Sweet Christmas

SWEET CHRISTMAS

CHAPTER 1

London,

December 1772

In the brightly lit foyer of their castle, Emily Willmott could hear her mother mutter a greeting to the governess who had just left her. The salutation was quickly followed by a similar response. Emily knew the older woman was heading toward her room and she swallowed hard. The trademark steps along the path to her chamber radiated along the corridor. The last utterance in the brief encounter was made in the soft voice that belonged to Mrs. Willmott.

In the past, such greetings triggered a smile on Emily’s tender face, but as she heard it now, her mother’s voice left Emily’s face in defiance. Soon, Emily heard the door creak aloud, as it opened up to usher in a guest who had not given prior notice of her visitation, and one who didn’t care to knock. Emily’s heart skipped a beat.

A half-eaten apple that sat on the dressing table became her only distraction from what she secretly considered ‘Unavoidable Questioning Session with Mother’.

“Emily.” Mrs. Willmott said in the most gentle and utterly pretentious manner. She covered the distance between the door and her bed in three swift strides, and she sat gingerly beside Emily. The bed sheet creased in the portion her body rested on, and that smoothed the other areas, but Emily ignored that as she felt the restless hands of her mother curl up around her shoulders.

“Good morning mother.” Emily said in an unclear morning croak, she had to clear her throat to make her subsequent speeches firm.

They sat in silence for some seconds, as though there was nothing to say, and as though Mrs. Willmott had only visited her daughter for the beauty of the sheer silence.

“You should get rid of that.” Mrs. Willmott finally said, indicating the apple on the table where her daughter’s unflinching gaze was fixed.

“I would see to that immediately.” Emily made a bright attempt to get rid of the waste, but her mother was smarter, she immediately identified her daughter’s desire to leave. With the arms still resting around the lass’ shoulders, Mrs. Willmott drew her back to the sitting position.

“You may not do that now; I have come for a reason more important than getting rid of a fusty apple.”

“I’m all ears mother.” Emily responded politely. She could tell that her mother would bring up the matter they both knew had been lurking in her mind ever since.

Emily Willmott was only two and twenty years yet her mother had already taken particular interest in her meeting the man she would marry early. Mrs. Willmott continuously came up with strategies on how every fancy man in the town could be properly introduced to her daughter.

“I have observed the manner in which Mr. Radcliffe stares at you…”

“Not again, Mother?” Emily exclaimed, drawing away from her mother as her face paled. This time, the older woman did not make any attempt to stop the girl’s movement.

“Don’t act ignorant darling, I see the look in your eyes when you look at him too.” She declared, looking directly in Emily’s eyes.

“No mother. I believe you are awfully mistaken.” Emily blurted and averted her face.

“Interesting.” Mrs. Willmott said as she folded her arms across her chest, and took time to study the discomfort in Emily’s manner. “Tell me how mistaken I am.”

“I…I am not interes-…”

“Do not tell that lie Emily. You are my daughter and I know you like a proper man like Mr. Radcliffe. He is a comely man, and as you have seen yourself, he is not only good-looking but absolutely in want of nothing. Tis neither his wealth nor his influence that guides my speech, but you marrying properly. Marriage can be such a huge misery if not properly prepared for.”

Emily bit her lips, she wished as much as she could, that she would will her apparent vileness away, because it only made it obvious that her mother was speaking the truth. Emily opened her mouth to match the courage, but she was voiceless for a few seconds.

It was only when she concluded on confessing the truth that she found the boldness to speak; “Mr. Radcliffe is a good man, but he is clearly interested in Kirby and not me. I do not know how, despite your meticulous observations, you have not noticed that.”

“And he told you this?” the older woman inquired with a smirk of indifference.

“Kirby told me herself. She also told me about the things he does for her, and these are clear signs that they are meant to be together.”

Mrs. Willmott allowed a few seconds to pass before she said anything further. “I have seen this gentleman look at your friend, and I have seen him look at you, I did not see the shine in his eyes when he looked at your friend.”

