Chapter Twenty-One
It began to snow again in the early evening. By the time the small house party came down for supper, there were a good four inches on the ground outside.
Caroline stopped on the stairs and looked out the window. She clenched her right hand into a fist and punched the air with glee. Caroline loved snow. For all the inconvenience and mess, it brought, she liked nothing better than to stand out in the freezing air while snowflakes swirled around her.
She raced back to her room and grabbed her coat and gloves. She managed to get her right hand inside its glove, leaving her left hand only protected by the bandaging.
Heading back downstairs, she opened the front door and stepped out into a white winter wonderland. She checked the driveway to ensure no one was coming, then with arms held out wide, she began to slowly spin.
“She is doing it,” muttered James.
Francis looked over to where his cousin was pointing and smiled. For as long as anyone in the family could remember, every Christmas at Strathmore Castle, Caroline would stand outside in the snow and slowly spin. For hours she would silently worship the sky as it poured white heaven over her.
“What is she doing?” asked Julian, coming up the stairs.
“Caroline’s snow dance. Few people outside the family have ever seen it. You should feel privileged,” replied James.
“She loves the winter. Some unkind people have given her the name of the Ice Queen, but they don’t realize just how close to the truth it is,” added Francis.
At that moment, Caroline stopped spinning. She tilted her head back and opened her mouth. In the golden glow from the torches lighting the drive, Julian caught the incredible sight of a young woman in rapture. Snow fell on her face and at times into her open mouth, all the while Caroline stood with her eyes closed and arms held out.
“I have never seen anything like it in my entire life,” murmured Julian, thoroughly entranced.
As he stepped away, he caught sight of a movement in the shadows near Caroline. Midas was keeping a close guard on their guest.
Caroline slipped off her snow-soaked coat and single glove and handed them to a footman.
He pointed in the direction of the downstairs sitting room. “Lord Newhall said to tell you that he and the other gentlemen are waiting for you.”
“Don’t tell me it has stopped snowing,” teased James as she entered the room.
She laughed, full of the joy of winter. “No, but it was beginning to seep through my coat, and Midas made his protests known. Besides, I heard there would be hot food and you know me after I have been outside in the snow. I need pies.”
Julian stepped forward and bowed low. The blush that unexpectedly raced to her cheeks brought some sense of feeling back to them.
“Then you shall have pies, as many as you can eat. I understand it is part of the tradition that when one has finished worshipping the snow god, one indulges in pies,” he said.
She looked to Francis, who shrugged.
“We had to explain to Newhall why you were standing outside, spinning in the snow,” he said.
Heat burned on her cheeks for a second time. What was it that being in Julian’s presence did to her? She was used to men crowding around her, jostling to find her favor, yet there was something different when it came to him. He made her feel uncomfortable. No. He made her feel different.Perhaps I am losing my touch.
Caroline pushed the notion away. She had clearly been standing for too long outside in the freezing air, and her brain had simply become a little muddled.
“So, it will just be us again tonight? I am so sorry, Julian. I hope that tomorrow will bring a cavalcade of carriages and coaches to your front door,” she said.
“Not to worry. I must say, you three are the sort of guests that are always welcome when it comes to a snow-bound estate,” he replied.
The door of the sitting room opened and in stepped an older woman. Julian came to her side and taking her arm, walked her over to where Caroline and the others stood. “Lady Margaret, may I introduce our guests? This is Caroline and Francis Saunders, and their cousin, James Radley.”
Caroline curtseyed sweetly and the others bowed. As she looked up, she caught the sight of Lady Margaret holding out her hands to her.
“My dear girl, welcome to Newhall Castle. I must apologize for not coming to see you when you arrived late last night. I understand you injured your hand,” she said.
“Yes, but Julian did an excellent job of fixing me up with first-class battle stitches. I still have feeling in the hand, which at the moment is a mixed blessing, but hopefully I shall regain full use of it,” she replied.
Lady Margaret winced as Caroline held up her heavily bandaged hand. She turned to the others. “And this is Francis? Oh and of course James, I know your father.”
