Christmas at Wynter House

by Emily Harvale

  Everyone chuckled appropriately, even more so when Judith hurried around him, stood to his right, waved like the Queen and gave a beaming and over-the-top smile.

  Rafe grinned. 'I think you can see why we value her so. Carruthers, our butler without whom Wynter House couldn't function. And who's giving us a small bow instead of a wave, as any self-respecting butler would. Gavin, our estate manager and so much more besides. George, who lives in the village but formerly held Gavin's position and still comes to help out whenever we need him. Ethel and Queenie, both treasured former employees and now residents of Wyntersleap. Penny, our excellent cook, whom I thank wholeheartedly for rising to the challenge and keeping us fed and watered so wonderfully today.'

  Applause stopped Rafe in his flow and everyone cheered until Penny gave a little curtsy, blushing profusely at such adoration.

  'Her husband, Roger,' Rafe continued, 'who owns the village shop and stocks such a variety of goods that we seldom need to go elsewhere. Wendy and Sean who own the Wyntersleap Inn, one of our favourite places. Their exceptional daughter, Taryn, who helps with anything we need around this house, entertaining us with her sensational singing in the process. Today, she has been even more invaluable by pitching in and helping Penny.'

  More applause, together with encouragement for Taryn to 'give us a tune' from Ethel and Queenie. Taryn smiled, glanced at Rafe, and when he nodded, she burst into the most beautiful rendition of 'Good King Wenceslas' which given the circumstances was rather appropriate in a way. Rafe was right. Taryn had a sensational voice. She should audition for the X-Factor. She'd knock it out of the park.

  'And last but not least, Cecil and Ronnie, fairly new additions to Wyntersleap, but nevertheless, most welcome. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone.'

  'He does go on, doesn't he?' Adam teased, strolling towards Rafe and giving him a pat on the back.

  Rafe smiled good-naturedly. 'And I haven't finished yet. Drinks will be served in here at 8 p.m. this evening, and dinner in the dining room at 8.30 p.m. As it's not a formal affair, please don't feel the need to dress for dinner, unless you wish to of course. And now that we've all been properly introduced, Olivia, Adam, the staff and I will start planning how we're going to be spending Christmas. It's Christmas Eve the day after tomorrow, and as you all know, other than the Christmas Eve staff party, we usually spend the holiday quietly. With so many people staying here, we'll need to sort a few things out. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please tell Judith, Carruthers, Adam or myself. Right. Now I've finished.'

  More applause, above which Ethel yelled, 'You may regret saying that, young Rafe.' She smacked her toothless gums together and chuckled so hard her tea slopped into her saucer.

  Chapter Twenty

  Neva was surprised when Adam came and sat beside her at dinner. Once again, she had made a bit of an effort and she had seen him cast an admiring glance in her direction over his cocktail glass during drinks in the drawing room. She was fairly certain he'd say hello at the very least but until now, he hadn't done so.

  'You're looking lovely this evening. May I sit beside you?'

  'It's your house,' she said with a smile. 'But yes. I'd like that very much.'

  He grinned at her. 'Legally it's not. But that's unimportant. I wanted to come over earlier but Cecil and Ronnie looked so intense, I'm afraid I chickened out. Were they telling you some awful story about the things we Wynters get up to?'

  'No,' she lied. 'We were discussing how generous and thoughtful you've all been.' She was hardly going to tell him that, despite the fact they had been given shelter in Wynter House, they still thought Rafe was 'shady'.

  'How else could he afford to do all this?' Cecil had said. 'And have you seen these decorations? The Ritz wouldn't turn their noses up at these.' He flicked his finger against a beautiful glass bauble hanging on the Christmas tree.

  'They have tours of the house and gardens,' Neva said, bristling at their ungracious behaviour. 'And they let the cottages.'

  'And charge an arm and a leg for the privilege,' Ronnie hastened to add. 'But this place must cost a small fortune to run and that wouldn't even pay to heat the place. The fire in our bedroom has been burning since the moment we arrived.'

