Chapter One

Before I knew it, the final month of the year was upon us. The season always feels so frantic to me, as though there’s something urging me onward. There’s always work to finish before greeting a new year—and, more importantly, Noël! If there’s one thing that defines December, it’s Noël!

In Lagrange, preparations for the holiday begin as early as November, and by the time December arrives, everyone is already bustling to get everything ready. Houses and gardens get decorated, presents get bought, and children and adults alike get to daydream about the delicious dinner they’ll enjoy on the day. Celebrations are held across the city, and store shelves are lined with special goods exclusively for the holiday season. Most stores close in the afternoon on the day before Noël, so the city streets are teeming prior to that with folks buying what they need while they still can.

Those who live far from their families return home to spend Noël with them. On this special day, blood ties are given priority over any romantic attachments. Then, once Noël is over, we spend the very last week of the year with friends, lovers, and such. On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to throw a modest party at home to celebrate with one’s closest companions. Who to invite, and who will invite you, can in fact be rather thorny matters.

Matthias the butler brought in a silver tray heaped with envelopes. “These are all of the invitations that have arrived as yet,” he announced. “As House Flaubert will be throwing its own New Year’s Eve party this year, all of them must be declined.”

At a glance, there were at least thirty invitations in the pile.I suppose our house’s esteem means that even those with whom we don’t share an especially close relationship still might wish to court our favor.

I gave each invitation a cursory look. Even though we’d be turning them all down, it was still important to know who’d sent them. “None of these are guests we intend to invite—isn’t that correct?” I asked.

“Yes. The lady of the house will be writing those invitations. Note that the guest list will include Baron and Baroness Bidault.”

“My grandfather and grandmother? I could understand inviting them for Noël, but surely there’s no need to include close family for New Year’s Eve. Besides, surely my father-in-law will be ill at ease if his boss is there.”

Both of my paternal grandparents had sadly passed alrea