Neville went away for a few days to escape Misselthwaite to give Archie time to cool off; though, it was Neville who harboured hatred and evil in his heart towards his brother Archibald. Neville's jealousy and lust for Lilias consumed the good in his heart. He relied on Rose to spy on the happenings at Misselthwaite while he was away.
With Neville gone, Archie and Lilias could feel comfortable again without his lurking in their shadows.
Lilias had since begun planning a splendid Christmas party at Misselthwaite-her first Christmas as Archie's bride-The Lady of Misselthwaite. Fragrant garlands, wreaths, Gingerbread, ordering the perfect Christmas tree set to be decorated on Christmas Eve, and all manner of sparkling candlelight and glittering delights were part of the plan to make Misselthwaite beautifully festive for the season. She spoke to Cook, Medlock, and the scullery maid in planning the menu.
In Lilias's bedroom, Aisling was brushing Lilias's hair for the night. Lilias felt something was different about her.
"Aisling, what has happened? Not that you do not always possess a cheery disposition, but there's something in your appearance just now...How happy you look...Did Gregory surprise you with something wonderful-an early Christmas gift, perhaps? What is it?"
"You might say that. Well, Milady, I was waiting for a good moment to tell you this, and I wanted you to be one of the first people to know...No one else in the house knows yet, except Gregory-my husband of course. Gregory and I...We are...expecting a baby! I am withchild, Milady. I am to be a mother and Gregory a father."
"Oh! How marvellous! Such wonderful news!" Lilias hugged Aisling in a sweet congratulatory way. "A baby...I am very happy for you." Her voice cracked with a hint of sadness in her joy for her ladiesmaid and friend's news.
"Mr. Leclair must be so very pleased! You and he will make a wonderful pair-a wonderful Mummy and Daddy."
Aisling knew it was one of Lilias's dearest wishes to become a mother, so she didn't want to dwell on her state should it be subconsciously a little upsetting that she was pregnant and Lilias herself was not.
Lilias hoped to announce at Christmas that she was withchild but no such luck yet.
She confessed to Aisling, "I had hoped by Christmas...well, in a way, I suppose I wished to prove to my family that I genuinely want to, can, and will give Archie children now-as soon as possible. Is that selfish of me? In time, it will happen. I should stop all this rush and worry." She choked up a little and then began to speak with a gracefully quiet voice. "Of course, I've always genuinely wanted to create life with my husband-life that is made of his and mine and from our purest, truest, deepest love. I will love Archie forever and our children will be so loved by us as well. I'm blessed to live life with my Archie each day at my side. One cannot possibly fathom my happiness and love of my life with him. It's quite magical really. I feel so...so very lucky...to truly love and be loved. There are some that do not believe in my true love for Archie. Giving Archie children will make them believe it. Oh I hope that doesn't sound selfish..."
"Anyone can see that your love for his lordship is real. And if they cannot, then they are blind." Aisling answered Lilias's teary-eyed declaration.
...
One afternoon, Lilias was returning from town and caught sight of Ben-the gardener on the road back home to Misselthwaite.
Lilias peered out of the carriage window to kindly say hello.
"Your Roses will remain wick, Mrs. I'll see to it."
"Thank you," she smiled kindly but then laughed, for she knew not what he meant. "What's wick?"
"Alive. Wick is alive. All alive. What I mean is, I intend to help them survive the frost. They'll make it through this Winter. I'll protect 'em."
She smiled and nodded a second thanks. "Good day to you, Ben, and keep warm. It's terribly chilly out." She replied and waved goodbye.
In the carriage, Lilias had been memorising the steps to the latest dances/waltzes in her head, for there would be dancing at the Christmas party. A string quartet would play. She had hoped to impress Archie's kin and relatives. It would be the first time they'd meet again since the wedding.
When she stepped out of the carriage, she practised the steps to a dance alone outside on the gravel ground just near to the entry to Misselthwaite. Archie stood in the doorframe watching her smiling. She had not seen him appear there.
