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Ellen breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, thatiswelcome news. At least we shall not see so much of him, except on holidays.” She turned and went to the vanity. Her maid had returned with fresh water and clean towels by this time. She dipped the corner of one towel in the water and began washing the mud off her face.
Her mother shook her head. “Someday, you will appreciate these times, Ellen. Perhaps Simon only treats you this way because he is trying to get your attention.”
“I do not care why he does it. I only want him to desist. It seems his father has solved my problem for me,” Ellen said, turning her attention back to her reflection. “With any luck, Simon will go away to school and forget all about me. Maybe then I shall finally get some peace.”
Chapter 16
December 6th - St Nicholas Day
Simon awoke to a streak of sunlight filtering through his bedroom curtains. He sat up, propping himself on an elbow, and saw snow gently falling outside his window. He quickly got up, padded over to the curtain, and pushed it aside, pressing a hand against the frosted window pane.
Perhaps it was childish, but he still looked forward to the first snow every year. All was quiet as the snowflakes fell to the ground, coating the landscape in a beautiful icy sheen. For a moment, all was perfect, and he forgot the disappointment that the last few weeks had wrought.
Turning away from the window, he allowed the curtain to fall back into place. Shadows covered the room, and he walked over to the hearth to stir the embers. Ellen was no longer rude, but things were far from warm between them.
Indeed, their relationship had settled into a sort of polite, formal distance. He was unsure if it was simply uncertainty on her part or a significant problem that was bubbling under the surface. All he knew was that she still did not trust him.
“Perhaps today will be a turning point,” he whispered as a small flame burst to life. He knelt and added a piece of kindling to the fire. Soon a roaring fire was burning, and he reached his hands out to soak up the warmth. It was the perfect beginning to St Nicholas Day, with the snow and the leisurely breakfast they would share with his parents, followed by small gifts to kick off the month-long Christmas celebration.
He glanced over at his desk and saw the small box his mother’s maid had helped him wrap for Ellen. He hoped she liked it but would not get his hopes up.
A knock sounded on his door, and he turned away from the fire to see his valet opening the door. “Good morning, my lord,” he said.
“Good morning, Gregson. Happy St Nicholas Day,” he said. His valet closed the door and came over to the hearth, bowing with a smile.
“Yes, it is a very beautiful day it is, I must say,” Gregson replied. He knew how much Simon loved the snow.
“Indeed. Perhaps a ride will be in order later this afternoon.” Simon sighed. Gregson parted the curtains, and Simon watched the snow fall as he dressed. Unfortunately, the flurries did not last long, for the sun came out, bathing the landscape in a golden wintry glow. He tried not to be disappointed as he walked out of his room and into the hall to head to breakfast. There would likely be more snow as winter set in later in the season.
As he came out of his door, he nearly bumped into Ellen. She gave a little yelp of surprise, and he reached a hand out to steady her. She gave him a tight smile. “Forgive me. I should be more careful,” she apologised.
“Not at all. It was my mistake,” Simon said. He let go of her elbow, and she smoothed her dress. She looked beautiful, dressed in a light blue cotton dress. She had tied a darker blue ribbon just under the bust, accentuating her thin waist. He bounced his eyes away lest he make her uncomfortable with his appreciative glance. “May I escort you down to the dining room?” He could have kicked himself for his formal tone. Was it always to be like this?
She seemed to relax, her smile widening into a look of genuine pleasure. “That would be nice,” she said. She took his arm, and he felt a surge of happiness swelling in his chest. Was there actually a chance that the “ice maiden” was thawing?
He kept these sentiments to himself as they walked down the grand staircase. His parents were already seated in the dining room when they came in. His father’s proud look at Ellen on his arm did not escape him.
His father stood and motioned for Ellen to come and take the seat at the small round breakfast table between him and Simon’s mother. He leaned down and kissed his mother on the cheek before sitting opposite Ellen.
“What a wonderful surprise it was to wake up to the snow. Did you see it this morning, Simon?” his mother asked.
“I did. I only wish it would stick around a little longer than it did. But I shall not complain,” Simon said, holding up his hands.
Ellen met his gaze. “You are a fan of the snow? I do not think I ever knew that,” she said.
There is a lot you do not know about me,Simon thought. He shook his head slightly. He did not want to be ungenerous, especially today. “Yes, I do love the snow. Do you?”
“I love to look at it,” she said with a laugh. His parents joined in.
“I agree. Simon was always tearing about in it, building snowmen or racing about on his horse. It is a wonder you did not get frostbite, Son,” his mother teased.
Ellen glanced at him again.
“I do remember the snowmen,” she said softly. There had been one day that he had convinced her to come outside with him and her sisters to have a snowman-building contest. It was one of the rare times she had not been cross with him. Was she remembering the same incident?
She smiled at him, and he was almost certain that she was. Perhaps he would have to coax her into having another contest with him later in the season.
“Well, shall we eat?” Simon asked, breaking eye contact with his wife. His father held out his hands, and they joined hands around the table. They bowed their heads.
