Christmas with the Marquess Read online

  Lady Ellen was seated on a padded stool in front of the hearth, covered in a warm blanket. Lord Blanchard stood beside the hearth, glancing directly at him, while Lady Blanchard made her way to the far corner of the drawing room.

  “My lord,” Lord Kingston uttered as he approached Lord Blanchard, “I do appreciate you wishing to speak with me.”

  “It is my understanding that you rescued my daughter from Lord Marshall,” Lord Blanchard said. “Is this true?”

  “Indeed it is, my lord,” Lord Kingston answered, “and although I do not wish any kind of recognition for this deed, the only thing which matters to me is the safety of Lady Ellen.”

  Lord Kingston glanced at Lady Ellen, and she smiled warmly at him.

  “I am perfectly fine, thanks to your bravery,” Lady Ellen said gratefully.

  “It was certainly not bravery which fueled my actions, my lady. Of that I can assure you,” Lord Kingston smiled.

  “Lord Kingston,” Lord Blanchard uttered, and Lord Kingston glanced at the Earl. “It seems that my perception of you was warped before I knew the truth. My daughter describes you as a kind man, who is well-mannered, and with whom she feels safe. She had even admitted to me that she snuck out of her bedchambers at night to meet with you in the library.”

  “My lord…”

  “And even then, while you were alone, you did not once make her feel anything but comfort, safe, and respected, and I thank you for that,” Lord Blanchard said gratefully. “It is not every day I meet such a noble and moral man such as yourself, despite the things I had heard about your past. A person’s past does not always define their future, as you so skillfully displayed.”

  “Thank you, my lord. Your words are kind,” Lord Kingston expressed in true gratitude.

  “Furthermore,” Lord Blanchard continued, “it was also brought to my attention that my daughter has quite strong feelings towards you.”

  Lord Blanchard’s words caused Lord Kingston to smile and shyly gaze at Lady Ellen. Not a shred of uncertainty was displayed in her bright blue eyes, even in the dimly lit drawing room.

  “Is it fair to say that you reciprocate those feeling, my lord?” Lord Blanchard inquired.

  “Indeed it is, my lord. Your daughter is a wonderful young woman. Not only beautiful, and intelligent, but witty, kind and very much the most interesting person I have ever met in my entire life,” Lord Kingston answered. “From the very first moment I saw her, she captivated me, and I could not stop myself from thinking of her every moment of every day. I am truly in love with your daughter, my lord.”

  Lord Blanchard pursed his lips and glanced briefly at Lady Ellen.

  “My lord,” Lady Ellen spoke quietly as she turned towards Lord Kingston and stood slowly. “Hearing you say those words delights me more than my lord will ever realize.”

  Lady Ellen stood in front of Lord Kingston and took his hands in hers. Her brow furrowed as she noticed the bruises on his knuckles and pursed her lips in sorrow. “I am merely saddened by the fact that my lord is injured.”

  “My bruises will heal. What matters is that my lady is safe.”

  Lady Ellen smiled weakly and glanced at her father.

  “My daughter also wishes me to allow you to court. Is this something you would wish as well, my lord?” Lord Blanchard pointed out.

  Lord Kingston glanced at him and nodded. “Indeed I would, my lord, but only if my lord agrees. I would not wish to cause any strife in your home.”

  Lord Blanchard briefly glanced at Lady Ellen, who had stepped away from Lord Kingston and glanced at him, her blue eyes filled with hope. “If it is what my daughter wants, there is no reason for me to deny you this request. My only wish is for my daughter to be happy, and I see in her eyes she is happy with you. Her face could light up the sun at this very moment.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” Lord Kingston approached Lord Blanchard and shook his hand.

  Lord Blanchard glanced at his wife and said, “Rose, shall we leave Lord Kingston and Ellen alone to speak?”

  “Does that not seem inappropriate?” Lady Blanchard gasped.

  “My dear, these two had spent nearly a week alone in one another’s company. A few minutes would not do any harm,” Lord Blanchard sighed and motioned to Lady Blanchard to follow him.

