Chapter Two. #2
Shaking my head, I let myself into the study. I poured a snifter of whiskey and sat down in my armchair. The fire blazed to life, and I smiled as I knew Cat was close.
“She is sad,” Cat declared, appearing in the armchair opposite mine. No need to ask who Cat was referring to.
“Yes. I love her and try to reassure her, but I’m failing, it seems.”
“She wants a child. That much is clear.”
“I don’t know why she’s put so much pressure on herself.”
“Because she wishes to give you everything.”
“She already has.”
“And Mariah knows that, but because she loves you so much, she worries about your happiness.”
“Cat, again, I’m happy.”
“She isn’t from our world and is adjusting.
Mariah fought for you and rightfully won your respect and love.
Give her time. She married into nobility, Benedict, something she wasn’t prepared for.
It hurts her that others are starting families while she and you watch from afar and cannot take part,” Cat replied.
I stared at my ancestor and nodded. She wasn’t wrong.
Mariah had also been thrust into a society that judged as harshly today as it did back in my day.
I was used to the machinations of the English nobility.
Mariah and her friends weren’t, and that left them open to criticism and put-downs.
But those dealing with them weren’t prepared for my siblings’ response.
CeeCee had reduced many society madams and their daughters to tears.
“I’m scared of losing her,” I whispered.
“That’s how you know it’s genuine love,” Cat said.
“I never doubted that.”
“Nor should you. Some time here at the inn will help heal your hurts,” Cat stated and disappeared.
I could only hope that was true.
◆◆◆
“Benedict! Look!” Mariah cried. I yawned and rubbed my eyes. She was sitting at the window seat, staring out at the landscape.
The windows in our apartment here were Tudor leaded ones.
I could already see the front of them. None of that ugly double glazing here.
I threw back the covers and thanked heaven for the person who’d invented boilers and radiators.
Mariah still had her nose pressed to the window, and I shrugged on my robe and padded across the floor to her.
“Snow,” I said with a smile.
Everything outside the window was covered in white powder. This clearly had been falling all night. It was inches deep already.
“When are our guests due to arrive?” I asked, concerned. In my day, we’d have hitched up a carriage and been on our way. Today’s vehicles were far more dangerous than a horse and carriage.
“Today. I need to go and speak to Trudy. Cars won’t be driving in this weather!” Mariah exclaimed.
I snagged her robe before she raced off and kissed her, and Mariah leaned into me. “Maybe bathe first, my love. We don’t want to be giving customers a shock.”
Mariah giggled against my lips. “Only you would be bothered about that. I don’t think the customers would care.”
“Oh, believe me, they would. Into the shower with you,” I replied, slapping her bottom. Mariah grinned, and my spirits lightened at her joy over the snow.
“Benedict, we’re going to have a white Christmas!” she exclaimed and rushed out. I looked out of the window and smiled. How strange that the white, fluffy substance could bring so much happiness.
Mariah
“Mrs Maddon called. They’re already in the village and are unsure how to get here. The roads are almost impassable,” Trudy said.
“Are they staying at a hotel?” I asked, concerned, as I entered the bar, ready to make breakfast.
“No. They were dropped off at the café in town. There’s nowhere for them to stay,” Trudy replied.
“How are we planning to get them to the inn?” I worried.
“Easily. Farmer Terry is going to deliver them along with the big order I placed. Luckily, it arrived yesterday. He’s picking it up from the shop and will bring it, too. It’s a novel way to reach us. I guess, it will give them something to remember at the very least.” Trudy chuckled.
“Have they been there all night?”
“No. Apparently, their plane got in late, and they came straight here instead of staying at the overnight hotel they’d booked.
They reached the village at four this morning, just as the snow began to fall heavily.
Rose-Marie saw them arrive and opened the café on seeing that they had children.
Their taxi literally dropped them off and disappeared due to the snow. ”
“What a twat!” I exclaimed, outraged. Thank God for the kind and generous Rose-Marie. She was one of the witches who’d helped me save Benedict. Yes, a real-life witch.
“They had a toddler with them, too. That made matters all the worse. Rose-Marie has looked after them,” Trudy said.
“Good. What a poor welcome to England! I guess Julie can’t get in either?” I asked.
“Julie’s here.”
“How?” I exclaimed, as Julie lived in the village.
“Walked.”
I was appalled. The village was a ten-minute walk in good weather. On a day like this, it would have doubled the time.
Trudy shook her head at me. “It took her forty minutes. Especially as she dragged a suitcase with her, she said the weatherman said this snowfall will be here for at least the next three days. She’s going to reside in one of the guest rooms, if that’s okay with you?”
“Of course it is.” I was saddened for Julie. She didn’t have family locally. Her son lived in Scotland, and I knew he wasn’t coming home for Christmas. Benedict and I had invited her to stay with us, but she’d had invites from friends and had declined.
“Well, the good news is Benedict knows how to pull a pint.” I chuckled.
“The staff won’t get in—it’s a good job the cleaning team did their deep clean yesterday.”
“Will we be okay for food?” I asked.
“Yes. We have enough, and the order will fill the freezers.”
“Is there anything you need Benedict and me for?”
“Can Benedict bring some wood in? And a barrel needs changing,” Julie replied.
“The backup generator is also full. Benedict checked that yesterday. If we lose electric, we have plenty of gas to keep it going.”
“Okay, I’ll go and prepare their rooms. They have two adjoining ones. Our other guests are scheduled to arrive next week, and the others checked out last night after hearing the weather report. The inn will be empty apart from the Maddons and us. I hope they’re not put off by snow,” Trudy replied.
“I’ll have Julie make them a warm meal for their arrival. I bet they’re cold, hungry, and tired.”
Trudy laughed. “I doubt they’re hungry. Rose-Marie wouldn’t let anyone starve. But maybe a good lunch will better welcome them.”
“True.” I smiled at the thought of my friend. She had a heart as big as the world and had never met a stranger, although she guarded her witchy self vigorously. Her café was the heart of the village.
“Okay. Let’s get moving. We’ve no idea when Farmer Terry might be bringing them.”
Benedict entered the bar and looked around. “Everything okay?”
“Julie’s making breakfast.”
“Julie got in?” he exclaimed.
“My reaction exactly.” I laughed. “We need you to bring some firewood in and check the levels on the generator again, please. A barrel also needs swapping out.” I quickly updated Benedict on the rest of the news, and he frowned.
“That’s awful service to just dump people in the middle of nowhere. How dreadful for them, I hope they complain against the driver.”
“Even worse, when they’ve three young children. But we’ll make it up to them. I’m sure I saw skis, snowshoes, and sleighs in the attic room.”
While there were bedrooms in the attics, some of the space had been kept free for clutter or seasonal things, such as Halloween and Christmas decorations.
“We’re going to make this the greatest holiday they’ve had,” I said, smiling as Julie bustled in with three full plates of food.