The Christmas Kittens (4 page)

The marquess guided his horse though the woods while he made a mental list of all the things he wanted to accomplish before Christmas. He was so lost in his plans that it was several minutes before he realized that the sounds of singing could be heard in the cold afternoon air.

Curious, he guided his animal in that direction. He recognized the song as the Coventry Carol, one he'd sung himself as a child. As he came round the trees into the meadow, he spied his daughter, Miss Lockhart and he assumed the lady's young sister. The lady was cutting greenery as the children danced around the cut boughs of holly, sweet bay, ivy and pine while they sang with great spirit but little talent. His heart swelled with joy to see Rosalind enjoying herself. Whiteoaks would be good for them both. To his surprise, he found himself softly singing the lyrics. “By by, lul-ly lul-lay!”

The tones of a rich baritone jarred Karis from her cutting. Her gloved hand clinched the shears and her heart fluttered at the sight of Lord Marsden seated on a huge black horse, singing the carol. She was delighted to see him, but uncertain how he would react to her taking command of his daughter's care, if only temporarily.

She took heart he was still smiling as he finished the verse with the girls. “Good afternoon, my lord. I hope you don't mind that Anthea and I offered to help Lady Rosalind brighten up her nursery with a little Christmas decorating.”

“`Tis an excellent idea, Miss Lockhart. I am afraid I have been so involved with fixing the house that I forgot it would be nice to decorate it for the holidays.” Marsden dismounted and came to stand among the neat piles of branches.

“Oh, Papa, this is such fun. This is my new friend Anthea. We are going to decorate the nursery. Does this not smell just like Christmas?” Lady Rosalind, cheeks pink from the cold and eyes sparkling, danced up to her father and waved a fir bough under his nose.

The strong scent of the evergreen triggered happy memories of Marsden's childhood. Reminding him of the days when he would come in from the cold to the warm smells of mince pies and pine boughs, adding to his lighthearted feeling. “Yes, Rosebud, that it does. Do you need help? Shall I get a cart to bring the branches to the house, Miss Lockhart?”

“Thank you, my lord. I do believe we have cut enough for now. We shall take the basket of cones and decorate them until the greenery arrives and nurse comes with the red ribbons.”

Karis picked up the basket filled with fir cones, but the marquess stepped forward. “Allow me.”

They all started back for the manor. The young girls skipped in front and resumed their off-key singing, leaving Lord Marsden and Miss Lockhart an opportunity for private conversation.

Leading his horse and carrying the basket, the marquess smiled after the children as they disappeared around a bend in the path. “I must thank you and your sister for taking such an interest in Lady Rosalind. I fear I would have forgotten all the traditions of Christmas but for your kindness.”

Karis looked at the gentleman, watching his frosted breath drift away with the breeze as he spoke so earnestly. The cold formality of yesterday was gone and she found herself drawn to this man who cared so much for his daughter. “We are the ones who should be thanking you. Anthea has been quite lonely since we came to Warwickshire to live with our aunt. Lady Rosalind was just the thing to brighten her Christmas.”

Marsden returned the lady's gaze, and found himself mesmerized by those beautiful green eyes. Miss Lockhart was different from all the other young ladies he'd encountered this past year. She talked to him with no hint of coquetry or artifice. He wondered if that was because she didn't find him attractive. That thought irked him for some reason. Wondering why it should, he merely said, “Then you must bring her as often as she likes.”

The pair then fell into casual conversation about the cold weather and what the marquess intended to do to improve Whiteoaks. Karis even made a few suggestions. Before she knew it they'd arrived back at the house. The marquess asked Mrs. Shelby to serve hot chocolate to the girls and Karis while he and Jock went to retrieve the cut boughs.

Later, Marsden stepped into the nursery, his arms filled with a variety of cuttings, and he stopped to admire the heartwarming sight. In front of the fireplace, Miss Lockhart and Anthea were showing Rosalind how to paint flour and water on the pine cones to make them appear frosted with snow. The trio were laughing at the kittens trying to bat at the cones and make them roll on the table.

“Where shall I put these?” he asked, his tone husky with emotion to see his daughter much like her former self.

“By the window, my lord, for the heat of the fire might dry them out too soon.” Karis told the girls to continue the work on the cones while she made garlands from the cuttings.

Picking up a ball of twine she'd gotten from Mrs. Shelby, Karis took a seat on the window bench. “Won't you join us, my lord?”

His lordship pulled a straight back chair forward and sat down in front of her. He watched as Karis selected a long runner of ivy, then began attaching alternating boughs of fir, box, sweet bay, and privet to create a decorative garland.

She smiled up at the marquess as he watched her nimbly knot the twine. “It will look much better when Nurse returns with the red ribbons, I assure you.”

The marquess shook his head, saying, “I have no doubt, Miss Lockhart, that you will transform this grim nursery just as you have transformed my daughter.”