  As the door closed behind them, having left Lady Ellen and Lord Kingston alone in the drawing room, Lord Kingston felt an overwhelming urge to embrace Lady Ellen, but much to his surprise, it was Lady Ellen who had taken it upon herself to throw her arms around his shoulders. Lord Kingston wrapped his arms around her and lovingly held her close to him.

  ***

  The following days were pure bliss to Lady Ellen, as well as Lord Kingston, as they were now free to spend time with one another without the need to sneak around. Of course, many of the guests were skeptical about their courtship, as they still believed Lord Kingston to be the person he used to be before he traveled through Europe, but they soon came to see how much he truly loved Lady Ellen, and how happy the couple was together. The last few days of their stay at Stoiten Manor had become much more enjoyable, as Lady Ellen now had someone she truly loved to celebrate the holiday traditions with. They joined in most of the festivities, even though they would not have been seen doing so individually. Meeting Lord Kingston had truly been the most wonderful thing which had ever happened to Lady Ellen. He made her laugh, gave her the courage to attempt things she had never done before, and she even agreed to take a sleigh ride with him, under the supervision of Lord and Lady Blanchard, of course. Lady Ellen even found herself smiling often, when the joy of Christmas filled her heart in a manner it had never done before.

  On the last night of their stay at Stoiten Manor, the Duke and Duchess hosted a lavish ball as a farewell to their guests, and Lady Ellen was rather excited at this, as she had not yet had the opportunity to dance with Lord Kingston.

  Lady Ellen sat in her bedchambers, not dressed, and her mother approached her.

  “You are not dressed yet,” Lady Blanchard pointed out, clothed in a magnificent emerald green gown which suited her complexion perfectly.

  “Indeed, Mother,” Lady Ellen answered simply.

  “Is something the matter, my dear?”

  “Mother, I am aware that you are not particularly fond of Lord Kingston…”

  “I said no such thing,” Lady Blanchard interjected. “He is a very nice man. I have seen the manner in which he gazes upon you, and it gives me hope.”

  “It does?” Lady Ellen asked.

  “As much as I care for your father, my dear Ellen, I truly wished my mother would have told me to follow my heart, just as you have,” Lady Blanchard said before smoothing her dress. “Your happiness is the most important thing to me.”

  “Thank you, Mother. Your words truly mean the world to me.”

  “As do you, my dear,” Lady Blanchard said with a nod. “I shall leave you to dress. Your blue dress slippers are in the trunk.”

  Lady Ellen had nearly forgotten about the dress she had hidden away in her clothing chest since they arrived at the estate. Lady Ellen assumed she would not attend the ball, hence never getting the opportunity to wear it, and show it to the world. It was an exquisite dark blue silk gown with golden trim and delicate lace sleeves. Blue gowns had the ability to cause Lady Ellen’s eyes to shine even brighter, as she had been told by anyone who saw her clothed in the color. Her mother’s reminder of the exquisite gown warmed her heart, as it meant her mother did approve of her courtship with Lord Kingston.

  Lady Ellen dressed quickly, eager to show off the gown, as well as to see Lord Kingston’s reaction when he saw her for the first time in the gown.

  ***

  Lord Kingston shifted his weight as he stood at the foot of the grand staircase, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his beautiful Lady Ellen. His heart was pounding in his chest, and as he glanced up, he noticed Lord and Lady Blanchard make their way down the stairwell.

  “My daughter will be joini
ng us shortly,” Lord Blanchard said as he winked at Lord Kingston.

  “Apparently, she had a change of heart regarding her choice of gown,” Lady Blanchard told him quietly as they passed him.

  Lord Kingston straightened his shoulders as he waited by the foot of the staircase, and as soon as he heard gasps and murmurs behind him, he glanced up and saw her.

  Lady Ellen appeared at the top of the stairwell, a vision in dark blue. To Lord Kingston, it felt as though time slowed down as he gazed upon Lady Ellen descending towards him. He stood frozen by awe and love for this beautiful young woman, whom held his heart entirely.

