Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The weather took a turn for the worse after Olivia and Aunt Ester arrived home. Snow fell through the night and into the next day, and Olivia was relieved they’d left Ballard House when they did.

Although her mother’s cough had worsened, her spirits lifted upon their arrival. The fever was concerning, as was her exhaustion. However, the doctor reassured them that he expected her to recover. Whether he spoke the truth or was trying to spare them worry remained to be seen.

Thankfully, the fever broke after three days, and her mother’s color improved, much to everyone’s relief. Now they were focused on helping her regain her strength, a Herculean task when she hadn’t had much to begin with.

The scare confirmed Olivia’s fear that she couldn’t leave even if she wanted to—not that she had anywhere to go.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Aunt Ester said when Olivia’s mother began to show improvement. “I can see you’re upset and would guess you feel guilty for enjoying yourself while your mother fell ill. But your presence wouldn’t have prevented it.”

Olivia wasn’t so sure. She knew that in theory, though her heart refused to believe it. She’d cared for them so long that she took responsibility for every facet of their lives.

“Your future is just as important as that of your parents,” her aunt continued. “I thought perhaps a romance was budding between you and Lord Darnworth.”

So did I . Olivia bit back the words as a terrible ache filled her. It took a moment before she could respond. “H-he was...quite nice but not for me.”

Only at night, when the house was quiet, did she allow herself tears. Though Hugh hadn’t broken any promises, he had broken her heart. She understood marriages were not about love, but rather to improve one’s station. Marrying her wouldn’t advance his in the least. She had nothing to give him but herself, and that clearly wasn’t enough.

One day, she would look back on their time together with fondness. She would cherish the memories they’d made and be fiercely glad to have known love.

But not yet.

Time and distance were needed to heal her heart, though she feared not even those would make it whole.

Thank goodness she had the distraction of Aunt Ester’s visit and the looming holiday, now only a few days away. She had put off preparations as many reminded her of Hugh. For those few days at the house party, her world had felt bigger, full of light...and love.

But Christmas was coming whether she was ready or not. She’d already embroidered a handkerchief for her mother and purchased a leather-bound journal for her father to detail his work on the mechanical devices he liked to take apart. Perhaps noting his steps would help him to successfully put one back together.

Another visit to the village was necessary for Aunt Ester’s present. There hadn’t been time to make her anything. Olivia wanted to find something special to thank her for the invitation to join her at the house party, and her mother had asked Olivia to purchase a shawl for her sister as well.

The afternoon was clear, if cold, with snow still blanketing the countryside, but Olivia was more than ready to escape the house for a time.

She donned her mother’s cloak, knowing she couldn’t do so without thinking of Hugh. How odd that he hadn’t returned hers. Her path took her directly past the place where she’d found him not so long ago. She didn’t linger there but perhaps one day she would look at it and smile.

To her delight, she found the perfect shawl, then scoured the shops for her own gift. A wooden box with a star on top made of various shades of wood caught her eye. Deciding it would be ideal for her aunt to store trinkets, she used the precious coins she’d saved for just such an occasion.

Upon leaving the village, she paused a moment to draw in the beautiful countryside and the crisp air, counting her blessings, and saying a prayer for her mother’s continued recovery.

She started forward again only to pause to whisper one more prayer—for Hugh. For his happiness and prosperity now and in the coming year. She couldn’t yet bring herself to include Lady Ellen.

Pleased the outing had helped clear her thoughts, she returned home to help the cook with the holiday baking, grateful for any productive way to occupy her time.

This Christmas would be bittersweet, but she would manage to enjoy it all the same.

Hugh halted before Downing Manor, nerves taking a firm hold. The three-story brick home boasted white window sashes, four chimneys, and vines covering much of it. It looked warm and inviting. He hoped that proved true once he knocked on the door.

The past few days had been a trial. The morning Olivia and her aunt had left the party so abruptly, he’d followed Ballard to the study, intending to ask Stratton for Lady Ellen’s hand. But as he’d listened to the man drone on about his life and the expectations for whoever his daughter married, Hugh had known he couldn’t go through with it.

Lady Ellen might be perfect for him in theory, but not in real life.

Later that day, he’d overheard two maids whispering about how he was expected to ask for Lady Ellen’s hand at any moment. Just listening to the conversation had soured his stomach. Everything about the match felt wrong, particularly in his heart.

Ballard had pulled him aside that evening and demanded to know what he was about.

“My apologies, my lord, but she’s not for me.” The words slipped out before Hugh could stop them, but immediately a weight lifted from his shoulders.

“Whatever do you mean? Think of the damage your father caused to his reputation with his reckless behavior. Lady Ellen will ease your place among your peers and that’s what matters. She’s everything you need.”

“But nothing I want.” He shook his head, at a loss as to how to explain. “It might be wrong of me, but the qualities I value in people are different than hers or her father’s.”

“Darnworth, you must reconsider,” Ballard insisted. “It’s your future we’re talking about.”

Oddly enough, the conversation made Hugh even more certain of what—or rather, who—he wanted for himself and future generations.

“I am not my father,” Hugh told the lord. “And I won’t spend the rest of my life with someone for whom I don’t care.” Or love . But Ballard wouldn’t want to hear that.

Love. Was that what he felt for Olivia?

A hole had grown in his chest since her departure. He’d been so hurt that she’d left without saying goodbye and could only think she’d heard the gossip and assumed the worst. He couldn’t deny the truth—he loved her and wanted her in his life. Though desperate to tell her, the snow had other plans, and he’d spent three nights stranded at an inn until road conditions improved.

Now, he tied up his horse and reached for her cloak, wondering how to convince her of his love. He glanced up at the house, certain he saw a curtain twitch in the upper window. Was it Olivia?

