A Lively Christmas Season

By Clare Jayne

Copyright 2016 Clare Jayne

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission in writing of the author, except for brief quotations used for promotion or in reviews.

All names, places, characters and incidents in this book are fictional and any resemblance to any person, business, place or event is entirely coincidental.

Chapter One

Amelia stood, hand on her husband’s arm, on the steps of Linville Hall, her country estate, as the first of

the carriages arrived. In the strictest sense, Linville Hall belonged to Lord Brightford and had been in

his family for generations but that in no way affected her proprietary enjoyment of it. Indeed, given how tirelessly she and the servants had been working over the last few weeks to make the upcoming

celebrations perfect, she felt entirely justified in thinking of it as hers.

Guy turned his head to smile at her and she returned the look, alight with happiness. He had proposed

to her just over a year ago and they had been married now for four months, ever since the mourning

period for her father had ended. She loved Guy more than ever.

A footman opened the carriage door and assisted Mrs Gallerton down. Amelia’s smile grew slightly

forced and remained that way as Mr and Mrs Harrington, Lottie and Benjamin’s parents, descended after

her. They had not spoken to their son since Benjamin had settled down, in an intimacy resembling the

marital state, with Nathaniel Fenbridge. They had agreed to come here, though, knowing Benjamin and

Nathaniel would be in attendance, so they surely did not intend to continue ignoring him. Amelia felt a

sisterly bond towards both Benjamin and Nathaniel and would not allow anyone to insult or mistreat

them under her roof.

She greeted her aunt and Mr and Mrs Harrington, leaving her husband to lead them inside while she

stepped forward to embrace her mother, who had been the final inhabitant of the carriage.

“I am so happy to see you,” she said as they held each other. There had been a time when they had

not had the warmest of relationships but the death of Amelia’s father last year had made them rely on

each other and had strengthened their relationship.

“You look tired,” Mama said, finally out of her mourning clothes and wearing an attractive red and

grey travelling outfit. “You have not been ill?”

“Not in the least. I have just been busy preparing for everyone’s arrival and ensuring you would all be

sufficiently entertained during your visit. Come inside out of the cold.” Amelia took her mother’s arm

and led her in, glancing at the sky as she did so. It had a colourless heavy quality and she hoped it

would not start snowing before the rest of her guests arrived.

Linville Hall was less than a century old, far newer than her own family’s estate which, since her

marriage, also officially belonged to her husband, but was still run by her mother. Guy was a generous

man who had given Amelia and her mother unlimited funds to renovate and alter the two estates, giving

her mother the opportunity to improve the houses of her tenants. Amelia had only updated a couple of

the rooms here, since they were already sufficiently modern and majestic to suit her. Tradition

demanded that the house could not be decorated with greenery until Christmas Eve but the floors and

furniture had been scrubbed and polished so that they sparkled.

A couple of hours later, Amelia was drinking tea with her mother, Mrs Gallerton and Mrs Harrington

when she heard noises from outside. She lowered her cup and put it with care onto its saucer – the new

tea set was an extravagance but the oriental style, dragons painted on each delicate piece of porcelain,

was of the latest fashion and had received numerous compliments. She had just put the cup and saucer

down on the delicately carved tea-table when the butler entered the room and informed her that the rest

of her guests were arriving.

She left the ladies to finish their drinks and hurried to the front door, just behind her husband, who

was clearly eager to see his cousins. The men all embraced and clapped each other’s backs as Amelia

welcomed Lottie, both of them in joyful tears at being reunited. Large flakes of icy snow were falling

now so, after Amelia had curtsied to the men and they had bowed to her, the whole party hastened

indoors, the men joining the ladies in the drawing room.

Lottie looked exhausted from the long journey from England so Amelia made her sit down on the

chaise longue in front of the blazing fireplace, placing a cup of tea and buttered scone in front of her.

“The tea should still be hot if you drink it straight away,” Amelia said.

Lottie took a sip and, smiling, said, “It is just what I needed.”

Mrs Harrington came to sit beside her daughter and at once criticised the lovely blue travelling outfit

Lottie was wearing. Amelia bit back a sigh of annoyance and turned round, only to see Mr Harrington

speaking enthusiastically to Mr Alexander Fenbridge and completely ignoring Benjamin and Nathaniel.

Mrs Gallerton was also talking non-stop at Mama and Guy on a variety of trivial subjects, not giving

them a chance to say a word.

It was not the best start to the festivities.

Chapter Two

Brightford shut the door of the library, separating the men from the women. He was happy to spend

time with Amelia’s mother and Mrs Fenbridge, being fond of them both, but was grateful to escape Mrs

Gallerton’s chatter and Mrs Harrington’s critical eye. It meant, though, that he still had Mr Harrington in his group and that gentlemen was still ignoring the existence of Benjamin and Nathan, which created

an awkward atmosphere. He would have preferred to have not invited Mr and Mrs Harrington but

Amelia seemed to have some kind of reconciliation planned and he could not deny his wife anything.

