Page 5 of Christmas with the Earl (To All The Earls I’ve Loved Before #1)
Snowbound
N ell woke the next morning to an ominous silence that spoke of weather far worse than the gentle snowfall of the previous day. When she pushed back the heavy curtains of the Blue Room, she gasped at what greeted her beyond the frost-etched glass.
Snow had fallen throughout the night with a vengeance that transformed the already pristine landscape into something almost otherworldly.
The carefully tended gardens had disappeared entirely beneath drifts that reached nearly to the lower branches of the ancient yews.
The drive was invisible, marked only by the tops of the stone posts that flanked the entrance gates.
Even the forest beyond seemed muffled and distant, as though Greystowe Hall had been transported to some enchanted realm where time itself moved differently.
More concerning was the complete absence of any movement in the village beyond. No smoke rose from chimneys, no figures moved along what should have been the main street. It was as though the world beyond the estate had simply ceased to exist.
A soft knock interrupted her contemplation of their isolation. "Come in," she called, expecting Mrs. Hartwell with her morning chocolate.
Instead, Lady Greystowe entered, already dressed but wearing an expression of mingled concern and resignation that immediately put Nell on alert.
"Good morning, my dear. I'm afraid I bring rather dramatic news.
" Lady Greystowe moved to join Nell at the window, surveying the transformed landscape with the practiced eye of someone who had weathered many Yorkshire winters.
"We are well and truly snowbound, it appears.
Cook estimates we've received nearly three feet overnight, with drifts considerably higher in places. "
"How long do such storms typically last?" Nell asked, though she suspected she already knew the answer from Lady Greystowe's expression.
"That depends entirely on when the wind dies down and whether we get more snow today.
But I'm afraid we must prepare ourselves for several days of confinement at the very least." Lady Greystowe's tone grew apologetic.
"I do hope this won't prove too tedious for you, my dear.
I fear our entertainment options are rather limited under the circumstances. "
Nell found herself oddly unconcerned by the prospect of extended isolation.
Indeed, there was something rather liberating about being completely cut off from the expectations and obligations of the outside world.
No letters could arrive demanding her attention to social engagements she had no desire to attend.
No well-meaning relatives could suddenly appear with new schemes for her matrimonial future.
"I think I shall manage quite well," she said, meaning it. "Though I confess I'm rather curious how Lord Greystowe will react to having his assessment schedule disrupted so thoroughly."
Lady Greystowe's smile took on a decidedly mischievous quality. "Thomas has always prided himself on his ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Though I suspect being trapped indoors with two women and limited occupation will test even his military patience."
As if summoned by their discussion, the sound of heavy footsteps in the corridor announced the Earl's approach. His knock was perfunctory—clearly a man accustomed to entering rooms without ceremony but making the gesture toward propriety.
"Aunt Margaret, I trust you've seen the conditions outside," Thomas said as he entered, still wearing his dressing gown and with his dark hair slightly disheveled.
The informal attire made him appear younger, less intense, and Nell found herself noticing details she had missed the previous day—the breadth of his shoulders, the way his gray eyes seemed lighter in the morning sun, the small scar that ran along his left temple.
"Indeed, we have," Lady Greystowe replied. "Lady Eleanor and I were just discussing how we might best occupy ourselves during our enforced confinement."
Thomas's gaze moved to Nell, and she saw him take in her appearance with the same systematic thoroughness he had displayed the day before.
Self-consciously, she realized she was still in her nightgown and wrapper, her dark hair hanging loose about her shoulders.
Heat rose in her cheeks as she moved instinctively to put more distance between them.
"My apologies," Thomas said, his voice slightly rougher than usual. "I didn't realize... that is, I should have waited to be properly announced."
"Nonsense," Lady Greystowe said briskly, though Nell noticed the calculating gleam in her eyes. "We are quite beyond such formalities under the circumstances. Besides, Eleanor is perfectly decent, and we are all family here, are we not?"
The word 'family' seemed to hang in the air with unintended significance. Thomas cleared his throat and moved to the window, deliberately turning his back to afford Nell what privacy he could.
