The Marquess's Christmas Runaway Read online

  “I’m sure I can manage two that size Max,” Georgie said. “We won’t have time to come back before dark.”

  Nat took an extra one as well. Max tied a pair of long loppers over his shoulders and checked that they were all ready.

  “Follow me.”

  He managed to link an arm with Georgie. Her cheeks were quite pink but that could be the cold. Even with Peter in tow, it only took him ten minutes to find the spot he remembered. He pointed. “It must be a good year for berries.”

  They were on the edge of the home woods and holly bushes had taken advantage of the light there to produce a blanket of bright red.

  Peter jumped up and down in excitement. “Look holly with lots of berries.”

  Georgie seemed taken with the little boy. That was another plus. If he was blessed with sons, he wanted them to have a loving upbringing. He had seen too many boys at school damaged by cold parents. He passed the shears to her so she could help Peter select which branches he wanted. She didn’t disappoint him. Even whilst he was helping Nat cut longer branches of holly with the loppers he watched her. She tactfully helped Peter choose branches small enough to fit into his basket.

  “Uncle Max, look how much I’ve got. I’m the best collector.”

  Max moved across to Peter and inspected his basket. “That’s very good indeed Peter. You’ve got lots of lovely berries” He remembered all the children’s things he had bought in Canterbury when he was kicking his heels. “I’ll find a prize for you later.”

  “Thanks, Uncle Max. What about Aunt Georgie, she helped me?”

  Max smiled down at Georgie. This time he was sure that she blushed. “I think I can find something for her as well but it might take some time. I’ll give it to her later.”

  He felt a blush heat his own cheeks and backed into the shadow of the bushes. He’d forgotten that he was giving Georgie nightwear. Georgie seemed not to see anything amiss but Nat gave him a quizzical look.

  “I did a lot of shopping in Canterbury on the free morning I had before I could see the archbishop. That’s where I found the string of pearls I gave Georgie as a wedding present.”

  “I thought so,” Eliza said. “Did you use that jeweller I recommended? The pearls were absolutely perfect.”

  “Yes I did. I bought a string for Cecilia as well to mark her come out. I’ll give it to her tomorrow.”

  It was the work of moments to top up Nat and Eliza’s baskets. Perhaps he could have some time alone with Georgie.

  He turned to Eliza. “I think we’ve got enough holly there. The boys will gather plenty of larger branches of greenery. You can take Peter back to the house with the holly if you like. Georgie and I will try and find some laurel.”

  Eliza agreed readily, after a sharp glance at her husband. Nat gave him a salute and picked up three baskets, leaving Eliza to carry Peter’s. He ignored Nat’s grin. At least his embarrassment had cooled his ardour. That didn’t last long when he glanced down at Georgie and she gave him an uncertain smile. He longed to take her in his arms but he didn’t want to rush her. Besides which he wasn’t sure he could stop at a kiss. It was weeks since he had parted from his latest mistress and Georgie was so sweet.

  He put one basket inside the other with the shears inside and hitched the loppers over his shoulder. “Let’s look for this laurel it’s too cold to stay out much longer.”

  “It’s nothing to how cold I was when I woke up in that barn.”

  Despite his load Max managed to put an arm around her and pull her close. “I know. You were so cold when I picked you up, I was afraid I wouldn’t get you to the warmth of the house in time. Come on.”

  He took them down a path that led into the heart of the woods. Rain and snow struggled to penetrate here and fallen leaves crunched under their feet. It grew darker until they could barely see where they were going. Georgie tripped on a root and he steadied her and tightened his hold. The shoulder carrying the baskets was aching but he didn’t want to let her go. He pushed on and the trees began to thicken until they came to the large clearing he was looking for.

  “Here we are. There is usually some laurel and holly in here.”

