"It was the Celtic druids who most likely started associating mistletoe with love and prosperity." Mr Molesley's voice resonated around the hall, though he didn't speak particularly loudly. "Because it blossomed even through the winter they viewed it as a symbol of hope and strength. They were also known to administer it to animals, as well as themselves, in order to encourage fertility."
His words cracked a little uttering that last sentence, while the younger maids giggled amongst themselves.
"Did they, indeed," Mr Carson murmured, phrasing the remark as a statement rather than a question so as to discourage any further comment.
Mr Molesley was not deterred, however. "Of course, we can go back to Norse mythology too, and the story of Baldur's death at the hands of Loki, his brother. Depending on what version of the story you prefer you can think of mistletoe being a weapon of battle, or a symbol of peace and friendship. I prefer the latter, myself."
"You're ever so clever, Mr Molesley," Daisy said, with admiration in her voice, "where do you get all this from?"
"Oh, just from reading, mainly," he replied, modestly, "you can learn all kinds of things from books, when you get the time to yourself. And I've always had an interest in history."
"I dare say you're wasted in this profession," said Mrs Hughes, "you should try your hand at the village school, if they're in need of help."
"That's very kind of you, Mrs Hughes, but I'm happy where I am. After all, it took me long enough to get here!" he exclaimed with a laugh, and then composed himself once more. "What do you say, Mr Carson? It was the servants of the late 18th century who gave mistletoe its current tradition, so I think we'd be honouring our descendents by having some up in the hall."
Mr Carson unfolded his hands, his expression far from amused. "I admire your arguments, Mr Molesley, but my final decision is no. There's been quite enough gallivanting and unacceptable behaviour in the recent months, and I will not do anything to encourage it further. We should all remember that this is a respectable house, and that it is our duty both as a collective household and individuals to carry ourselves with the honour and dignity it deserves."
It was not only Mr Molesley who looked disappointed by Mr Carson's ruling, although the maids and the footmen probably had quite different reasons for their sulking.
Anna and John shared smiles between themselves before the various bells rang, and they departed with a brief squeeze of hands until the time came for them to head back to their cottage. Three months on from moving in and the excitement about going home together at the end of the day had not worn off. Neither of them imagined that it ever would, not with all they had been through.
"Where do you stand on the mistletoe debate?" John asked as they'd got home that night, pottering between the sitting room and kitchen.
"I think it's a bit of fun," Anna replied, her eyes bright as she spoke, "and it does look pretty as a decoration. Mr Carson is taking things a little bit far, really. But it's his say at the end of the day. I hardly think a sprig here and there is going to send us all into debauchery."
John chuckled at that. "Mr Molesley did try his best. Though I do wonder whether he had some ulterior motive." He expanded as Anna looked rather perplexed. "I know that he was after you, a while ago. Some mistletoe hanging from the eaves would mean bowing to tradition, which of course must be adhered to. Though I should have liked to keep an eye out."
"Silly beggar," Anna said, her tone light and teasing, "I wouldn't have said that he was after me. Anyway, I'm quite sure that's all in the past now."
She went over to where John was standing by the sink, enclosing her hand around his and snugging in close by his side.
"Besides, I always made my intentions very clear. That my heart was not up for claim, having already been taken."
They both smiled at that, and John dipped down to spare the strain of Anna having to get on her tiptoes.
"I do hope that he finds his happiness, though," she went on to say, looking thoughtful, "there is a sock for every shoe, or so my mother used to say."
"I'd say so," John replied, looking down at his wife lovingly, "if I deserve my happiness, then Mr Molesley certainly deserves his, too."
She returned his look of pure affection, her arms circling his middle. "And you shall continue to have it, Mr Bates."
As the time got closer to Christmas they gradually got the cottage decorated in readiness for the season. It wasn't much; a few spare cuttings from the gardens which they'd asked to salvage before they were thrown aside, some old decorations that were no longer used in the house and that they'd also begged pardon for. There were a couple of newly-bought things, only very small, which Anna had not been able to resist on her last trip into Thirsk. It was nice just to have something of their own, no matter the size.
It reminded her that the cottage really was theirs and that she wasn't living in a dream world.
John had got back from a trip into the village to stock the cupboards and she put the things away while he went to change. It wasn't until after she went to ready herself for the afternoon's duty at the house that she spotted it, tied above the door that came from the kitchen into the living room.
She stood beneath it, looking upwards for a better view, and then saw him coming into the living room, a smirk on his face at what she had discovered.
"Is this your doing?" she asked him, the smile evident in her words.
"I thought that it would be a grave dishonour to my Celtic heritage not to pay respect to something they clearly held so dear," he answered, going towards her, "as well as to the many generations of servants who have gone before us."
She shook her head, even as her face was filled with a grin.
"I should have thought you'd know by now that I don't need any excuse to kiss you."
"That's true, Mrs Bates," he smiled, slipping an arm about her waist, "but I don't think that it hurts to have something else as a reminder, just in case it should slip your mind."
She smiled before he captured her lips tenderly, honouring the tradition as they stood beneath the bough.
"What did Mr Molesley say again?" he said as they broke apart, though not going very far away at all.
"I don't know what I think to you thinking about Mr Molesley just now," Anna replied, stifling her laughter.
"Something about fertility, I think it was."
She tapped him gently on the chest, bursting into a grin and not moving a centimetre from where she stood.
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see about that, won't we?" she replied, before their lips met once more.