It Happened One Christmas (24 page)

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Authors: Kaitlin O'Riley

BOOK: It Happened One Christmas
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Lisette watched them and wondered where they lived, but knew it was more than likely they called the slums their home. One small boy caught her eye, sitting on top of a large barrel alongside a building. A tattered cap covered his head, but distinctive red strands escaped the bottom. His round, freckled little face looked almost cherubic, and he couldn't have been more than eight years old. For an instant his big blue eyes met hers and she was shocked by the depth of pain she saw within them for a child so young. There was something familiar about him. As if she had seen him before. A mixture of innocence and world-weary wisdom was hidden within his young face and pulled at her heartstrings. Without thinking, she reached her gloved hand out to him. He shook his head, but did not look away from her.
She motioned for him to wait a moment.
Lisette walked to one of the vendors, but could still feel the intense eyes of the boy upon her. She purchased a few baked potatoes and some warm bread. Turning around, she walked toward the little lad. She offered the food to him. His eyes widened but he did not hesitate. He snatched the potatoes and bread from her hands before she realized he had even hopped down from his perch on the barrel.
“Thank you, miss,” he said hurriedly as he made a move to run from her.
“Wait!” Lisette called out to him. “Please don't go yet!” The little boy paused, turning around, and watched her carefully.
She reached into her reticule and grabbed the last of the shillings she had with her. Again she held her hand out to him. He approached her and moved to take the money, but she pulled her hand away before he could take the coins. “What is your name?”
He gazed at her with wariness, surprised and impressed at how quickly she moved her hand away. Judging that she meant him no harm, he answered her. “Tom.”
She moved her hand closer, tempting him with the money. “Tom what?”
“Tom Alcott.” He cocked his head to the side and smiled at her. “Who're you?”
His smile almost knocked her over, so bright and charming was it. She grinned helplessly back at him. He was interested enough to ask her name. That was progress. She gave him two shillings, which he pocketed immediately.
She said, “I'm Miss Lisette Hamilton. How old are you?”
“Ten.”
Ten? Heavens, he was so small for ten! She had guessed him to be only about eight years old. She gave him a coin for sharing his age, but she wanted to know more.
While offering yet another shilling, she asked, “Where do you live, Tom?”
“Saint Giles.” He pocketed the money she had given him, while struggling to hold the bread and potatoes.
Lisette had guessed that was where he lived. It was the poorest neighborhood in the city. Hating to think of this boy living there, she held out another shilling for him. “Who takes care of you?”
“Myself.” He grabbed the money but looked anxious to be on his way, as if he was afraid she would take back what she had given him.
“I see.” Her heart broke to think of this sweet boy all alone in the world. She held out one more shilling to him. “If you like, I can help you a little. Come by Hamilton's Book Shoppe, just off Bond Street, and ask for me anytime. I can give you some work, and some food, and maybe even teach you to read.”
“Why?” His wide eyes looked at her with wonder.
“Because I want to and I think you need a little help.” She smiled at him. “Remember, it's Hamilton's Book Shoppe.”
“Thanks, miss.” He grabbed the coin from her hand in a quick motion and fled down the alley, disappearing as if he had not been there at all.
Lisette stood there on the corner, trembling with an emotion she could not name. She had never done that before, connected with a child like that. She had seen hundreds of children just like him over the years, dirty and miserable and needing help. Yet there was something about that little red-haired boy that touched her heart and she had the strongest urge to help him in any way she could. She wondered if Tom Alcott would come to the shop as she'd asked but held little hope that he would. More than likely he would vanish into the impoverished underworld of the city and she would never see him again.
The thought saddened her.
No longer feeling the cold December chill, she continued along the crowded street, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas, most of them concerning Quinton Roxbury and his plans for helping people like little Tom Alcott. She wanted to be a part of that, wanted to help make a difference in their lives. She decided she would accept Quinton's offer to be on the housing selection committee. It would be good to be associated with something important and vital, to belong to something bigger than herself.
That was what fascinated her about Quinton Roxbury. He imagined the future and took steps to make it happen. Ignoring the skeptics and naysayers, he moved forward against overwhelming odds to help others. He wanted to improve the world around him. The extraordinary qualities that he possessed drew her to him. Standing with him at the building site the other day, her hand in his, had filled her with happiness.
