Christmas at Thorncliff Manor by Sophie Barnes

Author:Sophie Barnes [Barnes, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-12-04T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Seated at the head of the table, Emilia, the Dowager Countess of Duncaster, glanced over the rim of her wine glass and studied each of her guests in turn. She’d been right to gather them all here for the holidays, though doing so had had nothing to do with loneliness, as she’d stated in the invitations she’d sent them. Sipping her claret, she considered the newly formed couples and smiled. Everything was moving along precisely according to plan, though she couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else was aware of the fact.

Amused, she set her glass down and dipped her spoon into the pudding Cook had prepared for desert. She’d always had a fondness for sweets, and her late husband, George, God bless him, had happily indulged her. She swallowed the painful reminder of her loss with a bit of custard, savoring the thick and creamy flavor of vanilla as it swirled around her mouth. Delicious.

“Lady Duncaster. Will you partner with me for a game of whist later?” Lady Oakland asked.

Setting her spoon down, Emilia answered the request with a smile. “Sounds delightful.” She considered those present. “Who are we playing against?”

“Rachel and Belgrave,” came the reply.

“Ho!” Leaning forward, Emilia speared the viscount with her eyes. “She’s a devil with numbers, that one.” She jutted her chin toward Rachel. “It’s a skill that favors her in card play, so I trust you’ll be able to keep up?”

“She and I have every intention of obliterating the two of you.” Belgrave spoke with a kind voice that only accentuated his challenge.

Emilia laughed. “I’m sure you do.” Picking her glass back up, she saluted him with a wink that made him chuckle. Oh yes, he’d do well with Rachel, Emilia decided. No doubt about that.

But there was more to discuss than their entertainment for the evening. “I’ve decided to host a ball this coming Saturday. Invitations will go out tomorrow to all the gentry within a two-hour ride.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Laura said, already smiling with expectation.

“We’ll have to go to town,” Emily told her mother with a pointed look in Rachel’s direction.

Rachel froze. “There’s really no—”

“Of course we shall, dear,” Marie, the Countess of Oakland, replied before her daughter could finish her protest. “We’ll go tomorrow right after breakfast.”

“Don’t you fear the roads will be difficult for people to travel?” Lord Oakland asked Emilia. “Hosting a ball this time of year doesn’t come without risk.”

“Are you worried no one will come?” she asked. Of course, she shared the concern, but if that were indeed to happen, there would still be the eleven of them as initially planned. No harm done.

“Not at all,” Lord Oakland told her. “What I worry about is your having to put up everyone who chooses to attend on account of the fact they might not be able to return home again.”

Very well. She hadn’t considered that. But she did so now, her eyes squinting at the painting that hung on the far wall while she pondered her options. Eventually, she said, “There is room enough for all if that were to happen.

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