“And you know that…?” Emily chuckled, “If you know how deeply involved in Kirby he is, you would not see any part of him that takes the slightest notice of me. You desperately want me married, but this would not work.”

“To the best man possible, yes. But, I have carefully seen the gentleman’s manner around you, and even though I understand that you are not witty enough to see it, I know he is interested in you.”

“I am convinced that you are mistaken mother.” Emily said firmly, “After Christmas, he shall propose to Kirby and they shall journey back to Leicester where he would be happily married to her.”

“And all these came from your friend. Kirby?” Mrs. Willmott said with emphasis. She chuckled and rose to her feet. She liked moments when her daughter came up with good defense against her proposal, it always convinced her that Emily was a lady now, and was competent of defending her actions. However, it amused her constantly to see Emily do this in defense of a childish stance. It was wise in such moments, to withdraw and allow the girl learn from experience. And that was what Mrs. Willmott concluded as she began to walk out of her daughter’s chamber.

“You should girdle yourself ready for the service at church.” Emily’s mother said as she walked out, leaving the door opened.

The church service! Emily’s face brightened. She thought about the amusement that would fill her soul at the sound of the yuletide hymns and she hoped that would help shake off the disturbing thought about an ideal partner. She would marry the right man at the right time, she wished her mother could accept the fate with her.

Emily fought to restrain herself from thinking about Mr. Radcliffe in the light of her mother’s proposition. What she could not get off her mind quite easily was the fact that, knowing Kirby, there was a huge level of exaggeration to the advances of Mr. Radcliffe’s relationship to her. That however, did not rule out the fact that they were in love with each other, and if anyone would make a move toward winning Mr. Radcliffe’s heart, it should not be Emily Willmott, who was already aware of Kirby’s reciprocated admiration of the man.

That was the stance Emily tried to protect when her mother brought the matter up, but somewhere within the depths of her heart, she knew her mother had said the plain truth. Mr. Radcliffe was the nicest man Emily knew, and he truly had the good looks too, but it was his intelligence that far outweighed other good features.

Mr. Voight Radcliffe had the properness Emily desired in any man that would be her husband. And in all honesty, Mr. Radcliffe did not deserve a girl like Kirby, but Emily would not dare to tell anyone about that last part. Only death could break the friendship link.

Rose hurried into the room in a clumsy manner and stole Emily’s attention. The maid had probably been about her gossip business, but Emily was not in the good spirit to chastise her for it. She looked at Rose as she held her hands and looked into the carpet of the room in utter embarrassment.

Emily ignored the maid and walked to the huge wardrobe where she intended to pick her best dress for the service. Of course, Rose walked briskly after her, to aid her mistress in getting dressed.

CHAPTER 2

Christmas season came with its very thrilling atmosphere and in the church, coldness swept into the big cathedral from the grand entrance. That, in times past, always added to Emily’s delight about Christmas. Today however, she was not so excited about it. She did not take particular interest in singing the yuletide hymns together with a life sized congregation which used to thrill her to no end.

Around the interior of the church, there were bright crimson poinsettias that flowed down the steps of the choir and the drapes of evergreens along the arcade. The sight was splendid enough to send thrills on the faces of everyone privileged to be in the gathering except hers. It was still three days before Christmas, but the culture was to sing hymns every day before Christmas.

As they sang, Emily’s mind could not find the entire scene as thrilling as it usually was. Rather, she found herself distracted by the words of her mother.

There were a hundred people in the cathedral. Many people have traveled from very far places to spend the Christmas with their families. Some of the faces were quite familiar, but many of them have developed into more matured versions than Emily knew when they were still young.

Seated directly beside Emily was her close friend - Kirby Holmes. Kirby’s high pitch was remarkable among the other voices, and that was not because she was close-by alone but because she was fond of singing in such loud voice in order to garner attention to herself. The volume of her tone revealed just how much she enjoyed the ongoing hymn, and from time to time she stared distractedly at Emily and made a funny face. Emily would only smile back in response while her mind soon occupied itself with her initial thoughts.

