The Governess of Highland Hall (35 page)

Julia checked her reflection in the children’s mirror and released a soft sigh. Though it was Christmas Eve, she wore a plain navy skirt and white blouse, as she did most days. But honoring the Lord and celebrating His birth didn’t depend on how one was dressed. It was a matter of the heart. Still, she couldn’t help wishing she had something nicer to wear. She owned only one piece of jewelry, the gold cross necklace her parents had given her on her eighteenth birthday. So she had put that on this morning, hoping it would brighten up her plain outfit.

“Do you think Papa will like our present?” Millie lifted the small gift-wrapped box by its bright red ribbon.

“Don’t drop it!” Andrew scowled. “A compass is no good if it’s broken.”

“I’ll be careful.” Millie adjusted her hold on the box.

“Maybe I should carry Papa’s present, and you should take Aunt Sarah’s.” Andrew pushed the other gift across the table toward his sister. “There’s no chance you could break a shawl.”

Millie sighed, but she handed their father’s gift to Andrew and took the other in its place.

Julia lifted the basket of cards the children had made for the staff, then held it out to Millie. “Would you like to carry this down or shall I?”

“I can do it. It’s not heavy.” Millie took the basket.

Julia’s heart warmed as she thought of how the children had put so much creativity and effort into making the cards and choosing and wrapping the gifts for the family. They seemed to have taken her encouragement to heart and were as excited about giving gifts as they were about receiving them.

The clock struck three, and Julia collected the presents for Katherine and Penny. “Time to go.” She guided the children downstairs to the great hall where they were to meet the rest of the family. As soon as everyone was assembled, they would all go down to the servants’ hall for the staff Christmas party. All the indoor and outdoor staff, as well as their families who lived on the estate, had been invited.

“Put your gifts over there with the others.” Julia pointed across the hall to a cloth-covered table by the Christmas tree.

Andrew’s eyes widened. “Look at all the presents! Do you think some of them are for us?”

Julia laughed softly. “I’m sure there are a few for you and Millie.”

Andrew and Millie peeked at the tags, searching for gifts with their names on them. Julia placed Katherine’s and Penelope’s presents on the table. She hoped they would like the leather-bound journals she had helped the children choose for them.

Her relationship with the girls had been slowly improving over the last few weeks, ever since the children’s bout with scarlet fever. She hadn’t won Katherine over completely, but at least they were able to get through their lessons most days without too much resistance.

Penny had definitely softened toward Andrew and Millie. She often stopped in the nursery to see them, and she’d even stayed to read them a story last week. Katherine had joined her that day, and Julia was pleased that she also seemed to be forming a closer attachment to the children.

Andrew turned and looked up at her. “Will there be any other children at the party?”

“I believe Mr. Dalton’s niece, Abigail, is coming. She’s about Millie’s age.”

Millie’s eyes lit up. “I saw her in the garden when we first came to Highland.”

“No boys?” Andrew crossed his arms.

Julia held back her smile. “I believe I heard Mr. McTavish has two sons. But I’m not sure how old they are.”

“I don’t much care their age, as long as they’re boys.”

Julia smoothed down his wavy red hair. “I’m sure they will be happy to meet you.”

Sarah walked down the stairs. “Hello, my dears. Are you ready for the party?”

“Aunt Sarah, we have a gift for you!” Millie ran to meet her at the bottom of the steps.

“Not now, Millie,” Andrew called. “We don’t open gifts until after dinner tonight.”

“I know. I just want to show Aunt Sarah her present.” Millie took Sarah’s hand and led her to the table. “It’s that one, right there.” She pointed to the gift.

“How thoughtful.” Sarah bent and kissed Millie’s cheek. “I’ll look forward to opening it later.”

“Miss Foster took us shopping in the village last week, and we bought presents for everyone.” Millie twirled and spun toward the tree, and Andrew joined her.

Taking the children to Fulton in the governess cart had been a fun adventure for them all. They finished their Christmas shopping in less than an hour, so Julia took them to her parents’ cottage for a short visit. Her parents had been delighted, and her mother had served them tea and ginger cakes, then sent them off with oranges as a treat for the trip home.

Julia’s brother, Jonathan, was due to arrive home today, and she could hardly wait to see him. She would love to be there to greet him, but that was not possible. She would see him and her mother at church on Christmas Day. Then she hoped to see her family on Boxing Day.

Sarah approached Julia. “How do I look?” She ran her hand down the skirt of her dark green dress. It was made of a lovely silk fabric with a subtle stripe that gave it a pleasing texture. The small ruffles around the double collar and at the bottom of the skirt added a special touch to the design. “Is this is too elegant for the servants’ party?”

“No, you look lovely.”

Sarah leaned closer. “I’m going to meet Clark’s mother and his niece for the first time.”

Julia smiled. “I’m sure you will make a very good impression.”

Sarah squeezed her hand. “I hope so.”

Katherine and Penny walked down the stairs. Katherine’s royal blue dress highlighted her fair complexion and golden brown hair. Penny’s light green dress with ivory lace insert at the neck looked pretty as well. Both girls seemed in good spirits and ready to enjoy the holiday.

William walked out of his library. The children ran to greet him, but his expression remained sober while they chattered about the Christmas gifts.

Julia’s concern grew as she watched him. She loved celebrating Christmas, and she couldn’t imagine why he would be downcast on such a special day. A sudden thought struck, and her heart clenched.

Was he thinking of past Christmas celebrations and remembering those who were no longer with him: his parents, his older brother … and his wife? Sympathy flooded her heart. If only she could reach out and comfort him.

But she could not, and that truth pierced her heart. She needed to banish those thoughts and concentrate on the children. She had been hired to care for them, not their father. She must remember that. But it was becoming more difficult every day to ignore how much she cared for William.

