Page 62 of It's a British Christmas

She had stood by silently as Papa had opened the invitation a couple of weeks ago. He had read it over carefully, more than once, with Eve holding her breath. Mama had joined them in Papa’s study, as they both waited to hear Papa’s response.

Papa placed the note on his desk and removed his spectacles. With his handkerchief, he cleaned off the lens, studying his fingers as they worked. Once his spectacles were back on his nose, he looked over at Eve. “Do you wish to attend, daughter?”

“I don’t know.” She hadn’t realized up until that moment that she had been counting on Papa to make the decision for her. Had he said no, that would have been the end of it. Had he answered in the affirmative, she would have gladly prepared. But it had seemed Papa had wanted her to decide for herself.

“Before you answer, hear me out. Mama and I cannot accept this invitation, for no other reason than the church needs us during Christmastide. However, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy the festivities the duke offers you.”

He waved to the two chairs in front of his desk, and they all sat. “I am not blind, and I have raised four children. There was no doubt in my mind that His Grace had developed feelings for you, and you for him. The divide between our classes is extremely wide, of which you are undoubtedly aware.

“I cannot truthfully see you fitting into that world; however, I know how determined you are, and Mama and I are proud of the young woman you have become. I trust your decision to be the best one for you.” He leaned forward on his desk, his hands clasped, and viewed her with the loving eyes she’d seen all her life. “If this is what your heart truly wants, accept the man’s invitation, and see for yourself what you think of your differences while in his vicinage. Mama and I would always stand with what you decide.”

Eve’s heart had thumped so loudly at his words, it had almost choked her. “But Papa, if you and Mama cannot attend, I cannot go alone.”

He shook his head. “Your mama can arrange for a chaperone. I am sure there are many circumspect women in the village who would love to attend a fancy Christmas ball.”

“Can I do that? Bring someone with me who was not invited?”

Papa smiled warmly at her. “My dear, I am quite sure the duke will be more than happy to play host to a chaperone if it means you will be there, as well.”

She’d blushed at Papa’s words, and Mama’s grin.

Now the carriage Adam had sent for her was parked outside her door, and Mrs. Carter, a close friend of Mama’s, and a formidable widow with seven grown children, waited for her.

The butterflies in her stomach grew in intensity as she left the room and headed downstairs. Mrs. Carter wore a very strange-looking hat, that she must have assumed would be quite fashionable at Manchester Park. It took all of Eve’s loosely held control not to laugh. “Good morning, Mrs. Carter. Thank you so much for traveling with me.”

“I am flattered that your mama trusted me to watch out for you while you hobnob with the Quality.”

Oh, dear. Hopefully Mrs. Carter would not say anything to embarrass her. She smiled at the woman, and kissed Mama and Papa on the cheek before climbing into the well-sprung, comfortable carriage.

Her trunk had already been loaded, and soon she was waving at her parents as the vehicle rolled toward Adam’s home, and a life she’d never even dreamed about.

The trip would take about eight hours, with them stopping twice, once for luncheon and then dinner. Adam had explained in his last correspondence that they would also change horses at those stops. He’d thoughtfully sent a complete outline of where the carriage would travel, and the roads it would take. Separately, he’d written to Papa to assure him of Eve’s safety on the journey, and that he would send a footman and a well-armed outrider, along with the driver, to assure their well-being.

He had also arranged for the inns where they would stop for their meals. Papa had given her some coins, but she had a feeling Adam had already paid for whatever services they would require at the inns.

“Your young man must think quite a bit of you to go to all this trouble.” Mrs. Carter gazed around the coach, running her palm over the smooth deep blue velvet seats, fingering the brocade curtains covering the windows.

Too nervous to engage in conversation, Eve merely smiled and kept her thoughts to herself. Thoughts such as ‘her young man’ had the carriage built just to transport her from Worcestershire to Manchester Park. She suppressed a giggle at the thought and tried her best to calm herself.

The eight-hour trip passed by too quickly in some ways, and achingly slow in others. The stops at the inns were appreciated, since she’d grown stiff sitting for hours. Although, the comfort of the carriage made the long trip not only bearable, but comfortable as possible.

After dinner, the heaviness of the meal, plus the rolling of the carriage lulled her to sleep, and it seemed she had no sooner closed her eyes than Mrs. Carter tapped her on her knee. “Eve. It appears we have arrived.”

Immediately, her heart pounding resumed, and she moved the curtain aside to see Adam striding down the pathway, a huge grin on his face.

Adam had spent the better part of the day pacing in his study and checking his timepiece against the long clock in the corner. Even though he’d received a very nice response from Pastor Allen to Mother’s invitation, he still had his doubts that Eve would appear. The rector had written an apology that he and Mrs. Allen were unable to attend the festivities due to duties at Christmastide with his church, but Miss Eve Allen would be delighted to accept his invitation.

He sent his carriage off yesterday in plenty of time for it to arrive this morning to transport Eve and whoever was coming with her as chaperone. Tugging his timepiece from his waistcoat once again, he stopped and tilted his head to listen. The sound of carriage wheels drew him to the front door.

Mother had insisted that Eve arrive several days before the ball so she could take her under her wing and prepare her for the events. Although Adam had been reluctant to turn her over to Mother’s ministrations, he had no doubt that if anyone could make certain Eve had very few missteps, it was the Duchess of Manchester.

He held his breath as the footman stepped off the back of the carriage and opened the door. He extended his hand and an older woman emerged. No longer able to tolerate the wait, Adam strode to the carriage and nodded briefly to the woman. Then he poked his head into the carriage and there sat Eve. He released the deep breath he held and smiled. “Good evening.”

She looked scared to death. If he didn’t do something immediately to calm her, she was likely to step from the carriage and flee. Instead of reaching his hand in, he climbed in and sat across from her. “Did you have a pleasant journey?”

A quick nod was his only response. “Were the inns I arranged for you to take your meals accommodating?” He could only imagine how difficult it was for her to make such a journey without her parents.

“Yes.” Ah, finally she spoke. He was making progress.