A Bride for Christmas (Sweet Regency Novella) (7 page)

Chapter Eight

The entire household had been in a flurry with last minute preparations
on the morning of Twelfth Night. Lady Renford might be an elegant hostess, but only after much excitement and direction so that every detail was performed to her exact demand. Hoping to escape the chaos, Julianna slipped quietly up the back stairs to find her niece.

She
knew from the behavior of the older children that something special was afoot, but the twins ran out of the nursery before she could ask. The governess was trying to herd all the children before taking them down to the parlor where the festivities were being held.

Little Julie rushed to
give her a hug. She wore a pristine white gown slightly too large for her small frame, and had a wreath of ribbons and dried flowers pinned atop her flowing golden curls. Julianna toyed with the dangling end of a ribbon. "You look so pretty!"

"
I'm a princess," she answered with a slight lisp.

"
Are you participating in the charades today?"

The little girl nodded. At that moment, the governess called the child to join the others, and she steered them out into the hall.

With nothing else to do but join them, Julianna took up the rear of the line of marching children and followed them into the parlor. The arriving neighbors mingled about, adding even more children running about and increasing the hubbub. It was a happy noise, she realized. More laughter than words of cheer.

Working her way through the visitors, she found Clemmie and Evie
calming Lady Renford. "All is ready, Mama," Evie said, patting her mother's shoulder. "Marianne has the Twelfth Night cards in a bowl and will let them be drawn after the children's entertainment."

"
And Cook has the King's Cakes on platters to be brought up after the rest of the foods. It will be a wonderful evening, Lady Renford." Clemmie smiled at her sister as she led her mother-in-law to a chair.

"
Nash has the children ready to perform as soon as we are able to quiet the guests," Evie added. "You rest now, we'll see to everything."

They walked away from the older woman and Clemmie pointed.
"Evie, you see that the older guests have chairs to sit in. Julianna, please guide all the children to sit in this area, and their parents can have the benches."

Between the three young ladies, they brought the crowd under
control, or to a hushed murmur, which continued until Nash walked out onto the area marked as the stage. He was so regal with his proud military stance, in his dark green coat and wheat-colored waistcoat. The audience grew quiet in anticipation.

"
Welcome everyone. Before the dancing begins, we have some entertainments for you to enjoy. First, my cousins Lady Beatrice and Lady Cassandra will perform a medley of Irish tunes." He bowed and exited as the two young ladies, neither of whom could be sixteen yet, sat at the pianoforte. The music was quite pleasant, their voices well suited to the lilting songs. Next, another cousin played Beethoven on his violin, although Julianna couldn't have named the piece upon hearing it. Still, it was an earnest effort and the audience clapped appreciatively.

Nash reappeared and introduced the next act.
"We have for you an original charade featuring my nephews, The Earl of Claredon and Lord Frank Whitmore, and my niece, Lady Julie Sinclair."

Julie was led onto the center of the stage by Clemmie, who then left. Everett and Frank strode out wearing paper armor and carrying wooden swords. On the opposite side of the stage came St. George
, and upon being directed to do so by Mr. Sinclair who was offstage, the dog sat and barked. The children in the audience laughed.

One of the twins raised his sword and announced in a loud voice.
"I'm Uncle Nash—I mean, I'm Captain Sinclair and I've come to save you from the fierce dragon, my lady."

The other boy stepped forward with a similar wave of his weapon.
"And I'm Jim Pulk, and I'll save you first."

Julie said nothing as her cousins ran
towards the dog who sat calmly, tongue lolling from his open, drooling jaws. The boys waved their swords fiercely at St. George, who wagged his tail but remained sitting.

The twin portraying Jim Pulk whispered,
"Lie down, George. You're supposed to play dead."

St. George licked the boy
's face. The other twin jumped on the dog's back and wrestled him to the floor. The boy jumped up and waved his sword. "I've killed him!"

The audience laughed, St. George barked, and the boys ran back to the fair princess standing center stage. The
y knelt on either side of her. "We have slayed the dragon, my lady. The king has promised your hand to one of us. You must choose which of us you'll marry."

Julie looked at her two cousins and quickly pointed to one.
"I choose Frankie."

Frank, who had proclaimed himself to be
Captain Sinclair, took her hand and bowed his head. He then rose and led her off the stage. Everett called St. George and followed.

Ju
lianna saw Mr. Sinclair return to announce the final performance, but she heard not a word of what he spoke. Had she truly seen what just played out? Mr. Sinclair had slayed her dragon, presenting himself as the only candidate for her hand.

It was what she had hoped for, and what she feared all at once. Far beyond the bet, she now had to make the most important decision of her life. No longer could she think of escaping to the safety of her home in Lyminster. She must examine her feelings and make certain she could live with the choice she made.

While the last of Mr. Sinclair's cousins performed, Julianna slipped out into the hallway where the cooler air was a refreshing relief. She couldn't say whether it was the crowd or the emotion of the play that had her cheeks burning, her entire person tingling with warmth. She heard the door open and close behind her and feared she'd have to answer before she was ready.

To her relief, Clemmie grabbed her elbow and pulled her into the library
, where the fire burned in case any of the guests wished to escape the activity of the evening. "What was that we just saw?"

"
The charade? I'm sure I couldn't—"

"
Julianna. I know better."

