Page 34 of A Christmas Miracle for the Frosty Marquess
Amelia smiled knowingly.
“He volunteered to come here and work on these baskets without prompting, and despite his apparent aversion to the holidays,” she said.
Clara stared at her sister in awe. Despite being younger than Clara, she often was wiser. What she had said was true. No one had asked Julian to help them that day. But he had chosen to do so because his sister, presumably, had requested his aid. And he had done so despite his pain. In her heart, the questions multiplied. She could not help but wonder if the space between them was as irreparable as it felt, or if, the answer lay within those moments of earnest conversation, waiting for the right time to unveil itself.
The hands of the grandfather clock in the vicarage’s sitting room marched steadily on, mirroring Clara’s determination to set aside her personal tumult. With a brisk nod to herself, she rejoined the industrious assembly of friends and family who were completing the final arrangements for the next day’s delivery to the orphanage. The baskets brimmed with bread, fruit, cloth, and other necessities. Each item was a small testament to collective goodwill of their group, which worked earnestly on the baskets, and of the people who had donated money and items to help the poorer villagers.
“As efficient as ever,” Amelia said as they tied off the last of the baskets with cheerful red ribbons, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions Clara had been feeling. “The children will be so pleased.”
“Indeed,” Clara agreed, managing a smile that she was sure barely reached her eyes.
Just as she was about to take her leave, Elizabeth caught her arm gently.
“Clara, may I have a moment?” she asked.
Clara noticed how pensive her usually calm and docile friend looked. She nodded, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“Of course, Elizabeth,” Clara said with a warm smile. “What is it?”
Elizabeth hesitated, searching for the right words.
“I must admit, I’ve been attempting to engage Julian in the Christmas spirit, hoping it might bring some cheer to his solemn disposition,” she said. “But I fear my efforts have only served to drive him further away.” She paused, sighing. “I’m truly sorry, Clara, if my meddling has made matters more awkward or difficult for you.”
The weight of Elizabeth’s words sank in. Clara felt a mix of relief and disappointment. So, it was Elizabeth’s orchestration, not a spontaneous interest on Julian’s part. But that left the unanswered question of why he had left so abruptly. Could Elizabeth’s meddling really have triggered such a reaction?
“Elizabeth,” Clara said, choosing her words with care as she did not wish to cause her friend any further distress. “Your heart is in the right place. I hold no ill will for your attempts. In truth, I too had hoped that the subject might bridge some unspoken gap between Julian and myself.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened with relief.
“Thank you for not being angry with me,” she said. “I truly do want the best. Both for my brother and for you. I know there is a good man inside all that hurt and grief. But I do not wish for you to suffer because I am causing him too much duress.”
Clara shook her head, fighting tears that were stinging her eyes.
“This is a very strange situation for Julian, as well,” she said. “I imagine his reactions are perfectly normal. I will not give up on him.”Although he may have already given up on me,she added silently.
Elizabeth nodded, seeming to find comfort, wisdom and resilience behind Clara’s words.
“Thank you, Clara,” she said. “I truly am sorry.”
With a reassuring smile, Clara looked into Elizabeth’s eyes.
“Your intentions are understood, and there’s truly no need for an apology,” she said.
Relieved, Elizabeth returned her smile.
“Thank you again, Clara,” she said. “Until we meet again.”
Clara nodded, giving her future sister-in-law another small smile.
“Until then,” Clara said, donning her cloak and stepping out of the vicarage. As she did, the jovial chatter of her siblings reached her ears. Amelia was amid an animated discussion, almost breathless with enthusiasm about her latest inspirations for Christmastide decorations.
“—and then, imagine swags of evergreen gracing each window, accented by holly and red ribbons,” Amelia said, her eyes shining brighter than any holiday ornament.
William chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement.
“Why, Amelia, at this rate you’ll fill the house up to the attic with decorations,” he said. “Shall we expect Father Christmas to repurpose our home as his workshop?”
Amelia scoffed playfully, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
