A Family For Christmas (9 page)

Despite herself, Eliza burst out laughing.
Retrieving her bundle and cloak, she followed Ben into the kitchen.

‘Does that mean Rose's mother
doesn't come in here?' she asked, thinking of the bed she intended making up beside
the range.

‘Only to inspect things,' Ben said.
‘Luckily for me, she's an insomniac and mainly roams at night then sleeps in during
the day. Though Joshua might put paid to that, of course.'

Eliza stared at the range in dismay. She
wouldn't be able to sleep here now, would she?

Before she had time to say anything, the door
opened and Duncan appeared. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw her.

‘I was looking for the little un but it
seems I'm in the wrong place. Who is this beautiful young lady, pray?' he asked,
turning to Ben.

‘Don't know but if I weren't a
married man, I'd be begging to escort her to the festivities myself,' Ben replied,
winking at her. Eliza giggled.

‘Everything's prepared. Your guests
are arriving so you'd better get moving,' Duncan said, becoming serious.

Ben sighed. ‘No time for that cuppa, then.
I'd better change into my outfit, then rescue Rose. I'm sure Mother Evangaline
can't wait to have her new grandson to herself. Hopefully he'll be in fine
voice,' he grinned.

‘Come along, Eliza, I'll guide you
down to the orchard,' Duncan said, picking up her cloak from the back of the chair. As he
gallantly draped it around her shoulders, he whispered, ‘You look stunning. However, no
self-respecting maid would ever go to the festivities bare-headed so I've made this for
you.' He held up a circle of laurel leaves and placed it gently on her hair. She blushed
self-consciously.

‘Well, at least I've changed,'
she quipped, trying to hide her awkwardness.

‘Indeed you have,' he agreed, giving
her a lingering
look. ‘I'll have you
know, young lady, I braved a shower in the waterfall earlier and the water stung like icy
needles. I also changed into a clean shirt, which I'm wearing beneath my coat.' For
some reason she didn't understand, this information made her cheeks go warm again.

‘Well, what are we waiting for?' he
continued, opening the door and holding out his arm for her to take.

It was crisp outside, their breath spiralling
before them as it rose into the night air. As Duncan helped her down the slippery path towards
the festivities, Eliza saw a huge bonfire had been lit, its red and orange flames illuminating
the inky darkness. As they drew nearer, she could hear the crackle of burning branches and smell
the wood smoke mingling with the aroma of pungent spices. Judging by the sounds of joviality,
this was an important event, she thought, pulling the cape tighter around her. Mistaking her
gesture, Duncan pulled her closer and she caught the scent of pine from the soap he'd
used. Feeling her cheeks growing ever hotter, she was thankful for the cover of darkness. She
couldn't imagine life without him now and hoped she wouldn't ever have to.

‘You'll soon get warm amongst all
these people,' he said, smiling down at her. As they entered the orchard, the bare trees
loomed out of the shadows like dark sentinels, their branches closing together like a great
canopy.

‘Goodness, just look at all those nests.
They must have very big birds round here,' she exclaimed, pointing to the higher branches
where little bushes hung like pendants.

Duncan chuckled. ‘That is mistletoe, little
un. Some think it a parasitic plant but we Druids believe it protects
the possessor from evil. It has wonderful curative properties but,
of course, most people use it to decorate their homes at Christmas when it is the tradition to
steal a kiss beneath it.'

‘Steal a kiss?'

‘Indeed, it is deemed permissible to kiss
the object of one's desire when he or she is standing under mistletoe, though one must be
scrupulous about removing a berry for each kiss. When none remain, the kissing must stop. Did
you never decorate your home with mistletoe at Christmas, then?'

Eliza shook her head. Why, her parents barely
acknowledged the day, let alone decorated their cottage.

