Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

B elle was delighted when, due to Ash’s still healing injury, the men decided to close The Raven’s Den until after the start of the new year, giving everyone a chance to spend the holidays with their families. For the past two weeks, Michael had been gone more often than not, looking after Ash and covering for him in his absence. She was looking forward to finally spending some time with him. Ash, Giles, Patrick, Rosie, and Isaac all traveled with Belle and Michael to spend the holidays at Glenwood.

Entering the house on Christmas Eve was like stepping into a festive wonderland. A huge tree stood in the center of the entrance hall, trimmed with decorations of reds and golds and capped with a sparkling star, paper-wrapped gifts at its base. Fragrant garland adorned the banisters of the large staircase, and the staff stood to greet them with smiles on their faces. Everything about it was beautiful.

“Oh, you all have outdone yourselves!” Belle wrapped her arms around Mrs. Thistle in what was surely a very un-countess like manner, but she was overwhelmed with gratitude. The decision to come to Glenwood for Christmas was only made a few days before, so they must have worked day and night to pull off this surprise.

Belle let go of the short, stout woman to see a proud smile beaming on her face. She looked around at the rest of the servants. “Thank you. All of you.” She was met with a sea of bows and curtseys, something she was slowly growing accustomed to.

There was a commotion and Belle turned to see Ash being wheeled into the room by Giles.

“I can bloody well walk,” he grumbled loudly and tried to stand. Giles pushed him firmly back into the chair by his shoulders.

Michael and Patrick both stepped toward him. “I suggest you cooperate, Ash,” Michael warned. “Don’t think I won’t carry you up the stairs myself and lock you in your room. One way or another, you’re going to stay off that leg.”

Ash grumpily shook Giles’s hands off of his shoulders as he glared at Michael, but he didn’t argue, and he stayed seated.

“Good,” Michael said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s all go warm ourselves by a fire with some nice hot drinks.”

The fire and drinks slowly chased away the chill from their travels. After a short time, Pearson spoke from the doorway.

“My lord, Mr. Carlyle has arrived.”

Belle whipped around, sure she had misheard. But he was there, standing in the doorway, a broad smile on his face. She clapped her hands over her mouth, momentarily frozen with shock as tears pooled in her eyes.

She raced across the room and threw herself into his embrace, overcome with happy sobs. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she cried.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily, my girl. Although, I suppose it’s my lady now.”

“Don’t you dare.” She laughed, wiping away her tears.

He grasped her shoulders and held her away so he could look her over. “It’s so good to see you happy, my dear girl.”

He bussed her cheek and then turned to Michael with a bow. “My lord.”

“I’m glad you made it, Carlyle.”

“You brought him here?” she asked.

Michael nodded. “I had always planned for him to follow us, but I had some business that needed to be taken care of first. I knew the two of you were close. He was very protective of you the first time I came.”

Nothing could possibly make this Christmas any better.