Ellen tried to ignore the sense of anticipation she was powerless to push aside as she made her way downstairs.
When she entered the breakfast room, everyone was already present. Even Castlefield, who’d normally eaten and gone for what she’d learned was his daily ride by the time she was up. His gaze was intent, and she realized he was trying to discern whether she’d opened his gift. She toyed with the idea of letting him wonder a little longer, but in the end decided he deserved nothing less than honesty.
The only unoccupied seat in the room was beside Castlefield, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d arranged for that to be the case.
“Thank you for your gift,” she said after taking her seat. “It’s been many years since anyone has remembered my birthday.”
Brantford, who was seated opposite, raised a brow. “I thought you no longer celebrated your birthday.”
A corner of Castlefield’s mouth lifted. “Just doing my part to make you look bad, old man.”
“Now children, don’t argue.” The duchess’s exaggerated frown had everyone in the room laughing.
Jane looked toward one of the footmen, giving her head a slight nod. The man left the room to return a few moments later with another wrapped gift.
“I wasn’t sure if we’d be doing this now or later, but since my brother already made the rest of us look bad, I can’t wait.” At her words, the footman handed the small package to Ellen.
“This was completely unnecessary—” Ellen began.
“No, it wasn’t,” Brantford said. “It’s about time you started allowing others to show they care for you.” He reached into a breast pocket inside his coat and removed a slim package.
Ellen couldn’t conceal her surprise. “What were you saying about not celebrating my birthday?”
Brantford’s tone remained even as he said, “I am, as always, prepared for any eventuality.”
Rose placed a hand over her husband’s, and he turned to smile at her. Emotion threatened to clog Ellen’s throat at the obvious sign of affection between the newly married couple.
She opened Jane’s gift first, letting out a small gasp when she saw that it contained a pair of silver hair combs, accentuated with an ornate blue-and-white enamel pattern. Her gaze met Jane’s. “Is this…?” At her friend’s nod, she gave her head a small shake. “But you love these.”
“I love you more,” Jane said. “And I’m so happy to have you back in my life.”
Tears threatened at her friend’s sweet words. To keep them at bay, she turned next to her brother’s gift. As she looked down at the long, slim box, she realized she knew what it would contain.
She met Brantford’s gaze, wondering whether this could be a mistake. At his nod of encouragement, she opened the box. Nestled within the snowy white satin that lined the interior, she found a simple gold necklace with a large teardrop-shaped sapphire. It had been her mother’s favorite necklace because it was the first gift Ellen and Brantford’s father had given her. Ellen had always loved that necklace, but she’d assumed it would go to her brother’s wife.
She didn’t bother to hide the tears that glistened in her eyes as she thanked him. He replied with one of his rare, genuine smiles.
Unable to help herself, she turned again to meet Castlefield’s gaze. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected to see when her eyes met his, but it wasn’t the warmth and affection that radiated from him. An affection that she now realized she’d never once seen on her husband’s face, not even when he’d been courting her. Laughton had won her with slick displays and honeyed words, but when she’d looked at him, she’d never seen what was so evident to her now.
Castlefield was not at all like her former husband. Unless she’d taken complete leave of her senses, it was obvious that the man seated beside her truly cared for her. They’d been friends once. Was it possible they could become more?