The Italian coast faded from sight. Henrietta sighed. She already missed it. Saying goodbye was hard, but this time, it would not be forever.
“Why the sad face, mia bella? We will be back soon,” Luca said as he placed his arms around her.
“I know. I think it might not be before the festival next year,” she replied with a twinkle in her eye.
“Are you trying to avoid treading the grapes, my dear?” he teased.
“I think we should go to England until the baby comes,” she reasoned.
“Of course, mia bella.” He winked at her. “Perhaps we may return in time.”
“Humph.”
“When do you think Gwen will realize she is increasing?”
“She will when she does not feel any better on land. Just now, she believes she is seasick.”
“Comprendo. Do you think your family will mind that we did not wait to marry?”
“Most assuredly. But I wanted to be married in Italy, and I did not wish to make you wait another day.”
“Grazie. I approve of your reasoning.” He thanked her with a kiss.
“And Robert cannot try to change my mind.”
“No, he cannot, Contessa.”
“I like the sound of that. Dowager made me feel old.”
“Tell me about your family whom I am to meet in France. I hope they will like me better than your grandson did.”
“You won Andrew over. You will do very well.”
“Si. But I hope I will not be required to prove myself in so manly a fashion to each one.” He laughed.
“I am the only one who matters.”
“Not true. You matter the most.”
She smiled.
“You have met Robert. His wife is an ill-humoured prude. She has softened a little lately, but do not take her personally. She treats everyone with equal disdain.”
“I cannot wait,” he murmured.
“Their daughter is Beatrice. It is her home we are going to.”
“Should we turn back?”
The Dowager cackled appreciatively. “No, she managed to overcome her upbringing, as did their son, Nathaniel.” She paused reflectively. “He was injured severely in the war, but he does not let it hinder him. He will not wish to be treated any differently.”
“Very well. I will remember.”
“And...”
“There are more?” he interrupted.
“We cannot forget Elly. She is my pride and joy. You will understand when you meet her. She spent many years in America, but we have always remained close. She is my dear Elizabeth in the flesh. She has a very happy marriage and many children.”
“I look forward to this one. Are there any others?”
Sadly, Henrietta looked out over the sea.
“There is one more, but she will not be there. Elizabeth’s eldest child, Sarah.”
“What happened to her?”
“She was deceived in her marriage. She will not discuss it. Her husband would not allow her to visit our family after they wed. She ran away to us one time, but he found her.”
“There must be something that can be done.”
“I am afraid not. All of the laws in England favour the husband. He owns her. Even Robert, a powerful duke, cannot intervene.”
Luca muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“Indeed.”
“We must see how we can help when we go to England,” he said passionately, and she gave his hand a thankful squeeze.
When they arrived in France, the weather was as pleasant as it had been in Italy. Gwen had been ill the entire voyage and was ready to have some much-needed rest on a still bed. She looked green in the carriage ride from the port to the Vernon estate. Andrew was hovering over her protectively as Luca and Henrietta watched on with sympathy and amusement.
Henrietta was nervous again. She was happy with her decision, but she knew not all of her family members would be pleased.
The carriage pulled into the gates of the estate. Henrietta took several deep breaths, reminding herself to remain calm. When they alighted, the group of children playing nearby were deeply involved in a game of rounders, and their arrival was barely noticed.
Amelia waved and went back to concentrating on her next pitch.
“I am glad I was nervous for nothing,” Henrietta remarked.
Luca laughed. “It will be well. Let us find Robert and get it over with. I am not sure I am ready to meet all of the grandchildren at one time.”
“I know I am not,” she retorted.
They proceeded into the house, which was equally as chaotic as the scene outside had been.
“What on earth is going on?” she demanded.
Beatrice heard her grandmother’s voice and came running into the entry hall.
She ran to her and greeted her with a kiss. “Forgive me, Grandmama. There has been a fire in the kitchen and our chef has decided to leave in an uproar over it. He blamed the housekeeper, she blamed him, and he left. It is a long story, but our Christmas dinner is a disaster.”
“That is the problem with French chefs. Their brilliance in the kitchen is only surpassed by their moods,” Luca commented.
Beatrice laughed. “Indeed. And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with, Grandmama?” She looked at her grandmother with a smile.
“Oh, dear. I have failed already. This is my new husband, the Conte de Salerno. Luca, meet my granddaughter, Beatrice, Lady Vernon.”