  They dropped their baskets and did a quick circle of the clearing. Georgie looked more relaxed out here than she had in the house. He was tempted to forget about the greenery but soon gave up the idea. They had better fill the baskets or the boys would want to know why not. They reached a row of laurel bushes, some so tall they were almost trees. He gave Georgie the clippers and left her to try her luck with the lower branches.

  He set to with a will with the loppers. Physical effort might help to take his mind off his current frustrations. Sweat trickled down his back by the time his baskets were filled to overflowing. He threw the loppers over his shoulder and made his way back to Georgie. She had done pretty well with the clippers.

  “This is an even better spot than I remembered.”

  He put his baskets down and helped her fill her second basket. He loved the way the tip of her tongue peeped out when she was concentrating. She reached up for one last branch. He took it from her and squeezed it into the top of the basket. Her face was framed by a shaft of golden light and she smiled at him. He took the clippers out of her hands and dropped them next to the baskets. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to embrace her and lower his face to hers.

  He hesitated as his mouth neared hers. She reached up and threaded her arms around his neck. Their lips met and he felt as if he had been thumped in the chest. He took a great gulp of air and then applied himself to the kiss. He teased her lips with his tongue and her mouth flew open on a gasp of surprise. He pressed his body even closer and deepened the kiss. Excitement jolted through him as she responded, tentatively at first but with growing confidence. He had better stop this while they still could but he didn’t want to.

  She stiffened in his arms. Damn he’d lost his discipline and rushed her. Then he heard the sound of voices. Ah she must have heard them before he did. Reluctantly he unpeeled his body from hers and pulled her into the edge of the woods.

  “That sounds like the boys. Are you alright? I hope I didn’t frighten you? Let’s take a minute to compose ourselves.”

  The voices sounded louder. “I think we had better go back to the baskets Max or they will guess.” Her voice petered out.

  “You’re right.”

  He took her arm and they almost ran back to where they had left everything. She bent down and picked up the clippers and he did the same with the loppers. He was eyeing up the baskets when Rollo came into view.

  “We thought we had better come and see if you needed any help, Uncle Max.”

  “As you can see, we have done very well with our laurel hunt. You can help us carry it back.”

  Neil and Tim joined them and as they were all empty handed he distributed baskets and tools amongst them. He held out his arm to Georgie.

  “What thoughtful nephews I have, Georgie.”

  She laughed, a lovely musical sound, and tucked her arm in his.

  “You do indeed. I was wondering how we were going to manage those heavy baskets.”

  The light was fading fast by the time they neared the house. Max sent Rollo to return the tools to the gardening stores. When they reached the house Cecilia and her mother were sorting piles of greenery in the main hall.

  Sally inspected the baskets as Neil and Tim put them down. “Excellent. We have a good selection now. Cecilia even managed to find some hawthorn, ivy and rosemary.”

  Max noticed several branches of mistletoe. At least now they had kissed properly as man and wife it should be easier to cope if they were caught under a branch.

  The next couple of hours were a frenzy of activity. The hall and the dining room were filled with greenery and the boys took some down to the servant’s hall for their party that evening. He had no time for those fashionable folks who thought proper Christmas celebrations were vulgar. Simply watching the enjoyment on the faces of everyone helping
, not just the young people, made him happy.

  Max changed out of his outdoor things and went to look for Nat. They found the library unoccupied.

  “Thanks for checking no one had followed us here, Nat. I didn’t want to alarm the family and they would have thought it strange if I cancelled the greenery hunt.”

  “I could see no signs of anyone. A shame the men managed to get away. You did say there were two strangers didn’t you.”

  “Yes, Barton was adamant that everyone else at the church was from here, Hargreaves village or Benfort.”

  “Good. One of my grooms has stayed in Hargreaves village to see what he can find out. I’ve given him plenty of money. He’ll follow them if he can get a lead. Bright says he’s a good investigator.”

  “Thank you. It would be good to find out who they were. I suspect Selina was hoping they could stop the wedding.”

  “That seems most likely but we can’t rule out a kidnap attempt on Georgie I suppose.”