  'And you should be grateful for that, Ronnie. Not casting aspersions.'

  He bridled at her rebuke but it didn't stop either of them. 'Well, he and Sean are as thick as thieves. And I wouldn't be surprised if they were.'

  'Thieves? You're calling Rafe and Sean thieves?' Neva glowered at them. 'I'll have you know that Rafe worries day and night about keeping this place going. He hasn't had things easy and you spreading rumours about him killing his wife doesn't help. And he didn't you know. She left and they're divorced. She's probably also enjoying Christmas cocktails somewhere right now. You really shouldn't talk about people unless you have something nice to say. It's not endearing, and it's not right.'

  'Well, excuse us,' Cecil said. 'But we heard him say that you couldn't go to the old barn with him this afternoon because it's off-limits and no one's allowed there but him. Doesn't that make you wonder what he's trying to hide?'

  It did, but she wasn't going to admit that to them.

  'No. It makes me realise that I'm in someone else's home and I must respect their privacy. You seem to be forgetting that Rafe didn't have to let you come here. He could've told you to find somewhere else to stay. I would have. Rafe deserves credit for that. Not you two finding shady goings on where there are none. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to talk to Ethel and Queenie. At least they appreciate what Rafe and the Wynters have done for them, even if you don't.'

  She had left them both open-mouthed and stormed over to the ladies who were sitting on the sofa laughing and giggling like girls.

  'You look cross, dear,' Ethel said.

  'I am. Those two are still slagging off Rafe, but they're happy enough to take his hospitality, eat his food and drink his drinks. Why do some people have to be so nasty?'

  'Some people can't help it,' Queenie said. 'And sometimes life throws things at them and they feel angry and hurt and that makes them lash out at other people. We never know what makes another person who they are.'

  'Still going on about him killing his wife?' Ethel asked.

  'Yes. But not only that. They seem to think he's up to something with Sean. Oh. Not like that. Something shady, I mean. They don't know how he affords all this.' She waved her arm in the air.

  'By working hard, making good investments and even better business decisions, I should think,' said Queenie. 'Luckily for him, and for us all, Rafe takes after his grandfather, Sebastian, not his father, Phillip.'

  'Does he have a job? Other than running this place?'

  Queenie shook her head. 'No. He did for a time. Some hot shot position in the City. But Wynter House is a demanding mistress. She wanted his attention full time.'

  'That must cramp his love life.'

  Neva fiddled with her glass, suddenly wishing she hadn't said that, especially as Ethel chuckled and winked at her.

  'Got ideas in that direction, eh? I thought so. But I don't blame you. I'd be falling at his feet if I were a few years younger.'

  'No. I like Adam.'

  And she really wished she hadn't said that.

  Ethel narrowed her eyes. 'You sure?' She shrugged. 'He's lovely too. But there's something about young Rafe.' She smacked her gums together. 'Something in those eyes. That smile. Not that he smiles nearly enough for my liking.'

  'What's in the old barn?' Neva quickly changed the subject. Rafe's eyes and his smile were not a topic she wanted to dwell on.

  Ethel and Queenie gave her and each other, startled looks.

  'A barn's a barn,' Ethel said. 'Old or otherwise.'

  'Then why is it locked? And why is it off-limits?'

  'I think, perhaps, you've been listening to Cecil and Ronnie too much,' Queenie said.

  'Perhaps because it's an old barn,' Ethel added. 'Perhaps it's falling down and it's locked fo
r everyone's safety. Don't you go seeing shadows where there are none. Don't fall into that trap.'

  'You're right. I'm sorry. That's probably what it is.'

  But it wasn't and Neva knew it. The barn may be old but it didn't look as if it was about to collapse. Far from it. It looked as if it had been rebuilt or at the very least, renovated. Just like the stables, of which Neva had caught a glimpse. Although they were no longer used as stables. According to Judith, horses were an unnecessary expense.

  'Neither Rafe nor Adam, and certainly not Olivia have much inclination to ride these days,' she had said, when Sasha had asked about horses. 'A decision was made not to replenish the stock when the last of the horses passed away. The stables now house chickens and ducks.'

