A Christmas in Manchester, page 10
“I am not opposed to having things done for me, either, but I also like doing things for myself.”
“Like knitting wool socks for Christmas gifts?” Adam said, his eyes filled with mirth.
Eve raised her chin. “Indeed. Perhaps I have already knitted a pair of gloves for you.”
“No socks?”
“It is not proper,” both Eve and Mrs. Carter said at once.
They enjoyed the rest of the ride in silence, Eve watching Adam as he looked out the window as they arrived at a promising area for collecting evergreens.
Could she marry this man? So far, he had seemed serious in his desire to make her his wife. Perhaps they had more in common than they did differences. She shook her head. No. That was much too absurd to imagine. But for now she would enjoy his company and have fun helping to select the perfect evergreens to decorate his house.
Unbeknownst to her, Adam had been studying Eve the entire ride. She was such an honest woman, every thought showed on her face. She was struggling, he was sure. He tried to imagine being in her place in the world, so far from what he’d taken for granted his entire life, and then being asked to step into it.
He loved her.
That seemed to say it all for him. While she had never uttered the words, he was almost certain she felt the same. He didn’t think Mother had yet to embrace the idea of Eve as her daughter-in-law, but she had at least been kind to her and was helping her along. He was certain after a few days of Eve’s company that would change.
They climbed from the carriage, and Eve led the way, having done this many times before. She studied each tree and pointed to various branches that the footmen cut down and loaded onto the carriage. Adam had to admit it was fun being out in the cold and spending time dragging boughs to bring home the wonderful Christmas smell.
Or perhaps being with Eve made everything fun. She certainly seemed to bring smiles to the footmen’s faces as well as Mrs. Carter with her enthusiasm for the task.
Adam took Eve by the elbow. “Come, I believe we have enough branches now to decorate several manors. it is time for some warm liquids and luncheon.”
Shivering a bit, Eve nodded. “I agree.”
Mrs. Carter had retired to the carriage about twenty minutes before. She sat wrapped up in the wool blanket, her nose red. “Are we finished?” she asked.
“Yes. I think we have enough.” Eve settled alongside her chaperone and wrapped another blanket around her.
Mother and her guests were in the drawing room, awaiting luncheon when they returned. “My goodness, look at the two of you. You must be frozen.”
Adam placed his hand at Eve’s back and moved them both toward the fireplace. “Not frozen, but we can certainly use the warmth from the fire.”
“Your Grace, there is hot apple cider which will certainly warm you up,” Miss Clark said as she strolled up to them. “Personally, I don’t understand why you felt the need to accompany the footmen. it is not as if they don’t know how to cut down branches.”
Adam took a cup of hot apple cider from a footman and nodded. “Ah, but there is a certain satisfaction in doing it yourself.” He looked at Eve who was also sipping cider. “Something I never knew until today.”
Miss Clark huffed. “You would never catch me roaming the woods looking for branches.” She shook her head.
Adam looked over at Eve and they both smiled over the rim of their cups.
Eve sat in her assigned room, curled up on the settee in front of the window, reading a book, feeling quite derelict since she never had time to just sit and read during the day, with all the chores that needed to be done. Perhaps there were one or two things about this life that she would find quite satisfying.
Adam had to address certain matters this afternoon and instead of joining the other women in the Duchess’s sitting room, Eve had elected to enjoy some time to herself.
She gazed out the window, watching the snow fall from the sky. It had only started about twenty minutes before, and already the ground was covered with a fine coating of sparkling white.
A soft knock on her door drew her attention. “Yes?”
“May I come in, Miss Allen?” The Duchess’s melodious voice started the pounding in Eve’s chest. Was she here to chastise her? Tell her a carriage awaited to return her home since she would never fit in? Maybe she shouldn’t have encouraged Adam to go with her to find greenery.
“Yes, of course, Your Grace.” Eve stood and walked to the middle of the room as the duchess entered. She offered a slight curtsy.
The Duchess waved at her. “No need for that, my dear. If you curtsy every time you see me you will spend all your time dipping.” She walked toward the settee where Eve’s book sat. “Can we have a chat?”
Oh, goodness. That didn’t sound promising. “Of course, Your Grace.”
The two of them sat and Eve smoothed out her skirt with damp palms, remembering to sit in that uncomfortable stiff-backed position. The Duchess did it so easily and didn’t seem to be in pain at all. Years of doing so, she guessed.
“I wish to ask you a simple question, Miss Allen.”
Eve nodded, the pounding in her chest growing to where she felt as though her heart would jump from her chest.
“Do you love my son?”
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate even though she hadn’t admitted it completely to herself yet. “Yes, I love him, Your Grace.” She spoke more firmly. “I know the difference between us, and that you are not happy with his attachment to me, but if I were to be honest with you as well as myself, then I admit that I love him.”
The Duchess nodded. “You are certain you can fit into this life?” She waved her hand around. “Members of the ton can be brutal to outsiders. As a duke, my son can mostly do what he wants, but you will have to face people on your own, without him by your side. There will be snickers, and comments, and other ways women will let you know you don’t belong, you don’t fit. Can you handle that?”
