“Plan for the upcoming festivities, of course. That’s why I sent for Mrs. Torbett. Cook has everything for the Christmas pudding. You will be joining us tomorrow for the stir-up, will you not?”
He’d completely lost track of the days, though that wasn’t at all surprising. “I would be honored to join you.”
“And the children. Is it true they’ve never stirred the Christmas pudding?”
He barely held back a grimace. “I must admit, that is true.”
Her hand was back on his arm. “Do not feel ashamed. I have to admit a certain satisfaction in being able to introduce many of the Christmastide events to Maggie and Peter. I’m hoping they will always carry fond memories of their childhood at this time of year and do the same for their children.”
It took him a moment to follow her train of thought, but when he did, he counted himself very fortunate to have her as his wife. “I have fond memories of my time as a child and look forward to building similar memories with my children as well. You mentioned that you planned all the activities for your family. Surely there was a time when you were far too youngto accomplish that. Was your enjoyment of the season why you took on that task?”
Ellie laughed, not in a flirtatious manner, but in a full-throated laugh that had his body taking notice. “Not at all. It was because my family’s celebrations were chaotic and a complete ruin. As soon as I learned how all was to commence, I took over. I was nine, I believe.”
He stared in shock. Maggie was seven. In two years, he couldn’t imagine her telling the servants what to do and orchestrating the festivities. “And your family was happy with that?”
This time Ellie gave a short chuckle. “Not at first. My first year, all I did was make sure all was done on the proper day. But by my third year, I had the house running perfectly, even getting my eldest brother to participate in Stir-up Sunday, which was no easy feat.” She gave him a sly smile. “To be honest, my mother was quite surprised. I’ve never been known for being successful.” Her smile faltered as she shrugged. “But I feel a certain kinship with the holidays. I was born on the sixteenth of December, so right in the middle of all the festivities. I do believe it was fate.”
It wasn’t the first time she’d mentioned her lack of skill, which surprised him. “Your fate is our family’s fortune. But I’m confused. Why do you say that you aren’t successful? In the mere couple of weeks we’ve been married, you have made life here at Hawthorne so much better than it was.”
A blush filled her cheeks, and she squeezed his arm where her hand lay before pulling it away. “That is kind of you to say. It may simply be that some of my strengths fit into your needs. But please do not have high expectations of me, except with the season. I promise I will disappoint you.”
Her words were said with such absolute confidence that he didn’t know how to respond. Luckily, there was a knock at the door.
“Oh, I’m quite sure that is Beacham. I asked him to bring my telescope in here. I don’t think going outside for a few nights would be a wise decision, even if I can’t see the whole sky from in here.” She turned her face toward the door. “Please enter.”
The door flew open and Maggie stood there, her eyes wide with fear. “Are you going to die?”
Darius’s chest tightened at the sight of tears on his daughter’s cheeks, but before he could go to her, Ellie laughed.
“Of course not, Maggie. In fact, I do believe I’m going to feel better faster with you nearby. Come and sit on the bed with me.”
Maggie looked to him for confirmation, and he strode toward her to take her hand. “It’s true. Lady Ferncroft will feel better in just a few days or so.” He sincerely hoped that was the case as he led Maggie to the bed.
Anna spoke from the doorway. “I’m sorry, my lady. Maggie insisted on coming to see you.”
“And I’m glad she did, Anna. And did Peter also insist?”
Darius looked down to see that his son was indeed hiding behind the skirts of the nursemaid.
Peter shook his head, even as he let go of the nursemaid’s skirts and pointed at his sister. “No. She made me come.”
“Did not.”
“Did too.”
“Did n—”
“Darius, would you be so good as to move that chair that Mrs. Torbett sat in just a bit closer to the bed, so Peter can sit? Maggie, you can hop up next to my legs if you can. Anna, please fetch a maid to bring us all hot cocoa.”
Within a minute, Ellie had organized them like a queen and her court, and despite Peter’s supposed dislike of his newmother, even he seemed caught up in her explanation of why they all needed to learn not to stay out in the cold too long.
Darius leaned against the bedpost, listening as Ellie described what she’d seen in her telescope, his children not even fidgeting, as Peter was wont to do. Even Darius found himself seeing the nebula in his mind’s eye.
“May we see too?” Maggie’s voice was almost breathless.
“I would very much like to show you, but I think on these cold nights, stargazing will have to be done from inside.” Ellie looked toward the windows. “I’m not sure which way we are facing in this room.”
“We could look from the nursery,” Magie offered.
