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Simon awoke the following morning. The sun was already streaming through the curtains, and he realised he must have overslept. Yesterday had been a long and fulfilling day. He turned over and saw that Ellen was already gone. He sat up, got out of bed, and dressed quickly to go in search of her. The more time he spent with his young wife, the more he wanted to be with her.
Watching her at the workhouse the previous day made him feel even more grateful that he had listened to his father about going through with the marriage. She had served the people yesterday with no complaint, just as she had when they visited the poor on St Thomas Day.
Simon made his way downstairs and peeked in at the library and drawing room before heading to the parlour. She was in neither room, but he knew where she was as soon as she heard the muffled melodies coming from behind the parlour door. He opened the door, and she looked up from the pianoforte as he entered. She smiled, nodding that he should come and join her.
He wove around the sitting area and sat down with her on the bench, listening in raptures as she continued to play. She had such a unique style, with the melodies and harmonies weaving together with a passion that stirred the soul. It was a pity that more people could not hear them.
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, and she giggled. He then kissed her neck, travelling down to the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder. She stopped playing and uttered a contented sigh.
“Do not stop playing,” he said, continuing to kiss her. She laughed at this and turned into him.
“How am I supposed to keep playing when you are distracting me so?” she asked.
“I hope I am a good distraction,” he said. He stood, turning so that his legs faced away from the piano and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her on the tip of her nose and then leaned down to kiss her lips. She was so warm and beautiful that he never wanted to leave.
Deepening the kiss, he drew her closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, sending shocks of warmth through him.
She was the one to end it, and he felt bereft for a moment, wanting more. She leaned her forehead against his. “You are the best distraction,” she whispered.
“Shall we find a more private place to continue our discussion?” he asked with a mischievous smile.
She returned it, giving him that look that sent his heart racing. “I wish I could, but I promised your mother that I would help her with the invitations for the Twelfth Night celebration.”
“Mother is not even awake yet, is she?” he persisted. “Besides, it is Christmas Eve. We should not have to work today.” He wrapped his arms tighter around her middle, not wanting to let her go. She giggled again.
“It will not take too long if we do it together. Besides, Twelfth Night is only a few weeks away, and we must get them out as soon as possible. I figured you would have your work cut out preparing for later this afternoon. The wagons and horses will have to be prepared.”
She stood up, gently prying herself out of his grasp. She leaned down and kissed him when he did not let her go willingly. She stepped out of his arms when he loosened his grip and scurried out of his reach. He made to come after her, but she held her hands out to stay him.
“Now, you must let me get on. That way, we can enjoy the next couple of days of leisure.” She flashed a wry smile over her shoulder as she headed toward the door. “We can pick up where we left off later tonight,” she promised.
He let out a frustrated growl but did not move to go after her. Instead, he turned to the pianoforte and looked over the music notes she had scribbled onto a blank music sheet. Perhaps one day, her music would be heard throughout the world. It more than deserved a place on the stage.
Simon stood, remembering something he needed to check on before the Christmas celebrations commenced later that night. He headed to the study and was glad when the butler knocked on the door.
“Is there anything that you need from us downstairs, my lord?”
Simon looked up at him and nodded. “There is one thing, actually. I have been expecting a package for some time now and wondered if anything had arrived with this morning’s post?”
The butler nodded. “Ahh, yes. There was something, my lord. I placed it here,” he said as he entered the room. He pointed out a stack of letters and produced a package from the bottom. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Simon was pleased when he read the addressee.
“This is it. Thank you,” he said.
“As for the rest of the staff, I think all is in hand. As long as there is tea and refreshments for when we return from cutting greenery later this afternoon, I think you should all be able to have some leisure time. And, of course, there will be only cold meals on the morrow,” Simon said.
The staff was always given Christmas Day off to rest from their labours. As a result, cold-cut meats, fruits, cheeses and biscuits were served, and the family would help themselves buffet style. Simon was looking forward to the quiet day with the family. But most of all, he was excited to see the look on Ellen’s face when he surprised her with his gift.
He sat down at the desk as the butler left and opened the package. He gave a short gasp of pleasure as he looked down at the newly published book. He had taken the liberty of taking several of Ellen’s original compositions and sending them to a friend he had in the publishing business in London. He had shown them to a composer there and published them into a booklet of songs. He hoped that Ellen would like it.
Simon stood, stuffing the booklet into a drawer of the desk. He would have to find time to wrap it back up later. For now, he would have to go and ready the wagons and horses as Ellen had suggested. Their friends and family would be there in a few hours to go out into the woods to cut greenery. He would have to conceal his excitement until later.
Chapter 33
Ellen walked into her bedroom after finishing the invitations. There would only be a little time for her to change before their guests began to arrive. She headed over to the vanity and began brushing out her hair. A moment later, her maid appeared, and she set to the task of plaiting her hair.
She had opted for a simple style since they would be marching about in the cold as they gathered greenery. She was looking forward to being out of doors after the long day in the workhouse the previous day. While it had been an eye-opening experience, she was looking forward to some much-needed fresh air.
When she had dressed in a simple cotton dress and several underlayers, she walked over to the door that adjoined hers and Simon’s rooms. The door had remained open since they came home from Lord Carlisle’s house party. She only used her own room to dress and store her clothing but spent the nights with Simon. Perhaps after the holidays, she would have time to move her things back into the room that they now shared.