“Port or whisky?” he asked and poured out the drinks for each of them. They sat down in chairs

around the smaller fireplace and took sips from their glasses. “So what is the news from England?”

“In London the war is still the most important topic of conversation,” Alex, the older of Brightford’s

cousins, said. “Bonaparte may have forced Austria to sign a peace treaty but Britain will not stop

fighting for the foreseeable future.”

“The peace treaty with Denmark has also been finalised,” Benjamin said and, ignoring the glare Mr

Harrington aimed at his son, Brightford nodded, although he had already heard the consequences of

Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Copenhagen. He was not a soldier and there was more than enough

hostility in this room for him to contend with.

“And how is Mrs Fenbridge?” It had seemed like a safe question, the harmonious relationship

between Charlotte and Alex from the moment they met a source of pleasure and amusement to him and

Amelia, whose own volatile courtship could not have been more different. However, Alex froze,

expression unhappy, although an instant later he had fixed a smile on his face.

“Lottie is well and as excellent a wife as always,” Alex said. “I cannot imagine how I lived without

her.”

Brightford did not doubt that he meant this and was perplexed by his cousin’s initial reaction. Mrs

Fenbridge was a calm, kind lady and Alex was an easy-going fellow so it seemed unlikely that they had

argued. He could not ask anything personal in front of the others, so Brightford turned to Nathan and

Benjamin, who were standing close together in a manner that was either unconscious affection or a show

of unity to Mr Harrington. “Are the two of you still settled comfortably in England?”

The men exchanged secretive glances as Mr Harrington turned away to look out of the window,

clearly highly uncomfortable at any reference to the affectionate nature of the men’s relationship.

Benjamin answered, “I have some news, which will cause changes in our life, but that can wait until

everyone is together at dinner.”

Brightford liked Benjamin – he always had – but there was no denying that the young gentleman had

a reckless side. His announcement could concern just about anything, Brightford’s only certainly being

that, of all three couples, this one could at least not be expecting a child.

* * *

“Perhaps you should rest before dinner,” Amelia suggested to Lottie, who still looked strained,

although the warmth of the fire had brought colour to her cheeks. “Would you like me to show you to

your room?”

Mrs Gallerton was regaling Mama and Mrs Harrington with supposedly amusing anecdotes so Amelia

finally had a few minutes to talk to her friend alone. Lottie nodded. “That might be a good idea. I fear I

am being a dull guest but several days of travelling in this cold weather have left me a trifle unwell.”

They left the drawing room and walked upstairs, arm-in-arm. “I have only arranged an informal

dinner party for tonight,” Amelia said, “so if you would prefer to have a tray of food brought up...”

“No, that is not necessary,” Lottie said at once. “I will be fully recovered in a couple of hours.”

Amelia took her into one of the guest bedrooms on the second floor. Lottie’s maid had accompanied

her and was unpacking clothes from a travelling chest. Outside the window it was still snowing – a

layer of white already covering the countryside and out-buildings – so the parties had arrived just in

time. It was late afternoon now so the sun had set but a full moon along with the sparkling snow made

the outside world visible and rendered the view picturesque.

Amelia watched as her guest sat in an armchair and, heading to the door, said, “Rest well since it is

my duty as hostess to ensure you are kept busying enjoying yourself for the next month.”

“I look forward to it,” Lottie said with a smile.

* * *

Amelia had only invited half a dozen local people to join them for the evening and the first two of

these arrived an hour later.

“We left early,” Mrs Meikle said, handing her bonnet and gloves to the butler, “for fear that the snow

would delay us but the horses made good time after all.”

“It was a wise precaution,” Amelia said and complimented her on the pale apricot evening gown she

wore that was edged with lace and had orange satin flowers stitched onto it. The colour warmed Mrs

Meikle’s pale complexion and brown hair and the satin flowers enlivened the outfit. Amelia and Lord

Brightford took the couple into the drawing room and made the first round of introductions.

Mr and Mrs Meikle were an amiable pair only a few years older than her and, while the Church of

Scotland frowned on celebrations over the festive period, they clearly took as little notice of this as she

herself did. The atmosphere when she and Guy’s families had arrived had not been as warm as Amelia

had hoped but, by the time the rest of the local guests arrived and Lottie came downstairs, everyone’s

moods had lifted and the house was full of bright conversation and laughter.

The butler announced dinner and they paired off to form a procession – in strict order of social rank –

into the larger dining room where the best silver cutlery was laid out on top of a white tablecloth along

with napkins shaped into swans. Candles were lit around the table highlighting the set of porcelain

sculptures in the middle. The group took the seats Amelia had assigned to each of them and continued

their conversations, Amelia and Mrs Meikle discussing the balls they would each be holding over

Christmastide, while the servants placed china bowls of soup in front of them.

During a pause, Guy said to Nathaniel and Benjamin, “I am still awaiting the big news the two of you

have. We are all assembled now so you have no further excuses for delaying telling us.”

Amelia looked at the men with curiosity, not having heard anything about this.

