All I Want For Christmas – Chapter 14

Breakfast on Boxing Day was a more hurried affair than normal. Elizabeth had stayed in bed, the thought of food this morning not helping to settle her stomach.

Viola had woken with what she thought was the start of a head cold Lionel informed them, causing eyebrows to be raised around the table as thoughts turned to the happenings of the day, although nobody said what they were thinking. It was only when the governess informed Lionel that Felicity was also feeling unwell, with a raised temperature and sore throat, that they realised that perhaps her mother was actually suffering from the same thing.

Nathan had just finished a plate of eggs and bacon and was now enjoying another coffee whilst reading the morning newspaper when Allie appeared at the door. Her hair was unbrushed and he was surprised to see how dishevelled she looked.

"Are you feeling alright Allie", he asked, worry in his voice, as he hoped that this was not something that would spread around the entire family. It was the last thing Elizabeth needed on top of her pregnancy sickness and certainly something none of them wanted before their departure tomorrow.

Allie shrugged her shoulders at him before replying. "I'm good. I just couldn't be bothered doing much this morning."

All those seated around the table looked at her questioningly for it was not only her appearance but also her tone and general demeanour that didn't seem normal this morning.

She plonked herself down on the chair opposite Arthur and waved her hand quickly to get the attention of one of the staff who was waiting beside the serving table, before calling out "I'll have some bacon and orange juice."

There was no please or thank you from her and Nathan was surprised to see the almost insolent manner she was showing along with the rudeness of her tone.

"Have you forgotten your manners young lady?"

Allie looked at him in a strange way and he struggled to read exactly what was going on from her expression. Before he could say anything more she snarkily said, her eyes looking across at Arthur as she spoke.

"Oops, looks like I'm in trouble", before smirking to herself.

A plate was placed in front of her by the young maid and without saying a word she immediately picked up one of the rashers of bacon with her fork and shoved the entire piece into her mouth. Not a sound was made by anyone as Allie quite contentedly chomped away on it, her eyes never leaving Arthur's face.

She could see the look of horror there as he tried to reconcile this blatant lack of manners and etiquette with the person he had only last night requested permission to court. He was transfixed, watching every movement she made, never having seen anything like this. When she let out a burp he could stand it no longer and rose from his chair, heading towards the door without a backward glance.

Suddenly Allie began to clap her hands and called out, "That was perfect Arthur, thank you".

The boy stopped, looking towards his father for guidance but Lionel was too busy stifling his laughter to be able to say anything immediately. Finally he took a deep breath and turned towards her.

"That was interesting and entertaining Allie. Perhaps you could explain to us what just happened?"

She could see the angry expression on her father's face so knew that she had to make this good.

"I've been wondering about certain scenes in the book I just read and wanted to see if people really do react to unexpected behaviour in the way it is portrayed, so I thought I would test it out myself."

Turning towards the maid who had served her she looked genuinely remorseful as she said, "I really am sorry for being rude to you. I promise that is not who I really am".

The young girl gave her a nod in reply before scurrying off with the excuse of an empty dish that needed refilling. Allie knew that the entire household would be aware of what happened before long but it was worth it if she achieved the desired result.

Now she turned her attention towards Arthur, who had retaken his seat but was still looking at her aghast.

"I'm sorry to you too Arthur but I needed someone sitting close so that I could really see what they thought from their expressions and reaction. It was quite bad. I guess you'll never look at me in the same way again!"

With that she picked up her knife and fork and proceeded to eat her breakfast in a more refined manner, the corners of her mouth lifted up in the slightest of smiles as she hoped she had succeeded in her quest.

Nathan and Lionel gave one another knowing looks, each having guessed that somehow Allie had found out about Arthur's fixation on her and they both laughed inwardly at how adroitly she had dealt with it. But Nathan knew that he couldn't just let the incident go without comment so with the most serious voice he could muster he looked along the table to her, his eyebrows lowered to emphasise what everyone needed to think was his disquiet.

"There are ways of doing things Allie and that was not a good one. We'll have words about this upstairs after breakfast." Then lifting his newspaper so that no-one could see his face he finally broke out into the big grin he had been struggling to hide.

At that moment Grace entered the breakfast room, wearing the look of a woman who meant business. This day was important to her as she felt that the way they all acted was a reflection of the regard in which they held their staff, a number of whom had been here since she had arrived as a young bride.

"Listen please, everybody", she began. "I had a plan worked out with roles for everyone but with Viola and Felicity both sick and Elizabeth not feeling well I have had to amend that. So fingers crossed this will work."

As she was about to continue the door behind opened and her eldest daughter walked into the room, her face paler than normal but with a determined air about her. "I'm here Mother. Not at my best but confident that this is nothing more than the result of too much overindulgence since we left England. May I suggest that you put me to work in the kitchen though in case it is more than that."

She paused for the tiniest moment, willing herself not to look down at her hands which she knew would not be the same by the end of the day. "I propose I wash dishes. I also suggest that if she is up to it perhaps Elizabeth could help with the plating up of the food. That way she can sit down between courses."

The room went silent for a moment, everyone surprised to hear those words from Viola, until suddenly with a quick click of her lips Grace answered her.

"That sounds very sensible, so thank you Viola. And it will certainly make everything else go smoothly. Now listen closely as I explain to each of you what you will be doing."