While she was still trying to get the matter off and enjoy the melodious delivery of the congregation, Emily sighted Mr. Radcliffe seated four pews away from them. Her distraction increased when the congregation were about to take their seats after the hymn.

The frame of Mr. Radcliffe’s broad shoulders, neatly arced by his side like a knight who was well girded in his uniform was irresistible. Every now and then, Emily would imagine that the man had turned in their direction, but when she looked quickly to see if that was true, she realized she had only imagined it.

She pointed in his direction carefully, so that only her listener noticed the gesture; “There is your man.”

“Who?” Kirby inquired, much to Emily’s surprise.

“Mr. Radcliffe.” She emphasized as she tilted toward Kirby to make her gesture clearer. “Or is there any other man in your life?”

“Oh, Mr. Radcliffe.” Kirby grinned from ear to ear. She didn’t immediately pick out the man seated between two similarly statured men. It took a few seconds before she leaned back in the chair and exhaled satisfactorily – a lady who was truly in love. Emily told herself as a smile broke out on her face.

Kirby’s response however, delivered in the midst of a broad smile was completely unexpected; “I understand how jealous you must feel.” She said.

Emily was put aback by the confrontation. “I…I was only informing you…”

“Never mind,” Kirby insisted as she shrugged, “the envy is clearly written all over your face. You are not so happy for me, are you?”

Emily kept mute thereafter and only seethed in anger as the church events played out before her eyes. She knew that she wasn’t supposed to take that expression so seriously, but the fact that it was spoken few hours after her mother’s speculation made it disturbing.

Why should Kirby react so insolently? She asked herself. I cannot be jealous! She screamed in her head, as though trying to convince herself. While the chaos ravaged her heart, her face displayed complete tranquility on the outside.

For a fact, Emily liked the man, but there was absolutely no intention to make anything of what she felt for him, he didn’t belong to her, as long as he was committed to her friend. What Emily had trouble with was simply the fact that the gentleman deserved far more than Kirby.

When service was over, Emily could not wait to leave her friend. There were a lot of activities around the church despite the cold; many of the families were walking back to their carriages, a handful of people were greeting each other and a host of other joyful salutations were going on.

Emily sighted her parents speaking with Bishop Festus and she began to walk in their direction.

“There you are. Ms. Willmott.” A familiar baritone announced behind her.

Emily turned around and was momentarily swept off her feet by the appearance of the six feet five man. He approached with a very confident gait, his blue eyes perfectly matched with his blue suit and blue boaters. His spotless white shirt was the color of the snowflakes that layered the entire environment. He had his smile on and that infectious cheerfulness helped Emily overcome her thoughts in that moment.

“Mr. Radcliffe.” Emily said with the first real smile of the day. Her eyes searched around the man in search of Kirby, but she was not anywhere near him.

“How did you see the service today?” he asked after he had come closer.

“Great. I love hymns.” She replied.

“Of course you do.” He replied. He had himself stayed in the town before he traveled and they had all been friends as kids.

“How did you find it?” she asked.

“Thrilling. A lot has improved in the pattern with which we sing the songs here.”

“Yes sir. A lot.” She agreed.

There was a moment of silence between them, Emily anticipated Kirby’s quick interruption. Kirby was too protective of the man to allow him stand out there in the cold talking with another lady. And why is she not even beside him? She asked herself.

“Your parents.” Voight Radcliffe said, as he looked past the young damsel at her approaching parents.

Emily whirled around and saw them too, Oh no! She feared. She could not tell what drama her mother would come up with. She feared the old woman would do something funny and she wasn’t ready for that.

“I have to join them.” Emily said. And she realized how stupid it sounded, they were already heading toward them, and on their faces were the bright hopes of meeting Voight.

“I think they would be here soon.” Voight said politely. “Unless you want us to walk up to them?”

“Where is Kirby?” Emily asked from the blue.

“Kirby?” there was a brief shock in Voight’s face, he looked around as though searching for Kirby. “You were seated side by side in church, you should know.” He said.

Emily looked around her just once more to see how close her parents were to them, but when her gaze resumed on Voight, Kirby was already right beside him.

