Chapter 22: Snowing in Gracewood
Meredith watched as Derek and two of the strongest footmen carried the huge tree into the foyer and then through to the great room. Cool air rushed in with them, before Winston shut the front doors to keep the winter chill outside. It didn't take them long to hoist the tree into position, placed in a container for water, but it took far longer to find just the right spot to display it to advantage. There were boxes of delicate ornaments waiting to be placed on the tree, along with candles, and strands of silver and gold ribbons.
"There, I believe that is perfect!" Meredith clapped her hands happily. She loved the festive season, and the scent of fresh pine in the air.
"Good. I do not believe we wish to move it again," Derek grinned, rolling up his shirt sleeves after the exertion of adjusting the large tree. "But you are quite right, that is perfect...and I believe it is the exact same place we had it last year..." he teased her.
"Do you really think so?"
"I could be wrong, my love," he replied, winking at her. "Now, Dominic and Charles can help with the decorations, if you wish to supervise. Promise me that you will not climb any ladders yourself..."
"Aren't you staying?"
"I will be back by the time you need to place the angel on the top. There are a few things I need to attend to at the stable."
"All right...I believe Rose will be here in a few moments."
"Good." He brushed a kiss over her temple.
"We will have hot chocolate and ginger cookies when we're done, the children are looking forward to it after their lessons."
"I will be here." Derek escaped then, leaving her to happily direct the footmen in the decorating. He loved Meredith to distraction, but decorating the tree was really not his forte. He really did need to check on things in the stable to make sure there would be enough room for the horses and carriages arriving within the next day or so. Link had sent word ahead they were on the road, along with John and Eleanor. They were travelling together to be sure the elderly couple would not be stranded in case of bad weather. Of course, not that they weren't without a cadre of footmen and drivers, but still it was a good idea to travel together. Marcus and Lexie were planning to make the journey as well, despite Lexie's pregnancy. She had written to Meredith, accepting the invitation, and said she felt fine and strong enough to travel. Other than that, only his youngest sister Elizabeth and her husband Lucian would be coming – all the others were too far away or had family concerns that kept them home for the season. At any rate, it would be a houseful, especially with the ever-growing brood of children.
"Your Grace, I did not expect you out here today," John greeted him, giving a short bow as Derek entered the stable.
"Just escaping for a while. Have you finished the stable arrangements for our guests?"
"Ready to welcome them, my lord. Will you be taking Midnight out today?"
"Since you have everything under control, perhaps I will. He does get restless without a daily run." Derek pulled on his riding gloves, and Midnight shifted in his stall in anticipation.
"Just be careful, my lord. My joints are tellin' me it might snow and it gets a mite slippery on the trail in that case." John hoisted the saddle into place, while Derek adjusted the bridle.
"Duly noted," Derek grinned, before swinging into the saddle. "I have no intention of getting injured before the festivities! Lady Meredith would not be pleased."
Meredith settled into the wing chair next to the fireplace and surveyed the tree with satisfaction. The decorations were in place, and while the candles weren't lit yet, the firelight reflected on the myriad of silver and glass. The scent of pine permeated the room, mingling with the cinnamon and cloves set out in bowls.
She glanced at the grandfather clock that chimed the hour, and wondered where Derek was, just as Winston appeared in the open doorway, with Rose close behind him. There was a grave expression on both their faces, and a sliver of fear went through her, remembering another time when Marcus had been thrown from his horse.
"What's happened?" she asked, gripping the arms of the chair tightly.
Winston paused. "My lady...John has sent word...His Grace has not returned from his ride..."
Rose hurried forward, dropping down to her knees next to Meredith's chair. "Now, my lady, that sounds far worse than it should...John merely wanted to let you know Lord Derek will be late. I am quite sure there is nothing to worry about."
Meredith closed her eyes, trying to quell the fright that rose in her like a wild animal. "Are you sure that is all John meant?" she asked quietly.
Winston clasped his hands, and maintained his usual serene expression. "My lady, it is snowing some, and John is concerned that the trail is slippery. I am quite sure His Grace is taking his time to return without incurring injury to his mount or himself."
Looking out the window, Meredith could see the flakes swirling in the darkness. "I want to go and speak with John myself. We should send a groom to look for Derek..."
"I am sure John will do that very thing," Rose said soothingly.
