Christmas at Wynter House

by Emily Harvale

  Cecil and Ronnie exchanged anxious looks. 'We'll be fine.'

  'No you won't.'

  'We've got a cat. We can't leave Persephone. We can't. We won't.'

  'No one expects you to. Bring her with you.'

  Again the looks. 'But Rafe Wynter hates us.'

  She burst out laughing. 'Sorry. But I don't think he likes me much either. I'm still going to his house though. And I need you to get a move on. Apart from the fact I'm drowning in the rain out here, I've got two little old ladies freezing to death in my car.'

  'Persephone doesn't like dogs.'

  'Persephone won't have to sit with them. She can sit in the boot.' The look of horror on their faces made her realise how awful that sounded. 'She can sit on the front seat with one of you and we can cover her basket with a towel. That should comfort her.'

  Rafe's voice suddenly boomed out and Cecil and Ronnie quivered as he charged towards them.

  'What's the delay?'

  'They think you hate them.'

  He blinked as a look of disbelief swept across his face. 'Seriously?'

  She shrugged.

  'You do,' they said.

  'I don't. I don't hate anyone. But even if I did, this is hardly the time to debate it.'

  'Well, you don't like us much.'

  'So what? Look guys. I really don't have time for this. Can we discuss it when we're all safely away from here, in the warm and dry? Or do you want this lovely young woman to die of pneumonia?'

  Had he just called her lovely? Neva smiled at him but he wasn't looking at her.

  'We've got a cat.'

  'And?'

  'You don't like cats.'

  He sucked in a breath. 'I love cats. Now please guys, let's move.'

  'Please!' Neva pleaded. 'I'm freezing. Look. I've only got my PJs on under this jacket and I'm soaked.'

  Rafe looked her up and down, and the lopsided grin briefly appeared.

  He'd obviously just spotted the giant snowmen on her PJs. How embarrassing was that?

  'Well, if you're sure we'll be welcome,' Cecil said to Rafe.

  'I'm sure. Have you packed a bag?'

  'We'll be two seconds.'

  'Do you need any help?' Rafe asked, and he left when they shook their heads.

  A few minutes later, they and Persephone were in Neva's car and heading towards Wynter House.

  Chapter Twelve

  Neva had seen from the photos on the website that Wynter House was a grand, stately home. But as she drove up the winding lane and reached the fork in the road, which as Rafe had said was a pool of swirling water where the two roads above merged into one narrow lane, the glimpse she got of Wynter House took her by surprise. It was like something out of Downton Abbey, a series she had watched on TV and one that had been made into a movie very recently.

  She turned into the long drive bordered either side by massive oak trees; bare-leaved at this time of year but dressed from top to bottom with white static fairy lights. The second glimpse took her breath away.

  As she got closer and the house came into full view, she was speechless. Ethel and Queenie were chattering away in the back, each with a corgi on their lap and Ronnie was leaning forward giving commands to Cecil who was mumbling comforting words to a hissing and spitting Persephone, in a basket on his lap in the front passenger seat.

  'Why have we stopped here?' Cecil asked, looking up from his ministrations. 'We're in the middle of the drive.'

  'I'm well aware of that,' Neva said, staring straight ahead. 'But I had to stop for just a second and take this in. It's magnificent!'

  'What did you expect, sweet cheeks?' Ronnie slapped her lightly on the shoulder. 'You didn't think the county's two most eligible single men would be living in a hovel, did you?'

  The two most eligible single men in the county? Is that how people thought of Adam and Rafe?

  'I hadn't really thought about it. I'd seen the photos on the website but nothing prepared me for this.'

  The house was built of red stone and exuded a warmth that was both welcoming and intimidating at the same time. She didn't know if she'd like to reach out and touch it or bow down before it. It consisted of a central portion, guarded by two protruding towers; one on each side, both with onion-shaped, lead roofs which glistened even in the rain. To the left and right of those, an east wing and a west wing, both larger than the central portion, stood proud. There were large, mullioned windows everywhere. The house must be bathed in light, no matter what the season, or the weather. There were more white fairy lights trailing along the holly bushes at the front and across the frontage of the house and the large portico.

  'Well take a good look and then get moving,' Ronnie added. 'There are two cars racing up the drive behind us.'