“Here you are!” Kirby shrieked, and as her gaze connected with Emily, she didn’t miss displaying a dirty look.

“Let me excuse you to meet my parents, we’d be having Sir Bartholomew’s family over for lunch. I’m sure my parents wouldn’t want us to keep them waiting.”

There was that look of disappointment in Voight’s eyes, but Emily could not care. She immediately turned around and began to walk toward her parents.

She caught up with them soon enough to truncate their intentions to meet and speak with Mr. Radcliffe. For some reasons, Emily liked the interception, but for some other reasons, she wished she had spent more time with the man.

He is not the only one in town anyway. She told herself later that night as she slid into her bed to sleep.

CHAPTER 3

Snow had covered the entire lawn outside the Willmotts’ castle. Emily was staring at the whiteness of the world around her through the closed window of her room and she felt thrilled at the sight.

It occurred to her that being alone in this manner was her new favorite moment because it gave her time and chance to ponder on the affairs of her life.

No one had informed her that life happened so quickly. In one moment, she was that little girl that was always being cared for like a baby, and in the next moment, she had grown into a lady who had so many expectations from her.

It was quite understandable on the part of her parents. No mother or father wanted their only daughter to be without a comely man at her age. And as Mrs. Willmott always emphasized; “A lady had to be make her choice while she is still young. If she delayed, then the men who would approach her would be of lower social standing each time.”

Emily had no fear about the kind of man she intended to marry, but the fact that her mother had been emphatic over her limited timeframe.

It didn’t take long before thoughts about Mr. Radcliffe found way into Emily’s tender heart. Why though, she thought, would she not allow him be?

The answer was clear, before Emily’s mother told her about the sparkle in the man’s eyes for her, she had noticed it too. Even the manner in which he looked at her after the carol service the previous day was a clear reflection of what her mother had said.

He likes me. She told herself, and she savored the brief seconds that followed the thought, but there is no doubt he is in love with Kirby. She thought about the latter expression, and she quickly made an adjustment to the thought; there is no doubt Kirby is in love with him rather. The final line of thought was the fact.

A familiar carriage approached the castle through the snow and the sight of it distracted Emily. Her eyes widened to get a clearer view of the visitors. Try as she may, she could not see.

As soon as the carriage pulled up in front of their castle, Emily waited for the governess to come into her chamber to inform her about who it was.

The loud voice of Kirby soon filled Emily’s room as Emily ushered her in.

“What are you doing out here on such a cold day?” Emily inquired, after her friend had found a comfortable seat for herself in the room.

“I told my parents you invited me to lunch.” Kirby replied indifferently.

“And why would you do that?”

Kirby winked mischievously. Such a silly lass! Emily thought. Just the previous day, Kirby had been malicious and suddenly she had turned up at her apartment.

“I needed an escape.”

Emily was puzzled, “Escape from?”

Kirby looked around the room, as though someone else may be hearing her. When she had ascertained that no one was, she came close to Emily and whispered her response. “I need to spend some time with the man I actually love.”

Emily winced; she had never thought Mr. Radcliffe could be such a nefarious crook. “I do not understand this? Why should Mr. Radcliffe plan such a deal with you?”

“Voight?” Kirby chuckled at Emily’s ignorance.

“Who is it if not him?” Emily’s curiosity grew.

“Sir. Rickson.” Kirby said quietly.

“Incredible!” Emily flinched from her friend even farther. “Kirby, since when has Sir Rickson being your admirer? And what about Mr. Radcliffe?”

“Do not be so naïve.” Kirby sniggered, “You know Voight Radcliffe’s social status is nothing compared to sir Rickson. If you were to choose between these two admirers who would you choose?”

“Marriage should not be a matter of choice but of the state of the heart.” Emily replied stuttering. She felt deeply concerned for the state of Mr. Radcliffe’s heart. “You appeared to be in love with Mr. Radcliffe. How did you change so suddenly?”

“He is the one who loved me.” Kirby declared defiantly. “I told you all about him, and how he claims he cannot live without me.”

