have been difficult this past year. First Mary dying at this time of year then Thomas being wounded.” Simon walked around his desk to retake his seat.

  “Yes, it has been trying, but with my Thomas and your Aleece falling in love, that has help cushion the blows somewhat. And from all reports the children do not know we know about them.”

  “I got a report several of Thomas’s Guards friends have started arriving. You do not think he will get suspicious with them here, do you?” Simon’s voice hinted at worry.

  “Fear not. Before leaving for here, I posted a letter to Colonel Martel. I mentioned if they were to arrive early, yes they could mention the ball but to use the excuse of looking for fresh recruits and mounts.”

  “Ah, good. That corresponds with what I heard. No wonder we cut such a wide swath through the ton in our youth. Always watching the other’s back,” Simon declared, rising from his chair glass in hand and together the men adjourned to refill their drinks.

  Over the next hour they ruminated about their youth and the women they’d seduced or tried to.

  “I still cannot believe we both fell for the same trap much less at the same time in getting our wives to marry us,” Simon said as a knock on the study door announced their luncheon.

  They ate in companionable silence and only when the trays were removed did they return to the topic of the soon to be announced wedding.

  “Somerset,” his host started then paused as they put flame to cigars. “Are you sure Thomas will be able to rein in that hoyden of a daughter of mine. There are times I fear she will act without think of the consequences of her actions.”

  To reinforce his point Simon told about the fire and what Lady Aleece had done. At which Kenneth laughed.

  “I do whole-heartedly believe those two will be perfect for each other. I know my Thomas would have done the exact same thing.”

  “Yes, but that kind of behavior is expected from a male, especially if he is in line for one of the most powerful dukedoms in the land. A duke, or for that matter any who are of the peerage, is responsible for the safety of those who live and make a living on the land he owns.”

  Simon watched as his good friend relaxed back in the chair and drew in from his cigar. What irritated him was when Kenneth proceeded to produce smoke rings, something he had never been able to accomplish.

  “Blast it, man, will you stop showing off. Now answer my question. Will Thomas be able to keep Aleece in line?”

  “Let me answer your question with a question. Since we got caught in the parson’s mousetrap, have you been able to keep a tight rein on Eleanor? With my Mary, it was next to impossible. Face it, my good man, we married hoydens and our offspring take after us. All I can say is those two will have their hands full with each other and their offspring.”

  Simon pulled open the center drawer on his desk and withdrew several sheets of paper. “I feared as much. I took the liberty of jotting down several suggestions to include in the marriage contract.” He leaned forward, passing to documents over.

  The sound of horses outside drew their attention to the window overlooking the forecourt. “Let me show you what I mean.” Simon waved for his friend to follow him.

  Above the courtyard and hidden from the view, they watched in silence as Lady Aleece proceeded to mount her horse without the use of the mounting block. Unlike her partner who did.

  “What on earth is that thing your daughter is using? And who is that with her? She does not ride out with a groom?” Kenneth queried.

  “That? Something she devised herself. The strap lets her mount and dismount without help. It was something she devised after watching a small boy clamber up the side of a plow horse. As far as the other person, that is Debbi, her lady’s maid, whom I might add is in love with Gerrard, Sidbury’s eldest. And he’s smitten by her. She rides better than most of the grooms. Aleece refuses to ride with anyone but her. However there are times when I will insist a groom accompany them.”

  “There is no doubt after witnessing this Thomas will have his hands full,” Kenneth mumbled as he returned to his chair and perused the sheets in his hand.

  Simon stayed at the window, watching his daughter head out. From the direction he noticed her taking, he suspected the two women were headed out to the hunting lodge. He made a note to find out why Aleece hadn’t taken Sabre but her mare instead.

  Suddenly he turned to Somerset. “Excuse me a moment. There is something I need to check on.”

  The only response he got was a wave as he noticed Kenneth with his nose in the paper.

  At the door he spoke in hushed tones to the footman then returned to his desk.

  Within minutes the sound of horses’ hooves shattered the silence of the study.

  “Problem?” Kenneth asked, raising his head from the sheets.

  “Yes. The villain who set the fire has not been apprehended, and I fear for her safety. Yesterday she rode my charger, who is the strongest and fastest mount in the district. Today the chit is on her own mare. I sent a groom after her to ensure Aleece remains safe.”

  “Until the altar, then she will be Thomas’s problem.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  December 22, 1812

  “Good morning, Mother,” Lady Aleece said with smile as she entered the duchess’ private sitting room.

  “Good Morning, darling. Come give your mother a kiss,” Eleanor replied, turning her head to present a youthful forty-year-old cheek to her daughter.

  More from love than anything, Aleece did as requested. Straightening she noticed a tea tray with two set ups waiting beside the duchess.

