Biltmore Christmas Read online

  INTRODUCTION

  A Carolina Christmas by Jeri Odell

  Charity Bradford longs for excitement after growing up within the confining walls of an orphanage, though her new job as laundress at the Biltmore Estate promises little adventure—except for her frequent trips to the stables. There she captures the attention of young Malachi Claybrook, known to her simply as Clay. More and more, Charity dreams of her handsome stable hand, but will reality prove that appearances can be deceiving?

  A Proper Christmas by Sylvia Barnes

  Selma Bradford’s second day as chambermaid at the Biltmore Estate is decidedly not off to a good start when she stumbles upon a guest in his room. While Selma begs for forgiveness—and prays she’ll keep her new position—handsome bachelor Jacob Sinclair can’t help becoming enamored by the lovely Selma. But in a world where maids and aristocrats do not mix, will love thrive at Christmastime?

  A Honey of a Christmas by Rhonda Gibson

  Peggy Bradford loves being an assistant cook at the Biltmore Estates. She enjoys being close to her sisters and has become what she thinks is an old maid. Will the arrival of beekeeper Mark Ludman prepare Peggy for a honey of a romance? Or will she feel the sting of impossible love?

  An Accidental Christmas by Diane T. Ashley with Aaron McCarver Melissa Bradford can’t do anything right. At least nothing most young ladies can. She has followed her sisters’ leads and gotten a position at Biltmore, but unlike them, she is inept at every task assigned. Ned Robinson travels to Biltmore to seek support for his dream of opening an automobile factory, but an “accidental” meeting could cost him everything. Is the captivating servant with an affinity for mechanics the key to his future and his dreams?

  ©2011 Prologue by Rhonda Gibson

  ©2011 A Carolina Christmas by Jeri Odell

  ©2011 A Proper Christmas by Sylvia Barnes

  ©2011 A Honey of a Christmas by Rhonda Gibson

  ©2011 An Accidental Christmas by Diane T. Ashley and Aaron McCarver

  Print ISBN 978-1-61626-419-2

  eBook Editions:

  Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-60742-876-3

  Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-60742-877-0

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

  All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  Cover design: Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Design

  Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

  Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

  Printed in the United States of America.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Prologue

  A Carolina Christmas by Jeri Odell

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  A Proper Christmas by Sylvia Barnes

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  A Honey of a Christmas by Rhonda Gibson

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  An Accidental Christmas by Diane T. Ashley and Aaron McCarver

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Prologue

  What will become of us, Miss Elsie?”

  Ten-year-old Peggy asked the question. Elsie Caps hugged the nearest of the four little girls to her. She swallowed hard and bit back the tears that stung her eyes. “You will stay here with me.”

  Three-year-old Melissa pulled away from the group. Worry and grief lined her young face, a face that should have been wreathed in smiles and innocence. Instead, a glazed look of hopelessness shadowed her wide-set green eyes. “I don’t want to be ‘dopted. I want my mommy,” she wailed.

  Elsie pulled her back into the circle of her arms. She looked steadily into each set of eyes desperately pinned on her and spoke with quiet firmness. “You will never be adopted out. I love you. Your mommy and I were best friends, and I promised her I’d take care of you. I will never allow you to be separated, much less live with strangers.”

  Melissa’s lips quivered. “You promise?”

  “I promise.” She forced a confident reply that masked the insecurities threatening to overwhelm her.

  Charity looked at Elsie. She spoke in a broken whisper, “But where will we live?”

  “You will live here with me.”

  “Here at the orphanage?” Six-year-old Selma looked ather oldest sister, Peggy, for confirmation that Elsie spoke the truth to them.

  Elsie sighed. Only actions would eventually take away the unease and restore stability in the lives of these four children whose mother and father suddenly had passed away. “Yes, we will all move into the orphanage.” She’d have to give up her small apartment to stay with the girls. Looking at their sweet faces, Elsie knew she’d never regret the decision.

  As if they understood, the little girls huddled closer to her. “We’ll help you, Miss Elsie.” Peggy patted her back.

  “I can make my bed,” Selma proclaimed proudly.

  Peggy leaned back and looked her straight in the eye. “I can cook some. Mama was teaching me.” A sob cut off the offer. She dug her small face deep into Elsie’s shoulder.

  “Thank you, girls. I’m sure we’ll all get along fine. You’ll see.” Elsie prayed that she’d been honest with the children.

  A CAROLINA CHRISTMAS

  Jeri Odell

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You opened the door for me to write, and my prayer is that each and every book in some way honors you.

  Chapter 1

  October 1896

  Charity gazed from one sister to the next, having no idea how hard saying good-bye would be. They huddled together in a tight hug, each face as somber as the next. A lump tightened her throat.