  Which was a shame because the stables were rather elaborate and looked far too grand for such a purpose.

  The old barn was fairly elaborate too. At least the frontage was. There were some carvings above the doors, but Neva hadn't yet gone close enough to see what they were.

  Ethel and Queenie knew more than they were letting on. She had seen the startled looks when she'd mentioned the old barn. One thing was for sure though: they were loyal to Rafe.

  As was Adam. He smiled as he poured some wine for her and the rest of her family before passing the bottle along the table. 'We don't usually have wine bottles on the table, but we simply don't have enough staff. And getting temporary employees this close to Christmas was impossible. Believe me, poor Rafe tried and failed. He's not happy, even though I told him he shouldn't worry about it. Everyone will just muck in and help themselves.'

  'He does take his responsibilities and his position very seriously, doesn't he?'

  'He has from the moment our father died. He didn't really have a choice. Someone had to look after Olivia and me and I'm grateful every day that he did.'

  'Does he know that?'

  'What? That I'm grateful?' He gave Neva the oddest look.

  'Yes. Sometimes we take people for granted. We assume they know how much they mean to us so we don't tell them. But if we don't, how will they know?'

  'You think I take Rafe for granted?'

  'No. I'm just asking if you've told him lately?'

  'That I love him?' Adam grinned. 'Sorry. I'm being facetious. You're right, Neva. I should tell him more often. I'll tell him this evening after dinner. Although, if I'm honest, I was rather hoping to be doing something else entirely this evening. And not with Rafe.'

  She didn't need to look into his eyes to know what he meant, and she tingled at the prospect.

  'Yes. Ethel suggested we should all play cards. I assume that's what you meant.'

  He gave an appreciative laugh. 'Of course it was, Neva. What else could I possibly have in mind?'

  'I've no idea, Adam. But I may have one or two suggestions.'

  'You don't know how happy I am to hear that. I like a woman with a mind of her own.'

  'Good. And I like playing charades. Perhaps we could do that. Sasha's surprisingly good at it. If she's allowed to stay up late tonight, that is.'

  Adam laughed louder and one or two people, shot a look at him and Neva.

  Including Rafe, Neva noticed, as she glanced in his direction. He was seated at one end of the long table, and when she glanced at Olivia, who was seated at the other end, the woman was glaring at Neva so intently that if looks could kill, Neva would have gasped her last breath.

  Neva threw Olivia a quick smile and in response, Olivia banged her delicate, etched wine glass down with such force that all eyes turned to her as it shattered in her hand.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Neva did not get a chance to play charades, or anything else with Adam, thanks to Olivia. Which given the woman's bizarre behaviour, was probably just as well. But it was all rather odd. Rafe hadn't seemed too pleased that Adam appeared to be having such a good time with Neva, either. But was he actually jealous? Or was there some other reason that he didn't like the idea of the two of them getting on so well? For Olivia to be cross enough about it to break a glass, though, was extraordinary, to say the least.

  Perhaps Olivia didn't think Neva was good enough for her grandson. Even for just a fling. Class barriers might be coming down, but there were still plenty of snobs in the world, or people with delusions of grandeur. Working as a hairdresser had taught Neva that.

  Countless numbers of her posh former clients in London had sat in her chair, moaning about the unsuitability of their offspring's latest amore, while treating Neva as a friend and confidante. And you could bet your life that if one of those offspring had taken Neva home as their date, those same clients would have soon shown her the door. She had cut, coloured, blow-dried and coiffed the hair of some of them for the past twelve years and they'd told her all about the parties they'd held. But had any of them ever issued her an invitation? Nope. Not one.

  Not that any of that bothered her. She didn't hold with snobbery of any sort. They might think their blood was blue, but when they were cut, it ran red like hers and everyone else's. And she had no time for anyone who thought they were superior to anyone else. What a person did for a living or where someone was born, didn't define them as a person; their actions did. And Olivia Wynter's actions had clearly defined her as a bit of a snooty cow.

