Snow crunched behind him and Alan whirled around, his arms up, hands at the ready. But at the sight of two tightly bundled ladies approaching, he lowered them.
“Lady Hamdon sent us to see if you are ready to hunt the best greenery.” Miss Prudence’s big grin and spry step indicated she was ready to be about the business. It was no wonder Emma had sent the young woman to search him out. In the time he’d known the younger Miss Lenning, he’d hardly seen her slow down. She was in constant motion, flitting from one activity to another with not a care in the world.
Grace, on the other hand, stood perfectly still, waiting for his response. In the wake of her sister’s turbulent movements, she seemed to be the calming force. With a gentle hand to her sister’s forearm, Miss Prudence stilled.
He relaxed. “I am only retrieving the tools we need to cut the most festive branches. Then we will be off.”
“How will we carry them?” Grace asked.
Her question caught him off guard and he rubbed the back of his neck. He could not very well expect the ladies to haul so many heavy and awkward limbs back to Engalworth.
He spun around. “Owen, how do you feel about hunting holly?”
The young man tossed his pitchfork down and grinned. “I’d be happy to come along and help. Let me gather the hand sled and some rope.”
Alan rolled his lips inward and dropped his gaze to the ground. Even Owen, a boy of fourteen, knew more of gathering greenery than he did. In his defense, it had been nearly six years since he’dcelebrated a Christmas at Engalworth. Three years at war and another two spent at Lord Hamdon’s estate had kept him from facing the haunting memories of holidays past, joyful occasions when his father and mother had been alive and well.
Pain spread over his chest as it tensed at the thought of his father. He absentmindedly rubbed at the spot as he turned back to face the ladies. Grace’s head tipped to one side, and he dropped his hand.
“Are you feeling well?” she asked.
“I am. Only trying to remember if we have all that is needed.” It was not a complete lie, but it was the only part of the truth he was willing to share.
“I know everything we might need.” Miss Prudence bounced on her toes and clapped her hands. “A saw for the bigger limbs and whittling knives for the smaller. We also took along a set of shears for the smaller things such as mistletoe.” Her brown eyes danced at the last pronouncement.
Alan shifted from one foot to the other. Miss Prudence’s face held too much mischief for his liking. “Well, come along then. Let us find Mr. Lovell.”
After acquiring the needed tools from the gardener, they met Lord Hamdon and Mr. and Mrs. Lenning at the front of the house.
“Where is Emma?” Alan glanced back at the big oak doors.
Hamdon pulled at his hat until it covered his ears, then took his golden handled cane back from Mr. Lenning. “She decided to remain behind with George. He had a rough night, and she wished to give Nurse a respite.”
Alan nodded. Of course Emma would notice such things. It was in her nature to think of everyone’s needs before her own. His gaze traveled inadvertently to his brother-in-law’s bad leg. They rarely talked about the hitch in his step, but Hamdon’s legwas not as stable as it had been before his accident two years ago. How would he handle the snow?
His brother-in-law glared at him, a challenge in his eyes. “Is there a problem?”
Alan decided not to question him. If Hamdon was comfortable walking in the snow, then he’d trust him.
“Not at all. Let us be off then.” He motioned for Owen to take the lead with all of their tools, hoping the young man would know the best places for gathering greenery. Hamdon offered his arm to Miss Prudence and Mr. Lenning did the same for his wife, which left only Grace. Odd how well that had worked out, but he’d not complain in the least.
Alan crooked his arm to her. With a small smile, she took it, and suddenly his day became a whole lot brighter.
Prudence led the way, dragging Hamdon in her wake. Thankfully, he seemed up to the challenge of keeping up with her exuberance. Mrs. Lenning covered a laugh as she whispered something to her husband.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Grace said as they followed the others.
He glanced down at her to see what she meant. Her gaze wandered about the clearing in front of them. The sun glinted off the pure white snow, hardly touched by creature or man. Bits of ice clung to the bare branches of the trees beyond, except where a few evergreens dotted the grove. The snow lay in heaps on their drooping boughs.
“It is indeed. Tell me, which season do you enjoy the most, Miss Lenning?”
“Whichever one it is at the time.”
He shook his head. “I suppose I should have guessed such an answer from you.”
“Why?”
“You seem to find delight in everything.”
