The Holiday Wish

The next few days passed quickly and quietly, Elisabeth spending the majority of her time with her daughters and the rest of it thinking about her last conversation with Gregory.

It was late Tuesday afternoon and the girls were upstairs in their rooms playing. Elisabeth had just happened to pass the entry door when she heard a knock. She called to her housekeeper telling her that she would answer it.

She then called to Mrs. Beckett and asked her to serve tea in the sitting room. As they waited they kept the conversation light, speaking of the weather and what they did the last few days. When Mrs. Beckett left, it was Gregory who spoke first.

"So Elisabeth, have you given consideration to my invitation; will you be accompanying me to the party on Saturday evening?"

"Yes, Gregory, I've given much thought to it and I'd be delighted to go to the party with you."

With that, he told her he had to leave. She got his coat and walked him to the door.

He then bent his head slightly forward and kissed her good-bye, again on the cheek. When the door shut, the girls came running down the stairs.

"Yes, dear it was. Listen girls, come with me. There is something I need to talk to you about."

Next Amy inquired as to whether Lord Whitcombe was going to be their new father. Elisabeth then picked up Annabelle and sat her on her lap as the other two girls gathered around her...

"Yes, Sarah; Lord Whitcombe has asked me to attend a party with him this Saturday and I told him that I would."

"No, Amy; not yet and perhaps not at all. Lord Whitecombe and I are only going to a party.

"You see, when a man likes a woman he extends an invitation of courtship which is just a way of getting to know someone better by permitting them to spend time with you."

"Girls, I want you to know this. You mean more to me than anything else in the world. If I should decide to marry again, I will not do so unless I have your approval as well. It is just as important for me to see you girls happy with my choice as I am; understand?"

Finally it was Saturday evening and the girls had gathered around their mother in her room as she was finishing getting dressed. Elisabeth had excellent taste in clothes and chose to wear an emerald green velvet gown and around her neck a solitaire emerald pendant which went well with her auburn hair and green eyes.

"Lord Whitcombe will be here soon. Sarah, I want you to see that Amy and Annabelle get to bed at a proper time. Mrs. Beckett will be around just in case you need something. And Amy, Annabelle, I want you to listen to your sister. When she tells you it's time for bed, I don't want to hear that you gave her any arguments."

Amy and Annabelle told her they would be good and then Elisabeth gave them each a hug and a kiss before going downstairs. She had no sooner reached the bottom of the staircase when there was a knock at the door.

All of a sudden her knees began to give way. 'Oh, please, please let me get through this night.'

"Good evening, Gregory, it's nice to see you again" she said as she opened the door.

In a matter of a few short moments they were in Gregory's carriage on their way to the party.

"I'm delighted that you decided to accept my invitation, Elisabeth; and I hope it is only the first of many that we will share. I'd like to get to know you and your family better."

Gregory drove the carriage up to the front entrance way of the Bedford's. All the guests were standing outside awaiting the start of the "first footing". They got out and entered into conversation with a few of the other guests. It wasn't long before a tall, male figure with dark hair appeared, dressed in fine clothes, carrying an evergreen twig strolled up to the door and rapped the knocker. The Bedford's answered it and the gentleman was the first to enter; the rest of the guests followed. They gathered around as they watched their hosts give their "first guest" some bread and salt. He thanked them, wished them a joyous new year and then walked straight through the house and out the back door. Legend had it that this "ceremony" would bring good luck to the family throughout the year. Then the music began and party goers began their revelry.

Gregory swept Elisabeth into his arms and waltzed her out onto the dance floor with others following quickly afterward. They were, of course, as they had been on Christmas eve, the most elegant couple there.

English society did indeed enjoy their parties. The voices throughout the room became more boisterous as the celebration went on throughout the evening.

Several of the guests had approached Elisabeth telling her that they were happy to see her again after her many years of absence. She thanked them and told them that she was glad to be back among her friends.

She and Gregory danced the night away, laughing and joking like teenagers. It was obvious to all that there was a very definite attraction between the two.

"When the party was over and they got back to her house, Gregory walked her to her door.

"I was wondering", Gregory asked,"if you aren't busy on Monday afternoon, if you and the girls would attend an art gallery opening in London? We could all have dinner afterwards."

"Thank you, Gregory, I'd like that and so would the girls. We'd be delighted to join you" replied Elisabeth.

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