“I had to properly decorate the manor at Rutland before leaving,” Elizabeth explained. “Since I plan to spend Christmas with you, I wanted the staff to have their own festivities. They’ve all been so good to me.” She grinned. “I confess, we arrived at Markham nearly an hour ago, but a friend of yours detained us.”
“A friend?”
“Yes. He watched us from a safe distance as we drove through the gates, but evidently he recognized me and approached the roadside, staring hopefully. I couldn’t disappoint him, especially not during so joyous an occasion as the celebration of my forthcoming grandchild. So I had Alfred stop before we even sighted the manor. Your friend is now feasting on Rutland’s wild strawberries and blackberries, which I had originally intended to become a pie.”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “Russet knows precisely who will indulge him, Mama. Doubtless, he is enthralled by your arrival.”
“As if you don’t spoil him,” Pierce commented dryly. “That fox eats more than I do.” He kissed Elizabeth’s hand. “We’re even more pleased than Russet to welcome you.”
“For different reasons, I hope,” she teased back.
Slipping unobtrusively by them, Langley assessed the number of bags in the carriage.
“Mama, I’m sure you remember Langley from your previous stay.” Daphne tugged him forward proudly. “He is an indispensable member of our family.”
“How are you, Langley?”
The butler swallowed several times before replying. “Well, my lady.”
On the heels of his greeting he bowed, but not before Daphne detected the uncustomary expression of emotion on his face.
“You’ve also met Mr. Chambers,” she reminded him gently.
“Good to see you again, Langley,” the vicar acknowledged.
“Welcome, sir.” Another bow, after which Langley straightened, fully composed. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll summon some footmen to carry in your bags.”
The vicar stared after Langley’s retreating form. “You’ve rendered your magic again, Snowdrop.”
Daphne’s delicate brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
“Magic made all the more beautiful by its inherent existence and unconscious offering,” Pierce noted aloud, his expression tender.
“Indeed,” Chambers concurred.
“What are the two of you mumbling about?” Daphne demanded.
“Nothing, Snow flame.” Pierce tucked her arm through his. “Shall we take our guests on a tour? This is, in a way, both your mother and the vicar’s first real visits to Markham. Your mother’s previous stay was a scant day and a half spent in hiding. As for the vicar, the evening he came to dinner we’d scarcely finished dessert before you brought the visit to a rapid close by fainting.” Pierce grinned at Chambers. “As you can guess, we’ve since deduced the cause of Daphne’s swoon.”
“Indeed. Your forthcoming heir was announcing his creation.”
“A tour sounds lovely.” Elizabeth cast a worried look at Daphne. “Are you certain you’re up to it, darling?”
“I’m fine, Mama. Truly.”
“Daphne will be with us only for the first few minutes,” Pierce stated in a voice that defied argument. “We’ll begin with the room Daphne takes the greatest pride in—our new schoolroom. After that, we’ll move to the second floor, at which point we will escort Daphne to her bedchamber for a much-needed nap. Agreed, Snow flame?”
“Have I any choice?”
“None.”
The sun was an orange haze in the west when Elizabeth carried a tray into Daphne’s room. “Are you awake, dear?” she asked, approaching the bed.
Daphne stretched and sat up. “Goodness! What time is it?”
“Half after four. You were exhausted.” Elizabeth placed the tray on the nightstand and lowered herself to the edge of the bed. “And now you must be famished. I’ve brought you some plain broth, a bit of chicken, and fresh-baked bread.”
“It sounds heavenly.” Daphne took the tray and began eating voraciously. “I cannot imagine why I’m so hungry,” she managed, between mouthfuls.