“I cannot take the credit, my lord. I believe she is merely happy to have a new friend her own age.”

“Karis!” Anthea called, interrupting their conversation, “Where shall we put the cones to dry, for the kittens will be covered with flour if we leave them on the table.”

“On the mantelpiece, dear.”

Finding himself fascinated with the young woman before him, the marquess remarked, “Karis, that is an unusual name.”

“My father was a Greek scholar. He adored all things Hellenic and gave both his children Greek names. Karis means `grace' and Anthea means `flowery'. I suppose we should be happy my mother convinced him not to go with Greek Muses. I am not sure Anthea or I would have been happy being called Euterpe or Terpsichore, those being his favorite muses of poetry and dance.”

Marsden laughed. “I believe you had a very wise mother.”

Just then the door opened and Binx arrived. Relieved to see her employer smiling, Nurse didn't hesitate to bring the ribbon to Miss Lockhart. “I `ope I'm not too late.”

“We have just begun, but I was beginning to worry you had gotten lost.” Karis patted the bench beside her for Nurse to join her.

Binx eyed her charge busily painting cones white, then relaxed onto the bench. “I was delayed miss. A dark-`aired young lady with the face of an angel took a spill from `er `orse right in front of the manor. Me and a gentleman what come along tried to aide `er, but she wakes up all of a sudden, gets on the mare and rides away. Right angry she was at the young man and `im only trying to `elp.”

Karis's hand froze. The description closely fit Dorinda but she didn't want to question the girl in front of the marquess. What had her cousin been up to? She wondered if she should warn her aunt that Dorinda was not content to wait until the dinner party to meet the marquess, then realized it would do no good. Aunt Flora couldn't control her daughter and it would only distress her to know what the girl was about.

Pushing thoughts of her troublesome cousin from her mind, she showed Binx what length to cut the ribbon, then set the marquess to tying bows on the garland she'd finished.

Soon completing their task, they set about hanging their creations. By the time they finished with the room, it was draped with the garlands, bows, and frosted cones. The mantelpiece greenery, with candles on each end, held red apples nestled among the fir boughs, perfectly matching the ribbons on the garland.

“Oh, Papa, isn't it beautiful and we did it all ourselves.”

Marsden was impressed by how a few limbs, pine cones and ribbons made such an improvement to the nursery. “Miss Lockhart, you have created a masterpiece.”

Karis blushed at the high praise as she donned her cloak reluctantly, urging her sister to do the same. They were probably late and Dorinda would be wondering where they were. “I enjoyed doing it, my lord.

The marquess was suddenly struck by an idea. “Then you must do the downstairs as well. We must share your endeavors with all our visitors.”

Lady Rosalind began to jump up and down. “Oh, do please come tomorrow. Anthea and I will help you with all the work again.”

Karis bent and kissed the child's cheek, feeling a warm glow flow through her at the marquess' request. “I cannot promise it will be tomorrow. I act as companion to my cousin and my time is not my own.”

Lord Marsden stepped forward and took her hand, brushing a kiss on the back that sent a tingling up her arm despite the glove. “Then we will be patient and wait for you to come bring your Christmas magic to the Great Hall.”

Karis suddenly found herself wishing her cousin to perdition, then reminded herself that was not in the spirit of the holidays. She knew she shouldn't engage in foolish fantasies about Lord Marsden. As her cousin had so recently noted, she was a lady with no expectations and Society--as well as a titled man as handsome as the marquess--would expect a great deal from the lady he chose.

Dorinda coughed delicately several times before sagging back in her chair. “I am not feeling well, Mama. I cannot accompany you this morning.”

Karis closely eyed her cousin across the breakfast parlor table. With her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, Dorinda exhibited none of the normal signs of illness. But then Karis had never seen Dorinda fall ill at any time over the past year. Perhaps her outing at Whiteoaks yesterday gave her a chill.

Her cousin had made no mention of the escapade at Lord Marsden's gate the night before, but she'd been cross as crabs all evening confirming Karis's suspicion as to who had played the trick. Clearly the resolute miss wasn't content to wait until the party to meet the marquess.

Lady Westerly put her cup down so quickly it rattled the saucer. “My dear, you cannot be coming down with something. Think of the expense of all that wasted food. I have already ordered two legs of lamb and two hams. Do not say you are ill?”

“Ill! `Tis nothing so serious,” Dorinda practically shouted, then in a calmer tone she continued, “I have but the headache. I did not sleep well last night. You must deliver the invitations today, only I shall remain in my room and rest.” She smiled wanly at her mother as she rubbed her temple with one hand.

Lady Westerly visibly relaxed, then reached over and patted her daughter's hand. There was only one thing the baroness cared about as much as her daughter and that was money.

Anthea, munching on a piece of toast, suddenly asked, “Will you be needing Karis today?”

In a die-away voice, Dorinda replied, “I think only sleep will help me. I don't wished to be disturbed.”