Benjamin’s fiddled with his wine glass in a nervous manner then raised his eyes to them. “I have

decided to train to become a barrister. Nathan and I will be renting a house in Edinburgh next year so I

can attend the College and begin my law studies.”

Amelia’s eyes widened as she took this in, the law not being a subject she would have expected to

appeal to him. However, it made sense that Benjamin would want a profession now that his father had

disinherited him and there was nothing more dignified than becoming a barrister; he could even adopt

the title of Lord once he achieved it.

Benjamin’s blue eyes darted over to his parents and she could see the raw hope shining in them. It

was an eminently respectable goal – surely they would be happy for him? The seconds ticked by and Mr

and Mrs Harrington’s expressions remained stony.

“What a wonderful idea,” she hastily said and Guy agreed, Lottie leaning over to hug her brother.

He smiled at them all but Amelia could see in his slumped shoulders and dull eyes that his parents’

lack of response had wounded him.

Chapter Three

“I do not wish to,” Lottie insisted, shaking her head.

It was the morning after everyone’s arrival and after the dinner party. Amelia blamed herself for

having invited Mr and Mrs Harrington here and letting them once again make Benjamin miserable. They had always refused to accept that he had romantic feelings for men rather than women but she had

hoped that a year away from him would soften their hearts.

The excursion this morning had been intended to be something pleasurable to relax them all. She

glanced over at the icy layer over the pond then back at Lottie. “But you loved ice skating when we

were younger.”

“We are no longer children,” Lottie said in a steely tone and, for a moment, Amelia did not know her,

then she smiled and added, “I will have just as much pleasure watching everyone else.”

Amelia nodded and bent to put her own specially-made skates over her shoes. This holiday had been

supposed to bring them all closer than ever. She had needed Guy to see that she could get everything

right but, instead, it was falling apart. Benjamin was unhappy because of her and now she had somehow

offended her best friend too.

A gloved hand touched hers and Amelia looked round. Lottie said gently, “I am still a little tired from

the journey here, that is all. It is nothing for you to worry about.”

Amelia accepted this with relief. Mr and Mrs Harrington also refused to join them but said they

would enjoy a short circular walk through the snow-covered woods and would return to meet them all at

the pond. They waved off Guy’s offer to accompany them and the rest of the group took to the gleaming

ice.

Mrs Gallerton hesitated at the edge of the pond and Amelia reassured her, “Our head gardener tested

the thickness of the ice and it is perfectly safe.”

“Did he test the likelihood of someone breaking their ankle?” Mrs Gallerton shot back and Amelia

grimaced, gliding backwards to show how easy it was. Mrs Gallerton gave a put-upon sigh and stepped

forward, wobbling. Amelia skated forward, a hand out to help her, but Mrs Gallerton headed away from

her, gliding along a couple of feet on the slippery surface and saying, “I can manage very well on my

own, young lady.”

It was alarming to consider that she might have inherited anything from her aunt, but Amelia could

not help but think that they shared the same stubborn streak. She turned and Guy caught her gloved

hand in his, pulling her towards him with a wicked look in his eyes. She laughed and lifted her other

hand to grab his arm as she bumped into him. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

“This was an excellent idea,” he told Amelia and all her troubles vanished as she looked at him. She

had not realised it was possible to love anyone this much and wanted desperately to be sure he felt the

same way. She could not bear the thought of disappointing him.

He took her other hand from his arm, kissed it, then, holding both hands in his, glided backwards,

pulling her with him. He must have spent a lot of time skating to have become so proficient at it and she

smiled as she remembered how dull and stuffy she had once thought him. She could not have been more

wrong.

He turned in a circle, spinning them both round and round, stopping before she became too dizzy. He

released one of her hands but kept hold of the other so they could glide round the frozen lake side by

side. Nathaniel and Benjamin shot past them, apparently racing each other. Alexander Fenbridge called

encouragements to his brother but it was clear Benjamin would win and, as they came to a halt, Amelia

saw Lottie standing by the edge of the pool, clapping.

Everyone was in high spirits and Amelia thought that perhaps she had not made such a mess of

planning the festivities after all.

Chapter Four

The group returned to Linville Hall in the afternoon after several hours of skating and walking for hot

drinks and the welcome warmth of the drawing room fire. After the almost blinded brightness of the

white world outside it took a moment to see clearly inside the house. Amelia sent out the butler with whispered instructions and he returned with a tray full of presents. She

announced to her guests, “Today is the sixth of December – St Nicholas Day – so there are gifts for

everyone.”

Several of the others, including Lottie and Mama, had had the same idea, so Amelia found herself

with several gifts of her own to unwrap. For a while everyone enjoyed their presents, exclaiming and

thanking the gift givers. Amelia was unaware of anything wrong until she heard Lottie, on the far side

of the room, speaking to her husband in a shrill tone that could not have been more unlike her.

“You should not have done it – I will not see him!” Lottie exclaimed and hurried from the room.

