A Christmas Surprise Read online

  A very unladylike grumble from her stomach announced to all that she was indeed hungry. Easily she tucked into her breakfast all the while trying to decide how she’d spend her day. Then, the thought came to her, and with a bright smile, she stopped Mrs. Linna as she was about to exit her bedroom.

  Briefly Lady Aleece outlined her plan to the housekeeper and Debbi.

  “I’ll have Cook package up some food and get two of the upstairs maids to help me collect some of the lesser quality sheets and the like. If you can give me about an hour, I’m sure we can get everything set and delivered out to the stable for you,” Mrs. Linna said.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Good morning, Eleanor,” Simon said as he stood at the entrance to the duchess’s private sitting room.

  “Don’t just stand there, come and sit,” she replied, patting the seat next to her while setting aside her mail that had been brought to her moments ago. “I knew you would be stopping by, so I ordered tea and a light snack for both of us. It should be here momentarily.”

  Simon glanced around the room as he strolled over to sit beside his wife on the loveseat. Even after over twenty-five years of marriage, he was as much in love with her as the day he’d gotten caught in the parson’s mousetrap.

  No sooner had he taken his seat than Mrs. Linna arrived with tea and an assortment of delicacies to satisfy their hunger. They sat in a comfortable silence as she set the tray to the right side of the duchess, her preferred, then with a curtsey started to back out of the room.

  “Mrs. Linna, has Lady Aleece stirred yet,” Simon enquired before she stepped out.

  “Yes, Your Grace. Her injuries, fortunately minor, will be healed in a few days. And,” she paused turning her attention to the duchess, “as you suspected, Your Grace, she’s requested to take a few items to help the Smyth’s. I informed her everything would be ready for the trip in about an hour.”

  Eleanor nodded her approval then said, “Very good. Do not you think we should have Jackson have her gig ready to take the items out?” The last she directed to her husband.

  “Yes, I agree.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, Your Graces, I’ll start collecting everything.” The housekeeper made her curtsey and slipped out.

  Once alone with his wife, a cup of tea and cinnamon scone in hand he asked, “How are the preparations progressing for the ball?”

  “Quite well. Everyone invited is jubilant at receiving an invitation and responded they will be more than happy to attend.”

  “What about Somerset? Have you heard from him?” he queried, even though he already knew the answer, but wanted her take on what their friend said in his reply.

  “As a matter of fact I got his reply in the mail this morning. I have not had a chance to read it. Let me get it. I know you are anxious to see him again.” She set her cup down and retrieved the envelope in question. “Yes, he said that he will be overjoyed to attend, but his son will not arrive until Christmas Eve. Seems several of his Guards friends were able to get leave and Thomas wants to pop over to London for a day or so.”

  “Does the note say when Somerset is scheduled to arrive?”

  Eleanor scanned the tone searching for the answer. “Ah, yes. He is planning to arrive on the twenty-second, which is tomorrow. I had better inform Mrs. Linna so she can get a suite readied for him.”

  No sooner had they finished discussing the upcoming gala than a knock came to the duchess’s sitting room door.

  “Come,” she announced. When Eleanor saw her daughter enter, she rose and walked over to given her a motherly hug.

  “Darling, I’m so glad you are feeling better,” Simon pleasingly said, opening his arms to give her a fatherly but delicate embrace then guided her to a chair matching the loveseat. Retaking their seats, the duke could tell from the way Aleece was worrying her bottom lip she had something to say but wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.

  He watched as she took in a deep breath.

  “Yes, thank you, Father, Mother.” She paused, glancing between her parents then with in a calm voice continued, “I’m sure Mrs. Linna has already told you of my plans.”

  “Yes, darling,” the duchess started. “Your father and I agree with what you are doing. He suggested using your gig to take the gifts to the Smyth’s and I wholeheartedly agree.”

  “Actually, Father, I was planning on riding out and have one of the grooms follow along. This way I can go back over to the burned house and see if I can remember anything that I might have forgotten to mention last night.”

