Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

D aniel smiled at his partner. Something had changed between him and Miss Julianna ever since their kiss in the drawing room. It was as if someone had filled their shoes with magnets that attracted one another, for they often found themselves in the same room deep in conversation about anything from their families’ Christmastide traditions to their hopes for the future. He found he could not get enough of her company.

Yet tonight, he needed to pace himself. Propriety dictated that they only dance one set together—two if he really cared for her—but he wished she could be his only partner. No other lady held a candle to her in beauty or personality. He adored her vivacious spirit and her clever wit. Even more, she had a caring nature evident in her thoughtful interactions with her sister and aunt and uncle.

“A penny for your thoughts?” she asked when the dance brought them back together.

“I was thinking about the care you have taken to bring my friend and your sister together.”

“Do not discount yourself, Mr. Kaye. I could not have done half so much if you’d not taken on the dubious task of soothing Mrs. Barker’s ruffled feathers after Beth’s reproof.”

“Do dragons have feathers? I thought they were covered in thick armored scales.”

Miss Julianna snickered, but quickly quelled her mirth as the dance led them apart again. She circled the gentleman to his left, then returned to her position to wait for the other ladies to complete their turns. He gave her two quick eyebrow raises and she raised a gloved hand to cover her smile.

After one more formation, the set came to an end and he escorted her off the floor… in the opposite direction of said dragon.

“Where are we going?”

“I thought to get you some refreshment. Truthfully, I would rather not get singed by your companion who has yet to simmer down even with my efforts in the carriage.”

A tall man misstepped and bumped into Daniel as they passed.

“Pardon me,” he said as he turned to face them, then his eyes lit with recognition. “Lieutenant Kaye, is that really you?”

Daniel tried to place the older gentleman. He’d known many men in the army and he had not always been the best with learning their names. Light from the candles illuminated a long scar on the man's right cheek and a flash of memory surfaced in Daniel’s mind. This was the surgeon who had worked on Bingham after his injury.

Thankfully a passerby greeted the man, blessedly reminding Daniel of the surgeon’s last name.

“Miss Julianna, might I introduce Mr. Baitman? He is the man responsible for saving Lord Bingham after the battle at Waterloo.”

“Oh, I doubt that. It was you who brought him from the battlefield and then insisted we continue to try after Bingham contracted that fever. I do not believe he would have made it without your constant attention.”

“A true hero then,” Miss Julianna said.

Daniel ducked his head, a bit embarrassed by the praise. He’d done no more than his duty as a gentleman and fellow soldier. Besides, Bingham was his captain.

Mr. Baitman’s son stopped by before leading his partner to the dance floor and the older gentleman introduced him to Miss Julianna.

After he left, Daniel asked. “And where is Mrs. Baitman?”

“Gone to her maker these three years past. Died while I was away in France.” Mr. Baitman shook his head, his grey-streaked hair swishing back and forth with the motion. “I did not know until a full three months after the funeral. Thought my heart would give out in those blood covered fields of France when the word came.”

“Oh my,” Miss Julianna exclaimed. “My condolences.”

“Thank you, miss, I?—”

“There you are,” Mrs. Barker interrupted as she bustled up to Miss Julianna’s side. “I have been looking all over for you, child.”

Miss Julianna’s pretty face turned down and Daniel regretted stopping to speak to Mr. Baitman… until he saw the man’s eyes light with interest. A small smirk made its way onto Daniel’s face.

“Mr. Baitman, might I introduce the Widow Barker?”

Mrs. Barker’s lips puckered and her eyes narrowed at the insinuation until she glanced at Mr. Baitman. He was a decent looking fellow with broad shoulders and a square jaw. Old enough to be well settled, and young enough that a woman like Mrs. Barker might be interesting to him.

Her sour expression cleared and for the first time since the inn where they’d met, Daniel saw a genuine smile light the older woman’s face.

“Mr. Baitman, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise, Mrs. Barker.” With a practiced air, he lifted her hand and placed a kiss on her gloved fingers.

Was that a blush Daniel saw on her cheeks?

The music for the next set began.

“Might I have this dance?” Mr. Baitman asked.

Mrs. Barker’s smile dimmed. “I do not dance much these days, sir. Age has stolen my ease of movement.”

“Even better, for I do not dance much myself. Perhaps we might take a turn about the room so we can become better acquainted?”

“I would like that very much.”

“Do behave yourself,” Miss Julianna called out as Mr. Baitman led Mrs. Barker away. The scowl Mrs. Barker cast her made Daniel lose his composure.

“Well done,” he said sotto voce .

She grinned. “Thank you. But it is you I must thank for introducing Mrs. Barker to someone who might be able to keep her occupied for a time. The relief is keenly felt.”

