Page 19 of Christmas with the Duke
“Promise me, no matter what happens, that you and I will make it to the end,” he said.
“Of course. Christmas and Hogmanay will be hard, but we will get through it,” she replied, sounding almost distracted.
He bent and kissed Caroline gently on the lips. “I meant the ‘till death do us part’ bit. But yes, also Christmas.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, but a soft expression took over her face as she melted into his body.
His anger wasn’t just directed at Anne and what she had done. In her mind, she likely had her reasons, and if given a chance he would dearly love to talk to her and get to the bottom of things. What he did find difficult accepting, however, was her terrible timing.
Just when he thought his efforts to get Caroline to relax were beginning to work, this bomb had to go off under the family.
“I am going to call a family meeting shortly and announce my decision,” he said.
He was head of the Radley clan, and if he dictated that everyone remained at Strathmore Castle for the next week, then that was what would happen. No one would be foolish enough to attempt to do otherwise.
Caroline drew out of his embrace and took a step back. When his wife met his gaze, her brown eyes shone bright. “I will do whatever you ask of me. We may not always agree, but I know you have the protection of this entire family as your priority, as do I.”
“Thank you. I don’t know how I could do any of this without you.”
* * *
An hour later, the entire Radley family assembled in the great hall. Included in that number were Clare, Emma, and Stephen. Some people questioned their presence, but Ewan had been adamant that they attend. If a major scandal was about to hit the family, he didn’t want anyone caught by surprise. Spiteful rumors might start in the drawing rooms of fashionable homes, but they never remained there for long.
Everyone took their seats at the long table. Ewan walked purposefully to the head. As he sat, silence descended.
“I have spoken to a number of you privately over the past few minutes. I also want to acknowledge the plan that the senior females of the family have proposed. This is what I have decided.”
He nodded toward Adelaide and Charles Saunders. “Thank you for your generous and self-sacrificing offer to return to London immediately, but I ask that you stay and share both Christmas and Hogmanay with us. That goes the same for Hugh, Mary, and Clare.”
A whisper rippled along the table. Couples quickly spoke to one another. No one voiced their disagreement.
“My reasons, and I think you are entitled to hear them, are as follows: One, Clifford has not asked for any of us to come back to London. The letter was sent by his son Gideon, and Francis. The Duke of Mowbray has his reasons for not directly telling any of us what has happened, and we have no right to undermine him, especially at this difficult time.”
He turned to Caroline, who cleared her throat and spoke. “The fact is most major families are at their estates during the Christmas and New Year period. If we all hurry back to town, it will only create suspicion, and then the obvious questions will arise as to why.”
“This family has had more than sufficient whispers spoken about it during this year. And while we may not have been able to control the narrative over those previous incidents, we owe it to everyone, including the Kembals, to remain one step ahead of this brewing scandal,” said Hugh.
As Bishop of London, and the moral heart of the family, his words held weight. Ewan was grateful that his brother hadn’t fought him over this matter; rather, he had fallen into line and supported him.
“After Hogmanay, everyone will be able to continue on with their travel plans as they see fit. Alex and Millie have agreed to travel to Sharnbrook and request that David and Clarice make their way to London for the birth of the baby. This will then allow Caroline and I to return directly to town and be at the forefront in supporting Clifford.”
“With your permission, your grace, Mary, Clare, and I will remain at the castle and perform the traditional annual gift-giving on Handsel Monday,” added Hugh.
Ewan bowed his head. “Thank you, Lord Hugh. I am honored that you would agree to continue to represent the family at such an important event. The villagers and castle servants look forward to that day, as do we.”
His gaze went from one family member to the next, right around the gathering. Resting his hands in front of him on the oak table, Ewan paused for a moment. “If anyone has anything else they wish to say, please do it now.”
An agreeable silence met his request.
“Well then, let us all go and get our warm woolies on and head out to the bailey to share the evening with our guests. The Christmas Eve bonfire is well alight, and I am more than ready to eat my bodyweight in wild boar.”
Stephen leapt up from the table and grabbed his sister by the hand.
“Come on, Emma. We need to find the best spot to watch the fireworks.”
As his youngest children raced for the door, Ewan took a deep sigh. This was not how he had hoped Christmas Eve would be, but the sight of his family, gathered together at Strathmore Castle, gave him a heartwarming degree of comfort. They were the Radleys, and they were united in purpose.
This family will survive.