He took his watch from his vest pocket. “I suppose we should go down.”

Julia glanced around the group. “Shouldn’t we wait for David?”

He swung toward her, and his eyes narrowed. “David?”

Immediately she realized her mistake. “Forgive me. I meant Mr. Ramsey.”

Sarah placed her hand on her brother’s arm. “It’s all right, William. We all call him David.”

“It’s not the proper way for her to address him.” His troubled expression hinted at something more behind his words.

Julia swallowed. Certainly she’d crossed the lines of propriety, but even so, it seemed odd for him to be so upset about her mistake.

“Honestly, William”—Sarah gave his sleeve a gentle tug—“please don’t
take offense. Most of these rules of address are out of date. It’s Christmas Eve, and time we were all on more friendly terms.”

His expression eased, but his eyes still held a trace of … what? Mistrust? “Very well. We don’t want to keep everyone downstairs waiting.” He turned and strode off.

Swallowing the sudden lump in her throat, Julia gathered the children and followed the group past the green baize door.

Piano music and laughter flowed out from the servants’ hall, but as soon as William and the others walked through the doorway, the music stopped.

Mr. Lawrence approached and nodded to Sir William. “We’re glad you could join us, sir.”

“Thank you, Lawrence. Happy Christmas to you all.” William motioned toward Lydia, who sat at the piano. “Please, continue playing.”

Lydia smiled and turned back to the piano, but she chose a softer tune, and the conversation among the servants became more subdued.

Holly, pine branches, and oranges decorated the center of the large wooden table laden with cookies, pastries, tea, and punch. In the corner of the room, on a side table, a stack of wrapped gifts and a basket of gingerbread men sat, waiting to be distributed to the servants and their families. William and Sarah walked around the room, stopping to greet each servant. Katherine and Penelope came after, shaking hands and wishing each one a happy Christmas.

Chef Lagarde picked up a tray of pastries and held it out to Julia and the children. “
Joyeux Noël
, my friends. Please, help yourselves.”

Andrew’s eyes lit up, and he scooped up two of the pastries. Millie took one and thanked the chef. Julia raised her eyebrows and sent Andrew a glance.

“Thank you, Chef Lagarde,” Andrew mumbled past the pastry in his mouth. “These are very good.”

The chef laughed. “You are most welcome.” He moved on, offering his treats to the others.

Millie touched Julia’s arm. “Look, there’s the little girl I met in the garden. May I go and see her?”

Julia glanced across the room just as Mr. Dalton introduced Sarah to his mother. Mrs. Dalton looked to be in her late fifties and wore a warm smile as she took Sarah’s hand. Relief filled Julia. Surely Mrs. Dalton was a kind woman who would welcome Sarah into her heart and family.

Millie tugged in her hand. “Miss Foster? May I go, please?”

“Oh yes, you may.”

Andrew took another pastry and followed Millie, then changed directions when he saw Mr. McTavish and his two sons near the piano. One boy looked a little younger than Andrew, and the other was just a toddler, but Andrew seemed happy to join them.

Julia glanced around, feeling a bit awkward. Her position as governess left her strangely in the middle—below the family and above most of the other servants except for Mrs. Emmitt and Mr. Lawrence. She and Ann got along well in the nursery, but Ann had joined the group at the piano, watching Lydia play.

“Would you like some punch?” Nelson held out a glass toward Julia. His teasing smile and the tilt of his eyebrows made her slightly uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to be rude.

“Thank you.” She accepted the cup.

He seemed to take that as an invitation to join her. “It’s nice to see you downstairs with us for a change. We’re not a bad lot. You should come down and take a meal with us more often.” He lifted his cup to her in a toast. “But be that as it may, Happy Christmas.”

Her face warmed, but she forced a small smile and raised her glass to touch his. Just as she did, William turned and looked her way. She saw surprise in his gaze … and something more.

Displeasure? Disappointment?

Both?

Julia’s stomach dropped. What had she done now? Wasn’t the purpose of the party for the staff and family to enjoy Christmas Eve together? Why shouldn’t she accept a cup of punch and a toast from Nelson? William had no right to scowl at her as though she had broken some rule.

The compassion she felt for him earlier evaporated. He might be her
employer, but he did not have a right to spoil her Christmas Eve with his gloomy mood and dark looks. She had done nothing wrong.

She turned away from William and focused on Nelson. “This is delicious. Thank you.”

“Have you tried the pastries?” Nelson lifted a tray and held it out to her.

She chose a small round one with raspberry filling. “So, Nelson, how long have you worked at Highland?”

“I’ve been here three years. Before that I worked for Sir James Martindale in Chelmsford.”

Julia tried to pay attention as Nelson went on, but her gaze drifted to William, watching him make the rounds and greet each servant. Would he stay in a gloomy mood all day and spoil the holiday for the children? She certainly hoped not. It was one thing to scold her, but it was quite another to steal the children’s Christmas joy.

David walked into the servants’ hall and glanced her way. She shifted her gaze back to Nelson and nodded as though she were absorbed in what he was saying. Nelson might be a bit obnoxious, but she would rather spend an hour with him than a single moment with David Ramsey.

William sank back in the overstuffed chair and released a heavy sigh. The Christmas tree shimmered with candlelight reflecting off the tinsel and ornaments. Flames leaped and crackled in the fireplace, while the scent of wood smoke, evergreens, and candle wax hung in the air.

Katherine and David sat across from him engaged in conversation about the best sights to see in London, their opened Christmas gifts beside them. Sarah, Penelope, Miss Foster, and the children completed the circle that Christmas Eve.

William drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair as he stared into the fire. He should be enjoying this time with his family gathered round. His gifts had all been given, and the evening was coming to a close, but something undefined weighed down his spirit.