Unholy Nights: A Twisted Christmas Anthology (44 page)

But then there was Mary. She could not leave for two more days. She had to help her. A dozen plans to thwart the Twelfth Night crowd had come to mind, but nothing seemed good enough. How would she redirect all those people bent on carrying out their bizarre tradition? A fire might redirect their attention, but she didn’t want anyone to get hurt.  The road could be blocked, but how would it be done? She knew the answer but did not want to admit it to herself. Sebastian would know what to do.

She could come down to witness the crowd at Scarsbury, but she could not traipse across the countryside with them. Sebastian knew many of the townsfolk and would be with them from start to finish. He would be able to turn the crowd—at least somewhat. If she could just get them to stop at the far edge of the orchard and not venture near the great tree where Mary was set to meet her Tom. That should allow Mary enough peace to say her goodbyes.

Elizabeth bit her lip. She just had to speak to him. Pushing aside the covers, Elizabeth stepped out of bed and wrapped herself in her heavy shawl. She was thankful that the fire had been kept lit during the night as the weather had become even colder the last few days. Peeking out of the window she saw ice sparking on the landscape below. 

“Good Morning Lady Elizabeth.” Lucy walked in carrying a cup of chocolate, her expression tentative.

“Good Morning” Elizabeth put on her best bright smile. She had been pouting and moody all week.  Poor Lucy looked scared of her. “I hope you slept well.”

Lucy looked surprised at her comment. “I—Yes—very well. I mean, I did hear some of the frightful noises in the middle of the night.”

“I know, I know. I am beginning to wonder myself,” she sighed. “Perhaps this place is haunted.”

“The whole household is talking about the Christmas ghost,” Lucy continued excitedly. “The cook even claims to have seen a figure floating out in the orchard yesterday.”

“In that case, I hope I shall not run into an apparition on my walk this morning.”

“Oh Lady Elizabeth, are you quite sure you should be out trudging through the park in this weather?”

She knew Lucy was worried about her antisocial behaviors, but the fresh air was the only thing that brought her comfort. “It’s hardly a frost. Now help me dress or I’ll venture out in my nightclothes.”

She dressed quickly and hurried out into the cool air, shivering despite her heavy shawl. Perhaps Lucy had been right about the weather, but she needed the escape, a moment to think. She reached the garden quickly and began tracing her path around the perimeter. At least she was warming up with the exercise. How would she get Captain Wolfe to help her? She talked herself into speaking to him at least three times before talking herself out of it; an hour later she still wasn’t sure where she stood when she turned back for the house. She just had to face him and there was no more time to lose.

Elizabeth rubbed her hands together as she made her way to the parlor. The wind had been biting and her hands burned as the blood returned to her fingers. Edward, Captain Wolfe, Mr. Oxley and the Easterly girls were in engrossed in conversation when she reached the room. Lord and Lady Allen were nowhere to be seen. Lord Allen often took tea in his library, but she could usually count on Lady Allen’s company. 

“Lady Elizabeth,” Anne looked at her apologetically. “Poor Lady Allen is not feeling well and took to her room this afternoon. I do hope you won’t mind being relegated to our meager company?”

The slight was very well done. Anne, of course, had been thrilled to detect the discord between Elizabeth and Captain Wolfe and took every opportunity to affirm it. “There is nothing that would please me more.”

Anne did not respond, but forced a smile and offered Elizabeth a cup of tea. She quickly turned to Sebastian and her expression much warmer, “and you Captain Wolfe?”

“Thank you Miss Easterly.” He smiled in return, taking little notice of Elizabeth. “A hot cup of tea and a pretty smile is all this old sailor needs.”

Elizabeth’s stomach tightened as his barb. Would he ever forgive her?

“You have been out enjoying the park again?” Edward asked cheerfully. He was his usual unperceptive self and had no idea that there was any tension hanging in the room. “Do make sure you don’t get a chill won’t you? It’s the Wassailing tomorrow and you mustn’t miss it.”

Sebastian threw back the rest of his tea in an inelegant gulp. “Don’t tempt her Darling. Lady Elizabeth would much prefer to keep to the estate than to mix in the society of common country folk.”