  Her father leaned over, settling his hand on Aleece’s arm. “I understand, and it might be helpful, but we do fear for your safety. Last night, which we will not discuss what happened before dessert, I set up a hue and cry for the Travers boy. As of this morning, the bounder has not been located.”

  He didn’t like the mischievous gleam in his daughter’s eyes on hearing the individual hadn’t been located. “Ah, then this is the reason I was planning on borrowing Sabre. Dad, you know he’s the fastest horse in the district.”

  Simon grimaced on hearing her choice of mount but knew full well she was skilled enough to handle him. “Very well, my dear. I’ll instruct Jackson to have him saddled.”

  “Now you had better run along and get changed. Send my love to the Smyth’s and inform them I will try to stop by on the morrow,” Eleanor interjected.

  With a kiss on each parent’s cheek Lady Aleece departed on her mission.

  Once Eleanor was alone with her husband she said, “Thank you, darling, for agreeing to let her borrow Sabre. I do not know how I can repay you for your generosity,” the duchess said.

  With ease he rose from the sofa, walked over, closed the door, then set the lock. Returning to where his wife gazed lovingly up at him, he easily noticed a blush heighten the color of her face. Without effort he drew her up and into his arms.

  “Oh, I do believe I know how you can repay me.”

  As she parted her lips to reply, he captured them with his.

  Simon was putting the finishing touches in righting his wife’s dress when the luncheon gong chimed.

  “As always, my dearest, your timing is impeccable,” the duchess said, turning in his arms for a final kiss.

  ****

  Arm in arm they entered the small dining room, which was used for small parties and when in residence. One wall was windowed from floor to ceiling to allow light year round to warm the room, and they could be opened in warm weather to let in a cooling breeze.

  Opposite stood a side boy on which dishes were placed when a buffet was being served. At each end of the table two footmen waited, dress in livery in the duke’s colors: dark blue with gold piping on the jackets and breeches.

  Centered over the highly polished oak table that could seat twenty was a chandelier of cut crystal with beeswax candles for illumination.

  At the far end of the board behind the duke’s chair stood Horsfall at attention. Set to the duke’s right was the duchess’s equally impressive chair of matching oak. The only time she sat at the foot was when they entertained. Opposite her place setting was one set for Aleece, this time unoccupied, which didn’t surprise him.

  After seating his wife, he took his seat then turned to the butler who’d moved to his left side.

  “Horsfall,” the duke said. “Please ask Mrs. Linna to join us for a moment, would you. The duchess has something she needs to go over with her.”

  He watched as the man bowed his way out of the room while the footmen assigned to serve them set bowls of steaming asparagus soup before them. They both enjoyed the meal but still, even in silence, missed the pleasure of their daughter with them.

  As the final dishes were removed, Mrs. Linna entered and curtseyed before turning her attention to her mistress.

  “You wished to see me, Your Grace?”

  “Yes. We will be having an early arrival for the ball. The Duke of Somerset will be arriving tomorrow. I suspect sometime around midday.”


  “Yes, Your Grace. If I might, the Blue Room. It has a side quarters for his valet,” Mrs. Linna suggested.

  “I do believe that would be perfect.”

  “If you will excuse me, I’ll have the room set to rights,” the housekeeper requested. Getting a nod from the duke she made her curtsey and left.

  “Now that that is settled if you will pardon me, my dear, I need to get back to the accounts. I would like to try to have a clear desk when Somerset arrives. We have a lot of catching up to do,” Simon said, rising from his chair.

  “Very well, my love,” she replied while giving him a teasing smile.

  At the entrance to the dining room, they separated with the duke heading to his study while he watched his duchess go to the orangery to work on flower arrangements for the upcoming ball.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  With Lady Aleece in the lead they slowed their mounts to a walk as the hunting lodge came into view. She beamed a smile when several of the Smyth’s younger children dashed pell-mell out the door right toward the horses. Even though they’d galloped the horses to get the fidgets out of them, Aleece didn’t want to trust the mounts to the little ones like she was wont to do with her own horse.

  Only after she slid out of the saddle did she notice several of the older children with their mother come out.

