Christmas Day. At last.
The past two days had dragged on and on since Everleigh had told Griffin to leave her alone. She hadn’t gone down to dinner that night, but instead had cried herself to sleep, something she hadn’t done since marrying Arnold.
Her frosty guise once more in place, she kept to the fringes of the activities.
Sarah’s two gifts tucked beneath her arm, Everleigh held her emerald empire gown up with her other hand. What had possessed her to accept an early birthday present from Theadosia?
Surely it was the least she could do to thank her dear friend, she told herself.
Maybe she’d wanted to impress Griffin as well?
Why, when she’d made clear her wishes?
She caught sight of herself in one of the corridor mirrors. The gown was truly lovely and befitting the season. It had been a long while since she’d worn anything so colorful, and despite her fragile heart, the gown lifted her spirits a notch.
Evening cloaked the subdued light visible through the windows. And beyond that, snow covered the picturesque landscape. A perfect setting for the holiday.
Griffin must’ve conspired with Fate to keep her at Ridgewood.
It had snowed intermittently since the sleigh ride, and a good two feet or more of white covered everything. It had been decades since anyone had seen a December with such deep snowfall in Essex. Leaving was nearly impossible, and even though she longed to flee to Fittledale Park, she wouldn’t jeopardize a driver’s safety for her own selfish wishes.
She’d endured marriage to Arnold for two years; she could certainly abide a few more days here. The company was pleasant, the food exceptional, and Theadosia made sure no one was bored or overlooked. Still, even in a house this large, with the guests confined indoors, unless she stayed in her chamber, she couldn’t help but encounter Griffin.
Seeing him across the room hurt like a mule kick to her innards each time, but he’d respected her wishes and hadn’t approached her. His gaze never left her though, and the hurt and frustration in his eyes caused hers to get misty more than once.
He was a good man, and he loved her.
She didn’t doubt it.
Lying awake at night, reliving the passion they’d shared, recalling his witty rejoinders and the tenderness he showed her and Sarah, she’d come upon a startling discovery.
She might very well love him too.
No. She did love him.
Fear had crippled her, warped her emotions, until she didn’t even recognize what was before her. Shame infused her as she made her way to the drawing room where the great decorated pine tree stood. She’d used Griffin in the basest, meanest manner. Had their situations been reversed, she’d have thought him a monster for asking to bed her.
Her slippers whooshed on the marble floor as they had that first night. It seemed much longer than just over a fortnight ago.
What if she did carry his child?
An unwed woman ought to be dismayed at the thought, but she wasn’t. She’d welcome a child—his child—no matter what.
She paused at the entry to the drawing room. As expected, guests milled about the room and extra chairs had been placed throughout. Candles winked on the grand tree, beneath which were stacked mounds of presents.
“Everleigh! Your gown is stunning.” Gabriella grabbed her sister’s arm. “Look at Everleigh, Fee-Fee. She’s finally out of mourning.”
That caused several heads to turn in her direction, one of which loomed above all the others.
Ophelia sent a not-so-covert peek toward Griffin. Everyone probably thought the same thing she did, that Everleigh had set her cap for him.
Appreciation quirked his mouth the merest bit, as his hot gaze trailed over her, and from across the room she could almost hear him begging her to give them a chance.
“Evlee. Evlee.” Bum upward, Sarah scrambled down from the settee. She ran to Everleigh and held out her arms. “Up.”
Everleigh passed her gifts to Jessica. “Could you please give these to Mrs. Schmidt for me? They are for Sarah.”
The gifts for her cousins and the others had been brought down earlier in the day, but she’d needed to put the finishing touches on Sarah’s frock and doll.
“Of course.” Jessica smiled, catching the nurse’s eye. “You look lovely. Green is definitely your color. It matches your eyes.”
Everleigh lifted Sarah. “Hello, darling. Happy Christmas.”
“Happy Chris’mas, Evlee. I has a puppy. She has sharp teeth.” Sarah twisted, and looking over Everleigh’s shoulder, inspected the floor. Her little face crumpled. “I think Papa sent Claire to the nurs’ry.”
“I met your puppy. She’s adorable, just like you.” Everleigh hugged Sarah to her.
She’d miss the little mite.
She felt Griffin’s gaze caressing her again as he murmured something to Hampton while accepting a glass of champagne.
Mrs. Schmidt accepted the packages and extended her hand. “Let’s go for a walk and check on your puppy, shall we, love?”
A delicate way of saying it was time for Sarah to go to the nursery.
“Papa said I stay up late.” Sarah’s face contorted into a pout.
“You will, pet. You have more gifts to open.” She held them up. “And after supper, you’ll have plum pudding!” Mrs. Schmidt said. “Besides, this is Claire’s first night in the house. She’ll be afraid and lonely, and your puppy will want to cuddle with you.”
Everleigh passed Sarah to her Nurse. “I’ll come say goodnight to you too. I’d love to see your puppy again.”
Sarah stuck her lower lip out. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
She should’ve taken the gifts directly to the nursery, and had she been speaking to Griffin, she’d have known what his plans were for Sarah tonight.
