Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Christmas Day

The orphans were crowded in the cold, large room, waiting for them. Selene’s heart melted as they entered, tears springing into her eyes. She turned to Ian, who was carrying a large sack, which was filled to overflowing with gifts. He smiled at her, his eyes shining. Lenore hung back, gripping her father’s leg, staring shyly at the children.

Ian turned to his daughter. “Shall we sit down and give out the gifts together, Lenore?”

She nodded, looking pleased. “Yes, Papa.”

Selene watched as Ian took a seat, pulling Lenore onto his lap. He opened the sack, pulling out the gifts, entreating the children to come closer. They didn’t need much encouragement. Within a minute, they were crowding around them, their pale, pinched faces transformed with joy, as they received their gifts. Loud, excited chatter and laughter filled the air.

Selene took a step back, watching the heartwarming scene, her heart filled to overflowing. Ian had led her to his study this morning, opening the door, where a large pile of gifts, all wrapped in bright colored paper and tied with red string, were piled in a corner. She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

“I made a promise to you that I would replace the gifts that were ruined,” he grinned. “I hope this is sufficient?”

“Oh, yes!” cried Selene, overcome, rushing into the room to gaze in wonder at the pile. Her heart throbbed with love. “It is more than sufficient.”

“I thought we could all go to the orphanage and distribute them this morning,” he said, as she picked up one gift after the other, staring at them. He hesitated. “I have told Cook to prepare a large hamper as well, which will contain a leg of ham, a roasted goose, and Christmas pudding. The poor little mites deserve Christmas luncheon, along with the rest of us, after all.”

Selene was so moved she could barely speak. “Yes, they certainly do.”

She shook her head, dispelling the joyful memory, focusing on the happy, laughing faces of the children, who were squealing with delight now as they opened their gifts, gazing at them in wonder. There were wooden toys, hoops and porcelain dolls.

There were spinning tops and jumping rope and bright red balls. There were fairytale books and model ships and toy soldiers. A whole cacophony of childhood delights.

I would never have believed this was possible when I first encountered the duke—on that dark, cold night—and he told me he hated Christmas.

But then, she would never have believed that she could have fallen madly in love with that cold, taciturn man, either. She hadn’t known he was the Iron Duke then, nor that she would come to know him so well… or that he would evoke a longing within her, and set a flame alight. One she had never known existed. A flame that would never extinguish.

He has changed so much. He has finally let the past go. It was so hard for him. And now, this wonderful day holds joy for him again, when before it only contained sorrow.

She watched in wonder as Lenore gave a gift to a little girl in pigtails, about her own age, before turning to her father, smiling at him with such luminous joy, that it took Selene’s breath away.

She could never have imagined such a sight only six short weeks ago. The duke had rarely interacted with his daughter, keeping her at arm’s length, enveloped in his guilt and grief over the loss of her mother.

But now, their relationship had started anew, rather like the fresh budding of a spring flower.

Her thoughts turned to Mary’s secret diary, and the revelation it contained. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the spirit of the duke’s late wife had led her to it; that it had been Mary herself, and her longing for her husband to live again, that had made Selene hesitate, peering intently as she took out that book, and seeing the forgotten old diary laying discarded behind it.

Mary wanted him to let her go. She wanted him to love life again. She wanted him to be a real father to their child. And she wanted her daughter to have a mother, as well.

The gift giving was over. The children were sitting on the floor, utterly absorbed in playing with their toys, staring at their books in rapture. Lenore got off her father’s lap, running to the little girl in pigtails, staring at her shyly.

“Can I play with you?” she asked breathlessly.

The little girl nodded, taking her hand. They walked to a corner of the room, where they sat down with the girl’s new doll, taking turns brushing the doll’s golden hair with a twig that Lenore found on the floor.

Selene sighed, walking to Ian, who was gazing around the room at the children, his eyes filled with warmth. He looked at Selene, taking her hand.

“Your capacity for love is boundless,” he said, gazing at her steadily. “You have healed me with it, as you have with Lenore, but coming here, and seeing this, I understand why you wanted to do this, now.” His eyes flickered to her face. “I love you so much, Selene. And this is the finest Christmas I have ever experienced.”

He stood up, putting an arm around her waist, drawing her to him. She placed her head on his shoulder, as they gazed around the room at Lenore and the orphans playing so happily, while soft snow fell outside the room.

Selene’s heart quivered. It really was the finest Christmas ever. She wouldn’t change it for the world. And it was about to get even better.

They arrived home after their luncheon with the orphans, and Selene quickly ushered Lenore into the parlor, under the pretense of afternoon tea.

As Lenore skipped into the room, she stopped short and gasped, turning to look at Selene and her father. Both stood their grinning. For in the middle of the room, the teacart held a stunning sight. A wonderful cake, complete with icing and a lovely orange blossom on top. The staff were all gathered there, to wish Lenore a happy birthday, and celebrate their new beginning.