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Ella walked next to Cara as they entered through the grand front door into the soaring entry with the curving staircase topped by the glass dome. Sunlight warmed the marble floor, reflecting off the pale walls with the huge oil canvases. From the back of the house, they heard the dogs bark, and then Mrs. Johnson shushed them.
The door to the drawing room was open and Cara entered first. The drawing room, also called the green room by staff, looked particularly distinguished at Christmas with the holly and green garlands hung above the doors, the mantle adorned with more of the same greenery and tall white taper candles which would be lit at night.
The large, elegant room had two seating areas and Alec’s great uncle and two aunts were at the end of the room with the magnificent Christmas tree, having tea under the watchful eye of Mrs. Booth.
“Uncle Frederick!” Cara cried as they entered the room, walking quickly to his side and kissing his cheek. “This is a surprise. I didn’t see your car out front.”
Alec’s great Uncle Frederick had to be eighty, if not older, and he attempted to rise to greet her, but Cara patted his arm. “Please don’t get up,” she said. “I am curious how you got there, though.”
Frederick glanced at the aunts. “Emma offered to pick me up. I refused. I didn’t want to put her out—”
“So I picked him up anyway,” Emma replied. “I will not be outmaneuvered.”
Ella liked this group already. “I’m Ella,” she said, stepping forward, “Cara’s sister. I’ve heard so much about all of you and am very happy to be here for Christmas.”
Cara quickly introduced Alec’s family. “Uncle Frederick, Aunt Emma and her sister-in-law, Aunt Dorothy.” She then turned to Baird. “I’m sure you all remember Baird MacLauren, Alec’s best friend from Eton.”
There were greetings and handshakes between Baird and Frederick Sherbourne. Baird went to kiss both of the aunts on their cheeks. He and Dorothy spoke for a moment, reminiscing about Christmas in Edinburgh as her late husband had been from Scotland.
Seeing that everyone was settling in, Mrs. Booth rose. “I shall go see about getting a fresh pot of tea and more refreshments, although I suspect Mrs. Johnson already has it all in hand.”
She bustled out and Cara shifted seats, taking Mrs. Booth’s chair so she could better see everyone. “So, what has everyone been discussing?” Cara asked, smiling at everyone. “What have I missed?”
“What do you think?” Uncle Frederick demanded. “Terrible, terrible news today. What has the world come to?”
Cara frowned, puzzled. “What has happened? I haven’t been paying attention to the news. It’s always so depressing.”
“Frederick,” Emma said under her breath. “We agreed.”
“Yes, but maybe she can explain it to me. I don’t understand,” Frederick’s voice sharpened.
“That’s not her concern,” Emma retorted, her stern gaze locking with Frederick’s. “Alec said. Surely you remember that?”
Cara glanced around the room, eyes clear, watchful. “What are you hiding from me, Aunt Emma?” She looked at Dorothy and lifted her brow. “Aunt Dorothy, will you tell me?”
Dorothy held up her hands. “I know nothing.”
“Someone knows something,” Cara said. “Will no one tell me?”
Mrs. Johnson appeared then, carrying a tray with more teacups, a fresh teapot, and plates with small sandwiches and scones. Her arrival was a distraction and Ella was pleased to see one of the aunts, she wasn’t sure which, take on hostess duties, pouring tea for everyone and passing around the refreshments.
So, they knew, Ella thought, watching Alec’s elderly relatives. They must have gotten a call from Alec this morning, and then all jumped in the car and raced here.
Poor Cara, she didn’t need this, but thankfully Emma was taking charge and shutting down Frederick’s complaints. Hopefully, Alec would be home soon, and he’d explain everything to Cara.
“We had a lovely drive today,” Ella said, taking control of the conversation to prevent it swinging back around to Alec and what was happening at work. “Cara, where did we go again? Winnart’s Pass?”
“Winnat,” Emma corrected. “That’s a beautiful spot but it can be cold. Was the wind blowing terribly?”
“It was brisk,” Ella said. “But it felt good. I had no idea that Bakewell was part of the Peak National Forest—”
“Not Forest,” Emma corrected again. “Park. And yes, Bakewell and quite a number of villages are in the Park.”
“You know Sheffield is in the Park, but not Buxton,” Frederick said. “That’s because when the boundaries were drawn Buxton was considered too big, what with the quarries and all.”
The aunts and Frederick began to discuss Bakewell as they knew it when they were younger, and Ella relaxed, glad that Alec’s family had found something to discuss with so much energy. Ella glanced at her sister who was smiling but also beginning to look sleepy. Ella was so glad Baird had taken Cara out today. Cara had needed the outing and Ella was glad to see some of the places Cara had seen last Christmas.
After twenty more minutes discussing the quarries and village growth, Frederick sat back in his chair. “I could use a short rest,” he announced, “before dinner.”
