chest as memories flooded her had Lucy drawing a deep breath to ease the ache. After all, her parents had died over seven years ago, when her father lost control while driving their phaeton with his wife at his side, just after Lucy’s sixteenth birthday. But she still missed them so much, still grieved all the moments they hadn’t been able to share.
Based on Aunt Edith’s thoughtful expression, she was considering Emma’s request, much to Lucy’s astonishment. Edith Penrose, Lucy’s mother’s aunt, had been a widow for well over twenty years but rarely ventured out since Lucy had come to live with her. Lucy barely remembered Uncle William, who’d left his wife without children but with enough funds that she hadn’t been forced to remarry to survive.
“Perhaps we might come for a few days.” Aunt Edith looked at Lucy with one brow raised. “What say you, Lucy?”
“Please say you will.” Emma stared at Lucy imploringly with her large blue eyes, which only made Lucy more suspicious as to what her cousin’s true motive might be.
Yet the idea of spending the holidays with only Aunt Edith and the servants for company held little appeal. Aunt Edith rested in her bedchamber a good portion of the day, and while Lucy kept her company much of the time, the rest was filled with only needlework, letter writing, and reading. The servants were kind, of course, but the cook was much older, the housemaid much younger, and the footman, who also served as coachman, had family in the area. Lucy didn’t have any close friends, not the sort one shared confidences with while snuggled under the covers before blowing out the candle at night.
Lucy adored Aunt Edith but caring for her each and every day was a burden she hadn’t expected to bear at such a young age or for this long. As an only child, everyone in her extended family thought her the ideal candidate to care for Aunt Edith upon her parents’ deaths. In the passing years, no one had asked if she would like a Season in London or suggested they share in the caring of her aunt.
Especially not Emma.
As the beautiful daughter of a wealthy landowner who lived at a grand estate several hours to the north, Emma lived a charmed life. She had enjoyed two Seasons in London, caught the eye of several suitors, and her attire was always the height of fashion. With golden hair, wide blue eyes, and an engaging smile and manner that charmed everyone she met, her company was much sought after.
Lucy resisted the urge to smooth a hand along her simple blue woolen gown that had served her well the past three winters. She’d changed the lace collar and added ribbons to update its appearance, but little could be done to hide the worn cuffs and hem. Buying new gowns seemed an unnecessary expense when much of their time was spent at home.
With dark hair and brown eyes, she felt much like a country mouse when compared to Emma. Though she loved her cousin, it was impossible not to look at herself and her situation next to Emma’s and feel a certain lack.
Lucy reminded herself she had much to be grateful for and smiled as she reached over to pat her aunt’s arm, her heart hopeful that this Christmas might be different. “Wherever you will feel most comfortable.”
“You are a dear, Lucy.” Aunt Edith gripped Lucy’s hand. “Whatever would I do without you?”
Her appreciation was part of what kept Lucy at her side. Besides, where else would she go? What else would she do? Her parents’ home had gone to her father’s younger brother, who had a family of his own to raise along with his wife’s siblings.
In truth, after all these years of living a quiet existence in the country interspersed with only a few family gatherings and one trip to the coast to visit her aunt’s friend, reaching for more filled her with trepidation.
A rare gleam of excitement sparkled in her aunt’s brown eyes and lit a similar feeling in Lucy. “Christmas will soon be upon us,” her aunt said, “and it’s been years since we celebrated with the rest of the family. I think we should go.” She glanced at Emma. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble to have us.”
“Not at all.” Emma beamed at them and clapped her hands twice. “We would be delighted if you came.”
“We must decide what to pack, Lucy.” Aunt Edith tapped a finger on