Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

O ne would think Caroline had been kissed enough for the day, considering they had stepped into the drawing room at Longford Manor, and spent an unknown amount of time continuing in the same manner. Robert had eventually reminded her he needed to go home and help his family prepare for the party, and she needed to stay and do the same. But even as Christmas day went on and the manor preparations continued, kissing Robert again was the only thing she could think of. Being in his arms and completely at his will, she would gladly give herself up to it for the rest of her life.

But no, not yet. She had a great responsibility on her shoulders, and she would not let this Christmas ball flounder, not when it was in honor of her Aunt Fanny. Not when the woman had all but saved Caroline’s very life. She would do everything in her power to see the night a success.

By the time evening came, the grandfather clock in the entryway struck the hour, and Caroline was fizzling with delight. Rubbing her hands together, she had Mrs. Park, Norman and Augustus all by her side.

“All the fireplaces are lit?” Caroline asked calmly.

Augustus nodded. “Yes, mum. Burning bright, just as you said.”

“And the musicians are in place?”

“Just awaiting your cue, mum,” Mrs. Park said.

“And the giant turkey from the butcher?”

Norman smiled. “It is golden and glistening, and ready to be served.”

The first knock sounded at the door, and Caroline’s heart leapt. “Excellent. After tonight, I will ensure that all the staff has an increased salary for their efforts.”

Just as she had expected, they all gasped and stared at her incredulously. Caroline laughed, pressing a hand to her chest. She couldn’t wait to hand out Mr. Dixon’s presents. They’d probably faint clean over.

“Come, come! Open the doors!” she cried.

And with that, the evening began.

Her guests from all over the village entered, welcoming her back and wishing her a Merry Christmas. Caroline invited them all into the dining room where there were hot drinks of tea, coffee, chocolate, and Negus, all waiting to keep them warm.

Mrs. Fezziwig and her husband arrived with the Dilbers in tow, who had been retrieved in their very own carriage. They all exchanged excitement and were in jovial spirits, which is exactly what Caroline had hoped for.

When Fred appeared in the doorway with his two daughters, he looked downcast. “Lily has stayed home with the baby. She wished to come, but perhaps needs time to rest instead.”

“Oh, of course. I am sorry she couldn’t make it, but a Christmas nap sounds perfect to me. We can bring her some Christmas festivities afterward.” Caroline patted him on the shoulder. “Now close your eyes and come over here. I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” Fred eyed her skeptically before covering his face with his hands. Kitty and Hannah watched in suspense, and Caroline put a finger to her lips to silence their giggles. Putting her hands on her brother’s shoulders, she led him to the center of the entryway, just before the staircase.

“Now open your eyes!” she exclaimed, watching his face for a reaction. He opened them and blinked to clear his vision, looking up at the wall. Then he glanced up, and his gaze fell on the painting of them as children, and his brow furrowed, eyes filling with tears. She knew it would make him weepy, the big sop that he was. But then she couldn’t say anything about it, because she had become one herself as of late.

“Ah, sister,” Fred said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Where on earth did you find this?”

“It was hidden away in Edgewood Estate, if you can believe it,” Caroline explained. “And I’m so happy to have it again.”

“Who is that?” little Hannah asked.

“That, my dear, is your father and your Aunt Caroline,” he explained.

“When we were much younger, closer to your age,” Caroline added.

Kitty screwed up her nose. “But you’re so little!”

Fred laughed. “Yes, we were young once before. Not so much anymore, I’m afraid.”

“So much time lost.” Caroline looked up at Fred, unable to keep the sadness from her tone.

He shook his head and patted her cheek gently. “So much goodness to look forward to from now on.”

That notion made her smile and dismissed her melancholy mood. “Indeed.”

“Come now, I believe there is a party to be had.”

Caroline saw her family to the ballroom and returned to her post in the entryway just as more began to arrive. Mr. Dixon discreetly delivered his box of goods, which Caroline was able to hide behind the skirt of a chair. Others filtered in, until finally she saw the family she was waiting for.

