Page 31 of A Christmas Miracle for the Frosty Marquess
Mary nodded, smiling warmly at the group.
“You are all very generous,” she said. “We will accept those items as soon as you have them prepared to bring to us.”
Everyone uttered their respective agreements, and Hannah pointed to the table.
“As you can see, these are the things we have for these baskets,” she said. “We will get the surprise baskets started with the cookies and our personal donations, and we will just add yours as you bring them.”
Elizabeth approached the women, putting a hand on each of their arms.
“The two of you have the sweetest souls,” she said. “I can hardly wait to get started.”
Mary gestured back to the table and smiled.
“Then let’s do so,” she said.
Clara started by selecting a basket, her fingers deftly lining it with a red cloth. Engrossed in her task, she jumped when Julian’s deep, rich voice broke her concentration.
“I’ve heard of your commendable work with the orphanage, Clara,” he said. “How did you come to be involved in such a noble endeavour?”
Clara looked up, taken aback by his question. It was the opposite of the indifference and distance Julian had been showing her of late. This sudden show of interest, and the warmth when he spoke to her, were entirely unexpected. But not at all unwelcome.
She cleared her throat, choosing her words carefully.
“It began several years ago,” she said. “After a visit to the orphanage to drop off some things for Mother, I saw the need, the desperate eyes of those children. It touched something deep within me. From then on, I made it my mission to do what little I could to bring them some joy, especially during the festive season.”
Julian nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
“It’s admirable,” he said. “There’s much to be said about someone who invests her time in bringing light to the lives of the less fortunate.”
Their eyes met, and Clara felt an electric charge, like the brief instances she had seen before. Could it be that Julian was finally beginning to come around with her? The thought was presumptuous, she knew. But when he gave her another smile, she couldn’t help smiling back. Perhaps, there was hope for them yet.
ChapterFourteen
Julian listened to Clara speak, marveling at himself. He hadn’t expected that day to feel any different than the other days past during all the holiday preparations. But suddenly, he had found himself starting a conversation with Clara. When she looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes, he wondered if he’d made a mistake. But then, she smiled, and it sent tingles up his spine.
The way she talked about her passion for charity work and the joy of helping children was enthralling for him. He couldn’t deny that she sounded much like his mother when she used to speak of her charitable endeavors. But she also had her own radiance and sparkle as she shared her love for helping others. Her hazel eyes shone brighter than he ever remembered seeing. And the genuine passion as she spoke made Julian glad that he had engaged her.
He had started the conversation surprised with himself. But when he told her that there was something to be said for someone with such a charitable soul, he was utterly shocked. But the biggest surprise was the realization that he meant it. He watched Clara blush and murmur a sweet, humble line of gratitude. But at the back of his mind, he tried to understand his thoughts. What was he doing? He had been determined to keep a firm distance between himself and Clara. How was it that he was the one pushing his own boundary?
“It must be costly, both timewise and financially, to contribute with such a giving heart,” he said. He winced, immediately fearing that his words had sounded callused and cruel. He hadn’t meant it that way, of course. But he recalled all the hours and the coin that his mother had put forth when she was giving to the vicarage and the orphanage. He held his breath, waiting for the tongue lashing he was sure Clara was about to give him.
She looked up from the basket she was working on, studying his face with a thoughtful expression. Then, she smiled.
“That is true,” she said. “But it is more than worth it. My family and I have been fortunate. We will never go without, and we will not freeze in the winter. But those children’s faces light up when they realise that they’re going to eat well for a few days, that they will have toys to play with and that they will remain warm another winter. The world has dealt them a tough hand, and yet, they’re capable of so much love and joy. Every Christmas, we prepare these baskets for them. The way their faces light up is a happiness that has no price.”
With her words, Clara caught Julian off guard. Not by the sentiment itself, but by how close it was to his mother’s own words. A memory of his childhood surfaced of his mother speaking to him about the importance of kindness and love over riches and luxury.
“No amount of wealth or prestige can rival the sheer bliss of a child’s smile,”she had said. It had been years since he had been able to consider anyone apart from himself and his immediate family. But with Clara’s proclamation, he was beginning to remember a time when he cared about helping those who had little.
Clara’s gaze softened as she looked at him, as though sensing the rush of emotions he felt.
“Do you not agree, Julian?” she asked.
Julian’s heart thudded. The last thing he wanted was for her to think that he found fault within giving to charity. Nothing was further from the truth. He swallowed, trying to find words. But as he studied her gaze, he noticed that she was looking at him with mere curiosity, not with any disdain or judgment.
Julian found himself momentarily speechless. Searching for words, he offered a timid smile.
“You echo sentiments very dear to my heart, Clara,” he said. “My mother used to say something quite similar.”