He led her through the thronging crowd, calling
out greetings as he went. Finally they came to a halt in front of a platform that had been
erected from old branches. ‘Now we await the arrival of our King and Queen,' he
said. ‘That's Ben and Rose,' he teased, seeing her eyes widen in amazement.
‘They will lead the festivities and when it comes to the singing and dancing I shall
accompany them.' He dug in his pocket and brought out his flute. ‘Here they
come,' he whispered.

The crowd gave a triumphant cheer as Ben and
Rose, dressed in their regal finery, appeared. Suddenly the air was rent with the deafening
sound of drumming as everyone banged vigorously on the pots and pans they'd brought with
them.

‘This is to wake the cider apple trees and
scare off the evil spirits who inhabit the woods in the form of worms and maggots. Once
they're gone, the good spirits will be attracted,' Duncan explained, raising his
voice above the clamour.

‘Wassail,' shouted the crowd as Ben and Rose climbed
onto the makeshift platform. Ben held up his mug and the orchard fell silent, the atmosphere
crackling with anticipation.

‘Greetings and welcome to one and
all,' Ben cried. ‘I shall now call upon the Spirit of the Apple Tree.'

As his voice died away everyone clapped and
cheered. With a flourish, he took a piece of the toast they'd made earlier and dipped it
into the clayen, which was now brimming with the spiced cider, rings of apple floating on the
top. Handing it ceremoniously to Rose, he then lifted her up to the large old tree behind the
platform, where she placed it firmly between its branches.

‘This is a present to the spirit of the
oldest tree where the fertility of the orchard is housed,' Duncan whispered.

That done, Ben and Rose dipped their mugs into
the clayen and skipped through the orchard sprinkling cider around the roots of the trees.
Finally, they climbed back onto the platform and carefully lifted the precious clayen.

‘Wassail,' shouted Ben. The crowd
cheered and began to sing.

As the song died away, Ben again shouted,
‘Wassail.'

‘Drink ale,' the crowd responded,
surging towards the platform, holding out their mugs. As Ben ladled out the spiced cider, Duncan
grabbed a brimming mug and handed it to Eliza.

‘Drink and enjoy, little un. It'll
warm your insides.'

‘Thank you,' she whispered,
cautiously taking a sip. ‘That's delicious.' She took another drink.

‘Take heed: it's stronger than you
think,' Duncan warned, raising his voice above the noise. Reluctantly, she handed him back
the mug. Then she saw Rose handing out the apple cakes to the eager revellers and she went over
and helped herself from the tray.

‘These are really good, aren't
they?' she said, biting into one and pocketing another.

Duncan nodded. ‘Hmm, just the right amount
of mace, young un. Well done. Oh, look, Ben and Rose are about to start off the dancing.'
He lifted his flute to his lips and began to play. As the lilting melody filled the air,
everyone began to sing and dance.

Never before had she seen so many people laughing
and having fun, Eliza thought, clapping and swaying in time to the music. Suddenly she felt a
prickle crawl up the back of her neck. Someone was watching her. Looking up, she found herself
staring into Fay's eyes. The woman was standing a little way back from the revellers and
she nodded to Eliza.

‘Fay,' Eliza called, hurrying over. ‘How are
you?'

‘Just came to make sure the Spirit of the
Apple Tree was invoked,' she said gruffly.

‘Here, have an apple cake. I made them with
Rose,' Eliza said, taking out the cake she'd pocketed earlier. ‘Shall I get
you some cider cup?'

‘Stop fussing, child,' Fay grunted,
but she bit into the cake hungrily. ‘Not bad,' she pronounced, and Eliza grinned
into the darkness. Obviously the woman was back to her taciturn self. ‘Suppose
you're finding it nice and comfortable at the farmhouse?' Fay asked, staring at the
bonfire as she spoke.

‘Suppose you're finding it
comfortable with your own company?' Eliza countered, taking care not to look at the
woman.

‘Don't suppose you'd fancy
coming back to the homestead, anyhow.'

‘Don't suppose you'd want me
cluttering up your space.'

‘Honestly, you two sound just like
grandmother and granddaughter,' Duncan said, appearing out of the shadows. Fay snorted.
‘Good to see you again, Fay,' he added.

