Free Twelve Days in December: A Christmas Novella by Michele Paige Holmes

lost in thought, at the embers burning low in the grate.
    “I was wondering if you would like your present now?” he asked.
    She smiled as she looked up at him. “Doesn’t a woman always like presents?”
    It wasn’t the answer he had expected, and he felt glad of it. That she had not started off with the list of things he had already done for her seemed a good sign. He had not intended to tell her what he had done so soon, but rather to take her to see it sometime after Marsali was settled and she and her sister might visit. But William had found that he wished to tell Charlotte now of the action he had taken. He sensed there was more on the subject of Charlotte’s husband that needed to be shared between them before they might move forward, and if they did not discuss it before he returned to work, who knew when the opportunity would present itself?
    She had shared with him much on Christmas Eve, concluding with the fact that Matthew had nothing to mark his grave, in a lone corner of a small churchyard. William had determined to fix that, to put Charlotte’s mind at ease regarding her first husband, insomuch as he could.
    “I had planned to show you in person, but with the weather as it is, that might be months away. And I thought this might bring you a measure of peace.” He held the letter out to her. It had arrived this evening, along with the servant he had dispatched to accomplish the errand in the first place.
    Charlotte straightened in her seat and took the paper from him. She unfolded it and began to read aloud.
    Dear Mr. Vancer,
    As per your request, a headstone bearing the inscription Matthew Holbrook, loving husband and father , was fashioned from our finest granite and placed as directed. Please inform us if we may be of further service.
    Sincerely,
    Robert Keeler, Mason
    “I didn’t know the dates to put on it, but Mr. Keeler said those could be added later.” William shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to appear nonchalant as he awaited Charlotte’s reaction.
    She read the letter once more, to herself this time, as if she did not quite understand or believe its contents. When at last she looked up at him, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t understand. Why would you go to the trouble to do this? You didn’t even know Matthew.”
    “But you did.” William ventured closer, taking the chair opposite her and scooting it near to hers. “This was important to you. And I hoped it might bring you some measure of peace— a sense of closure.” He winced inwardly, realizing how selfish the latter sounded. Likely one could never have closure when a spouse died.
    Charlotte refolded the paper carefully and placed it in her lap. “This was exceedingly kind and thoughtful. Thank you, William.” She did not look up at him but kept her gaze downcast and took a deep breath, alerting William that she was not finished speaking and that there was a good chance he would not care for what she had to say.
    “I will always love Matthew. I must.” Charlotte twisted the silver band on her finger. When William had asked her if she wished to continue to wear her other wedding ring also, she had told him she’d never had one. They had been too poor. “To do anything less would seem wrong.”
    “I understand.” William stood abruptly, unable or unwilling to hear the rest of her explanation or rejection. Perhaps someday… But certainly not now. He could not expect her affection to turn toward him as quickly as his had turned to her. He was going to have to extend his patience far beyond these twelve days in December. He must remember that he had achieved the purpose of his marriage. Because of her, my business is saved. But somehow that seemed to matter little right now. Running Vancer Furs did not hold the appeal it had before his marriage.
    “Goodnight, Charlotte. Sleep well.” He left the room before she could say more, hurrying to his own, where he lay awake for quite some time, staring at