[Primrose Bolger]

Minto is introduced to Caity . . .

Minto Chubb had asked her to dance. Not asked her, really, more like he just grabbed her hand and pulled her along. His family’s place edged on her family’s and they had been friends for many long years. He was like a big brother to her, but close enough in age that they got into and sometimes out of many scrapes together.

‘Got to help me, Ginger,’ he confided in a low voice as he maneuvered her to the other side of the dance area. He twirled her about once, then nodded toward a group of people standing on the edge of the dancing crowd. ‘See that lass over there? The one with the curly, sandy brown hair.’

Ginger made him slow down a bit and took a good long glance at the Hobbit he’d indicated. ‘Yessss?’ she prompted, wondering what he was up to.

‘Well, I was wondering if you knew who she was?’ Minto returned.

Looking him up and down, Ginger gave him a laugh and a nod of her head. ‘Well, I just might. But who is it wants to know?’

He wanted a dance with her, he told Ginger. Just hadn’t quite worked up the courage to ask her. And would Ginger mind introducing them. He put on his sweetest smile and grinned at her.

‘Her name is Caity,’ Ginger said, recalling when she’d come to the kitchen to ask about the notice for musicians for the party. ‘Caity Brandybuck, I think. She came to the Inn just before the party. Traveling . . . by herself.’ Ruby was an endless source of information and had shared the few tidbits she knew with the other workers in the Inn one night at supper. ‘Come one, then,’ she went on, pulling him off the dance area. Minto pulled her to a stop for a moment as he ran his fingers through his unruly mop of dark brown curls, tucked his tunic in neatly into his breeches, and took a deep breath.

Introductions were made, and after a few pleasant remarks were exchanged, Ginger withdrew, leaving Minto to his own devices. She walked slowly round the dance area and found Ferdy on the opposite edge of it, a plate of cake in his hands. A perplexed look on his face.

‘Ferdy?’ she said, stepping up behind him and tapping him on the back . . .