The Christmas Countess. Adrienne Basso

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СКАЧАТЬ excitement and delight held until they pulled into the long gravel drive, but then as she thought of the days ahead, the emotions in her gut began to churn. However was she going to manage?

      A trio of liveried servants encircled the carriage even before it came to a complete stop in the courtyard. The men bustled efficiently around the coach, assisting Rebecca and Daniel from the interior, then organizing the luggage, horses, coachman and grooms with a skilled efficiency that bespoke of extensive experience with visitors.

      The front door was opened by a stiff, unsmiling butler, but his severe greeting was softened by the immediate appearance of the housekeeper, an older woman dressed in black with a white lace cap perched on her head.

      “Welcome, welcome, to Windmere manor,” she said with a happy smile. “’Tis always a delight to have guests among us, but never more so than during Christmastime. I am Mrs. Evans, the housekeeper. If you find yourself in need of anything, anything at all, during your stay, please be sure to ask me.”

      There was no chance to reply, for the dowager countess next appeared. She too smiled with delight and welcomed them graciously, apologizing for her son’s absence by explaining he was away from the manor attending to estate business.

      “We are so pleased that you were able to join us this year,” the dowager countess said. “We look forward to your joining in our outings and soirees. There is always something lively and delightful to do at Windmere during the holidays.”

      “Splendid,” Daniel said with a congenial smile.

      “I know you must be tired after your journey,” the dowager countess continued. “The servants will show you to your chambers. We are having an informal luncheon served at one o’clock. I look forward to seeing you both then.”

      Rebecca smiled her thanks, pleased their arrival turned out to be slightly less of an ordeal than she had feared. A footman assisted Daniel while she followed the housekeeper up the grand staircase, through the hall, then down a long corridor.

      After assuring the housekeeper she needed nothing further, Rebecca took a moment to enjoy the solitude in her bedchamber. As she walked by the four-poster bed, she could smell the lavender-scented sheets. The room was pleasantly appointed in shades of blue and cream, dominated by a subtle pattern of forget-me-nots in the wallpaper and repeated on the silk bed coverlet.

      A small settee featuring the same floral pattern in brocade was at the foot of the bed, facing the hearth. There were two thick rugs, one blue, one cream, covering the floor.

      In addition to a dressing table, with a matching mirror, and a large cherry armoire, there was a writing desk on the far wall and a plush blue chaise cozily positioned in front of the fireplace. Though Rebecca assumed all the bedchambers in this stately home were equally impressive, the accommodations chosen for her made her feel like an honored guest.

      No sooner had Rebecca removed her bonnet than a housemaid arrived, setting a pitcher of hot water beside the porcelain basin, along with a pile of clean, fluffy towels.

      “Whenever you are ready for luncheon, Miss Tremaine, just pull on the bell rope and someone will come and show you the way. Or you can have a tray prepared and brought to your room, if you prefer.”

      “I think I shall join the rest of the guests after I have changed out of my traveling clothes,” Rebecca decided. “By any chance, do you know where my brother’s room is located?”

      “The single male guests are housed in the west wing of the manor. Shall I have a footman bring him a message?”

      “Yes, please. Ask my brother to fetch me before he goes downstairs.”

      The housemaid curtsied, then left. As she departed, the personal maid that Daniel insisted Rebecca bring along arrived. Her presence momentarily flustered Rebecca, who was not used to such attention. For most of her life she had managed to dress and undress herself on her own. On the occasion that help was needed, the family’s housemaid, Anne, was pressed into service.

      But Daniel was adamant that she arrive with a proper maid, and he with a proper valet, and Rebecca decided it was easier to agree than argue the point. Her maid, Maureen, was a pleasant middle-aged woman who seemed to have a considerable amount of experience in the position and knew a great deal about women’s fashions.

      She tactfully suggested which gowns would be most appropriate to wear for the afternoon, and Rebecca selected a simple ivory lace-over-silk day gown. Maureen then deftly produced the accompanying accessories.

      After fixing Rebecca’s hair, the maid set about unpacking the rest of Rebecca’s clothes, sorting out which gowns would need immediate attention and hanging the remainder in the armoire. Even though he had repeatedly assured her he could easily afford it, Rebecca felt a pang of guilt as she viewed the expensive new wardrobe that Daniel had insisted be ordered for the house party.

      Once it was over, where in the world would she ever wear such lovely, fashionable garments? Perhaps she could repay her brother’s kindness and generosity by acting as his hostess, though she assumed the majority of his social interactions would involve his business ventures and might not even require the presence of a woman.

      Deciding that was something she would broach when they were alone, Rebecca answered the knock at her door. It was Daniel, with a footman in tow, coming to escort her downstairs. The casual luncheon the dowager countess had mentioned was being served in the long portrait gallery and Daniel had wisely brought the servant along to guide the way.

      When Rebecca and Daniel arrived, they were greeted by a crowd of nearly thirty people, though the gallery was so large and spacious it could have easily accommodated a hundred more.

      Long, white linen–covered tables were laid out with covered silver trays and large platters of every type of food imaginable were placed upon them. Arrangements of red and white hothouse roses lent color and fragrance to the room, adding a festive touch. Guests were busy helping themselves to the artful buffet and then finding seats among the smaller round tables that were set near the windows so everyone could enjoy the view of the rolling countryside.

      “Do you think the informal arrangement was planned for our benefit?” Daniel asked. “No doubt in this exalted company we would have been seated far below the salt at a formal setting.”

      “Goodness, I had not even thought about it,” Rebecca replied, wishing her brother had not found yet another thing for her to feel nervous about.

      Her eyes anxiously scanned the room and she was further disappointed to discover there were no children in attendance. It was not unexpected, yet she had hoped for a chance to see Lily again as soon as possible.

      They joined the group clustered around the buffet, made their selections and started toward one of the round tables when they were waylaid by a middle-aged man carrying two goblets of wine.

      “Tremaine! What a delightful surprise. I had no idea you would be here.”

      “Lord Bailey, hello. This is a lucky occurrence. May I present my sister, Miss Rebecca Tremaine.”

      “Charmed.” Lord Bailey bowed elegantly from the waist, simultaneously lifting the goblets filled with wine higher in the air. Rebecca was impressed that he did not spill a drop.

      “Won’t you join us? Selby and Reynolds are here too. If you have a mind, we’d like to discuss that mining operation in Cornwall. We all have questions we are hoping you can answer. You СКАЧАТЬ