A Christmas Surprise Read online

  That, in and of itself, she knew from previous experience, wasn’t a task to undertake even for the strong of heart and conviction.

  Aleece glided over to her companion. Taking a seat opposite, she gave her friend a warm smile. “Debbi, I see you have made an impression of Lord Sidbury.”

  “Yes, it would seem so. I do find him handsome and a very good conversationalist. It’s too bad we won’t be able to continue this after the house party. Even though we’ve only known each other for a few hours, he’s already asked if he could send me posts of what he’s doing and if I would do the same.”

  “And so you shall, you silly chit,” the countess said, taking a seat at the table.

  “Ah, here come your gentlemen, ladies, and I see they have both tea and tidbits for us.” The countess waited until the plates and teacups were set before them. “Why thank you, gentlemen. Now run along and get into whatever mischief you desire. I wish to talk with Lady Aleece and Miss Overstreet in private.”

  “As you wish,” Mr. Thomas said for them both. “Come, Sidbury, let’s go find us a more substantial beverage.”

  Aleece watched the men depart, then the countess examined Debbi. “My dear, I’m not privy to the circumstances of how you came into the world, but I am aware of your upbringing and by whom.” The last she said looking at Aleece.

  Aleece gasped that someone other than her family knew of her maid’s birth and raising.

  The countess took a sip of tea, watching the other two over the rim of the cup. When nothing was forthcoming, she continued.

  “Aleece, will you be attending the Little Season, and will Debbi accompany you?”

  “Yes, m’ lady. It’s Father’s wish, even though my heart is already taken.”

  The countess swung her attention back to the person in question. “Good. Now, Debbi, when you arrive in London, I will be taking you under my wing, so to speak, and I will introduce you to society. I’ve already had a discussion about this with the duchess, and she’s in total agreement.”

  For the second time in four days, Aleece noticed the same wide-eyed, shocked look on Debbi’s face.

  “I don’t know what to say, m’ lady,” Debbi said, barely able to get the words out.

  “There is nothing to say, except yes, which you already have. Now, let us enjoy some of these delicious pastries, or Cook will have a fit.”

  Chapter Eight

  A soft knock on the door awakened Aleece from a dreamy sleep.

  “Come,” she called out, throwing the covers off and slipping into her dressing gown.

  She watched as the door swung open, and a maid, from appearances, carrying a large salver entered.

  “Morning, Lady Aleece. My name is Becca and her ladyship sent me to help tend to your and Miss Overstreet’s needs.”

  Warmed by the offer of a maid Aleece wasn’t sure what to say or do. Knowing she didn’t want to offend the countess, she directed Becca to set the silver tray with not one, but two cups of chocolate and plates of toast points on the table by the fireplace.

  “If you would start tidying here, I’ll wake Debbi, I mean Miss Overstreet,” Aleece said as she walked to the door that separated the rooms.

  She knew she’d have to quickly explain this untoward turn of events to Debbi and get her to go along with the sudden change in status. Following a soft rap on the door, she entered unannounced only to find Debbi sitting up on the side of the bed. Closing the door to ensure privacy, Aleece gave Debbi a warm smile.

  “M’ lady, did I understand Becca correctly?” Debbi asked.

  “Yes, I’m afraid you did. I know we haven’t discussed what the countess mentioned yesterday afternoon. Partly that is my fault, as I wanted to give you time to absorb the news. I also know you well enough to know you’ll talk about it when you’re ready.”

  Aleece noticed her friend was nervously wringing her hands. In the hopes of lifting her spirits she said, “Come, let’s go enjoy our chocolate and toast, then we have to get ready for the fishing contest.”

  “Yes. Lord Sidbury and I are already set to come in first,” Debbi proudly announced rising from the bed.

  “Oh, are you now? We’ll just see about that. What makes you think you’ll win?” Aleece countered the pronouncement as she led Debbi into her suite.

  “It just so happens he’s an avid fisherman who has entered and won several contests,” she gracefully offered up.