  She leaned over, coming eye to eye with the young ones. “I am sorry, but I think it’s wiser if you older brothers hold them.” She could see the disappointment in the eyes of the six year old and knew how to remedy the problem. “But I’ll tell you what, tomorrow when I stop by, I will have my girl and you both can have a ride.”

  The children’s bright smiles told her they were in agreement, and she watched as they went to see what was in the cart.

  Now free of distraction, Aleece handed over Sabre’s reins to the older boy while Debbie did the same with her horse.

  Aleece waved off a curtsey, seeing Mrs. Smyth had the baby in her arms. “I hope you’re finding everything to your liking in your temporary home.

  “Welcome, Your Ladyship,” Mrs. Smyth said.

  “I know you lost quite a bit in the fire, so we brought a few things to make settling in easier,” Aleece replied as she led the woman over to see what they’d brought.

  Aleece watched as Mrs. Smyth shooed the kids away knowing the woman wanted to see what had been brought.

  “I can’t believe the generosity of the people from the village and farms. Even that skinflint, the Widow Bowman sent over a meat pie. Must have hurt for her to part with even a farthing to help someone.”

  Aleece gave her a warm smile. “You can never underestimate how people will react to different situations.”

  “That’s true. Even a stranger, and a right handsome man he was, stopped by and gave me some blunt,” Mrs. Smyth said, opening her hand to show Lady Aleece several shillings and a sovereign.

  She listened, trying to remain composed as Mrs. Smyth went on to describe the gentleman. As the woman told her and Debbie what he looked like, she was more and more convinced it was her Mr. Thomas. Wanting to get on the road, she politely cut the woman off with, “We must take our leave. Debbie and I are going to go over to your farmhouse to see if I can remember anything from yesterday. Something that might point specifically to the Travers boy.”

  “Aye, since you’re going that way you might run into him. Gave him directions to get there. You take care and thank the duke and duchess for the much needed gifts at this time.”

  After making sure the groom had the cart unloaded, they started back to the mansion. At the fork in the path, Lady Aleece and Debbie went right while the groom stayed straight for home.

  Once free of prying ears Aleece glanced over to her maid. “Do you think it could be the man who helped me yesterday, the one I thought mayhap be Mr. Thomas?”

  “Aye, m’ lady. Didn’t his last letter say he would get here yesterday?”

  “Yes, but what I wonder is why he hasn’t tried to let me know of his arrival. I do miss him so.” Aleece let out a frustrated sigh.

  “He might have, m’ lady, but knowing you weren’t up he could have left without telling anyone.”

  Aleece twisted her head around, a quizzical eyebrow raised look in her eyes.

  “Yes, don’t you remember you let him know your bedroom overlooked the garden, and if he approached from that direction, he would have seen the curtains drawn closed.” Debbie clarified her statement.

  “Yes, you are correct. Let’s hurry and we might be able to catch up to him,” Aleece spoke, tapping Sabre’s right side with her crop. Easily he broke into a safe, comfortable canter. The sound of Beau’s hooves informed Aleece that Debbi had followed suit.

  As they approached the Smyth’s partially burned house, they slowed to a walk and looked around to see if anyone was there. The sound of a whinny brought their attention to a post near the barn.

  Aleece spied a great hulking beast of a horse tied to a ring. Dark chestnut in color with the most beautiful flaxen mane she’d ever seen. Several thin streaks of white ran down the side of him. Strips similar to those that marred Sabre. Immediately she knew the cause, musket balls had grazed the steed in battles long since past.

  With that she knew the animal couldn’t belong to Mr. Thomas. This horse had seen combat, whereas her love had been hurt in a riding accident.

  Lady Aleece brought Sabre to a halt, close but not too close, to this mystery beast. As she kicked her left foot free of the stirrup, a weak moan emanating from the barn caught her attention. Without a thought, she dropped the reins, lifted the trailing edge of her riding habit skirt and rushed in the direction of the painful sound.

  Two steps inside, she spied a well-formed man, broad shouldered with muscular legs, flat on his stomach. His hand reaching for the back of his head. When he let out another moan in agony, she rushed forward and knelt at his side.

