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she found, though most were far
    from suitable. The men played along to keep the game lively,
    but more often than not pointed to rocks or standing trees, so
    Susan could reproach them for their poor eyesight. At last, the
    girl found a large fallen oak tree that Thomas pronounced
    absolutely perfect, and they were allowed to head back to the
    hall, after marking it with one of Thomas‘s handkerchiefs. None
    too soon, by Andrew‘s estimate, as Susan was beginning to
    shiver.
    Thomas picked her up and carried her, trying to keep her
    warm at the same time. She had begged to ride the pony, but
    the poor animal seemed to be having enough difficulty with the
    cartload of tree branches as it was.
    It was just as they were leaving the woods for the open
    field behind the manor house that Hew spotted something in
    one of the tall oaks a short distance from the path. ―Hold on!‖
    He tromped through the undergrowth, then scrambled up
    the trunk, until he was within reach of a large growth of
    mistletoe suspended in the branches. Hew broke off several
    sprigs of the plant and dropped down to the ground with an
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    agility Andrew had to admire. The boy trotted back to them,
    holding his prize proudly in one hand.
    ―Mistletoe, m‘lord!‖
    ―Yes,‖ Thomas responded with amusement, ―I can see that.‖
    ―What?‖ Susan asked. ―What is it?‖
    Hew looked shocked. ―You‘ve never heard of mistletoe?‖
    When she shook her head, he came closer, pulling one of
    the sprigs out and holding it over her head. ―It‘s a very magical
    plant, milady.‖
    ―Magical?‖
    ―Yes, milady,‖ Hew said earnestly, ―if someone stands
    underneath it, they got to be kissed.‖
    Susan looked skeptical. ―Why?‖
    ―It‘s very bad luck, if they‘re not.‖
    It was then that the little girl noticed the mistletoe being
    dangled above her head. She wasn‘t actually standing, as
    Thomas still held her in his arms. But her eyes went wide
    nonetheless, no doubt contemplating the ill luck this would
    bring her. The servant boy ducked in and landed a quick peck
    on her cheek. ―No fear, Miss Susan. I‘ve saved you!‖
    She giggled, the closest thing to a laugh Andrew had heard
    from her. He could have hugged the boy, at that moment.
    Duncan looked scandalized that his brother would be so
    familiar with a member of the duke‘s family, but Thomas
    merely laughed and told Hew, ―You, sir, are a scoundrel.‖

    WHEN they returned to the hall, wagon overflowing with
    evergreens, Thomas saw that the staff had been busy in his
    absence, cleaning the entrance hall and the other rooms on the
    first floor. Charlotte practically shrieked when Hew and
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    Duncan began carrying the evergreens in, tracking mud
    through the great hall, but Simcox calmed her.
    Katie was waiting by the door to take Susan in hand. The
    girl was badly in need of a warm fire and a nap, by this point,
    but she still protested at being taken from her uncle.
    ―Don‘t you worry,‖ Thomas reassured her, ―Andrew and I
    will come fetch you when it‘s time to hang the ribbons.‖
    The cook had apparently been busy, as well, because she
    was waiting to present Thomas with a list of items she‘d been
    unable to find in the larders—things she assured him she
    absolutely had to have , if she were to prepare a banquet for the
    Christmas Eve dance. The list was substantial, but the large
    woman had such an expression of panic on her face, he didn‘t
    think it wise to argue
    He did, however, have to ask, ―Is there any place nearby
    that can supply these items? We don‘t have time to travel far.‖
    ―There‘s a local grocer in the village, Your Lordship,‖ she
    replied, anxiously worrying her apron with her heavy hands.
    ―With your permission, I can send some of the kitchen help into
    town.‖
    ―That shouldn‘t be necessary, Georgina. I‘ll be happy to
    run into town. Simcox? May we borrow