Christmas came to Westhrope Hall. The Hall is awash in Christmas cheer, despite its Lord being gone. The staircase and fireplaces are draped in garlands of evergreen with oranges adhered in them. Mary likes the appeal of the bright orange color amidst the greenery. Flower arrangements of red and white roses with sprigs of holly set on the tables, as well as graced the presence of every room.

For the Christmas feast, she forgoed the wild boar in favor of turkey and duck. She loathes a wild boar, which staunchly reminds her of her father who is a total boar of a man. Those words will never be uttered out loud by her lips, though. And the irony is people think that way about her husband. He is not. Maybe he was before their marriage, but with all the respect he gives to her she can't bring herself to think that way. He is uncouth, perhaps, but not a boar anymore.

A new tradition started. Mary invited the important Duchy residents to a Christmas feast. The feast afforded Her Ladyship the opportunity to network and learn all about these "mayors", sheriffs, knights, shop owners, and the gentry of sorts. It was just as good as Governance Wednesday. The only missed opportunity was with the Dowager Countess, who has yet to grace Mary with her existence. It's not for lack of trying.

Throughout it, all the Duke, himself, was missed. Christmas morning saw Mary, Dot, and begrudgingly Lady Catherine sit down to a Christmas feast with mince pies, fruitcake, figgy pudding, marzipan delights, honey, fruits of all kinds, assorted cheese, and fresh-baked bread. The servants were invited to partake of the treats as well. Since Charles wasn't here, she wanted to honor their servant's hard work and support on their behalf. Then they exchanged gifts. The Duke and Duchess were gifted many fine items from their servants like serving utensils or coupons for particular work.

Then the fun began with Lady Dot who gave Mary a scandalous nightgown. When she opened it and saw the red silk, she swooned. But that was quickly replaced when she pulled it out and saw the sheer lace at the top. That is where her breasts go! Her face turned as red as the garment. She quickly stowed it away back in the box.

Lady Agnes and Joan presented her new materials for soap making. Lady Catherine gave her new parchment. New parchment indeed! She thanked her anyway for the gift. Then Cranston brought to her a rather large box. She eyed him curiously. Cranston told her "My Lady this is not from me. I went in with Agnes and Joan. This is actually from His Grace."

Upon the mention of Charles, her face lit up like the sun in the sky. She took the top off and found a conglomeration of items. Two new dresses of fine silk, a floral silk skirt, a lace top to match the skirt, a red leather belt, a headpiece of pearls, a cloak trimmed in fur, two new hats, and buried underneath a pair of normal scissors. Her hands brought out the scissors and clasped them. He remembered her ostentatious pair. She also found a note, which she saved to read later in private.

Taking in her new things, engulfed her with gratitude. She has never been given so much at one setting in so very long. And it made her feel small because she thought of her mother, sitting alone with only her Lady Elizabeth Darrow for support. Thinking of her mother made her eyes well up, but she wouldn't cry until she was by herself. Which did not come until eventide.

Once she was changed for bed, the letter was taken in hand and read. It started...

Dearest Wife,

I hope you receive this in time for Christmas. I wish we were together this day. Instead, I am here, in France, putting on a good face for His Majesty. No doubt, as you read this, I am sure to be in the middle of some gregarious feast. I hope you are enjoying your first Christmas at Westhrope Hall and are not celebrating alone. I also hope you took my advice and haven't stayed shut up in the manor like some elderly spinster, which you most certainly are not.

I realize you probably think I went overboard with my gift. But when I saw all these things I thought of you. The clothes look like something you would actually wear. The royal dressmaker told me they are the latest fashion, along with the hats and cloak. The headpiece made of pearls reminded me of the name your father would call you, My Pearl. I'm not really sure why I bought the belt, except for thinking it would look good around your waist. And the shears, because I want you to have a normal pair that are useful.

Hopefully, if all goes well you should see me in two weeks time. I miss your smile, your eyes, your face, your voice. I just miss you.

