Chapter 10
The festivities of the Christmas Eve party were everything that Harriet could have hoped for and more. To her absolute delight, her sisters, mother, and dearest friend, Eglantine, had come through the door in a burst of bright skirts, bouncing curls, and infectious smiles.
The cries of “Happy Christmas” that had surrounded her had nearly done her in. Could there be too much happiness? She knew not, but tears of joy had stung her eyes as she had been enveloped in their embraces.
“Why, you are here!” she declared as her young sisters bounced around her, their eyes dancing.
“We could not stay away,” Marianne said brightly, her blonde curls bobbing.
“You should see the state of the roads,” Calliope added oh so seriously.
Her youngest sister, Edith, looked at her, wide-eyed. “You are glowing like the stars outside tonight.”
Harriet knelt down and pulled her smallest sister close. Edith fit snuggly against her. Had she thought she couldn’t feel anymore pleasure at the Yuletide season? If she had, with her sister tucked against her, she realized she would have been most mistaken.
Harry gazed into Edith’s eyes and said lovingly, “Because I am so very, very happy and happier still that you are here.”
“Rob insisted we come,” her mother declared, clearly proud of her son-in-law. “And you will come to us in the morning before your Christmas dinner.”
More tears stung Harriet’s eyes. Goodness, she was tearful quite often now. She imagined it was the emotions that came with the gift growing inside her. As she lifted her arm and circled it about her mother’s waist, she rested her head for a moment against her hip and savored the contentment flowing through her at being with her entire family.
How had she been so full of good fortune in her choice of husband?
How had Rob known that she would so miss her family? But, of course, he knew. He knew her. Knew her so very well.
At that moment, as if her thoughts had summoned him to their company, her husband and his group of friends came into the room, their spirits high.
She caught his eye and knew her eyes shone with her gratitude at his thoughtfulness.
He smiled at her, a knowing smile. They needed to exchange no words for Rob to understand that this was truly his gift to her. No bauble could ever surpass it.
She caught Heath and Mary exchange a quick glance before they both looked away and busied themselves with other activities.
Harriet knew then that there was a deep connection between the two. And whilst all the world might not understand a man like Richard Heath with a woman like her sister-in-law, Harry did. Richard Heath was a hero of a man, even if he preferred the rest of society not to know it.
As the gentlemen neared, wine was served and they all made merry about the room. They were playing cards, singing carols, and dancing when it pleased them for, as always, Drake chose his place at the pianoforte.
It was not until the clock began to near the stroke of midnight that they all gathered around the pianoforte and began to sing together the ancient carol Good King Wenceslas.
The rich tones of baritone and tenor blended with the ladies’ and children’s voices. And like bells, they rang through the room.
Harry’s breath caught in her throat as she looked towards the windows.
Some force she did not quite understand pulled her towards it. And as the tones of the carol reverberated behind her, she gazed up and caught sight of a single star, larger than the rest, a diamond in the darkness.
Her heart swelled and, with all her might, she wished a Christmas wish. “Dear star,” she breathed, “bring love and joy to our friends. Every single one but, especially, shine your blessings on our good friend Drake. . . and Mary and Heath. Let them know joy.”
“Whatever are you doing, my love?”
She smiled softly as Rob’s arms encircled her waist. His hands came to rest on her belly, resting gently. “Oh,” she replied, her lips quirking in a smile. “Scheming, my darling. Scheming.”
A low laugh rumbled from him.
At her words, the golden clock above the mantel began to chime midnight and as if in answer to her wish, the star so high above winked.
She gasped as she witnessed the sight, hardly daring to believe her eyes. Then she turned and slid her hands about Rob’s shoulders.
“Happy Christmas, Rob.”
“The happiest,” he whispered.
And then he lowered his lips to hers in the sweetest, most passionate kiss they’d yet to share.
As she leaned back, she added, “With many more to come, Rob. With many more to come.”
The End