It Happened One Christmas (30 page)

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Authors: Kaitlin O'Riley

BOOK: It Happened One Christmas
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“Who would be knocking on your bedroom door at this hour?” he whispered low.
“I don't know!” she whispered back frantically, still standing by the bed, afraid to move. She could not imagine who it could be!
Whoever it was knocked again, louder this time. “Who is it?” Quinton called out, moving closer to the door.
“Roxbury?” the voice on the other side called back. “It's me, Eddington. Lisette's in there with you?”
“It's Jeffrey?” Lisette cried out in confusion, mortified to be caught in such a compromising position, since it was quite obvious what she and Quinton had been doing in that room all evening.
Quinton flung the bedroom door open. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Lord Jeffrey Eddington stood in his hat and coat with his arms folded across his chest, a scowl on his face. “I could ask you the same question, but instead I'll wish you a Merry Christmas and you can thank me later for not killing you right now.”
Lisette rushed to Quinton's side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder protectively, pulling her close against him. Grateful, she leaned into him for support.
“What is it, Jeffrey?” she asked, her heart pounding. Something had to be dreadfully wrong for him to seek her out this way.
“Colette's having the baby, and I've been sent to find you”—he raised an eyebrow at Quinton—“and bring you home.”
“The baby!” Lisette exclaimed with excitement.
Still sporting a disapproving expression, Jeffrey continued, “The door was unlocked and the lights were still on downstairs in the shop and I . . . assumed you were up here.”
“I'm marrying her,” Quinton said for Jeffrey's benefit.
Jeffrey gave him a pointed look. “You had better be.”
“He is,” Lisette assured him with a shy smile. “We are.”
“Congratulations. Now hurry up.” Jeffrey ordered. “I'll meet you both downstairs, where we can think up some reasonable excuse to tell her family as to what Lisette has been doing all night because I don't think the truth will be appropriate right now.” He moved to leave them but then suddenly paused and turned back. “And Lisette, you might want to fix your hair. That's a dead giveaway.” He gave her a quick wink before he exited the room.
Alone again, Lisette sank into Quinton's arms. “Oh, my God, I have never been so embarrassed in my entire life.”
“It's all right, it's all right.” Quinton kissed her, smoothing her hair with his hand. “Eddington won't say anything about it. He's a gentleman.”
“Yes, but he . . . he
knows
!” She buried her face in his chest.
Quinton shrugged matter-of-factly and kissed her again. “There's nothing we can do about that now, my sweet.”
“And I can't believe I forgot to lock the store!” she cried in self-reproach. “Heavens! Anyone could have walked in here!”
“You were a little distracted. It's all my fault.”
“No. It's mine.”
“That's the least of our worries, Lisette. We're lucky it was only Eddington who found us together. Now come on, let's get you ready to go home.”
As Lisette stood in front of the mirror, she swept her thick hair atop her head, fastening it in place with the pins that Quinton had removed earlier with such tenderness. “Will you come home with me?” she asked him.
His golden brows drew together. “Do you think that's such a good idea?”
“Why not?” She placed the last of the pins in her hair.
He gave her a wry look. “Well, for one, Eddington wants to kill me, your sister is having a baby, your family knew I was coming to see you here tonight, and I can only imagine that everyone will think the worst of us.”
Lisette moved to him, placing her hands on his chest. “Then I need you with me more than ever.”
He wrapped his strong arms around her and said, “In that case, I will most certainly go with you.”
30
On Christmas Day in the Morning
Thursday, December 25, 1873
 
When Quinton, Lisette, and Jeffrey arrived at Devon House after midnight, they were met at the door by Granger, whose face was as white as a sheet. The usually staid butler was beside himself with stress and worry.
Lisette patted the elderly man's arm in comfort. “Lady Waverly will be just fine, Granger.”
“I know, Miss Lisette, but I can't help but worry at times like this. The waiting is the worst,” he muttered, helping brush the snow off them. He took their coats and began ushering them toward the drawing room.
“Is the doctor here yet?” she asked him.
“The doctor is upstairs now and Lord Waverly is with her, too,” Granger explained. “Cook made some hot buttered rum and there's plenty to eat if you want. Cook has been keeping herself occupied making tarts. The whole household is still up.”
“Thank you, Granger.” Lisette smiled at him.
The three of them made their way to join the rest of the family.
Inside the drawing room, which hosted a tall Christmas tree by the front window, Quinton was faced with Lisette's entire family. Her mother, whom he had not seen since Brighton, was seated beside the fire. Her two younger sisters were there, as well as Harrison Fleming, whom he'd met at Rathmore's ball. Fleming held his baby daughter in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. Lucien's parents, Lord and Lady Stancliff, were also there, eagerly awaiting the birth of their second grandchild.
