‘If Mrs Courtney has anything to do with it, that’s the last I’ll see of Hedley. There are some things you can’t fight, and a housekeeper’s daughter is not a good match for the son of a vicar who can trace their family back to the Norman Conquest.’ Jenny moved aside as a group of happy wedding guests pushed past them, laughing and joking about driving home in snow.

‘Merry Christmas, Miss Martin.’ Farmer Ball tipped his cap and guided his wife towards the door with their children trailing after them.

‘Lovely wedding, dearie,’ Mrs Ball said with a drunken grin. ‘I haven’t enjoyed meself so much since I don’t know when.’

Farmer Ball rolled his eyes. ‘Come on, love. Let’s get you home before we’re snowed in.’

Kate stood aside as the rest of the party wandered past her, some of them singing and others more intent on wrapping themselves up warm to face the blizzard.

Giles Pomeroy-Smith shook her by the hand. ‘It was a wonderful wedding party, Kate. Your mama must be very proud of you.’

Kate smiled and nodded, but she knew that her mother would find something to criticise. ‘It was good of you to come, Mr Pomeroy-Smith.’

‘Giles, please. I hope to visit again in the very near future.’

‘You would be welcome to join us for Christmas dinner tomorrow, sir. That is unless you have family waiting for you at home.’

‘I was too busy adding to the fortune I had inherited to consider marriage. Alas, I am a single man with little to show for my efforts other than a country estate and the trappings of wealth.’

‘Then I hope you’ll accept my invitation. I know my mother would be delighted to have your company.’

‘I accept with gratitude.’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘Please tell your mother that I look forward to furthering our acquaintance.’ He bowed and followed a group of merrymakers out into the cold night. There were a few stragglers, who all thanked Kate for a wonderful party, and last of all came Mr and Mrs Goodfellow.

Seth grasped both Kate’s hands in his. ‘You’ll excuse the familiarity, Miss Martin, but we both wanted to thank you for a splendid wedding party. You’ve done us proud and we’re both very grateful.’

Kate shook his outstretched hand. ‘You deserved it, Goodfellow. I hope you’re both very happy.’

‘They’ll be talking about this in the village for months to come,’ Marie Goodfellow said happily. ‘The only thing is that I’ve got to leave my cottage, but I’ll have to pay the rent until the land agent finds another tenant.’

‘That doesn’t seem fair,’ Kate said, frowning. ‘Who owns the property, Mrs Goodfellow?’

‘Mrs Goodfellow!’ Marie doubled up with laughter. ‘I’ve been Widow Parker for nearly ten years, so Mrs Goodfellow sounds very odd, but good,’ she added hastily.