Free Greetings of the Season and Other Stories by Barbara Metzger

did indeed get to her bed, it would be gone by morning.
    “I am sure Lord Montravan would not want us to be disappointed,” she said. “Maybe we could open the other gifts first, since Finster is certain his lordship will arrive momentarily.”
    Lady Montravan was convinced. If that lobcock Willoughby Merton hadn’t come through with a ring, she’d have to rearrange tomorrow’s dinner seating. Sir Fortescue was invited, as well as old Redford from the Grange. Redford had one foot in the grave, but…
    She jabbed the squire awake with the tip of her lorgnette. “We’re opening the presents now, Willoughby, since we’ll likely be out searching for Montravan all night.” As if she or Allissa would go riding out with lanterns. Or sit up past the unwrappings.
    “What’s that? Montravan’s lost? Downy fellow like that, I’d wager a monkey he’s found a snug nest for the night.” The squire’s wink let them all know he didn’t believe it would be any hot brick keeping Bevin warm that evening. Petra’s heart sank lower. Everyone knew the man was a rake, so why should it bother her now, when it was Miss Harleigh’s problem? She sighed, drawing the dowager’s attention.
    “We may as well start with Petra’s gifts,” Lady Montravan decreed. No surprises there, and no one could accuse her of hurrying the proceedings out of vulgar curiosity or greed.
    They all opened their handkerchiefs to the usual polite, unexcited mouthings. They all tossed Petra’s hours of effort aside to reach for the next offering.
    Allissa and Lady Montravan exchanged their gifts then, each receiving an elaborate new ensemble for the New Year’s ball: gown, gloves, shoes and shawl. Cost had been of no concern, since they put the charges on Bevin’s account.
    “Oh, thank you, Mama,” Allissa enthused, holding up the gown of spangled satin in the exact color blue as her eyes. “It’s just what I wanted. However did you guess?” she asked for the squire’s benefit, since he was the only one not along for the shopping and fittings.
    Lady Montravan had to hold up her own new lavender sarcenet, with turban to match, complimenting Lissa on her exquisite taste. Then it was Petra’s turn to open Lady Montravan’s present. Petra was actually surprised to see the exquisite dress length of gold velvet, until she noted the slight water stain near the edge. The color would bring out the gold in her brown hair, Petra knew, and might even give some life to her brown eyes and honeyed complexion. Of course, there was hardly time to make up a gown by the New Year’s ball, which Lady Montravan might have taken into consideration, but Petra expressed her honest delight enthusiastically enough to gratify the dowager’s self-esteem as a gentlewoman of genuine generosity.
    Allissa gave Petra a matching stole, which coincidentally also matched a stole Petra knew the chit had two of. No matter, Petra vowed, she’d be as finely gowned as any lady at the ball, even if she had to stay awake for the next six nights to do it. Why, she might even outshine Lady Belinda Harleigh. And the barnyard animals might speak at Christmas Eve. At least she wouldn’t be ashamed at the ball, appearing as the poor hanger-on in made-over dresses.
    Squire Merton adored his embroidered pillow. “Can’t think of a more thoughtful gift, m’dear.” He even had a tear in his eye as he kissed the dowager’s pudgy fingers. She puffed out her chest until he got up, corsets creaking, to go buss Petra heartily on the cheek. “And I bet I know whom to thank for the effort. Why, it’s Skipjack to the life. Just think, he’ll be on my sofa forever.”
    Just think, Petra thought, she’d be in Lady Montravan’s black books forever, too. It was a good thing she had already decided to leave after the new year.
    While he was up, the squire fetched his own gifts to the ladies. Petra and Allissa each received a pair of York tan riding gloves, which Petra truly needed and appreciated,