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Eliza turned over in her bed and covered her face with her arm as she lay on her side. She was having trouble falling asleep while something nagged at her mind, but she couldn't seem to pinpoint it long enough to clear it from her thoughts. It was December and the room was chilly and she enjoyed sleeping under the heavy blankets.
She remembered then that Christmas was only two days away. Ivy was planning to visit with her mother, which meant Eliza would be alone on Christmas this year. Tears stung at her eyes as she thought about celebrating the holiday without her father. Whatever his troubles, he had always been there with her on Christmas morning for breakfast and church, and he had always had something wrapped in paper for her to open that day. Her mind drifted back, thinking about the various times they had celebrated together, and she began to doze off as she relaxed...
Eliza looked down at her dress – it was one of her favorites. A rich green color, the dress was cut from one of her mother's old dresses and made her feel grown up when she wore it. In fact, she was almost grown – at 15 she had grown another inch at least that year and her father speculated that she had reached her mother's height. Glancing down the table at the end opposite her father's place, she sighed at the chair that had been empty for many years now. She still missed her mother every day, and especially for holidays when the memories vividly cropped up to remind her what she was missing.
Swinging her eyes to the place directly across from her, she suppressed a scowl as she looked at the young man seated there. His hair was neatly combed into place, and he wore his best outfit, which she recognized from every time he ate with them at her father's invitation. He ate lustily from the plate of food that Ivy had brought and set in front of him. It seemed to Eliza that he could eat three times what she did and still want more.
“William, how was your day today? Any arrests or excitement on duty?” Henry asked.
Eliza glared at William now, though he remained completely unaware of her stare as he answered the question.
“Nothing of note today, sir. It seems the people are busy with getting ready for Christmas tomorrow,”
William said, looking at Henry respectfully. “This dinner is wonderful, sir. Thank you for inviting me.”
Henry looked at William fondly, and told him that he and Eliza were always happy to have him to dinner. He continued, “Perhaps you would like to join us for church tomorrow too?”
Eliza stood suddenly, full of anger at her father. She threw her fork down on the table, and stomped from the room, then ran up the stairs to her room, slamming the door behind her. How could father invite him to spend Christmas, too? William ruins everything! she thought. Ever since her father had met the young man, he had stopped talking to Eliza about police work and kept his conversation with her on topics of family and the household, unless he slipped up. When William was there, though, it was like Eliza vanished as they talked about William being a constable, what William had done that day at Scotland Yard, and on and on. She flopped down on her bed and shed a few tears, but mostly she felt angry and petty. Sitting up, she placed her head in her hands.
“I suppose I did not act like a grown woman just then,” she muttered to herself.
“No, you did not.” Eliza gasped at hearing someone answer. She turned to look and saw...
“Mother!” Eliza shouted, jumping from the bed to hug her. But when she got to her feet, her mother was gone. “Mother?”
“I'm here, Eliza, but only to talk.” Eliza turned to see her mother on the far side of the bed now.
“I see.” Eliza dropped back down onto her bed. “Are you a ghost?” she asked.
“Don't worry about that, darling. It is so good to see you, but why are you up here when your father is eating downstairs at this moment?”
Eliza huffed. “William is here again. William Wellington. Father's new friend and protege. Father doesn't even notice me anymore.”
“I am certain that is not true, Eliza. Your father loves you very much. Do you dislike your father's new friend?” her mother asked.
“Well, not exactly. He is actually quite nice most of the time. But he took my place, mother. Father used to talk to me, teach me, but now it is always William.”
“I see. You sound like you are jealous. If you tell your father to, he will probably send the young man away, or at least keep him away from you. He would not want you to be upset.”
Eliza thought carefully. “I would feel bad if William could not come here anymore. He does not have a family of his own, not here anyway, and he doesn't even have a place to live. I think he is hungry when he comes to dinner.”
“Does he mistreat you or your father?” her mother asked, sounding a bit concerned.
“No, not at all, mother. Despite his hard times, he seems like a very intelligent boy of good character. He wouldn't hurt father for anything, he looks up to him a great deal.” As Eliza reassured her mother, she felt the comfort of letting go of some of her anger toward the young man.
“If you think so, Eliza, then I'm sure you are right. He does sound like a person your father would choose to mentor.”
“He is rather handsome...” Eliza mused to herself, then looked up to see her mother smiling at her.
