Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

J ulianna squeezed Beth’s arm, hoping she understood the message.

“If you will excuse us, Lord Bingham,” Beth said, “My sister and I need to discuss something.”

“By all means. I have been meaning to speak to Mr. Caleb Waverly about his education.”

The annoying gentleman came to a stop in front of them, confusion clouding his face. “You wished to speak with me?”

Julianna did not wait for Lord Bingham’s answer. She rushed her sister away to the retiring room.

“I am full sick of Caleb,” she said the moment they were alone. “It was bad enough that he followed me around when we were children, but he has gone too far. Did you know he tried to corner me in the library today? Thank heavens Mr. Kaye happened to be already seated in one of the chairs near the back. And when I chastised him for his impropriety, he said ‘ a meeting between two people as well acquainted as we are could never be deemed inappropriate .’ What is that supposed to mean?”

“Jule, I think you must be prepared for him to offer for you. He is almost at the end of his education and has already been making waves in London with the cases where he has assisted. He even helped on a case for the Duke of Rothes.”

“No. I would never accept him no matter what his connections. How could he think I’d for one moment entertain the idea of a union between us? He is boring and pompous and nothing like the man I wish to marry.”

“And what sort of man do you wish to marry?” Beth’s mouth curved into a mischievous smile that made Julianna pause.

What sort of man did she wish to marry? “Well, to begin with he must be personable. I detest men who dislike Society. He must also be kind with an interest in the things I say, not just an interest in my appearance. A good understanding of humor would be nice, and I would not mind if he had dark hair and a fine build.”

Beth burst into laughter. “You have just described Mr. Kaye, Jule.”

Scrutinizing her own words, Julianna realized her sister was correct. A slow smile spread across her pink lips. “Then I need not search any further.”

A clock chimed somewhere in the house and Beth sobered. “Take care, Jule. I am afraid Mr. Kaye is not the type to pursue marriage but has the happy disposition that makes him agreeable to most ladies.”

It was true. Julianna had seen for herself how he gave pretty compliments to all the women in their company, but did that mean the kind words he graced her with were any less sincere? Then again, when one gave out compliments like peppermint candy it cheapened their worth.

“I will be careful, Bethie. I promise.”

Beth’s fingers fluttered at her throat and Julianna frowned. “Have you received any word from the posting inn about your necklace?”

“None.” Beth dropped her hand to her side. “I begin to think that I will not be able to recover Mama’s locket.”

“Do not lose hope yet, it has only been a few days.”

“Yes, but the inn is only a day's journey away. My letter has had plenty of time to reach them. If they found it, I should have received word by now.”

“But what if they have not?”

Beth crossed her arms over her chest. “Then it has been stolen.”

Julianna shook her head. “Sometimes things take time, Beth. We must trust that your necklace will return to you.”

“Not everything we treasure returns.”

The pinch around Beth’s eyes and the way her confident stance melted into something that resembled a hug as she continued to cross her arms made Julianna wonder if they were still speaking of the necklace.

Giggling announced the Crane sisters moments before two of them entered the retiring room. Beth’s arms dropped to her sides and Julianna turned toward a mirror on the wall in an attempt to appear natural.

“But is not Mr. Kaye the most dashing gentleman here?” one of the Crane sisters said to the other as they entered.

“Oh most definitely, and so amiable. I think he might have some interest in you as well.”

Their tittering laughter scratched Julianna’s nerves like nails on a slate. She glanced over her shoulder at the pair, then made eye contact with Beth. The tip of her sister’s head emphasized the other ladies’ words.

A pounding began behind her eyes as her mind raced. Perhaps she really had misunderstood Mr. Kaye’s attentions. A band tightened around her chest, squeezing out the bits of joy she’d derived from the evening. She was half in love with the man and he was simply being nice.

The next two days Beth’s warnings played on repeat in Julianna’s mind. She spent the majority of each day dodging interactions with Caleb while trying to decipher Mr. Kaye’s real intent.

On the third day her uncle requested to meet with her in his study. The entreaty caught her by surprise for she’d rarely had a tête-à-tête with Uncle Waverly. When she entered the dark paneled room she was even further distressed to find they were not alone. Caleb sat near the fire but rose when she entered.

She glanced at her uncle. He gestured to a brown leather chair with wooden arms. Crossing the room, she sat on the edge, careful to arrange her rose-colored skirts in an effort to prevent wrinkling. They had a party to go to, and the last thing she wished to do was muss her appearance so that everyone would be required to wait on her while she changed.

“I hope this will not take long,” she finally said. “Aunt Waverly insists we leave for the Baileys in a quarter hour.”

“And we shall,” her uncle said with a grim expression.

Did he take no pleasure in celebrating with his neighbors? Then his gaze strayed to his nephew and she understood. He was no more pleased with this meeting than she, but they might as well get it over with. Perhaps then the man would leave her alone.