“It is a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Vernon.” He took her hand and kissed it.
“Your…your husband?” Beatrice looked at her grandmother questioningly.
“Yes.” Henrietta smiled happily, but said no more.
“Well, welcome, sir. I suppose you will not mind sharing an apartment if you are just married. As you can see we have quite a houseful.”
“We do not mind,” her grandmother reassured her, feeling a slight blush.
“Come in and greet everyone. I am sure they will be delighted with your news.”
Beatrice led them into a parlour, which was crowded with people. “Look who has arrived. Grandmama has brought her new husband. May I present the Conte de Salerno?”
The entire room grew silent and turned to stare.
The first to shut her jaw and greet them was Elly, who rushed toward them with her arms out.
“Oh, my goodness. Welcome, sir. Do you realize what you have married into?” she said with a sparkle in her eye.
He bowed low. “You must be Elly.”
“Indeed.” She smiled brilliantly at him. “I can see Grandmama has warned you about us.” She tucked her arm in his. “Shall I introduce you?”
“I would be delighted.” He looked at his bride with an amused smile and followed Elly to meet the clan.
Henrietta walked toward Robert, who looked contemplative.
“Hello, my son,” she said as she reached his side.
“Hello, Mother. So you found each other again,” he replied as he watched the Conte across the room.
“We did.”
“I am happy for you. I have often looked back on that time and felt much guilt over my selfishness.”
“Have you? I never knew.”
“You gave up everything for us, but you never seemed unhappy.”
“I made the best choice I could at the time. There was no point in making everyone else miserable too. At least we were given a second chance. It was more than I could have hoped for.”
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
“You are welcome, dearest.” She squeezed his hand in a rare exchange of emotion between the two.
She looked up and gasped. “Is that Sarah?” she whispered to Robert.
“Yes,” he replied sadly.
“What has happened? I almost did not recognize her.”
“She is finally free.”
“Abernathy divorced her?” she said in shock.
“No, he has taken his place in hell.”
Robert allowed his words to sink in before continuing. “He was killed in a duel by an irate husband. I am sad for the scandal, but once it dies down, it will be much better for everyone. Sarah and the children needed time away, so we brought them here.”
Henrietta nodded and walked over to Sarah. She sat next to her and wrapped her arms around her granddaughter without a word. Sarah was skin and bones. Her skin was covered in a rash and deep circles surrounded her eyes. She began to weep in Henrietta’s arms.
“I am so glad you’re here. We have had too many Christmastides without you.”
All Sarah could do was nod.
“Everything will be better soon, my dear. I promise,” Henrietta tried to reassure her.
When Sarah was able, she excused herself to her room.
Tea was brought in, and Beatrice brought up the dilemma of how Christmas dinner was to be saved.
“We normally give most of the servants the day off to be with their families. I hate to ask them to change their plans,” she stated.
“I do not see a problem.” Elly spoke. “You know how to cook, I know how to cook a little.” She turned toward her sister-in-law. “Gwen?”
At the mention of food, Gwen rushed out of the room, her hand to her mouth. Everyone exchanged glances, but no one said a word.
“The problem is that the kitchen is burnt,” Beatrice replied.
“Adam, Nathaniel, Rhys and Andrew can be useful as well. They learned to make their own fire and cook over it in the Army,” Elly suggested.
“Yes, we all know how to cook Army rations. It will be delightful. Easton is good at fish, Andrew is decent at overcooking eggs, and Vernon excels at bartering for brandy,” Nathaniel said dryly.
“I know how to make wine,” the Dowager said helpfully.
The family stared at her.
“That will be helpful next year,” Luca said humorously, at which everyone laughed.
Andrew walked in the room just as his cooking talents were being slandered.
“You don't think I can cook, Fairmont?” he challenged. “I think perhaps the men need to give the ladies a break and take over the cooking, seeing as my wife is too ill to say the word food.”
“I feel a wager coming on,” Vernon quipped.
“I'm staying out of this,” Easton remarked as he shook his head.
“Oh, no, you don't,” Andrew warned. “Each of us makes a dish, and the family chooses the winner.”
“The winner gets what? Other than bragging rights, of course,” Vernon asked.
“Is that not enough?” Andrew asked in exasperation.
“Well, yes,” Vernon said as he thought about it.
“Winner shall claim a forfeit,” Andrew announced.
“Andrew will lose, and he has to name his first-born after the winner,” Nathaniel suggested.
