Unholy Nights: A Twisted Christmas Anthology (42 page)

“Oh yes, I’d like to help also.” Mariah chimed in, clasping her hands together with excitement. She might not be the cleverest of the sisters but her enthusiasm was endearing. 

“You can help us chop the Yule Log if you like.” Edward said in a playful manner as he walked in with Mr. Oxley at his side and a length of rope tossed over his shoulder.

Lady Allen gave them both a reproachful look, but her affection for them was plain. “Do not tease them so Edward. Get on your way and leave us in peace. Yes dears, let us start on the centerpieces.”

Sebastian rose, plainly glad for the opportunity to escape. The tea he left untouched. “I’m sorry to have to leave you ladies, but I cannot not evade my duties in this important endeavor.”

Edward grinned and turned back toward the hall. “We will suffer the loss of your company ladies, but look forward to, what I expect shall be, very fashionable centerpieces.”

“And we will make every effort not to disappoint.” Elizabeth replied easily.

Two hours later, the arrangements were complete. The result of their work was quite festive. She wanted to be happy and enjoy the moment, but she just couldn’t help but feel somewhat melancholy. She missed her family. She missed John. It was only two Christmases ago she had been on top of the world.  John had proposed a few weeks before and they were celebrating a whole lifetime of possibilities. Now here she was, basically alone. 

She glanced out the window. The sun was already low in the sky and the light was dimming—it was nearly time to dress for dinner. The Easterly girls had already taken to their room, eager to look as perfect as possible for the festivities. 

“It looks beautiful in here.” Mary appeared before her smiling, her arms full of ivy. “I am adding some final touches to the hearth.”

She looked so much improved from the day before. “Thank you Mary. You look well today.”  The pink hue of her cheeks seemed to glow at the compliment. Elizabeth knew it wasn’t strictly proper for her to speak to a maid in such a manner, but she wanted to help this girl. Seeing her smile gave her a sort of satisfaction she had not had in some time. 

“I am just so thankful Lady Elizabeth for all your kindness.” Her big blue eyes radiated such sincerity. “I am sure I can never repay you.”

“Seeing you happy is repayment enough.” Elizabeth smiled. “Let’s just think of it as our little secret.”

She felt a little better as she made her way back to her room. Helping Mary would keep her mind clear of the past.  Exhausted from the busy day and sleepless night, she had meant to lie down for a few minutes when she returned to her room, but she had fallen completely asleep only to be awoken by Lucy with a half hour to dress.

She selected a pale ivory silk gown with gold and bronze embroidery across the bust line and cap sleeves. Lucy pinned up her hair as quickly as she could manage and Elizabeth put on her pearl drop earrings. The result was rather elegant.  She could not help but hope Captain Wolfe would notice as she hurried down the hall to the parlor, but as she walked into the room it was her attention that was captured.

Sebastian sat playing at the piano and it was captivating. He was pounding out a lively tune with such proficiency she was taken aback. She had heard he played the violin, but it did not occur to her that was anything beyond ordinary in his talents. Her first impression of him seemed to crumble at every turn.  Who would have expected as much from a Navy Captain?

He finished his song and turned to his audience, receiving accolades from all around. Anne Easterly was, as would be expected, gushing compliments and quite nearly in a swoon from the excitement of it all.  Elizabeth half wished she would faint to stop her incessant chatter, but then she would probably require Captain Wolfe to carry her back to her room which was even worse. It seemed she would just have to tolerate her.

She walked over to the piano. He looked very handsome sitting at the instrument, clearly comfortable in his position. His charcoal grey waistcoat fit snuggly on his sturdy frame and she flashed back to the image of him in the hallway the night before. “Bravo Captain Wolfe. I had no idea you possessed such talents.”

He leaned his head to one side, studying her for a moment. “Now why is it that you always assume the worst about me, Lady Elizabeth?” 

It was a fair retort, but she was not going to let him rattle her. In truth, she was beginning to look forward to their exchanges. “You mock me sir, but I will not be taken in. I am growing accustomed to your tricks. You play very well.”