Robert and his children.

She met Robert’s eyes, the cool blue that used to fill her with so much sorrow and frustration, but now she felt only calmed by his gaze, and warmed by his presence. A devastating smile sat on his lips, which she tried not to focus on but failed miserably.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Marley,” said Mrs. Rosemont, reaching for her hand. “I believe we have much to thank you for, and not just this invitation.”

Caroline squeezed her hand. “You are most welcome.”

Then she cast her eyes to Martha, who looked both eager and sheepish. Caroline could never forget the last sight of her, buried in the snow, worried for her life. Now she appeared healthy and happy, but there was still more to be said.

Caroline gave her a half smile and opened her arms, and Martha came rushing toward her. She wrapped up the little girl in her arms and, before saying anything, just held her, hand gently pressed to the back of her head. Warm body, beating heart, breathing lungs. She was alive, she was fine, she was real.

“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Caroline whispered, pulling back to look at her face.

“Thank you for coming after me,” Martha said, her own voice shaky. “I’m sorry that I misled you, and that it caused so much trouble.”

“Well, we’ll be honest with each other from now on, won’t we?” Caroline said, and Martha nodded earnestly in return. “Now, about the music piece. Do you still feel up to playing tonight?”

Martha’s brows shot up. “Do you still want me to?”

Caroline nodded. “It would be a wonderful addition to the ball.”

“Then I’ll do it.” Martha nodded firmly with a smile.

Standing to her feet, Caroline ruffled Tim’s hair, making him giggle, and then she reached for Robert’s hand to give him a squeeze as he passed.

“I’ll find you later,” he mumbled in a gruff voice before kissing her swiftly on the cheek.

Caroline gasped, placing a hand to her face which had immediately turned very warm. And she couldn’t keep from smiling.

After the rest of her guests arrived, the night went exactly according to plan. Martha’s song was perfect, the food and drinks were raved about, the dancing was lovely, and the decorations were just what she had hoped. Now all she needed was to find the man she wanted to share it all with.

Caroline stood in the doorway of the ballroom, looking over everyone’s heads for Robert, when she suddenly felt a hand around her waist, pulling her out into the empty corridor. How did she already recognize the feel of his arms around her, and the wonderful scent of him?

“What are you doing?” she whispered, unable to keep from grinning.

“Stealing a moment away with the founder of the feast,” he mumbled, capturing her lips in a solid, silent kiss.

“I cannot be gone long,” she said breathlessly, even though she wished she could.

“They will not miss you until the start of the next set,” he said in a low, gruff voice, his lips tracing against hers as he spoke, “And I intend to claim every moment until then.”

He pointed above them, and Caroline leaned back to see a kissing bough of mistletoe, tied above them on the chandelier with a bright red ribbon.

Caroline’s mouth dropped open, making Robert chuckle as his lips trailed over her cheek and down her neck with the opportunity.

“How did that…” She paused, gasping by the sensation of his warm lips on her skin. “I had said nothing to Mrs. Park of including mistletoe.”

“But I did,” he mumbled, pulling her flush against his body. “I wanted this Christmas to be the first of many mistletoe kisses.”

“Then you shall certainly have them.” Caroline grinned, leaning closer.

Oh, she could drink him in forever. No amount of time in his arms, being subject to his kiss, would ever be enough. How they had spent so many years apart was impossible to comprehend, but she certainly would never have to do so again.

Just when she thought she had experienced all of his kisses, compared to his urgent and desperate attentions from before, this new kiss was sensual, scorching, and maddeningly slow, as if he were in no hurry at all, and Caroline was instantly captivated by this careful seduction. His smooth touch over her neck, her arms, her back, it all left her entirely at the liberty of his whims.

With slight pressure from his hands and his hips, he gently moved her backward until she met with the wall, her need to be in the ballroom completely forgotten. This was the only place she needed to be. Robert Cratchit could have anything he wanted of her. Which was a good thing, because he had her past, and her present, and now he would have her entire future, as well.