Cecily stood next to Baxter by the library door, hoping she’d put enough pins in her hair to keep it securely fastened all evening. Having been kept busy all afternoon, she’d barely had time to breathe, much less get herself dressed for the carol singing ceremony.
Inside the room, Phoebe was darting about, giving last-minute instructions to the fidgety schoolgirls who were opening the evening with the first carol. Behind them, the pianist and violinist were quietly arguing about an arrangement, while the other two members of the quartet sat on their chairs looking bored.
The colored glass balls on the Christmas tree slowly rotated in the draft, sparkling in the light from the chandelier above. Flames leapt in the fireplace, and above it boughs of holly and fir covered the mantelpiece, tied together with bright red and white ribbons. Holly wreaths clung to the wood paneling and Madeline had hung little golden bells among the prickly leaves. Satisfied that the room looked its best, Cecily prepared to greet her first guests.
Sir Walter arrived first, looking resplendent in a black morning coat. His wife, dressed in a gorgeous pink lace gown, clung to his arm as if afraid to lose him.
“You look utterly ravishing this evening, Mrs. Baxter,” Sir Walter murmured, as he raised her gloved hand to his lips.
Cecily felt a telltale warmth creep over her cheeks. “You are too kind, sir.”
“I speak the truth.” He turned to Baxter, who looked as if he’d swallowed a sour lemon. “Do I not, old chap?”
“If you say so, then it must be true,” Baxter said, his voice as stiff as his face.
Cecily hurriedly turned to Sir Walter’s wife. “Such a pleasure to see you, Lady Esmeralda.”
“And you, Mrs. Baxter.” She gave Cecily a gracious smile. “The library looks so festive. A perfect setting for singing carols.”
“Thank you.” Cecily turned to look into the room. “I was just thinking, it’s a shame I didn’t have the photographer come back this evening. He took such lovely photographs at the banquet. I must say, however, that Mrs. Prestwick surpassed herself this year decorating the library, and it would have been lovely to have photographs to keep.”
Lady Esmeralda nodded. “It would, indeed. I must confess, I’m anxious to see the photographs of the banquet. Walter and I don’t have that many photographs taken.”
“Ah, well, I left them in my office.” Cecily smiled. “I’ll have them all on display in the library tomorrow.”
“Splendid!” Lady Esmeralda took hold of her husband’s arm again. “Shall we, then?”
“Of course, my dear.”
“I do hope you will enjoy the evening,” Cecily said, giving her own husband a nudge.
Baxter coughed. “Yes, yes, do have a nice evening.”
“We’ll certainly try.” Lady Esmeralda sighed. “We almost didn’t come down. My husband has such a dreadful headache.” She sent him an anxious look. “He’s had far too many headaches lately.”
Cecily took a closer look at Sir Walter’s face. He did seem drawn and pale. “I’m so sorry. Can I get you a powder? Mrs. Chubb always keeps some in the kitchen for emergencies.”
Sir Walter shook his head and winced. “Thank you, no. A glass of your good brandy will soon chase it away.”
“That always makes him feel better,” Lady Esmeralda said. “He’ll be in good spirits once he joins in the singing. Though I must confess, it’s rather hard to feel festive when one is in fear of being murdered in one’s bed.”
Cecily felt a pang of dismay. Apparently word had spread faster than she’d thought. “We are taking every precaution to see that doesn’t happen,” she said, and received a questioning look from her husband, which she duly ignored. “I’m hoping the soothing effects of the carols will help take our minds off the tragedies.”
“Ah, yes. The carols. We adore carol singers, don’t we, Walter?”
“Positively, my dear.” Sir Walter patted the hand clutching his arm. “We always had them call on us at Rosewood. This is our first Christmas away from home. We would have missed the carol singing had we not been fortunate enough to enjoy it tonight. After all, it wouldn’t be Christmas without carols, is that not so?”
“Quite so, and I’m happy you were able to join us.” Cecily waved a hand at the door. “Please, go in and make yourselves comfortable.”
The couple glided into the room, and Cecily turned to her husband. She was about to make a comment about Sir Walter’s sickly appearance, but just then the Millshires arrived, minus their children, much to Cecily’s relief. From all accounts, the Millshires’ offspring could be quite disruptive.
She had no time to dwell on her thoughts after that. The rest of the guests arrived in groups, and by the time everyone was settled the schoolgirls were about to start singing the first carol.
As the clear voices rose to the high ceiling, the beautiful chords of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” accompanied them, filling the room with the lyrical music.
Cecily wished that Madeline had been there to hear it. She loved Christmas carols. She had decided not to come to the ceremony after all. Apart from the fact that Angelina had tasted more than her share of adventure that day, the trauma had taken a toll on Madeline, and all she’d wanted to do was take her baby home and watch over her.
It was a shame, really. The carols were such an important part of the season. The story of the birth of Christ, and the meaning of the true spirit of Christmas. As Sir Walter had said, it wouldn’t be Christmas without carols.
Something clicked in her mind, and she frowned. There it was again. That odd sensation. Something Sir Walter had said… She caught her breath. Surely not. She struggled with her thoughts for several minutes, while the singing rose and fell all around her. Of course. Now it all made sense. All she had to do was find the proof.
The platform was deserted when Gertie arrived at the train station. Although the wind had turned even colder, and flakes of snow drifted sideways across the tracks, Gertie was warm with excitement.
She’d intended to have one of the footmen fetch the twins in a carriage, but Dan had insisted on driving her to the station. The twins would be thrilled to have a ride in the motorcar. She hugged herself as she gazed along the empty tracks into the darkness. She couldn’t wait to see them.
“It should be here any minute,” Dan said, glancing up at the large clock swinging above his head.
As if to confirm his comment, the station master appeared, a large oil lamp swinging in his hand. He walked to the end of the platform and put the lamp down at his feet.
In the distance Gertie heard a faint whistle. Grabbing Dan’s sleeve, she gave it a tug. “They’re coming!”
Dan laughed, and put an arm around her. “All this excitement just to see the twins come home! Just wait until we all move up to London. You’ll be so excited then you’ll forget how to talk.”
A sharp stab of cold shot through Gertie’s stomach. How could she have forgotten what it would mean to marry this man?
She would have to leave Badgers End again, and everyone she knew and loved at the Pennyfoot.
She couldn’t seem to breathe, and her vision blurred, so that the oncoming train seemed to fade into the cloud of steam. She could hear the clatter of the wheels now, and the whistle, much louder, shattering in her ears.
The engine roared into the station, then screeched and rattled to a stop. Steam hissed from the chimney, and Gertie wrinkled her nose as the musty coal fumes filled her lungs.
Only three of the train’s doors opened, spilling out its passengers. At the far end of the train, Gertie saw two small figures jumping down the steps and onto the platform. “There they are!” Without waiting for Dan, she flew toward the twins, arms outstretched.
Lillian was the first to see her. Her scream echoed all the way down the platform. She rushed forward, followed closely by James, while Daisy, dragging a large portmanteau behind her, brought up the rear.
Gertie stooped to hug the twins, who smothered her with kisses. By the time she had untangled herself from their arms, Dan had taken the bag from Daisy and was walking her back to the motorcar.
James talked nonstop, his tongue tripping over the words in his excitement. Lillian tried to get a word in now and then, but with all the jumping up and down she was doing she had no breath to compete with her brother.
Basking in the warmth of their affection, Gertie forgot all about her troubles with Dan. It was Christmas Eve, and her twins were home. That was all that mattered for now.
