The Past - Victorian England, Ravenhurst

 

“Devlin, aren’t you getting a tree this year?” Katherine asked, rummaging through another crate at the end of the room. She stood and lifted up a small horse ornament and placed it on the tree. The smell of fresh cut pine permeated the air.

“What would be the point?” He sighed audibly, lifting up a tinsel ornament.

“My goodness Devlin, it can’t be as bad as all that.” She placed her hands on her swollen belly. “Besides, Christmas just isn’t the same without a tree. You have to get one.”

“I suppose,” he sighed. “I could send poor Bertram out to retrieve one for me…or perhaps the stable lad. The snow is taller than he is, you know.”

“Devlin,” Katherine said, smiling. “You are perfectly capable of getting one yourself.” She gave him a stern look. “When I was younger, it was always a tradition at home. We always went out, cut our own tree down, and then had hot cocoa with mini marshmallows while we decorated it.”

“Whatever are mini marshmallows?”

“Oh, they are little white bits of soft sugary sweetness that melt in your mouth.” She closed her eyes and made an “Mm-hmm” sound.

Devlin smiled, shaking his head. “Katherine, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Oh it’s not important.” She waved her hand. “They are really good though. And cookies…you have to have cookies when you decorate.” She rubbed her belly again.

“Are you trying to get me to fetch you some cookies and hot chocolate?”

“Oh would you?” She smiled warmly at him. “I find I am suddenly starving.”

“When aren’t you these days,” he said under his breath.

“Are you complaining about my appetite again, Devlin?”

“Who, what…..no,” he said, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Of course you wouldn’t.” She pursed her lips together. “Well, what are you waiting for? I’m hungry.”

“I am going.” He made a face at her and slipped out of the room.” Katherine’s laughter followed in his wake.

Twenty minutes later Devlin walked back through the library doors with a tray full of goodies for Katherine. “Oh hello, de Winter,” he said and adjusted the tray, setting it on the table near the fire.

Sebastian tensed. “You are visiting again, Renquist.”

Devlin straightened. “Yes, your wife had the stable lad fetch me when you left her to her own devices once again.” He smiled.

“Yes, well, I do have work to do, unlike …”

“Oh Sebastian, please, it’s the holidays.” Katherine gave him a warning glance.

He sighed audibly. “Sorry, my love,” he said and walked over, leaning down, giving her a kiss. “How is our little guy today?” he asked, rubbing his hand over her swollen belly.

“Our little girl is doing just fine.” She smiled at him and placed her hand over his.

“I say de Winter, have you ever cut down a tree for Christmas?” Devlin asked pouring a cup of hot chocolate in a fine porcelain cup.

“No, why?” he asked. His brow creased.

Devlin glared at Katherine. “See I told you this cutting tree nonsense just isn’t something we do.” He smirked at her for good measure.

“Oh come on, Devlin.” Katherine rolled her eyes.

Sebastian gave her a questioning glance.

“Devlin is trying to get out of getting a tree for Christmas,” she explained.

“Well, that is ah…between you two.” Sebastian shook his head back and forth at Devlin, telling him not to bother.

Katherine saw him. “Stop it, husband.” She hit his arm lightly. “Now tell Devlin he should at the very least get a tree for himself, to get into the spirit of Christmas.”

“Yes, Devlin, you should get a tree for Christmas,” he repeated and then shrugged.

“Fine,” Devlin exhaled audibly. “I will get a tree but I have no idea how that will help me get into the spirit for a holiday I have never even celebrated.”

“Oh that is terrible.” Katherine gave him a sad look.

“Well it really cannot be terrible when I do not know what I am missing out on. Besides what is the point of getting a tree when I am the only person who will even see it.”

“We will come and see it,” she said. “Won’t we, husband?”

Sebastian was shaking his head back and forth saying no, but when he saw his wife’s stern look, he stopped. “Sure, why not,” he exhaled, knowing he didn’t have much choice in the matter.

“How does one go about getting a tree?” Devlin asked, carrying a cup over to Katherine and set it down on a table.

“Damned if I know.” Sebastian walked over to his desk, and lifted his papers, riffling through them.

“Ignore him,” she told Devlin. “All you need is an ax, horse and some rope.”

“What am I supposed to do with those?”

“Goodness, Devlin.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “You go out into the woods, find the tree you would like, cut it down and then tie the rope around the bottom and bring it back to Hawthorne.”