“Lisette Annabelle Hamilton!” a strong male voice called out, distracting her from her thoughts.
Looking up, Lisette grinned at the handsome sight of Lord Jeffrey Eddington striding toward her. Wearing a long black coat and a tall top hat, he appeared most dashing. He had a way about him that always made her feel lighter just being in his presence. She was never more grateful to see anyone in her life. Smiling up at him, she cried, “Jeffrey! Hello!”
“Now this is a wonderful surprise to see you, for I was just thinking of you,” he said, taking her arm in his and falling into step with her. They continued walking together. “I was just on my way to visit your wayward sister. Colette sent a note around to me that Juliette has arrived back home. And with a daughter, no less!”
“Oh yes!” Lisette exclaimed in excitement. “Wait until you see her, Jeffrey. She is simply beautiful!”
“I've no doubt of that,” he said with a knowing grin.
“Now what are you about today, miss? Christmas shopping?”
“No, I'm on my way to the bookshop.”
He appeared puzzled. “Coming from this direction?” “I was just leaving Henry's office,” she offered in explanation. She glanced hesitantly at Jeffrey's face and saw concern in his eyes. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “I've just broken off my engagement with him.”
In a swift movement he turned her around and they began walking in the opposite direction before she could even utter a protest.
“Then you are not going to the bookshop,” he declared with complete authority.
“Why?” she managed to ask, hurrying to keep up with his quick pace. “Jeffrey, where are we going?”
“You are coming with me.”
“But why?” she gasped, confused by this sudden change of events.
“Because I said so.”
As Jeffrey continued to march her forward along the busy city thoroughfare, Lisette was at a complete loss as to where he intended to take her. Or why.
25
Hail the New, Ye Lads and Lasses
Friday, December 19, 1873
 
Lisette stared at her reflection in the cheval glass mirror and smiled nervously, quite pleased with how she looked. Her hair! Oh, they had spent hours curling her long auburn tresses with a hot iron, and the elegant effect was astonishing. She appeared sophisticated and more elegant. The stylish and low-cut bustle gown of emerald silk and velvet edged with black embroidered lace brought out the green in her eyes and was the most daring and fashionable dress she had ever worn. It made her feel powerful. And Lisette needed to feel powerful tonight.
She had told Henry that she was going to participate in the Season this spring and she meant it. In the meantime she would make her first foray into society this winter.
Looking at her reflection, if she didn't know any better, she would think she attended balls every day as a matter of course. Going to the Duke of Rathmore's Christmas Ball gave her a shiver of trepidation, but she was determined to make the best of it. To prove to herself that she could do it.
All she had heard from anyone was what a fool she had been to pass up the social opportunity of a lifetime by forgoing a traditional Season two years ago. Well, that was about to change now.
After her interesting and quite informative little talk with Lord Jeffrey Eddington two days ago, she was ready to transform her life a little and he agreed to escort her to his father's annual Christmas Ball. There was a good chance that Quinton Roxbury and Lady Emmeline Tarleton would be attending the ball as well, but she tried not to think about that. Tonight, she was going to step out of her shell for the first time.
“Are you ready?” Juliette asked, walking into her bedroom. Her sister looked stunning in a gown of scarlet silk, her raven hair arranged in cascading curls down her back.
Lisette nodded hurriedly. “Yes. I'm quite ready.” “You do know that I wouldn't do this for anyone else but you?” Juliette gave her a knowing glance. They all were aware how much Juliette detested attending formal social functions of any kind. “As long as this is what you truly want.”
“It is.”
Lisette's mother and sisters had been very surprised when she told them of her sudden break with Henry Brooks, but they had been more than understanding and supportive of her. She had expected a chorus of “I told you so's,” but oddly enough they refrained from that type of remark. They merely hugged her and told her that everything would be fine. Although Colette and Paulette had an idea of her feelings toward Quinton Roxbury, they had both kept their opinions on the matter to themselves and for that Lisette was most grateful.
Just then Colette, Yvette, and Paulette entered her bedroom, as well as her mother.
“The gentlemen are waiting for you downstairs,” Colette announced. “And they both look most dashing.”
Genevieve, thrilled that Lisette had decided to venture forth into a Season, smiled with pleasure. “
Tu es ravissante !
You look lovely, Lisette.
Magnifique!
You, too, Juliette.
J'ai de si belles filles.”