“Might I have a word in private with Miss Haynes?” Caleb asked.

“Whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of my uncle, Mr. Waverly.”

Caleb frowned. She did not usually address him so formally, but they were not children anymore. And besides, he had started it with his Miss Haynes. That was not even her title yet.

He approached her and in a low voice said, “What I have to say is for your ears only.”

She folded her arms. “Do not take such an intimate tone with me, sir.”

“But I must,” he bent before her and scooped up her hand. “For years I have admired you and now I am almost in a position to be able to take a wife. You must know that you are the wife I intend to take. My attentions cannot have gone unnoticed. So tell me, my love, when shall we wed? In the spring, or perhaps the summer.”

“Never,” she said flatly.

His hopeful face fell. “Pardon?”

“I would thank you for your offer, but you made none. You simply assumed I would agree without ascertaining my feelings on the matter. So my answer is never. I do not hold you in any tender regard and I do not wish to marry you.”

Julianna tried to pull her hand away, but his grip was like a vice.

His voice became menacingly low. “Do not play coy with me, Julianna. We have known each other nearly from our infancy. You were always intended for me.”

“I have heard no such thing, nor have I promised such. Now unhand me.”

Her uncle stepped from behind the desk. “I believe she gave her answer, Caleb. Now, release her.”

Caleb’s brown eyes flashed with anger and he stood. “And this is all the thanks I get after years of showering you with affection? A heartless refusal. And for what? Is it that man Lord Bingham brought with him? Do you fancy yourself in love?”

“That is none of your concern. Now I must ask you to let go of my hand. You are hurting me.”

“Not as much as you’ve hurt me,” he shot back, then threw her hand into her lap. “You will regret this.”

“That is enough, Caleb.”

Uncle Waverly stepped forward, towering over the much smaller man. “I think it best if you return with Adam to Waverly House this evening to give yourself time to regain your composure.”

“I am in control,” Caleb barked and stormed out.

Julianna let out a pent-up breath when the door slammed. It was over.

“I am so very sorry, my dear, but I had to let him say his peace.”

“It is alright, Uncle. Beth warned me he might speak on this visit. What I cannot understand is how he can think I would be at all induced to marry him with how high handed he has always treated me.”

Her uncle sat on the edge of the desk. “Has he always treated you poorly? I was under the impression it was a recent occurrence. Then again, it is not as though I have been present much these last twenty years.”

“As a child he followed me around much like a puppy, harmless and somewhat adorable. But in his youth he began ordering me about. Truthfully, it has been a relief to not make our annual visits these last several years because it meant that I could avoid him. I had hoped he would give up and take a wife in London, but it seems my hope was in vain.”

Uncle Waverly crossed his arms and shook his head. “I do apologize. I must be a blind man indeed to not have seen what Mr. Kaye recognized the first full day he was in residence.”

“Mr. Kaye?”

“Yes, he approached me and said I needed to intervene. At first I meant to speak with you, but after observing my nephew, I thought to dissuade him myself. Only he insisted he loved you and you him. If it were not for his belief, I would have never let him speak with you.”

Mr. Kaye had been the one to notice. Her mind reeled at the revelation. It warmed her to her bones that he would come to her defense so quickly after they had met. Over this last week he had shown her deference in all situations, but he’d been kind to all the women who had visited.

However, now the little interactions they’d shared discussing books in the library or playing at whist seemed to hold more merit. Were his compliments truly superficial? Perhaps not. She really had no way of knowing. But she was grateful at least that he had stepped in when no one else had. It spoke volumes to his good character.

Caleb still had not returned to Haverton the next evening. It was a relief for Julianna to be able to interact with the other members of the dinner party without his glowering face turning her stomach.

To add to her delight, Mr. Kaye was her escort to dinner. She listened with rapt interest as he regaled her with stories of his days at Eton and his three closest mates. It made her wish she’d gone away to school instead of being subjected to Mrs. Barker’s tutelage.

The hour went by far quicker than she would have liked and soon the ladies were leaving the men to their port. Julianna found the part of the evening with the ladies tedious as the women talked sedately of fashion and the weather. Only Mrs. Papworth and Beth did not join the conversation, being too engrossed with their discussion of the elderly lady’s current reading material.

When the men joined them in the drawing room, Aunt Waverly announced they would be playing Doctor. The older ladies and gentlemen declared the game more suited for the young and a portion of the room was set aside for those who wished to participate.

Several neighboring families had joined them for the evening, elevating the number of unmarried men and women to its highest since Julianna had arrived. Mr. Kaye enthusiastically joined the group, but when Lord Bingham took a seat next to the Cranes, he left.

Disappointment washed over Julianna until she saw him leading his disinclined friend back to the group.

“I am a bit old for this, Kaye.”

“Balderdash. Two and thirty is not nearly old enough to sit with the aged.”

Lord Bingham shook his head but made no further protests, his eyes straying to Beth. Julianna grinned. The way he looked at her sister gave her hope that Beth would be happily settled in her own home by spring.

