Page 17 of Once Upon a Gilded Christmas (To All The Earls I’ve Loved Before #4)

Juliana, in her pique, took her jewellery to the bedroom.

Clearly she did not see the need for it for the rest of this morning.

When she returned, she took up her sulk in the chair next to her mother while Kendall socialised with the other returned young men.

He'd returned to his usual assured self, puffing up about how he solved the clues so fast, and some funny incident outside at the stables, apparently.

Alas, for the young ladies, as soon as Kendall drew the young men into his circle, one by one, they were ignored, to wander off into their own clutch. Edward frowned at this. This sort of behaviour went against the spirit of the game as Lady Hammond had intended.

Not every young man was claimed. The Ashburton boy remained in the corner with Lady Lucy, apparently boring her somewhat with the topic of his conversation.

Once the last couple reported in, Lady Hammond rose. "Gather about. Shall I announce the winners?"

The young stirred. Most of them knew they hadn't won. The couple that came last didn't bother to press forward like the rest, but picked over the rather depleted refreshment table. All the nice cake was gone, and only tepid cucumber sandwiches remained.

Lady Hammond called out to them. "Do come over, my dears. I have not forgotten you."

They looked up from their somewhat empty plates, abashed.

Lady Hammond held out a small beribboned box. "For our last place couple, I hope the reasons for your tardiness were good ones." She even gave them a wink.

They looked to each other, not sure what she was implying. But when Lady Hammond deposited the box into the young lady's hands and she undid the ribbon, both of the young couple lit up. Inside the box was a selection of the finest cakes, just for them.

The young lady tendered a curtsey. "Thank you," she replied. Manners, huh? Good sign. What was her name again? Maybe Edward should be nudging his boys to spend more time with her. She seemed nice enough. How was it they'd not paid any attention to her before?

She and the young man set off to enjoy their last-place spoils.

Lady Hammond let them be. "Third place, for the third fastest time, goes to Lord Clayton and my own Lady Marian." A footman came up next to Lady Hammond, a small bottle and two tiny glasses on a tray. "Your prize is a fine bottle of sherry."

The glasses, already poured, were handed first to Lady Marian, then Lord Clayton, who also received the entire bottle. It wasn't big, and could have easily been swigged in one go. "Enjoy."

Lord Clayton and Lady Marian shared a look of delight, before retreating to their chairs to enjoy their spoils.

"Second place, Lord Kendall and Lady Juliana, who came so close."

Edward did not miss the sigh Kendall gave before plastering a smile on his face. Indeed, nobody had been expecting any prizes to be awarded other than first place. Lady Hammond's magnanimity was generous.

The footman brought out another tray. Their prize was a round-bodied bottle of excellent port, cork already drawn and the bottle breathing.

He'd taken the liberty to pour out two glasses of port.

The first he handed to Juliana, who accepted gracefully.

The second he handed to Kendall, including the port bottle.

Kendall raised his glass and toasted his fellow young men. "My good fortune is your good fortune!" He returned to the group of young men. Taking his first swig not from his glass, but the bottle, he then passed it around them, completely ignoring Juliana.

She stood there. Edward didn't need any help to see the pain on her face at this neglect.

The father in him wanted to stride over and drag Kendall away from the young men, but that would not be cricket.

His son, for all his immaturity, was technically an adult.

He would not embarrass him in front of the others.

That would devalue him. But by gum, he would have a sharp word with him at his next convenience.

Such boorish behaviour, even toward a young lady he despised, would not do.

Honora's heart ached as the joy of a prize—albeit second place—leaked away from Juliana.

Poor girl left alone while Kendall walked off with the prize to celebrate with those who had not done so well.

Couldn't even take a sip from the glass in her hand.

Juliana clutched it to her, countenance having fallen.

Lady Hammond continued, wrapped up in her own glory. "For the first place, our most clever and quickest couple yet, may I present the finest bottle of champagne."

Out came the footman, silver tray in hand. On it sat a rather large bottle, all French labelled and open. Two filled flutes sat on the tray, tiny streams of bubbles trailing their way up the sides.

