A Berkshire Christmas Read online

  The two windows were covered by closed white drapes with a multitude of tiny blue flowers. It must take the maids hours to clean them.

  Kate dismissed the maid before she set out to explore the room. It had two large armoires made of a light maple as was the bed and the dressing table. She opened each one and found them empty. She next opened a door to find a dressing room and bath. A copper tub sat in the middle of the spacious room. Shelves on the wall contained drying clothes and smaller ones for washing along with a variety of soaps.

  She picked up one soap and breathed in the heady lavender scent. Wonderful!

  Kate was dying for another bath but that would have to be later. She returned to the bedchamber.

  She found another door on the other side of the room. Kate walked across the plush carpet to that door and opened it. She found a sitting room with several large sofas and chairs. On the far wall, there was another door. It was then she realized this was a suite of room.

  Did the Countess put me in the master's suite? Is Simon's bedchamber on the other side of that door?

  Kate quickly shut the door and locked it from her side. After she hung her meager wardrobe in one of the armoires and stowed her portmanteau in the other, she decided she couldn't resist the bed any longer. It had been two long, tedious years since she had slept in a bed half so luxurious.

  She removed her shoes and dress leaving her only in her shift before she pulled back several quilts and crawled into the wide bed. Kate was asleep in only a matter of a few minutes.

  Although she had locked the sitting room door, it opened. Simon smiled when he saw his Kathleen sleeping soundly. He quietly closed the door behind him and locked it again with his own key.

  ❄

  The young maid came to rouse Kathleen from her nap in time to help her dress for dinner. She was nervous about meeting the rest of Simon's family. The truth was that despite everything she went through that morning, she wouldn't be here if she didn't like Simon. Perhaps too much. A man like him would never consider marriage to a woman like her. Where had that thought come from?

  She entered the downstairs' drawing room before she knew it. She had been so lost in her thoughts.

  Simon and his mother were already there. He came to greet her at the door.

  “Did you have a nice rest, Kathleen?” Simon took her hand in his and placed it on his bent arm.

  Kathleen smiled. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”

  Simon led her to his mother first. The Dowager Countess was seated on a large sofa which seemed to dominate the room. On her left was a young woman who looked a lot like her mother, but could only be a year or so younger than Kathleen. On the right was an older gentleman who was dressed in the clothing of a bishop.

  “You remember my mother, Kathleen.” The Countess smiled and nodded. Kathleen gave her a curtsy.

  Simon took a step to his left. “Emily is my youngest sister.” Emily smiled shyly. “Kathleen Richards is my betrothed.” Emily's eyes grew wide.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Emily.” Kathleen tried to make the shy girl less nervous by offering a friendly smile.

  The man on the Countess's right rose to his feet. “And this gentleman is my Uncle James, the Bishop of St. Michael's in York.”

  James took Kathleen's free hand and brought it to his lips. “A pleasure, Miss Richards.”

  “Likewise, Bishop.”

  Simon frowned. “Let go of my betrothed hand, Uncle James. I will not have any of your flirty ways under my roof.”

  “Simon, my boy, where is the fun in that. It is the Christmas Season after all.” Simon's uncle grinned.

  Simon moved Kathleen to a settee where they both sat. He fingered the ring box in his pocket. “Kathleen,” Simon whispered. She turned her head to stare at Simon. “Yes, Simon?”

  “I need you to wear this.” Simon removed the ring box and opened the lid.

  Kathleen's gasp drew everyone's attention. “I cannot wear that. It is too ...”

  “Please, Kathleen. It will seem odd if I have not given you a ring,” Simon pleaded. “It belonged to my Great-grandmother. She and the earl had a legendary love match.”

  “Legendary?” Kathleen eyed the beautiful ring. “Oh, very well. Just until after the holidays.”

  Simon smiled as he removed the ring and placed it on her finger. A perfect fit.

  With any luck, I will never have to take it off her finger.

  “Where are Caroline and John?” Simon asked of his mother.

