Chapter 30
It was Christmas morning,and Susan couldn’t believe she was up before Elizabeth who was still asleep. In her family, the children were always awake before the parents and were to be found sitting in front of the Christmas tree admiring what Father Christmas had brought them during thenight.
Now, Susan leaned in and kissed Elizabeth on thecheek.
“It’s Christmas morning,” Susan said, as Elizabeth opened her eyes, stretched, and threw back thecovers.
“It’s the day of the party,” Elizabeth squealed. “I can’twait.”
“But first we have the family breakfast and then we need to see what Father Christmas brought to all of us,” Susansaid.
“Uncle Simon said he would make his famous eggnog but I don’t know what eggnog is. Is itnice?”
“I’ve not had his, but I like what my mothermakes.”
Susan dressed Elizabeth in her especially made Christmasdress.
“Now, don’t you look lovely? Shall we go down tobreakfast?”
“Yes,please.”
* * *
Breakfast was scheduledfor eight o’clock. But there had been a few early risers and quite a few other guests who had slept in, so breakfast ended up being a haphazard affair. But eventually, everyone ended up in the grand sitting room with the beautiful Christmastree.
Gifts were exchanged, cigars smoked, Simon’s eggnog served and muchconversation.
John searched under the Christmas for a particular gift and brought it over toSusan.
“And this is for you,” he said as he sat next to her on theloveseat.
“Oh, my darling, I didn’t think about Christmas gifts for us. I only provided a few forElizabeth.”
“That’s fine withme.”
“But I could probably scrounge up a whittled block or a slingshot from the toys in theschoolroom.”
“Oh, a slingshot sounds splendid. But go ahead open yours now,” heinsisted.
Susan unwrapped the gift and found a flat velvet box. Inside was a stunning diamond, ruby and emerald necklace set in filigree platinum. She picked it up and held it in front ofher.
“Oh, John, this is unbelievablybeautiful.”
“It’s the Belvedere Necklace. It’s been worn by every Lennox Duchess since the inception of the Dukedom. And now it is to beyours.”
Susan teared up. “John…” she said, returning the necklace to its box, and taking hishand.
“I give it to you now as I want you to wear it at our wedding. I thought it might influence what gown you mightwear.”
“My ever practical Duke,” Susan said laughing. “Thank you, my darling.” And she kissed hischeek.
Elizabeth came running over with another gift she had found under the tree with her name onit.
“Mommy, mommy, look what I found,” she said squirming up onto the loveseat between John and Susan. But she stopped and looked at Susan. “I called you mommy. I hope you don’t mind. I can’t wait until thewedding.”
Susan looked at John, and henodded.
“That’s fine, my dear,” Susan said, and then turned back to the gift. “What is it, do youthink?