Your Husband,

Charles

She cried for herself and for her mother. Then went to fetch the pearl headpiece. Digging through the gift box, she came across two things that went unnoticed before. Two camellias lay wrapped in paper, preserved. One is red, the other is pink. She is not a ninny. Any well-read lady knows the language of flowers. These two camellias speak more than any words ever could. The red one speaks of "burn with desire", while the pink one declares "I long for you".

Taking the flowers, she placed them carefully at her vanity station and put the note under her pillow. Picking up Charles's pillow she hugged it to her, pretending it was him. How is she ever going to make it these two weeks?

Somehow she did, and it started with a most intriguing invitation. It arrived on Tuesday afternoon. She was sitting in the drawing-room with Dot. The drawing room has become her favorite room because of all the wonderful windows which bring in the natural lighting. Cranston entered.

"My Lady this has arrived for you." He handed her the invitation. "The carrier awaits your reply."

She opened it and gave it a thorough inspection. Dot swears her mouth dropped open. She quickly wrote a reply of acceptance and gave it to Cranston. Once he left Dot's curiosity took over. "Who was that from? It made you shocked beyond belief."

"You will never guess. It was an invitation for us, myself and a friend, to join the Dowager Countess for tea. On Thursday," Mary explained. Dot's eyes looked like the full moon at night, round and big with surprise. They both awaited Thursday with pins and needles. But first, they had to get through another Governance Day.

The first Governance Day of the new year saw more women there than in past. This encouraged both Mary and Dot. One woman came from the far corner of the Duchy just to present Her Ladyship with "A basket My Lady. I made it special for you. You have done so much for all of us, so I wanted to do something for you."

This meant a lot to Mary. Sure, other residents have gifted her with items like fresh eggs and fine cheese, flowers, or a mortar and pestle. But there is just something about this lady, wearing what is probably her finest dress (which is a tad shabby), taking her time to make this gift. She held the basket in her hands and told her "Oh no! This is not a basket." She saw the lady's face fall at her words, but Mary was not yet finished. "This is not a basket because this is a work of art. How did you know I needed a new one? I was just telling Lady Dorothy here that I needed a new basket to hold all my new yarn and scissors." She looked to Dot to speak.

Dot, who is quick of wit, declared "Her Grace did say that. And you helped her solve that particular problem."

The lady who presented Mary with the basket beamed so proudly. "'Twas nothing My Lady. I am just so happy you can use it."

"Oh but I can. In fact, you have given me so much more than a basket. You have given me an idea." Mary turned to Dot. "Lady Dorothy would you please write this down or I may forget it." Dot nodded and picked up her fine feathered quill. She is Mary's scribe on Governance Day, and she loves it. Mainly because this is the first time in so very long that Mary has had something genuine to do. And seeing her friend like this, talking and ruling, makes her see why she should be the queen one day.

Turning back to all of the ladies in line in the room, Mary addressed them. Her maroon skirt swished as she walked forward. "Good ladies of the Duchy of Suffolk. I have been hearing from more of you over the last month and especially today. I have also been presented with so many incredible works of craftsmanship by your capable hands. Which is why I think we need to hold a lady's craft fair." The women all gave a yell of agreement.

"We will hold it right here on the front lawn of our estate. There will be booths set up for any lady interested in selling. So what I need you to do is tell your lady friends and send word to register your craft and booth. I will have signs posted in each village with details and you can always send word on Governance Day. I think we will aim for late March. It will give us time to prepare." Mary then sat back down in her chair. A thrill of excitement went about the room.

At the end of the day, Lady Agnes told Mary "That was spectacular My Lady. A women's fair is just what we need. There are so many ladies whose fine crafts are hidden away. You have done so much for the people of Suffolk. His Grace will be proud. I just know it." She has never been prouder to serve anyone in her life. Her hopes were so high when Lord Charles married again, and every one of them has been exceeded. She only wishes he were here to witness all the love poured out to him and his lady wife.