Everyone turned to look at Alexander Fenbridge, who stood stiffly, a lost look in his eyes. He

explained in an uncomfortable tone, “My wife has been feeling ill for more than a week. I asked Guy to

arrange for a physician to visit the house.”

Amelia headed for the door. “Please let me speak to her.”

She found Lottie sitting, bending over to put pattens over her shoes to protect them from the damp

snow outside. Her hands were shaking.

Amelia crouched down beside her. “He is worried because he loves you.”

“He should not have made a decision behind my back,” Lottie insisted, wiping a tear from her cheek.

“I just need everyone to leave me alone to think.”

“If you still feel ill...”

“I am perfectly well. Please apologise to the physician and inform him that I have no need of him.”

She took her Norwich shawl, bonnet and muff and hurried to the door, the butler rushing to open it for

her, then she vanished outside.

Amelia had rarely seen her so upset. Had she and Alexander argued about something else? What did

she need time alone to think about?

She wanted to go after her friend but Lottie had made it clear she needed solitude so Amelia returned

to the other guests. She gave a helpless shrug to Alexander, whose expression was now distraught.

“Lottie has gone for a walk. She insists that she is well.”

Alexander excused himself and Amelia saw him heading up the staircase.

She ignored her own confusion and concentrated on diverting her guests’ attentions from Lottie and

Alexander’s argument. They all sat down to a set of card games but the atmosphere was subdued, no

one seeming able to give the games much of their concentration. Amelia could see that Benjamin was

just as worried as Alexander but, knowing nothing herself, was unable to reassure him. It was at

moments like this that he looked younger than his nineteen years.

The physician arrived and Guy offered him refreshments before sending him away again.

A couple of hours later Lottie returned to the house and faced the group with a look of utter misery.

“I owe you all my sincerest apologies for my shameful behaviour. I promise I am entirely well and was

overcome with embarrassment at causing such a fuss.”

Amelia had known Lottie for nearly their entire lives and could tell from her expression that this was

not the truth.

Alexander was not with the group and Amelia did not know what Lottie said to him but they came

down to dinner together in better spirits.

Amelia knew she would get nothing more from her friend but she had never known Lottie to tell a lie

before. Amelia could not imagine what problem would induce her to do so now.

* * *

Brightford sought out his older cousin for an explanation of the argument and to find out if he could

do anything to help them resolve it. Alexander was standing by the window in his guest bedroom

which, with no fire lit, had an arctic level of chill to it. He was looking out into the grounds at the back

of the house: the formal garden, the pond, woods and fields – dark foliage against white snow and a

moving figure in blue. Lottie.

“Are you all right?” Brightford asked.

“We were so happy until recently,” Alex said, still watching his wife as she got further away. “I have

no idea what went wrong and she refuses to talk to me about it.”

Brightford sat down on the four-poster bed. “Marriage is complicated. I worry about Amelia

sometimes – she worked herself to exhaustion making all the preparations for this holiday and now

cannot relax as she seems to feel that everyone else’s happiness is her responsibility. I do not know why

it matters so much to her.” He too worried about his wife and wished she would turn to him but he had

married a strong-willed woman who made her own decisions. Sometimes all he could do for he was to

love her. “Our wives still have their own private feelings and needs. Perhaps your wife needs to resolve

this for herself before talking to you.”

“We are married,” Alex exclaimed, turning to face Brightford. “Why would she possibly not turn to

me if something is upsetting her? There is nothing I would not do for Lottie.”

“I am sure this will sort itself out,” Brightford said with more confidence than he felt.

Chapter Five

Two weeks went by and Christmas Eve was upon them. The younger members of the group headed into

the freezing, snow-covered world outside to collect armfuls of greenery then everyone used it to make

garlands and kissing boughs, covering every ledge, mantelpiece and ceiling in the downstairs rooms. The men instantly took advantage of the kissing boughs with their wives, Guy bestowing an affectionate,

lingering kiss to Amelia’s lips that warmed her more than any fire could. The servants, in the meantime,

collected a large Yule log for the drawing room fireplace. By the time their work was complete Linville

Hall smelt like a forest and was covered in a green layer of Christmas finery.

There had been no more arguments since Lottie and Alexander’s disagreement and outwardly

everyone was happy and enthusiastic about the festivities, but Amelia felt the tensions still under the

surface between her friend and Mr Fenbridge as well as between Benjamin and his parents and those,

like Lottie and Nathaniel, who loved Benjamin. It made Amelia try harder than ever to mend the

problems and to keep everyone entertained. She was aware daily that she was failing.

Guy was nothing but loving and affectionate but she had the terrible feeling that she must be

disappointing him.

Mr and Mrs Meikle were hosting a masked ball that evening so Amelia had had a variety of masks

made for her guests and the preparations began mid-afternoon. Maids arranged their mistresses’ hair in

elegant styles and ball gowns were donned. Amelia was particularly pleased with the style and vibrant

blue colour of her own gown, which matched her eyes. When she descended the staircase her gaze

sought out those of her husband and his eyes swept over her, from head to toe then back again, warmth

and admiration in them. She gave a satisfied smile and let him lead her once more to a conveniently

placed kissing bough.