“Oh, your gowns both look so gorgeous! The colors complement your skin tones perfectly,” Yvette gushed, the longing in her voice quite clear. “I wish I could go to the ball with you.”
Paulette rolled her eyes in condescension. “You always wish you could go with them.”
“Because I think it would be such fun, especially a Christmas Ball! Don't you ever wish to go to a ball, Paulette?” Yvette swung herself onto Lisette's bed, her hand wrapped around one of the four tall posts.
“I have more important things to do than worry about balls and dresses,” Paulette murmured with unfailing superiority. Her glance fell on Lisette and Juliette. “But you both do look very pretty.”
“I almost wish I could go with you, too, but thank you for going in my place,” Colette added, her hand on her belly. She appeared weary again. “You shall have a wonderful time tonight, in any case.”
“Are you nervous, Lisette?” Paulette asked.
Lisette nodded with a weak smile. “Yes, a little bit.” “Well, you don't look it. Just go and enjoy yourself. Who knows whom you'll meet tonight?” Yvette suggested. Her eternal optimism and love of all things social and romantic were evident in her yearning expression. Yvette could not wait until she was old enough to make her debut, and she no doubt would enjoy it thoroughly. “They say everyone who is anyone attends the Duke of Rathmore's parties.”
Which was just what made Lisette so nervous. Ever since Lady Emmeline Tarleton had verbally attacked her in the bookshop, something inside Lisette had snapped and she didn't feel the same. Lady Emmeline's snide words and disparaging assessment of Lisette and her sisters had angered her more than she realized.
Lisette wanted to prove to herself that she could carry herself in high social circles in spite of her middle-class bookshop background. She knew that class meant very little when weighed against the worth of a person's character, but most people did not see each other that way. They judged a person by social class alone, as Lady Emmeline Tarleton did. The Hamiltons were a fine family and her grandfather had been a lord. The La Brecques on her mother's side in France had come from an illustrious family background as well. It had been her father, Thomas Hamilton's obsession with books that had entered the family into trade.
As her sisters had, Lisette had grown up extremely well read and educated by her father to believe that people should be judged only on the merits of their character, not by where they hailed from. She had never believed she was a less deserving or less worthy person than anyone else, and Lady Emmeline's comments had lit a fire within her. How dare the woman say she was not good enough to be the wife of someone like Quinton Roxbury, simply because her father sold books? How dare she say that no one would care to socialize with the likes of a shopkeeper's daughter?
Lisette had not told her sisters about her encounter with Lady Emmeline, nor had she divulged to them the specifics of her break with Henry. She was certain they harbored their own suspicions of her sudden desire to participate in a Season after all. But she had told Jeffrey Eddington everything that afternoon he met her on the street. He had taken her to his town house, where he had given her a good talking to about Quinton Roxbury. Surprised by how much Jeffrey knew about their situation, she had hung on his every word. When she explained to Jeffrey about her reasoning behind wishing to enter into society, he had more than willingly agreed to help her.
Juliette announced hurriedly, “We should go now. I'm sure my husband is pacing the floor like a caged tiger about now. Harrison hates to be kept waiting.”
Within minutes Lisette was seated beside her brother-in-law, Lucien Sinclair, in the elegant Devon House carriage with Captain Harrison Fleming and Juliette on their way to the Duke of Rathmore's town house. The duke was hosting some of the most powerful and influential people in the country. And Lisette Hamilton would be among them.
“Lisette, I hope you behave better than your sister did at her first ball,” Lucien said teasingly while they were still in the carriage.
“I haven't the faintest idea what you're referring to,” Juliette responded with mock innocence. “I behaved like a perfect lady that night, so please don't listen to a word he says, Harrison.”
“Knowing you, Juliette, I can't imagine that you ever behaved like a perfect lady.” Captain Fleming chuckled and placed a kiss on his wife's cheek. “But that is part of who you are.”
Lisette was growing to like Juliette's American husband. Tall, with tawny hair and gray eyes, he was handsome and good-hearted. And he had managed to capture the elusive Juliette, so that alone made him special.
Lucien continued to tease Juliette about the night he had first met her. “I seem to recall you ignoring the guidance of your uncle, dancing with the most inappropriate men, and flirting outrageously all evening.”
Juliette's light laughter filled the carriage. “You were so disapproving, Lucien. You had a permanent scowl on your face every time I saw you that night.”