  “I see you knew I would be stopping by on my return from town.”

  “Yes. And how was it? Will Mrs. Abernathy be able to make the adjustments necessary to the ball gown?”

  Aleece couldn’t hold back a titter remembering how the poor seamstress looked when she’d donned the dress. “Oh yes. You should have seen her face. She was even more aghast than you were last night when I tried it on.”

  “Darling, no one could be more shocked when I saw your bosoms were about to fall out of the bodice.”

  “Yes. I am glad you suggested I try it on. I would be very embarrassed at the ball if I became undone, as it were. But,
all is well. Mrs. Abernathy will have the dress delivered this evening. She put everything on hold for me, for which I am forever grateful.”

  “Good, now let us have tea and you can tell me what is going on in town. You know I have not had a chance to stop in, what with getting everything organized for Christmas Eve.”

  Lady Aleece waited until her mother had poured them both tea and passed the plate of sweet and savory bites to her. Once the duchess resettled herself on the rose-patterned loveseat, she continued.

  “The gossip is all about the fire the other day and how the culprit has been able to avoid being captured. Several expressed their desire to invite the Smyth family into their homes for dinner on Christmas Day.”

  She noticed an interesting expression, one of concern, in her mother’s eyes. “Mother, I know that look, and I heartedly agree with you.”

  “I will talk to Cook about them when I go over the menus for the next few days. She also mentioned she will need extra staff and I told her to bring in anyone she will need,” Eleanor said.

  “I do believe the two older Smyth girls know their way around the kitchen, might they be able to help? This way the family wouldn’t feel they were imposing on us.”

  “Splendid idea, my love. I will have Cook send one of her staff out to inquire,” the duchess replied.

  “That’ll not be necessary. While I was in town, I happened upon the doctor. He gave me some medicine for the baby. Seems the littlest one has a bit of a cough. I mentioned I would be stopping by this afternoon and would more than happy to deliver it for him.”

  “Of course, he was extremely happy at the prospect of not having to travel out in the cold. I swear we must find a younger man to replace him. Doctor Underwood must be ninety if he is a day.”

  Lady Aleece nodded her agreement. Then almost as an afterthought, “I happened to notice several officers from the Guards were in town. Did Father send for the army to help with the search for Seth?”

  “Not that I know of, darling. I am sure he would have mentioned it, but you know how your father can forget to reference important things like that,” Eleanor countered.

  “Speaking of that, why is Horsfall stationed outside Father’s study. Is he planning some nefarious scheme or something?” She watched as her mother fidgeted in her seat at the mention of the strangeness of a guard outside the duke’s office.

  When nothing was forthcoming as quickly as she would have liked, Aleece knew more than one person was keeping confidences.

  “Well, I am waiting,” her voice polite, but with a hint of demanding.

  “He is making sure your father and his old friend, the Duke of Somerset, are not disturbed. They went to university together and each stood for the other when they married. The duke came a few days early so they could talk about old times, which if I know your father includes discussing some of the ladies they chased in their youth.”

  Aleece could feel her eyes widen, not in shock but surprise, at this new aspect of her dear father’s life. Slowly, she formed a sentence. “Are you telling me my father was a…” she started to say, jumping up from her seat.

  “Rakehell. Yes, darling. One of the most notorious in his day. Between him and Somerset they were the two most outrageous scoundrels ever to grace the bon ton,” the duchess spoke in the hopes to head off her daughter’s rant.

  Now her curiosity was peaked learning her father was the kind of man he’d guarded her against since her come out. Appeased by what her mother had said, she retook her seat but not before snatching another slice of holiday cake.

  “If dear Father was such a rakehell, how on earth did you catch him?” she queried her mother.

  “It is really rather a long and funny story, but the short version is my bosom-bow, Lady Mary, and I were being sought after by your father and Somerset, except he was not the duke at the time but went by the Marquess of Langdonly. Seems they had developed a tendre for us, which to this day I still don’t understand, I being so headstrong. Anyway, the four of us were at the same ball and partnered in a dance. It seemed Mary and I could not get those two horrible men to leave us alone, so we devised a plan to rid ourselves of them. We agreed to constantly step on their toes whenever possible, knowing how much they cherished their fashionable footwear.

  “After Mary and I trod on our respective rakehell’s toes for the third time the men stopped, right in the middle of the dance. Your father stared down at me as Somerset did Mary, and the men then announced to one and all that if we wanted to step on their toes we would have to marry them. Taken aback by this unseemly outburst, all we could do was bob our heads. Of course, the men along with the entire ton present took our nods to mean yes. As they are want to say, the rest is history.”

  “That is the most intriguing and unique proposal. What did your parents say to it?”