  “Pardon me, m’ lady, Miss Overstreet, do you mean to say you’re gonna be fishin’ with them gentlemen?” Becca asked.

  Aleece glanced over to the woman standing beside the closet. “Yes, and one of us will win, and I mean for it to be me.”

  “Aye, then you’ll be wantin the gray gown then. Don’t want to get them fancy ones all fish smelling, now do we?”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Debbi interjected.

  “Right then, I’ll leave you two ladies to finish your chocolate while I get some hot water so you can wash up,” Becca said giving both a curtsey.

  For the next few moments silence reigned as they finished breaking their fast, all the while Aleece kept an eye on Debbi.

  “Is everything all right? You appear a bit pensive?” Aleece asked.

  “Yes… no, it’s not. I’m afraid of what will happen to you and Mr. Thomas if people find out I’m a lady’s maid and not a gentlewoman.”

  Aleece reached across the table and patted Debbi’s hand. “You let us worry about that. Don’t forget the countess is one of the most powerful ladies in the ton. So if she says you are a gentlewoman, who is going to argue? And when we go out while in town, I’ve always introduced you as a friend. And when we have parties either at home or the townhouse in London, you do tend to make yourself scarce.”

  “That is true.” Debbi paused at the sound of the door opening. “Just in time. Aleece, you go ahead and wash up while I get a few things from my trunk.”

  Dressed in simple gray day gowns, walking boots, and hair braided in a simple chignon both, ladies struck off to locate their respective gentlemen. Aleece had arranged for a footman to collect their fly rods and take them to the patio. Each carried their own small metal box of custom-tied flies, since neither trusted the other nor anyone else with them.

  It turned out finding their fishing partners was easier than they thought it would be, as the gentlemen waited patiently together, talking at the bottom of the grand staircase.

  “Ladies, you look… um, interesting, to say the least,” Mr. Thomas quipped.

  “Why thank you, sir,” Aleece teased back, giving him a deep curtsey.

  She couldn’t help but notice, instead of riding britches he wore loose pants of the same material as the jacket. Against his chest, the frayed collar of a once white shirt opened at the top. Around his neck a scarf, tied haphazardly, gave him a rough look, which she liked. Not the staid, straight-laced gentleman he was but someone who could and would enjoy even the simple things in life.

  “Shall we join the others on the terrace?” he said, settling her hand on the sleeve of his corduroy fishing coat.

  “Ah, there you all are. Now we can begin this contest that the good Miss Overstreet suggested,” Maurice, the Earl of Whitchurch, announced to the assembly.

  Aleece couldn’t help but notice that the other gentlemen in the group, save Jeff, the earl, and Lord Sidbury, were dressed for a stroll along The Mall. Each trying to outdo the other in finery. And the ladies, minus Susan and Jeff’s fiancée, weren’t much better.

  Catching her gentleman’s attention, Aleece whispered in his ear, “I’ll wager every gown you see before you will be ruined by luncheon.”

  “My dear, that’s not a bet I would dare take,” he replied, lifting her hand to his lips.

  Before Aleece and the other couples headed for the stream, the countess announced, “Luncheon will be served here and that will signal the end of the contest. I’ve arranged for a picnic on the lawn.”

  At the stream Aleece and Mr. Thomas separated from the
others and with Debbi and her gentleman headed to the areas they found the day before. For her it was a deep pool with the right amount of brush overhang so the trout would have places to hide.

  As she watched Debbi and her partner disappear around a gentle bend in the river Aleece set about to win the contest. With her finger she checked the temperature of the water then opened her custom fly box.

  Shielding the contents from Mr. Thomas she selected a fly used many times, a special derivative of a mayfly. Securing it to leader on her fly-line she stepped back up to the pool and easily started casting. From the corner of her eye Aleece smiled as she watched him taking in her technique.

  “Yes, I’ve been fishing since I was old enough to hold fly rod.”

  “It shows. Not many can master the side cast as you have. Most have to use the overhead technique,” he replied.

