CHRISTMAS JOY

England, 1889. Miss Joy Parker loves acts of kindness. Even the loss of her family's fortune and being forced to accept a job as a lady's companion doesn't get her down. That all changes when she meets Earl Peter Montague...

- BY MARY-ANNE O'CONNOR

The forest floor was littered with burnished leaves and they glittered in gold and russet hues in the morning light. They provided a rich carpet to walk upon, although many of them were flying about in delightful flutter. The sweet song of chiffchaffs echoed among the eaves, adding to the ambience as Joy made her way through the forest to Montwoods Manor. Joywoods, she corrected herself, for so it was. No-one else ever came here, after all, and Joy had been slipping under the fence to escape into this enchanted world near town long before it was ever a means to an end to get to work.