  “Caroline is late as usual and you can guess the whereabouts of your brother.”

  His mother's answer was what he expected. Simon looked up when his brother skidded to a stop just inside the room.

  “Sorry I'm late.” John looked around the room. “It seems I am not the only late one.”

  They then heard a commotion on the stairs. Three small children pushed their way passed John. They screamed when they saw Simon and rushed towards him.

  “Uncle Simon! Uncle Simon!” A boy of perhaps five screamed.

  A four-year-old girl followed her brother. She tried to scramble onto her Uncle's lap.

  “Thomas, lad, you have grown a couple of inches in the last year.” Simon ruffled the boy's dark hair.

  “Me too, Uncle Simon. Me too.”

  “Yes, you too, Emma.” Simon kissed her cheek.

  The two older children were followed by a toddler. He still had trouble walking, but he tried to keep up with his sibling. He tried scrambling up on Simon's already occupied lap.

  “How is my Robbie this fine Christmas?”

  The toddler said something unintelligible before he pushed his sister off Simon's lap.

  Caroline and her husband, Neil, finally arrived to take charge of their brood. Well, their nanny took charge of the children and returned them to the nursery.

  Caroline eyed the stranger in the room. “Who do we have here?”

  Simon and Kathleen rose. “Kathleen is my betrothed. My sister Caroline and her husband, Neil.”

  “A pleasure,” Kathleen mumbled as she offered a curtsy.

  “I thought your betrothed name was Clare or Constance or something like that,” Caroline said.

  “It was Clarissa, but that engagement is broken,” Simon said.

  “Well, you made quick work in acquiring another.”

  The Dowager Countess rose. “That is quite enough, Caroline.” She paused to look around the room. “Now that we are all here, shall we adjourn to the dining room?”

  ❄Chapter Sixteen ❄

  Even though there was only family present, they dined in the formal dining room which could twenty-five people comfortably. The leaves of the massive table were removed. A fire danced in the two fireplaces making the room cozy despite its size. The floor to ceiling drapes were closed. If they had been open, the diners would have seen a view of the manor's massive garden.

  Simon sat at the head of the table. His mother sat to his right with Kathleen on his left. The rest of the family was scattered about the table.

  They had just finished dinner and awaiting a dessert of bread pudding when Simon heard a commotion in the foyer. He could barely hear it above his family's loud conversation.

  A moment later, his butler opened the doors. “I beg your pardon, my lord, a young woman has arrived and has informed me that you are expecting her. A Miss Clarissa Barrington, my lord.”

  Simon rose from his chair. His family's chatter cut off in mid-sentence. Clarissa Barrington sailed into the dining room. All eyes turned towards the intruder. Simon's eyes narrowed. He didn't need or want this woman here. Not when he was trying to court Kathleen.

  “Oh, darling, you would not believe the horrendous trip I have had. I was sure we would end up in a ditch,” Clarissa said, breaking the silence of the room.

  “What are you doing here, Clarissa?” Simon asked through clenched.

  “Darling, you invited me to spend Christmas with your family.” Clarissa glanced at all the faces turned in her direction.
“Introduce me to your family, Simon.”

  Simon glared at Clarissa for a moment before he glanced down at his mother. He refused to look at Kathleen. Simon was afraid to see what she was thinking.

  “Very well. Everyone. Our newest guest is Clarissa Barrington.” Simon motioned towards his mother. “My mother, the Dowager Countess of Stratmore; my Uncle James; my sister Emily.” Simon's eyes moved to the other side of the table.

  “My sister Caroline and her husband.”

  Simon glanced down at Kathleen for the first time. He was surprised to see laughter in her eyes. Simon fell in love with her all over again.

  He smiled down at Kathleen and without looking at Clarissa. “Last but certainly not least is my betrothed, Kathleen.”

  He finally looked up when he heard Clarissa gasp. “But darling, I am your betrothed.”

  Simon moved around the table. “We need to talk, Clarissa.”