  Max shook his head. “Perhaps, but how did they find her?”

  “Guessed she made for Kent and got lucky in Canterbury? Rollo had heard about you getting a marriage licence.”

  “I suppose so. If there was that much talk the bride’s name might have been mentioned too. I ought to have thought of that. Georgie should be safe now that we’re married but I hope your man turns something up.”

  “Me too. I don’t like loose ends. It will be easy to keep a watch out now it’s snowing again. At least we can enjoy Christmas.” Nat grinned at him.

  “Don’t you start. I’m going to have enough trouble with the boys. I’ve never seen so much mistletoe. I’m going to ask Barton to have the yule log brought into the hall and then I’ll find Georgie.”

  “I think she will be in the dining room.”

  Max soon found Barton who dispatched a footman to summon the grooms with the massive yule log that would burn at least until the end of Christmas day. He went into the dining room where Sally was presiding over the refurbishment of the paper Christmas decorations the footmen had retrieved from the attics. Ribbons and pinecones were strewn across the table in front of Sally. He could hear the boys arguing over where to hang the last of the greenery in the hall. Georgie was chatting away to Cecilia. She seemed to be having a wonderful time and enjoying the company of the Fordham youngsters. Of course, at one and twenty, she was nearer in age to all four of them than she was to him.

  Max raised a hand and waited until everyone went quiet. “The yule log should be arriving at any minute. Follow me to the hall if you want to see it lit.

  Peter spotted him and came running across. “Uncle Max, have you found my prize yet?”

  Max laughed. “I’ll go and fetch it, after I’ve lit the log, if your mother tells me you have been a good boy.”

  “Oh he has, Max. He even helped me entertain Judith when we got back.”

  Max picked the boy up and threw him in the air. Peter giggled when he pretended to nearly drop him.

  “Right you are, Master Overton. Be good for a few moments longer and you shall have your prize. I bought some more fancy paper as well, Eliza, so you can make some new decorations.”

  He smiled at Georgie, who had glanced their way. “You won’t believe the size of the log we manage to fit into the hall fireplace. Come and watch me light it. We like to make it a bit of a ceremony.”

  He held out his arm and led her into the hall, with everyone following behind. Half a dozen grooms staggered in with the yule log and manoeuvred it into place. One of the grooms spread the contents of a large box of wooden splinters under and around the end of the log that was fully in the fireplace. Georgie watched, looking fascinated.

  “The splinters are all from last year’s log. It’s my job, as head of the household to use them to light this year’s.”

  Barton handed him a lit candle and he bent down to apply its flame to the splinters. Once they were crackling merrily, he stood back and watched until he was sure the log was well and truly lit. He looked around the hall. His niece and nephews might be growing up quickly but from their faces they still enjoyed the rituals of Christmas.

  Peter joined them. “Don’t forget my prize, Uncle Max.”

  “I’ll go and get it now.” Max ruffled Peter’s hair.

  Georgie smiled at him and went to join the chattering group of young people around Cecilia. He left the hall and ran lightly up the stairs. Georgie was more talkative with the young people than she had been with him. Was he imagining a certain restraint between them? There was no doubt she had been badly treated by her cousins but could she have recognised him in the inn? He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. She seemed too straightforward a person to concoct a plan to ensnare him.

  Chapter Ten

  Georgie sensed as much as saw Max stroll in and talk to Peter. She tensed when he smiled at her but managed to smile back. Everyone seemed to be engrossed in what they were doing. Which was just as well, since a smile from Max sent shivers down her spine. She bent her head over the decoration she was teasing into shape on the dining room table. Every time she saw him it made her think about that kiss in the woods. It must be the hint of red in her hair that made her blush so readily.

  “Max has some more paper for us,” Eliza said.” He’ll bring it down in a minute with something he’s got for Peter.”

  Sally put the finishing touches to the decoration she was working on. “That’s good, a few of these are past repair.”