  As Lady Ellen reached the bottom, she approached him, and a smile formed on her lips

  “Good evening, my lord,” Lady Ellen greeted him, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

  “Good evening, my lady. There is no one as magnificent as you this evening, and none as beautiful,” Lord Kingston complimented as he reached for Lady Ellen’s hand and kissed it tenderly.

  Lord Kingston escorted Lady Ellen into the lavish ballroom and felt invincible by her side. There were no more furtive glances and disapproving stares from the guests. The guests now only glanced at Lord Kingston and Lady Ellen with warm smiles and cheerful banter, which Lord Kingston was grateful for. After Lord Blanchard had informed the Duchess what Lord Marshall had done, the Duchess had him removed from the estate, never to return.

  “Would you care to dance, my dear?” Lord Kingston asked.

  Lady Ellen’s eyes sparkled as she replied, “There is nothing I would adore more, my lord.”

  Lord Kingston led Lady Ellen to the center of the dance floor, took her in his arms, and they started their dance, a slow and gentle to and fro in perfect sync with the music which played in the background.

  “You are quite a delightful dancer,” Lady Ellen complimented him. “Although, I am not surprised, as you seem to excel at so many things.”

  Lord Kingston chuckled with amusement and shrugged, “My father insisted I was taught how to dance, as only a true gentleman would sweep a young woman off her feet.”

  “And my lord succeeded beautifully.” Lady Ellen smiled at him.

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  “My lord,” Lady Ellen uttered as she glanced up at him, “I wish to thank you for coming to my rescue.”

  “There is no need to thank me, my lady. Your safety is my first priority and there is nothing I would not do to ensure my lady is always safe,” Lord Kingston answered. “My lady, if only you realized how much you mean to me, then you would understand how much my life has changed in this short while since we met.”

  “I am fairly certain I understand how much, my lord,” Lady Ellen uttered with a nod. “There are not enough words in the entire world to express the love I feel for you. I finally feel at ease and that I now have a place where I belong. It is with you.”

  Lord Kingston smiled down at the beautiful young woman before him and inhaled slowly. “My lady, if I may be so bold as to say that my love for you is unfathomable, there is something I wish to ask of you?”

  “And what is that, my lord?” Lady Ellen asked. “Although there is nothing I would deny you.”

  “I am already the luckiest and happiest man in the entire world to have someone as beautiful, intelligent and kind as you, my lady, and I would be even happier if my lady would allow me to spend the rest of my life ensuring you feel the same way,” Lord Kingston proclaimed.

  Lady Ellen cocked her head as their gentle sways disappeared, and they stood in the center of the ballroom, in the dim light, staring at one another. “My lord, what are you asking of me?”

  “My lady, would you agree to be my wife?” Lord Kingston asked, his deep brown eyes boring into Lady Ellen’s soul.

  Lady Ellen gasped softly as her heart pounded in her chest, and Lord Kingston brought her hand up to his lips.

  “I wish nothing more than to be your wife, my lord,” she answered dreamily. “I had been afraid of love my entire life, afraid no one would be able to love me in the manner in which I dreamed of. Then I met you, my lord, and you gave me the love I had dreamed of, and more. I am truly grateful to you for that, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, my lord, with my entire heart, soul, and everything I possess.”

  “Your heart and soul is all I ever wished to capture,” Lord Kingston murmured, leaning in closer to her and kissing her sweetly on the lips.

  There were no words which could adequately describe how overjoyed she was when Lord Kingston had declared his love for her and then asked for her hand in marriage. There had never been a moment in Lady Ellen’s life when she was as certain of her feelings as she was at that very moment.

  Lady Ellen gazed into her betrothed’s eyes and smiled happily, knowing that this would only be the first of many happy holidays she and Lord Kingston would spend together.

  Her heart filled with love as she suddenly realized she had finally received her Christmas miracle, just as she had hoped.

  The End