Christmas Day dawned bright and cold with a heavy frost glistening in the sun. The house was bustling with activity and looking festive. Philip and Uncle Henry were staying with them for the New Year, so was Uncle Joshua, James and his mother. Ellie wished her other family could be here as well, but she understood the need for them to have their reunion with Fred and Hilda at Ted’s house. It was neutral ground, so to speak. But they would all be together tomorrow. The ballroom was festooned with holly and her father had engaged musicians to play quietly in the background. Gifts were piled high around the tree. There was something for everyone coming, and they’d all spent yesterday afternoon wrapping the presents. How her mother would have loved it.
Ellie gazed at her mother’s portrait. She spoke softly. ‘I haven’t seen Father this happy for a long time, Mother. He seems to be getting along well with Augusta Montague, and it’s lovely to see them laughing together. You don’t mind, do you?’ She was sure her mother nodded approval. ‘I knew you wouldn’t. I like her too. I know he said he would never marry again, but if he did change his mind, then I believe she’d make him a good wife.’
She spun round to take in the entire room – and crashed into James.
‘Who were you talking to?’
‘I was singing to myself.’ Ellie cast a guilty look at the portrait.
James followed her gaze and stepped towards the picture. ‘That looks perfect there. I wish I’d known her.’ He placed his hand through Ellie’s arm. ‘I’ve been sent to fetch you. We’re about to open our gifts.’
‘Before lunch?’ She walked beside him, smiling in anticipation. Over the last few days James had become rather attentive and didn’t seem quite so stuffy. He really was very nice.
The drawing room was a riot of colour with the enormous tree dominating the room, and a log fire with dancing flames sending fingers of bright warmth around the room.
‘There you are, Ellie.’ Philip pounced on her immediately. ‘We’ve been waiting for you.’
‘I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, but we don’t usually do this until after lunch.’
‘We’re breaking with tradition this year.’ Albert chuckled as he watched Philip examining the names on the parcels. ‘You and Philip can hand them out now.’
The floor was soon littered with boxes, ribbons and torn paper. Ellie had just opened one box and was staring at the contents in amazement. If this had been a gift from her father she wouldn’t have been surprised, but the tag had James’s name on it.
‘Don’t you like it?’ James stooped down in front of her, his eyes searching her face.
‘It’s absolutely beautiful,’ she breathed in awe. In her hands was a glorious gold and diamond bracelet. It seemed alive as the stones caught the light and sent out a multitude of dancing colours. ‘But … but …’ For once in her life she was lost for words.
He removed it from its black velvet box and fastened it around Ellie’s wrist. ‘You deserve only the best,’ he said softly.
She dragged her eyes away from the jewel and stared at James, stunned. What was going on? When he stood up and bent over to kiss her cheek, she gave her father a questioning look.
Albert held out his hand. ‘Come and show us, Eleanor.’
As everyone gathered round exclaiming approval of such a fine gift, Ellie caught Nanny’s eye and received a saucy wink from the elderly woman. What on earth did that mean? She wasn’t sure it was quite the thing for James to give such an outrageously expensive present to her.
‘You have excellent taste, James,’ Albert told him.
‘Thank you, sir.’
Ellie studied the bracelet again. Her father appeared to approve, so perhaps it was all right for her to accept it. Realising that she hadn’t thanked James properly, she turned to him. ‘It’s absolutely beautiful, James. I love it, thank you very much.’
‘I’m pleased you like it, and it would make me happy if you’d wear it tomorrow for the party.’
There was much to do the next day and Ellie was grateful to have the help of Augusta Montague. She was very organised and obviously used to arranging large functions. Their guests began arriving around one o’clock and Ellie stood with her father to greet them. Nanny was in her element as the young children gathered around her. There was something about Nanny that made children gravitate towards her, just as Ellie herself had done.
The room was filling up rapidly and Ellie waited anxiously to see the arrival of her brothers and sisters. Would Fred and Hilda come? Had the family reunion gone well? She had so wanted to go to Ted’s yesterday, but she did understand that her presence might have made it more difficult. After all, it was because of her that the rift had occurred. Not that it had been her fault, of course, but it had been best for her to keep out of the way. Today was different, and she would be upset if they didn’t all come.
Her father touched her arm. ‘Eleanor, look towards the door.’
She almost cried out with joy, but managed to control herself. She lifted her hand in greeting. Ted was with Dorothy on his arm; Mr Rogers was also there with Maggie. Just behind them were Pearl, Dave and their son, then Jack with Fred and Hilda. They were a family again.
When they reached them, Ellie forgot about decorum, hugging her brothers and sisters in turn. ‘I’m so pleased you came,’ she said warmly to Fred and Hilda.
