Five
As twilight fell upon the English countryside, Belvoir Castle was alight with the warm glow of countless candles, their flickering flames casting playful shadows across the grand estate.The opulent manor house stood proudly amidst the frost-kissed gardens, its stately façade adorned with garlands of evergreen and holly berries.Delicate snowflakes danced through the air, settling atop the boughs of ancient oaks that bore witness to centuries of Yule log ceremonies.
Inside the opulent ballroom, the scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the laughter and animated chatter of the gathered guests, while fresh mistletoe hung enticingly in every doorway.
“Elizabeth, my darling sister, come join us by the Yule log,” called Louisa, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.She waved a gloved hand to beckon her younger sibling, who moved gracefully through the throng of elegantly dressed guests.
“Ah, there you are,” exclaimed Elizabeth, her blue eyes alight with anticipation as she joined her sister and their friends, the Duke and Duchess of Cleburne, Juliet and Giles Fortescue.“I was just admiring how splendid everything looks tonight.”
“Indeed,” agreed William, Duke of Thorne, his blue-gray eyes surveying the gathering.
“And yet you outshine it, Lizzi,” teased Louisa, playfully nudging Elizabeth.“Your beauty leaves these gentlemen quite bewitched.Tell me, have you set your cap for one?”
“Your compliments will surely turn my head, dear sister,” Elizabeth replied with a mischievous smile, deftly adjusting her golden curls beneath the delicate wreath of holly that crowned her head as she averted answering Louisa’s question.
“May I escort you to the Yule log, Lady Elizabeth?”offered Giles, extending his free arm gallantly.“It is time for the ceremony to begin.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” replied Elizabeth, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she took his arm, and together with Juliet, they approached the immense, ancient oak log that lay before them, waiting to be set ablaze.
“Lady Elizabeth, how lovely to see you this evening,” said a familiar voice, causing her heart to skip a beat.She turned to find Everett, dashing as always with an air of mystery about him, standing nearby, his dark eyes locked on hers.
“Lord Brookfield,” she murmured, curtsying gracefully.“I am most delighted to see you as well.”
“Will you share in the tradition of making a wish upon the Yule log?”he asked, his gaze never wavering from her own.
“Of course,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.“I would not miss it for all the world.”
As the guests gathered around the Yule log, anticipation and excitement crackled through the air like the impending flames that would soon consume the ancient wood.Elizabeth’s pulse raced as she felt the weight of her secret wish heavy on her heart, wondering if tonight might mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life—one filled with the true love she had longed for since childhood.
The flickering glow of the firelight danced upon the faces of the gathered guests, casting shadows that seemed to sway in time with the music played by a string quartet in the corner of the grand hall.The scent of burning wood filled the air, mingling with the fragrances of pine and cinnamon from the festive decorations that adorned the ballroom.Elizabeth could feel the warmth of the flames on her cheeks as she stood near the hearth, the anticipation in the room palpable as everyone eagerly awaited the Yule log ceremony.
“Dear friends,” called out the Marquess of Hollibrook, his voice commanding the attention of the gathering, “it is time for the age-old tradition of making our secret wishes upon the Yule log.May the flames carry them to the heavens, and may all our desires be granted in the coming year.”
At his words, a hush settled over the crowd, the music fading into silence so only the crackling of the fire could be heard.Elizabeth felt her heart begin to race within her chest, her palms dampening despite the dry heat of the fire.She watched as one by one, the guests stepped forward, each whispering their most cherished dreams and aspirations into the dancing flames.
Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her chest as she waited for her turn.The merriment of the evening had taken a more solemn tone, as each person momentarily bared their souls to the crackling flames.
“Your turn, Lizzie,” Louisa nudged her gently, a knowing glint in her green eyes.Elizabeth took a deep breath and stepped forward, her blue eyes intent on the flickering firelight before her.She could feel the warmth of the flames on her cheeks as she leaned in close, feeling as though her deepest desire was a secret only the fire could keep.
“True love,” she whispered into the blaze, the words coming out as tender as a lover’s caress.As she straightened up, her pulse raced with the thrill of having finally made her wish, a quiet plea for a love that was genuine and everlasting.
“Bravo, Lizzie!”Louisa called out, clapping her hands together with delight.Elizabeth felt herself blush and gave her sister a small smile, hoping against hope her wish would somehow come true.
Everett, who had been observing from a distance, hesitated for a moment as he watched Elizabeth step away from the Yule log, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the fire.There was something about her that tugged at his heartstrings, stirring within him a yearning he had long thought buried.
With a determined set to his jaw, Everett stepped forward, feeling the weight of the room’s attention upon him as he approached the hearth.His dark eyes never left Elizabeth’s face, drinking in every nuance of her expression, as if it held the key to unlocking his own dreams and desires.
“Let my heart find it’s home,” he murmured, the words escaping his lips like a prayer.He knew not what force had drawn him to this ceremony, but as he looked upon Elizabeth’s radiant face, he couldn’t help but feel it was something greater than mere chance.
“Bold words, Lord Brookfield,” a voice spoke from behind him, causing him to startle slightly.He turned to find Louisa watching him with a teasing grin, clearly amused by his intense focus on her sister.
“Ah, Lady Stone,” Everett replied smoothly, offering her a slight bow.“One must be bold when faced with the prospect of a new year and new beginnings.”
“Indeed,” Louisa agreed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.She glanced back at Elizabeth, who had retreated to the fringes of the gathering, lost in her own thoughts.“May your wish bring you all you hope for, my lord.”
“Thank you, Lady Stone,” he responded, his voice barely more than a whisper as he watched Elizabeth from afar.And although he couldn’t yet know what lay ahead for them both, Everett could not deny the sense of anticipation that surged within him, fueled by the whispered hopes and dreams shared in the flickering light of the Yule log.
The warm glow of the fire cast flickering shadows on the walls, illuminating the faces of the guests as they chatted and laughed in eager anticipation.Elizabeth’s gaze lingered on Everett, who stood across the room conversing with her sister Louisa.Though their words were lost to her, she couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes seemed to hold a secret as the firelight danced upon them.