"The roads will be impassable for at least three days," he said, his tone returning to its usual crisp authority. "Possibly longer if we receive more snow today, which seems likely given the wind patterns."
"Then we shall simply have to make the best of it," Lady Greystowe declared with the sort of cheerful determination that suggested she was not entirely displeased by their predicament. "In fact, I believe this presents an excellent opportunity to begin our Christmas preparations in earnest."
Nell saw Thomas's shoulders tense at the word 'Christmas,' though his voice remained neutral. "I suppose idleness is preferable to futile attempts at travel in such conditions."
"Idleness?" Lady Greystowe's eyebrows rose in a manner that boded ill for Thomas's hopes of solitude.
"My dear boy, there is nothing idle about preparing for Christmas.
Eleanor and I were just discussing the decoration of the great hall, and there are gifts to be wrapped, menus to be planned, and any number of seasonal traditions that require attention. "
"Of course," Thomas replied, and Nell detected a note of resignation that made her suspect he was beginning to realize exactly how his aunt intended to occupy their time. "I shall endeavor to assist wherever possible."
"Splendid. In that case, perhaps you could gather evergreen boughs from the conservatory and the protected areas near the house. Eleanor and I can hardly venture out in such weather, but a strong man with proper boots should manage quite well."
Thomas turned back toward them, and Nell caught a flash of something that might have been amusement in his expression. "You wish me to serve as your personal foraging expedition?"
"Unless you have more pressing engagements?" Lady Greystowe inquired with perfect innocence.
The brief silence that followed was filled with unspoken acknowledgment that Thomas's carefully planned assessment of the estate had been thoroughly derailed by Mother Nature herself.
"I believe my schedule has become remarkably flexible," he said finally. "Very well. I shall see about procuring sufficient greenery for whatever decorative schemes you have in mind."
"Excellent. Eleanor, perhaps you might assist Thomas in determining what sorts of boughs would be most suitable? You mentioned having experience with holiday decorations at your family's estate."
Nell felt a moment of panic at the prospect of being alone with the Earl, particularly while she was still in her nightclothes.
But Lady Greystowe's expectant expression brooked no argument, and she could hardly confess to feeling unsettled by his presence without inviting questions she preferred not to answer.
"Certainly," she managed, though her voice sounded higher than usual. "Though I should dress first, naturally."
"Naturally," Thomas agreed, and she thought she detected a hint of relief in his tone. "Shall we say in an hour? That should provide sufficient time for us both to prepare for our expedition."
After he departed, Lady Greystowe turned to Nell with a smile that was far too satisfied for comfort.
"How fortunate that Thomas is so willing to help with our preparations," she said. "And how convenient that you have experience to guide him. I do believe this confinement may prove quite... educational for both of you."
Nell had the distinct impression that Lady Greystowe's definition of 'educational' encompassed far more than holiday decorating techniques.
An hour later, properly dressed in her warmest wool gown and with her hair neatly arranged, Nell met Thomas in the conservatory.
The glass-walled space was surprisingly warm despite the frigid conditions outside, heated by some ingenious system of pipes that carried warmth from the main house.
Exotic plants that should have been dormant in winter thrived in the controlled environment, creating an almost tropical oasis amidst the Yorkshire winter.
Thomas had clearly taken his foraging mission seriously. He wore sturdy boots, thick gloves, and a heavy coat that emphasized his military bearing. In his hands, he carried what appeared to be a small ax and several lengths of rope.
"I thought we might start with the hardy evergreens near the kitchen gardens," he said without preamble. "The snow has bent many of the branches low enough to reach safely, and Mrs. Hartwell assures me Cook won't mind sacrificing a few limbs for the cause of Christmas spirit."
"That sounds perfectly sensible," Nell replied, surprised by his thoroughness. She had expected him to approach the task with the grudging efficiency of a man fulfilling an unwelcome obligation. Instead, he seemed to have given considerable thought to the practical aspects of their mission.
They made their way carefully through the conservatory and out a side door that led to the protected areas behind the main house. The cold hit Nell like a physical blow, despite her warm clothing, and she gasped at the intensity of it.