“Well, we were wondering what happened to you!” Mrs. Hamilton said as they stood in the doorway of the parlor. “
Merci
, Lord Eddington, for bringing my daughter home.”
“I'm sorry I'm so late,” Lisette began to explain hurriedly. “There was much to do at the shop for it was quite busy all day. Then Mr. Roxbury and I met the most interesting little boy, Tom Alcott. He's so sweet and bright and I'm teaching him how to read. Somehow we lost track of time and with the snow . . .” Her voice trailed off as she made a helpless little gesture with her hand.
“I apologize for keeping Miss Hamilton out so long,” Quinton added. He left it at that, figuring the less said, the better.
“
Monsieur
Roxbury, it is a pleasure to see you again! I see you found my daughter.” Genevieve Hamilton greeted him with a warm and knowing smile. “
Joyeux Noël.
It is a special evening, is it not?”
“It is good to see you, too, Mrs. Hamilton,” Quinton said, feeling slightly out of place. They had no idea just how special an evening it had been for Lisette and him. “And yes, it is a very special evening. Merry Christmas, everyone.”
Lady Stancliff, an elegant woman with dark hair who clearly resembled Lucien, welcomed him as well. “And a Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Roxbury. Please come in and join us.”
“Lisette, isn't it exciting?” Yvette said breathlessly, rising from her seat. “Colette's baby will be born on Christmas!”
Paulette Hamilton, looking rather pale, was wrapped in a thick blanket and reclining on the large sofa. “Hello, Mr. Roxbury,” she whispered in a nasal tone.
“You must excuse Paulette,” Lisette explained to him.
“She's not feeling well.”
“Well, it's Christmas Eve, and I'm not going to spend it alone in my room upstairs, even if I do have a cold,” Paulette said with a sniffle. “How was everything at the shop tonight?”
“It was very, very busy and I think I hired another errand boy. And I have the most wonderful idea about helping him and his mother, Paulette, but I shall tell you all about him later,” Lisette answered. “Is Juliette upstairs with Colette?”
“Yes,” Yvette informed her eagerly. “Colette made Mother leave right off.”
Genevieve Hamilton threw her hands up in the air in a helpless gesture. “Apparently I make my own daughter nervous.
Est-ce que tu as déjà entendu parler d'une chose aussi ridicule?
Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?
Je suis sa mère.
I am her mother. Imagine such a thing!”
Lady Stancliff calmed her. “Don't worry, Genevieve. You know how difficult having a baby is. Colette doesn't mean to slight you. I'm surprised she hasn't thrown Lucien out yet.”
“I'm surprised Lucien hasn't thrown Juliette out!” Paulette added with a laugh from her perch on the sofa.
Quinton smiled at the Hamilton family dynamics, which were not that different from how his own siblings acted when they were all together. He felt right at home.
Lisette turned to him, her deep green eyes looking at him with love. “I want to go up to her. Will you be all right? Will you wait until I return?”
“Yes, of course. Go be with your sister.” The impulse to kiss her was so strong that Quinton had to restrain himself. He wanted to hug her to him, to touch her cheek, or even squeeze her hand. After everything they had just shared together earlier that evening, he merely wanted to be close to her. Yet he could do none of those things with her family's eyes upon them.
“Thank you.” With a brief smile, Lisette fled from the drawing room. Quinton turned to find a number of curious eyes on him.
Yvette Hamilton, wearing a festive red and black plaid gown and her long blond hair arranged on her head with red ribbons, walked over to him and Jeffrey. With a great sense of elegance, the sixteen-year-old took them each by the arm and guided them into the room. “Now you two fine gentlemen, come join us and have a seat. We just finished decorating the Christmas tree. Doesn't it look lovely?”
The large pine stood before the tall front window, decorated with handmade paper angels, pretty silver and gold Dresdens, small cornucopias filled with sweet candies, and lit with tiny white candles.
“You did a splendid job decorating it, sweet girl,” Eddington said to her. “It's even better than last year.”
Thrilled with his compliment, Yvette smiled and then led Quinton to a comfortable chair near Harrison Fleming and brought Eddington to the card table.
“Now, Jeffrey, you shall play cards with me, for no one else wants to.” Yvette sat across from him and began to expertly shuffle the deck.
“How can I turn down such a charming offer?” Eddington answered gallantly, seating himself across from her.
Quinton wondered how long he should stay at Devon House. He also wondered why no one had questioned his presence there, aside from Mrs. Hamilton's veiled reference to seeing him again. He supposed they were distracted with excitement of the baby's arrival, but still . . . He wanted to let them know that he and Lisette were to be married. All that had happened between them that evening was still racing around his mind. Lisette was now his and he wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
Lisette was his.
“When shall we exchange presents?” Yvette questioned the room as she fanned her cards in her hands.
“I suppose we should wait until the baby is born,” Lady Stancliff proposed, while handing a cup of tea to her husband. “It somehow seems wrong for us all to be down here opening gifts, while Colette is upstairs otherwise occupied.”