  Neva glanced in the rear-view mirror then put her foot on the accelerator.

  'It is a magnificent house, you're right,' Ethel said, a trace of emotion evident in her voice. 'Inside and out. There used to be such grand parties. Even more so when I was a girl. I came to work here when I was twelve and I loved every day of it. Apart from my run-ins with Olivia Wynter. I liked her when we first met, but she changed.'

  'Twelve? That was young to start work.'

  'Not in my day. Lots of girls went into service even younger than that. I'm eighty-eight you know. Things were different way back then. Everything changed after the war. And not necessarily for the better, I say.'

  'I agree,' said Queenie. 'Life at Wynter House was hard work but we were a family.'

  'Oh. I didn't realise you worked there too.'

  'I was lady's maid to Olivia. I came here with her when she married Sebastian. He was Rafe and Adam's grandfather, and such a lovely man. It was a few years after the war and they were so in love even though he was almost fifteen years her senior. She was nineteen when she married him. Olivia was different then. Young, carefree, kind and most of all, blissfully happy.'

  'What happened to change that?'

  'Life.' Queenie sighed loudly. 'Or more to the point, death. She lost two children. One to a miscarriage and one to illness. Phillip was her third time lucky. But he wasn't very lucky, and neither was she. Phillip was just two when Sebastian died. They said it was from the wounds he sustained in the war. It broke Olivia's heart. It was as if a veil came down and everything changed. No more parties. No more laughter. The entire house went into mourning.'

  'And it never really came out,' Ethel added, with a sigh. 'But we all made the best of it, and we managed to have some fun. It was Phillip I felt sorry for. Olivia couldn't bear to look at him. He reminded her too much of what she had lost. And when he died, she had no time for his sons, Rafe or Adam, either.'

  'That's so sad. But it looks really festive and cheerful with all the lights in the trees and bushes and over the entrance.'

  'That's just for the paying visitors,' Queenie said. 'People coming for the tour expect to see all that at this time of year. There'll be a marvellous tree in the grand entrance hall and one in the dining room, a smaller but rather splendid tree in the library and two trees which are identical, one in the drawing room and one in the morning room. All richly decorated and each with myriad lights. There'll also be an abundance of greenery everywhere. It's what the visitors want. But in the private parts of the house, you'll be lucky if you can spot a sprig of holly.'

  Even Cecil and Ronnie sighed.

  'It's not a happy house, that much is for sure,' Cecil said. 'You can feel it the moment you walk in. We've done the tour. It's as if the place is haunted.'

  'Haunted? Please don't tell my niece, Sasha that. We'll never hear the last of it. She's into ghosts, vampires and zombies in a very big way and she'll cause all sorts of offence by offering to chase out the ghosts. She'll definitely want to hear all the gory details. From the sound of Olivia, that wouldn't go down too well.'

  'That's an understatement,' Ronnie said. 'I've only met her once. It's not an experience I particularly relish repeating.'

  'Was that why your niece w
as wearing that horrid thing on her face?' Cecil asked. 'It was so realistic. But we noticed it wasn't there when you went out for a walk in the afternoon.'

  'Yes.' Neva pulled up to one side of the spectacular, red stone portico festooned with fairy lights. 'Please don't take this the wrong way, but do you two spend all day looking out over the street?'

  'Not all day,' Cecil said. 'But people-watching is a bit of a hobby of ours. Your niece is into dead people, vampires and ghouls. We prefer the living. They're so much fun to watch.'

  Neva couldn't argue with that.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A stream of vehicles formed a remarkably orderly row alongside Neva's car. Rafe and Adam were the first to get out of theirs and Adam approached Neva while Rafe strode towards the front door of the house. It shot open before he reached it and a tall, straight-backed man in a charcoal grey suit, matching tie and white shirt stood to one side to let him pass. Rafe said something to him but he didn't move until Rafe was out of sight.

  'That's the butler, Archibald Carruthers,' Ethel said, following Neva's gaze as the man dashed back inside. 'My Norman could knock him into a cocked hat, both in looks and manners, but he takes his post seriously, I'll give him that.'

  Adam smiled and Neva opened her window an inch or two. The rain was sheeting in the other direction so only a few spatters found their way inside.