Now it is Mary's turn to beam proudly. She looks forward to planning the craft fair. That night she went to sleep thinking about it. Upon waking, however, she woke with anxious anticipation. Today is the day of meeting the Dowager Countess. Oh, my gracious, what should she wear?

All during breakfast, she nibbled. Dot noticed. "You are nervous." She, her own self, ate a generous portion of fruit and cheese.

"What gave it away? The fact I'm not eating?" She picked at the apples.

Dot is not nervous at all. "You always get like this before anything major happens. But you need to eat something." She pushed the strawberries her way.

"I am nervous. I mean why would a Dowager Countess take a house inside a Duchy? Who is this Countess? She's rebuffed me several times before. I should feel slighted, and I have every right to have refused her invitation. Yet I'm curious and part of me knows I should befriend her, especially since I'm the Duke's wife. It's only right." She bit a strawberry and thought about that. Then she voiced, "The problem is what to wear. What does one wear to meet an old Dowager Countess, not knowing where she is from?"

Loading her plate full of fruit again, Dot told her "Something nice."

"Thank you, Dot. That was a truly remarkable statement. Of course, I would wear something nice." Mary ate a few more strawberries and went to find something nice. She settled on a long-sleeve gold embroidered top. It fits in the arms and is cut across the bosom. Dot told her to pair it with a golden colored skirt. The skirt is embellished with layers of tulle. It's quite dainty. Yes, she will wear this.

Joan helped her dress and styled her hair in voluminous waves. She put the pearl headpiece, Charles sent her, in it. Then she met Dot downstairs. Lady Agnes complimented both ladies and saw them off to the carriage. From there they made their way to tea with the Dowager Countess.

The carriage dropped them at the front door of the house. A steward met them and helped them out. The same butler as before escorted the ladies into the sitting room. Mary took note of the decor on the way to the room. He bid them sit on an ornate yellow damask printed sofa. While they waited, Dot whispered "This room is fancy. It's almost as elaborate as some of the rooms in the palace."

At that time the Countess entered wearing a plum-colored dress, her graying hair pulled back. Around her neck was a gold and pearl chain holding spectacles at the end. She may be getting on in years, but she has no less lost her spunk. "I do hope I'm interrupting something," she declared sitting in an armchair across from them.

Eyeing the girls, she questioned in her aristocratic voice "Now which one of you keeps sending me that confounded jelly?"

Mary swallowed her bravery and spoke up. "Me, The Duchess of Suffolk."

"Well, Me, please refrain. I am allergic to cinnamon," The Dowager Lady stated.

Oh my heavens! She could have killed the Countess. "I humbly apologize My Lady."

The Countess waved her off. "You did not know. Now enough with this My Lady business. I am Flora. That is my name. Please use it. And you are?"

Not knowing what to make of the Countess, both girls sat mute staring at her. "I see I will have to take the slow path. You there, Duchess of Suffolk, what is your name?"

"Mary and this is my friend Dorothy, but I call her Dot," Mary remarked.

Lady Flora rang a bell and the uppity butler came back into the room. "Harris set out the tea." She waved him away and turned back to the girls. Eyeing the duchess down, using the spectacles on her neck, she began "Let us talk about your life. You were thrown away into a ramshackle castle in the middle of nowhere, while your mother was set aside for a mistress."

At the word mistress, the countess's face drew up into a hard expression. "If there's a nastier woman who ever drew breath I wouldn't know it. Mistress, bah! Then you were married off to the Duke of Suffolk, a man below your station. You must be one very confused girl."

Picking at the tulle on her skirt, Mary admitted "Well when you put it like that I sound quite pitiful." She knows this is what people think of her.

"Don't be defeatist, that's for the common folk." Lady Flora stood, took the spectacles off, and motioned for the young ladies to follow her. She led them to a sunroom where tea and biscuits were set out. The three of them sat and began fixing their drink. While the girls filled their plates with biscuits, Lady Flora told Mary "You have a lot of power here my dear. You are not in a bad position. In fact, you have done more for the Duchy in two months than your Lord husband has in years. You have become beholden to the people. I have eyes everywhere." She sipped her tea.