  Georgie helped Cecilia fix a bow to a string of pinecones. “Max said he is taking me to London when the weather is better. Will you be there? It would be lovely to see some familiar faces.”

  Cecilia gave a little cry and made to rise but her mother waved at her furiously.

  Georgie caught her hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to distress you.”

  Cecilia didn’t answer and looked over to her mother. What on earth had she said to discompose the girl so much?

  “I see Max has told you nothing of Cecilia’s situation,” Sally said. “He’s loyal I’ll give him that, but you need to know. We might need your help.”

  Georgie looked from mother to daughter in total bewilderment. She still had Cecilia’s hand and it quivered in hers. She came to a quick decision.

  “Cecilia, if you want to tell me what’s troubling you I shall be happy to help.” She glanced across at Sally. “However, it’s your decision. I promise I won’t ask Max if you want to keep whatever it is private.”

  Sally snorted. “There’s not much chance of keeping it private. You are right though, Georgie, it is best that Cecilia tells you her story when she’s ready.”

  Georgie gave the girl’s hand a squeeze. “I’m sure what happened to you can’t have been as bad as my adventure. It will be me who needs help in London.”

  Max came in and Georgie put her mouth close to Cecilia’s ear. “We can talk about it after dinner if you like.”

  Cecilia nodded and gave her a half smile.

  ***

  Dinner was a strange meal. It felt as if their wedding hadn’t really happened. They had reverted to a normal seating pattern with Max at the head of the table and Georgie at the foot. Rollo and his father were seated either side of her. Her glance kept wandering to the sight of Max laughing with his sisters at the other end of the table. He would develop a disgust of her if she kept gazing at him adoringly.

  She concentrated on the conversation around her until Lord Wakeley coughed.

  “I think my wife is trying to attract your attention, my dear,” he said quietly.

  She felt a warm colour spread into her cheeks. Everyone had finished and, as Max’s hostess, she must direct the ladies to leave the men to their port. It felt strange but she squared her shoulders and signalled to a footman. He was very young and she couldn’t remember seeing him before.

  “Perhaps you would let Mr Barton know we are ready for tea?”

  The boy stood stock still and seemed unsure of what to do. He stammered something
she couldn’t catch and blushed scarlet. Hadn’t Max said something about a party for the staff today?

  “Is Mr Barton presiding over the staff party?”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “Perhaps you could tell whoever is left in the kitchens that we require tea in the drawing room?”

  He nodded and ran out.

  Georgie raised her voice. “Ladies, tea will be served in the drawing room shortly. We’ll leave the gentlemen to their port.”

  She waved the others on and stopped by Max’s chair. His nearness had the usual effect of leaving her breathless and with legs that didn’t quite feel her own.

  “Max, Mr Barton is at the staff party. When we have been served tea should I send a message for the staff still working to go and join them? It would be a shame for anyone to miss it?”

  Max gave her a smile that lit up his eyes and had her surreptitiously holding onto the table for support.

  “That would be kind of you, Georgie,” he smiled again,” and exactly what my mother would have done.”

  “Good. I’ll leave you gentlemen in peace then.”

  She smiled around the room, without looking at Max. Once she was outside she drew in a deep breath and made her way to the drawing room. The young footman came out from the servants’ quarters and nearly dropped the tray he was carrying.

  “I’m sorry if I startled you. I’ve agreed with His Lordship that once we have our tea tray you may tell all the servants still working that they may join the party downstairs.”

  The boy’s face glowed. “Thank you, my lady.”

  He followed her into the room and set the tray down on a side table. She smiled at the sound of running footsteps as soon as the door shut behind him. After helping her aunt at church functions, preparing and serving tea came naturally to her. At least there was one aspect of her new role she didn’t need instructing on.

  Sally accepted a cup and settled onto a chair near the fire. “It’s ironic after our parent’s heroic struggles to produce an heir that so many of the next generation are male. At least it means we can all have a seat near the fire.”