"
It was all a silly wager. A simple question taken far beyond the answer given."

"
Between you and Nash?"

"
Yes. He asked me what sort of gentleman I preferred. I had told him I have no intention of marrying, as I had given my heart to Jim Pulk."

"
The lad of the dragon legend?"

"
The same. I thought if I insisted on marrying a man who killed dragons I was safe."

Clemmie
's frown of concern softened into a smile. "Of course, because you'd never done battle with Mr. Sinclair."

Julianna
shook her head. "I don't know what to do. These past few days he's given me small dragon carvings and drawings, all leading to this evening."

"
You mentioned a wager?"

"
Yes. He said he could present to me a man whose offer I couldn't refuse."

"
I see. And can you? Decline his offer?"

"
Well, he hasn't off—"

"
Julianna…"

She sighed, wringing her hands.
"I don't want to. But I would make him a perfectly horrid wife. I'm not suited to having a house filled with children. Of putting my husband's wishes first. I only think of myself."

Clemmie put an arm around her and led her to the chaise.
"You are thinking of Nash right now, considering his needs over yours. You are loving and generous, and you are an excellent aunt to Julie and Edward. How can you doubt yourself so?"

"
He nearly gave his life for his country, Clemmie. He deserves a wife who will honor him, and deserve his love."

"
So you will love him and honor him and work to be the wife you feel he deserves." Clemmie smoothed a hand over Julianna's upswept hair. "It's what we all do, sweetling. I must admit I never expected you to act this way over any gentleman, but I think you have chosen well."

"
Have I? Chosen, I mean?"

"
Silly girl. Ask your heart what it wishes."

A knock sounded at the door and
Mr. Sinclair stuck his head inside. "Clementina, Marianne is looking for you. She wishes to draw the Twelfth Night cards now and get the players ready."

With a quick hug, Clemmie
rose and left the library. Julianna watched Mr. Sinclair walk slowly into the room. He bowed when he reached her. "Did you enjoy the children's entertainments this evening?"

"
Why yes. Your cousins sing and play well."

"
Quite so. Talented family we are. And what did you think of the charade?"

"
Julie played her part quite well. As did St. George. The twins did rather well, too, if a little enthusiastic, when battling the dragon."

"
Yes, I had to tame them a bit since the early rehearsals. Is that all you have to say about the evening?"

"
Oh, the evening is still young. I understand your mother will have some of us portraying the Twelfth Night characters during the ball. It should prove quite entertaining."

He took a step closer.
"Lady Julianna, I'm certain you did not miss my point in the charade."

Her stomach quivered as if a hundred butterflies awakened.
"No, sir. I did not."

Mr. Sinclair sank onto the chaise close enough she could feel the heat from his person envelop her.
"We have the outcome of a wager to decide."

"
Yes, we do." She took a deep breath. Would he kiss her now?

"
For the sake of propriety, shall we first determine who is the winner?"

"
Sir, if you plan to kiss me while we are alone in here, I believe propriety has been ignored."

He reached for her hand and stroked his thumb over her skin.
"I suppose you're correct. Still, as a man I must know whether I've won or lost. Have I presented to you a man capable of winning your heart?"

She nodded.
"You have."

His lips twitched slightly in their smile.
"I see. And has he won that heart?"

She had no hesitation.
"He has."

Mr. Sinclair raised her hand to his lips, then captured it between his hands.
"Lady Julianna, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"
The honor would be mine. Yes, yes, I will marry you." She burst into laughter nearing on tears. "Oh, Mr. Sinclair, you have truly shattered what I believed was the best life for me."

"
Please, call me Nash." He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face, leaning forward to press his warm, soft lips to hers.

All her thoughts fled on the wings of butterflies. She held onto his shoulders to keep from falling as the chaise seemed to tip beneath her. All too quickly cool air hit her lips. She opened her eyes to see Nash smiling down on her.

"You make me the happiest of men. I know most men must say that, but it's the truth, dear Julianna. May I call you Julianna?"

"
Yes, of course. My family would think it odd if you didn't."

He sat up straight, distancing himself.
"Your family. Lud, your father. I must speak to him before we tell the others."

"
You look rather pale. I thought you capable of slaying dragons."

"
I've confronted many a dragon on the battlefield, but never the father of the lady I wish to marry."

"
You will do fine, Nash. I know you will."

Rising, he offered a hand to help her stand.
"We should get back. The others will wonder where we are."

She laughed softly.
"Those who know us will suspect where we are. If not the correct room, they will have guessed your intent."

"
We'd best hurry."

The benches and chairs had all been pushed to the walls of the large room to make room for dancers. Mrs. Collingwood sat at the pianoforte while her husband stood nearby sawing on his fiddle. The music was quite festive and lifted Nash
's spirits even higher than Julianna's words had. If he didn't know better he'd look to see that his feet actually remained on the floor.

Nash stood up with
Julianna for the next two dances, then let her find her sister while he went in search of Lord Carrington. When a search of the parlor failed to turn him up, Nash went to the drawing room where card tables had been set up.

He found Carrington in the middle of a game of Vingt-un with Nash
's father, his brother-in-law and a few local men. Not wishing to interrupt the game, Nash hung back near the door. After some short time passed, Carrington called out. "I suppose you've something to say to me?"