Upstairs Elizabeth had risen and was now seated in a chair by the window, the winter sun on her face just the boost she needed. Her journal lay open on her lap as she gazed out over the garden, hoping that the feeling of nausea that had woken her so early had finally passed.

She had felt a sudden urge to write, to put into words the thoughts that had been swirling around inside her head for the past few days. She knew that pregnancy made you see things differently, to view life from an enhanced perspective and with a deeper understanding of what each part of it meant to you. She needed to capture those emotions and use them to explain the changes they had all witnessed over this Christmas period and to celebrate how wonderfully loved she was. And how much she loved.

For a moment words had failed her as she fought the battle between joy for the now and what was to come, versus sadness at so much lost and wasted time. For all of them.

Her face softened and the frown that had been creeping lower and lower with her thoughts just as suddenly disappeared. We cannot change the past, she told herself. No-one can. But we can take the gift we have all been given, the promise of new and exciting times ahead and share it with everyone we love. We can choose to be happy. God has given us all a new beginning and we mustn't waste it.

But still the words wouldn't come and no matter how hard she tried to attain an aura of calmn her head seemed to be reeling to and fro as different images played out before her. Happiness would shine bright one minute and then just as suddenly such thoughts would be interrupted and once again a dark cloud would cross her face.

And there standing out at the front of her thinking was the knowledge that they still had to sort out the matter of Nathan's parents.

She brought her hand down to lay on her stomach where a new life was growing and prayed that this child would perhaps be the very thing they needed to bring the elder Grants together and into their fold. Reflecting on how her husband had been the strength and foundation for so much of what had happened in these past days she was determined to do the same for him. He deserved to have peace with his own family, just as he had with the other people he loved. To have what he had helped them all to find here.

With a new resolve she picked up her pen and hurriedly began scribbling down the words that were now racing through her mind. Thoughts, sentences, emotions all coming together to reflect how grateful she was for all the good things she had in her life. And to lay out clearly what an impeccable man Nathan Grant was and how glad she was that she had finally let her heart guide her head.

Chewing on the end of her pen for a moment she suddenly smiled. I must remember to make a note that he does have some faults though, she told herself. For, few as they may be, their very existence is what make all the good things he does so much sweeter. They make him a better man, for perfection is such an illusion that no-one who believes that of themselves can ever see the needs in the world around them.

Now as words raced across the page she felt true contentment, with an understanding of how blessed she was and how the most important Christmas tradition for all of them was being here with each other.

She looked up when Nathan entered the room and then struggled to keep tears of laughter from falling down her face when he recounted Allie's little performance at breakfast.

"I have given her a cursory telling off", he told her. "I am sure she thought it was the best way to let him down without him actually realising."

"And her punishment?", Elizabeth asked.

"I told her she had to wash and put on a pretty dress. Then add some ribbons to her hair".

In the dining room the breakfast things had been cleared away and Allie was busy instructing Tristan and Little Jack on what they were to do.

Newly starched cloths had been laid along the length of the table, now extended out as it always was for large formal dinners in order to accommodate all of the staff. Chauffeurs, gardeners, housemaids, kitchen staff, the list was long and Grace had checked it over and over to make sure that no-one had been forgotten.

"Let me show you one more time and then I am sure you will be able to do it", Allie said gently to the two youngest boys, trying hard to keep her frustration in check as she reminded herself that they were only five years old. Sadly their ability didn't quite match their enthusiasm and at that age the ease by which they were distracted was great.

She laid a napkin out flat, making sure that they watched as she made the first fold and then another and another. Finally she was almost done. "Now, this part is the most important. You have to turn it over and fold up the bottom. Do you think you can remember that?"

While she was concentrating on that Arthur was walking down the opposite side of the table, pushing a cart in front of him that held a large multi-drawer canteen of cutlery. He stopped in front of each chair and in an orderly fashion placed a selection of knives, forks and spoons in their respective places.

There was a confidence about him, an air of belonging, of being in control. Even at his young age he appreciated how all of this looked. He loved the elegance and detail of it all, the sparkle of plates and shimmer of crystal glasses that glistened under the chandeliers that lit the room. The formality and precision of how things were placed satisfied his tidy mind and made him feel secure in a world where so many things didn't make sense. This was beauty to him, as was the crispness of starched sheets, the sheen of polished floors, the flicker of candlelabras and the colours of the floral arrangements that adorned so many surfaces throughout this grand house.

In truth, he was happier doing this than anything else he could think of.

That it was all being done for the staff made it even more special to him. He liked making people happy, seeing the look of surprise on their faces and listening to exclaims of wonder and appreciation as they realised that someone wanted to do it for them. This was going to be so much fun.

Allie watched him and thought she could detect a softly whistled tune escaping from his lips as he focused on each place setting, making sure he had everything spaced perfectly and all in line. It must be strange, she thought, to have so much and yet seem to be so alone.

For a moment she felt guilty about the way she had behaved earlier, wondering if perhaps she should have stayed with her original plan of mentioning Robert. But when Arthur looked up at her with a bright smile she realised that he was fine. In fact, she almost detected a sense of camaraderie in it, as though he was looking at her as a friend, a partner in crime.

Then she laughed at the improbability of Arthur ever doing anything wrong and immediately she decided that perhaps something needed to be done about that.