Eve raised her chin. “I believe I can.”
“I notice you preferred to spend the afternoon in your room as opposed to joining the ladies in my sitting room. You do realize as a duchess you cannot do that. You must be gracious, thoughtful and caring of your guests. Hiding is not allowed.”
Eve felt as though she was caught in a whirlwind. Was she prepared to do all the social niceties that would be required of her?
The Duchess studied her for a minute. “There is much more to you than I had expected. You certainly do not possess the refinement and grace one would envisage in a duchess, but I believe if you truly love my son, you can overcome that.” She stood and shook out her skirts. “The modiste will be here in the morning to do the final fitting for tomorrow night’s ball gown.”
She started toward the door and turned back. “We will assemble in the drawing room in a half hour for dinner.”
Eve collapsed onto the settee. The duchess brought out all the fears she’d been battling since the invitation to the Christmas Eve ball had arrived at her home. Would she never fit in? Would Adam end up disgusted with her, and wish he’d never turned from the women of his kind to marry her?
She wished her mama were here for guidance. She had a feeling Adam intended to propose to her during the festivities, and she had no confident answer for him. She was terrified of saying yes and equally terrified of saying no.
Yes would mean plunging herself into a completely unknown—and unfriendly—world that she never in her entire life had expected to be a part of. Yes would also mean marriage to the man she loved and who loved her. Wasn’t that what she had wanted her whole life?
Saying no would send her back to the life she’d known forever. The life she was comfortable in, she fit well in, and had no expectations of ever leaving. Stating no would mean saying goodbye to the only man that had ever captured her heart.
She had to relegate all these questions and doubts to the back of her mind. She was expected in the drawing room in a half hour and worrying was only giving her a headache.
Eve held a glass of sherry in her hand, trying hard to not roll her eyes at Miss Clark as she went on and on about her latest modiste and how she didn’t live up to Miss Clark’s requirements.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the familiar voice say, “Good evening ladies.” Adam touched her lightly on her elbow, a movement which was not lost on Miss Clark who frowned in Eve’s direction.
“Good evening, Your Grace. We missed you this afternoon. We thought you might be out in the woods again, perhaps searching for tomorrow’s dinner."
The other ladies in the group tittered, but Eve wished that the floor would open up underneath her.
“How amusing, Miss Clark. I do enjoy the hunt on occasion. But I believe I will leave the food foraging to the real hunters.” He turned to Eve, “May I have the pleasure of a stroll around the room before we are called into dinner?”
Before she could even answer, he took her arm and drew it into his. “Keep smiling, my dear.”
She fought the tears threatening and smiled.
“That’s good. Now we will engage in lively conversation with each other.”
“Adam—” She stopped, fighting the lump in her throat. “You know she said that because of me.”
“Miss Clark is a selfish, bitter, unhappy young woman. She finds fault with everyone and everything. Do not pay her any mind.”
“But don’t you see? That is only the beginning. The people in your world will not accept me. You will grow tired of me and begin to resent me.”
He drew her into a corner where they would have a bit of privacy. “I want to marry you. I love you. I don’t care who accepts or does not accept you. I am a duke; you will be a duchess. They would not dare disparage you once we are wed.”
He continued their walk. “I will come to your room tonight when everyone is asleep. We must talk this out. I will not have you doubting yourself.”
CHAPTER 12
Eve paced the floor in her room awaiting Adam’s arrival. She should not allow him through the door. It was improper and went against everything she was raised to believe. It was bad enough they’d shared more than a few enthusiastic kisses, but this would ruin her completely if they were caught.
She jumped at the sound of the soft knock. She wiped her sweaty palms on her dress and opened the door. Adam entered and took her into his arms. “We must talk, sweetheart. I cannot have you worrying about what people will say about the two of us. I am a duke, I can marry whomever I please.”
Eve pulled away. “You are a duke, yes. You were raised to be a duke. Your mother was raised to be a duchess and does it remarkably well. I was raised to marry a man from the village and live that life.”
“Stop.” He reached out and pulled her against him again. “My mother is more than willing to help you. She will take you under her wing and guide you. Even if she did not approve at the start, she has come to admire you, and will not let you fail.”
She thought back to the duchess’s visit earlier in the day when she questioned her about her feelings for Adam. The duchess did give her a lot to think about and there were times she believed she could do this, and then times, like when Miss Clark made the rude remark about Adam hunting for their food that she felt miles away from this life he offered.
“Stop thinking, darling.” Placing his knuckle under her chin, he bent his head and placed his soft, warm lips over hers. If anything would stop her thinking, it was certainly Adam’s kisses.
“I want to announce our betrothal at tomorrow night’s ball. I know the proper way would be to visit with your father first, but since you came here with his permission, I believe he would give his blessing once I see him.”
Was she ready to make that commitment?
