Ellie Thomas

England, 1820. Bachelor Jonathan Cavendish has become reclusive in the years following a failed romance with the love of his life. In the years following their split, he has thrown all his energy into restoring the small estate he inherited from a great uncle and has put aside any thoughts of romance. Although he’d rather remain at home alone for the festive season, this year he’s accompanying his cousin Freddy to a Christmas country house party. Freddie seems to be constantly falling in love and, on this occasion, he is infatuated with a young lady called Belinda. Jonathan is asked by Freddy’s anxious mother to accompany him to the house party to keep an eye on the situation, in case the young lady turns out to be an unsuitable choice. Despite this inauspicious beginning, Jonathan catches the eye of Nick, the handsome son of a local well-to-do farmer, who is a constant presence at the holiday entertainments. Nick is intrigued by Jonathan’s kindness and also by the sadness he hides from public view. The initial attraction between the men seems to be mutual, but can Nick break through Jonathan’s defences and teach him to love again?

A Christmas Cotillion

Rather than lingering amongst the dancers, Mr. Hammond cheerfully joined his elders. He was buttonholed to partner a rather crabby and profoundly deaf dowager which he did with grace and humour, never seeming to tire of shouting in her ear when she ordered him to speak up or of taking the blame for their subsequent losses.


The more time Jonathan spent in his company, the more he realised what a very nice man he was. He was resolved to try and ease Mr. Hammond into the group of youngsters where he felt sure, after initial bashfulness, his good nature would be appreciated.


However, on the third night, when he was not required in the card room and he returned to the main reception room, Jonathan saw that the atmosphere had changed amongst the dancers, as a result of the influx of young people from the neighbourhood. The Grants had responded to this by bolstering their helpers amongst the guests, so it felt like New Year’s already, when servants mingled freely amongst their masters.


Chapter 9