  “Oh, they were all in favor of the union. I found out soon after that the duke had approached my father asking for my hand.”

  The sound of a distant bell signaled luncheon was ready. Arm in arm, mother and daughter descended to the family dining room.

  Entering the room, Aleece noted only two seats were set. “Father and the duke are not joining us?” she asked, turning to her mother.

  “No, dear. It would seem they are still ensconced in the study. With luck, we might see them at dinner.”

  With the able assistance of Horsfall, who had been temporarily relieved of guard duty, they stated their preferences for the afternoon meal.

  After selecting her choices of meats and steaming vegetables Aleece made the butler aware she would need her mount and Debbi’s to visit the Smyth’s.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  The sound of hooves thundering in their direction startled Lady Aleece. Her initial thought was the Travers boy had somehow obtained a mount and for some reason was coming after her. Only when she realized the noise was from the direction of the mansion did she relax.

  “It seems my father is sending us an escort,” she replied to the silent quizzing look of Debbi. “I wonder why?”

  “It would seem so. Either that, m’ lady, or he wishes you to return for some reason.”

  A moment later, Chris, one of the grooms, mounted on a retired steeplechaser, appeared. “Beggin’ your pardon, Lady Aleece, but I was sent by your father to ride along. He still fears for your safety since Seth Travers hasn’t been captured.”

  “Very good,” she responded in a cool tone. She wasn’t thrilled having, a groom, who might report back to her father as she was meeting Thomas shortly.

  A light touch on her arm brought her head around to Debbi.

  “Fear not, m’ lady. I’ll make sure he’s occupied so you can have time with Mr. Thomas.”

  With a knowing smile, Aleece tapped her crop to the horse’s side, sending her mount into a controlled canter.

  The three slowed to a walk as the hunting lodge came into view. On hearing the children laughing, Aleece glanced over to Debbi, who had the same puzzled look on her face.

  “You don’t think Mr. Thomas is here already and giving the little ones rides on that massive brute of his do you, m’ lady?”

  “If it is him, whatever he is doing, from the sounds everyone is thoroughly enjoying themselves.”

  Where the trail widened into the foreyard, Aleece brought her horse to a halt as she felt her jaw dropped open. Before her on hands and knees a sight she never would have imagined, Mr. Thomas was giving rides on his back to the tiniest of the children. With a whisper to Debbi not to go forward, Aleece watched in utter amazement this man frolic with children.

  If this was how he was with those not his, then he would not only be a good husband but a wonderful father, she thought.

  Curious as to how he’d ended up in this very undignified position, with a soft click of her tongue to her mare, she entered the grounds.

  “My! Now this truly is a sight. And I thought you only rode a horse, not acted like one,” she said with a teasing smile.

  Grabbing his
precious rider by her arms, Thomas slowly rose to his full six foot height amid squeals of delight from the girl.

  From the side of the house, Aleece saw Mrs. Smyth look up from the washtub then return to her duties on seeing everything was under control.

  “M’ lady, you wound me,” he affirmed as she watched him place his hand over his heart.

  “Sir, I rather doubt I could do such a thing.”

  Aleece wasn’t able to take her eyes of his broad chest, now not covered by a great coat but only a linen shirt opened at the collar, showing a tanned triangle of skin. She glanced down and fumbled with the dismounting strap in a rush to get to him and press herself against his muscled body.

  Frustrated at not being able to undo the knot, she kicked her left foot free from the stirrup as a set of strong hands grasped her waist and slowly lowered her. Desire pooled below her stomach as she was lowered past his lips. Throwing caution and propriety to the wind, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing his mouth down to hers.

  The kiss lasted a scant moment in time before she felt tiny arms wrapping around her legs.

  “Seems my presence is requested elsewhere,” she whispered.

  “Indeed,” Thomas replied, setting her down.

  “’Orsy, ‘orsy. Ride, please. Ya promised.”

  “That I did, young miss,” Aleece beamed a smile down at the four year old.

  “I see I have been supplanted by a true and noble horse. Not that I mind,” Thomas exclaimed. “Shall I do the honors, m’ lady?”

  Aleece gave him a nod then watched as without effort he lifted the little girl onto the saddle.

  Over the next ten minutes, with Lady Aleece leading her mare, Thomas on one side and Debbi the other, they gave rides to the children. Chris was relegated to holding Debbi’s mount.

  On several occasions Aleece noticed the two older Smyth girls eyeing Chris, which he seemed to enjoy. A few well-timed coughs from her stopped any tomfoolery on his part. She almost regretted the suggestion to her mother about hiring the girls to help in the kitchen, but reconsidered when Mrs. Smyth spoke softly but firmly to them.