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‘Why don’t you stay and help us with the tree?’ Nancy raised her voice, hoping that Freddie could hear and would take the hint. ‘It’s a huge fir and there’s another in the drawing room.’
Freddie stepped forward, smiling. ‘Yes, come and help us, Letitia. We’ll get it done much faster if there are three of us.’
‘Do you really want me to decorate the tree with you?’
‘Of course,’ Freddie said casually. ‘Or you could just stand back and tell us where to hang the ornaments and tinsel.’
‘No, I would love to help. I haven’t done anything like this since I was a child.’ Letitia turned to Nancy as they sorted through the box of decorations. ‘Thank you for suggesting this. I can see that you and Freddie get along well. I am not a rival, I promise you,’ she added in a low voice.
‘Freddie and I are just friends, as I said before. That’s all.’
‘I don’t want to marry him. Not that I’ve been consulted in the matter, but the truth is I am happy with my life as it is. I like being single. I have no desire to be a wife and mother. Does that seem odd to you?’
‘To be honest I’ve never given the matter much thought. Anyway, you must do what is best for you, Letitia. Never mind what other people say.’
‘Thank you, Nancy. I knew you’d understand.’
Nancy smiled. ‘Let’s get on with the tree. It’s going to look beautiful.’
Nancy eyed Freddie warily, but he seemed to relax when he realised that Letitia was genuine in her desire to assist them decorating the huge tree. Nancy was surprised to find Letitia joining in enthusiastically at first, although it was obvious that she was unused to doing anything so time-consuming and she soon tired. Nancy and Freddie managed to dress the tree with only minimal help from Letitia, and when it was done they all stood back to admire their work. More guests had arrived while they were occupied and they had been greeted by their host and hostess before being shown to their respective rooms.
Nancy eyed the mountain of holly and ivy left by the front entrance, but Freddie instructed the two footmen to make the greenery into swags and drape them around the banisters and over the many oil paintings. Nancy was secretly relieved that the prickly task had been allocated to others, and she was more than happy to follow Freddie and Letitia to the drawing room to decorate the second tree.
It was dark outside by the time they finished and were satisfied with their efforts, and Freddie had sent for a tray of tea and cake to keep them going until dinner. The guests had started to trickle into the drawing room, which to Nancy’s eyes was large enough to hold a grand ball. Couples sat at small tables or crowded on the two sofas set on either side of the ornate marble fireplaces. Scantily clad caryatids supported the marble mantelshelf where silver candelabra gleamed in the firelight. The servants had lit dozens of candles so that the room was filled with light, warmth and the comforting aroma of beeswax, burning apple logs and pine needles.
Nancy was seated beside Freddie on a window seat with Letitia comfortably ensconced in a wing-back chair, while they drank tea and ate small iced cakes. But the harmony was broken by the sudden appearance of Felicia, who marched over to Nancy and stood glaring at her with arms akimbo.
‘I haven’t seen you all day, Nancy. Where have you been?’
Freddie rose to his feet. ‘Mrs de Marney, I am t-to b-blame. I’m s-sorry, but I t-took Nancy on a t-tour of the estate.’
‘And we’ve been decorating the Christmas trees for Lord and Lady Dorrington,’ Letitia said brightly. ‘You must agree they look splendid.’ She stood up, smiling at Felicia. ‘How do you do, ma’am? I am Letitia Barclay. I expect you’ve met my papa, Lord Brocklebourne.’
‘How do you do, Lady Letitia?’ Felicia’s high colour deepened and she bobbed a curtsey. ‘The trees look magnificent,’ she added weakly.
‘I’ve heard that you are a famous opera singer,’ Letitia continued airily. ‘It’s not something I am interested in myself, but we are honoured by your presence. I hope you will treat us to an aria or two.’
‘Why, yes, thank you,’ Felicia said uncertainly. She glanced over her shoulder and beckoned to Claude, who had just entered the room. ‘Lady Letitia, may I introduce you to my husband, Claude de Marney?’
Lady Letitia extended her hand graciously. ‘How do you do, Mr de Marney? It’s a pleasure to meet you and your wife.’ She turned to Nancy. ‘You will excuse me, Nancy. I think I should change for dinner. My clothes are prickly with pine needles.’
Nancy thought for a moment that staid Letitia actually winked at her, but she managed a casual smile. ‘That’s an excellent idea. I really should do so myself.’
Letitia strolled out of the room and Nancy made to follow her but Felicia caught her by the wrist. ‘No you don’t,’ she said, lowering her voice. ‘I’ve been looking for you all day. You are supposed to be working for me, not gadding around with people above your station in life.’
‘I’m sorry, Mrs de Marney. It won’t happen again.’
‘Is anything wrong?’ Freddie moved swiftly to Nancy’s side. ‘D-don’t be angry with Nancy, Mrs d-de Marney. I persuaded her to accompany me on a t-tour of the estate.’
Felicia drew herself up to her full height, although she only came up to Freddie’s shoulder. ‘Nancy knows better than that, my lord. She should have asked my permission first.’
‘I think Nancy deserves a day off, my dear,’ Claude said gently. ‘It is the season of goodwill, after all.’
‘You are always on her side, Claude. I’ll thank you not to interfere. Nancy is little more than a servant when it comes down to the truth of the matter. I don’t think your mama would approve of you consorting with someone of such lowly birth, my lord.’
Freddie’s blue eyes hardened to the colour of steel. ‘I will ignore that remark, Mrs de Marney. Perhaps I should remind you that you were invited here to entertain my father’s guests.’
Felicia paled alarmingly and Claude slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘Nancy, smelling salts.’
