“The children have certainly shattered the ice palace,” she said. “They are no longer awed by Abbey, parkland or anything, and are running their servants ragged. Yesterday Harry Pickering tried to ride one of the deer.”
“Was he injured?”
“No, thank heavens. His mother spanked him, and Braydon arranged riding lessons on the quiet horsesuntil the ponies arrive, which should be soon. The horses are far too big for them, of course, but they’re content for now to sit on their backs and be led around the paddock.”
“And you drove over here,” Ruth said.
“With a groom, of course. I won’t have much need to drive myself when living in Town, but I think I’ll improve my skill. I enjoy it.”
“Will you be one of those dashing, fashionable ladies with her own curricle and pair?”
Kitty laughed. “I doubt that. But I might enjoy being fashionable in other ways.”
“You won’t miss being mistress of Beauchamp Abbey?”
“Not a bit! Like Braydon, I’ve had a very lucky escape.”
“How is Isabella behaving?”
Kitty pulled a face. “Cautiously. She’s become accustomed to following her grandmother’s lead, but now she doesn’t know what to do. I think she feels that Johnie is supplanting her brother, but yesterday she helped Alice and Bella to make love knots out of scarlet ribbon to decorate the hall.”
“A promising development.”
“I’m hoping military reinforcements will carry the day.”
Ruth raised her brows in a question.
“I’ve invited two young officers to spend Christmas at the Abbey. Cully Debenham, who for some reason wants to avoid his own family Christmas, and Captain Fallerton, who comes from Northumberland and can’t take the time for such a journey in chancy weather. I’m hoping they’ll crack her shell.”
“I hope that’s not a euphemism!”
Kitty chuckled. “For a maidenhead? Certainly not. They’re good fellows. Handpicked for the job. You’ll meet them on Christmas Day.”
And here they all were, in a merry throng. They’d all gone to Beecham Dab for the service and were now waiting for Christmas dinner to be served, which would happen when the dowager came down. Or without her, if she delayed any longer. But here she came, carried down the stairs by two sturdy footmen, whereupon Quiller announced the meal.
Everyone was present except baby Maria. Johnie, pink with excitement and perhaps embarrassment, was seated at the head of the table, with his mother at his side. The dowager had the next-most-important place at the foot. Her mourning was a little less dense today, and she was wearing a short string of very large pearls.
Kitty suspected they belonged to the viscountcy, not her, but that was no longer her concern. She had regretted, just a little, the jewels she’d been shown, but it was already clear that Braydon would amply replace them. Today she was wearing rubies with her red dress and cashmere shawl.
Isabella was wearing a tiny black cap and a set of delicate pearl and silver jewelry that had also been a gift from Braydon. She was seated, glowing, between the two officers.
There were additional guests. The Misses Purslow, Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall, and Dr. Lowell. Worseley was spending Christmas with his family, but he had agreed to stay on at the Abbey to serve Dorothy and Johnie. He was young enough to perhaps be a good influence on the lad, but soon there’d be a tutor and a governess in residence to attend to the children’s education.
Every now and then, the dowager would slip into a sour face, but whenever she looked at Johnie, her expression softened. He often smiled down the table at her without any reserve. John, Lord Dauntry could well prove too clever and charming for everyone’s good, but Braydon would steer him right, and for now he was perfect.
After dinner they all played games, including a very complicated game of Speculation, in which the adults connived for the children to win most of the points. After the children had been reluctantly persuaded to go to bed, Arthur going with them for now, Kitty suggested some dancing. Though she made it seem impromptu, it was planned. She’d made sure Dorothy had no objection, and one of the servants was ready to play tunes on his fiddle. She could only hope the dowager wouldn’t rage.
She didn’t, only saying she was weary and would retire. It could even be true.
Dr. Lowell asked Miss Mary Purslow to dance, and gallant Cully asked Miss Martha, which caused her great but pleasurable confusion. The Whitehalls danced together, as did Ruth and Andrew, and Braydon led out Mary Pickering. Dorothy had said that she wouldn’t dance.
Captain Fallerton asked Dorothy if it would be proper for Isabella to dance. This, too, was prearranged, and Dorothy said, “I can’t imagine why anyone would object.” She turned to Isabella. “Would you like to dance, dear? This is a private affair, and I’m sure your father and brother would only want your happiness.”
Isabella seemed torn between an attachment to mourning and a strong desire to dance. Of course, dancing with a handsome young officer won and she went forward, cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
Kitty sat with Dorothy, Sillikin over her toes, watching the merry couples. “Do you feel blessed or cursed?” she asked.
“Blessed to high heaven,” Dorothy said. “You and your husband truly didn’t want any of this?”