"May I?" He approached her.
"Thank you, Good Sir." She playfully replied.
He began to dance beautifully with her in a unison of fluidity and grace. Suddenly, snowflakes began to fall.
"You're a marvellous lead," She grinned.
Lilias was so concentrated in conversation with her husband and gazing into his eyes, that it took her a few moments more to realise that it was beginning to snow.
"Oh, how beautiful." She regally responded once aware.
Medlock called out to them from the door concerned.
"Please, come inside, Milord and Milady. It's so cold. You'll become ill. The snow seems to be picking up."
Archie and Lilias continued spinning and laughing through the entryway and danced all the way to the music parlour where they sat back on the sofa. Archie gave Lilias a couple of sweet kisses.
Rose watched from afar as Lilias lay back in her husband's arms on the sofa.
"How peacefully the snow is falling." Archie said to Lilias, and she gazed across to the wall of windows and could see out.
Lilias replied, "It is lovely, but I much prefer and I'm glad of being inside here all cozy and warm with you."
Archie smiled.
After a few moments, though, he winced.
"Is it your back?" Lilias inquired worried in that instant.
Archie nodded in admission, but then added,
"Not only. I'm afraid the cold weather seems to affect my hips and my legs as well. My body is very achy all around. I'm afraid I've suddenly become quite lethargic because of it."
"Sweetheart, you needn't worry." She began to gently caress and rub his sore body. "Dr. Gibson recommended a gentle massage to soothe your aches." She gently massaged Archie's hips in the manner Dr. Gibson described.
Archie moaned sweetly as if in relief and then sharply replied in his gentlemanly soothing tone. "I don't want to be a burden to you."
"You're not. I want to make you feel better and give you comfort and relief." She rose, "Only I think it will best work while lying on a bed," and she held out her arm and hand to him to beckon him to follow her to the bedroom. Using his walking stick, he followed her slowly gliding in his stride.
Medlock spied Mr. and Mrs. Craven walking to their bedroom together at first thinking it strange that they should go there in so early the afternoon. Then, she believed she knew their intentions.
Rose secretly followed them and watched them through a crack in the door. She was doing this more for Neville's sake.
She saw her sister sweetly tending to Archie. The massage was very gentle yet sensuous. She could see the deepest care and affection her sister had for him. All of that was evident in the way she touched him-his neck, shoulders, back, hips, and down to his legs. Rose was inspired by the love she witnessed. She turned her face away from watching. The sweetness she encountered seemed to stun some of the coldness and bitterness out of Rose's heart.
Weeks passed, and the eve of the Craven Christmas party arrived.
It was a day of returns and arrivals. Albert arrived as did Neville back from their travels. Rose had a slightly guilty countenance upon her and an aura of regret.
Lilias and Archie greeted each guest kindly with graciousness and a truly welcoming sense of hospitality.
"Great Aunt, it's quite wonderful to see you again." Archie's aunt approached, a tall and austere woman though feeble in her movements and walk. She was grandly dressed.
"My good nephew," She patted his hand. "My poor boy, how is your health? How have you managed?"
"I am well," Archie replied, "I felt I must inquire as to yours, but I see it is indeed not necessary."
She walked to the side to greet Lilias.
Looking at Lilias while still speaking to Archie, she said, "Your lady is quite beautiful. I had not forgotten.
"Hello. Very good to see you!" Lilias musically spoke and then elegantly bowed and curtsied slightly.
"Such queenly grace." Archie's aunt responded.
Lilias blushed smiling.
Preparations were set. The staff in the kitchen were busy as bees. It was a bit hectic for them. Lilias made a point to visit them below stairs to check on the menu preparations.
Medlock most of all was on-edge-though on-edge was her daily state of mind as it was.
The sweets had already been prepared. The kitchen smelled of Cinnamon and Chocolate and Coffee.