Chapter3
After another couple of days of conviviality, Jonathan got his chance for a tête-à-tête with Belinda to discover her true opinion of his love-struck cousin. As the day was dry and bright, a walk to a local beauty spot to gather greenery to decorate the house for Christmas Eve had been suggested, for those so inclined.
As expected, the party was divided into those who, together with the children of the house, wished to climb a nearby hill in order to tumble down it and those who merely wished to ramble in the fresh air, enjoy the vista, and gather the holly and ivy. So the company split naturally into small groups.
Belinda’s companion, who was rather stout, elected to stay on a grassy clearing after the short walk and was joined by several others who were not keen on over-exerti
