Page 38 of A Christmas Miracle for the Frosty Marquess
“I still am,” he said. “And I still prefer them to humans.”
Amelia gasped, looking at her brother, pretending to be horrified.
“Well, we love you too,” she said, trying her best not to laugh, and failing terribly.
William moved from the window and put his arm around his sister.
“The humans in this room notwithstanding,” he said.
Amelia beamed at him with feigned spoiled pride.
“I thought so,” she said.
The conversation was heartening, and it felt good to Clara to reminisce on their childhood. It felt like Christmastide to Clara for the first time since her father had told her she was to be married to Julian. It was a welcomed reprieve, and she relished every second.
Just then, her mother gently guided the conversation towards a topic dear to Clara’s heart.
“Now, let us not forget our Christmas deliveries for the less fortunate, and the baskets for the orphans,” the countess said, with genuine warmth and conviction. “It’s my understanding that Amelia and William promised to take some of their old belongings to the orphanage as extra gifts. Have the two of you gotten the things you wish to give prepared?”
Clara smiled. She felt her heart swell with happiness at the thought. They had worked hard to prepare the baskets at the orphanage. And even though Julian had run away while they worked, Clara still found joy in the image of all the smiling, happy children.
William and Amelia both shook their heads.
“We were going to do that tonight before bed,” Amelia said.
The countess smiled indulgently at her younger two children.
“Very well,” she said. “But do not stay up too late. You do not want to miss your chance to get those things to those poor children.”
The siblings nodded firmly.
“Of course, Mother,” William said. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Clara smiled proudly at her siblings. It was lovely to see them as eager to help the less fortunate as she was.
“The smiles on the children’s faces, the gratitude in their eyes is the most genuine expression of Christmas, don’t you think?” she asked dreamily.
Her father nodded approvingly.
“It is, indeed, darling,” she said. “Kindness begets kindness. You do well to remember that, especially in these festive times.”
Clara gave her father a small smile. As warm and joyful as the atmosphere was, she struggled to release her resentment regarding the marriage the earl had arranged for her. She loved her father, but after Julian’s display at the vicarage, she couldn’t imagine what a marriage to him would be like. Still, she tried to not let her displeasure show, opting instead to hang onto the image of the smiling faces of the children and needy families when they received their baskets.
Mary joined Clara, leaving her parents and the earl and countess talking about the feast for the holiday.
“It’s a wonderful tradition,” she said. “Will you all still be joining us when we deliver them this year?”
Clara nodded eagerly, smiling warmly at her friend.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Mary,” she said, her excitement bubbling. “I look forward to this every year, and I can hardly wait.”
William smirked teasingly.
“Looks like Clara’s found her horses,” he said.
Clara laughed. The comparison was amusing to her. But it happened to be true. Giving to the less fortunate was very much like the horses had been to William. It had lifted her spirits when she had felt nothing but hopeless about her marriage to Julian. And nothing in the world compared to the feeling of giving to people who were in need.
“I suppose I have,” she said. The prospect of bringing cheer to the less fortunate filled her with a sense of purpose, a way to extend the warmth and love she felt within these walls to those who had little to call their own.
