Anne was sitting in the drawing room, embroidering and chatting with Ellen and Willie, when the admiral stopped in to say he would be dining at his club that evening.

"As you wish, Sir Horace." Anne smiled slightly. "Should I tell Mrs. Giles we will not be needing the roast beef after all?"

The admiral paused. "Is there roast beef tonight?"

"Why, yes, dear. Mrs. Giles also is making Yorkshire pudding. And I think mashed swedes."

"Yorkshire pudding too?" The admiral stood irresolutely in the hallway. "I can dine at the club another night." He stepped into the drawing room and greeted Ellen. "How are you finding London? Cold this time of year." He looked out the window then closed the draperies against the darkness. "Can't tell if it's raining or snowing out there."

"Oh, well. It would be cold in the country too, Sir Horace. And there I wouldn't have any parties to look forward to. Anne tells me that we'll see all the world at Prince Paul's on Christmas."

"Hah. Prince Paul's." The admiral turned to his wife. "I certainly have no intention of going to a party staged by that Germanic faux-Greek."

"We've already said we will be attending, Sir Horace," Anne responded calmly. "It would be incredibly gauche if we did not appear."

"Dammit woman," the admiral snapped. "I never agreed to go! Why should I have to go anywhere on Christmas? I want to stay home, not visit a bunch of--newcomers. I can trace my family in direct descent to the reign of William the Conqueror, and I'll be damned if I have to grovel before some German or Dane whose grandfather was a fisherman."

"Sir Horace, it's vulgar and underbred to be boasting of one's ancestors," Anne replied forcefully.

"No it isn't, woman, it's what being an aristocrat is all about! Boy, you agree with me, don’t you?" Sir Horace turned to William for support. Willie was torn. He shared his father's wish to stay in, but also had no desire to disagree with his mother.
"Do we know who else is attending?" he asked, buying some time.

"Hughes acquired the guest list, dear," Anne said, handing her son the list. Willie scanned the names. One leaped out at him

"I think it's important that we go, Father." Willie certainly wanted to be there if the Willoughbys were to be in attendance also. "And don't go on about your ancestors. After all mine are even more distinguished than yours, since I've got an extra generation on you." He laughed. "I'm sure there will be roast beef," he added to reassure his father.

"Traitors," Sir Horace muttered. "Fine, we'll go. But I'll be damned if I enjoy myself." He sighed. "And we're not staying late, either," he added. Sir Horace had no intention of depriving himself of a late night Christmas party with Alice.

At that moment, Hughes appeared in the doorway carrying a sealed letter on a silver tray. "Madam, this was just delivered for you." Anne took the cream colored envelope and broke the seal. The hot-pressed paper was embellished with an engraved and deeply embossed crest. Anne scanned the missive in dismay.

"Oh dear. The prince has cancelled his Christmas reception and ball."

"Has he? Hah!" The admiral smiled at the news. "Bad form, that. Only to be expected of a jumped up foreigner though."

"Sir Horace! Don't start with that again. It is most unpleasant of you."

"Does the note say why the party is cancelled, mama?" Willie intervened.

"An illness in the family. The Christmas festivities are merely postponed, however. No doubt they will reschedule as soon as possible. Perhaps a New Year's reception?"

"Well, you can count me out," the admiral stated firmly. "I'll be very busy that day."

"What day?" Anne raised her eyebrows. "We do not yet know when the party will be held."

"I'll be busy whatever day they choose," the admiral repeated. "I'll be busy on all possible days. Do not send any acceptances on my behalf."

"Now, Sir Horace—"

The admiral interrupted his wife with a gesture. "Don't expect me to go with you to that house at any time. And don't expect me to stay for dinner tonight. I'll dine at my club after all." He stalked to the door, then turned and nodded to Ellen. "Very nice taking to you."

Ellen opened her eyes wide and stifled her laughter by coughing. "Whatever does he have against Prince Paul?"

Anne gestured helplessly. "I have no idea. This is new idiosyncrasy on his part."

"Don't worry, mama." Willie grinned. "I'll escort you. Wouldn't miss a party like that for worlds. All those lobster patties and that free-flowing champagne!"

"All those pretty girls too, I'm sure." Ellen responded in an amused voice. "I wonder if these Germanic-Danes decorate with mistletoe?" she added.

Willie deadpanned, "One can only hope!"

"Dinner is served madam," Hughes intoned from the doorway.

"Very good." Anne sighed. "You may remove the place you just added for Sir Horace. He will not be gracing us with his presence after all this evening."