Frankie opened the door to the church and despite her dark mood, was stilled by the peace and silence of the sanctuary, lit only by the advent candles on the altar. They walked towards it, drawn toward the light like the wise men to the Christmas star.

They reached the front of the church and looked around, but no little child was to be found under the tablecloth of the altar.

“I suppose it would have been too easy if he was in the same place,” said Frankie.

“So you think Mr. Grant tricked us into coming here and for some matrimonial conspiracy?”

“I find it highly likely.”

“So there's no actual child in danger.”

“I'd like to think not.” Frankie shrugged, unsure. “Though I suppose we should look, just in case.”

She began to look down and under the pews but Everett put up his hand to stop her. “I have an idea.” He cleared his throat and said in a loud commanding tone, “I have two crowns for any young boy who comes to me right now.” His voice echoed through the cavernous church and he jingled the coins in his hand. They did not have to wait long before scuffling was heard and out from between some pews in the back a scraggly head popped up. He gave a smile and then came running. His feet stamping on the stone floor, echoing through the church.

The little boy ran up to Everett and held out his hand with gleaming eyes. Everett placed one crown coin into the palm of the urchin.

“You said two,” said the boy accusingly.

“One coin is for coming. The other is for telling us who told you to hide.”

“Ain't supposed to tell you.”

“Everett held up the coin and it glinted in the candlelight.

The child’s eyes grew wider until his mouth burst open. “Jemmy came and found me and she said that they were playing a game and I needed to hide the church like I did before, only in a different place, and if I could do that and be real quiet until you found me then I could have a two bob bit.”

“You paid too much with your crowns. He would have told you for a few shillings,” commented Frankie.

“I did not want to pay him what he thought he was worth, but what I thought he was worth,” said Everett.

Frankie's job dropped, for this was not the sentiment of Sir John, the rich, prized London bachelor, but of Mr. Everett, the man she had grown to admire. She had a sudden realization about his work on the scholarships. He was no teacher, so that meant…

“Those scholarships we worked on,” said Frankie, laying a hand on his sleeve. “You funded them. It was your money you were giving to help those young students.”

“Yes,” said Everett, shrugging off the accolade.

Sir John Everett was unlike any other gentleman she had ever met. He was a kind, caring man who did not forget where he came from and wished to help others as he was able.

“Come on then,” said Everett, taking Georgie’s hand. “Let's get you back where you belong.”

“I will take him home.” A woman emerged from the shadows, wrapped in a woolen cloak.

“Mama.” The boy ran up to his mother, grabbed her hand, and started pulling her towards the door. She stopped before Frankie and Everett. “They told me if I let my boy come out tonight it would be of service to you. I hope it was, for I heard what you said to my boy, and it’s the kindest thing I've ever done heard. I wish you both a very happy Christmas.” She walked down the center aisle of the church hand in hand with her son, leading him out the door.

“It appears we have accomplished our mission.” Sir John Everett stood tall besides the Christmas nativity display at the front of the church.

“Yes. We are free to return to the house.” Frankie made no effort to leave.

“Since your uncle went to a good deal of trouble to arrange for us to be here, might you indulge me a few more minutes of your time?” Everett motioned to the front row and Frankie acquiesced, sitting in the pew, with Everett joining her.

“I have begged for your forgiveness and you have not answered me. I hope, in this season of Christmas miracles, since our Lord can send his Son to forgive our transgressions, you can find it in your heart to forgive mine.”

Frankie could not help but smile. “I should look rather unchristian if I should hold a grudge in this holy place. I do forgive you. I am glad that we had this talk, for now we can part as friends.”

“Thank you, Miss Devine.” He gave her a quick bow of his head. “You are the heart of charity. I am glad that Grant decided to arrange this unorthodox meeting so we could resolve our differences. I look forward to furthering our acquaintance in the coming weeks.”

Frankie smiled, then remembered with a sinking of her heart what she had decided to do. “I fear I will not be able to see you in the future, for I am leaving tomorrow morning.”

Everett's smile faded. “What do you mean you are leaving?”

“I decided to take an offer from my relatives in Bavaria. I am going to be the governess of their nine children.”

“Nine children?” gasped Everett with a stunned expression. “But why are you leaving?”

