Page 41 of The Winter Rogue
Drew,Polly,andBillywalked into Brookhaven Manor with more than a little trepidation.Drew could not help but feel guilty that Polly and Billy were going to be sent off to the servants' wing to eat separately—it was their tradition to share Christmas dinner.Polly and Billy were worried the upper crust servants wouldn't welcome them, though they knew John the coachman.He suspected they—well, Polly really—would willingly suffer far more punishment than being snubbed if it allowed Drew to be with Charlie on this special day.
They knocked on the door and were greeted by the butler, who allowed them entry.
Lady Brookhaven smiled warmly as she came into the foyer.“Welcome, and merry Christmas!We are so glad you all could join us today.Polly and Billy, isn’t it?If you would like to mingle with the rest of the servants, they are in the servants' area downstairs for now, enjoying some punch and refreshments.James can show you where to go.Later, when we sit down to eat, we shall all gather in the ballroom, upstairs and downstairs celebrating together.”
“That sounds lovely, my lady.Thank you very much for including us today.”Polly curtsied and took Billy's hand as he bowed and mumbled a thank you, before dragging him off behind the Brookhaven butler.
“Thank you, my lady, for allowing them to join us.The three of us often celebrate holidays together.”Drew bowed his gratitude, his heart beating faster.Where was Charlie?
“We often do the same here at the country house,” Lady Brookhaven said with a smile.“Our London staff would probably be more offended by the gesture than appreciative, but out here we feel a bit more like family when it is just us.Unconventional to be sure, but it's how we prefer things.”She smiled.“Please, come this way.Be aware, we have not told Charlene you are joining us.”
Drew laughed.“This should be entertaining.”
“Indeed,” she said and grinned as she led him into the front salon.
“Who was at the door on Christmas day, Mother?”Charlie asked as they walked into the room, sounding a little annoyed at the intrusion.“I—”
“It was our very special guest who we invited to join us.I believe you two are familiar.”Lady Brookhaven smiled as she stepped out of the way, revealing Drew trailing behind her.
And that was when his heart stopped.
“Drew?”Charlie rose hurriedly, surprise evident in her tone.
“Merry Christmas, Charlie.”Drew smiled at her, his face tight with how big his grin was.
“How…how on earth?”Charlie looked around the room at both of her parents, grinning as well.“I don't understand.”Her brow wrinkled.“Why?”
Her father stood up and turned her to face him.“I was given to understand that you care about Drew,” he said, shooting a pointed look at his wife.“And that I am the largest obstacle keeping you two apart at the moment.I wanted to remedy that.I may not always show it, but all I have ever wanted was to see you happy and well taken care of.”
Charlene's eyes filled with tears as she hugged her father.“Thank you.Thank you for understanding.”
“I was young and in love once too, you know,” he breathed as he hugged his daughter.
“And now you are old and in love, if you know what's good for you.”Her mother's dry tone made them all laugh.“Now, I believe we have a few gifts to exchange.”
As her parents went to settle near the Christmas Tree, Drew walked over to where Charlie still stood.“I…well.I hope this is a pleasant surprise.”He kept his voice pitched low so only she could hear.
She beamed up at him.“It is a lovely surprise if it means my father has removed his threats against your business.”
“It does.He apologized for everything,” he confirmed for her.
“Then come join us.I'm delighted to have you here.”She led him over to the tree, but stopped.“Oh no!I don't have a gift for you!”
Drew chuckled.“Do not worry, being here with you is gift enough.”He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek.
Lord and Lady Brookhaven exchanged gifts.He gave her a lovely pendant, and she gave him a new, very fine razor with a filigree handle.They gave Charlie a lovely blank journal.Apparently, she wrote in one every day and her latest one was nearly full.
They also gave her a new pair of leather boots.“I do hope you will consider retiring that old scuffed up pair you insist on wearing everywhere,” her mother lamented as Charlie looked the leather footwear over.
They were not dainty ladies' boots, Drew noticed.No, these were large, clunky men's boots, though well-made and clearly of some value.“Thank you, Mother.I promise to finally relinquish and donate my old pair to the church, after I clean them up.”
“It's a Christmas miracle!”her mother declared, and they all laughed.
Drew cleared his throat.This was the moment.“I did manage to get a gift for Charlie.”
Three pairs of eyes turned to him in surprise.He felt his cheeks heat as he withdrew the small box from his jacket pocket.Well, no time like the present.
He dropped to one knee and held the box out to her.“My dearest Charlie, we have perhaps not had a terribly traditional courting, but I have known you for so long that I think we can dispense with certain traditions.I was always fascinated by you as a boy, felt compelled to protect you from even yourself at times.When you stormed back into my life, a few weeks ago, you proved that my fascination was no youthful infatuation.Somewhere between your awful pianoforte playing and finding you half frozen in the snow, I fell in love with you.Not Lady Charlene, but Charlie.You.You, the fiery woman who will always stand her ground and fight, but will also love just as fiercely.You make my life brighter and more complete.Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
