As Christmas approached Nessie began to feel sad again. It would be her second without Andre and although she had had numerous invites from Reuben, Molly and various people, she had turned them all down, politely saying that she preferred to spend it quietly alone.
When she visited Connie on Christmas Eve, loaded down with presents, however, it soon became clear that the woman had other ideas.
‘I shall be sending the carriage for you at eleven o’clock sharp tomorrow morning,’ she told her in a voice that brooked no argument. ‘And don’t try to refuse, my girl. I won’t take no for an answer!’
Nessie felt as if she had no choice in the matter, although secretly she did think how nice it would be to spend Christmas with George.
That night she was restless and when she finally did manage to rest, her sleep was full of dreams. Andre was there standing at the foot of the bed, holding Jean-Paul’s hand with a wide smile on his face. She awoke in a tangle of damp sheets, for the dream had been so vivid that she wasn’t even sure if it had been a dream. It was as if Andre had been trying to tell her something – but what? She looked around the room, half expecting to see him there and when he wasn’t she felt a pang of sadness. But it was time to start getting ready so she fell out of bed and started to wash.
As she was washing the ruby ring caught the weak light pouring through the window and she smiled thoughtfully. Strangely, now seemed the right time to remove it. Perhaps Andre had been trying to tell her that he was happy and it was time for her to move on? Slowly, she took off the ring as well as her thin gold wedding band and placed them in the drawer of her dressing table. She had written to ask Jewel if she wished her to return the ruby ring following Andre’s death but the dear woman had insisted that she should keep it. Although she knew that she would never wear it again, she also knew that she would never part with it.
Next, she crossed to her wardrobe and ignoring the black gowns that she had worn since losing Andre, she chose a pretty plum-coloured gown with a matching cape that Andre had bought for her just before his death and she had never worn.
Right on time the coach arrived and looking elegant in her new gown, Nessie set off for Haunchwood House. It was nice to wear something bright again, although it felt strange after wearing black for so long.
When she arrived, she was taken aback to find Oliver there, playing with a train set with George in the drawing room. She was even more surprised to see that his young lady wasn’t with him, but then she supposed she had probably chosen to spend Christmas with her family, although now she came to think of it, Connie hadn’t mentioned her for some time. Leonora wasn’t there either as she had decided to stay in London with her aunt for Christmas. ‘Though I think it has more to do with a certain young man she’s become fond of,’ Connie confided to Nessie with a grin when Nessie commented on her absence.
Dinner was a happy affair with much laughter and merriment. Nessie ate so much at Connie’s insistence that she was sure she would burst but she enjoyed every mouthful. There was a huge goose served with home-made stuffing and such a selection of winter vegetables that she didn’t know which to choose first and that was without the crispy roast potatoes. This was followed by a flaming Christmas pudding that had little George clapping his hands with glee but finally Connie said, ‘Right, I’m going to take this little chap up for a little lie-down. Why don’t you and Oliver take a turn around the garden and walk some of your dinner off? It’ll blow the cobwebs away.’
Nessie felt deeply embarrassed at the idea but Oliver seemed all for it, so while Mr Dorsey retired to his study for a glass of port and a cigar she collected her cloak and they wandered out into the garden. They were surprised to see that it had started to snow during dinner and already the grass had a fine coating, giving the night an almost magical quality.
‘How lovely,’ Nessie said as Oliver took her elbow and led her towards a summer house at the other side of the rose garden where they could sit and watch the flakes gently fluttering down.
For a time, they were silent as they watched a little robin digging in the snow. It was so peaceful that Nessie could almost believe that they were the last two people left in the world.
‘So how have you been?’ Oliver asked eventually and she shrugged.
‘Very well, I like to keep busy … And yourself? I was surprised to find your young lady hadn’t come with you.’
‘My young lady? Oh, you must mean Sylvia.’ He chuckled. ‘That was over a while ago. We’d seen each other on and off occasionally for a couple of years but let’s just say she was keener than I was. She was a lovely girl but the minute I suggested she come home to meet my parents last year, I regretted it. She quite rightly took the invitation as a statement of intent, and I realised then that I couldn’t marry her or any other girl, so I had to retract the invitation. I felt very guilty, but it wouldn’t have been fair to bring her home when there is only one woman I have ever wanted to marry.’
When Nessie blinked with surprise he took her hand and asked gently, ‘Can’t you guess why?’
She shook her head.
‘Then let’s just say that I could never love anyone but the girl I’ve had my sights on for some long time.’
Seeing her blush, he took her arms and turned her to face him. ‘You must know that I’ve loved you since the very first moment I set eyes on you. I have remained silent since Andre’s death as a mark of respect for him. But now there’s nothing to stand in our way. I mean, I know that you’re still in mourning for Andre, but the official mourning period is over so I wondered … Well, is there any hope for me?’
She lowered her eyes.
‘How could there be?’ she questioned gently. ‘I might be free again now but we are still miles apart in class. What would your family say?’
He threw back his head and laughed. ‘Oh, not that again. In case you hadn’t noticed you are now a very wealthy young woman. And even if you weren’t, my mother thinks the world of you. She’d be thrilled to welcome you into the family. So what do you say?’ His head moved forward and as his soft lips came down on hers, Nessie shivered. She felt as if every nerve in her body was tingling and when they finally broke apart she gazed up at him with bright eyes. ‘In that case … Yes … there’s every hope,’ she told him breathlessly. ‘Because I love you too. I always have.’
He took her in his arms then and just for a fleeting moment she could have sworn she saw Andre across his shoulder. He was standing on the lawn in the snow, smiling broadly, but when she blinked and looked back he was gone. It was as if he was giving her a sign that this was right, so gazing up at the man she loved – the man she had always loved – she gave him her full attention, glowing from head to toe despite the coldness of the day.