“In that case I shall accept your compliment and remain silent.” His dark eyes sparkled, contradicting the seriousness of his tone.

“Would you play another?” Anne could not endure being left out of the conversation and joined them from her seat on the sofa. “A duet perhaps? I would dearly love to play.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow. “By all means, I should not want to delay us from enjoying such a performance. I’ll take a seat to ensure I can fully appreciate your efforts.”

Anne smiled triumphantly and took the seat next to Sebastian. They stumbled through two duets. Well, Anne stumbled and Sebastian did his best to play through her countless mistakes. Despite Anne’s lack of talent, the songs were energetic and Elizabeth realized she was actually enjoying herself. 

“It is good to see you looking so happy,” Edward commented gently as he took a seat next to her. “My brother would wish it, you know. He would not want you to mourn him forever.”

She looked up at him her eyes thoughtful, “I know. Which is why it is so difficult isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” He poured them both a glass of Madeira. “Let us drink to his memory.”

“To John.” Elizabeth whispered, taking a generous sip from her glass.

“To John.” He emptied his glass and looked reflective for a moment, but it did not last long before he was back to his usual mischievous self. He set down his glass loudly on the table and looked around the room. “It is time to light the Yule Log I believe. Who shall have their chance before we drag it to the hearth?” 

Elizabeth had an urge to take her chance sitting on the log in hopes of good luck, but thought better of it. Her family would be horrified and poor Lucy would be stuck trying to get sap out of her gown, which was a particular favorite. No, she would enjoy the spectacle from her much cleaner and more comfortable seat.

Captain Wolfe and Mr. Oxley took their turns as well as Edward, and Anne who could not pass up the chance to be the center of attention, but eventually the wood was placed in the hearth and consumed in flames. More Madeira followed and eventually a rather impressive dinner spread was served. For a smaller party, Lady Allen had spared no expense with each course outdoing the prior.

After consuming way too much food, the dessert course was finally cleared away and the ladies adjourned to the parlor while the men stayed on with their port. Elizabeth found it to be an irritating rule.  Why should she not be allowed to stay at the table if she so chose? She was sure they were having a more interesting conversation than she would find with the Easterly girls.

“Do you believe in ghosts Lady Elizabeth?” Mariah tugged at her arm as they walked, her eyes wide.

“I do not Miss Mariah.” In truth she wasn’t at all sure, but she was not about to admit as much to the Easterly girls.

“What about the vase?” Anne spoke mildly, but her voice held a challenge.

“As the men said last night, it was likely a housecat. If there were ghosts running around Scarsbury, wouldn’t they find something better to do than upturn vases?”

“Don’t tempt our otherworldly friends” Lady Allen said in a good humored tone.

“Do you believe in ghosts?” Elizabeth was incredulous.

“Of course. They’ve been seen around Scarsbury as long as I can remember. I saw one myself as a young girl.” She lifted a hand to her silver hair. “Hard to imagine these days I know.  They only come to you when they need you or you need them.”

Lady Allen recounted the story in detail for the girls while the men finished their port, and by the end of the tale Elizabeth was left even more uncertain than she had been before. For whatever reason, she felt compelled to believe Lady Allen.If ghosts had walked the halls of Scarsbury before, perhaps they still did?

CHAPTER 7

Elizabeth had just drifted off to sleep when a loud crash awoke her. This time it sounded as if it was right below her room.  She got up out of bed and pulled on her dress from earlier. If this was going to be a nightly occurrence, she was not going to be caught in her dressing gown again. She slipped her velvet cloak over her shoulders and walked over to the window. She pulled aside a curtain and peered out in the darkness, but there was nothing unusual. No distant figures tonight; only light snowflakes floating silently through the cold air.

She let the curtain drop back into place and walked across the room to the door. She knew she should probably just return to bed, but her curiosity was piqued and she was already dressed. Elizabeth picked up a candle, slowly cracked open the door, and looked out into the dark corridor. Nobody seemed to be up but her. She tried to envision the layout of the house below her room. The crash must have come from the library or Lord Allen’s office if her estimation was correct, and she was determined to find out.

