The final preparations for the party were just finishing up when the first knock was heard at the door. Loretta heard her mother yell at someone to open the doors and make sure all the candles were lit on the tree. A pig turned on a spit over a fire.

Deciding that she herself could answer the door Loretta hurried over to it and took a deep breath than she opened the doors. A cool breeze swept over Loretta as she smiled at the couple at the door.

"Merry Christmas. Please come in." Loretta said stepping aside. A servant was at her side and took the mans coat and the woman's cloak. Loretta watched as the woman hung the material on a hook with the couples name on it. "How did you know?" Loretta asked the servant. The young man looked at her and held up a piece of paper. "Invitations miss Kane."

Loretta smiled and the young man sent her away. "I will let all the guests in. Go enjoy the party miss Kane."

Loretta allowed the servant to dismiss her. She knew her mother wouldn't approve of her at the doors. And she entered the ball room where the new guests were already mingling. Loretta counted ten men and women and ten children. She scanned the children and saw Oliver and James playing with a few other boys their age. They looked to all be having a good time.

"Loretta is that you?" Loretta heard a man say.

She turned her head and saw an older gentleman and instantly recognized him. "Hello Mr. Shepard." She replied curtsying.

"Always the lady." The man replied as he held out his hand. She placed her small hand in his and he brought it up to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. "How have you been?" He asked letting go of her hand.

Blushing slightly at the formality, Loretta shrugged her shoulders. "It has been along two years. I have grown in understanding of people."

"Marvellous. And your studies have been well?"

"Very. The nuns are excellent teachers." Loretta replied. Mr. Shepard smiled and soon a woman who Loretta knew to be his wife came and they left to dance. But not before they both said they would love to hear more about her teachings. Smiling to her self Loretta didn't notice Adam come up to her.

"Miss Kane." He said bowing slighting to her.

"Mr. Bowtrel." Loretta replied curtsying.

"May I have this dance?" He asked standing straight and holding out his hand. Looking around the room Loretta saw her mother nodding in approval. Sighing Loretta accepted his hand and he swept her into a dance. The pace was faster than Loretta expected but she was well trained in dance. Apart of her studies on how to be a good wife.

The pair danced until they accidentally were hit by three little bodies. Loretta almost tripped but Adam's arms caught her just in time. He had a frown on his face but didn't say a word as the parents of the children came rushing over.

"Sally, Colin and Vern. Say sorry to miss Kane and her partner." The mother said frowning at her children, who Loretta noticed all look similar.

The three children looked up at them and a chorus of sorrys were said. Loretta smiled at them. "It's alright. Nobody was hurt."

They smiled and scurried off. The mother however wasn't exactly happy. "They need more discipline. They shouldn't be wreaking havoc."

"Really there was no harm. Accidents happen." Loretta said. She didn't want the siblings to get in trouble they were only dancing just like the adults.

"Miss Kane I must take my leave. My parents just arrived and I must talk with my father." Adam suddenly said and just like that he turned and left. Loretta watched as he walked over to a man who was dressed in a black suit with a matching top hat and white beard and hair to match. The woman at his side was dressed in a red gown that flowed to her ankles in waves a thin layer of lace covered the dress from the waist down looking like snow. Than she saw her parents walk over to the couple and saw the four of them were similarly dressed. Widening her eyes and not hearing the woman standing beside her Loretta walked towards them.

"Good evening mother, father" Loretta said curtsying to each of them as she spoke.

"Ahh Loretta please meet Mr. Jonathan Bowtrel and his wife Juliette" her mother replied.

Turning the couple Loretta curtsied. "It is a pleasure to meet you both." She said though she didn't see it that way at all. Mrs. Bowtrel was frowning at her. It was obvious the woman didn't like the idea of her son marring her. Adam's father however was smiling a smile that said he approved of what he saw.

"Mistress Helen  all your guests have arrived and food is set out." A servant said. The poor young woman was dressed in an awful red dress that looked more like dried blood covering the material.

Helen dismissed the servant with a wave of her hand than walked to the front of the room. She took a glass from a server, who was also dressed in the same awful dress as the servant. She tapped her smoke pipe on the cup and called out to everyone.

"Food is prepared. If you all will please head to the dinning room we shall eat." The crowd headed out of the room and they all took seats. Loretta noticed that on the table were names and people sat at their name. Two huge turkeys were in the middle of the table along with the roasted pig and a couple partridges. The biggest turkey was in front of her fathers seat. It was his job to carve the first turkey and that would signal the beginning of the meal. Loretta took her seat to the left of her mother .her father was beside her mother and to his right was Mr. Bowtrel and than his wife. Adam sat beside her along with another young man and a young woman.

Loretta looked around the table. Platters of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and salads spread down the centre of the table. Stuffing and cranberries also were among the bowls. Some foods Loretta wasn't even sure what they were. And against a wall was a table filled with baking. The smells were heavenly. And than Loretta noticed a priest step forward.

"If you all will please follow me in a quick prayer of thanks." The priest said. And the room went silent as the father spoke the words. When he was done the whole table said amen and than her father carved the turkey and the table cheered and people began to did into the food.

The room was filled with chatter of this and that and Loretta remained silent. She observed everyone in the room and saw much to her happiness that Charlotte  was allowed to join the table. Children were scattered amongst the adults and everyone seemed happy.

That was until Loretta's father stood up from the table tapping his glass. "Ladies and gentlemen. It is with great honour to announce the engagement of my daughter, Loretta to Adam Bowtrel. If the two would please stand up for everyone."

The two stood up and everyone clapped. Congratulations were heard and the desserts were handed out.

With everyone stuffed full of food and ale. The guests once again moved into the ball room and dancing once again resumed. They danced and drank all night and slowly the guests left when the children got sleepy. Visions of sugar plums probably danced in the heads as fathers carried the younger children out.

------------------5,956------------------

What did you guys all think?

Only 4,044 more words to go.