  'Rafe's gone to break the news to Olivia,' Adam said, with something between a frown and a grin on his face. 'She wasn't up when we came out.'

  'She'll be pleased.' Ethel smacked her lips together and sniggered.

  'You call your gran, Olivia?' It was a ridiculous question, given the situation but it popped into Neva's head right away.

  'She insists upon it.' Adam smiled. 'Ah, Here's Carruthers.'

  The man, who now wore a black coat over his suit, strode towards them as if he were a sergeant on a drill parade. He held one umbrella aloft and carried several more under his arm, deftly handing one to Adam without getting himself wet. It was a bit late for Adam; he was saturated.

  'I think we should get everyone into the drawing room, Carruthers.'

  'The drawing room, sir?' One eyebrow went up, the other went down.

  'Yes. Is that a problem?'

  'Indeed not, sir. But if I may, Mr Rafe instructed me before he went out this morning, to light a fire in the morning room.'

  'Oh. Well, the morning room it is then. I'm not sure how many bedrooms we'll need aired. You or Judith will have to count them up. I can leave that with you, can't I?'

  'It's already underway, sir. Mr Rafe gave us a rough idea of numbers before he left this morning and he texted us an update a short time ago.'

  It seemed Rafe had already decided everyone would be coming to Wynter House, long before Adam suggested it. So why had Rafe looked so displeased? Was it because he wanted to be the one to say it? That seemed unlikely. Or was it because although he knew there was little choice, it was an invitation he would rather not have had to make?

  'Did he? That's perfect. Let's get everyone inside then. I see Judith has more umbrellas. Thank you, Carruthers. You may get on.'

  Neva couldn't help but giggle. She'd stepped into a real-life, Downton Abbey. Were they for real?

  'What's funny?' Adam asked, in a pleasant manner as he opened the car door for her.

  'Nothing. Nothing at all.' She turned and looked at Ethel. 'I think we should get Ethel and Queenie in first, don't you?'

  A woman in her mid to late thirties rushed up and smiled at Adam.

  'I've got more brollies.'

  'Thanks, Judith. This is Neva, but I think we'll save the introductions until everyone is inside.'

  'Of course, Adam.' She smiled at Neva and handed her a brolly.

  'Thank you, Judith.'

  Adam turned and opened the rear door to help Ethel and Queenie, while Cecil and Ronnie got out and sheltered beneath the brolly Judith handed them.

  'Who's Judith?' Neva asked when the woman ran to Dennis' car. 'She's very pretty.'

  Adam grinned. 'Is she? I hadn't really noticed. She's Rafe and Olivia's PA, the housekeeper, visitor co-ordinator and anything else Rafe or Olivia need her to be. You've got no need to be jealous. She's not my type.'

  'Who says I'm jealous?'

  'I hate to say this, Neva, but it's written all over your face.'

  Ethel chuckled as Adam helped her out of the car. 'He's not wrong, dear. You've got very expressive eyes. I noticed that yesterday when I saw you look at Rafe.'

  'Rafe?' Adam and Neva said in unison and looked at one another.

  Ethel chuckled louder and slapped Adam's arm. 'Now who's jealous, Adam?'

  'I am, actually.'

  Adam made a foolish, pouty face before smiling provocatively at Neva. He oozed such sex appeal that she almost jumped on him then and there.

  'I'm not interested in Rafe, Adam. I think Ethel's just winding you up.'

  'Am I?' Ethel looked doubtful.

  'Let's get you inside,' Neva said, linking an arm through hers. 'Will you help Queenie, Adam?'

  'Of course.'

  'Is this the first time you'll have been back to this house since you stopped working here?' Neva asked Ethel.

  'Gracious, no. I come back several times a year. We all do. There's a party on Christmas Eve, for staff, both current and former. Rafe reinstated it many years ago. And also the Summer Fête. That's a hoot, especially with Olivia playing the lady of the manor in recent years. But it's fun for other reasons. They have side shows and rides, games and displays, stalls selling produce and craft items from people from all the towns and villages within twenty or so miles. And there's music and dancing into the wee small hours. Outside, under the stars, weather permitting, or in the ballroom if it's bad.'