“It is so good to see you again, Eliza. But you should rejoin your father and … William, was it?”
“Oh, please don't go yet mother. We have hardly had a chance to talk,” Eliza pleaded.
“It is time for me to go, but I love you so much, Eliza.” As her mother's image began to fade, Eliza became upset, and begged her not to go.
With a start, Eliza came awake, a tear rolling down her cheek as she felt her mother's presence leave her. She realized she had been dreaming, and sat up a little to look around the room. Nothing was out of the ordinary here. It was just a dream, so she lay back down again. She remembered that Christmas Eve dinner, and it had happened as it had in her dream, up until she saw her mother. In reality, she had gone back downstairs to apologize to her father, but when she got there, William had already left. Her father had accepted her apology, but she had felt bad that William had left without finishing his dinner. The next day, when her father took her to church, William was nowhere to be seen. From that point on, Eliza had made an effort to be more welcoming to William and they had begun getting along better. This made Henry happier as well, for a time. Their relationship had improved, right up to the day that Skip died. The day he kissed me... Eliza thought, before rolling over again, fluffing up her pillow and sighing deeply to try to get back to sleep.
Her thoughts strayed back to William as she lay there. He was so irritating sometimes, but now that she was a grown woman she gave as good as she got, without hesitation. And she knew she irritated him too at times. Mostly, he had been good to her since her father passed, and to be honest, she wasn't sure where she would be with her detective agency without his assistance, however grudgingly given at first. She wasn't sure she could continue on with Rupert as her only friend. There was Moses, too. And Ivy of course, the one person she had consistently been able to count on throughout her life. But William was important to her. Her thoughts floated across some of their recent encounters as she dozed off again.
Eliza found herself walking down a street between her agency and Scotland Yard. She couldn't remember how she had gotten here, but as she looked around she felt sure she was supposed to continue walking in this direction. It was dark out, but the streetlights looked festive with large bows tied around the poles. As she walked, she heard the faint sounds of a Christmas carol being sung in the streets somewhere. She noticed the streets were fairly empty and surmised that it must be Christmas Eve. The Christmas song was coming from an open tavern door across the street, and she was drawn toward the light and music coming from the door.
As she stepped inside, the music stopped and Eliza looked around. No one seemed to notice her, but the scene was rather depressing. Individuals, mostly men, sat alone sipping drinks. A rough-looking barman wiped down the counter and scowled at the mostly empty room. “Closing up in ten minutes. Gotta get home to the wife for Christmas Eve.” A man in the back lifted his head, then looked back down again. Eliza recognized William with a jolt. Her heart went out to him – why was he sitting her alone on Christmas Eve? She walked over to his table and sat down across from him. “Hello, William,” she said. But he didn't respond. She reached out to touch his hand, and realized she couldn't make contact. He looked up then, and stared directly past her without seeing her at all. It appeared she was invisible to him.
Looking at him, she wondered again what he was doing here alone on Christmas Eve. But when she tried to think where else he would be, all she could think was at his own home or in his office at Scotland Yard. She wasn't aware of who his close friends were, and possibly he didn't have any that weren't at home with family this evening. She had never thought of it this way, but perhaps this Christmas he was just as alone as she was without her father. With a wave of guilt, she recognized that he had not spent Christmas Eve or Christmas with them since the year she had run out at dinner and perhaps he had been alone for Christmas all those years because of her.
“I'm so sorry, William,” she said, sitting there across from him. He gave a little smile then, as his eyes lifted from the table. She rose to go, since he couldn't even see her, but as she turned from the table, she heard a voice in front of her. “William! There you are, I am so sorry I am late.” As she turned to look, a beautiful, tall dark-haired woman walked quickly toward his table, and William stood to take her hand and kiss it.
“We can go,” he said. “This tavern is closing and now that you are here we should get on our way.”
He pulled on his coat, and put his hand on the woman's back to steer her toward the door. She turned and said something in a low voice to him as they walked away, and he laughed with her, looking at her with a smile. Then they exited to the street as she took his arm.
Eliza began to follow him, but when she walked out the door, she looked both ways and they were already gone. “William!” she called, though she wasn't quite sure why. “William, where did you go?”
She awoke again in her bed as she wondered where he had disappeared to. Ugh, what are these dreams? Eliza dragged her feet to the floor and wandered over to where Ivy had put a small pitcher of water for her. She poured a glass and drank a bit before the chill of the room reached her feet and she hurried back under her blankets. She laid down on her back, hoping that a new position would stop these unsettling stories that her mind kept pushing on her tonight.
