Chapter 28 Christmas Day
Chapter twenty-eight
Christmas Day
The entrance hall at Willowbrook Manor had never looked so magnificent.
Evergreen garlands draped the banisters, candles glowed in every window, and the sound of arriving carriages had been constant for the past hour.
Eleanor stood beside Aubrey at the receiving line, her hand resting on his arm as he remained seated in an elegant chair—a compromise between his recovering leg and the demands of hospitality.
"Lord and Lady Hillsborough," the butler announced.
Eleanor greeted the elderly couple warmly, then turned as another familiar voice called out.
"Liz?" Eleanor's voice rose in delight.
Her sister swept forward, beaming, with her husband and children trailing behind. "Surprise!"
"What on earth are you doing here?"
"When your husband sent word that you are hosting a ball, we knew we had to witness this miracle firsthand."
Eleanor laughed, embracing her sister before turning to greet her niece and nephew. Behind them came Michael, his expression carefully pleasant as always.
Then Steven arrived with his sisters, and suddenly the hall was complete with warmth and the chaotic joy of family and friends.
"You look radiant," Steven said, kissing her cheek. "Marriage agrees with you."
"It does," Eleanor agreed, surprised by how easily the words came.
The ball began in earnest as more guests arrived—neighbours, friends from London, various members of the gentry who'd accepted their invitation with curiosity. Eleanor remained at Aubrey's side as he held court from his chair, one hand resting possessively on hers where it lay on the armrest.
"He's quite smitten," Liz murmured, appearing at Eleanor's elbow. "The way he looks at you... Good heavens, Eleanor. I'd always hoped you'd find this."
Eleanor felt warmth bloom in her chest. "I suppose I have."
An hour into the festivities, Lord Waverly, Lord Cartwright, and Mr Avon approached together, bowing with varying degrees of formality.
"Lady Madeley," Waverly said warmly. "We must congratulate you on the impossible."
"The impossible?" Eleanor asked.
"You've successfully domesticated Madeley," Cartwright explained. "He's hosting a ball. Voluntarily. With decorations."
"And he looks happy about it," Avon added, as if this were the most shocking development of all.
Eleanor glanced at Aubrey, whose lips quirked in amusement. "I assure you, gentlemen, I had very little to do with it."
"Modest as well as accomplished," Waverly declared. "Madeley, you're a fortunate man."
The three friends moved on to mingle with other guests, and Eleanor found herself watching the dancers with longing.
"Lady Madeley," Steven said, appearing before them with a bow. "Would you honour me with a dance?"
Eleanor glanced at Aubrey, whose hand tightened on hers.
He leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. "If he holds you too closely," he murmured, his voice low and decidedly wicked, "I'll be forced to call him out. And I'll tell him exactly how you taste when you come apart in my arms."
"Aubrey!" Eleanor's face flamed even as she laughed.
"One dance," he said, kissing her hand before releasing it. "Then you come back to me."
The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Steven led her onto the floor, and they moved through the familiar steps of the dance. He was an excellent partner—always had been—but Eleanor found her gaze drifting back to where Aubrey sat watching her with undisguised hunger in his eyes.
"You're happy," Steven observed. "Truly happy. I can see it."
"I am."
"I'm glad."
"I can see he’s quite besotted with you. Rather obvious about it, actually," Steven said, spinning her through a turn.
Eleanor smiled. "Is he?"
"Eleanor, the man looks at you almost indecently."
"I rather like it," she admitted.
They completed another figure before Steven spoke again. "I heard Miss Penny is leaving after Christmas. Who are you bringing on as her replacement?"
Eleanor's smile faltered slightly. "I... haven't found anyone yet."
"You're still planning to go, then?"
"I need to. The work is important."
"Does Madeley know?"
"We haven't had time to discuss it."
Steven's expression grew thoughtful. "Eleanor, I know how much the orphanage means to you. But perhaps... perhaps it's time to consider what you might be leaving behind if you go."
"I'm not leaving anything behind. It's just a few months until I find a replacement. Six months at most."
Steven's gaze flicked to where Aubrey sat. "I'm not certain he'd survive you walking away, even temporarily."