They took several carriages and, despite further snow, soon saw the flickering candlelight that lit the

rooms of the large medieval manor house owned by Mr and Mrs Meikle. The ballroom was already half

full of talking people wearing masks and grand outfits and was pleasantly warm after the iciness outside.

Amelia accepted a glass of hot mulled wine from her husband as she noted that their host and hostess

had also been busy today with decorations.

“I see two more kissing boughs,” Guy remarked with an arm around her waist.

Amelia laughed. “You, sir, are incorrigible.”

“Just hopelessly in love with my wife. Now which dances will you allow me to claim?”

“Whichever you desire,” she told him fondly.

Amelia’s love of dancing had not diminished so she seldom stopped moving for the next few hours,

the masks giving the ball an air of intrigue, although it was easy enough to recognise her guests in their

unique finery. She noted with no surprise that Benjamin and Nathaniel spent more time talking and

drinking than dancing and soon vanished into the card room. She was, however, concerned to see that

Lottie was hardly dancing and had a strained look on her face.

When Alexander headed to the dance area with Mrs Harrington, Amelia made her way through the

crowds of talking people to her friend.

“Are you enjoying the ball?” Amelia asked.

“Very much,” Lottie said with an expression that contradicted her words.

“I wish you would tell me what has been upsetting you recently.”

Lottie bit her lip, clearly making up her mind, then she turned and leaned nearer to say in an

undertone, “I am expecting a child.”

Amelia gasped then smiled in delight, Lottie’s fear of over-exerting herself over the holiday suddenly

making sense. No wonder she had not wanted to risk ice skating. “What wonderful news!”

“No, it is not,” Lottie said, blinking back tears. “It is terrible.”

Chapter Six

“How can having a child possibly be bad news?” Amelia asked. “Is Alexander not happy about it?”

“He does not know,” Lottie confessed.

They were alone in the library of Mr and Mrs Meikle’s home, Amelia having told a footman she felt faint and asked to be escorted to somewhere quiet. Amelia had shut the library door so the music and

laughter from the ball were muffled sounds that seemed much further away than they were.

“I do not understand,” Amelia said, her normally straightforward friend an utter mystery to her at this

moment.

Lottie clasped her gloved hands together then unclasped them and paced the room. She finally said, “I

fear I will be a bad mother.”

“Then this is why you should have told me your worries weeks ago – so I could reassure you of how

utterly ludicrous they are!” Amelia embraced her friend and Lottie held her tightly. For some reason

Lottie genuinely believed this idea. Amelia spoke again: “You will be the best mother imaginable, far

better than me and I hope to have the same news soon. You are patient, kind, affectionate. What

imagined fault do you believe you possess that would worry you like this?”

“I know only the way I was raised. My parents have been always criticised everything I did and look

at how unhappy they have made poor Benjy!”

“That is them,” Amelia said, putting all her conviction into the words, “not you. You have often been

more mother than sister to Benjamin and he adores you.”

Lottie came to a halt and looked at Amelia with a searching gaze. “You really believe I will not take

after my own mother?”

“You could not be more different.”

Lottie sank down into a chair, tears running down her cheeks. “I was so afraid. I have upset

everyone, particularly Alex, who is the last person to deserve it. I am such a fool.”

Amelia moved a chair over to sit beside her friend. “Then I have a confession of my own so you can

see that I was afraid too. You remember the disagreements between Guy and me when we first knew

each other.”

Lottie managed a watery smile. “You hated each other.”

“He thought so badly of me that he felt the need to warn a friend away from me.”

“But he changed his mind,” Lottie said, uncomprehending. “He loves you.”

“Yes, but I was afraid of not being worthy enough of him. I wanted to make this visit perfect for

everyone and solve all your problems so he would not think me the selfish child I used to be.”

“Guy did not know you, nor you him, when you first met. You have never been a bad person and,

once he got to know you, he came to love you, as he should. I am certain he will never stop.”

Amelia nodded, accepting the reassurance. She did not want to make Guy unhappy by looking for

problems that did not exist. She too had been a fool and it was time to relax and enjoy everything she

had in her life.

“You are not responsible for solving other people’s problems,” Lottie added. “Why should you think

you need to?”

“You and Benjamin are my best friends and I love you both. Of course I want to take away anything

that worries you and see you both happy.”

They hugged then Lottie said, “Would you ask Alex to come in here so I can tell him about the baby?”

“Yes, of course.” Amelia smiled as she stood up. “He will be thrilled.”

She returned to the ball, passed on the message to Alexander, then sought out her husband and pulled

him over to the nearest kissing bough.