“More than anything I want to stay with you here tonight, but I also want to prove to you that I respect you and would never do anything to dishonor you.” He smoothed back the hair on her forehead. “So with great reluctance I will say good night. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I look forward to sharing that day with you as well as the day after. And letting everyone know you are my choice, and I will always stand by you.”
With those words he kissed her on the forehead and left the room.
Eve joined the rest of the lively crowd the next morning for breakfast. The plans for the day were the group to gather after breakfast for singing and exchange of small gifts. An afternoon trip to the village to admire all the decorations would keep the guests busy before the Christmas Eve dinner, and then ball.
As much as Eve was enjoying being with Adam and sharing in all the events for the day, she was missing her parents. They had their special routine for the holiday. After a church service, she, Mama and Papa would enjoy the feast she and Mama had prepared. Traditionally, they shared their meal with a few neighbors who had no family.
Some years her sister or brothers would come with their families but this year it was to be just her Mama and Papa. After an exchange of gifts, they would join some of the church members in Christmas caroling around the village in anticipation of Christmas the next day.
“Why the sad face, my love?” Adam asked as he sat alongside her on the settee as they waited for the gift giving and music to start.
“Just missing my parents.” She sighed. “I know our celebration would seem very pastoral to you, after all this.” She waved her hand around. “But it is something we've always done together."
"Ah, sweetheart, I promise from now on we will celebrate Christmas with your family.”
She laughed. “That is a nice gesture, Your Grace, but I don’t think a quiet rustic holiday can live up to what you’re used to.”
He closed his eyes. “Eve, stop it. I lived in your house for two weeks, did I not? What you and your family have to offer is something wonderful. The love and joy I found in your home was definitely something special.”
“Your Grace.” Adam’s butler entered the drawing room and approached him.
“Yes, Peter.”
He handed a folded piece of parchment to him. “This note just arrived for Miss Allen.”
Eve sat forward, a sense of looming disaster surrounding her. Adam passed the note to her and with shaking hands she opened it. Her eyes skimmed the paper and she gasped. “Oh, no. I must return home immediately.” She hopped up.
“What is it?” Adam stood and grasped her elbow.
“My parents. They are both sick. There is no one there to take care of them. I must leave.”
“Wait a minute. Does the note say what their illness is?”
She closed her eyes and nodded. “Influenza.”
“No. I’m sorry Eve, but I cannot allow you to go back home with influenza there. it is too dangerous.”
Eve drew in a breath, her eyes wide. “You cannot stop me, Your Grace. My parents need me, and I will go to them. Please ask to have a carriage brought around while I pack.”
He grabbed her hand as she turned to leave. “No, Eve. There must be another way to handle this.”
“There is no other way. They are my parents. They are sick. I must attend them. Nothing else needs to be said.” She tugged her hand from his and hurried from the room.
“What is it dear?” his mother said as she walked up to him watching Eve leave.
Adam ran his fingers through his hair. “Mr. and Mrs. Allen. The note said they have influenza and Eve feels she must return to take care of them. Influenza is much too dangerous. I can’t allow her to go.”
His mother pursed her lips. “I understand your concern, Adam, but if the girl wants to return home, you cannot stop her.”
“We’re about to be betrothed. I should have some say in this.”
The duchess shook her head. “But she hasn’t accepted you yet. It is best to try to talk to her instead of attempting to order her about.”
Adam left the room and bounded up the stairs. He knocked on Eve’s door. “Eve, I need to talk to you.”
She opened the door, holding a dress she was folding. “You’re not going to talk me out of this.” She turned back and continued placing clothes in her satchel. “Have you asked for a carriage?”
He walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her around. “I just want you to stop and think. Isn’t there anyone closer that can help them? Is there a doctor nearby?”
Eve stepped back. “You don’t understand, do you? That is the difference between us I’ve been trying to tell you. In your world you get a doctor to help. You hire someone to care for them. You keep your hands clean so as not to contract the illness.” She shook her head, tears in her eyes. “These are my parents!”
His hands dropped and he stood watching her, not knowing what to say. Yes, in his world they would fetch a doctor, a caretaker, anyone trained to assist in medical matters. Did that make them supercilious? To him that made sense.
Eve closed her satchel and turned. “Will you call for a carriage, or shall I hire a hackney?”
He stiffened. “Of course.” He turned and left the room and asked Peter to arrange for a carriage to take Miss Allen to her home in Worcestershire. Not wishing to rejoin the festivities, he retired to his library and poured himself a brandy.
Perhaps Eve had been right all along, and their worlds were too far apart for them to have a successful marriage.
Hours passed as the sun moved from one window in the library to the other side and finally set. His mother attempted to get him to join in the Christmas Ball, but after harsh words from him, she left him to sip, staring at the fireplace, dwelling on the mess the holiday had turned out to be.
Three days later Adam once again sat in his office staring at the fireplace. All the guests for Christmas had left and not playing the proper host, he ignored them all. Which left the Duchess doing everything and based on her demeanor as she faced him this morning, she was unhappy.
“Are you going to wallow in here like a spoiled child? You have duties to perform and here you sit doing nothing. When was the last time you bathed and changed your clothes?”
