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“Yes, all is well,” Ellen said, resting her free hand atop his arm. She looked up at Simon, and he felt pride and joy that he had the most wonderful woman in the world to call his wife. He nodded in agreement.
“Yes, more than well. Wonderful,” he said. He let out a sigh and shook his head. “However, I propose that we get out of this cold and return home. I do believe there is a feast waiting for us.”
Ellen’s mother stepped forward.
“Will you come with us in our carriage, Lord and Lady Grant? I believe the young people might like to have some time alone?” She met her daughter’s gaze, and Ellen’s cheeks turned red. Simon was grateful for his mother-in-law’s suggestion, and his parents were soon climbing into their carriage. Simon went over to his horse, who was thankfully still tethered to the post, and handed the reins to the coachman so the animal could follow along behind the carriage.
He climbed into the coach after handing Ellen in and then settled into the seat beside her. He took up the furs and blankets that had been piled on the other side of the coach. They spread the blankets over their laps, and soon they were headed toward home, bumping along the snow-covered lane.
Ellen leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed. “How strange it is that the morning could have begun in such abject gloom and despair, and now I am filled with nothing but happiness and contentment.”
“I, too, held little hope for this day turning out this way. I thought there was much more of a fight left in front of us than was the case.”
“I overheard something this morning that made me see the error of my ways,” Ellen admitted.
Simon frowned slightly, looking at her with confusion and curiosity. “Oh? What happened?”
“I overheard the hall boy and one of the maids talking when I woke up early this morning. Lady Genevieve enlisted the hall boy to plant the note in your room. Apparently, she specifically asked him to make sure that he placed the note where I would find it.” Ellen shook his head.
“I had sensed she was jealous of our relationship, and even thought she wanted to make trouble for me, but I had no idea that she would go to these lengths.”
The rest of the puzzle came together in his mind. “Now I understand. I was unsure how she had managed to get the note into my room in the first place, especially since my valet would have seen her and alerted me at once.”
“Gregson would not have thought twice about the hall boy, however.”
“Exactly,” Simon replied. He uttered another sigh. “But that does not matter now. All that does matter is that we are united once more.”
Ellen turned toward him, touching his cheek again. “Never to be parted again,” she said softly. He leaned his head toward hers, and she came in the rest of the way, touching her lips to his.
Chapter 41
Ellen did not think she would ever be as happy as she was at this moment. Sitting beside her husband, she felt all was right with the world once more and that this day would be a new beginning for them. She looked at her husband and smiled, taking in his handsome profile. She was indeed a blessed woman to have a man as patient and understanding as he. And never again would she take their love for granted.
They had returned to their home, along with her parents and younger sisters. They all sat around the fire in the drawing room, sipping tea or spiced cider and watching as the Yule log burned down.
As the sun began to set, the butler came in and announced they had a visitor. A second later, Lord Carlisle appeared, bowing in the doorway. Ellen and Simon stood, and Lord Carlisle made his way over to them. He took off his hat and gave Simon a questioning look. “I came to ensure that all is well?” he asked.
Ellen smiled at him warmly, linking her arm through Simon’s. “All is well, my lord.”
Simon reached out, and the gentlemen shook hands. “It has turned out to be a very happy Christmas,” Simon replied.
Lord Carlisle lowered his voice, and they learned in to hear what he had to say.
“Lady Genevieve decided to depart this afternoon, and I made no move to stop her. I have sent her back to London and can only hope that she will learn from her grave mistake in trying to break the two of you up. I hope that you may find it in your heart to forgive her someday.
I know she has made a nuisance of herself, but I admit that I still sometimes see her as the sweet child I knew when we were growing up. Life in the city has much changed her, I think,” Lord Carlisle admitted sadly.
“And her parents have allowed her too much freedom, as well.” He shook his head as if to chase away the disturbing thoughts. “But it is Christmas, is it not? No more gloominess,” he said.
Simon nodded in agreement, and Ellen followed suit. “Yes, I quite agree,” Ellen said.
“Good. Well, I only came to say happy Christmas, and now I will leave you to your family gathering,” he said and started out of the room. Ellen let go of Simon’s arm and went after him.
“Lord Carlisle. Do you have plans for this evening?” she asked.
He exchanged glances with Simon and then looked back at her. “Only to nibble on the scraps of the feast that was served yesterday and finish with a glass of Port in front of my fire, perhaps with a good book to keep me company,” he replied.
“Oh, please stay. No one should be alone on Christmas Day,” she said. “There is plenty of food and drink, and we would count it an honour to have you with us.”
