It was Christmas morning, and Susan couldn’t believe she was up before Elizabeth who was still asleep. In her family, the children were always awake before the parents and were to be found sitting in front of the Christmas tree admiring what Father Christmas had brought them during the night.

Now, Susan leaned in and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.

“It’s Christmas morning,” Susan said, as Elizabeth opened her eyes, stretched, and threw back the covers.

“It’s the day of the party,” Elizabeth squealed. “I can’t wait.”

“But first we have the family breakfast and then we need to see what Father Christmas brought to all of us,” Susan said.

“Uncle Simon said he would make his famous eggnog but I don’t know what eggnog is. Is it nice?”

“I’ve not had his, but I like what my mother makes.”

Susan dressed Elizabeth in her especially made Christmas dress.

“Now, don’t you look lovely? Shall we go down to breakfast?”

“Yes, please.”

* * *

Breakfast was scheduled for eight o’clock. But there had been a few early risers and quite a few other guests who had slept in, so breakfast ended up being a haphazard affair. But eventually, everyone ended up in the grand sitting room with the beautiful Christmas tree.

Gifts were exchanged, cigars smoked, Simon’s eggnog served and much conversation.

John searched under the Christmas for a particular gift and brought it over to Susan.

“And this is for you,” he said as he sat next to her on the loveseat.

“Oh, my darling, I didn’t think about Christmas gifts for us. I only provided a few for Elizabeth.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“But I could probably scrounge up a whittled block or a slingshot from the toys in the schoolroom.”

“Oh, a slingshot sounds splendid. But go ahead open yours now,” he insisted.

Susan unwrapped the gift and found a flat velvet box. Inside was a stunning diamond, ruby and emerald necklace set in filigree platinum. She picked it up and held it in front of her.

“Oh, John, this is unbelievably beautiful.”

“It’s the Belvedere Necklace. It’s been worn by every Lennox Duchess since the inception of the Dukedom. And now it is to be yours.”

Susan teared up. “John…” she said, returning the necklace to its box, and taking his hand.

“I give it to you now as I want you to wear it at our wedding. I thought it might influence what gown you might wear.”

“My ever practical Duke,” Susan said laughing. “Thank you, my darling.” And she kissed his cheek.

Elizabeth came running over with another gift she had found under the tree with her name on it.

“Mommy, mommy, look what I found,” she said squirming up onto the loveseat between John and Susan. But she stopped and looked at Susan. “I called you mommy. I hope you don’t mind. I can’t wait until the wedding.”

Susan looked at John, and he nodded.

“That’s fine, my dear,” Susan said, and then turned back to the gift. “What is it, do you think?

Elizabeth made short work of unwrapping the gift. It was a riding outfit.

“Your father and I agreed it was time for you to have a pony and learn to ride.”

“Then I have a pony too?” Elizabeth squealed.

“Yes, you do,” John said.

“Can I go see it now?” she asked, sliding down off the loveseat. “Can I? Can I, please?”

“If you like,” John said as he rose and took her by the hand. He turned to Susan. “Better now or she’ll pester us all day.”

Susan nodded and smiled.

Elizabeth had already run out of the room and John followed.

* * *

The workers and their children started arriving at three o’clock. The party was held in the ballroom. John had arranged for a local band to play and there would be dancing for the adults and party games for the children.

Clarissa had set up a Christmas tree at one end of the room, and the stage for the band was at the other. Along one side, were tables laid with food, cider and beer—and a children’s table with lemonade, cookies and Christmas cake.

Elizabeth had changed into her riding outfit, against Susan’s wishes, and scanned the arrivals for Sara and Patrick. When she saw them she rushed over, grabbing them by the hands and rushing over to John.

“Can I take them to see Scrawny?” she asked taking hold of John’s sleeve.

“Who’s Scrawny?”

“My pony. I named her when I heard one of the stable hands call her that.”

John laughed. “Scrawny, eh? She’s yours, so you can call her what you like. But no, we can’t go see the pony now. You have guests and you are a hostess.”

“I am? A hostess?”

“Why don’t you get Aunt Clarissa and the two of you can organize some games for your guests.”

Just then, the band started playing and the villagers, previously milling around, started to dance.

Several of the mothers who had spoken with Susan previously about their concerns for the village came over to address her.

“Your Grace,” the first mother started.

Susan laughed. “I’m not Your Grace, just yet. I don’t think I’ll ever be anyone but Miss Susan. And welcome to Haverford House.”

“Thank you. And we just wanted to say how grateful we are to see the work on the school beginning. The children are so much looking forward to when the school opens next year.”

“And me as well.”

Another mother spoke, “Mister Simon came through the village the other week and talked to us about the improvements we spoke to you about. Are there really going to be the changes you promised?”

“Eventually. We’re focusing on the school first and then, one by one, we’ll begin to work on the other projects.”

The first mother turned to the others and nodded. Another mother came forward and held up a large parcel.

“This is for Miss Elizabeth,” the mother said. “We made it during the autumn for her winter warmth.”

Susan was surprised and looked for Elizabeth who was engaged in pin the tail on the donkey with some of the other children.

“May I open this for her? The children seem to be making merry at the moment?”

The mothers nodded and Susan opened the parcel and found the most beautiful handmade quilt.

“Oh, this is beautiful. And what lovely, delicate stitching. You are a most accomplished group of women. I know she’s going to love this and I’ll put it on her bed this very evening.”

The music stopped playing and John went to the stage to address the guests.

