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Her mother stopped and turned around. “Yes, of course. You know they are alone in that big house, now that their mother is gone. God rest her. I thought it would be rude not to invite them for the festivities today.”
Ellen nodded and waited for Simon to finish bringing in the rest of the gifts. They took off their coats, hats, and gloves and deposited them with the butler. They then headed into the drawing room, and Golda and her husband were the first to greet them. Simon stayed right by her side as they made their rounds to greet everyone.
The drawing room was not quite as large or elegant as Simon’s home, but it was cosy and filled to the brim with people. Beatrice and Agatha came over to her, drawing her into the room. Both of them lowered their voices and began asking her all manner of questions about how things were going with Simon.
Ellen frowned, shushing them before Simon could overhear. “Stop this nonsense, both of you,” she said, but a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I would say things are getting better between us,” was all the information she was willing to give. She glanced over her shoulder at Simon and thought again how handsome he was.
“Now, I do believe we are being rude,” she said and walked over to the two young gentlemen who lived just across the road. “Viscount Tilbury, how good to see you again,” she greeted the elder son.
“Yes, very good indeed, Lady Ellen,” the viscount said and shook her hand.
Ellen turned to the younger brother and shook his hand. “Mr Tilbury,” she greeted him.
Simon joined her, and introductions were made. Soon, the room was filled with laughter as they all exchanged presents. Ellen was unsure how Simon would react to the gathering, as it was much more boisterous compared to the quiet affair at his parents’ house earlier that day. However, he seemed to be settling in nicely, even if he was a bit quiet. She shot him a smile, and he returned it.
“Oh, Lord Simon, I do wish your parents would have come. They would have been most welcome,” Ellen’s mother chimed in.
Simon turned to her, nodding in gratitude. “That is very kind, Mother Semple. However, they had already made plans to visit some friends of theirs this evening.”
“Well, perhaps next year?” her mother offered.
“I am sure they would be happy to join us next year,” Simon said.
Ellen was distracted by Viscount Tilbury tapping on her arm. “Your family is most welcoming, your mother especially,” he said. “It was kind of her to include us in your family tradition.”
“Not at all, my lord. We could not very well let you and your brother be alone this Christmas,” she said. He smiled sadly at this, and she wondered if she had overstepped the bounds. However, his response soon put her mind at ease.
“That is very kind. I was not worried for myself, but I know this year has been very difficult for William. He was very close with our mother.”
“Well, we are glad you could join us this year,” she said. Things began to wind down, and she caught her mother’s eye from across the room. Her mother motioned her over, and Ellen made her way over to her as the rest of the family broke into smaller groups and began chatting.
Simon visited with her father near the hearth while her younger sisters went over to keep the Tilbury brothers company. Golda and her husband snuggled on the settee, watching their children play with the new wooden toys Ellen’s father had given them.
“What is it, Mama?” she asked.
“Nothing, really. I only wanted to ask how things are going between you and Simon?”
Ellen felt her cheeks grow warm. “I cannot say with much certainty, Mama. I suppose things are not as bad as they were when we were first married, but they are still a little strained.” She gazed over at her husband, and her heart fluttered. “Marriage is so much different than I had envisioned it.”
“It always is. Love is not like what you read in your novels, Ellen,” her mother said gently. “It takes hard work and time to make a marriage bloom.”
Ellen nodded. “I am trying, Mama. I….” She was ashamed of how she had hurt Simon on their wedding night, trying to build walls to keep him out. She thought moving into a separate room would put her more at ease, but now she felt she had made a mistake.
When she looked back at her mother, she had a knocking glint in her eye. “You are falling in love with him, are you not? I can see it as plain as day,” her mother said.
Ellen glanced quickly back at her husband. He was not looking at her, but even the thought of him knowing made her nervous. “Is it so obvious?” she asked. She had not even considered it possible. ‘I suppose I am,” she said softly. “I made such a mess of things after the wedding, Mama. How am I to make things right?”
“You must humble yourself, Ellen. Tell him you are sorry for how you acted and make things right. Simon is a good man. He will be forgiving, I am sure,” her mother urged.
Ellen chanced a glance in his direction. This time, he was looking at her, and her whole body seemed to grow warm with just a brush of his eyes. He smiled. “What if he does not want to forgive me? I would not blame him,” Ellen voiced the concern that had been pounding in her mind for days.
Her mother took her hands and made her look at her. “He will, my love. You will see.”
She chucked her under the chin as if she were a small girl again and then walked away. Ellen stayed where she was, soaking in the moment. Perhaps this Christmas season would not be miserable after all. She would do as her mother said, to the best of her ability, and hope that Simon was as forgiving as her mother predicted.
Chapter 18
Simon shifted to his other foot as he listened to one of the Tilbury brothers as he relayed a story about a horse he had recently purchased. The gentlemen had separated from the ladies after dinner, and they were all visiting once more as the evening began to wind down. Simon would be glad when the Tilbury brothers said their goodbyes.