  Each of them—the four Bradford sisters—was an interesting combination of Mama and Papa. Charity hated how their images had faded in her mind. She never wanted to forget them, but a dozen years had effectively erased many of the memories. So grateful for the photograph tucked away in her Bible. Otherwise, she might not remember their faces at all anymore.

  “What a pathetic sight you are.” Mama Elsie wrapped her arms around Charity and Melissa. “You’ll only be three miles away, child.”

  Charity smiled at the woman who’d become like a mother. “I know.” She brushed a tear from her cheek. “But I’ve never spent a day apart from Selma or Melissa, and we see Peggy often. An hour away by foot seems terribly far.”

  “You don’t have to go,” Mama Elsie reminded.

  “I do.” Charity couldn’t explain the burning desire withinbut knew s
he must leave. She’d been in this orphanage since she was eight. After reaching her adult years, she’d taken a job here to remain close to her sisters, but now at twenty, she couldn’t bear these walls any longer. She had to get out and breathe the fresh air, feel the sun on her face, and live life beyond this gray existence.

  She stepped back, breaking the hug. “You’ve been good to us and loved us as your own. Now I must make my own way in this world, and someday perhaps I can care for you.” She held Mama Elsie tight and kissed her cheek.

  “Ah, Charity, my little dreamer.” Mama Elsie returned the kiss. “You’ve always been the most like your father, a bit of wanderlust in you, child.”

  No truer words were ever spoken. Charity dreamed of a different life, a life filled with travel, perhaps helping others less fortunate than herself.

  She turned to Melissa, taking her into her arms. “I can hardly believe it. My baby sister is fifteen!” She tugged at the cap Melissa wore. Melissa had shoved much of her auburn hair inside the hat. “Someday you’ll outgrow your desire to be a boy. You’ll meet a man who’ll make you want to be every bit a woman.”

  Charity spoke with authority, though all her knowledge came from books not life.

  “Like Mr. Darcy?” Selma teased, and her three sisters giggled.

  Charity raised her chin. “Make fun if you will, but I shall one day have my own Mr. Darcy.” She’d read Pride and Prejudice so many times that some of the pages had come loose from the binding. “He is the epitome of a man.”

  In truth, for twenty-year-old Charity, spinsterhood was looking more probable with each passing day, which was one reason she’d taken the job at the Biltmore. Free room and board and a chance to save some of her salary for the future. She wanted more than she’d known as a child.

  Charity released Melissa from her long hug and moved to Selma. She and Selma shared the same light brown hair, the color of their mother’s, or so Mama Elsie said. Both Selma and Melissa inherited their papa’s striking emerald eyes. “You’re almost eighteen. It won’t be long until you join Peggy and me out in the real world. Prayerfully consider the future God has for you. If you’re lucky you’ll be like Peggy and know exactly what you love, finding a way to do it each day.”

  “Baking makes me happy.” Peggy said those words often.

  “I do not love laundry, but it is a means to an end.” Charity smiled to soften the truth of her words. “What that end is, I am not so sure, but God will direct my path. I claim that promise daily.”

  She and Selma hugged. Selma hung on tightly and sniffled. “I will miss you terribly.”

  “And I you. Do remember that I have one day off per week and a half day every other Sunday. I will walk home often. I promise.” Kissing Selma, she moved on to Peggy.

  Charity took Peggy’s hand. “If you grow tired of your job at Reynolds House, maybe you could work in the kitchens at Biltmore. Wouldn’t it be fun to be there together? Though with our work hours starting at six and ending at nine in theevening, we would not garner much time together. Maybe our two hours off in the afternoons would coincide.” Charity shrugged.

  “I will give it some thought,” Peggy promised. “Though I’m quite content with my present position. I’m treated well.”

  Charity wrapped her arms around her older sister. “You, my dear sister, would be content anywhere, as long as you found dough to knead and ovens to bake in.” They both giggled.

  Charity believed Peggy’s deep love for kitchen work stemmed from feeling connected to their precious mama. They often had worked together preparing family meals before the Good Lord took Mama and Papa home to be with Him.

  “I do wish I had a passion for something that rivaled yours for baking.” She stared into light-blue eyes the exact shade as her own. “You have no idea how blessed you are.”

  “God has a plan for you, and when you find it, your passion will ignite.” Peggy’s words held promise.

  I certainly hope so. She knew God said it. Her head believed it, but her heart feared she’d never discover God’s purpose for her.

  “I must leave now.” Charity let her gaze roam over the four dearest faces in all the world. She picked up the satchel and walked out the door, turning back to face the group who’d followed her outside into the crisp autumn air.

  “Wait,” Peggy called. “I’ll walk with you a ways. I need to get back to work myself. I only came to say good-bye.”

  She hugged the two girls and Mama Elsie. “I will seeyou soon,” she called to them as she rushed to catch up with Charity. Both looked back and waved once more.