She wondered if she would be tired tomorrow. It made thinking through her cases more difficult when she hadn't slept well. She needed to find more cases to keep her income flowing, though her business had been staying afloat. She thought it would be wonderful if she reached a point where she didn't have to search out cases any more, with clients waiting outside the door each day. Appointments booked to fill her day book. Investigations keeping her busy every minute of every day...
Eliza opened the door to her office, and looked around. New furniture filled the office, and the walls were papered with a simple but lovely pattern. Library shelves were found all along the side wall, with books that provided a wealth of information. It was all unfamiliar, and yet she knew it was all hers.
“Good afternoon, Miss Scarlet!” a voice said brightly from the corner. A young woman rose sat at a desk there, papers in front of her. “Did you find anything for Mr. Westmore?”
“Good afternoon, Miss Elliott,” Eliza said to her new assistant. She hesitated, then continued. “I did not discover any new information, no.” She was confused, but could not remember where she had been. Strange...
Miss Elliott looked at her with concern. “Are you quite all right, Miss Scarlet?” she asked. “You don't seem yourself.”
“Yes, yes,” Eliza assured her. “I'll be fine.” She walked around to her desk, where several case files were piled neatly at the side.
“Miss Scarlet, I do think you are due at Scotland Yard any moment. Are you still attending the promotion for Detective Inspector Wellington? I believe it begins in fifteen minutes if it hasn't changed?”
Eliza's head snapped up at the mention of William's name. “Oh! Yes, I mustn't miss it – I will leave right now. Thank you, Miss Elliott.” Eliza gathered up her bag and placed her hat on her head as she hurried out the door. What is wrong with me today? she thought. I must be tired.
Arriving at Scotland Yard, she went in the main door and the desk sergeant greeted her. “Good afternoon, Miss Scarlet. The Duke's promotion is starting any moment, you'll have to hurry. Back in the largest conference room, you know the way, do you not?”
Eliza nodded and waved to him as she passed by. She found her way down the hall and entered the large room. William's men recognized her and nodded as she passed them. As she found a place to stand, she spotted William standing in the front near the Superintendent and the Chief of Police. As he glanced around, he caught her eye and smiled at her. She returned his grin, happy for him on this big day.
After the ceremony, the men began to disperse and Eliza waited to congratulate William. Once the Chief and the Superintendent had left, William walked toward her.
“Good afternoon, Chief Inspector Wellington!” she greeted him. “Congratulations, William.” She grasped his hand, and gave it a sincere squeeze, which he accepted gratefully.
“Thank you, Eliza. Thank you for coming today,” he replied, looking down at her sincerely.
“Of course...” she began to say, but was interrupted as William looked toward the door. A young boy ran into the room, and yelled “Father!” To Eliza's great surprise, he ran straight to William, who picked him up and hugged him.
“Father, are you a chief now?” the boy said excitedly.
Eliza was reeling. William has a son? As she processed this, a tall, dark-haired woman appeared in the doorway with a baby in her arms. William walked over to her and kissed her cheek. “Hello, love,” he said to the woman. As the woman apologized for missing the ceremony, Eliza stared. It was the same woman from the tavern that night. She knew it was William's wife even as her mind struggled to accept all of this. She felt a little heartsick as she looked at William's beautiful family. The woman looked past William then. “Hello, Eliza. It is good to see you again.”
“Hello, Marianne – it is so good to see you as well.” So I do know her, Eliza thought, even as she tried to keep her voice even. “I'm sorry, I cannot stay, but congratulations to you all. I hope you enjoy the celebrations, all of you.” Eliza backed toward the door, as William looked at her with a strange look in his eye.
“Thank you, Eliza,” he said. “Are you sure you're feeling well? You don't seem quite yourself.” His eyes searched hers with that same look he had always had. He knew her so well, even now.
“No, really. I am fine, I just have to get back to my office. Good day!” With that, Eliza turned and walked quickly down the hall, and out the front door again into the fresh air. She headed down the street, but her thoughts lingered on William. He is happy, that is a good thing. We are still friends. Why am I so unsettled? My agency is a success, and I have succeeded in finding my independence. It is everything I wanted. She shook her head to straighten her thoughts. I just need to get home to think.