Ted got hold of his parents by the arms and urged them forward. ‘Sir, may I introduce our mum and dad.’
‘We’ve already met.’ Fred spoke gruffly, looking ill at ease in such surroundings. ‘Nice place you’ve got here.’
Albert’s mouth twitched at the corners. ‘Thank you, we like it.’
Fred hadn’t finished. ‘Ted said this party was for everyone who works on the estate. These all yours?’
‘Some come from my brother-in-law’s estate which is next door. We’re delighted you could come. You are welcome in our home.’
Hilda nodded, her eyes misting over. ‘Thank you, sir, that’s good of you.’
‘Not at all.’ Albert smiled at Ellie. ‘I think everyone has arrived, my dear, and now we have an announcement to make.’
She stood beside him proudly as he told the gathering about the engagements, asking everyone to raise their glasses to toast the happy couples. Her father had such a commanding presence; the way he had welcomed her other family showed him to be a man of great understanding and kindness. But, of course, she had always known that. She glanced across at Fred and Hilda, no longer feeling any animosity towards them, but she would never be able to think of them as her parents. She was sorry for the hard life they had endured, and was happy that they were reconciled with some of their children, but that was all she felt for them.
Next they gave out the presents; the noise was deafening as the children yelled in delight over their toys, with Pearl and Dave’s little boy in the thick of the excitement. The servants moved around the room collecting up the paper, serving the food and replenishing drinks.
Only when everyone had eaten did Ellie have a chance to join her brothers and sisters. James and Philip were already with them, and Ellie was pleased to see James laughing with Jack. She had always felt that James viewed her other family with suspicion, but he appeared quite at ease with them. Fred and Hilda also looked as if they were enjoying themselves. Fred was standing with a tankard of beer in his hand as he talked with the head groom. Hilda was with a group of the wives, nodding and smiling as she listened to what was being said. Every so often she glanced across at her children, her face a picture of happiness. It did Ellie good to see it and know that she had been able to help them.
Jack grinned when Ellie reached him. ‘This is quite a party. It took a bit of persuading to get Mum and Dad here, but look at them now. They’re having the time of their lives.’
‘I’m so pleased it’s all turned out well.’ Ellie stifled a sigh. ‘I’m only sorry that there’s still one member of the family unaccounted for. Father has given up on the search for Harry. Have you had any luck, Jack?’
‘No, sorry. It’s as if he walked out and disappeared into thin air. We won’t find him now.’ Jack gave Ellie a sympathetic look. ‘Your dad’s right, we’ve got to accept that we’ll never know.’
‘Of course.’ Ellie pushed the thought away, determined not to let it spoil this happy occasion. ‘Come on, I haven’t had anything to eat yet and I’m starving.’
The house was quiet when James wandered downstairs the next morning. There had been a light covering of snow during the night and he gazed out of the drawing room window, deep in thought. The party yesterday had been a huge success, and Ellie the perfect hostess. He knew she must have been longing to spend more time with the Bonners, but she had stuck to her duties with cheerful good grace. While she’d been otherwise occupied, he had sought out her other family to try and get to know them better. By the end of the evening all his doubts about them had disappeared. He liked them and had completely revised his earlier view that they would try to take advantage of the situation. They were rough, but they had their own code of conduct in the harsh world of the slums. He’d been wrong to view them with such suspicion.
‘Beautiful morning, isn’t it?’
The sound of Ellie’s voice made him spin round. ‘I didn’t hear you come in. And, yes, it’s a glorious morning.’
Laughing she pointed to her bare feet. ‘That’s why you didn’t know I was here. I love all the seasons, but days like this most of all. Everything is so peaceful.’
James nodded. ‘This is a lovely place.’
‘I’m very lucky.’ Ellie looked up at him. ‘It must be hard for you to leave your estate for half of the year.’
‘I leave because I have to.’ James had never discussed this with Ellie, but it was time he was open and honest with her. ‘When my father died he left everything to my stepbrother, Giles, and he doesn’t like me being around too much. But he is obliged to allow us to live in the house for six months each year.’
Ellie touched his arm in sympathy. ‘I didn’t know you had a stepbrother. I just assumed you had inherited the estate.’
‘I was unhappy at first that Giles didn’t want my help, but if I’d stayed in Yorkshire I would never have met you.’
Ellie pulled a face. ‘I wouldn’t think that was much of a consolation.’ He turned to face her. ‘But it is. I can’t imagine my life without you now. Would you marry me?’
For a few seconds she stared at him, stunned, then she laughed. ‘Oh,
James, you look so serious. Did Philip put you up to this? It’s just the sort of daft joke he would think up.’ James hadn’t expected Ellie to fall into his arms with rapture at his proposal – and truthfully it had been clumsily done – but he hadn’t thought she would take it as a huge joke either. ‘I am serious, Ellie. What’s your answer?’