“And you are willing to shatter his heart into a thousand shards now?” Emily almost broke down into tears; she could not imagine the magnitude of pain the gentleman would feel when he was confronted with the reality of Kirby’s alternative choice.”

“I am afraid I cannot agree with you over this matter.” Emily insisted. “You made me believe that you and Mr. Radcliffe were meant for each other, and you were both in love with each other.”

“I never cared.” Kirby said indifferently still. The triviality in her speech was one thing that Emily could not comprehend.

“You are such a dolt!” Emily screamed.

“You can call me whatever you like to.” Kirby boasted.

Just in time, Mrs. Willmot knocked lightly and walked into Emily’s room. She had seen Kirby come in earlier, and that should be a reason to stop speaking, but she was a fearless woman and she choose to deliver her message anyway.

“Emily.” Mrs. Willmot announced.

“Mother?”

“My dear. I see you ladies are enjoying yourselves?” the old woman said with a cheerful smile.

“Yes Mrs. Willmot. I always feel like this place is my home too.” Kirby replied in her high pitch.

“Good.” Mrs. Willmott replied. “I have come to inform you that Mr. Radcliffe would be visiting us this afternoon for lunch.” Her face, as she delivered the message, was directed at her daughter.

Emily was shocked at the coincidences. The man was visiting just when she heard about Kirby’s betrayal, how was she to act?

“That is indeed, great news Mrs. Willmott.” Kirby was quick to respond.

“But your friend does not seem quite cheerful about that.” Mrs. Willmott replied, gliding her gaze upon her daughter.

“She is delighted, I am sure.” Kirby replied and she moved so close to nudge Emily.

When the older woman walked out of the room, Emily was struck with guilt.

“Now, I am the victim of my own plot. I ran here because I had to tell my parents that I was with you, and now I’d have to confront the very man I am completely uninterested in seeing.”

Emily chuckled. “You should not play with a man’s heart.”

“I don’t care. I have never cared for him anyway. My mind has always been with Sir Rickson.”

Emily knew that in a couple of days, Sir Rickson would not be the name at the tip of Kirby’s lips again.

“What are you intending to do now?”

“I have to leave this place immediately.” Kirby replied. “I have no desire to be seen here by Voight.”

Even to call the man by his first name as though they were already married infuriated Emily. “What then is Mr. Radcliffe to make of all the plans to take you with him back to Leicester?”

“As I said earlier,” Kirby repeated, “I do not care. Sir. Rickson is a member of the Ton, he would have bigger plans for me.”

“But a man who has substantial plans for you would never tell you to sneak out of your home to meet with him. That is out rightly uncourteous.”

“I have least concerns about that.”

Minutes after, Kirby sneaked out of the house, leaving Emily alone at the window side with a fresh view of the world.

CHAPTER 4

Outside her window, the atmosphere was still cold and white. Emily thought about how much risk Kirby was going through just to get to see a man whose prospect would not last. She didn’t dwell on that so much before she imagined the pitiable state of Mr. Radcliffe’s heart when he eventually found out that Kirby was no more his.

Of course Emily didn’t want to be a second option to anyone, and so she determined in her mind that whatever drama her parents came up with during the lunch, she would be quick to turn off any potential proposal from Mr. Radcliffe subsequently.

It was two full hours after Kirby had left that the bell rang and Mr. Radcliffe walked into the apartment. He admired the Christmas decoration and commended the efforts of Mrs. Willmott who immediately attributed the creativity to her daughter.

They sat together and talked lightly as they ate. Emily’s eyes strayed toward the gentleman consistently, and when she found herself carried away by his charms, she would immediately look at her mother who would have that satisfactory smirk on her own face.

Mr. Willmott was first to leave the table, he ate lightly and soon walked into his chambers. The others ate in near silence.

“Tell us about Leicester.” Mrs. Willmott had said, and that had launched Mr. Radcliffe into a lengthy discussion about the beautiful life in his city.

He talked about his lands and his estate business. He was conscious to say only a little more than they had already heard about him. Every point he made sent blushes on the faces of the listening women. Without any doubt, Mr. Radcliffe already had a perfect life in Leicester.