The group gathered in a large circle, every other chair being male then female. Once everyone was assembled, Mrs. Waverly announced that Mr. Kaye would play the part of the doctor.

Julianna shared a glance with Beth who rolled her eyes in return, but the slightest quirk of her lips led her to believe she had her sister's support. After she’d shared how Mr. Kaye had intervened on her behalf, Beth had been far more accepting of him, even going as far as to thank him when they were alone at breakfast.

Mr. Kaye had seemed relieved to find that Caleb would not be underfoot, and since then had spent a good majority of the day in various sorts of entertainment with them.

“Bingham, I believe you shall be my first patient.”

“Wait,” Mrs. Waverly said. “We have not chosen a forfeit.”

Eyes danced and excited chatter began. It was no secret that most young people chose a kiss as the forfeit of choice, Christmastide being the only time when such intimate behavior was acceptable.

“A kiss,” one brave gentleman called out.

“Here, here,” the others agreed.

“Anything else?” Mrs. Waverly asked. “Or would the gentlemen like to kiss each other as well?”

Women tittered as several men made sour faces.

“They must share a secret,” one said.

“No, they must accept a dare.” The second man received the most support so it was agreed upon.

Mrs. Waverly’s eyes danced with delight as she clapped her hands together. “Very well. Mr. Kaye, you may proceed.”

Slowly he made his way around the circle asking each person what sickness they suffered. After each answer he would give them a remedy. The first few seemed normal enough: hot tea for a cold, sweet bread for a sour stomach, snowballs for a fever. But the further around the circle Mr. Kaye got, the more ridiculous his requests became.

By the time he reached Beth, Julianna worried she’d never remember some of these remedies.

“Miss Haynes, what is your ailment?” he asked.

“A complaint of the head,” Beth answered.

“Then I prescribe one hundred toe tickles and warm socks with holes for your toes to receive their remedy.”

Several ladies and gentlemen chuckled.

Julianna was last in the group, having sat next to Lord Bingham.

“Miss Julianna, what is your ailment?”

“A pain in my chest.”

Mr. Kaye peered at her a moment, then a slow knee-weakening smile spread across his full lips.

“Then I prescribe one large piece of parchment to be placed on your back and ten circles to be drawn on it.”

His diverting treatment shook her out of her near trance in observing his fine smile. She nodded and thanked him as the others had and the next part of the game began.

Mr. Kaye chose a person at random and asked them what treatment had been prescribed to another player. The first five guessed the treatment correctly, but after that, things became more confusing. Two men misremembered the remedies entirely and one lady almost got her own wrong. Then it was Julianna’s turn.

“Miss Julianna, what would you use to treat Miss Haynes’s ailment?”

Several people whispered to one another.

“Quiet please,” Mr. Kaye said. “We must not give her any advantages.”

Julianna glanced at Beth, trying to remember how Mr. Kaye had said to treat her headache. How was it that she’d been the last one and somehow she could not remember the cure for the person right before her?

“I would… rub her feet in circles and put on socks.”

The wide triumphant smile on Mr. Kaye’s face proclaimed her misstep.

“That is incorrect.”

He moved on to the rest of the group, but only one other person missed her question. The youngest Miss Crane appeared innocent, but Julianna suspected she’d done so on purpose so she might pay the forfeit.

Julianna frowned. Would Mr. Kaye kiss two people tonight? The thought of kissing Mr. Kaye at all made her blush. But she did not want to share him.

“Now for the forfeits,” he called.

“Mr. Hanks, as your dare, you must kiss Miss Crane for her forfeit.”

Miss Crane’s smiling face quickly faded when she realized she’d have to kiss the freckle-faced young man, but she complied, only allowing him access to her cheek. Several members groaned at the loss of their fun at seeing the forfeit paid, but most clapped in delight.

The second man had to stand on a chair and declare himself a mad hatter, patting his head and rubbing his belly at the same time.

Then it was Julianna’s turn. She stood, knowing that there was no one else to dare so she would have to pay her forfeit to Mr. Kaye. He smiled as she approached and her nervousness made it hard to look at him.

He leaned over, giving her access to his cheek. A moment of disappointment passed and she hesitated. Julianna had hoped for a real kiss—her first real kiss since she’d hardly ever been allowed to play Christmastide games before and was only doing so now because Mrs. Barker had caught a head cold. Otherwise she’d have forbidden both her and Beth from participating.

Slowly she leaned in anticipating the hairy stubble of Mr. Kaye’s cheek on her lips, but at the last second he turned and soft lips connected with hers. Julianna froze—then her insides melted as she pressed firmer into his warmth. It was perfect, and she wanted to explore the experience further, but the burst of applause and laughter stole the moment away from her.

When she pulled away, Mr. Kaye’s eyes were wide with shock. Had she done something wrong? Did he dislike it?