Part Seven
Twelve months later – Christmas Eve at Northwick House
Snow drifted against the windows of Northwick House, a year to the day since fate had brought them together on a winter’s night filled with the scent of holly, mistletoe, and candles. “Eugénie, have you seen my green waistcoat?”
“It’s probably where you left it, dear.”
“You’re rolling your eyes. I can tell from here.”
Lady Northwick sighed, walked through the connecting door to her husband’s chambers, opened the door of a large cabinet and pointed at the beautifully embroidered green waistcoat which hung silently right in front of everything else.
“Ah.” Peter shook his head. “Forgive me, love. With all the excitement, I don’t seem to be able to remember anything for more than five minutes.”
“You’re forgiven,” said Eugénie, giving her husband the benefit of the doubt.
She understood his confusion. Had someone told her a year ago that she’d be married, and about to have her first child before the next Christmas rolled around, she’d have snorted in disbelief.
And yet, here she was. Lady Northwick of Northwick House, married to his Lordship since the end of January, blissfully happy, and sharing her life with great-aunt Louise, occasionally her father, and also occasionally her brother Paul and his wife, when they could get away from town.
To add to their happiness, Peter’s parents had made the long journey this year to spend a month or so with the new family.
So the halls rang with conversation, laughter, and many footsteps, the scent of cooking mingled with the scent of the fir boughs decorating the downstairs rooms, and she had found the love and the family that she had thought would never be hers.
The babe let her know that he was getting restless by administering a couple of energetic kicks and making her grunt. It had to be a boy, she insisted. No girl could kick like that.
“I’m going downstairs, Peter. Are you almost ready?”
It was Christmas Eve, and a joyful party atmosphere pervaded the house from basement to attic. The staff would have their special meal this evening, so the family would dine early – and on the light side, so that downstairs could enjoy themselves without worrying about their tasks.
Tomorrow everyone would gather at the large dining table and share a feast of seasonal delicacies, something Aunt Louise was looking forward to with enthusiasm.
Eugénie’s father, who had claimed one of the most comfortable armchairs near the fire as his own, was happily enjoying the warmth and anticipated another argument with Aunt Louise who had claimed the other one.
They would debate endlessly, disagreeing, arguing, gesturing...finally departing, both satisfied that they’d won the battle.
Peter took Eugénie’s hand, and together they walked to the upper hallway, then looked down at the comings and goings.
“Listen,” Peter whispered.
She did and then smiled. “Music. Someone’s singing...” The strains of a Christmas carol echoed through the rooms, followed by applause and laughter.
“How times change things, Eugénie. Seven years since I kissed you for the first time, and my life was never the same after that. Barely a year since we met once more and I fell head over heels in love with you all over again.” He raised her hand and kissed it.
“In some ways it seems like yesterday. In others? As if you have always been in my heart, if not at my side.”
“Peter,” she sighed, leaning against him.
“This happiness, this joy I feel...I have no words.” She turned her head and rested it on his shoulder.
“We have made a new family from yours and mine. And we’re starting a new one, just you and me.
” She put his hand on her belly, just as the babe did another hard kick.
Peter jumped. “I’ll never get used to that, and how you stand it, I’ll never know.”
She simply smiled. “It’s the most wonderful thing.” Another kick took her breath. “Well, most of the time.”
He chuckled, then put his arm around her and held her close. “It has been an astounding year. I was thinking as I dressed, that had I not accepted that invitation to Blackfield I’d never have found you again.”
She sighed. “But you did.”
“I did indeed, my Mistletoe maid.”
Eugénie laughed and kissed his cheek. “Time to join the party, husband, and celebrate the season.”
So they went hand in hand to join their families, hearts full of laughter and love.
(The babe decided to arrive on New Year’s Day.
It was a beautiful healthy girl, and they named her Annabelle because she had her Mama’s and Grandmama’s eyes.
Her papa insisted she had his chin, thus Petra should be her middle name, but he was overruled by Aunt Louise.
And thus Annabelle Louise Lynton-Northwick began her life with a rather long name, an adoring Papa, a loving family, and a mother who could, if necessary, clean out the hearth.)
The End
May your holidays be filled with love and laughter.
Sahara Kelly