  “Not until after I’ve eaten, darling. I’m famished.”

  “Now, Clarissa.” He grabbed her arm and hauled her out of the dining room.

  Simon finally thrust her none too gently into the nearest empty room staring at the woman for a moment. What was he thinking when he asked this baggage to marry him?

  I must have been out of my mind!

  “Clarissa, I asked you to send a notice to the Times of our broken engagement.”

  On cue, tears flowed down Clarissa's cheeks. “Oh, darling, I just could not do it. I love you.”

  “I was right.”

  The waterworks stopped. “Right about what?”

  “I knew I couldn't trust you so I sent the notice myself before I left. I suggest you leave and find another fool to marry you.”

  “I love you, Simon.”

  “You love my title and my money, Clarissa.” Simon folded his arms across his chest when the woman made a move towards him.

  “Where did you find that woman you say is your betrothed?” Clarissa gave up on the tears.

  “We met two years ago. That is all you need to know. You need to leave, Clarissa. I will not let you spoil my family's Christmas.”

  “Simon, I cannot. Listen to the storm outside. I would never make it back to London alive. You cannot be that heartless.”

  For the first time since entering the salon, Simon heard the howl of the wind and the pounding of the falling snow against the windows.

  “Very well. You may stay until the storm is over but then you will leave. Do you understand? I will not have you disrupt my family's Christmas.”

  “Of course, Simon. Anything you say.”

  “And stay away from Kathleen. I don't want her upset.”

  “What about my upset to arrive here to find another woman in my place?”

  “You forfeited any right when I found you with Viscount Rodderly.”

  “I told you he forced me into the library. I had no idea he would …” Tears flowed again.

  “Shut up, Clarissa. I have had enough of your lies. I won’t listen to any more.”

  “But, Simon, darling …”

  “I will have my butler show you to a room and have a meal sent up.”

  “Thank you, Simon.” Clarissa bowed her head.

  There was a gleam in the woman's eyes that Simon didn't like, but what could he do? He would have to keep Clarissa and Kathleen apart if he had any hope of convincing the woman he loved to marry him.

  ❄

  Simon returned to the dining room and took his seat again. He was met with silence. He cleared his throat. “I am sorry about that. Clarissa and I were betrothed briefly, but I broke the engagement.”

  There was a collective gasp around the table except for Kathleen. She only smiled at his discomfort.

  “I will only say that I discovered the woman to be someone that I would not want to make my Countess. Unfortunately, she will need to stay until after the storm passes.”

  Everyone still stared at him until Emily surprised him. “Can we have our bread pudding now?”

  The tension broke and everyone laughed. Simon took his seat. He raised Kathleen's hand to his lips. “I am terribly sorry, Kathleen. I never expected ...”

  “I know, Simon. Clarissa was a baggage when we were in school together. I am not surprised she didn't recognize me.”

  “I hope you don't think I planned this to embarrass you.”

  “I know. Don't worry about it. We are not really betrothed so it doesn’t matter.” Kathleen touched the beautiful betrothal ring. “Perhaps you should give this ring to Clarissa.”

  Simon gritted his teeth. “No, never. I would have never given her that ring even if we were still engaged. It is right where it belongs and it stays on your finger, love.”

  Dessert arrived and everyone dug in except for Simon and Kathleen. He had lost his appetite and she was worried.

  ❄Chapter Seventeen ❄

  Kate was still worried by the time she returned to her room. As she prepared for bed, she thought about the events of the evening. Like Clarissa, she was trapped here until the storm abated, but did she feel trapped? No, she didn't.

  The trouble is that I feel like I belong.

  Kathleen liked every member of Simon's family. They made her feel at home and a part of the family. She hadn't felt safe since her father died. She felt secure for the first time in two years.

  Then there was Simon. What did she feel for him? She liked him. It was almost like she had known him for years. Kathleen could barely believe they had only met that morning. She sensed he was a good man with a good heart.