  “If you think this is good, remind me and I’ll have Debbi demonstrate her rolling cast. I can’t do it.” Aleece stopped as she set the hook in a trout. Slowly she backed up while wrestling the fish to the bank. Once it was close enough she stripped the line through her fingers while advancing.

  When close enough she, without looking asked, “Would you hand me the net please.”

  Once the trout was secured she removed the hook, reached into her creel to withdraw a heavy string, and threaded it through the mouth and out a gill.

  “I don’t understand,” he said.

  “Since we’re going to be fishing for several hours, and with the day warming I’ll put the trout back in the water. This way he’ll stay fresh and alive,” Aleece explained as she tied off the string to a sturdy branch.

  Aleece smiled as she watched Mr. Thomas scratch his head in amazement.

  “I thought I knew almost everything about fishing but that’s a new one. Where did you learn about it?”

  Casting her fly out into the pool she replied, “From Debbi. She learned it from her father who’d been taught by a Scottish gamekeeper. Don’t worry I’ve got several more so if you get a trout we can do the same with it.”

  No sooner were the words out then she watched as he worked on landing his own.

  “This must be the twin to the one you caught,” he stated, holding it up for her inspection.

  “Yes,” she said. “They both are about four pounds. I dare Debbi to do better.”

  This went on for the next several hours. First one then the other would land record sized trout.

  Finally Aleece wondered aloud, “I wonder how the others are doing?”

  Mr. Thomas raised a brow in questioning whom she was talking about.

  “Why Debbi and Lord Sidbury? Who did you think I was talking about, not the others, did you?”

  A jubilant yell from upstream confirmed that couple was having a successful fishing expedition. Curious as to the reason for the celebration Aleece and Mr. Thomas collected their gear, fish and headed to where Debbi and her partner were.

  Shown the trout Debbi had landed Aleece said, “It would appear we are tied, you with the largest and we with the most.”

  The distant sound of the luncheon gong signaled the end to the event. Joyously the four returned to the estate and handed over their respective catches to the earl and his gamekeeper.

  After cleaning up, save for changing from their fishing attire Aleece and Mr. Thomas rejoined the picnic on the lawn.

  “Ah, I see Debbi’s been able to secure us a table,” Aleece whispered as she led the way to the buffet then to the table.

  The guests filled their plates with assorted cold meats, vegetables, chilled poached salmon and an asparagus salad in a light vinaigrette. Footmen assisted with providing lemonade for the ladies and ale for the men.

  Much to Aleece’s surprise, her Mr. Thomas requested lemonade, stating that one must be in the mood for alcohol.

  Once all were seated, the earl rose to his feet.

  “Ah-hum, fair ladies and not so fair gentlemen, I wish to announce the winner of the contest.”

  The beginning of his announcement brought good-natured laughter and titters from all assembled.

  “After a long and tedious discussion with my games–master, I must declare there is not one winner.”

  Before he could continue, moans were heard, the loudest from Aleece, Debbi, and their gentlemen.

  “Calm yourselves, I beg of you,” the earl called out. Once the noise level had reduced he continued, “As I was saying, we do not have one winner. We have two winners. It would seem the teams led by Lady Aleece, with six trout and Miss Overstreet, with five trout but the biggest, have tied.”

  A hearty round of cheers went up from the men, while the ladies acted in a more civilized manner by applauding the four winners.

  Aleece leaned over to Mr. Thomas. “I knew we’d beat everyone except Debbi and her gentleman.”

  “Yes, you did. Now, if we can only sneak away, I plan to reward you for your efforts.”

  Aleece felt her face warm, wondering if he’d read her mind, because she’d had the same thought.

  After a dessert of fresh strawberries smothered in Devonshire cream, everyone started drifting either inside for a much needed nap or retreating to one of the cooler rooms to read.

  Aleece watched as Debbi and Sidbury, hand in hand, strolled toward the orangery. She began to rise from her chair when she was stopped by a gentle touch on her arm.

  “Worry not, my precious one. He may have been a rakehell once, but he’s now a man in love and won’t do anything to soil her reputation. He arranged for Jeff and his young lady to meet up with them.”

