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The Morland children were all at Fullerton for Christmas that year, even the eldest boys - Richard making the short journey back to his parents’ home, William and James returning from school - and Catherine couldn’t think of anything merrier. The Morlands were that rarest of things, a truly closeknit and happy family, and though opportunities for having the whole clan together were becoming fewer and farther between, with those same eldest boys venturing out into the world and starting their own lives, they always tried to be together for the holiday.
Christmas Eve dinner was a noisy affair, many conversations taking place at once, everyone laughing and jolly.
“Did I hear you correctly, Richard?” Mr. Morland asked his eldest son. “Will Dr. Trew require you for the Epiphany service?”
“Aye,” said Richard, “he is off to Bath to take the waters.”
“Oh, the Allens are going to Bath as well,” Mrs. Morland said, “though not, I think, until the end of January. Poor Mr. Allen is gouty.”
“It is a great responsibility, of course,” said Richard.
“May I have more pudding, Mama?” asked Harriet.
“Yes, dear.”
“And me?” George looked hopefully across the table at his mother, his mouth smeared with sauce and peppered with crumbs.
“I believe you may have had enough, Georgie.”
“I should like to go to Bath,” said Catherine a little dreamily, picturing herself walking its streets, a heroine having an adventure.
“--and I am rather fond of Dr. Trew’s eldest daughter,” said Richard, the first part of his sentence lost beneath George’s loud complaints.
“Does Miss Trew know of this?” asked Mrs. Morland smilingly.
Richard blushed a little, but only his mother heard his answer; he could not compete against the noise of his louder brothers.
“How is Thorpe, James?” said William, calling from one end of the table to the other.
“Very well, or he was when I saw him. He has invited me to stay with his family for the last week of the Christmas vacation.”
“Oh no, James,” said Molly, brow furrowed, “you must stay here with us!”
“I will spend so much time with you while I am here, Moll, that you shall soon grow sick of me.”
“Where does this Thorpe live?” asked Mr. Morland.
“Near London.”
“I should like to go to London,” sighed Catherine.
“Oh, do not cry, Molly!” said Nan, hugging her sister to her.
“Mama, George is eating my pudding,” said John, grabbing his plate and raising it above his head, out of his little brother’s reach.
“George,” said Mrs. Morland sternly, “do not make me call for Nurse.”
“I saw the nicest new bonnet yesterday,” said Sally, “with a pink ribbon and flowers. It would look splendid with your sprigged muslin, Cathy.”
“--and Thorpe has a rather good-looking sister, according to Jackson–”
“I am in need of a new bonnet.”
“I do not believe any of the Miss Trews will be accompanying–”
“ George !”
“ Do cheer up, Moll. I will take you out on my horse tomorrow to make up for it.”
“We should go and look at it, Cathy! It truly is just the thing–”
“We will all go,” said Mrs. Morland, “and I will buy you the bonnet, Catherine dear.”
“Oh, Mama !”
“You are in need of one, and I think it will be most useful for you, when you go to Bath.”
A pause, and then a cautious, “Mama?” Catherine dared not dream that her mother meant what she thought she meant.
But Mrs. Morland smiled and nodded, and Catherine let out a squeal of delight. In the distraction caused by her jubilation, George sneaked Nan’s pudding, too. Nan’s shrieks joined her older sister’s, and the bell was rung for the nurse.
They all quieted down for a moment, while George was carried away. Catherine looked around at her family, feeling warm and content and hopeful. It was good to be together tonight, and there was much to look forward to in the new year. She had a feeling that her future had never been brighter.