“Does Gwen not get a say?” Bea intervened.
All the men turned to glare at her as if she were daft.
“Forget I asked.” Bea held up her hands.
The men were quite satisfied with their challenge.
Elly spoke up. “You had best decide what you are to make. You do not have much time and you may need to send for ingredients.”
A look of panic briefly crossed each of their faces. They had only ever had to deal with rations or with what they could hunt.
“It shall remain a surprise,” Andrew announced.
As the ladies sat back, pondering what their dinner would consist of, and if they would actually have anything edible, the men scrambled away to plot and prepare.
Christmas Eve arrived. The kitchen had been made functional again, and each of the men had gathered their supplies and ingredients in secret. The children and ladies had seen to the decorating, and had to pull the men away from the kitchen long enough to fetch the Yule log.
When the ladies were seated at the table for Christmas dinner, they speculated with amusement on what they would be served.
“Does anyone have any clues?” Elly asked.
“None,” Beatrice exclaimed. “The only thing I surmised was each person was doing a dish from a different country.”
“I certainly hope Luca makes something from Italy,” Henrietta said fondly.
“I have no idea what Easton is up to,” Elly added.
“I pray the food is edible,” Gwen said.
“I am certain Vernon’s contribution will be some French wine and brandy,” Beatrice laughed.
Lydia shook her hand. “I do not want your child to be named Nathaniel,” she said to Gwen, whose eyes grew large. Lydia's hand flew to her mouth. “You did not know?”
“I-I, no. I did not.” Tears formed in Gwen’s eyes.
Lydia rushed over to give her a hug. “I am so sorry. I assumed you knew.”
“Do not be sorry. These are tears of happiness. It has taken so long that I thought I was not meant to be a mother. I was afraid to hope I was sick for a good reason.”
The other ladies gathered around Gwen to offer their congratulations. When the men entered carrying their dishes they stood there stupefied at the scene before them.
“This is disappointing,” Nathaniel muttered.
“I had rather thought they would be waiting with bated breath,” Andrew agreed.
“She has realized,” Luca said with a smile, watching Gwen.
“Realized what?” Andrew asked.
“You ask her,” Luca prodded.
Andrew looked worried, but he placed his dish of plum pudding on the table and walked over to his wife. “Is something amiss, my darling?”
Gwen shook her head. “No. We are to have a baby, Andrew.”
“A baby?” He looked worriedly over at his dish on the table and the men started laughing.
“Do not worry, we would not vote for your daughter to be named Nathaniel.”
“I think this calls for a celebration,” Vernon explained as he held his contribution to the meal in the form of drinks as his wife had suspected he would.
Robert put his turkey on the table.
Nathaniel placed fresh loaves of bread.
Easton laid out dishes of fish.
Sir Charles added his mincemeat pies.
Luca set a steaming plate of lasagne before his wife, who looked on approvingly.
Some of the children came in behind with dishes of vegetables, fruits and cheeses, and the ladies were astonished.
“It looks edible!” Elly said in amazement.
“I did not think it would be anything like a Christmas dinner,” Bea remarked.
“How did you manage to knead the bread, Nathaniel?” Lydia asked. He smiled and winked at Amelia.
“Let us taste everything!”
“First, let us give thanks for where we are today. It has been a long time since we have all been together as a family.” Robert smiled at Sarah then looked toward Luca. “Would you do the honours?”
“I would be pleased to.”
When the food had been blessed, Robert carved the bird, Luca served the lasagne, and the other dishes were passed around the table until everyone had some.
“I think I like this way of celebrating Christmas,” Andrew remarked.
“It is a nice tradition to start,” Robert agreed.
“I do not know if I want to cook every year,” Andrew pondered.
“Let us taste. We are not sure if we want you to cook again either,” Nathaniel added.
The food was eaten, and the men were anxious for a vote.
“How do we do this politely?” Beatrice asked.
“We do not,” Vernon answered.
“I would like to say, everyone’s food is lovely, but my Luca’s lasagne is impeccable,” Henrietta said proudly.
Everyone had to agree.
“So do we pick the worst?” Andrew asked.
“There was no worst. Father had someone else cook his bird, Vernon did not cook…” Nathaniel began.
“I object! This wine was crafted on the estate.” Vernon defended himself.
“By you?” Nathaniel asked.
“Not precisely.”
“I rest my case. Sir,” he turned to Luca, “welcome to the family.”