  But Neva could give her a run for her money, and if Olivia thought she could intimidate one of the Grey girls, she would soon find out she was wrong. Although it was probably best not to make any wedding plans with Adam just yet.

  Neva smiled to herself as she hurried downstairs to breakfast the following day, still thinking about Adam. And also about Rafe and Olivia's reactions.

  'You're looking pleased with yourself,' Rowan said, when Neva joined her family in the dining room. 'Did anything happen we should know about?'

  Neva sat opposite her sister and grabbed a slice of her toast. 'Only that I had the best night's sleep I've had since we arrived in Wyntersleap. That bed is so comfortable that even my nightmares couldn't keep me awake.'

  'Nightmares?' Dawn looked concerned. 'Have you been having nightmares, sweetheart? Is anything worrying you?'

  'Only whether we should buy presents for everyone here, or whether we're still going home for Christmas. It's a bit unsettling not knowing if we're staying or going. The weather looks good today so will Rafe tell us to go home, after all?'

  After Olivia's reaction, anything was possible, but that Rafe might send them home because of it, had only just occurred to her.

  'He might, I suppose,' Dennis said, looking somewhat deflated. 'But after the amount of Sean's beer, Nigel and I drank last night, and the Baileys the three of you downed, I don't think any of us should be driving.'

  'Good.' Sasha beamed at them all. 'Then we'll have to stay. Look! There's Rafe. Ask him Gramps. Ask him.'

  As usual, Sasha wasn't particularly quiet and Rafe walked towards them, clearly having heard his name.

  'Good morning. I hope you all slept well. Is there something you'd like to ask me?'

  'Can we stay?' Sasha blurted out.

  'Sasha!' Rowan snapped.

  'Please!' Sasha pleaded, all big-eyed and pouty lips, ignoring her mum completely. 'Please! I love it here. And Daddy and everyone's drunk so they aren't allowed to drive, or they'll go to jail. And I'll have to spend Christmas on my own and that'd be horrid. Please!'

  For a moment, Rafe looked doubtful, as if he wanted to say, 'No. Get your bags packed and leave right now. You've caused enough chaos already.' He darted a look at the windows, possibly to see if the sun was still shining, which it was, in a cloudless pale blue sky. And then he looked down the length of the table.

  'We completely understand if you'd rather we leave,' Dennis was saying, but I think we would need to call some cabs because Sasha's right. Unfortunately, we did all have a bit too much to drink last night. That's our faults entirely. We should've considered the fact that we might be going home today. But sadly we didn't. Oh. But how's your grandmother's hand? No serious injury, I hop
e.'

  'Yes,' Neva said. 'Please pass on our good wishes for it to heal speedily.'

  Rafe suddenly smiled. 'Thank you. And thank you for asking. Olivia's fine. Just a silly accident. She's a little embarrassed about it. But anyway. It is Christmas Eve tomorrow and the roads are still impassable in places, according to the news and traffic reports. More so inland, as it happens. Which means you'd still have a difficult journey home. So if you all want to stay, then yes. Why not? You're all in your rooms anyway and a couple of nights won't make much difference in the scheme of things.'

  'Yay!' Sasha jumped up and down and sung out to everyone in the room. 'We're staying for Christmas. We're staying for Christmas.'

  Some people took that news better than others. Ethel and Queenie and most of the rest, looked almost as pleased as Sasha, although none of them was jumping up and down. Cecil and Ronnie on the other hand, did not. How would Olivia react when she heard the news? That thought brought an even bigger smile to Neva's face.

  'Thank you so much, Rafe,' she said.

  His smile faded slightly as he met her eyes. 'I thought you'd be pleased. I can see I was right.' He looked away but not at anyone specific, although his comments were obviously still directed at her. 'Adam's in the rose garden. There aren't any roses this time of year but there's an abundance of holly and ivy. He's helping Gavin gather some to decorate a few of the family rooms. We feel people may want to have some less formal areas in which to spend their time over Christmas rather than the drawing room, the morning room and this one. We don't usually decorate the family rooms, but he seems to think we should.'