  Putting a gentle hand on his shoulder, she whispered, “Easy, sir. It looks like someone gave you a great clout on the back of the head.”

  No sooner were the words free of her lips then she felt Debbie’s hand on her shoulder. Without looking around she said, “Help me get him turned over. I’ll cup his head with one hand so it doesn’t bounce.”

  As they grabbed handfuls of the man’s greatcoat to roll him, they heard his weak voice pronounce, “I must have died and am in heaven. No voice on earth can sound as sweet as my Aleece’s.”

  Silence filled the area as the words sank into Aleece’s mind. After a few moments she said, “No, Mr. Thomas, you are still of this world. For truly tis I, Aleece.” Her voice trembling with emotion. “Rest easy while we set you on your back.”

  The two women had him over and his head resting in Aleece’s lap before another moan of pain could escape him. She gazed longingly into his hazel eyes, lost in their beauty. Without thinking she leaned over, pressing her lips to his.

  No sooner did they touch then she felt him tease her mouth open with the tip of his tongue. Grateful he was not only alive but here, she opened for him. Not until a bashful giggle alerted her to the presence of another person did she slowly separate from him.

  Aleece felt her face heat from embarrassment at being caught, even by Debbi, who’d been witness to such behavior before.

  “Can you talk, Mr. Thomas?” Her voice was soft, warm and welcoming.

  “Yes, but I would rather be kissing you. It is a lot more enjoyable,” he proclaimed.

  “Here, let me help you sit up,” Aleece said as she tried to push him up from her lap. “A little help would be nice,” she demanded, frustrated she wasn’t able to budge his weight.

  “Why? I rather enjoy where my pained head is resting.”

  “Sir, kindly remove yourself from m’ lady’s lap. It’s unseemly for a lady of her station even to be in a stable much less sitting on the ground with a man’s head where it is,” Debbi announced with a tone that brooked no room for discussion.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  With one
easy but careful movement, so as not to rattle his head, Thomas rose to his feet. Once steady, he extended his hand to Aleece and lifted her as if she weighed next to nothing. She landed against his chest, and he was about to take another kiss when he saw Debbi move her mistress away from temptation, a scowl guaranteed to curdle milk on the woman’s face.

  “Never argue with a mother hen when it comes to protecting one of her chicks,” Thomas said, giving both women a bow.

  In a vain attempt he tried to stifle a laugh but his shoulders gave away his delight as he watched both women cross their arms over their chests presumable at his reference to fowl. Even the dual knifelike glares emanating from their eyes didn’t deter or stop him.

  “So that’s what I am to you, a chick,” Aleece declared.

  “Yes, my darling Lady Aleece. And no finer specimen of chickhood exists anywhere in fair England. I love how when you get your pinfeathers ruffled your nose, and so adorable it is, crinkles.” No sooner were the words out than he slumped against one of the stalls.

  “Thomas,” Aleece screamed.

  “M’ lord,” Debbi cried out.

  “No, no. I am fine. A little light-headed that’s all,” he addressed Aleece before glaring at the other woman. “Let me sit a moment and I shall be fit.” He paused then redirected his attention to his love. “Well, are not you going to ask how I ended up in here with an egg on my head?”

  “If you are up to it. And what is this 'm’ lord' thing? I thought you were a gentleman but not of the peerage?” Aleece inquired.

  “One at a time. First what happened? I stopped by to look in on Mrs. Smyth and the family—"

  “Yes, we missed you by a bit, it seems. And thank you for your generosity in helping them out.”

  “Are you going to let me finish?” He wanted to admonish her more, but not with Debbi present since he would prefer to kiss her senseless as punishment.

  “As I was saying, I came directly here to look around in hopes of finding any evidence as to who might have set the house ablaze. As you noticed, I tied my horse, and before you interrupt or ask, that beast was loaned to me by my good friend, the Marquess of Langdonly. I had been visiting him when mine came up lame, and instead of posting a missive telling you of my misfortune, he offered his charger.