“That seems like a lot of work.” He shivered thinking about all the snow outside.

“Don’t be so lazy,” she teased. “Anything worthwhile takes work…just ask my husband.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Yes but it is worth it,” he said, giving Katherine a knowing smile.

“I can see that,” Devlin muttered, watching the exchange between the two and once again felt like a third wheel. He was getting used to this, but it didn’t make it any easier.

“Devlin, perhaps you should have one of your servants fetch one for you,” Sebastian said, taking pity on the man.

“Husband…” Katherine pursed her lips and crossed her arms. “Don’t ruin the fun for Devlin.”

“Sorry, Devlin…” Sebastian widened his eyes. “Far be it from me to ruin the fun of going out in the snow to retrieve your own tree for Christmas. He shook his head and lifted another paper up. “What was I thinking?” he muttered.

“See Devlin, even my husband see’s the fun you will have.”

“Oh joy,” Devlin deadpanned and tugged on his cravat, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. Maybe the fresh air would do him good.

“You should go soon though,” Sebastian said, eyeing his wife from across the room.

“Why’s that?” Devlin asked and then wished he didn’t. He could see they wanted to be alone.

“The snow has let up. If you don’t leave soon I fear you will get caught in another storm,” Sebastian added. Of course, he was actually afraid the man would be stuck at Ravenhurst for the duration of the storm and he had plans of his own to spend some much needed alone time with his wife, not entertaining Devlin.

“All right,” Devlin sighed. “Might I borrow an ax? I guess I could cut it down on the way home…” he trailed off.

“Of course,” Sebastian said a bit too enthusiastically. “I will get it for you myself.” He stood and rushed from the room to do just that.

“Don’t mind him,” Katherine said, once he was gone.

“Oh, I don’t,” said Devlin. “I understand he wants to be alone with you. I can’t say as I blame him.”

Katherine gave him a sad smile. “You will come tomorrow for Christmas…right?”

“Oh…” Devlin walked over to her side. “I guess if it won’t be too much of an imposition.”

“Nonsense, everyone will be here.”

“Who else will be here?” he asked distractedly. Lifting another one of the ornaments from the crate and placed it on one of the green furry branches.

“Isabelle, Grayson…”

Devlin visibly cringed. Perfect. He would be a fifth wheel now. “Perhaps I cannot make it after all.”

“Don’t be silly. Besides, I believe one of Grayson’s nieces will be here as well.”

“Grayson has a niece?” Devlin gave her a startled look.

“Yes, I hear she is quite fetching.”

“Really?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. Funny he had not heard of her.

“Yes,” she sighed, seeing his look of disbelief, “really.”

“Well maybe…” He toyed with a branch. “Perhaps I can make it.”

“After we open presents we can all ride over and look at your tree as well.”

Devlin was starting to feel better. “Perhaps I can have some refreshments as well. Make it more festive.”

“Yes, that sounds wonderful,” she said exuberantly.

Devlin had to wonder if her newfound exuberance was from seeing his tree or the mention of the refreshments he would have.

“Oooh, will you be having some of those delicious tarts your cook makes?”

“Of course,” said Devlin, slanting a knowing smile her way.

“It sounds wonderful…and delicious.” Her eyes glazed over. “After we open presents we will go right over.”

“Presents?” He hadn’t thought about that.

“It’s all right, Devlin, no one expects…”

“Nonsense,” he cut her off. “I already have gifts for everyone.”

“You do?” she squealed, her face lighting up.

“Sure,” he lied. Damn. Now what was he supposed to do?

“Well I hope it is nothing extravagant. “ I made mine for you.”

“Well…” He cleared his throat. “I did too.”

“You did?” Her face brightened even more. “Oh I can’t wait to see what you made me!”

“Neither can I…I mean me too,” he stammered. “What I mean to say is I can’t wait to see what you think of it as well.” He swallowed hard.

“I got it,” Sebastian said, rushing into the library.

Devlin turned and looked at the large ax he was brandishing like a medieval knight. “Is it snowing?” he asked, shivering from the gust of cold air that followed Sebastian into the room.

“Not bad,” Sebastian said, brushing the light dusting of snow from his hair and clothing. “Only a flurry or two,” he said, keeping his face averted.

It looked like a lot more than a flurry or two to Devlin. It looked like Sebastian had just been out in a bloody blizzard.