  She could feel herself falling in love with the man a little more each time she saw him. He would never marry a woman like her. A woman without a dowry.

  Why am I thinking of marriage? I will only get my heart broken. I should to keep as much distance as possible between us.

  Kathleen's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She went to the door and asked, “Who is it?”

  “Emily.”

  Kathleen opened the door and allowed Simon's sister to enter. She was already dressed in her night clothes and a robe.

  “I am sorry to disturb you so late. I just wanted to talk to you a moment,” Emily said. “May we sit?”

  “Of course. Let us sit by the fire.” Kathleen walked towards the two chairs which sat in front of the fireplace.

  Emily joined her but said nothing at first as she stared into the flames. “I want you to know that my brother is a good man despite what happened this evening.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you know about his promise to our mother?”

  “Yes, he told me.”

  “I didn't think he would keep it from you. I overheard Simon talking to John last Christmas. Simon said he was in love with a woman he barely met the year before, but he couldn't find her again. She has disappeared. He even had people out searching for her.”

  “I see.” So Simon was in love with someone else. That was why he settled for Clarissa Barrington and why he had her playing the role of his betrothed.

  His heart is not free to love me and I will not settle for anything less.

  “I will tell you a secret if you promise not to tell.”

  “Of course, I promise.”

  “I am in love with one of Simon's friends, but he does not even know I am alive. That is why I don't want a Season. I don't want to go to London. I am sure I will see him and make a cake of myself.”

  “Perhaps by next Christmas things will change for the both of us.” Kathleen smiled at the younger girl. “When things look the darkness, there is always hope.”

  “I am glad you are going to be my new sister.” Emily rose from her chair.

  ❄

  Simon knocked on his mother's bedchamber door. He owed her an explanation and needed her advice. He didn't know how she would respond to what he would have to say, but it needed to be said. Simon had told her part but not all. Now was the time for the whole truth.

  He entered the room when his mother's maid, Elsie,
answered the door.

  Simon found his mother settled in a chair by the fire. She was staring so intently into the flames that she hadn't heard him sit down in the chair next to hers until he touched her hand. She started and turned her head.

  “Simon, I didn't hear your knock.”

  He smiled at his mother. “Elsie let me in. I hope you don't mind.”

  “No, of course not.” The Countess fell silent for a moment. “We do have a predicament, don't we?”

  “I'm sorry, Mama. I wasn't expecting Clarissa to come here after I broke the engagement.”

  The Countess shook her head. “For you to break the engagement … it is simply not done, Simon.”

  “I know, Mama, but I had my reasons.” Simon didn't want to elaborate but he knew his mother would force him.

  “What reasons, son? I know they had to be good ones, but I still would like to know.”

  “I would rather not.”

  “Simon, if I am to help you, I need to know all of it.”

  “Oh, very well. Several days ago I attended a ball. I danced with Clarissa once. She then disappeared. I search everywhere for her and finally found her in the library with another man. They were ...”

  “Enough said. You don't have to paint a complete picture. I understand what they were doing,” the Countess said.

  “I will not raise another man's child. With Clarissa, I can't be sure. I heard rumors about her loose conduct, but I chose to ignored them, but to witness with my own eyes ...” Simon shook his head. “I just cannot.”

  “Do you or did you love Clarissa?”

  “Lord, no. I could never love that woman. It would have been a marriage of convenience and nothing more.”

  “Where does Kathleen fit in?”

  Simon was silent for a moment smiling at the thought of his Kathleen. He didn't know how much to tell his mother. He decided to just skim the facts.

  “Do you remember two years ago when we made our bargain?”

  “Of course. I thought at the time you agreed a little too easily.” Simon's mother with a smile. “I intended to get an agreement anyway I could get it.”

  “Yes, well, that was because I had just met the woman I wished to marry. It was at the Braxton Ball. I was leaving the next day to come here for Christmas and I was sure I would see her again when I returned to London. Only, I didn't. She had vanished. I hired a Bow Street Runner and private detectives. No one could find her.”