Chapter Seven

It was Christmas Day. This meant several hours spent in an icy church sitting on uncomfortable wooden

pews. Luckily the vicar did not take the view of many of his Scottish brethren and admonish them for

trivializing a sacred day with frivolities. Instead he spoke of the blessings of the season and the opportunity to help those less fortunate. It was a subject Amelia felt no guilt over since she had

expensive gifts for the servants’ Christmas Boxes for opening the next day and had arranged for extra

cooks to be hired so presents of food could be taken to all her tenants. She, therefore, left the church in a

cold but happy mood, taking in with pleasure the view ahead of her of a snow-covered stile leading out

onto fields and trees as well as the fresh smell of the air after the mustiness of the church.

Their carriages took them back to Linville Hall, everyone putting blankets over their legs to warm

their shivering bodies. Once inside the fires finished the job and they sat close to them to play a few

games of speculation, although they did not play for money on this day. Benjamin had a lucky streak

and won every round.

It was soon time for them to change into evening outfits for a grand Christmas dinner, enjoying

venison, specially prepared vegetables and plum pudding until they could eat no more. They then

headed to the drawing room, its popularity due to its having the largest fireplace in the house. Amelia

felt sleepy and content as she watched the flickering copper flames, all her dancing and the late finish of

the ball the previous evening catching up with her. However, her duties as hostess were not yet

complete.

“What parlour game shall we play?” she asked her guests.

“Nothing that involves moving,” Mrs Gallerton promptly replied.

“You mentioned an English game called Snapdragon,” Benjamin said to Nathaniel, who nodded.

“Yes, it is a game for the gentlemen involving brandy and a good deal of courage,” he answered with

a dimpled smile.

Intrigued, Amelia asked a footman to bring the required items: a bowl half-filled with raisins and a

bottle of heated brandy. The guests all watched with interest as Nathaniel poured the brandy over the

raisins then lit a slither of wood in the fire and used it to set the brandy alight.

“Would you put out the candles?” he asked the footman, who did so, leaving the room in semi-

darkness lit only by the fire and the blue glow of flame on the surface of the bowl of brandy. “The

purpose of the game,” he said, “is to consume the raisins without getting burnt using only your mouth to

collect them.”

“I will try,” Benjamin said at once. Amelia held her breath as he approached the bowl and she could

see Lottie with a hand over her mouth, looking equally concerned. It did not seem possible that he could

do this without injury.

He leaned over the bowl and the blue flame lit his face. He plunged down, grabbing raisins with his

teeth and emerged victorious, chewing the raisins. Several people, including Amelia, applauded him

then some of the other men took turns, managing to escape almost unharmed, although Guy did

complain of a sore lip which Amelia later felt compelled to privately kiss better.

They moved on to the far more sedate games of charades and bouts-rime which kept them entertained

until they retired for the night.

All in all it had been an exceptionally pleasing day but, if Amelia thought the season of goodwill was

finally improving the relationships amongst her guests, she was soon to be proven wrong.

Chapter Eight

After so good-natured a sermon on Christmas Day, Amelia and her guests cheerfully sat down in church

for another service two days later. When the vicar began his sermon Amelia grew cold, hardly believing

what she was hearing. She could feel half her guests stiffening in their seats and could only imagine how they felt about such a personal attack. The unpleasant words went on and on.

The service finally ended and they were able to escape. Amelia was so distraught that she barely

noticed Mr Harrington speaking to the vicar.

She could not speak outside, as she wished to, in front of the rest of the congregation but, as soon as

they all reach Linville Hall, while they were still removing their outer coverings in the hall, she turned to

Benjamin and Nathaniel. “I am so sorry. He has never spoken on that subject before and I cannot

imagine why he should do so now.”

“It is not the first such sermon I have ever heard,” Nathaniel said dismissively, managing a smile.

“I should think you might do well to take the words to heart,” Mr Harrington said to his son in a

lecturing manner. “Sodomy is a sin...”

“This was your doing!” Mrs Harrington exclaimed, looking at her husband with an appalled

expression. “That was why you were talking to the vicar. How could you take such a private matter and

make it public?”

Amelia pursed her lips at the fact she was more concerned with a scandal than her own son being hurt

but at least it caused Mr Harrington’s smug expression to fade away. “The vicar had no idea the subject

affected Benjamin. I simply suggested the topic.”

“It was an unforgiveable cruelty,” Alexander Fenbridge said, standing beside his brother and

Benjamin and Amelia saw that his support worried Mr Harrington, who had always been proud of his

wealthy, well-respected son-in-law.

“You disowned me less than a year ago,” Benjamin said to him, white faced, “so let me do the same

now to you. I have no father. Once we leave here I have no wish to ever see you again.” He turned and

strode out of the house, Nathaniel following.

“Since you clearly take no pleasure in being here,” Amelia said to Mr Harrington, “perhaps you would

care to end your visit early.”

She walked into the drawing room, overhearing Mrs Harrington saying, “You have taken this too far

and now look at the consequences.”

Amelia did not hear whether there was any response. The other guests – all except Mr and Mrs

Harrington – followed her into the room, expressions subdued. Lottie hurried to a window and Amelia,

following her gaze, saw she was looking at Benjamin and Nathaniel talking outside in the garden. Even

without knowing what they were saying, Amelia could see Benjamin’s dejection.