  “And this he told you, or did you have to pry the information out of him?” she responded with a worried, wrinkled brow.

  “All was volunteered save the being in love. That I had to force him to admit. Now, come. We have some private celebrating to do.”

  Later, where Aleece returned to her suite she was met by Debbi who commented on the condition of her gown and the leaves in her hair.

  Chapter Nine

  Lady Aleece sat by the fire brushing out her hair after the rushed bath she’d taken. Of all her evening dresses for formal occasions, her pale pink ball gown was the most daring, and one she knew her father would disapprove of, given a chance. Becca was downstairs making sure the wrinkles were out.

  “So, my charge for the week, who seems to slip away at every possible opportunity, how was your ride with your dashing Mr. Thomas?” Debbi inquired.

  Aleece glanced over to her and smiled. “Very enjoyable. I’m sorry we return home tomorrow.”

  “Considering the state of your hair and the back of your habit, I’m sure you had an enjoyable time, just not all of it spent astride your horse.”

  Aleece’s smile shifted into a scowl as she continued to run the brush through her long brown hair. “He surprised me with a little farewell picnic. We certainly couldn’t have partaken of the cold chicken, bread, cheeses and such on our horses. Now could we?”

  She saw Debbi gasp at the mention of farewell. “No, Debbi, not farewell as in goodbye, but because we are parting on the morrow. He has to return north to the estate and make ready for the harvesting, which will be starting soon.”

  “I’m glad then. Have you made plans to see each other?” she asked as she reached for Aleece’s hairbrush.

  “No.” She paused when Debbi started to take a seat and with a staying hand said, “You’ll get your dress all wrinkled. My hair’s about dry, and you know it’s easier to put up when it’s barely damp.”

  Just then Becca entered carrying the freshly pressed gown over her arm.

  “Ah, m’ lady, I see your hair is dry enough, now we can get you set to rights,” she said, draping the dress on the bed.

  Aleece rose and glided over to take the seat in front of the dressing table. As with past evenings’ preparations, she couldn’t help but note the concentration in Debbi’s eyes as Becca would sculpt her tresses in varied and fanciful styles.

  Dressed in her most daring gown, Aleece wit
h Debbi, who had chosen a slightly more unrevealing gown, made their way to the grand staircase. As they approached the landing, Aleece wasn’t surprised to see her Mr. Thomas waiting.

  The sight of him in his deep blue evening coat forced her to grasp the banister as she felt her knees weaken at the sight of him standing there. She loved how the cut emphasized his broad shoulders and chest. His pants, of the same color, showed off his strong muscular legs. Tonight she vowed they would dance, even if for only a few steps. To be held in his arms was all she wanted.

  “My dear Aleece, you take my breath away with your beauty,” he said as he bowed over her hand.

  “Why thank you, kind sir,” she replied, recovering from her curtsey. She then added, noticing someone missing, “And where is Lord Sidbury? You two seem to always be together when we appear.”

  “Right behind you.”

  Aleece turned and would have tripped over the gown’s hem had it not been for the quick hands of Mr. Thomas grasping her around the waist.

  Crushed against his powerful chest, she breathed in the heavenly scent of sandalwood soap, which was quickly becoming her favorite fragrance. She knew, or at least suspected, the rose-hinted perfume of hers was his preference.

  “Not that I want to release you, but I must, for it seems several people have started to stare at us,” he whispered, setting her on her feet.

  “If you must.” Even she heard the disappointment in her voice, causing her face to warm.

  Settling her hand on his forearm, he then covered it with his other, and they descended the last of the stairs.

  As they stood in line waiting to be announced to the assembled crush of guests, of which many were from the surrounding estates, neither could keep their eyes off the other.

  “My darling Mr. Thomas, I’m so wishing this party could go on forever,” Aleece quietly said, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.

  “As do I, my dear. But we both know that sometimes even love must step aside for duty. We’ll exchange letters between now and when you return to London for the Small Season.”