Lord Stancliff, a rather frail-looking figure, added in his gruff voice, “We should wait for Colette.”
“I vote we wait until the baby comes,” Harrison Fleming chimed in from his seat next to Quinton. Still holding his sleeping daughter in his arms, Harrison turned to Quinton and confided, “I've learned you have to add your two cents in whenever you can with this family, or you get outvoted.”
Quinton laughed, realizing he would very soon be a part of this family, too. And that made him exceptionally happy.
“Fine. I suppose we should wait then,” Yvette grudgingly agreed. However, her blue eyes sparkled at another prospect. “Did you bring a special present for me, Jeffrey?”
He winked at her. “How could I forget a present for you, Yvette?”
Quinton watched the exchange between them with amusement, thinking how charming Lisette's sisters were. He had already grown to like her family and felt very comfortable with them. He suddenly realized what he had to do.
“Mrs. Hamilton?” Quinton addressed Lisette's mother.
“
Oui, Monsieur
Roxbury?” Genevieve turned to him with questioning eyes.
“I think there is something you should know.” Quinton rose to his feet. “Something you all should know.”
All eyes turned to him and the room grew quiet with expectancy. Eddington folded his arms across his chest.
Quinton cleared his throat, suddenly feeling nervous. “Earlier this evening, I asked Lisette to marry me.”
The room remained silent.
“Excuse me,” Paulette finally piped up from the sofa.
“But aren't you already engaged to Lady Emmeline Tarleton ?”
“I was,” Quinton explained a bit sheepishly. “But I ended our engagement a few days ago. I am no longer getting married to Lady Emmeline on January third.”
There were a few gasps of astonishment.
“What did Lisette say when you asked her?” Yvette could barely contain her excitement.
“She said yes.”
“I knew it!” exclaimed Genevieve in triumph. “
J'avais raison dans cette affaire, n'est-ce pas?
I was right all along about the two of you,
Monsieur
Roxbury.
C'est tellement romantique!
This is wonderful news!
Tu me rends la plus heureuse.
This makes me happier than you know.”
“Why did the rest of us not know about this?” Yvette questioned, her brows furrowed in consternation.
“I knew,” Jeffrey stated, teasing Yvette with a smug expression.
“So that's why you all came home so late,” Paulette added with a knowing look. “You were proposing to her?”
That explained it as well as anything else. Quinton could not risk looking in Eddington's direction. “Yes. We had quite a lot to discuss, what with my wedding being canceled,” he managed to say.
“This is wonderful!” Harrison chimed in loudly. “Congratulations, Roxbury!”
Genevieve Hamilton seemed the happiest of all, clapping her hands gleefully. “
C'est si passionnant!
I am so pleased!”
Quinton began to accept congratulations from the others, feeling happier about this quiet betrothal with Lisette than he ever had with his grand engagement with Lady Emmeline.
At that moment, Lisette and Juliette rushed into the drawing room, their faces aglow and their smiles beaming with joy.
“Well?” Paulette encouraged, sitting upright in expectation. “What is it?”
“It's a boy!” Juliette announced in triumph. “He is big, healthy, and beautiful and Colette is doing just fine!”
A chorus of happy exclamations and shouts of congratulations sounded in the room, as everyone stood and hugged and shook hands. Lady Stancliff called for champagne to be brought out as laughter and joyous cries filled the air.
Caught up in the emotional moment, Quinton rushed to Lisette's side. To his delight, she flung her arms around his neck and he wrapped her in his embrace.
“I believe we need champagne to toast an engagement as well,” Lady Stancliff declared, pointedly looking in their direction.
Suddenly aware that everyone was looking at the two of them, Quinton whispered to Lisette, “I told them that I asked you to marry me.”
“You did?”
He nodded, as Lisette slowly faced her family, his arms still around her.
“Yes,” she confirmed the news shyly. “Quinton and I are to be married.”
“You see?
J'avais raison dans cette affaire, n'est-ce pas?
I was right in this matter, was I not, Lisette?” Genevieve Hamilton exclaimed in triumph. “Now . . . Now you look happy and in love because he is the man for you!
Voilà de bien merveilleuses nouvelles.
This is wonderful!”
“Thank you, Mother.” Lisette smiled. “You were right all along.”
“When will you be married?” Yvette asked, full of excitement that there was still to be a wedding after all.
“We haven't decided yet,” Lisette began slowly.
“But very soon,” Quinton added with an unabashed grin. He couldn't marry her soon enough. Waiting any length of time would feel too long.
“Well, now you must kiss her, Mr. Roxbury!” Yvette declared with mischievous glee.
Her face turning red, Lisette asked, “Why?”
“Don't you see where you are both standing?” she exclaimed with delight. “You're under the mistletoe!”

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