Arriving at her door, Eliza opened it with her key and stepped in. She could see some new pieces in the house as she looked around, though things weren't as new as her office. It was familiar and comforting. “Hello... Ivy?” she called. There was no answer. Walking into the drawing room, she found a newspaper from the morning. December 24, 1890 it read at the top. She realized that it was Christmas Eve. Ivy was most likely with her mother then. Eliza started a fire in the fireplace, then picked up a book from her father's desk. Looking at the cover, she ran her fingers across it. She could almost hear her father's voice reading it. Her voice from eight years ago rang in her mind: “But now he has left me completely alone.” It did seem that she was alone here. She wondered where Rupert and Moses were in this world but she didn't know. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she swiped it away.
As Eliza woke up, she wiped a tear from her face onto the pillow. A faint light was finally appearing behind the curtains in her room. These dreams, she thought, plagued me all night. What is with me? She decided just to get up, despite the very early hour. She lit a fire in the fireplace in the drawing room and curled up with a blanket.
She realized the next day would be Christmas Eve. It must be the holidays and spending it without her father for the first time that was giving her these melancholy visions. She resolved to make a plan that day to cheer herself. Having made that decision, she dozed off again, this time peacefully, until Ivy found her over an hour later.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, she helped Ivy get ready. Eliza had sprung her plan on the poor woman with only a day's notice and she knew she was asking a lot of her.
At six o'clock, Rupert arrived with Herr Hildegard and Tilly in tow. They sat in the drawing room for a few minutes, but it seemed that William must have gotten stuck at the police station because he was quite late. Eliza and Ivy decided they needed to serve dinner and hope the inspector would arrive soon.
Ivy's dinner was delicious as always. The guests enjoyed the tender roast chicken and vegetables while Herr Hildegard and Tilly shared many stories of Germany, making Eliza and Rupert even more eager to visit there someday. Rupert noticed that Eliza seemed a bit distracted, but he was fairly certain it was because of the missing dinner guest. He kept trying to engage her, and by the time Ivy served tea and cake, Eliza seemed resigned to William's absence and had joined the conversation with her full attention. As they started to enjoy the cake, they heard a noise outside the door. When Ivy opened it, there were carolers covering the stairs, and they sang a lovely round of “Good King Wenceslas” as Eliza and her guests gathered in the doorway to hear them. They applauded as the song finished and thanked the carolers for visiting.
As the other guests headed back to the dining room, Eliza watched the carolers walk down the steps. She started to close the door when she saw a tall figure in a bowler hat coming up the steps as the carolers cleared.
“William!” she said happily, and smiled.
As he reached the stoop, he grinned back at her. “Well, that's the nicest greeting I've had all day.”
Eliza stepped back from the doorway. “Please come in, William. It's cold outside.”
As he entered, he apologized. “I'm sorry I'm late, Eliza. We had a last-minute arrest and I didn't finish writing it up until after dinner started. Please excuse me, I hope it is all right that I came.”
“Of course, William! You must eat.” Eliza led him into the dining room after he had hung his coat. She went to introduce him, but he said he had already met everyone. She glanced at him sideways, trying to remember when he had met Herr Hildegard and his niece Tilly, but she was left to wonder.
William took a seat while Eliza went to ask Ivy to bring some dinner for Inspector Wellington. Then they all enjoyed an hour of conversation over tea and cake while William ate his dinner. Eliza swept her eyes around at the table as everyone laughed over a story Rupert was telling, and felt a warmth in her chest seeing her friends enjoying each other's company. She wasn't alone tonight, and after her dreams the night before, she felt relieved. As he raised his head, she met William's eyes and he looked at her as though he could read her thoughts. He did that a lot, she thought, looking back at him.
Soon, Rupert announced that he must take Herr Hildegard and Tilly home in his carriage; his mother expected him home shortly. They thanked Eliza and Ivy and wished everyone a happy Christmas Eve, and then they headed out. William hesitated, and began to grab his coat, but Eliza stopped him.
“Oh, don't go yet, William. It's still early, and you haven't had cake yet.”
William only took a second to think. “You won't have to ask me twice to enjoy Ivy's cake,” he said, and put his coat back on the hook. Eliza led the way to the drawing room and Ivy said she would bring more tea and cake. Eliza and William sat down on the settee.
After they chatted for a few minutes about the guests who had just left, Ivy entered with a tray. “Cake for the inspector, and tea for the both of you.”
