Free Christmas Carol by Flora Speer

gave Nicholas her hand and let him
kiss her politely on the cheek while she tried to swallow the yawn
she could not prevent. Of course, he noticed.
    “I will assume it is the result of the late
hour and not caused by my presence,” he teased, taking advantage of
her distraction to place another kiss on her opposite cheek, this
one a bit too close to her mouth for Carol’s peace of mind. “May I
call for you during the afternoon and take you for a drive?”
    “Oh, do, Nicholas,” said Penelope before
Carol could answer for herself and before Lady Augusta could offer
any objection. “I am sure Caroline would enjoy it, and we have no
engagements before dinner because Aunt Augusta insisted we should
be quite worn out after tonight. But I do not expect to be the
least bit tired, and I don’t think Caroline will be, either.”
    “Caroline?” Nicholas watched her with raised
eyebrows.
    How could anyone, even Lady Augusta, expect
her to refuse his offer? Carol smiled and nodded her assent, and
Nicholas took his leave.
    “Caroline,” said Lady Augusta in a stern
voice, “we must have a little talk.”
    “Not now,” Carol retorted, surprising even
herself with her firmness. “I am much too tired to get into a
heated discussion tonight. We can talk later if you want. For the
moment, I am going to bed.”
    And if you take me back to the twentieth
century before we get a chance to talk , she added silently to
herself, then whatever you are planning to say to me won’t
matter .
    “Very well, I will expect to see you in my
boudoir shortly before noon.” Lady Augusta began to climb the
stairs to the upper floor. “I absolutely insist on speaking to you
before you go out for your drive with Montfort. Now, it is time for
both of you to be in your beds.”
    “Yes, Aunt Augusta.” It was Penelope who
answered, Carol being occupied with another large yawn. Laughing at
Carol, Penelope added in a whisper, “Dear sister, I want to talk to
you, too, and hear everything that Montfort said to you this
evening, but I am nearly asleep where I stand. Aunt Augusta sounds
remarkably irritated, so in contrast to the lecture she no doubt
plans for you, I shall cheer you up with the most delightful
news.”
    “Let me guess,” Carol retorted. “Is it
something to do with Lord Simmons?”
    “You will have to wait until tomorrow,” said
Penelope. She embraced Carol warmly and then all but danced down
the corridor to her own room, which Carol only now discovered was
just next to the chamber occupied by Lady Caroline.
    When she awakened the next morning Carol was
surprised to find herself still in the lovely blue and white
bedchamber, and thus still in the nineteenth century. She had fully
expected to open her eyes to the dreary, bare room in which she had
slept and taken most of her meals for more than five and a half
years.
    After the maidservant pulled the draperies
back to reveal the pale sun of a late December day, Carol lay
quietly, looking around the room. There was something remarkably
soothing about her surroundings. The blue and white porcelain vases
on the mantel were so pretty, the blue brocade chair was
comfortable, the rug was designed with a pleasing pattern of roses
and ribbons, and the taffeta and sheer lace curtains at the windows
were fresh and crisp and let in a softened light.
    “Good morning, my lady.” The maid presented a
small tray containing delicate pieces of china in a pink and blue
pattern, including a fat little teapot. “A plain roll and tea, just
as you like your morning meal.” Pushing herself up to a sitting
position, Carol accepted the tray, letting the maid place it across
her lap.
    “I never noticed what a nice room this is,”
Carol said. “Or how sleeping in such comfort can improve even the
most irritable disposition.”
    “Oh, my lady, no one could ever call you
irritable,” the maid responded. “Quiet and mild you are, and a
great favorite with all the staff, if I may say so.”
    “Am