Read Online Christmas at Ravencrest: A Dark Hero Christmas Short (Reluctant Heroes) by Lily Silver - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lily Silver
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two smoked hams for this evening’s feast, at her request and a rare goose to be roasted for the family dinner on Christmas Day.
“Captain Rawlings. You’ve rescued my Christmas Party.” Elizabeth warmed to her praises of the man. “I cannot thank you enough. Where ever did you find two hams? Fritz has scoured the markets of St. Kitts and the island of Nevis in the past days and could not acquire one for our table. And you’ve brought a goose! How did you come by it sir? I must know your secret.”
He avoided Elizabeth’s direct gaze as he looked across the room at the large gathering. “All I can say is that the governor of St. Kitts will not be dining half as well as we will this holiday season.”
“Oh, do tell.” Elizabeth pleaded, desperate to know his secret so she would be well prepared for next year.
“Cargo goes missing from time to time.” He muttered. “And pray do not repeat this to anyone. A man must have his secrets, Lady Beaumont.” With that, he stepped away from her so she could not question him further.
Elizabeth knew what he was implying. They were pilfered goods. The captain and her husband had been pirates in the East Indies. Apparently the captain still had a penchant for looting when the occasion arose. And hadn’t Donovan been the one to nudge her toward the captain and solicit his help in the matter? Oh dear, once a pirate . . . always a pirate?
As soon as everyone had been served a cup of Wassail punch by the male family members of Ravencrest, Elizabeth nodded to the violinist, who did an opening note to draw the company to order. Everyone was quiet. Donovan came to stand at Elizabeth’s side, bearing a drink for her and one for him. He handed her a cup and placed his arm about her waist, drawing her near.
As the gathering looked at them, he began the speech. “I am told there is an old tradition in my wife’s clan, the O’Flahertys. In Ireland the lord of the castle would put on a feast each Christmas Eve for the benefit of his servants and his tenants. My bride, Lady Beaumont, has decided to continue the tradition here. My lady, you wished to say something?”
Elizabeth felt a rush of anxiety. All eyes were on her. She had planned it out just so, with Donovan introducing her before she spoke to their guests. Actually standing before a room full of people, all of them waiting for her to give a speech and propose the toast proved daunting. Donovan’s hand pressed against the small of her back, offering silent encouragement. With him at her side, she had nothing to fear. He owned the island, the plantation, and he employed all of these people. Her mother had taught her to rise to the occasion in society, and so as the Countess du Rochembeau, she must now rise to her destiny. She smiled at him and took a deep breath.
“I want to thank each one of you for your loyalty to his lordship and to myself.” she began, “When I came here from England a few months ago, I had a very arduous task before me as you well know; bringing this beautiful old plantation house back to life.”
There were nods all around and murmurs of agreement.
“I could not have accomplished this without your help. The entire first floor has been opened, cleaned and many of the rooms have been refurbished. I’m grateful to each member of my staff for their contributions to this endeavor.”
She paused, and then looked at her paid companion, the woman who started out as her personal maid. Chloe Ramirez was raised in position due to her loyalty during the difficult times when Elizabeth was struggling to assert herself against the very imposing housekeeper who had checked the new mistress at every opportunity. The housekeeper had been fired when Donovan learned what was happening. “Miss Ramirez, I’m grateful each and every day that you came to apply for a position within the household. Since that time you have become my dearest friend.”
Chloe Ram irez was radiant. Her cheeks blossomed,
“Captain Rawlings. You’ve rescued my Christmas Party.” Elizabeth warmed to her praises of the man. “I cannot thank you enough. Where ever did you find two hams? Fritz has scoured the markets of St. Kitts and the island of Nevis in the past days and could not acquire one for our table. And you’ve brought a goose! How did you come by it sir? I must know your secret.”
He avoided Elizabeth’s direct gaze as he looked across the room at the large gathering. “All I can say is that the governor of St. Kitts will not be dining half as well as we will this holiday season.”
“Oh, do tell.” Elizabeth pleaded, desperate to know his secret so she would be well prepared for next year.
“Cargo goes missing from time to time.” He muttered. “And pray do not repeat this to anyone. A man must have his secrets, Lady Beaumont.” With that, he stepped away from her so she could not question him further.
Elizabeth knew what he was implying. They were pilfered goods. The captain and her husband had been pirates in the East Indies. Apparently the captain still had a penchant for looting when the occasion arose. And hadn’t Donovan been the one to nudge her toward the captain and solicit his help in the matter? Oh dear, once a pirate . . . always a pirate?
As soon as everyone had been served a cup of Wassail punch by the male family members of Ravencrest, Elizabeth nodded to the violinist, who did an opening note to draw the company to order. Everyone was quiet. Donovan came to stand at Elizabeth’s side, bearing a drink for her and one for him. He handed her a cup and placed his arm about her waist, drawing her near.
As the gathering looked at them, he began the speech. “I am told there is an old tradition in my wife’s clan, the O’Flahertys. In Ireland the lord of the castle would put on a feast each Christmas Eve for the benefit of his servants and his tenants. My bride, Lady Beaumont, has decided to continue the tradition here. My lady, you wished to say something?”
Elizabeth felt a rush of anxiety. All eyes were on her. She had planned it out just so, with Donovan introducing her before she spoke to their guests. Actually standing before a room full of people, all of them waiting for her to give a speech and propose the toast proved daunting. Donovan’s hand pressed against the small of her back, offering silent encouragement. With him at her side, she had nothing to fear. He owned the island, the plantation, and he employed all of these people. Her mother had taught her to rise to the occasion in society, and so as the Countess du Rochembeau, she must now rise to her destiny. She smiled at him and took a deep breath.
“I want to thank each one of you for your loyalty to his lordship and to myself.” she began, “When I came here from England a few months ago, I had a very arduous task before me as you well know; bringing this beautiful old plantation house back to life.”
There were nods all around and murmurs of agreement.
“I could not have accomplished this without your help. The entire first floor has been opened, cleaned and many of the rooms have been refurbished. I’m grateful to each member of my staff for their contributions to this endeavor.”
She paused, and then looked at her paid companion, the woman who started out as her personal maid. Chloe Ramirez was raised in position due to her loyalty during the difficult times when Elizabeth was struggling to assert herself against the very imposing housekeeper who had checked the new mistress at every opportunity. The housekeeper had been fired when Donovan learned what was happening. “Miss Ramirez, I’m grateful each and every day that you came to apply for a position within the household. Since that time you have become my dearest friend.”
Chloe Ram irez was radiant. Her cheeks blossomed,
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