Mary took in what the lady is saying. "My husband—"

"Has been a philanderer. Yet anyone with reasonable eyesight can tell the man is interested in you. I dare say he even loves you. Love is wonderful at any age, but I know many couples who are perfectly content and haven't spoken a word to each other in years." She rang a bell and her butler arrived. "Harris, this tea is cold. Please have the cook heat it up."

Harris carried the tea away. One could see he looked flustered. He reminded Mary of Cranston on Governance Day at that moment. She withheld her snicker.

Lady Flora turned to the girls again. "I do hate cold tea, but not as much as tiresome individuals."

Mary and Dot looked at each other. Then they smiled and laughed. They like the Dowager Countess.

While the ladies were off having tea, a different carriage pulled to a stop at Westhrope Hall. Charles got out and surveyed the property and the manor. It looks completely changed. It looks fresher and better than before. He just cannot believe his eyes.

Lady Ashdown dashed out of the house. "Oh, your Grace. You are here at last!"

Charles drew the lady into a hug. "It's good to see you too Lady Agnes. Do my eyes deceive me or am I on the wrong estate?" He turned his head this way and that studying the grounds and the outside of the manor.

With a laugh, the older lady told him "You are in the right place. It is a drastic change, I know, but it was needed. And now just look." She motioned all around with her hand. "It's a wonder! You haven't seen anything yet. There is still the inside and the back of the estate to see. Come let me show you." She ushered him inside.

For his part, Charles took in everything with pride. She is right he had not seen anything yet. The inside of the house made him stand stock-still. He noticed Lady Ashdown waiting to hear his opinion. "It is bright and pleasing to the eye. It makes me feel happy and of good humor. I like it." He does. It looks ten times better than the dark, dreary feel from before.

Then the housekeeper took him to the exit, leading out to the newly redesigned gardens. Before she let him view it, she explained "This is the most unbelievable of everything. Be prepared to be astonished."

Stepping outside again, Charles was transported into a wonderland. She was right. He is astonished. His estate grounds could almost rival the kings. "Is that a fountain?" he asked.

"Yes, it is. I cannot wait until springtime when there will be a wash of color as far as the eye can see," she declared. Then she bragged, "Her Ladyship has been monumental in executing the positive alterations of the estate. Without her leading the way none of this would have been possible. Let's go back inside. I have much more to tell you." She spoke to him as they walked back indoors.

Hearing her talk about his wife, made him want to see her. He listened to Lady Agnes speak of her. "The things she has done in so little of time have restored the house and the Duchy to the prestigious place it deserves."

Upon mention of the Duchy, it made him wonder "What has she done with the Duchy?"

"Well let me tell you. It all started with the cantankerous men Beckett and Schafer. You know how the two of them argue so. Her Ladyship solved their pig problem in one setting. She helped them to build a fence separating their property. When word got out, people started coming from all over to ask her opinions on matters. So she started what is called Governance Day, every Wednesday." Lady Agnes is so overjoyed with everything she can scarce contain it.

First, he could not believe his eyes. Now he cannot believe his ears. Those two men are constant thorns in his side, with their argument on the pigs. "She has done those things?" He saw her nod. "What else has she done then?"

Lady Agnes told him how much more productive the Duchy residents are. In fact, she took him to his study to see the ledger with the evidence of it. When Charles saw how much money has been taken in, he sunk straightaway in his chair. "This is more money than we had when I left. I am dizzy and stunned." He has never gotten people to work and produce as much as this. Yet his little wife has done so in two months. It makes his head spin and yet his heart soar. "Is there anything else I should know, anything at all?"

She thought of how to say this. "Now that you mention it, there is something. The reason you have not seen Her Grace yet is that she is at tea with the Dowager Countess." Her great object of opposition.

His eyebrows elevated to the ceiling. Knowing his housekeeper dislikes the countess, as does he, made him chuckle. "Is she really?"