Anne giggled openly at his remark but did not speak. Edward waved his hand. “Wolfe, you underestimate my sister. Has she not spent the last week venturing farther into the woods than most of us?”

Elizabeth sipped her tea calmly. “I have always intended to join the party dear brother so there is no debate to be had. Captain Wolfe, you are too protective of me.”

Her words hit the mark as both Ann and Sebastian looked cross. If they wanted to play games with her, she would play right back. There would be no more sulking in her room.

“Then it is settled.” Edward looked pleased. “Now, how shall we occupy ourselves until dinner?”

Elizabeth snuck over to a comfortable chair near the fire while the rest of the group debated acceptable forms of entertainment. Eventually they agreed to cards, but she had bowed out preferring to hide behind her novel. She was thankful that the library was well stocked because she’d burned through the books she brought days ago and was now devouring the Allen’s collection of Radcliff. She looked up over the edge of her page at them. 

Anne gazed at Captain Wolfe with a clear look of devotion while he studied his cards. She wondered if they would make a match of it. The idea of them together stung more than she wanted to admit. Mariah sat very close to Mr. Oxley. Perhaps everyone would end this holiday betrothed. Thankfully Edward seemed to be immune to it all. She really couldn’t take the thought of him permanently attached to one of the Easterly girls. The truth was she couldn’t really take the thought of him attached to anyone but her.

The card playing went on for some time until a plan was devised to walk through the orchard and scout out the route for the Wassailing. Elizabeth begged out of the scheme and held her place near the fire. While she had been invited to join them, it was apparent that at least half the participants wouldn’t appreciate her company. 

She sighed and set down her book when they had all finally left the room. It was ridiculous of her to think she could ask him for help. His words had been so quick, so sharp. She was gazing listlessly into the fire when Mary walked in. She held one of those feather dusters and carefully maneuvered it around Lady Allen’s precious Egyptian style candlesticks. 

“Good afternoon Lady Elizabeth,” she smiled, but quickly her expression changed to a look of concern. “Are you well? You did not wish to join the others outside?”

“To be honest, I am not sure my company is desired.” Elizabeth could not help being open with the girl. Whether it was because Mary had been so vulnerable with her or whether it was the weight of guilt that she might not come through on her promise, she was not sure.

“I thought—” her voice trailed off for a moment as if she was considering whether she should continue. “I thought perhaps you and Captain Wolfe would be good friends. You seemed to have such lively discussions when you first arrived.”

“I’m afraid we had a quarrel so no—we are not friends.” Elizabeth tried to act indifferent, but she was never good at masking her emotions. All she could think of was that moment in the library on Christmas Eve and how quickly she had ruined things. “Besides I’ve already been out for a walk and it is rather cold.”

Mary looked thoughtful, but just smiled. “Yes, then you are right to stay in and warm up.” She continued her dusting. “I wonder if I could show you the view from the rose garden today. Have you seen it? It is worth braving the cool air one more time.”

Elizabeth looked up with curiosity. “I have been walking through the gardens for some days, but have not seen a rose garden.”

“It is tucked away on the opposite side of the house near the stables. It’s small, but the view is lovely even without the flowers. If you stand in the right spot you can see all the way to town on a clear day.” She gave Elizabeth a pleading sort of look. “You must see the view before you leave.”

“It sounds lovely—” Elizabeth didn’t want to disappoint her. She was already worried she might disappoint her tomorrow if she couldn’t stop the Wassailing party.

“Meet me there in one hour and I’ll show you.” Mary flashed her brilliant smile, but did not wait for Elizabeth’s reply before retreating quickly out of the room.

Elizabeth smiled to herself and returned to her book. She knew she could never be friends with Mary, but perhaps she could pretend for a little while. She felt so isolated since Christmas day. Edward, of course, was still friendly, but he was ever in the company of the Captain and Mr. Oxley and wherever the Captain went the Easterly girls were not far behind. At this point she was beginning to look forward to spending time with her family, controlling or not.