She let out another snort. ‘You visited
yesterday, whippersnapper, and don't think I didn't realize you were checking up on
me.'

‘As if,' he protested, grinning at
Eliza. ‘Doesn't little un look good in her finery?'

‘Smart clothes, like fine words,
don't butter no parsnips. And they won't be much good for keeping warm back at home,
will they?'

Duncan and Eliza looked at one another.

‘Home? You mean you want me to come back?' Eliza
asked.

‘Can't impose on Rose and Ben any
longer, can you? I heard her mother had arrived and you'll only be in the way now. Likes
to rule the roost, that one, and I'm not sure you'd measure up in her books,
anyhow.'

Remembering the woman's condescending
attitude towards her earlier, Eliza privately agreed. She could just imagine the fuss if she was
caught sleeping by the range.

‘Well, that's settled then,'
Duncan said. ‘It's a fair walk back, so I'll ask Ben if I can borrow his
wagon.'

‘Not for me you won't, boy. I made my
own way down and I'll make my own way back. Don't keep Eliza out too late, though;
can't do with having my sleep disturbed at my age.' She turned and began striding
back towards the path.

‘Shouldn't we go after her?'
Eliza asked.

Duncan shook his head. ‘No point in
upsetting her. Still, it's obvious she's missed you.'

‘Come on, Duncan, we're waiting for
more music,' someone called. As others murmured in agreement, he grinned ruefully.

‘Let's enjoy the rest of the
festivities, then I'll take you home,' he said, picking up his flute.

Home! Home! Home!
The words went round
Eliza's head in time to the beating music. She watched Duncan's fingers moving
gracefully up and down the wooden instrument and felt … she didn't know what she was
feeling. Just then, he looked up and caught her watching. Passing his flute to a lad standing
nearby, he held out his arms.

‘May I request the honour of this dance, little
un?'

Involuntarily, she glanced down at her foot.

‘Come on,' he urged.

As he whirled her around in time to the music she
felt as if she was floating, her feet hardly seeming to touch the ground. Before long she was
caught up in the merriment. Never before had she enjoyed herself like this, she thought, smiling
up at Duncan.

‘Come on, little un, time we were getting
back. We can't have you getting exhausted,' he said gruffly, taking her hand and
leading her through the crowds until they came to the platform where Rose and Ben were presiding
over the festivities. ‘Just spoken to Fay and she's ready for Eliza to return so
I'm taking her home. As it's been a long day for her – can I borrow the
wagon?'

‘Of course,' Ben agreed.

‘I wish you could stay,' Rose said,
turning to Eliza.

‘You don't need me now your mother
has arrived. She'll want you and Joshua to herself.'

‘But I'll miss you. You will come and
see us soon, won't you?' Eliza nodded. ‘Duncan thinks the world of you,'
Rose whispered, throwing her arms around her.

‘And I think the world of him. He makes me
feel happier than I've ever been,' she sighed. ‘I've loved staying with
you, Rose. Thank you for making me so welcome.' She felt a pang deep inside for she would
miss her new friend. Then with another sigh, she turned and began making her way up the path
towards the farmhouse.

She just had time to snatch up her precious
bundle of new clothes before Duncan appeared at the door. He was
holding a candle lantern and, placing it carefully on the seat,
helped her into the wagon.

‘Don't want you catching another
chill, do we?' he murmured, covering her with a blanket. Then, with a call to the horse,
they began moving.

Soon they'd left the sounds of revelry
behind, and apart from the rhythmic clip-clop of the horse's hooves they were enclosed in
the night's silent cloak. Cold moonlight shone from a clear sky, while hedges coated in
silver frost cast eerie ebony shadows all around them.

‘Look at all those stars,' she
marvelled, staring up at the sky, where seemingly millions were twinkling like diamonds on a
velvet cloth. ‘It's been a magical evening,' she sighed. He nodded.