The thought of seeing her again had him hurrying to the front door to knock. It was answered much quicker than he expected by none other than Mrs. Stamper.

“Lord Darnworth,” she whispered. “What a pleasant surprise.” She took his arm and dragged him inside, quietly shutting the door behind him before pushing him into the parlor then turning to face him. “What took you so long?”

The scent of baking had him sniffing the air before her words sank in. “Excuse me?”

“I thought you would arrive a day or two ago.”

He frowned, amazed that Olivia’s aunt seemed to know his mind and heart almost as well as he did. That had to be a good sign. “The weather didn’t cooperate with my plans.”

She glanced at the cloak he still held and stared at it in dismay. “You...aren’t here just to return that, are you?”

“No.” His heart thudded with a mix of hope and fear at the true reason he was there, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud until he saw and spoke with Olivia.

“Good.” Mrs. Stamper gave a nod. “It was a joy to watch you and Olivia at the ball together. I’ve never seen her so happy, and it was a shame we had to leave in such haste.”

“Her departure made me realize just how much I care for her. She means more to me than I can say, and I can’t imagine my future without her in it.”

The lady pressed a hand to her heart. “I’m thrilled for you both. Allow me to find her. She’s in the kitchen assisting the cook.”

Truly? His heart warmed at her willingness to help. He couldn’t wait to be able to provide for her and her family in the way they deserved—if she allowed him that privilege.

Mrs. Stamper hurried away and he waited what seemed like endless minutes, unable to sit when nerves held him in their grip. He glanced out the window, admiring the picturesque countryside only to feel awareness run down his spine.

“Olivia.” He spun to face her, drinking in her presence.

A bit of flour dusted one cheek, an apron still over her gown.

“Hugh?” She stared as if certain he was a figment of her imagination.

“I’m so pleased to see you.” Words failed him, and he glanced at the cloak in his hands.

A quiet intake of breath had him looking back at her to see her expression tighten as she stared at the garment.

“How kind of you.” She stiffened, her expression chilly as she marched forward with her hand out. “But it was unnecessary of you to make the journey simply for this.”

“Oh.” He moved it behind his back to remove it from the conversation. “No.”

She halted, tilting her head to the side, clearly puzzled by the gesture. “No?”

“No.”

“But isn’t that my cloak?”

“Well, yes.” He briefly closed his eyes at the ridiculous conversation. “It isn’t the reason I called.”

Where did he begin? Should he declare his love first or drop to a knee and propose? Once again, he wished he had someone to guide him in such matters.

Instead, for the first time in his life, he led with his heart.

“Olivia.” He set aside the cloak to come forward and take her hand. “I have so much to tell you.”

She pulled from his grasp and drew back a step, the coldness in her manner enough to chill him to the bone. “Yes, I understand congratulations are in order.”

“Not yet, though I hope they soon will be.” He nearly grimaced at the way he was bumbling this.

“You haven’t asked for Lady Ellen’s hand?” Hope warred with confusion in her eyes.

“She is not for me.” Again, he reached for her hand. “But I should very much like you to be.”

At her quiet gasp, he dropped to one knee. “Olivia, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I love you with all that I am. All that I want to be. You have reminded me that kindness and integrity matter. That connections don’t count as much as matters of the heart.”

“Oh!” She placed her free hand over her mouth, clearly shocked.

“I ask for your hand in marriage, knowing that whatever the future brings, we can navigate those waters as long as we’re together.”

“Hugh.” Her mouth opened and closed as if she couldn’t decide what to say.

“Tell me you feel the same.” Please , he wanted to beg.

“Oh, Hugh.” She blinked as if to clear tears and glanced toward the door. “My mother and father?—”

“Need you. I know. I don’t have all the answers yet, but we will decide those together. We can have as long of a betrothal as you want. But please say yes.”

“Yes.” She drew a shuddering breath. “I love you, too. You have given me hope for the future, something I lost. You make me believe anything is possible. My future wouldn’t be complete without you.”

He pushed to his feet to take her into his arms and hold her tight. At last, he eased back to look into her eyes. “Darling, you have made me so very happy.”

He kissed her, pouring all that he felt into the moment.

The clearing of a throat had him jerking back. He looked to the doorway to see an older man standing there.

“I demand to know what this is about.” The man scowled, his gray hair standing in puffs around his head, a sweater buttoned crooked over his stout frame. “Olivia, explain yourself.”

“Father, this is Hugh Allerton, the Earl of Darnworth. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the house party and fell in love with him. He has just asked for my hand in marriage.”

“Truly?” The man pondered all she had told him then studied Hugh. “Do you intend to make her happy, my lord?”

“I do. With all that I am.”

“Humph. Do you plan to take her away?”

“No, sir. I only want to be part of her life. To support her wherever she chooses to be.”

He gave a single nod. “Very well then.” He looked at Olivia. “What time is dinner?”

Olivia laughed. “Seven o’clock. May Lord Darnworth join us?”

“Yes, but surely you don’t expect me to call him that.”

Hugh walked forward to extend his hand. “I would be honored if you called me Hugh, my lord.”

The older man shook it. “Welcome to the family, Hugh.” With a nod, he departed.

“It might take time for him and Mother to come to grips with the news,” Olivia said with a smile.

“Quite all right, though I am anxious to make you mine.” He took her into his arms again. “I love you more than I can possibly say.”

“I love you, too. You are my Christmas miracle—one that I never expected. Who knew being snowbound with an earl would change my life forever?”

“I stopped believing in the magic of Christmas long ago, but now I know I was waiting for you, and I will love you always and forever.”