She forced a smile as Nicolette approached.
“Everleigh, did you and Sheffield have a falling out?” Nicolette spoke low, but her eyes brimmed with worry.
Everleigh shrugged.
“Not exactly. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
“Bosh. What utter twaddle.” Nicolette slanted her gaze toward him. “He cannot stop staring at you, and you’re no better.”
“Please leave it alone, Nicolette.”
Everleigh didn’t mean to sound cross, but neither could she discuss something so painful.
A fleeting look of surprise skated across Nicolette’s face before she nodded. “All right. Come sit with me.”
She grasped Everleigh’s hand and towed her to chairs near the tree.
“I thought we were opening presents after supper?” Everleigh sank onto the gold and cream striped cushion.
“We are, but Theadosia said she wanted to make an announcement.”
Just then, Theadosia, wearing a spectacular ice blue gown, floated into the drawing room on Sutcliffe’s arm. She positively glowed tonight. As difficult as the past couple of days had been, she still deserved Everleigh’s thanks for forcing her out of self-imposed isolation.
She had enjoyed herself—mostly.
Her attention gravitated to Griffin, only he wasn’t there anymore. Swallowing, she lowered her gaze to her clasped hands.
She didn’t blame him for leaving. She found it hard to be in the same room with him too.
How she wanted to take those words back. Tell him to not stop trying to win her heart.
Why don’t you?
Why indeed? She’d nothing to lose.
Lifting her head, she searched the room. Drat and blast. He was truly gone, and she couldn’t very well go in search of him. Not without raising brows. There was also the worry that he might not accept her apology.
She’d never know unless she tried. Her stomach wobbled with excitement.
Oh, and she had to try. She had to, for he was her everything. Nothing mattered but him, not her fears or concerns. Just Griffin and what they had together.
She started to rise when Theadosia clapped her hands. “Please have a seat or find a place you are comfortable standing for a few moments.”
Sinking back onto the chair, Everleigh suppressed a frustrated sigh.
“We have an announcement to make.” Sutcliffe stepped near and wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist.
“Oh, what do you suppose it is?” Nicolette whispered in Everleigh’s ear.
“Given the specialness of this day when we celebrate our Savior’s birth, we thought it only fitting to tell our dearest friends and neighbors our good news.” Theadosia gazed at Sutcliffe with utter adoration.
He lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips. “We are to be parents, come summer.”
A chorus of congratulations echoed about the room, not the least of which was the Dowager Duchess’s cry of delight.
Everleigh took advantage of the melee to slip from the room. She headed toward the stairs, thinking Griffin might’ve gone above to say good night to Sarah.
A movement in the dining room caught her eye.
Griffin?
What the deuce was he up to?
Looking very much like a naughty boy, he was moving the name tags around the table. From just outside the door, an amused smile curving her mouth, she watched him make a complete muddle of Theadosia’s seating arrangements.
“I do hope, Griffin, this means you’ve placed yourself beside me.”
He whirled around, one name card grasped between his fingers before a slow smile tinged with mischief arched his lips.
“I was just about to do so.”
He set the card down then stood back to admire his handiwork.
“I’ve been doing a bit of matchmaking.” He pointed. “Jessica Brentwood and Bainbridge. Miss Twistleton and Westfall. Miss Breckensole and Pennington—”
“You didn’t!” Everleigh rushed forward a few steps. He had indeed. “You wicked, wicked man. Gabriella will never forgive you.”
He strode to her and clasped her hand.
“It’s not her forgiveness I crave. Everleigh, I rushed you. I tried to force something you weren’t ready for. Please forgive me. And if you’re never ready to re-marry, I shall accept your decision. I only ask that we remain friends, that I may share your company.”
Friends?
Had he been nipping the brandy already? Friends didn’t do the naughty, wonderful things she yearned to do with him.
“Oh, Griffin. I was looking for you to beg you to forgive me for hurting you. I was wrong. So, so wrong. I love you too, I truly, truly, do. I want to be with you more than anything else.”
Touching his dear face, she blinked through the joyful moisture blurring her vision.
“It would be the greatest privilege to be your wife.” An impulse sprang to mind, and she clasped his hand. “Will you marry me?”
Chuckling delightedly, he crushed her to his chest.
“Yes. Yes! Lord, yes. I shall marry you, you delightfully unpredictable woman.”
She tilted her head back, eyeing the kissing bough above their heads. “I believe a kiss is in order.”
“Go on, man,” Sutcliffe said. “Kiss her. I’m hungry, as are we all.”
Everleigh spun around to find the corridor full of amused guests.
Dandridge, grinning ear to ear, pulled his wife to his side and dropped a quick peck on her temple. Ophelia and Gabriella hugged each other. Nicolette eyed Westfall with a considering look. Jessica, Rayne, and Theadosia beamed at one another like they’d planned the whole affair.
Griffin cupped Everleigh’s chin, gently drawing it upward.
“Happy Christmas, Everleigh.”
And right there in front of everyone, Griffin, Duke of Sheffield gave her a kiss that she, nor he, nor the other guests, would soon forget.