Page 21 of Once Upon a Gilded Christmas (To All The Earls I’ve Loved Before #4)

Lady Hammond's Christmas party last year had proven to be a success.

Honora and Edward agreed to postpone their own wedding until August, for each family had other nuptials to celebrate.

When Honora asked her daughter Juliana what she found so appealing in young Bertram Ashburton, the Earl of Baring's son and heir, she simply replied, "I like listening to him."

Indeed, for the rest of Lady Hammond's party, Bertram and Juliana had foregone the other planned activities in favour of the warm library and a good storybook. Bertram loved reading, and he loved reading to Juliana. She, in turn, was content to sit and listen for hours.

Their wedding had been set in March, for they saw no reason to adhere to social expectations and wait until June.

For the other couple to get married, June was a little too soon. It took Lady Frances Shipbrook a good half-year to convince Jacob that he did love her.

As part of that, Edward had to teach Jacob what love was. "It's wanting to spend time with someone."

"Like I spend time with Kendall?" Jacob had pulled out his notebook.

"Yes and no." While brotherly love was all well and good, "there's something equally fulfilling when you have that same connection with a spouse."

It wasn't until Edward insisted that Jacob chaperone him and Honora during their courtship that his younger son figured it out, much to Lady Frances' relief.

Thus they set their wedding for July.

As for August, once Honora and Edward's vows had been said, Edward told Honora he had a surprise for her. "Remember how we always talked about running away to sea and become pirates?"

Of course she did.

So when their carriage pulled up to a dock, Honora gasped in surprise at the ship waiting for them. Edward had booked passage. "It's only to Calais, and only for a week, but I expect us to say "Yo ho ho," and drink some rum."

In eagerness, they boarded the ship.

There, they learned that travel by ship is dingy, close, smelly and thoroughly unpleasant, even with clement weather. Calais was lovely and the journey back equally unpleasant. However, the rum was nice.

By the time they planted their feet on solid English soil, Honora and Edward admitted to each other that their stories of piracy on the south seas were best saved for the fire in the library on a cosy evening.

To both their delights, that looked to be every evening for the rest of their lives.

Lady Calpurnia Mildmay had long grown used to shuttling from relative to relative over the course of her years.

While she did not want to be a perpetual burden to any of her family, likewise she had no desire to spend the rest of her life alone, even if she had sufficient personal wealth to buy a place of her own.

However, when an invitation came to spend Christmastide with the Earl of Lavistock and his new wife, she admitted bafflement as to why her sister-in-law Honora wished for her company.

Best way to discover that was to accept and show up to a fine country seat in Wiltshire.

Russell House rivalled any property held by the Mildmay family; Honora had landed herself well.

To Calpurnia's surprise, as her carriage rolled up, a young boy about three years old came running out to greet it, followed by hsi father. Both wore heavy coats against the chill December weather. "Aunt Purnia!" the child called, before being scooped up by his father.

Wait... was that her nephew Brook, the new Earl of Harwich? Calpurnia's heart lifted. Had Honora invited him too?

As soon as the servants handed her out of the carriage, Lord Brook embraced her warmly while his son danced about them excitedly. "Is Ernestine here too?" she asked.

"We all are," Lord Brook replied. "Every one of us."

Calpurnia put a hand to her chest. "What? All the Mildmays?"

Lord Brook tilted his head, "Well, all but Sarah, for her confinement is close."

"Oh, another niece," she breathed.

"Or nephew," Lord Brook added.

He held out his arm. "Do come in from the cold. Mother wanted to be the one to greet you, but she's a bit occupied for the moment."

He guided his aunt inside.

The warmth of Russell House embraced Lady Calpurnia like an old friend. As servants divested her of her outer wear, more family members came dashing down the steps.

Ah, there was Juliana, the last of the Mildmays to be married!

Calpurnia wasn't too sure about her choice of husband in the Earl of Baring's son, but the Bertram boy seemed pleasant enough.

The warm looks he and Juliana shared were sufficient confirmation to ease her concerns.

If Juliana loved him, then he was good enough.

Finally, Honora Radcliffe Mildmay Russell, formerly the Dowager Countess of Harwich, now the Countess of Lavistock, emerged to greet her former sister-in-law. "So glad you could join us."

Honora personally led her upstairs to her bedroom. "I apologise for the smallness of the room, for we have invited all the family from both sides, mine and Edward's."

Calpurnia didn't mind. She'd only brought the one maid. "So there is plenty of family?"

Honora nodded, eyes shining.

Calpurnia could not recall a time when she'd seen Honora so happy. She patted her on the hand. "I'm so happy. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

On the morrow, the day dawned cold. No snow, alas, but overcast and chilly. By the time they all got back from the service at the local parish, warm wassail awaited them in the parlour.

While the children chased each other around, the adults lifted glasses in toast to the birth of the Christ Child.

Honora caught Lady Calpurnia before she sat down. "We're not staying in here."

Calpurnia rose. "The Library?"

Honora shook her head. "Not yet. First the music room."

"Music?"

But Honora only tapped the side of her nose.

For the rest of the afternoon the entire family cheerfully ran through every Christmas carol they knew before circling back to sing them again. It pleased Honora when she saw Calpurnia join in. She had hoped all her family would see the joy of music during the holiday season.

For evening dinner they had the traditional roast goose, or rather three, for one was not enough, followed by a marvellous flaming plum pudding.

Brook's wife Ernestine found the silver sixpence, much to her delight.

As bellies groaned and belts were loosened, Lord Brook bade them all come to the library. While Calpurnia offered a little resistance, her old bones wanting to remain where they were, Honora insisted she come. "Please. I find you will enjoy this."

Honora herself helped Calpurnia to the most comfortable chair in the library, near the fire. "This is mine, of an evening," Honora explained. Edward's, which normally sat close enough they could reach out and hold hands, had been moved back somewhat.

Lord Brook already occupied this chair, the family Bible spread across his knees. All the children gathered about. The Mildmays in expectation, the Russells in curiosity.

As the rest of the family settled about the library, Lord Brook began those familiar words: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed..."

Honora watched Calpurnia's smile broaden as the beloved family tradition was carried out by the next generation. Yes, all would be well.

Honora's hand slipped into Edward's.

Edward leaned over to kiss his wife Honora on the nose. "Happy Christmas, my love."

"Happy Christmas." Honora had no idea how many years she and Edward had left. But for now, they had this one, and all was well.

Before they sat down to listen to Lord Brook and his reading, Honora had one more thing planned. "Come over by the window," she murmured, taking Edward by both hands.

He groaned but followed. "What have you in store for me now?"

"Unfinished business." Hanging from the top of the window was a small bundle of mistletoe.

“You’re not going to let me live that down?”

“I am not.” Honora reached up and plucked a berry. Edward followed suit. She gentle touched her berry to his before rising up on her toes to accept his kiss.

The End