Page 22 of A Christmas Miracle for the Frosty Marquess
“Well, you must remember to look your best,” she said. “I am sure that Elizabeth won’t be the only person you encounter while you are at Thornmire Manor.”
Clara’s heart skipped again with her earlier nervous energy. She knew it was likely that she would see Julian there, as well. That was something she both hoped for and worried about. Would he be warm and friendly? Or would he remain aloof and cool again?
Rather than voicing any of her concerns, Clara merely nodded.
“Yes, I suppose I should make myself a bit more presentable,” she said, barely glancing at her green day dress. She was sincere, as she wanted to look nice. But her mother’s implications were just another reminder of how her family was so determined to see to it that Julian and she were married, regardless of what the two of them wanted. She didn’t speak her thoughts, however. Instead, she excused herself and hurried back to her chambers, calling for Barbara while she examined her wardrobe for the second time that morning.
After some deliberation, she chose a red, long-sleeved satin dress with silver trim, red leather boots and her red velvet cloak. Barbara, who had just reentered her chambers, smiled at her selected ensemble.
“You look lovely in red, milady,” she said.
Clara gave her lady’s maid a nervous smile.
“Mother wants me to make a good impression,” she said, suppressing her bitterness with significant effort. “And it is a good colour for the holiday season, is it not?”
Barbara nodded, quickly helping her out of her day dress.
“It certainly is, milady,” she said.
As Barbara helped her dress and styled her hair, Clara’s thoughts drifted back to the previous night. She knew that Elizabeth had been sincere when she said that she was thrilled to have Clara as her sister-in-law. Elizabeth had always been a very warm and kind woman, much like her mother. Still, Clara kept swallowing waves of nerves that washed over her. She did want to make a good impression. But would it do any good when it came to Julian?
Once Barbara had her ready, she looked at herself in the mirror. She gazed at her reflection, the red of the dress enhancing her pale complexion and the richness of her auburn hair. She knew her mother would approve.
“Thank you, Barbara,” she said. “You have done a wonderful job, as always.”
The lady’s maid curtseyed to her mistress, reaching out to brush a speck of lint from the shoulder of her dress.
“You look radiant, milady,” Barbara said, her eyes gleaming with pride.
Clara took a deep breath and sighed.
“I suppose I should be off,” she said. “Elizabeth will surely be waiting for me.”
Barbara nodded, opening the door to Clara’s chambers, and following her out into the hallway.
“Enjoy yourself, milady,” she said. “And good luck.”
Clara nodded, biting her lip. When it came to Julian, she was sure she would need all the luck she could get.
When she reached Thornmire Manor, she nervously pulled on the heavy brass door knocker and waited. A moment later, the oak doors opened, revealing the butler, who was smiling at her inside the tastefully designed foyer. The air was heavy with the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers, and soft light filtered through the tall windows, casting a gentle glow upon the lavish furnishings. The footman took her cloak, and with a deep breath, she followed the butler through the vast mansion.
Expectancy filled her as she approached the drawing room. Her fingers lightly brushed against the cool brass handle of the door as the butler released it from his grasp, and as she entered the room, she was met with a sight that gave her pause.
To her left stood Elizabeth, looking every bit the gracious hostess with her brown curls cascading down her back, her dress a soft hue of cream, and a warm smile that shone in her blue eyes playing on her lips. But it was the presence of Julian to her right that truly caught Clara off guard. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black coat and crisp white cravat, Julian’s typically unreadable eyes met Clara’s with restrained civility.
“Clara,” Elizabeth said, hurrying over to embrace Clara with enthusiasm. “I am so delighted that you accepted my invitation.”
Collecting herself, Clara smiled in return, hoping that she didn’t appear as shaky as she felt. She hadn’t expected Julian to be joining them for tea. She had thought that, at best, she might bump into him as he went about his daily routine.
“Thank you for the thoughtful invitation,” she said. “I am thrilled to join you.”
Julian, in stark contrast to his sister’s warm greeting, merely nodded in her direction, his tone courteous but distant.
“Good morning, Clara,” he said.
Clara, not knowing what to do with herself, curtseyed stiffly to her fiancé.
“Good morning, Julian,” she said.