“You remember the way those other students made you feel when you are at school? That is how I feel every day being out in society. My inability to find a husband has become the topic of gossips. I cannot do a second season. I'd rather do something useful. Actually, you taught me that. The past few days working with you, doing something important, something valuable, I have felt happier than I have in the past year. I simply cannot return to being paraded about like unwanted merchandise only to be passed over time and time again.” Her voice cracked and she found she could no longer meet Everett’s gaze.

She searched for her reticle to find a handkerchief only to realize she had not brought it. A handkerchief appeared in view and she took it from the hand of Sir John. “Thank you,” she said as she blotted her eyes.

“And I made things worse by embarrassing you before Miss Crawley.” He hung his head, his unruly hair falling over his face in a wild manner. “I am a cad.”

“No, you could hardly mean for this to happen. Besides, I do not regret our time together, for it revealed to me how important it is to do something meaningful with my life. There must be more to life than trying to win the approval of others. I have so much more to give.”

“I quite agree.” Everett looked up with shining blue eyes. “The Lord has given you gifts and skills that should be put to his good purpose. I understand why you want to go to Bavaria, and I can only admire you for it.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Frankie appreciated the compliment and tried not to feel disappointed that he had not pressed her to stay.

“In fact, since I fear I am in your debt for inconveniencing you this evening, let me be of assistance to you. Please allow me to sail you to wherever you wish to go.”

“I assure you that is not necessary,” Frankie stammered, surprised by his offer. “I will be leaving with my uncle tomorrow.”

“Please, I insist. It would be my pleasure.”

“But we are traveling home, close to Munich,” Frankie explained.

Everett’s smile faded. “Land-locked. I do enjoy travel, though. It would be an honor to escort you safely home, as any gentleman would.”

“Not to Bavaria!”

Everett shrugged. “Never been good with social expectations. But still, I think a trip to Bavaria would suit me well.”

“I do not understand what you would do in Bavaria.” Emotions swirled within her as she tried to understand his motivations.

“Woo you of course.”

Her jaw dropped but not a sound emerged.

He reached for her hand and held it, their fingers interlaced. “I have traveled all over the world, but I have never met anyone like you, Miss Frankie Devine. I do not wish to lose the opportunity to get to know you better. If that means traveling with you and your uncle to some other country, I am happy to do so.”

She wanted to tell him not to follow her, but all she could do was smile in return. Was it possible that her affection she could not help feeling for him was mutual? “But we just met. You hardly know me.”

“I know you are a good, kind, intelligent lady. I know I enjoy spending time with you.” He leaned closed and lowered his voice. “I know you are beautiful.”

Despite the chill within the church, heat rose in her cheeks. “You flatter me.”

“I speak only the truth.”

“Sir, I cannot have you following—”

“Escorting.”

“—escorting me all the way to Bavaria.”

Everett leaned back, releasing her hand. “Of course if you do not wish to see me, I would not inconvenience you.”

“No, no it’s not that I do not wish to see you, but I should not wish to cause you to leave England.”

A slow smile warmed his face. “So you do not mind furthering our acquaintance.”

Frankie looked down as a habit, expecting her bonnet to conceal her face, but she was without. “If I was staying in England, I should enjoy seeing you again.”

“So mayhap you could stay a while longer?”

Frankie slowly shook her head. “I fear if I do not go now, my family may prevent me from going at all.”

Everett jumped up and began pacing back and forth between her and the altar. “So you do not wish to remain here and you do not wish me to follow…” He paused with his back to her.

A ray of moonlight filtered down through the window, bathing him in silver light. He turned around slowly, his eyes gazing at her intently, his face washed in the silver glow. Her skin prickled, as if she was present at a holy moment.

Church bells began to ring and Everett pulled out his watch to check the time. “It’s midnight. Merry Christmas.”

“I wish you a happy Christmas as well.” Their eyes met and lingered.

“Christmas is a season of miracles and so I will be bold to ask you for one.” Everett spoke slowly, carefully choosing each word. “Instead of leaving, would you mind changing your plans to stay here with me? I have a different occupation for you.”

“What do you mean? Do you have more scholarships that you need help with?”

“No, but if they kept you in the city I might consider it.” He came close and dropped down on one knee before her. Her heart jumped in her throat and her stomach did an odd little twist.

“Miss Frankie Devine, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”