  “I feel as if I’m two people,” Charity said. “I’m filled with excitement as I embark on this new life; yet I’m sad leaving behind the known and familiar. Did you experience such emotion when you left home?”

  “I did,” Peggy assured. “But as I said earlier, I’m very pleased with my life and the happiness I feel when I cook.”

  “Imagine, I shall not only have my own bed, but own room. A private room. Even as a laundress, I will have all the amenities the house has to offer. Indoor plumbing! Can you imagine such a luxury? Forty-three bathrooms in one house.”

  Peggy giggled. “That’s more than the entire village added together. Seems ostentatious when most homes don’t even have one, and I would hate to clean forty-three bathrooms.”

  “Me, too, but would not mind using them, not one bit. When Miss Bohburg hired me, she showed me the servants’ quarters. She is Swedish, speaks with a heavy accent, and is in charge of the laundresses.” Charity sucked in a breath. She’d been talking so fast, she’d nearly forgotten to breathe.

  Excitement built as she shared with her sister and dearest friend. “The rooms are comfortable with nice beds. Mine has a white iron head- and footboard. Covered walls. A wooden rocker, a dresser, even a rug on the floor, making it feel very homey. I shall enjoy my room very much and should I grow lonely, there are twenty other bedrooms on my hall filled with other servants. We will all live together on the fourth floor.”

  “Maybe someday I shall come for a visit and see for myself.”

  Charity spun around, raising her eyes to the sky. “Guess what is the very best of all Biltmore has to offer?”

  Peggy shrugged and shook her head.

  “A library with more than ten thousand books in eight languages!”

  “Since you only read and speak English, the other seven languages may prove worthless to you.” Peggy poked her in fun. “Are servants allowed to borrow books?”

  “We may check them out one at a time! That is more books than the library at Biltmore Village houses.”

  “And you do love to read!”

  “I will keep you informed if I find any that you must read.”

  “Thank you. What will your job entail?”

  “They use handmade French linens in their guest bedrooms and intricately embroidered damask linens on tables and dressers. I will work in brown laundry in the basement. That is where the kitchens are as well.” Charity stepped over a rock. “Anyway, they use wooden washboards and after the linens dry, we also press them. From everything I saw, it’s an intricate operation. Miss Bohburg says though Biltmore is a private home and the largest in the United States, it is run like a hotel.”

  “So you will work in the basement and live on the fourth floor. Where does the kitchen staff live?”

  “They have rooms in the basement near the kitchen, but all the servants eat together in the servants’ dining room,which will give me a chance to meet people. Can you imagine not knowing a single soul?”

  “Maybe Mr. Darcy lives there,” Peggy teased.

  “Mr. Vanderbilt does. He is very rich and very single.”

  Peggy’s mouth dropped open. “And strikingly handsome. But surely you don’t think he’s your Mr. Darcy.”

  “You never know. I’ve read about him. He’s shy and reserved and loves reading. What a pair we’d make. We could spend quiet evenings in the library together, travel to Europe and New Yor
k on holiday.”

  Peggy’s cheeks pinked as Charity shared her deepest dreams. “Your life station is quite different than his. The two of you marrying is not only highly unlikely, it would be frowned upon.”

  Charity noted the worried expression on her dear sister’s face. She laughed. “They are only dreams. I will not count on them coming true, but will do my best to make his acquaintance. Perhaps my beauty will capture him, and he will not be able to chase me from his mind.” Charity did not believe she possessed any outer beauty, so all her words were in jest.

  “Honestly, being a servant at Biltmore is as close as I’ll ever get to wealth. Do you wonder why some are born with everything and some with nothing?”

  “I guess the good Lord puts us where He wants us. Perhaps if we had wealth, we’d not have time for Him.”

  Two gentlemen on horseback passed. They tipped their hats. “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  Both girls said hello in unison.

  “Now that was a fine specimen,” Charity whispered and grinned at her sister.

  The familiar pink hue returned to Peggy’s cheeks. “Which one?”

  “Either.” Though she favored the one with raven hair and black eyes.

  “You, my little sister, must do a better job corralling your thoughts. A woman with men on her mind can only fall into trouble.”

  Charity enjoyed toying with Peggy. Sometimes she was far too serious. “I only say those things to glean a reaction from you.”

  Peggy rolled her eyes. “Charity, you have craved adventure since I can remember, and now you embark on the biggest one of your life. I remember when Papa would leave, you’d cry to go with him. You wanted to preach to the Indians, too.”

  “And here I am at twenty, finally starting my own life. Do you think Mama ever resented Papa being gone so much?”

  Peggy shook her head. “Papa preaching the Good News to all who would listen made her time alone with us easy to bear. After all, she had a stake in his ministry, too.”

  “You and Mama were so close.” Charity’s quiet words held awe.

  “I think in some ways she relied on me, since Papa wasn’t there much of the time.”