The dance ended before Eleanor could respond. Steven bowed, returning her to Aubrey's side, where her husband immediately reached for her hand.
"Did he behave himself?" Aubrey asked.
"Perfectly."
"Pity. I was rather looking forward to defending your honour."
Eleanor sat beside him and took his hand, threading their fingers together.
"We haven’t talked about my departure tomorrow," Eleanor said quietly.
Something cold and sharp twisted in Aubrey's chest. All the progress of the past days—their confessions, the intimate moments between them—suddenly felt like sand slipping through his fingers. "Eleanor, you can't mean you still plan to leave."
"I’m afraid I must." She looked into his piercing gaze, his expression one of shock and devastation.
“But I just found you. We are just getting to know each other. Surely, you felt what could be possible between us.”
“Of course, I have, but Miss Penny is ill. I need to look after the orphanage until I can find a suitable replacement.”
Aubrey felt the breath rush out of him in relief. "Temporary," he said, the word emerging with a huff of breath. "You're not leaving permanently. You're just... going temporarily."
"Yes, of course."
"How long?" he asked as Eleanor accepted a glass of champagne from a footman. "How long will you be gone?"
Eleanor was quiet for a moment.
"Six months," she said finally. "Perhaps as long as a year. I'll need to find someone suitable, train them properly."
"A year?" Aubrey’s hand went to his forehead. "Eleanor, I can't live that long without you. Not now. Not when I've only just found you."
"I know," she said softly. "But the children need me."
He nodded. "I understand that."
The tightness in his chest eased somewhat, though the reality of her departure still sat like a stone in his stomach. Six months. A year. Without her.
No.
He couldn't let her leave tomorrow without everyone knowing the truth. Without her knowing the truth, proclaimed before God and the entire ton.
"Come with me," he said suddenly, reaching for his canes.
"Aubrey, you should rest."
"I've rested enough." He struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on the canes. "Please, Eleanor. I need you to accompany me to the orchestra."
She rose immediately, offering her arm for support. "The orchestra? Why?"
"You'll see."
They made their slow way through the crowded ballroom, guests parting before them with curious glances. Eleanor could feel every eye following their progress, could hear the whispers starting. Aubrey's face was set with determination, his jaw tight as he focused on each step.
When they reached the small dais where the musicians played, Aubrey released Eleanor's arm and turned to the conductor.
"Stop the music, please."
The conductor blinked in surprise but signalled to his musicians. The music died away, couples on the floor coming to confused halts. The entire ballroom fell silent, hundreds of faces turning toward them.
Eleanor's heart began to pound. "Aubrey, what are you doing?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned to face the crowd, his voice carrying across the hushed room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I might have your attention for a moment."
Complete silence now. Eleanor could feel her face heating as every guest in the ballroom stared at them.
"As many of you know," Aubrey continued, his voice steady despite the canes supporting him, "my wife and I have been... estranged for much of our marriage. This was entirely my fault. My failing. My shame."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Eleanor's hand flew to her throat.
"But these past weeks, Lady Madeley has shown me grace I did not deserve, patience I had not earned, and love I had done nothing to merit.
" His voice grew stronger, filled with conviction.
"She has been caring for me through my injury, and in doing so, she has healed far more than my broken body.
She has healed my broken spirit. My broken heart. "
He turned to Eleanor then, and the look in his eyes made her heart stutter.
"Eleanor," he said, his voice softer now but still carrying.
"I have been a fool. I wasted two years of our marriage in pride and stubbornness.
But I stand before you now—before all these witnesses—to tell you that I love you.
I am desperately, hopelessly, completely in love with you.
And I will spend every day of the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you. "
Tears spilled down Eleanor's cheeks. She couldn't speak, couldn't move, could barely breathe.
Aubrey shifted his weight, balancing carefully on one cane while he reached into his coat pocket with his free hand. He withdrew a small velvet box.
"I cannot kneel," he said, a rueful smile touching his lips.
"My leg won't permit it. But if I could, I would be on my knees before you now.
" He opened the box, revealing a ring—gold set with sapphires and diamonds, clearly antique, clearly precious.
"This was my grandmother's. The Madeley family ring, passed down through generations. "
He took her trembling hand in his.