The Yuletide Countess: Harriet's Traditional Regency Romance Read Free

with him?”
    “Lady
Glencairn died ten years ago, God rest her kind soul. She is very much missed.”
    “How sad for
the children and his lordship both. It’s difficult for children to be so long
without a mother’s care.”
    “The earl
feels the loss of her very much. She was much younger than he, and quite
lovely. He was very fond of her. Douglas does not remember his mama, and so has
grown used to her loss. It is harder for Sophia, as her memories of Lady
Glencairn were more formed.”
    During their
conversation, the maid had woken from her sleep, and somewhat sheepishly roused
herself, and now stood behind the little party. Harriet beckoned to her.
    “Nan, please
walk with Lord Kincraig and Lady Sophia along the stream while Miss Dalburn and
I become better acquainted,” she requested.
    Nan’s morning
away from her usual duties was proving longer and more entertaining than she
had expected, so she complied readily. Catherine and Harriet watched the trio
walk toward the stream, the children already cheerfully squabbling with each
other about their relative talents as painters. Harriet smiled.
    “What
beautiful children,” she said. “How long have you been employed in Lord
Glencairn’s household?”
    “I came two
years after Lady Glencairn’s death. Sophia was old enough to start real
lessons, and though Douglas still required a nursemaid for a year, it was
decided that with the loss of his mother, it was better for him to spend more
time with his sister and a genteel woman at an earlier age.”
    “They seem to
be very clever,” Harriet observed.
    “I am very
fond of them,” said Catherine. “I was sorry when Douglas was sent away to
school, and am glad that Sophy will remain with me. It is so nice that he is
home for the summer. They do miss each other when they are apart.”
    “Sent away?”
Harriet echoed. “It is so far to the great schools in the south. It must be a
difficult trip back at half term, and the poor lad must miss what family he has
left.”     
    “Yes, but
without a mama, it is so difficult for Lord Glencairn, so I suppose it is
best.”
    Harriet looked
thoughtful, and then turned the subject. “I am delighted to find a gentlewoman
so close by Dargenwater Cottage. Perhaps you will come and drink tea with me on
your next half day? We must become better acquainted.”
    “My half days
are Thursday, and Lord Glencairn is kind enough to allow me every Sunday,” Miss
Dalburn replied.
    “Today is
Tuesday,” Harriet answered cheerfully. “You must come to us on Thursday. Miss
Paley will be as delighted as I am to make you acquaintance. Since she will be
much occupied earlier in the afternoon, you and I will have time for a
comfortable coze. “
    “Thank you for
the invitation, Miss Walcott, I’ll await the day eagerly,” said Catherine. “And
now, I suppose I should gather up my charges and return to the house for their
lessons. As much as Lord Glencairn desires that they be out of doors, he
realizes that their minds must be nurtured as well.”
    She acted on
her words, by waving to Nan, who was near the banks of the Dargenwater with
Douglas and Sophia. As they drew closer, Catherine and Harriet made their good
byes, and soon the group could be seen walking back into the woods from which
they had emerged. Harriet looked up at the sky, and saw the sun was no longer
overhead.
    “Goodness
Nan,” she exclaimed. “How long we have lingered here. Roll up the blanket
please, and fold the chair while I attend to the easel.”

Chapter 3.
     
    Later that
afternoon, after Isobel had returned from her work site, the two ladies met in
the drawing room to enjoy a reviving cup of tea before dinner.
    “Did you have
a successful day at your digging site?” Harriet inquired as she poured tea for
them both.
    Isobel added
milk to her cup. “It has been very slow progress, but I think we are beginning
to encounter some new walls that may indicate that there were far more
buildings here