She punched his arm, grinning. ‘It would serve you right if I accepted, then you’d regret playing such a silly joke on me. But I won’t be that unkind.’ She placed a hand over her heart and tried to look suitably impressed. ‘I thank you for your kind proposal of marriage, sir, but I’m afraid I cannot accept.’
James decided to join in her fun and make light of it this time. He had two more chances and he’d make a better job of it next time. Taking a small notebook from his pocket he wrote a large figure one in it.
Ellie peered at the page, still laughing. ‘What’s that for?’
‘I’m making a note of how many times I ask you.’
‘If it wasn’t so early in the day I would believe you’d been drinking Father’s best brandy.’ She examined him carefully. ‘You haven’t, have you?’
James shook his head. ‘I’m not overfond of strong liqueur.’
‘That’s true. I’ve never seen you drink more than one glass. I suggest that you call on Nanny, for you must be sickening for something. She has a remedy for every malady.’
Before James could answer, Philip burst into the room. ‘Ellie, have you seen my thick scarf? I had it yesterday, but I can’t find it anywhere.’
‘It must be in your room.’ When her cousin declared that he had searched every inch, Ellie sighed and headed for the door.
James watched them leave, bickering away as usual. Ellie had forgotten about the proposal already. Ah, well, he might as well have breakfast.
The only person in the dining room was Ellie’s father, helping himself from the many silver dishes. James joined him. ‘Good morning, sir.’
‘Good morning, James. I hope you slept well?’
‘Very soundly.’ James contemplated whether to have three or four slices of bacon with his eggs and mushrooms. Ellie’s rejection hadn’t seemed to blunt his appetite.
‘Have you seen my daughter this morning.’
‘Philip’s taken her off to help him find something he’s lost.’ With his plate full, James joined Ellie’s father at the table. ‘I asked her to marry me this morning.’
‘And what was her response?’
‘She burst out laughing.’ James couldn’t help chuckling when he saw the amusement on Mr Warrender’s face.
‘Her refusal doesn’t appear to have dented your ego,’ Albert said.
‘I can’t afford to have an ego around your daughter, sir.’
‘True. So you have wasted one try.’
‘Oh, it wasn’t wasted. She’ll think it over and wonder if I really was serious. It will make her curious, and the next time she’ll know that I mean it.’
Albert laid down his knife and fork. ‘And what will you do if she refuses you three times?’
‘Then she will have to ask me.’ James noticed the gleam of respect in the eyes of the man sitting opposite him and felt a surge of relief when he laughed. He felt sure that he had been accepted. Now all he had to do was make Ellie fall in love with him. He was sure she had some affection for him, but he didn’t know how deep her feelings went. He was under no illusion about the difficulty of the task in front of him. Failure was not something he would accept though.
An hour later Albert was sitting in the library reflecting on the changes in his life since Mary had died. He was now at peace with her passing and relieved that her suffering was over. Eleanor had grown up over the last year, and although she was still inclined to be impetuous, she had steadied a little. The party had been a happy affair, and he knew his daughter had been delighted to see the Bonners together again at last. Albert didn’t think he would ever like Fred Bonner, but perhaps he wasn’t quite as bad as they had first thought. Living with the threat of the workhouse over their heads must have made them very frightened and desperate. Hilda was different and he had warmed to her. He could see that she fought to keep her emotions under control, but she couldn’t disguise just how happy she was to be reunited to her children.
‘Oh, I do beg your pardon, Albert, I didn’t mean to disturb you.’
The sound of Augusta’s voice had him surging to his feet. ‘You are not disturbing me. Did you sleep well?’
‘Yes, thank you. You were deep in thought. I’ll find a book to read and then leave you alone again.’
‘Please stay. I would welcome your company.’ When she was seated he asked, ‘Have you had breakfast?’
‘Eleanor arranged for me to be served in bed.’ Her laugh was soft and musical. ‘It was a reward, she said, for helping her yesterday with the party. That was very thoughtful of her. She is a delightful young woman and I would be proud to have her as my daughter-in-law.’
Albert nodded. He had discussed this with Augusta as soon as James had approached him, and they had been in agreement that they would leave their children to make their own decisions. ‘James has proposed this morning and didn’t seem at all perturbed that Eleanor took it as a joke.’
‘And that may well be her only response.’ Augusta sighed. ‘But I do believe that my son really loves her.’
‘Yes, I’m sure he does.’ Sitting in the warm room with Augusta, Albert relaxed. It was time to let things take their natural course. Eleanor was quite capable of deciding her own future. It was time he gave some thought to his own.