When the lunch was over, the guest was ushered to the drawing room where Mrs. Willmott soon walked away from, leaving her daughter and the man to share some private talks.

Mr. Radcliffe wasted no time. “You were in a hurry to leave yesterday.”

“My parents were on their way to me, and I thought it was not a bad decision to walk up to them.” Emily said defensively.

“Great excuse, but it appeared to me that you were not interested in speaking with me.” Voight insisted.

“Kirby was already all over you, it would be awful of me to interrupt.”

“Kirby?” a frown creased Voight’s face. “That lady would not tarnish my name completely in this community.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Radcliffe?”

“I had no affair with her. She keeps telling people that we are involved but I do not have anything to do with her in that regard. She is a mere friend and nothing more.”

“Mr. Radcliffe, are you saying you - - you, never went out on a date with her?” Emily could recount three different occasions Kirby told her explicitly that she was invited to a date by Mr. Radcliffe, all of which she honored.

“I never did, and I never spoke with her on the matter of an affair. I cannot do that, my heart has been on someone else right from the moment I got back to town.”

Emily’s curiosity peaked. “And who is that sir?”

“You, Emily.” Voight declared seriously. “I have patiently awaited the moment I’d be able to tell you how much I care about you. You are beautiful and intelligent and the kind of woman I want to be with.”

Emily smiled. “I don’t know what to say.”

A few days ago, and even up to the previous day, Emily had not anticipated the turnout of the events. She had thought it was the worst Christmas she ever experienced, but with the sudden turn, she was now certain it would be the sweetest Christmas ever.

“Say nothing.” Voight said. “Take your time and think about the issue. I want you to be very certain when you give me a response. But let me categorically remind you that I had nothing to do with Ms. Watts.”

When Mr. Radcliffe left the house, Emily sauntered into her room with the broadest smile of the year. The situation was more comfortable for her now, and there was no sense in rejecting the proposal. She had never been a second choice to Mr. Voight Radcliffe, as a matter of fact, she had always been his only choice.

She was smiling happily when someone knocked her door and Mrs. Willmott walked in.

“So, having finally sat with Mr. Radcliffe, and listened to him yourself, has anything changed?” Mrs. Willmott inquired.

Emily smiled a deep long smile; “Everything has changed!”

***

The yuletide celebration on Christmas Eve was especially interesting in St. Luke’s Church. While everyone cheered and smiled in the jolliest moment, no one could hold the ecstasy of the moment. The cathedral was filled to the beam with activities.

At the front of the auditorium, a set of figurines were placed; they displayed a similar scene as the event at the manger in Bethlehem where Christ was born many centuries before.

Emily Willmott walked to the front of the church and stared at the beautiful arrangement of the figurines as everyone gallivanted from one end of the auditorium to the other greeting each other; “Merry Christmas.”

Emily looked at the arrangement with a longing for a family – a perfect family. The activities around her seemed to be muted until a man made his way toward her. Emily stared at him. It was Voight, the only man who now struck her with his enchantment.

“Merry Christmas Ms. Emily Willmott.” Voight said.

“Merry Christmas Mr. Radcliffe.” Emily replied curtseying.

With utter surprise, she watched Voight go down on one knee and retrieve a parcel from his breast pocket. “Emily, will you marry me?” he asked in his most sincere look.

In that brief instant, Emily was transported from the physical world into a different world where all dreams came to manifestation. She remembered all the imaginations she had had about her future proposal. The scene seemed exactly like one of her favorite.

When she came back to the reality of the event, and found the handsomest face still offering her the proposal ring. She smiled and accepted the ring with delight.

“Yes, Mr. Radcliffe. I will marry you.”

Perhaps Voight had it all planned that way, as soon as Emily accepted to marry him, her parents and his walked into the scene and they all greeted one another anew and chanted to each other in the same voice; “Merry Christmas.”

This is the sweetest Christmas ever! Emily told herself as she lay in her bed that night, unable to sleep. Her life would no longer remain the same. She knew that.