Gentlemen in Love Box Set

Chapter 6

Chapter 6The next few days were a social whirl, with many more local people, young and old, joining the existing crowd for nightly parties. The spacious reception rooms were increasingly crowded and rang with laughter and chatter. As many of their guests were leaving before the New Year, the Grants made this an excuse for an excess of jollity in the week following Christmas Day.

Jonathan was obliged to make up a four in the card games with the older visitors in a downstairs parlour which had been designated as a card room, at least for an evening or two. Although he did not mind this at all, it did mean that he was unable to get his chance to engineer Mr. Hammond and Belinda to have a dance together.

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.

It was a delight to watch a young lady with an ancient title laughingly dancing with the son of a cowherd, and other such refreshing ease of social norms. Jonathan could not help but notice the attractive farmer’s son, adeptly serving refreshments or joining the dancers, without needing any direction from the Grant family. In the bustle, Jonathan could 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.