More guests joined them for breakfast and soon everyone finished. They returned to their rooms to don their warm outer garments, including Lucy. She also checked on Aunt Edith, finding her sitting up in bed with a breakfast tray.
“Good morning, Lucy. It will be a snowy outing for you.”
“It’s still falling and so pretty.”
“Pretty but cold.” Aunt Edith smiled. “I don’t envy you, though I have no doubt the young people will enjoy it.”
“You have everything you need? I’m not sure how long we’ll be.”
“Have no worries. Your Aunt Jane and I are going to visit. Enjoy yourself.”
Relieved, Lucy returned to the entryway where the other guests were gathered as three sleighs arrived, pulled by horses. She held back to see who Emma chose to sit beside. Her heart gave a tug when Emma looped her arm through Hugh’s, and they walked toward the front sleigh.
That was for the best, Lucy told herself. She needed a little distance from the handsome gentleman. Miss Barnes stood near the back of the group, and Lucy moved toward her.
“Won’t this be fun?” she asked as she gestured for the lady to walk with her to the last sleigh.
“It will be a new experience,” Miss Barnes said warily.
The ride was delightful. The drivers took the long route to the woods, travelling over hill and vale. With so many guests piled into each conveyance, everyone was warm and in high spirits. Eventually, they arrived at the area where they’d gather greenery.
“I’ve never done this,” Miss Barnes said. “I’m not certain what I’m looking for.”
“We’ll go together, shall we?” Lucy suggested as they alighted. “I believe I remember where to find what we’re looking for.”
“Do you do this every Christmas, Miss Gray?”
“Please, call me Lucy. And no. I haven’t been here during the holidays for several years. It’s normally just my aunt and me.” Why did remembering the past often hurt so much?
“You must call me Prudence.” She pulled her hand from her muff to pat Lucy’s arm. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong.” The look of sympathy on her face made Lucy realize memories had filled her with melancholy.
“Not at all.” She shook her head. “The last time I was here for Christmas my parents were alive. I still miss them.”
“Of course you do,” the woman exclaimed. “And here I am bringing up the subject. My apologies.”
“For what are you apologizing, dear sister?” Mr. Barnes joined them, having ridden in another sleigh.
“I’ve placed my foot in my mouth once again.”
“Please,” Lucy said as she forced a smile, wishing to change the subject. “Pay me no mind. Allow me to guide us to the greenery.”
With a gallant bow, Mr. Barnes offered his arm to each of them. “Please do.”
They waded through the snow with a few others. The rest of the group was led in a different direction by Emma who still walked with Hugh. Laughter and carols filled the air, lifting everyone’s spirits.
One of the gentlemen in her group carried a saw from the sleigh and soon they were cutting boughs of greenery.
“It smells delightful, doesn’t it?” Prudence asked as she sniffed the boughs in her arms. “What of the holly and mistletoe?”
“They grow deeper in the woods,” Lucy advised. “Shall we go in search of them?”
Several agreed while the rest offered to carry the greenery back to the wagon that had arrived to haul all they found to the house.
Though it had been a long time since Lucy had been in the area, she was pleased her memory served her as she easily led the group to a copse of bare-branched trees where the mistletoe grew.
She directed two of the others to where they’d find the holly bushes then turned to see Mr. Barnes staring up at the mistletoe warily.
“That’s rather high,” he said. “Do you think the tree is safe?”
Lucy tested one of the branches. “I believe so, but we can send one of the footmen to collect it instead.” If Mr. Barnes didn’t feel comfortable climbing the tree, surely it was better if he didn’t.
“I shall see if it will hold my weight.”
The awkward way he clambered made Lucy wonder if he’d missed that part of his childhood.
“Do be careful,” she called out. A glance at Miss Barnes suggested she also worried about her brother.
At last, he reached the mistletoe. One of the men handed him a saw, and he cut several pieces before declaring his mission complete.
Lucy studied the small pile he’d managed to cut but didn’t protest. They barely had enough for two or three kissing boughs. However, Mr. Barnes was obviously uncomfortable with the task. The weather conditions were worsening with the snow falling even harder, and the wind was now blowing as well. The sooner he returned to solid ground, the better.
She breathed a sigh of relief when he finally stood brushing off tree bark and debris from his greatcoat. With his sister’s assistance, Lucy gathered the mistletoe.
The group headed toward the sleigh with Mr. Barnes and one of the other gentlemen, Mr. Johnson, who carried the holly, in the lead. Based on the conversation Lucy overheard, Mr. Barnes seemed quite pleased with himself for having cut the mistletoe.
It was all she could do not to shake her head. Her opinion of him was not improving.
They were nearly back to the sleighs when Prudence halted. “Oh dear. I’ve dropped my scarf. I’ll return directly.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lucy offered.
“No need. Your arms are full. It won’t take me but a moment.”
Before Lucy could protest, Prudence hurried away. With a resigned sigh, Lucy continued forward. Surely no harm could come to the lady when she need only follow the tracks to stay on course. A few minutes later, they arrived at the sleighs, and she placed the mistletoe in the wagon beside the holly and greenery.
“Is that all mistletoe you gathered?” Emma asked as she joined her.
Lucy glanced about to make certain she wouldn’t be overheard. “Mr. Barnes wasn’t comfortable climbing the tree.”
“Hmm. I shall consider that a strike against him,” she whispered. “Didn’t Miss Barnes accompany you?”
“Yes, but she went to look for her scarf. I’m surprised she hasn’t returned by now.” She was even more surprised Mr. Barnes hadn’t accompanied her since he’d watched her walk back into the woods. “I’ll assist her if you want to take some of the guests to the house. Several are getting cold, and the weather is worsening.”
“Excellent idea.” Emma stepped away to advise the others, and Mr. Barnes joined her, despite glancing in the direction his sister had gone.
Lucy trudged back through the snow toward the copse of trees, searching. It wasn’t until she’d reached the area with the mistletoe that she spotted her. “Prudence?”
The lady was sitting on the ground with her hands braced behind her, legs stretched out, and her scarf on her lap. “Thank goodness you came. I fear I twisted my ankle on a log.”
Lucy knelt beside her, noting her face was pinched with pain. “Does it hurt terribly?”
Prudence blinked back tears and nodded. “It does.” She drew a shuddering breath. “Give me a moment, and I’ll see if I can stand.”