The baroness gave her nieces a meaningful warning stare, then said, “Come, dearest, we must get you to bed at once.”

Anthea winked at her sister, as Lady Westerly rose to escort her daughter to her chamber. “Since Karis and I shall not be needed, we wish to go for a long walk so as not to disturb dear Dorinda. A very long walk.”

Aunt Flora was barely paying attention to her nieces. “An excellent notion, my dears. Just make certain you don't return too early for we want Dory looking her best for the party on Christmas Eve.”

After hurrying to finish their breakfast, the Lockhart sisters quickly donned their heavy cloaks and bonnets before making their way to Whiteoaks, each looking forward to seeing a different member of the family. The trip through the woods seemed longer than normal due to their excitement.

As Anthea tripped along happily, she suddenly stopped when she spied a particularly lovely sprig of holly. “Do you think that Dorinda caught a chill lying on the ground trying to meet Lady Rosalind's papa?”

Karis's brows rose in surprise. She didn't think her sister had heard her conversation with Binx much less discerned who the lady on the road was. “'Tis very possible.”

“Do you think she wishes to marry him?”

There was no doubt in Karis's mind, but she merely said, “Dorinda is about to make her come out and she is looking at all the gentlemen to find a proper husband.”

Anthea hummed thoughtfully. “Then why is she so dreadful to Mr. Tanner? He is rich, very nice and he likes her in spite of her rudeness to him.”

“In Society's eyes, a baron's daughter might look higher for a husband than a mere squire's son, my dear.”

Her sister again fell into step beside her, walking in silence for several minutes, smelling the holly branch she'd plucked. Suddenly she tugged Karis arm, pulling her to a stop. “I don't want the marquess to marry Dorinda. She would be as hateful to Lady Rosalind as she is with us.”

Seeing the worried expression on her sister's face, Karis hugged the child, then held her at arms' length. “I know you like having a new friend, but we have little say in Lady Rosalind's life. I believe the marquess to be a very good father and you can be sure he will choose an excellent mother for his daughter when the time comes.”

They started towards Whiteoaks again. Anthea glanced up at her sister and casually remarked, “You would make an excellent mother, for you take such good care of me.”

Karis felt her heart flutter at the prospect, but her rational self soon put the thought to rest. “My dear, titled gentleman do not marry young ladies without fortune or beauty.”

Anthea frowned. “But I think you are very pretty. Besides, what good is beauty if it only covers a mean-tempered--”

“Anthea, we should not be discussing either Dorinda or Lord Marsden. We are going to decorate Whiteoaks for Christmas and we should do so in the proper spirit.” With that Karis broke into a carol, in which Anthea soon joined her.

Karis didn't like her sister to dwell on their cousin's faults. It only made the child discontent with their life at Westwood, and with their current financial circumstances. Anthea, at least, would live there a long time unless things changed unexpectedly, for Karis knew her aunt and uncle had different plans for her.

They entered the manor through the kitchen door even though the marquess had invited them. That was the way Karis had always come to visit Whiteoaks and it still felt right. After all, she and her sister were little more than servants at Westwood.

Mrs. Shelby greeted them, full of news. She had hired a footman to help her and an upstairs maid as well. As she chattered excitedly about the changes, she led them to the library where Lord Marsden and his daughter were seated, looking through a book together. The housekeeper then went about her duties.

Marsden rose, liking the way the cold morning air had brought colour to Miss Lockhart's cheeks. He took in the drab brown dress beneath her grey cloak and suddenly wondered what she would look like in a fashionable gown. Pushing the unwanted thought from his mind, he cheerfully said, “Good morning, ladies. We were hoping you could come today. In fact, Rosalind and I were trying to look up the Greek god of good fortune to see if he would help bring you.”

Karis laughed, feeling a warm rush of pleasure for such a greeting. Then she reminded herself, `twas that they merely wished to have their hall decorated in time for Christmas. “I believe you should pray to Hermes for good fortune.”

Lady Rosalind went to Anthea. “Papa was wrong. He thought it was Mercury we should pay tribute to.”

Karis smiled at the two girls who giggled at his lordship's error. “Actually, that would be correct as well. Mercury is the Latin name for Hermes.”

The marquess beamed at his daughter. “See! Your papa does know a thing or two about Greek gods or maybe that is Roman gods.”

His daughter was now more interested in getting outside than testing her father's knowledge and jumped up and down as she begged. “Can we begin now? Can we?”

“If Miss Lockhart is ready.” The marquess smiled at Karis, quite unaware that the simple act made the young lady feel weak in the knees. “I hope you don't mind, but I shall have to leave you and Binx to cut the greenery. One of the new stable hands will bring the clippings in for you. I must go to Clarendon to hire a bailiff for the estate. I promise to return and help with the decorating.”

Karis was disappointed, but she assured him they could handle things. As she watched his retreating back, she realized how much she looked forward to his return. Somehow it seemed right for them all to be together.