Merry Christmas, My Love

Both girls peered at Miss Jennings from Merry’s skirts.

“They are a bit overwrought at the moment. All the changes.”

Under Miss Jennings’ relentless gaze, Merry’s anger grew. “Perhaps if you read them a story to start, it would ease them a bit.”

Much to Merry’s amazement, Miss Jennings walked up to the girls and bent. “Would you like to hear a story? I see His Grace has plenty of books to choose from.”

“May Miss Merry read it to us?” Charlotte mumbled.

Miss Jennings smiled tightly. “Of course. Why don’t you both pick a book from the shelf, and Miss Merry and I will join you at the table.”

The girls released their grip and hurried to the bookcase. Miss Jennings turned to her. “Perhaps it would be of assistance if you read them a story. It’s important for them to adjust to my direction since His Grace wishes to make the transition quickly and smoothly.”

Merry nodded, the pain at losing her girls tugging at her. If she had not argued with the duke, perhaps he would have allowed her to remain their governess. But then she remembered he mentioned having engaged a new governess before she’d had a chance to even mee

t him. She sighed and wandered to the table, then pulled out one of the child-sized chairs and sat.

Two stories turned into four, but eventually the girls seemed to relax enough to allow Merry to leave them in Miss Jennings’s care. Merry assured them she would be in the house, and would join them for luncheon.

The young maid she summoned escorted her to the morning room. The dowager sat behind an escritoire, a stack of pressed paper at her elbow. The soft ticking of a delicate white and blue china clock on the corner of the desk was the only sound in the room.

As Merry entered, the dowager put her quill pen down and smiled. “Thank you so much for joining me, Miss Chambers.”

Merry curtsied. Her Grace caused her to feel welcome, so unlike the duke, who made no secret he could hardly await her departure.

“Please, have a seat.” The dowager indicated a chair near the fireplace, where a low table held a teapot, flowered cups and saucers, and a plate of biscuits. Rising gracefully, she left her desk and joined Merry. The bright sunlight reflected off the rings on the woman’s fingers as she poured tea. “Milk and sugar?”

“Yes, please.” Merry studied her, wondering the reason for this meeting. The woman was as cordial as she was graceful. Her startling blue eyes looked out from a face that had seen a few years, but still remained youthful in its expression. Her dark brown hair, sprinkled with gray, gave her countenance a mature loveliness.

The dowager sipped her tea, and closed her eyes, relishing the bracing liquid. “No doubt you wonder why I asked to see you.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The older woman leaned forward, placing her cup on the table. “I’m sure you’ve discovered by now that my son, the duke, is a bit pompous.”

Merry choked on her tea, and coughed until tears ran down her cheeks. Of all the things she’d imagined the dowager would begin the conversation with, this was not one of them.

“Well, Your Grace, he is a duke.” She patted her mouth with a snowy serviette and set it alongside her cup.

The dowager gestured with her hand. “Nonsense. His father was the same way. Always thinking everyone should fall at his feet and tremble with fear at his mere presence.” She glanced at Merry and smiled. “It took me a few years, but I brought him around.” Looking off into the distance, she mused. “Life among the ton can be difficult. My husband and I had an arranged marriage. I must admit, at the beginning he did frighten me. I was a young girl, barely out of the schoolroom, and he was Penrose’s age now, four and thirty.”

The dowager brought her attention back to Merry. “We eventually fell in love. He was such a handsome man. Penrose takes after his father with the swarthy skin, dark hair, and deep brown eyes. I was the envy of so many of the young girls that year. He was considered quite the catch, you know.

“Our two sons were our greatest joy, and I was unfashionable enough to want to spend time with them. When they were young, my husband would roll on the floor with the boys, playing games and being silly. But, when Penrose reached an age where his father felt it was time to train him for his station in life, all the games and fun ceased.”

She sighed. “I’m afraid the late duke did too good of a job. Penrose has become much too stiff. He needs to be shaken up a bit.”

Merry listened, unsure of the woman’s intentions in relating this story.

“No doubt you’re wondering why I’m speaking thusly.” The dowager seemed to read her mind. “I think you bring a breath of fresh air to Penrose Hall. I’m not happy that my son wishes to send you on your way. I also think the girls would feel much more comfortable with you in residence.”

The woman certainly had her attention now. Her heart sped up in anticipation of what would come next. “What are you saying, Your Grace?”

“Why, I want you to remain with us.” She raised her hand when Merry opened her mouth to speak. “Not as charity, of course. What I am asking is if you would consider accepting a position as my companion.”

Merry’s smile grew as she considered the idea. To be near the girls, continue to watch them grow into women. Something that up until a few minutes ago, seemed far beyond her reach. To not have the need to seek another position, possibly not as satisfying as this one had been. Then her stomach clenched, and a cloud passed overhead. The duke.

“While the situation you offer is most appealing, I doubt very much that His Grace would approve.”