“I must go and speak to Benjy,” Lottie said and left.

Amelia wanted to follow, aching to say or do something to help, but not knowing how. Guy put an

arm round her shoulders and said, “They know we love and support them. They will recover from this.”

She nodded, still upset, as Guy turned to the other guests and suggested a game of piquet.

She kept an eye on the window as they played, excusing herself from the room when she saw Lottie

heading inside.

She met her friend in the hall and asked, “How are they?”

“Nathaniel is distressed for Benjy’s sake, who says he is not upset, when he clearly is. How could my

father do such a thing?”

The depth of Lottie’s agitation worried Amelia and she said, “I know it is difficult but you must try to

be calm or you might harm the baby.”

Lottie’s hand flew to her stomach and she made a visible effort to compose herself.

“You never told me how Alexander responded to the news that he will be a father,” Amelia said to

distract her from further worrying.

“He is thrilled that I am expecting a child but hurt that I did not confide my concerns to him. I should

have done so. Now I think he feels our marriage is not as strong as he had thought.”

Amelia, at a loss as to how to help either Lottie or Benjamin, took her hand and squeezed it before

leading her into the warmth of the drawing room.

Chapter Nine

Amelia had sent out invitations some time before for a ball at Linville Hall to celebrate Hogmanay. She

did not think any of her guests were in the best mood to enjoy it, still subdued after the fateful Sunday,

but it was too late to change her plans. “I should have known that it was a mistake to invite Mr and Mrs Harrington here,” Amelia said to her

husband as her maid, Walker, dressed her hair.

“You did it with good intentions. I wish you would stop blaming yourself for any of the

disagreements that have arisen. Other people’s lives are their own responsibility.”

“Then I should not concern myself with making you happy?” she teased him.

He smiled, dark eyes warm. “You make me happy whether you try or not. The only thing that dulls

my mood is seeing you distressed.”

She got up from the chair in front of her dressing table, ignoring Walker’s objection over her half

pinned hair, and embraced her husband. They kissed and she said, “I cannot be unhappy for long if you

love me.”

“Then you should always be content.”

When she stepped back Walker brandished a hairbrush, although there was a hint of a smile on her

lips, so Amelia returned to her seat, smiling at her husband in the mirror.

“I will see you downstairs,” he said.

“I will not be long.”

Walker began working on her hair again, pinning the black curls in place. “He’s right, My Lady.

Other people can sort out their own problems.”

Walker had known her since she was born but that knowledge went both ways. “You never worry

about your friends when they are unhappy?”

Walker grimaced. “Maybe, but your husband, staff and tenants all think highly of you so perhaps you

should consider that, lassie.”

Amelia smiled, mood lifting further. “I will. Thank you.”

She walked downstairs carefully in the new slippers that matched her green ball gown. Her husband

and half her house-guests were already in the ballroom and the orchestra was setting up its instruments

at the far end. Those present unfortunately still included Mr Harrington, since the snow had deepened,

making him and his wife unable to make the return journey to their estate safely. He had stiffly

informed her they would leave as soon as they could and that he had not meant to cause any

embarrassment to her or Mr Brightford, however, as far as she knew, he had not said a word of apology

to his son. Amelia had hoped Mrs Harrington’s attitude, at least, had softened a little, since she had been

upset with her husband on Benjamin’s behalf, but there had been no reconciliation there either. Most of

the others took Benjamin and Nathaniel’s side but Mrs Gallerton supported Mr Harrington’s unkind

opinion, which had led to some harsh words spoken between Amelia and her aunt. Mama refused to

take sides.

Lottie and her husband joined them a few minutes after Amelia’s arrival and the couple looked more

contented than they had so far this visit, so Amelia had hopes that all was well between them again.

Benjamin was the last to arrive, straightening his tailcoat.

Amelia was expecting over twenty couples – the deep snow might put a few off but she thought most

people lived sufficiently close by to make it safely. In fact, only two older couples failed to arrive, the

ballroom soon filling with people. The music and dancing began and her duties as hostess kept her busy

when she was not dancing with Guy.

The hours raced by until it was time to celebrate the start of the year Eighteen Hundred and Two by

singing Robert Burns’ song, Auld Lang Syne. Despite everything that had happened, she would wish to

be nowhere but here with her husband and friends on such a special night.

Chapter Ten

“What has happened?” Amelia asked, horrified, as Nathaniel and Alexander Fenbridge half carried

Benjamin into the hallway. There was blood over half his face and neckcloth and he did not appear to

be conscious. The commotion brought the other guests into the hallway and Lottie and Mrs Harrington ran forward,

exclaiming in shocked voices.

“Would you send for a physician?” Nathaniel asked Guy, who nodded and passed on the instruction to

the butler.

“We must get him to his bed,” Lottie said. “He must rest. I will need a bowl of warm water and a

cloth to wash away the blood.”