“Thank you, Ivy,” Eliza said sincerely. “Dinner was wonderful tonight.”
“Thank you, Lizzie. Now, if it is all right with you, I must get to my mother's before she turns in,” Ivy said.
“Oh, of course, Ivy! I forgot. You must go, yes.”
William stood. “I will ask my driver to take you, then he can come back for me. Where is your mother's house?” he asked. He knew Ivy had mentioned it the day Eliza went missing but he had forgotten.
Ivy told him gratefully and went to gather her things. By the time she came down, William was back in the drawing room eating cake, having arranged things with the carriage driver outside. Ivy left after giving Eliza a hug and wishing them both a Merry Christmas.
“I haven't seen you for a few days, Eliza. How have your holiday celebrations been?” William asked politely.
“I've been enjoying the holidays, I suppose. It's just that...” Eliza's voice broke and she stopped.
“You miss your father,” William guessed.
Eliza looked at him a moment, then nodded. “Yes. It is hard to celebrate Christmas without him,” she agreed, swallowing hard as a lump formed in her throat.
William looked into the fire a moment, then said “Did you know Henry and I always met for a drink on Christmas Eve? Early, before he went home for dinner. We did it almost every year.”
Eliza's eyes lowered. “I didn't know, but I'm not surprised. I'm certain he would have liked to have you here for dinner, but after what I did, well... he thought I wouldn't want it. I was only a teenager!” The words tumbled out as the guilt that had been building up since the night before turned into a confession.
William's eyes narrowed at her. “What are you talking about, Eliza? You're not making sense?”
She sighed. “I'm talking about the year I ran out from the dining room on Christmas Eve. And you left without even finishing your dinner. Because I was upset. And then my father never invited you again because of me. I'm sorry, William. I never meant to make you spend Christmas alone.”
“Eliza. It was only one or two years before, well... before you didn't want to see me for a different reason. As a constable I had to work on Christmas day for many of those years. The younger officers, especially those who don't have a wife and children, have to work on Christmas, you know. It wasn't because of you that I wasn't here.” William looked at her with a question in his eyes, wondering what had got her thinking about this.
Eliza looked down at her hands, turning her mother's ring as she thought. “I am glad to hear it. I'm not feeling the usual Christmas spirit without father here.” She glanced around the room, then she rose and crossed to look at a stack of books sitting on a table in the back. Pulling one from low in the stack, she came and sat down next to William again, handing him the slim book as she sat. “He used to read from this aloud on Christmas Eve every year, even when my mother was still here.”
William looked at the book in his hands. “A Christmas Carol,” he read from the cover.
“Do you know it?” Eliza asked.
“I have heard of it, of course,” William said. “Ghosts of Christmas past and so on. Wait, is that what got you thinking of that Christmas Eve dinner when we were younger?” He was still curious about what made her bring that up.
“Not exactly, William, no. I don't believe in ghosts, and neither do you!” she said. “But I did have a dream about my mother.”
William looked at her a moment, waiting to hear more, but Eliza did not elaborate. “Well, I have not read this book, but I guess it is a Scarlet family favorite?” he asked.
Eliza turned to him excitedly. “Oh, you must read it, William! It is a wonderful story. A bit melancholy but so rewarding.” She pulled the book gently from his hands, and began riffling through the pages. “Here. This was father's favorite part.” She patted the open page and handed it back to William, pointing out a specific paragraph. “Start here.”
William glanced at her, doubtful she wanted to watch him read, but the excitement in her eyes convinced him and he began reading at the passage she had pointed out.
Eliza watched him expectantly, but when she realized he was reading it to himself, she stopped him. “No, you must read it out loud, William! It is a story best shared with family.”
He smiled slightly at hearing her refer to him as family, and leaned back. Then he began reading the story aloud. Eliza sat back as he read, relaxing and feeling comfortable sitting next to him, her eyes closing to listen. She found his voice and lovely Scottish accent soothing, his deep voice almost vibrating within her as she sat close. She listened to the familiar words that her father had loved so much, and she felt her father's presence again. She was sure that if she opened her eyes, he would be sitting across from them, but was equally afraid that if she looked, he would not be there.
After a while, when William reached the end of the chapter, he stopped reading. Looking over, he saw Eliza open her eyes. Though no tears fell, he could see that her eyes were wet.
