Even now, she was huffing as she strode down to the kitchens, determined to speak to the drivers that had been so unfortunate as to also be stranded at Deilingh. They would be able to answer a few of her more important questions, and she was in desperate need of answers.

The kitchens were bustling, as they always seemed to be at this time of year, and Mrs. Larpenteur was right in the thick of it, ordering everyone about with an efficiency that would have made Wellington proud. Elinor glanced around the overheated space and moved to the table where two weary men sat.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” she said politely as she approached. “Would you happen to be the coachmen that came in with my father not long ago?”

They both rose quickly and bowed.

“Yes, miss,” the taller one said, his voice almost shockingly deep.

“Please thank your father for allowing us to stay,” the stouter man said, his bristled mustache twitching slightly. “Most generous.”

Elinor smiled rather ruefully. “I can answer for my father, sir, in saying it’s no trouble, and that it is entirely my father’s nature to do so. I wonder if you both might answer a question for me.”

The drivers looked at each other, then back at her.

“If we are able, miss,” the burly one said.

She nodded at that. “The unfortunate damage to the carriage that was stuck. How long do you expect the repairs will take? I would hate for your master to miss celebrating Christmas as he had planned, if it can be avoided.”

The tall man smiled with more warmth than her lie deserved. “Generally, it depends on the skill of the craftsmen to be found and how quickly they can accommodate our needs. But your uncle has seen to it that repairs are already underway, so it is possible that the carriage could be ready in a day or two.”

“Marvelous!” Elinor exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Mr. Sterling will be so pleased!”

“But,” the other interjected, “we must also consider the weather, miss. The roads may not be passable. Our coach carrying Mr. John Winthrop struggled, as well, and we were coming from the south.”

Elinor continued to nod. “Of course, of course. But if the roads improve, he might arrive in time to celebrate Christmas with his family!”

The tall driver bowed in acknowledgement. “Indeed, miss. He just might.”

She thanked them for their indulgence and fairly skipped out of the kitchens, delighted by the news.

If the carriage could be mended as quickly as they suggested, Hugh would be out of their house in two days at the most. She would clear the roads herself with her bare hands if she had to, or bring wooden slats to cover the muddy ruts, or pull the blasted coach herself if it would see him far away from her.

She could save Christmas for herself and her family, if this all went smoothly.

Hugh Sterling would not ruin this for her.