Page 48 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
The song ended with a rousing chorus, and there was much toasting and spilling of the liquor as the guests drank their fill and refilled their cups from the wassail bowl. The viscount grinned, taking a deep breath, as though about to enter into another rousing rendition.
“I think it’s time to dress for dinner,” Nicholas said, interrupting the proceedings from behind.
“Ah, and we were just beginnin’ to enjoy ourselves,” the viscount said, tutting, as he downed the dregs of his cup and scooped another from the bowl.
“I think you’ve enjoyed yourself enough,” Clara said, and the viscount winked at her.
“Ah, come on, Clara. Ye enjoyed the sing along, didn’t ye?” he said, and Clara smiled.
“I did, yes,” she admitted, and the viscount laughed.
But the clock on the mantelpiece had now struck six, and itwastime for the guests to dress for dinner.
“Come to Isobel’s bedroom before we go down, and we’ll have a glass of sherry together. It’s not easy to talk with everyone around us,” Clara whispered to Amelia as she passed.
Amelia nodded. Clara was right. It was difficult to talk openly because they were surrounded by so many listening ears. Making her way upstairs, she found Elsie laying out her clothes for the evening.
“Good evening, my Lady,” the maid said, looking up at Amelia and smiling.
The room was lit by candles, and the fire had been stoked up. It was warm and inviting, and it seemed hard to believe there was a storm raging outside. The house seemed like an island, cut off from the ravages of the world beyond.
“Good evening, Elsie. I trust the servants are all prepared for the feast?” she asked, standing in front of the hearth for the maid to unbutton her.
“They are, my Lady. There’s always such a pleasant atmosphere in a big house at Christmas,” she replied, and Amelia wondered if the same could be said above stairs as it could be below.
She had not had a chance to speak to Nicholas again before coming up to change. He had appeared distracted by something, his attentions drawn to Harry, the two of them having returned together, and without explanation. She wondered if she had done something to displease him, or if he was having second thoughts about what had passed between them.
Constance remained constant in her presence, and she had given Amelia an unpleasant look as they had left the drawing room. There were still so many secrets to be resolved, so many questions to be answered, and the thought of spending Christmas under such conditions both intrigued her and gave her cause for concern.
“I’m glad to hear it. I hope they’ll treat you well, and you shall have Saint Stephen’s day to yourself. I won’t hear of you coming to dress me or seeing to my needs that day. I’m sorry you won’t get to see your sister and mother. You’ll have some time off when we get back to London,” Amelia said, for she knew Elsie had made a sacrifice in accompanying her to Devonshire for the festive season.
“That’s very kind of you, my Lady. Thank you,” she said, helping Amelia into her evening dress.
It was not long before she was ready, and heeding Clara’s invitation, she made her way along the landing to Isobel’s bedroom, from which she could hear the voices of the sisters, followed by a shriek of laughter.
“Oh, Amelia, there you are. We’ve been waiting for you,” Isobel said, ushering Amelia into the room.
Isobel’s own maid had left her, and the two sisters had already poured themselves a glass of sherry. Isobel looked very pretty, dressed in a red evening gown with a yellow sash, matched with elegant pearl jewelry. Clara, too, was beautifully dressed, wearing a green gown and a ruby necklace, and she handed Amelia a glass of sherry, raising her own in a toast.
“I wonder what fresh delights the viscount has in store for us this evening,” Amelia said, taking her seat next to Isobel, who was sitting at the dressing table applying powder to her face.
“He can be quite insufferable, but frustratingly charming, too,” she said, shaking her head.
“It’s the Irish blood in him,” Clara replied, smiling as she took a sip of sherry.
“I like him. He certainly livens things up. Some of the older ones can be quite stuffy. Sir Samuel, in particular. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile once since we’ve been in one another’s company,” Amelia said.
“No… well, would you smile if you were married to that awful Mrs. Bennett? She’s insufferable,” Clara said, and Amelia spluttered into her glass.
“Oh…” she said, and Clara laughed.
“You can speak freely here, Amelia. We don’t have secrets, do we? It’s a strange gathering, but you and our cousin seem to be getting on well,” she said, raising her eyebrows.
Amelia blushed. She had hoped it was not so obvious. Knowing what others, including her mother, would think if rumors started spreading about her and the earl.
“I… well, I like him, yes. He’s been a kind and generous host. We get on well,” she said, and Isobel sighed.
“You’re certainly doing better than I am with Edmund,” she said, turning to Amelia and Clara with a sad look on her face.
