Free Christmas at Ravencrest: A Dark Hero Christmas Short (Reluctant Heroes) by Lily Silver

matching the deep rose colored gown she wore as everyone looked to the woman and nodded. Chloe’s dark hair was adorned with tiny white flowers. She nodded at Elizabeth’s praise, but Elizabeth didn’t miss the shimmer of moisture in the woman’s eyes. Chloe had had a very difficult life here growing up. She was the child of the former steward and a slave woman. Chloe was lovely, vivacious and intelligent. Yet most of the islanders had scorned her for her mixed heritage. Elizabeth didn’t care what the islanders thought of her companion. She knew she had found a true friend in the woman and it pleased her to acknowledge that fact before the others and put Chloe first among them.
    “Giles,” Elizabeth addressed the butler next. “I am thankful that you came here from Basseterre to apply for the position of footman. I could not have accomplished all of this without your staunch support. You remained loyal when others within the household, who are no longer in our employ, worked against me. I thank you, sir . . . you are indispensible to me.”
    The butler, who was dressed in a fine bottle green coat and matching waistcoat with gleaming gold buttons, remained tight lipped. He nodded at her words. He looked very different, dressed as a well to do merchant and not an upper servant. His neck was crimped with fine linens and his dark and silvered hair had been dressed for the occasion. Giles St. Vincent could have been quite the dandy in his younger days in England, causing a stir with the ladies.
    She continued on, personally thanking each member of her staff for their service to her in the past months. Each one beamed with pride as she acknowledged their contributions before the gathering. There were twenty household servants, and each one deserved their moment of glory.
    When Elizabeth arrived as a new bride every room had been closed up in the manor house, save the handful used by Donovan or his uncle. The housekeeper was in fact a useless trollop, so the house was neglected and infested with spiders and centipedes. Donovan had given Elizabeth free reign in the endeavor regarding funds. Still, it had been an exhausting undertaking. The rooms had to be scrubbed and painted. The chimneys had to be cleared of bird’s nests or rodents. The drapes all needed to be replaced due to moths. Thanks to her army of maids and footmen, every room on the first floor had been reclaimed. These faithful people all had a hand in the resurrection of the plantation house. They deserved this night feasting and celebration.
    And thus she told them so , each and every one.
    When Elizabeth finished with the staff, she turned the focus to her elder brother, Kieran. “Few of you may be aware that my family lost someone very dear to us many years ago. Mr. Kieran O’Flaherty, my elder brother, disappeared when he was just nine years old. My family believed he was dead. Tonight we are celebrating the return of my brother to the Wentworth family. Kieran O’Flaherty is not dead, as we believed. We are blessed to have him restored to us and we as a family are celebrating Christmas for the first time together under one roof.”
    Everyone looked a t Kieran. He stood at the punch bowl, his ladle at the ready. His cheeks turned ruddy. He bowed to the audience and then to Elizabeth. “I’ve the best spot in the room.” He quipped, waving the ladle for all to see. “I’ll be getting into the punch soon, dear sister and then we’ll see if you still count me among your blessings.”
    Everyone laughed and murmured welcome to him. Kieran didn’t imbibe in spirits. He was playing the part of the merry Irish host, just as their father would have if he were alive.
    “ And I brought two barrels of fine ale.” Captain Rawlings put in, lifting his cup of punch high like a trophy. “If the room isn’t spinning for every one of you by the end of the night, it’s your own fault, not mine nor Lady Beaumont’s!”
    “Aye!” The men cheered, lifting their