The Holiday Wish

Elisabeth got dressed quickly and joined her daughters by the tree. They waited for her as they always did as it was a family tradition that all be present when the gifts were opened.

Annabelle's eyes grew as big as saucers when she saw the beautiful, hand-painted porcelain doll that was in a box with her name on it. She loved it so much that tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Annabelle, don<'t cry. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time"> replied her mother.

Amy, too, had found a beautiful doll waiting for her. Sarah opened a small slim box and much to her surprise found a beautiful pearl necklace, a fitting and quite proper gift for a girl her age.

The girls laughed and continued to talk about the ball as they opened their gifts. They had received so many things--clothes, books, toys and jewelry in addition to sugar plums and cookies and other sweets.

After some time had past Elisabeth broke into the conversation and told the girls that it was time to leave for church. It was Christmas after all and that was one day that was an absolute must to attend services.

They were late arriving at the church and the church was already close to full. Elisabeth directed the girls to the first available seating she found. Another late arrival, one who was not accustomed to attending service, then asked if there was room for him. Looking up her eyes met Gregory Whitcombe's.

Oh no she thought; she couldn't escape his presence even in church. Without uttering a word she urged her daughters to move down slightly to make room. Sarah then glanced at her mother and a big grin came to her face. Elisabeth motioned for Sarah to pay attention to the service which was just beginning.

The service ran a little longer than usual with Vicar Langley expounding on the subject of love of family. The girls were beginning to get restless and were starting to stir in their seats. Elisabeth couldn't wait for the service to end so that she could make her escape. Vicar Langley asked the congregation to join him in melodious song-- "Oh Come All Ye Faithful<"--and then it was over.

To avoid being confronted by Gregory, Elisabeth directed her daughters to leave the pew on the side aisle of the church. In this way, she could get lost among the parishioners as they proceeded out of the church.

"Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Langley. It was an excellent sermon" she answered as she looked quickly about for signs of Lord Whitcombe. Not seeing him, she sighed in relief and led her daughters to where their driver was waiting for them.

Gregory stopped to search all as they walked out, hoping to catch Mrs. Ashton to invite her and her family to join him for dinner. After seeing her again after all these years and remembering how he felt as he danced with her at the ball, the thought of spending Christmas alone was not a happy one. Somehow though she had managed to disappear without a trace. Disappointed at having missed them, he left to go back to Camden House.

Home at last. The girls put their coats away and came back down to play with all the new things that they had gotten for Christmas. Elisabeth checked with Mrs. Beckett to see what time dinner would be ready. At being told it would be another couple of hours, Elisabeth joined her daughters in the sitting room and sat down to read.

As Gregory's carriage passed Ashton Manor, he asked his driver to halt. He wasn't going to let her get away this easily. Surely she must have arrived home already. He then asked his driver to take him down to the Manor house.

Elisabeth smiled and helped Annabelle up onto her lap and then asked Amy to bring her the book of Christmas stories which was lying on the desk. As she began to read, there was a knock at the door.

Sarah, who sat quietly, smiled inwardly. Instinctively she knew who it was who had come calling.

Mrs. Beckett went to answer the door and came back to announce that Lord Whitcombe was here to see Lady Ashton.

"Girls, it looks like the story will have to wait a while. Please show him in, Mrs. Beckett."

"Merry Christmas to you, Lord Whitcombe. What brings you to Ashton Manor this day?"

"And a very Merry Christmas to you, Mrs. Ashton; ladies. The reason for my call is that I was hoping that you and your daughters might like to come skating with me. It's such a nice day today and the wind isn't blowing as it was yesterday. I would be most honored to have you all join me."

Immediately and almost in unison the girls all jumped in begging to go. Not knowing how to get out of the invitation graciously, Elisabeth accepted and they went on their way. When they got to the pond, Sarah immediately took charge of her younger sister leaving her mother free to devote her attention to Gregory. No sooner did Elisabeth step out onto the ice than Lord Whitcombe placed his arm about her waist and began to lead her across the pond as elegantly as he had across the dance floor the night before.

After a short while he took turns skating with each of the three girls. It was Annabelle who seemed to have the most fun, however, when he picked her up in his arms and went into a spin.

It was Elisabeth then who called out and said that it was time for them to return home.

"I want to thank you Gregory for taking us skating. I'm sure I can speak for us all when I say we had a wonderful time."

Upon arriving home, Elisabeth replied "I was wondering, your Lordship, that if you don't have any plans, perhaps you would like to join us for dinner?"

They sat and talked for a while and played some games with the girls until Mrs. Beckett entered the sitting room and announced that dinner was ready.

They gathered about the table and it was Sarah who was asked to say the blessing. She was also the first to begin the conversation talking about the Christmas Ball. From there the subject changed to what they received for Christmas to the kinds of things they liked to eat and the games they liked to play.

"When the meal was ended, Elisabeth then asked Mrs. Beckett to serve tea in the sitting room. With the tea poured, it was now time to light the tree in celebration of the holiday. They all gathered around it, Elisabeth taking one of the candles from its holder and walking over to the fireplace to light it.

Gregory then asked politely, "May I do the honor" and she responded by handing the candle over to him.

The tree was a beautiful sight to see with the flickering light glistening off the Dresdens, somewhat like the sparkling diamond effect created by moonlight shining down on the snow which they saw on their way to the ball. Gregory then took Annabelle and Elisabeth's hands and began to sing "Silent night, holy night ... with the others following in chorus. After the song was finished, Annabelle again inquired of her mother.

"Annabelle, we'll take the book upstairs and I'll finish reading it to you", said Sarah who knew that it was time to allow her mother some time alone with Lord Whitcombe. And with that Sarah picked up the book and the three girls went upstairs.

"Thank you, Gregory, for such a wonderful day today. The girls and I had a lot of fun."

"It was my pleasure, Elisabeth. I had a good time myself. Your daughters are delightful company."

"Yes, I am most fortunate. It hasn't been easy trying to bring them up on my own since..."

"No, I'm sure it hasn't been," said Gregory, "but you've done an excellent job and you should be quite proud."

I'm surprised that you didn't visit your brother and his family this year" said Elisabeth.

I had originally planned on spending the holiday alone this year and was quite content and prepared to do so; until....until the ball.

"Elisabeth, I'm not quite sure how to ask this, but, I would very much like the honor of courting you."

Elisabeth dipped her head slightly downward, blushing at Gregory's last comment. She didn't know how to reply. The thought of having someone in her life again brought back the "raging butterflies" in her stomach. It was what she had wanted yet she was concerned about her responsibility to her daughters.

"I know this comes as somewhat of a surprise, Elisabeth. I myself never expected that I would ever again meet someone that I wanted to be with, especially not after... well, that's ancient history. Having the opportunity to spend today with you and your daughters has given me a chance to experience what it's like to be a member of a family and I must say I enjoyed it immensely", said Gregory.

"Elisabeth, please, before you say no, give it some thought. You are a beautiful, vibrant young woman who is much too young to spend the rest of her life alone. I've been invited to a 'first footing' party next Saturday evening and I would like it very much if you would accompany me. I will stop by on Tuesday for your answer."

"Thank you, Elisabeth. Thank you for allowing me to spend this very special day with you and your family."

It was late and the girls had long since gone to bed, Sarah having taken care to see that her sisters were tucked into their beds snuggly that night. Before going to her own room, Elisabeth looked in on all three as she always did, and wondered how their lives might change if she accepted Gregory's invitation. She got into bed and attempted to sleep, but sleep would not come. She twisted and turned the entire night unable to stop thinking about Gregory's offer of courtship.

Site Menu