"Perhaps there is a happy solution... for the both of us."
"You speak often of happiness."
"Are you opposed to the idea?"
"I think it a transient emotion."
"Would you be more in favor of the idea of contentment?"
"I have admitted to the sensation in the past."
"But what you were feeling was ‘acceptance.’ Those can be two very different things."
"You are a hard master."
"I thought I had given up on happiness. On contentment,” Mr. Kelly plunged on, determined to find the right words to reach her. “Then, like a beacon of light, there you were,” Mr. Kelly laughed in wonder at it, “just as fearless and engaging as you were all those years ago.”
Charlotte shook her head, not recognizing this strange and wonderful version of herself. Mr. Kelly’s hands traveled down from her shoulders to her hands, pressing them, willing them to take hold.
“Or do you feel nothing…?" Mr. Kelly seemed nearly overcome by the discouraging thought. He pressed on before he could ponder it further. "My feelings for you are so different from anything I have ever experienced. There is an overriding concern for your welfare," he began promisingly, "and an incorrigible pursuit to put that twinkle in your eye."
"You are a romantic, I think," Charlotte said, her intonation that of an accusation. She kept her hands steady in his grasp but did not return the pressure.
"Even a small spark may grow into a raging fire."
"But I feel no 'small spark'," she admitted blankly.
"Ah," Mr. Kelly sighed, releasing her hands in defeat. His aura seemed to wilt even though his body did not physically move.
"What I feel," Charlotte began, not truly noticing the effect her previous words had wrought on her suitor, "is more of a warm radiance - the beginning of a flame contained within a reasonably proportioned grate, with the potential to grow into a blaze - or to bury itself into the glowing embers."
Mr. Kelly cautiously recollected the abandoned hands.
"I can nurture that flame."
Chapter 8
So complete was the couple’s distraction that they failed to take note of the sound of footfall coming down the stairs several moments later, but their reverie came to an abrupt halt at the simultaneous eruption of a squeal and a throat clearing.
“I knew it!” cried Kate, clapping in rapid succession, unable to contain her delight. Behind her, the magnificent mountain grinned sheepishly.
“What could you possibly know?” Mr. Kelly inquired, the condescending arch in his brow suspiciously belied by the twinkle in his eye.
“You are in love and will be married, and I shall have a Mama at long last,” spouted Kate.
“But I have made no such proposal,” he countered solemnly, though the quality of the serious expression seemed a struggle to maintain upon the escape of an indignant gasp from behind his shoulder.
Born to quick wit and game for all things ridiculous, Kate cast her father a knowing smirk.
“Scandalous! You have been caught in an embrace by, not one, but two witnesses, and must be wed at once.”
“Slanderous brat,” was the easy reply. “You have no proof.”
Kate’s head tilted as her smirk grew into a joyous smile.
“I have only to present your jacket, good sir,” she said loftily, “which is convincingly covered in flour!”
A Year, Five Months, and Three Days Later…
Mr. Kelly had chosen the seat furthest from the fire. The heat was unbearable! Even from this distance, he glared at the flames as if they insulted him personally. He stood once more to pace about the room, failing to appreciate the trimmings that had delighted his wife so. His mind refused to recall the happy memories of carolers and figgy pudding, the presentation of gifts, and the stolen embraces underneath the mistletoe.
Mrs. Kelly, in her second Christmas bearing his name, had dazzled him with her passion for tradition and gracious intent to deliver joy to all. Her spirit had been contagious, and it had proven impossible to begrudge her any task. Now, on the very day for which all her efforts had been building, she was not there to enjoy it.
“Mr. Kelly! Mr. Kelly!”
Mr. Kelly hastened to the door, nearly colliding with the distracted butler.
“Mr. Kelly,” the butler began again, “the doctor says you are to come at once.” He was made to finish his announcement at a trot as the master of the house had flown to the steps to take them two at a time.
The scene that met his gaze as he crossed the threshold into his wife’s chambers left him dazed by the disparity between expectation and reality. He expected chaos, not the serenely bright atmosphere before him. He rushed to his wife’s side.
“My dear,” he whispered anxiously, unsure where to place his hands though he longed to touch her, to ensure himself of her safety. The twinkle in her eye, though hovering over exhausted, dark circles, calmed him considerably.
“How are you, my love?”
“Champion,” she murmured back, attempting a smile.
The sounds of bustling and squeaking emerged through the door of his wife’s dressing room as the midwife and doctor approached the bedside.
“May I be the first to congratulate you, Mr. Kelly,” the doctor announced, presenting his bundle for inspection. “A handsome, healthy son.”
“And another beautiful daughter,” the midwife added, rocking and patting her mewling roll of blankets.
Mr. Kelly staggered back a step, his eyes skipping from bundles to wife.
“Twins!” he gasped.
“Twins,” the doctor corroborated, catching the father’s eye.
“Twins,” the midwife agreed upon finding his glance upon her.
“Twins,” Charlotte whispered, a faint smile playing on her lips as his astonished gaze fell once more upon her.
Outside, precocious flakes of snow danced to the songs of angels, collecting in lacy waves along the windowpanes. A tiny, brown mouse reached out a curious paw as a puff of the wind’s icy breath blew a sparkling snowflake free from the garland that framed the door of the establishment. A baby’s cry echoed through the trees as they pulled from deep within the earth a memory of another Christmas, long ago. And God smiled down at His creation and called it good.
Mandy H. Cook (née Helm), a former Navy nurse, also wrote
The Gifted.
Available on Amazon.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Robin Helm's time revolves around music as she plays and teaches. Her books reflect that love, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction.
Her latest publication is Lawfully Innocent, A US Marshal Lawkeeper Romance. Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy, the Yours by Design series (Fitzwilliam Darcy switches places in time with his descendant, Will Darcy), Understanding Elizabeth, and More to Love.
Ms. Helm is also featured in a series of anthologies with several other like-minded authors. A Very Austen Christmas. A Very Austen Valentine, A Very Austen Romance, and A Very Austen Noel.
She lives in the (usually) sunny southeastern United States.