“Because I could not believe a young lady such as yourself would stick your tongue out at Lord Eddington.”
“That sounds exactly like something Juliette would do,” Lisette remarked in amusement. She had only heard Colette's version of her sister's first foray into society. Lucien's side was much more interesting.
“Jeffrey deserved it,” Juliette pointed out. “He was so impertinent.”
“Jeffrey is always impertinent. But I can assure you, Lucien,” Lisette added, “that I intend to behave myself this evening. I shall comport myself with the utmost decorum.”
“But you should try to have a little fun, too, Lisette,” Juliette suggested, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I, however, won't make any such assurances about my behavior this evening.”
“Hold on to your hat, Harrison,” Lucien warned, feigning alarm at Juliette's declaration. “I think we're in for it tonight.”
Lisette beamed in contentment, her anxiety about the party forgotten in the warm companionship of the carriage ride. She was lucky to have such a family. Not only did she have four sisters who loved her, but she now had two brothers-in-law who loved her as well. She merely mentioned that she wanted to have a Season and they had all dropped everything in order to escort her to her first ball. These two men, and their dear friend Jeffrey, were so good to her. Her two older sisters had managed to find incredible husbands who loved them and their family as well. Lisette could only hope to be so lucky.
The image of Quinton Roxbury entered her mind, and it occurred to her that he would fit in easily with these men. A deep longing filled her heart.
Oh, how she needed to stop thinking about him! She had not seen Quinton since the evening in his carriage, when they admitted they had feelings for each other. Obviously nothing good could come of those feelings. Yet by meeting Quinton Roxbury, she learned she did not truly love Henry Brooks. Maybe it was fate that had suddenly brought Quinton into her life, however briefly, in order to save her from making a dreadful mistake by marrying a man she did not love?
Was that all it was?
At times that was how it seemed to her, and that thought filled her with sadness.
There was a crush of carriages arriving at the duke's town house, and it took them almost an hour before they could get from the carriage into the house. When they finally managed to make their way through the crowd of guests, Lord Jeffrey Eddington came to greet them, with his usual charming smile. He looked handsome in his formal evening clothes, his black hair slicked back.
“Welcome!” Then he added dryly, “Nice of you to stop by for my father's little party.”
One could only laugh at Jeffrey's humorous assessment of the extravagant event. The Duke of Rathmore had spared no expense for his lavish Christmas Ball as hundreds of guests filled the ornate town house. Decorated with evergreen garlands, pine wreaths, and boughs of holly leaves tied with red and gold silk ribbons, the rooms sparkled with a myriad of beeswax candles and gaslights. An enormous Christmas tree stood majestically in the center of the hallway and reached almost to the top of the twenty-foot ceiling, impressing even the most jaded of socialites. Decorated with more candles and German glass ornaments in lovely colors, the tree glistened with cranberry garlands and red silk ribbons.
Liveried servants scurried about, serving punch and champagne, and an endless variety of foods were displayed on elaborately arranged tables. An orchestra played “The First Noel” while carolers sang with angelic voices. The older guests were occupied partaking of the refreshments and greeting old friends while the younger ones were busy flirting and waiting for the waltzing to begin.
“You haven't lived until you've been to one of Rathmore's Christmas parties,” Lucien said to the others. “I've attended them for as long as I can remember and they are not to be missed.”
The three men had been good friends for many years. Lucien and Jeffrey had known each other since childhood, and it was through their business association with Captain Fleming that they eventually became good friends with Harrison, too.
Jeffrey took her hand in his. “Lisette, you look even more beautiful than you usually do.”
“Thank you.” For the first time in her life, Lisette actually felt beautiful. Well, at least she did not feel like her usual self. And no wonder! She had spent practically the entire day in preparation for this evening, with her lady's maid and her sisters fussing over her for hours, but the effect had certainly been worth it.
“What about me, Jeffrey?” Juliette asked with an arched brow.
“You look like a presentable married lady, Mrs. Fleming. A most charming wife and mother.”
Juliette stuck her tongue out at him and Jeffrey erupted in laughter.
“You haven't changed a bit, Juliette!” he exclaimed, embracing her. “Come with me, everyone.” He then ushered them into the ballroom and toward the receiving line. They were each announced as they entered and they followed Jeffrey to the head of the line to meet his father.

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