  'There's a ballroom?' Neva had seen it in the photos but it was obvious that Ethel was enjoying sharing her memories.

  'Oh yes, dear. There's a grand ballroom. I doubt you'll see better in all the fine houses in the land. Of course, these days it's hired out for conferences and weddings, which is lovely for those involved, but such a shame to see it not being used as it once was. When I saw my first ball here, I thought I'd stepped into a fairy tale. I was only six and I sneaked up from downstairs. My mother was working late into the night, so she had brought me with her. There was enough champagne flowing that night to fill the River Wynter. And the gowns! It brings tears to my old eyes just remembering the beauty swirling around that floor. The men weren't bad to look at either.' She chuckled loudly.

  'What are you laughing about, Ethel?' Queenie asked, from a little way behind as Boris and Duchess trotted at her heels, making sure they were sheltered by Adam's umbrella.

  'I'm telling Neva about the balls they held here when I was a child.'

  Neva lowered her voice so that Adam wouldn't hear. 'Life was hard for so many, back then, but if you were rich, it must've been magical.'

  'It seemed that way. Certainly as a 'below stairs' child looking in. But life wasn't that magical for Olivia, was it? Or her husband and son. And it's not for Rafe, either. As the youngest son, it doesn't affect Adam quite so much, but Rafe has to keep this place going. That's a mammoth task. But Life's hard for many people these days, dear. Sometimes I think we forget that. And in the end, we're all human and we all have happiness and sadness. Perhaps money makes the sadness a little easier to bear. Although Olivia would disagree with me on that.'

  'That's very true, Ethel. You're right. Oh!'

  She careered headlong into Rafe as they entered the house. He was walking so fast that he was in front of her before she knew it. He grabbed her arm and reached out for Ethel to stop them both from falling.

  'I'm so sorry. I didn't see you. I ... Are you both OK?' An expression of genuine concern replaced the look of surprise on his face.

  'I am. Ethel?'

  Ethel nodded. 'It'll take more than a bump from a handsome young man to knock me off my feet, Rafe Wynter.'

  He grinned at her. 'Come inside
and let me take your coats.'

  It was then that Neva realised she was still wearing her pyjamas. Rafe had been the one who told her not to waste time getting dressed, but as she looked around and everyone else came into the impressive, wood panelled hall, she seemed to be the only one who hadn't done so. Her three-quarter-length waterproof jacket covered most of her, but there was no way she was taking that off and parading around in her snowmen-dotted pyjamas.

  'I think I'll keep mine on for the time being, thanks.'

  He frowned, looked her up and down, and the grin reappeared. 'Ah,' he said.

  'You were the one who told me not to put my clothes on.'

  He raised his brows as several pairs of eyes, including Adam's turned to him and Neva.

  'Sorry. That came out louder than I expected.' She glanced around. 'He told me not to get dressed because-'

  'I think you should stop now.' He looked as if he was trying not to laugh. 'Judith will take you upstairs in a moment and you can have a hot shower and get changed. Are your bags in your father's car? I'll get them for you.'

  'I've got one of them here.' Dennis stepped forward. He had holdalls slung across his body, bags under both arms, and cases in his hands. 'Where's a good donkey when you need one?'

  'Forgive me, sir.' Carruthers darted forward, laden with bags himself. 'Let me take those from you.'

  'Oh. No, it's fine. I didn't mean it. I'm not complaining. It's so good of you to have us here.'

  Rafe and Carruthers relieved him of his burdens.

  'Don't mention it,' Rafe said, smiling at Dennis, as Nigel, Rowan, Dawn and Sasha appeared, all carrying bags.

  Tempest came charging in behind them, sliding across the wooden floor when she tried to stop, and almost careering into the exceptionally large and resplendent Christmas tree. Queenie's corgis, Boris and Duchess, tugged at their leads, and Adam, who wasn't really paying attention to the fact he had Queenie on one arm and the leads in his other hand, let the leads slip from his fingers. Suddenly, the imposing hall was filled with skidding, barking and saturated dogs. Fortunately, Persephone, Cecil and Ronnie's cat, was still safely ensconced in her basket but she hissed and spat and growled almost as loudly as the dogs. And a cacophony of voices all talked over one another.