CHAPTER 11

It had warmed up slightly since morning, but it was still quite cold outside when Elizabeth made her way to the rose garden. Mary hadn’t given much direction, but she knew where the stables were and it did not take long to locate her destination. She was not sure how she missed it in her prior excursions, but here it was just as the maid had described. The beds were laid out in a geometric pattern with pretty stone walkways crisscrossing in every direction. A low stone wall rimmed the far end with a couple of stone benches positioned near the center. She walked over to one of the benches and sat down. The landscape rolled down the hill on the other side of the wall and you could see for miles. Mary was right—it was worth the visit.

Footsteps crunched along the stone path as Elizabeth smiled, pleased to share her heightened spirits, but the voice that called out was not the one she had expected.

“What are you doing here?  Where is Lady Allen?” She whipped around to see Captain Wolfe standing before her a look of surprise on his face. 

“I have as much a right to walk through the garden as anybody else,” she replied crisply.

“No, you misunderstand,” he spoke softly. “It is just that a maid told me that Lady Allen wanted to have a word with me and was waiting in the rose garden.”

“A maid?” she looked up in confusion.

“Yes, a pretty blonde slip of girl,” he sighed. “To be honest, I don’t remember seeing her before, but she came up to me and passed on her message and of course I complied.”

Elizabeth bit her lip and turned away. What was Mary up to trying to throw them together like this? “I’m sorry, she must have been mistaken. Lady Allen is not here so you can return to your friends.”

“I see.” He paused. “Lady Elizabeth, I’m glad I came upon you out here. I’ve wanted to speak with you for some time, but there was never an opportunity—”

Elizabeth steadied herself with a deep breath. “It is not necessary to say anything Captain. We will both return to our lives in a few days and leave this all behind. Let me be the first to wish you and Miss Easterly very happy.”

“Miss Easterly and I?” he looked more surprised than when he first arrived. “There is nothing but friendship between me and Miss Easterly.”

“You appear to share quite an affection for each other.”

He sat down on the bench and gazed out across the valley. “I’ve really made a mess of things. You see, I gave my heart away almost the moment I arrived at Scarsbury Manor, but not to Anne Easterly. I lost it the moment I saw you. I’ve tried to deny my feelings—to push you away, but the more time we spent together the more impossible it became. And then when I came upon you in the library—I knew our argument on Christmas was my last chance. How could I have such feelings for the wife of my best friend?” 

Her heart was racing. She was stunned at his admission. “I, I—don’t know what to say.”

He winced at her words, but finally turned to face her. “You don’t have to say anything. I will leave tonight and you shall not have to look upon me again.”

Elizabeth shook her head gently and reached her hand to his face. “I love you.”

Sebastian pulled her into his arms, his eyes searching hers. “It cannot be true?”

“I hardly recognized it myself until we fought. I was so blinded, so caught in my past I could not see the present.” She buried her face in his chest. “I could not see what was standing right in front of me. And then it was gone, as if it was not mine to possess. I had already had my happiness.”

“My dearest Elizabeth, you are my heart and soul.” He gently kissed the top of her head. “I have no future, no dreams without you. I love you. I love you.” 

He gently lifted her face to meet his own and pressed his lips softly against hers. Her whole body trembled as she leaned into him and kissed him back. It was different than their kiss in the library in the heat of passion. The passion was still there, but this time it was real and he loved her.

They sat on the bench for some time until they finally broke apart. A wind had picked up, but Elizabeth could hardly feel it. Her skin burned with heat, but the sky was becoming dark and they would soon be missed. He stood up and lifted her easily to her feet, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

“How shall I let you go?” he whispered into her ear. “I would speak to your father this instant if I could.”

“It shall not be for long, my love.” She wrapped her arm around his. “We must go back.”

He tucked a loose tendril of her hair behind her ear. “I suppose there is no other option.”

She shook her head and smiled. They began to walk slowly back toward the house. Elizabeth’s heart was bursting with happiness. Everything was perfect—thanks to Mary. She had to figure out how to help her friend. She turned to Sebastian. “There’s something I need you to help me with.”

CHAPTER 12

The evening passed in a whirlwind as Elizabeth tried to contain her blissful mood. There had been many stolen glances with Captain Wolfe, but no intimate words since they parted at the edge of the garden. They had returned individually as to not incite notice and were careful to keep a fair distance, though it was difficult. It was with great distress she finally returned to her room and climbed into bed.