“I will have it brought to you,” Amelia said, leaving the men to get Benjamin upstairs as she hurried

down to the kitchen and told one of the housemaids what was needed. Once this was done, she found

herself at a loss, unable to go up and enter a gentleman’s bedroom but desperate to know how badly

Benjamin was hurt and how it could have occurred.

It was Monday, four days after the Hogmanay Ball, and the guests were due to depart on Wednesday,

the day after the Twelfth Night celebrations. Benjamin, Nathaniel and Alexander had gone out for a ride

after breakfast this morning. Amelia had had letters to write and had then gone for a walk around the

garden with Guy and Lottie, returning shortly before the brothers’ appearance with Benjamin.

How had Benjamin been injured during a ride? Had he fallen off his horse? Had someone attacked

him?

The wait for news was interminable, the doctor finally riding up to the house about an hour later. His

arrival caused Lottie and Mrs Harrington to cease their ministrations and come downstairs, only

Nathaniel remaining with Benjamin during the physician’s examination.

“He woke up not long after we lay him down,” Lottie told Amelia, as the guests waited for the

physician’s report in the drawing room. “He said he was perfectly fine but of course he would say that,

no matter how bad he felt.”

Amelia nodded, knowing Benjamin’s first concern would be to attempt to ease his family’s concern.

“Did he or Nathaniel say how he came to be injured?”

“Nathan mentioned a fight in the village. I did not think to ask further. Benjy was white as chalk –

for one hideous moment when they brought him in I thought he was dead.” Lottie put one hand over her

stomach, the other clutching Amelia’s hand.

“But he is alive,” Amelia said, trying to reassure herself as well as her friend. “If he spoke clearly to

you that is an excellent sign. The physician will see to anything else that is needed to heal Benjamin.”

They continued to wait then the drawing room door opened and Mr MacDonald, the physician came

in.

“How is my son?” Mr Harrington demanded.

Amelia’s concern overrode her surprise at this unexpected reaction and her gaze remained fixed upon

Mr MacDonald.

The physician said, “Mr Benjamin Harrington knocked his head when he was struck but the injury is

not severe and his nose is not broken. He refused a measure of laudanum but I have left him a sleeping

draught to be taken as necessary. After a few days of rest he will be fully recovered.”

Lottie gave a choked sob and fell into her husband’s arms while Mr Harrington put an arm round his

wife. Amelia wiped her own eyes and walked to the door to show Mr MacDonald out. “We are so

grateful to you,” she said.

“Not at all. I am glad the young gentleman’s injury is a minor one.”

When he had left Amelia gave a shaky sigh, pausing a moment in the cold hallway. She wondered if

next year they might manage the peaceful, affectionate Christmas she had envisaged or if life would

always be this dramatic. Perhaps she should forbid her guests to leave the house or to argue for the last

bit of their stay here. A mischievous smile touched her lips as she returned to the drawing room,

imagining their expressions were she to suggest the idea.

Chapter Eleven

It was time for the last of the guests to leave. Mama and Mrs Gallerton had left the previous day, as

planned, while the others had postponed their departure until they were sure Benjamin was entirely well

again. The weather had turned milder, melting most of the snow, just in time to ensure that their journeys would be safely made.

Benjamin had ventured downstairs on the evening of his accident, Nathaniel hovering at his side, so

the other guests had finally found out how his injury had occurred. It turned out that he had tried to

calm down a brawl between two drunken villagers and had been struck by accident.

His mother had embraced him then berated him for getting involved in the altercation. Mr Harrington

had shaken his hand and gruffly expressed his relief that the injuries were not worse.

“Are you quite certain you will not take one more day to recover?” Amelia asked Benjamin for the

third time as the footmen loaded travelling chests onto Nathaniel’s carriage. “You know I regard you as

family so can stay as long as you wish.”

He smiled affectionately. “And I consider you my second sister. When Nathan and I move to

Edinburgh later in the year I hope we will all see a great deal of each other. In the meantime, though, it

is time for us to give you and your husband some peace.”

“At least you avoided any further duels this year,” she commented and he laughed and agreed.

There was a round of farewells as he and Nathaniel left, then another as the Harringtons departed.

Lottie and her husband were the last to leave, Amelia and Lottie clinging to each other and sniffing, both

wiping their eyes as Alexander said, “You are both invited to stay with us next Christmas and meet our

firstborn child.”

He and Lottie exchanged loving smiles as she and Guy agreed to this.

Amelia waved as the horses got moving, pulling the carriage away.

“I believe you managed to solve everyone’s problems after all,” Guy said, leaning over to kiss her

cheek. “Mr and Mrs Harrington are reconciled with their son and Mrs Fenbridge and Alexander are in

high spirits again.

“No,” Amelia said, taking his arm as they walked back into Linville Hall, “you were right. Everyone

solved their own difficulties and never needed my interference.”

“Does that mean you are resolved not to interfere in your friends’ lives in the future?”

“What an absurd notion,” she said and turned to stand on tiptoes and kiss him.

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