Her nose turned to the air and her arms crossed. "It's true." Then she proceeded to tell him all about the jelly war. Listening to Lady Ashdown talk about his wife did something to him. It made him even more enamored of his wife than he already is. Knowing all of the things she has done, while he was away, made him highly regard her with even more favor and respect.

She's made their residence, their Duchy, and by virtue him, more respectable in two months' time. She has brought him peace, joy, and hope. What can he give her in return? He had every intention of keeping her at arm's length. Seeing his home, his ledger, and his housekeeper have blown that away to epic proportions.

He has never felt love like this before. Maybe once when he was younger, much younger. Before he was a Duke, there was this noble lady he liked and could see himself marrying her. She turned his proposal down and laughed in his face. Called him a nobody and left a scar on his heart. That began his life of lovers. But Mary makes him feel things he's never felt. It's unexpected and even though he's below her station, he wants her. He wants her love for the rest of his life.

At the sound of tinkling laughter filling the air, he got up. Lady Ashdown smiled. "She has returned Your Grace. You will find her happy that you have returned." She fixed his doublet and patted his arm for support.

Walking into the hall filled him with a fluttering in his heart. The sight of her made his knees a bit rubbery. He couldn't move and he couldn't breathe. His darling dressed in gold shines with her pretty appearance and beautiful soul. His eyes can't stay off her and his feet can't move. They are firmly rooted to the ground.

But he didn't have to move. Mary saw Dot's face and she turned her head to what her friend is looking at. Her heart stopped and her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped a breath. Her feet took off propelling her to him. Suddenly she was in her husband's arms. And it was like a dream, except better because he's real and at home.

Tears ran down her face. She held on to him for fear he would disappear. He didn't. Instead, he led her into his study and closed the door. They sat on a small couch with her in his lap, holding each other. "You're home. You're really home," she croaked out in between cries.

He has never been welcomed home like this before either. It feels good to be wanted and cared for. His voice whispered, "Yes. I'm here." His nose inhaled her scent: roses, vanilla, and something fruity. Just as he remembers.

Her hands started running over his face, stroking his days-old stubble. They twined in his hair as his lips descended on hers. His lips moved with expertise and his hands held her delicate face, tenderly stroking a thumb over a spot on her cheek. He kissed her with the softness and care one would give to a beautiful flower. She felt adored and treasured. Never has she felt like this ever. She did not want it to stop. But she needed breath, for he has sucked the breath out of her with his tenderness.

Pulling back their breathing is heavy but their eyes are bright, like the gold of her outfit. Their admiration and esteem for each other are shining through. At that moment she has never felt more alive. Loving him makes her feel this way. She wants to tell him, but just like wearing clothes that are more suitable to her style and taste, she just doesn't know how. If she tells him and he doesn't feel the same it will crush her completely. Love has always found ways to hurt her.

He rested his forehead on hers. "You missed me?" His ears awaited her answer.

"I missed you every day. It sounds silly I know, but I hugged your pillow because it smelled of you. But like most things, time took your scent away," she admitted. His arms gripped tighter around her as if she might vanish.

Tracing the outline of her face with his finger, he confessed too. "I missed you also." Then he stroked her back. "I see you've been busy. I'm glad. I'm glad you weren't sitting in this house wasting away."

So he's seen the changes. "Do you like it? Are the alterations met with your approval?" If he hates it, then she'll have to figure out how to please him.

How does he answer that, when the commonality in all of it is her. She is the change that has altered his world. "Change is exactly what we needed around here. The change is brighter, clearer, happier, and more beautiful than before. I'm better off for it. In fact, I love it."

She had no way of knowing he was talking about her. But he looks at her and realizes that a little care, a little attention, makes her shine brighter than the diamond earrings she wears. And he wants her to glow like that the rest of her life. Not be hidden away, broken. He wants her to grow and glow. His diamond. His pearl. The jewel of his heart and home.