Meredith pushed to her feet. "Fetch my cape, Rose. I will speak with him just to be sure." She started to walk towards the doorway, with Rose trailing behind her.
"My lady...it is chilly, and you need to be careful..." Rose fretted. "Think of the baby..."
"I will be all right. I just need to make sure that Derek is also..." Meredith kept her voice steady, even if her heart was pounding and all she could think of was making sure Derek was not lying somewhere in the dark, injured and unable to move. Winston nodded at her as she swept past him, his eyes meeting Rose's.
"Dominic can accompany you, my lady," he suggested. "He has proven quite capable of late, and you can trust him."
"Very well, just hurry and have him meet me at the back terrace."
As Winston went to find Dominic, Rose brought the long, fur-trimmed cape and wrapped it over Meredith's shoulders. "Do you wish me to come along?"
"No, Rose...stay here and keep the children busy. I do not want them to be worried."
"His Grace is an excellent horseman, he will be fine," Rose assured her. "No need to worry, but Meggie and I will wait with them until you return."
"Thank you, Rose. I can always depend on you." Blinking away tears, Meredith embraced the little maid, a woman that had become a close friend over the years.
"Now do not fret...His Grace will be right as rain, and ready to put the angel on the tree before the hour is out, mark my words..."
Derek swore under his breath, as Midnight stumbled along the trail, and the early winter darkness descended, and fat snowflakes swirled around them. The trail was already disappearing, and just as John predicted, was growing treacherous. "Steady, Midnight..." he murmured, easing the big horse to a slow walk. "No need to hurry. The oats will still be there when we get back." Still he was a little concerned, realizing that it was getting late and Meredith would be expecting him back soon. Somehow the time had slipped away, and he had ridden out further in the field than he anticipated.
He was not about to push Midnight, and risk injury so he resigned himself to putting up with the wintery discomfort. Meredith would be concerned, but there was nothing to be done about it at this point. He would have to make it up to her later, he told himself. As he had said to John, she would not be happy with him if he injured himself. He could picture her now, tapping her foot and checking the clock, waiting for him to put the angel on the treetop. With a resigned sigh, he pulled the collar of his greatcoat up to his ears, and guided Midnight carefully. He could see the lights of the stables in the distance, so it would not be much longer.
"John...are you prepared to send one of the grooms out to make sure his lordship is on his way safely?" Meredith asked, as Dominic ushered her into the well lit, warm stable. Lanterns were lit in all corners, and a large pot-bellied stove gave off comforting warmth in the center of the building. Several of the younger grooms scrambled to their feet at her appearance, before finding something to occupy themselves with. Mistral whickered softly, recognizing Meredith's voice, and peering over the stable door.
"I am going myself, Lady Meredith," John assured her, already buckling a saddle onto one of the horses, a sturdy young gelding. "The weather turned before we expected, else we would have sent someone sooner." He swung into the saddle, and took the lantern that Dominic handed over. "Now, you rest assured, we'll be back afore too long."
"I hope you are right," Meredith frowned, peering out into the darkness. "However, I will wait here." John tipped his head, and rode off, while she paced next to the stove, warming her feet thankfully. Perhaps she was being silly, but she wouldn't feel at ease until she saw Derek riding back himself.
"My lady, do you need a chair?" Dominic inquired, as Meredith paced over to greet Mistral.
"No. I will be fine here; you may return to the manor. His Grace will be here soon and he will escort me back inside." She stroked the filly's neck gently, thinking of all the times she and Derek had ridden out together. However, not in the dark and not in this kind of weather.
"Very good, my lady." Dominic bowed briefly.
Derek could see a light bobbing somewhere ahead of him, and he realized someone was out looking for him. It was snowing harder now, but he was approaching the clearing and he let Midnight move ahead a fraction quicker. With any luck, he would be at Gracewood soon. Midnight shook his head, clearing snow out of his eyes, clearly not as willing as Derek to take his time. He broke into the clearing, and sensing the stable and his oats, broke into a gallop, taking Derek off guard. With a muttered curse, Derek felt the reins slide from his cold-stiffened fingers and for the first time in many years, he was dumped unceremoniously to the snowy ground while Midnight raced away. Pain lanced his leg and he gritted his teeth, willing himself to wait for someone to find him. Despite the situation, he managed a wry smile...Meredith would have something to say about this for sure...