A Christmas Cotillion

glance a little longer at his form and his bright smile privately, without anyone noticing his appreciation.
Once he had accustomed himself to the new crowd, Jonathan noticed that amongst the young ladies was a striking redhead. Her vivid colouring, lively manner, and elegant figure made her immediately popular amongst the young men. Jonathan noted that Freddy turned his head towards her in admiration more than once throughout the evening and eventually managed to affect an introduction.
During the next night of festive dancing, Freddy actively sought her out and danced with her more often than was truly discreet. Also, when supper was announced, rather than looking for Belinda, he eagerly took the lady’s arm to lead her to the refreshment table.
Although she could not help but notice this new preference, Belinda seemed as calm as ever and not remotely put out. In fact, to the keen observer, she even seemed faintly relieved.
Jonathan made sure to secure a dance with her before the end of the evening to gauge her reaction this sudden abandonment of favour. Belinda treated him like an old friend, chatting happily with him during the dance, and throwing the odd amused glance towards Freddy and the redheaded young lady, who seemed to be delighted at all the attention she was garnering.
Belinda’s genuine lack of distress at potentially being thrown over someone new and shiny made Jonathan react with quiet amusement at this dance of changing flirtations. Rather than resolving to take Freddy to one side for a dressing down on his poor manners, he decided to do nothing. Let nature take its course, he thought with a grin.

Chapter 7
That week, the days settled into a pleasant pattern, with long walks around the estate, talking with Mr. Grant and his older sons, and listening to his sensible advice on land management, with Mr. Hammond chipping in thoughtfully. So much fresh air and unexacting exercise in the daytime and laughter and convivial company in the evening suited his constitution more than he could have imagined. The days outdoors and jolly evenings passed equably and at night, he slept like a log, undisturbed by haunting dreams of lost love.
When he did manage to get a word with Freddy, the main words on his lips no longer were of Belinda’s fair charms, but instead all about divine Corinna. Now that the young lady knew she had his attention, she seemed to enjoy playing him off with her other admirers.
Jonathan privately thought that she was made of much sterner stuff than Belinda and would present a challenge to Freddy, which was no bad thing at all. That young man is used to getting his way far too easily and this might be a timely lesson for him, Jonathan thought with a wry smile.
He also noticed Mr. Hammond joining the crowd of dancers, or at least lingering on the outskirts of the crowded dance floor, his good manners when noticing young ladies without dance partners overcoming his natural diffidence. He was a surprisingly nimble dancer, light on his feet and familiar with the patterns. Jonathan noted him in a brief conversation with Belinda, eliciting a smile before she was addressed by a partner not too shy to ask her to dance.
Mr. Hammond’s chance came when Jonathan was on the dance floor, already partnered for the next dance. Belinda, for once, was unaccompanied but still standing up, as though eager to join in. Mr. Hammond was near her, but unfortunately looking in the other direction.
Jonathan glanced over in helpless frustration, not wanting to abandon his young dance partner in the middle of the floor just as the music was about to start. As he again looked from one to the other, he caught the eye of the handsome farmer’s son. He was serving refreshments amongst those who had taken part in the last set of dances. He followed the direction of Jonathan’s scrutiny clearly with a sharply-raised eyebrow.
As if receiving intelligence, he nodded at Jonathan decisively, put down his tray on a side table, and eased the few yards through the gaggle of couples approaching the dance floor to tap Mr. Hammond on the shoulder.
Luckily, just then the music started and Jonathan saw his expressive face indicating a social dilemma. He nodded towards Belinda and then pointed to the momentarily abandoned tray as if explaining why he could not partner the young lady for himself. When all had been made clear to Mr. Hammond, he received a grateful smile from the young man, as though Mr. Hammond was doing the favour. He then turned back to collect the tray and offered the contents to the thirsty crowd.
It was neatly done, with Mr. Hammond now obliged by his very good manners to ask the young lady to dance. Mr. Hammond braced himself and made his way to Belinda, face flushed with embarrassment as though expecting a rebuff. Instead, he received her hand and a warm smile. Jonathan didn’t realise he was holding his breath until the couple reached the floor, unimpeded.
After a hectic country dance, Jonathan and his puffing partner retired from the fray. He was satisfied to see Mr. Hammond and Belinda remain on the floor for the next set of dances, conversing with apparent ease. As he looked at this with a feeling of pleasure, a glass of sparkling wine was placed in his hand with a murmured, “That was a good notion.”
He looked around in surprise to see the farmer’s son right next to him. Close up, his eyes were very blue indeed and his wide mouth was curved in that increasingly familiar smile. Jonathan felt as tongue-tied as Mr. Hammond had been previously in Belinda’s presence as he stiffly thanked the young man for his assistance. He seemed unfazed by Jonathan’s constraint.
“Just call me Cupid, or rather Nicholas, or even Nick, if you prefer,” he said with another dazzling grin, before turning gracefully to serve refreshments to the guests behind Jonathan.


Chapter 8
The next day after breakfast, when taking a short stroll around