“Dear friends, I want to welcome all of you to Haverford House. I believe this Christmas day, we are establishing a new tradition. This is a party worth repeating each year.” A cheer rose up from the guests. “And soon my family will be enlarged by the addition of my beautiful, soon to be wife, Susan—the new Duchess of Lennox. So I have a great deal to celebrate and I hope you will all celebrate this happy event with me.

“I’ll say no more other than to have a jolly time, enjoy yourselves and a Merry Christmas to you all.”

* * *

So far it had been a blustery early March. Susan has shortened her morning walks as she really didn’t enjoy the cold, biting wind. And, as the wedding was only a week away, she fervently hoped the weather would improve by then.

Susan was excited because her cousin Jessica and her husband were arriving today. It was a week early, but Susan wanted to spend some alone time with Jessica before it became too hectic, closer to the wedding.

At the moment, Susan was trying on the wedding gown for the first time as the dressmaker made minor adjustments. They were in Clarissa’s room.

“Put the necklace on and let me see how it looks with the gown,” Clarissa asked.

The dressmaker took the necklace out of the box and placed it around Susan’s neck. Clarissa gasped.

“Does it look nice?” Susan asked as she turned toward the standing mirror to see the effect for herself.

“My dear, it is stunning.”

Susan studied the look from various angles.

Elizabeth had been sitting on the bed and she got down and ran over to hug Susan.

“It’s so beautiful. You are like a princess.”

Susan reached down and placed her hand on the top of Elizabeth’s head. “Thank you, dear. And you are going to be so beautiful too as my flower girl.”

“Oh, yes. And I love my pretty dress,” Elizabeth enthused.

There was a knock at the door and Fiona came in. But she stopped and gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Susan. It’s so lovely.”

“Thank you. Aunt has helped fashion the perfect dress, don’t you think?”

Fiona stepped forward and studied the gown further. “I’m going to look like a beggar compared to you.”

“But she is the bride after all,” Clarissa said. She had not yet warmed to Fiona the way Susan had.

“Of course. Of course.”

“Did you want something?” Aunt asked.

“Ah… yes. Susan, Simon asked me this morning at breakfast to ask you if you were planning to visit the school today? He said there was an issue or two he wanted to go over with you, but needed to show you in person.”

“I doubt it. My cousin is coming shortly and I need to be here to greet her.”

“Very well. I’ll send word to him then,” Fiona said.

“Thank you.”

* * *

Jessica and her husband, Ronald, stepped out of the carriage where Susan was waiting to greet them.

“Oh, precious one, I can’t believe you’re about to become the Duchess of Lennox,” Jessica greeted, throwing her arms around Susan.

“Your Grace To Be,” Ronald said, with a sly smile.

Jessica stood back and looked Susan over. “I believe you look even prettier than when you were in London.”

“Good afternoon, Ronald,” Susan said turning to him briefly.

Ronald was a little older than Jessica and looked exactly like what one might expect a London businessman to look like. He was buttoned up—prim and conventional. But he had a twinkle in his eye and she remembered he had a wry sense of humor which set him apart from most of his stuffy colleagues.

“Come inside. There’s a nasty wind,” Susan said.

Standish and the footmen were standing by to take the luggage.

Susan led her guests to the library and opened the door.

“You haven’t met my fiancé, have you?”

“Never,” Jessica said, as the three entered.

John stood.

“John, this is my cousin, Jessica, and her husband, Ronald Bradley.

“Welcome,” John said, as Jessica and Ronald bowed their heads to the Duke.

“Your Grace,” they both said.

“I hope you enjoy your stay. And I know Susan has been looking forward to your visit,” he said.

“Come, we need to let John continue his work. He’s getting ready for the next sheering in a couple of weeks, and I want you to meet the adorable Elizabeth.”

“His daughter?” Jessica asked as they headed up the staircase.

“And now my daughter too. But first let’s get you settled into your rooms, and when you’re ready, to come down to tea. You must be parched after your journey?”

* * *

Susan was sitting with Elizabeth by the fire when Jessica and Ronald came into the drawing room.

Introductions were made, tea served, and after the refreshment, Jessica turned to Ronald and said, “Dear one, it is time for girl talk. Go take a walk or something.”

“Yes, dear,” Ronald said with a sigh.

Elizabeth spoke up. “Would you like to go see Scrawny?” she asked Ronald, taking his hand.

“Who’s scrawny?

“My pony. She’s three years old.”

“Sounds enchanting,” he said with another sigh and followed Elizabeth out of the room.

With the room cleared, Jessica leaned back in her chair, spread out her arms, and said. “My dear. I remember the little waif that came to see me in London about six months ago. Whatever became of her?”

“I don’t understand,” Susan said.

“You’ve become a strong and commanding woman. No longer the shy and hesitant young girl.”

Susan giggled. “Oh, that waif.”

“I can hardly believe you’re about to become a Duchess. What does it feel like?”

“Just like being me, only different.”

Jessica laughed. “And it’s just like you to say that. What? Tell me. Are you excited? Apprehensive? Confused? What?”

“Hmm. All of that—but also, happy, expectant and delirious.”

Jessica smiled. “And speaking of expectant…”

Susan didn’t understand at first, and then it hit her. “Expectant? You’re expecting?”

Jessica nodded. “September.”

Susan clapped her hands together. “Jessica, how wonderful. But somehow I thought you never wanted children. I thought they might get in the way of your London life.”

“Not true. It was all a façade.”

Jessica smirked. “And you… You have a child before marriage.”

Susan was shocked until she realized what Jessica was saying, then she laughed. “Well, yes, I guess I do. And Elizabeth is the loveliest child imaginable.”

“Yes, I can see. Susan, you are truly blessed.”