At this, everyone paused. Kendall frowned and focused on draining his own glass of port. Who came first? they murmured.

"Lord Bertram and Lady Lucy!"

Everyone cheered at this and looked about. Their cheers faded somewhat. Where were they?

They, Lord Bertram and Lady Lucy, were still in the corner, plates in hand. Lady Hammond repeated their names. "Lord Bertram? Lady Lucy?"

The two broke from their discussion. "We won?" Lucy declared, hastily putting her plate aside. She looked to young Bertram. "You didn't say there was a prize."

For once, Bertram had no words.

Together, they came up to accept their prize of glasses of champagne. Bertram accepted the rather large bottle with some grace. He and Lady Lucy lifted their glasses in toast to their fellows, who cheered the couple once more in their triumph.

Bertram sipped his glass most appreciatively. Lady Lucy studied hers, as if mesmerised by the bubbles. "I've only had champagne on my birthday." She sipped at it. "Oh," she declared. "This is delicious!"

Honora came up to Juliana. "How is your port, my dear?" Edward had parted from her, and she didn't blame him. Even now, she watched him have a quiet aside with his eldest son.

Juliana sighed as she regarded her glass. "I suppose I should drink it before Kendall comes back and takes it from me."

Honora watched Edward subtly slip out of the room, his hand firmly about the arm of Kendall. "I don't think he'll be coming back."

Juliana took a sip of the port. She considered it, then declared, "It has a taint, I'm afraid." She handed the glass to her mother.

Honora sipped it. Taint nothing. This was one of the finest ports she'd ever tasted. None of the other young gentlemen who sampled it appeared to object. Alas, she hoped this one event did not taint port for her daughter for the rest of her life.

Across the room Jacob bent his head close to Lady Frances, whispering something to her. She gave him an understanding nod. He slipped out of the parlour after his father and brother.

No good letting fine port go to waste. Honora sipped at her glass. One thing was sure; Lady Hammond had excellent taste when it came to port.

"Excuse me, Lady Juliana?" Ah, young Bertram, with Lady Lucy in tow. "Hello," Lucy added.

Juliana attempted a smile, but failed.

Lady Lucy had enough decorum not to comment. "We wanted to thank you for your generosity in the library."

Juliana blushed. "Oh. That. Please don't mention it."

Lady Lucy laid a gentle hand on Juliana's wrist. "No, really. If it hadn't been for your most noble act of defying Lord Kendall, we might never have known the clue to that room." She gave a small hiccup. "'Scuse me. I'm not used to champagne.

"We wouldn't have completed the scavenger hunt if it wasn't for you."

"Certainly wouldn't have won either," Bertram added. "Terribly sporting of you. You didn't have to give us the clue."

At this, Juliana straightened up, indignant. "Of course I did! It wasn't at all the thing for Kendall to take down the clue. You were just as entitled to it as we were."

"Still," Lady Lucy continued. "We wouldn't have won if it wasn't for your thoughtfulness."

Bertram drained his champagne flute and refilled it, holding it out to Juliana. "We consider this prize yours as much as ours. Please."

Juliana clutched her hands before her, her lower lip trembling. Honora gave her daughter a gentle nudge and a nod.

"I..." Juliana started out, then trailed off.

Lady Lucy gave another little hiccup, followed by a blush as she laid fingertips to her lips.

Bertram all but pushed the flute into her hands. "It is a generous bottle. No way would Lady Lucy and I be able to finish it off before it perishes. Please."

It was that final word that tipped Juliana into acceptance. She lifted the flute and took a sip. Surprise blossomed across her face and she took another sip.

This pleased Lady Lucy very much. "Isn't it delightful?"

Juliana regarded the glass. "This is the best champagne I've ever tasted."

As she sipped, Bertram filled Lady Lucy's flute, and between the three of them, they took to the corner to do their best to finish off the bottle.

Honora sighed and tilted the last of her port into her mouth. Juliana would be all right. Perhaps it was time for a word with Lord Ashburton?