A Christmas Cotillion

hall. The door to the main drawing room was open and they could hear the giggles and exclamations of the main group of young people as they laughingly completed the decorations for that room. Freddy, unsurprisingly, was the loudest amongst them.
For the hallway with its high cornices, a step ladder was required, and this was promptly brought in by an able fellow, a friend of the family and one of the temporary helpers. Jonathan had gathered that the Grants had a relatively small permanent staff, and so had asked the sons and daughters of the locality, of any social standing, who would serve when needed, but were clearly expected to join in as guests as well. Jonathan applauded this comfortable social fluidity that added more informality and jollity to every occasion.
As the ladder was placed and affixed firmly with a twinkling grin, Jonathan quickly quashed a twinge of attraction and murmured a polite thanks while glancing away to hide his feelings. He had noticed this particular young man on several occasions. He was one of the sons of a well-to-do local farmer, a gentleman whom Jonathan had conversed with at length. Despite being a guest, the farmer’s son was happy to be a helper too and threaded easily through the crowds with a tray of drinks and a charming smile for everyone.
It was not only that generous smile but his unruly dark curls and deep blue eyes that caught Jonathan’s attention. He joined in the dancing to make up the numbers with enviable ease and Jonathan surreptitiously watched his lithe build as he swooped and twirled with admirable grace.
Jonathan deliberately avoided looking after him as the young man, having made sure the ladder was steady, left them to their task. He turned his attention to his fellow guest. He had initially guessed Mr. Hammond to be a few years older than himself, due to his portly build and rather ponderous manner. Through conversation with a local matron, he had learned that, in fact, he was a few years younger, only in his middle twenties, and still a bachelor.
He was regarded locally as a solid man and shrewd in business, respected by the older generation with whom he seemed to mingle. After observing him, it was clear that blushing reticence around young ladies was the reason he did not join with the young, lively crowd where his age should make him belong. He seemed to be conscious of that fact as his eyes drifted wistfully towards the fun and games when he thought no one was looking.
Since Mr. Hammond was of a somewhat heavier build, Jonathan volunteered to step up the ladder, with Mr. Hammond handing him the lengths of greenery to place along the plaster coving just below the ceiling. They got into a rhythm and so Jonathan was mildly surprised when he turned around to collect the next to last frond to find that his fellow worker was distracted from his task.
Mr. Hammond’s eyes had drifted towards the open door of the drawing-room from where the sounds of lively merriment, including Freddy’s irrepressible laughter, was wafting. Jonathan was slightly surprised by the depth of unhappiness on his rather stolid features.
Mr. Hammond recovered himself with a start and immediately resumed his task as a helper. “Oh, I’m so sorry, excuse me,” he said contritely, handing up a fine branch of greenery.
“No need for an apology,” Jonathan said smoothly, not revealing that he had noticed Mr. Hammond’s yearning expression. “We are nearly finished here and then you can join the hilarity.” He placed the final frond in position and started to descend the ladder.
“Oh, I don’t think they need me interfering with their amusements,” said Mr. Hammond with such a tinge of sadness to his tone that Jonathan looked at him sharply. There was more to this than he had guessed. This was not mere shyness in feminine company.
Freddy’s laughter again rang out loud and clear above the rest of the melee and Mr. Hammond’s usually cheerful face settled into a definite frown.
Aha, so that’s it, Jonathan thought as he began to guess at the cause of the young man’s dismay. “I don’t think it would do Frederick any harm to have another gentleman in the room to dilute his high spirits,” he said equably.
Mr. Hammond flushed unbecomingly and gulped. “Your cousin is such a charming and cheerful and handsome young gentleman, it’s not surprising that…” He tailed off wistfully.
Jonathan stepped off the final rung of the ladder onto the tiled floor. “Freddy is indeed lively,” he said, “but the ladies also enjoy calmer company too,” he added, thinking of but not openly referring to one particular young lady.
Mr. Hammond gave a startled smile, which lit up his heavy features with unexpected sweetness. It was typical of his diffidence and courtesy that, rather than joining the company in the drawing-room as encouraged, he insisted on taking the ladder back to the store-room.
Jonathan was thoughtful as he walked into the room where lively chaos reigned. There would be no harm in giving Freddy a bit of rivalry, he mused to himself. And as he made himself useful, he quietly made a mental note to get Miss Belinda and Mr. Hammond dancing together one evening soon.

Chapter 5
Christmas Day was one of great enjoyment. The ground floor of the house was redolent with the scent of rich greenery, all tastefully arranged and widely praised. The local church was packed for the morning service as they sang joyous carols. Then they returned to the house to feast, the children playing with their new toys while the table was arranged to be big enough for all the company.
Despite the crowd of people, it felt oddly intimate, as the Grants had let most of the staff celebrate with their own families. In this way, guests served themselves with food and even volunteered to take some of the serving dishes back to the kitchens. The whole atmosphere of amicable Christmas spirit made this enjoyable.
Jonathan marvelled at the informality