“Thank you, William. Hearing you read, it makes me feel like it is Christmas after all. And I can remember my father even without seeing him.”
“Of course, Eliza,” he said gently. “I still miss him, too, and am glad to hear his favorite part of the story.”
“I don't suppose you would want to go to church with me tomorrow, William?” she asked uncertainly.
William paused. He hadn't been to church in several years and felt out of place there these days. “I don't think so, Eliza. That seems like a family thing.”
“Of course, I understand. I can meet Rupert or go alone,” she said quickly, embarrassed at asking something too personal. “Oh, do you have to work tomorrow?” she asked, remembering what he had said before.
“Fortunately, as a Detective Inspector, I do not have to work on Christmas every year anymore, unless something big comes up. I think I will not have to work tomorrow, no,” he said with satisfaction.
“Very good,” Eliza said. “Thank you for your company this evening, William. I do feel better. You've made me feel like I'm not completely alone,” she said, laying a hand on his arm next to her.
He looked at her then, and covered her hand with his. “You have done the same for me, Eliza. Thank you for inviting me.” He continued looking at her intently and she stared back for a moment, before breaking off her gaze and gently pulling back her hand.
William cleared his throat and stood then. “I should be going. My driver should have returned from taking Ivy to her mother's.”
Eliza stood and followed him out of the drawing room to see him out. As he approached the door to the hall, she saw something at the top of the doorway. William did not see it as he ducked his head slightly to exit the room. Eliza felt relief that he wasn't looking. I'm going to have words with Ivy when she returns, she thought.
As William passed through the doorway, he lowered his head, which did not quite fit under the door frame. As he went through, something sharp poked his head. “Ouch,” he said, sure that he had not hit the frame. Looking up, he saw a cluster of leaves with white berries and the stiff, shiny leaves which had poked his head as he brushed them. He flushed slightly as he realized what it was.
“Mistletoe,” he said, gesturing at it. “Did you put this here?” he asked, teasing Eliza lightly as he took a step back into the room.
“Me? No, I did not. I think Ivy must be having a little fun with us,” she answered, trying but failing to look him in the eye as she spoke.
“I see. Well, we don't have to... I mean, no one will know... it's not...” William shut his mouth as he realized he was stumbling to finish a sentence.
Eliza smiled and looked back at him, now feeling the upper hand as she stepped toward him. “It's all right, William. It's tradition. A Christmas tradition.”
William looked at her closely. “Are you sure?”
“Do you not want to kiss me?” she challenged boldly, the face of the dark-haired woman flashing in her mind.
He narrowed his eyes as he took another step and closed the gap between them. “The last time didn't end so well for me.”
“That was different. I wasn't ready for it,” Eliza said.
William looked her directly in the eye. “And you are now?”
She gave a slight nod, which was all the encouragement he needed. He lightly placed his hands at her waist as he leaned closer, then pressed his lips gently against hers. Frozen at first, she began to relax slightly beneath his hands, and he tilted his head, fitting his lips more closely over hers. She put her hands on his arms and pulled him closer as she returned his kiss.
After a few seconds, William reluctantly pulled back and stood, making sure not to hit the door frame again as he straightened. He watched her face as she looked back at him, and was glad to find nothing but the same happiness he felt. A good sign, he thought.
“Well. I think that satisfies the tradition,” he ventured. “Happy Christmas Eve, Eliza.”
Eliza followed him as he started down the hall to put on his coat. “Happy Christmas Eve.”
He lifted his coat from the hook and shrugged into it. Then he paused a moment, and Eliza looked at him questioningly.
“What time do you go to church tomorrow?” he asked.
Eliza beamed at him. “I leave at quarter past 10,” she said. “Have you changed your mind?” she asked hopefully.
“I will be back at 10. Good night, Eliza,” he said, placing his hand at her cheek for just a moment.
She leaned her cheek gently into his hand. “Good night, William.”
He removed his hand and turned to open the door. As he left, he called over his shoulder, “Please thank Ivy for me as well.”
“I will,” Eliza responded as she shut the door. Hmmm... what is he thanking Ivy for? she wondered. For dinner, or for the mistletoe... She smiled but she would just have to keep wondering. Truthfully, she would thank Ivy for both if she were honest. She was certain that her unsettling dreams would be gone tonight, and tomorrow she would spend time with William again. Even missing her father as she did, she might enjoy this Christmas after all.