He chuckled. “To the refreshment table then?”

“Lead on, lieutenant .”

The rest of the night seemed to fly by in a blur of dancing and entertaining conversation. Daniel wished it would never end, but when the whole party retired to their carriages he realized how incredibly sore he would be in the morning. He had not danced so much in ages.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked Miss Julianna on the drive back to Haverton.

She sighed. “I did. And you?”

“Most definitely.”

Miss Haynes glanced at her sister, a small smile playing on her lips. She’d been her usual quiet self since they’d entered the carriage, but something was different. Unlike Miss Julianna she did not appear nearly as tired.

Mrs. Barker, on the other hand, had fallen asleep within a few moments of entering and her head now lulled on Daniel’s shoulder. A tiny snore escaped her lips where a bit of drool quivered. Should he nudge her upright before the dangling saliva smudged his greatcoat?

“Bethie, did you enjoy the night?”

“It was splendid.”

Miss Haynes’s covert smile was only visible to him in the dimness of the carriage. Something was afoot. Now that he thought about it, he did not remember her in the ballroom after supper. Where had she gone off to?

“Do you know what happened to Lord Bingham?” Miss Julianna asked. “I did not see him most of the evening and I am quite certain he did not dance with anyone. Did he go home early?”

“He danced.” Miss Haynes focused on the dark landscape that rolled by the window, her simple statement both saying nothing and giving away everything.

Since Daniel had not seen Bingham dance in the ballroom, he could only surmise that it had taken place somewhere else. Probably for the best. With Bingham’s injury it would be hard for him to perform some of the hand movements in the more complex dances.

“He did leave a little early,” Beth finally said. “Mr. and Mrs. Papworth were tired and he offered them a ride.”

Miss Julianna yawned, not even noticing her sister’s distractedness.

He smiled. Just the way Bingham and Miss Haynes would want it. And while he would have loved to be a bug on the wall to witness his friend’s moment, he’d not have given up his evening with Miss Julianna for anything.

“Bethie,” Miss Julianna said, “are you certain you will not sing for Aunt Waverly’s musicale? I have the perfect duet that would be quite lovely if sung in your hauntingly beautiful soprano. Of course, you would need a nice deep bass as your partner.”

Miss Haynes peered at her sister. “And who did you have in mind for that part?”

“Lord Bingham.”

Daniel slapped a hand over his mouth to keep a laugh from sputtering out. If Miss Julianna thought she could convince Bingham to sing in public again after the disaster they’d had the night before Waterloo, she was sorely mistaken. Perhaps he should warn her.

Miss Haynes cast him a questioning glance before turning back to her sister. “What if he does not sing? You cannot listen to the timbre of someone’s voice and assume they can match a part.”

“I am not assuming. Uncle Waverly told me Lord Bingham has one of the best bass voices he has ever had the pleasure of listening to.”

It was true. Daniel had not heard many that compared, but Bingham had disliked public performance even before the Richmonds’ ball. No doubt he despised them now. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it will be nearly impossible to persuade Bingham to sing a duet. And I am afraid it is my fault.”

The two women stared at him, obviously waiting to be enlightened.

“I thought to showcase Bingham’s talent at a ball the night before Waterloo, so I asked him to perform a duet with me. We had no time to practice, but I assured him I knew the piece well. Which I did. Only I was remiss in mentioning I had little experience singing for an audience. It seems I get nervous in front of so many people and I may have hit several scratchy notes which my men kindly pointed out sounded like a braying donkey.” He went on to explain how he’d also tripped over a fold in the rug, hit a candelabra which flew onto the piano bench where Bingham sat, effectually lighting the tail of his jacket on fire. By the time he finished telling of the fiasco that had been his first and only performance, they were all chuckling.

“That does not mean it is hopeless.” Miss Julianna cast a conspiratorial glance at Miss Haynes.

She did not return her sister’s excitement. “Jule?—”

“Oh, come now, Bethie. I know you can convince him and I would dearly love to hear you sing again. Mama would have wanted it, you know. She would be grieved at the way you have hidden away your incredible talent. Remember that story she always told us about the man who hid his talent in the dirt? You do not want to lose yours, do you?”

Miss Haynes’s face screwed up in thought. “I hate it when you use Mama against me.” She sighed. “All right, I will ask. But if he says no, then that is the end of it.”

Miss Julianna bounced in her seat. Daniel grinned. He loved her enthusiasm.

“And will you sing, Miss Julianna?”

“Only if you will do a duet with me.”

His eyes widened and his palms began to sweat. “Did you not hear a word of my story?”

“I did”—she leaned forward— “and it sounds like you could use a few music lessons.”

Her flirty smile made him grin. He’d take as many lessons as she was willing to give.