Gripping her candle with care, Elizabeth ventured down the hall and descended the great staircase. A forceful draft greeted her at the bottom of the steps, nearly extinguishing her flame. The hairs on her neck stood up. There was no reason to be scared she scolded herself, but her pulse had quickened. She looked around to see the front door to the house was slightly ajar. Perhaps she was not alone after all. 

For a moment she stood still listening for any sign of another soul, but there was only silence. She stepped forward and pulled open the heavy door once again peering out into the night. Something was moving in the distance. She set down her candle and stepped out into the frigid air. The tiny flakes melted instantly when they hit her warm face. “Is someone there? Hello?”

There was no reply. Elizabeth shivered and retreated back into the house, pulling shut the door behind her with a thud. She picked up her candle and looked up the staircase, briefly considering returning to her room. No—she did not believe in ghosts and she was not going to be afraid. She crept down the hall as silently as she could, finally reaching the library. 

She tiptoed in through the open doors and nearly tripped, barely hanging on to her candle. She bent down, letting the light illuminate the floor. Here was the source of the crash. A writing desk had been knocked over and paper was strewn across the floor. She leaned down to gather some of the paper when someone snuck up behind her.

“I didn’t take you for our ghost Lady Elizabeth?” he whispered into her ear.

His closeness startled her and she jerked involuntarily. Her candle dropped to the floor extinguishing the flame. Only the glow of moonlight illuminated the room. She turned slowly to face him. “Captain Wolfe.”

He folded his arms across his chest clearly pleased with his discovery. “Should I even ask for an explanation?”

Even in the darkness she could see the outline of his chest through the thin shirt he was wearing. Her heart beat quickly and she felt a blush rising on her cheeks. It was infuriating how he affected her. “It is I who should ask you for the explanation. I just walked in upon this mess.”

“You presume I tossed the desk to the floor and just hid here waiting for you to arrive?” His expression pleaded his innocence.

“Perhaps.” She accepted his help and let him pull her back onto her feet. She teetered a bit and he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist to steady her. Her skin burned at his touch and her breath escaped her. She hadn’t been so close to a man since John. She stepped back freeing herself from his grip, “Please, I am perfectly well.”

“Is it so intolerable to accept help now and again?” his eyes searched hers in the dim light. 

She narrowed her eyes. “Must you twist everything I say to have a meaning I did not intend?”

He stepped toward her. “Don’t you do the same to me?”

Could she ever stop arguing with this man? She wasn’t up in the middle of the night to bicker with the Captain, no matter how handsome he looked in his disheveled state. They needed to figure out what happened here. “Who could have done this? The vase could have been an accident, but this desk was upturned intentionally.”

He did not look overly concerned. “Perhaps we have a very ungainly maid on our hands?” 

She arched her eyebrow. He couldn’t possibly believe that. “Cleaning in the middle of the night?”

“Why worry yourself over this affair? It is Christmas after all and no real harm has come from whoever is doing this. You should be securely in your bed chamber.”

“You came chasing after the noise as well—at least according to your story. Why chase after noises in the middle of the night?” she took a step toward him, her irritation growing.

“As a man in the house, I have certain responsibilities” his voice registered growing frustration, “and I have difficulty sleeping if you must know.” 

“As do I, sir.” She could not help lying just to have the final word. She actually slept rather well when she wasn’t being disturbed by mysterious noises in the night. He was so close now she could feel his breath on her face.

Before she could react he pulled her into him and pressed his lips to hers. She knew she should pull away but she leaned into him and kissed him back. It had been much too long since she had been in the arms of a man. The kiss was soft at first and then more urgent. He held her more tightly and she felt herself weaken in his grasp. Her whole body tingled as she ran her hands across his muscular chest and strong shoulders. She didn’t want this moment to end.

The sound of footsteps approaching finally forced them apart. Elizabeth stepped back trying to reclaim her composure, but her heart was still racing as she tried to look nonchalant. Sebastian seemed calm as ever as he casually ran his hand through his hair and bent down to retrieve her fallen candle. The footsteps continued past the library.