Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

T he fire crackled in the hearth and the large yule log burned bright. General Waverly stood before the group telling a ghost story that reminded Carswell of their Christmases spent abroad. Ghost stories during Christmastide were one of the few things that had stayed consistent while at war, and General Waverly’s were some of the best.

As he watched, however, he was struck by how lively the man appeared. Not at all like his wife and Kaye had described. In the time they had been guests he’d not once seen him out of sorts. Something did not add up.

Carswell’s gaze flitted to the other guests. The Cranes were back, as were several other families he’d met at previous parties and the ball. Mr. and Mrs. Papworth had actually emerged from their favorite parlor to join them as well.

Beth sat on the settee next to his chair, her sister on the other side of her. She cast him a small smile when she noticed his attention, and that strange flutter he’d noticed of late returned. The odd sensation seemed to linger long after Beth returned her focus to the story and he pondered whether it was an effect of the festive evening or her presence.

He’d felt attraction plenty of times before, but the effect she had on him was far more comfortable, like a warm blanket on a cold evening. Not that he found her unattractive in the least. Beth Haynes was most definitely a beautiful woman, but there was simply something more there that he could not quite put words to.

Kaye sat on the other side of Miss Julianna, something that never would have been allowed if Mr. Baitman had not been present. The way the man could turn Mrs. Barker from an avid guard dog into a gentle kitten boggled Carswell’s mind.

For his part, he preferred the softer side of Mrs. Barker. When her face relaxed she appeared rather pretty, something obviously apparent to Mr. Baitman as he peered over at her. Carswell smiled at the secret look that passed between the two. If he were a betting man, he’d wager that Beth and her sister would soon be free of their overbearing companion. He hoped for their sakes that they would.

Then again, with Miss Julianna soon to wed his friend, Mrs. Barker’s change in occupation did not matter much. But for Beth…

His gaze was drawn back to her, the soft firelight making her hair appear like a halo on her head. The pink in her cheek and the sparkle in her eye proclaimed her enjoyment in the ghostly tale, but even more, it was a witness to her youth and vitality. She could have almost any man she chose, but somehow she’d become interested in an old, disabled army captain.

Oh, he knew he was not so old, but his seven extra years and gnarled hand made him feel decrepit next to her. Was it really wise to carry on as they were? What were his intentions after all? He needed to make a decision soon or he’d bring ruin on Beth a second time, and that he refused to do.

The people in the room began to clap and Carswell realized he’d completely missed the end of General Waverly’s story. Slowly he patted the back of his bad hand. It was not a very efficient way to clap, but it was all he had left.

Mrs. Waverly leaned over the side of her chair toward him. “Did you like that story?”

He blinked at her, not exactly certain how to answer. He’d not heard one word in ten over the last few minutes. However, when her eyes danced with mirth and her gaze flitted to Beth he knew he’d been caught. She’d seen his attention wander elsewhere.

A slow smile tipped his lips up. “It was… delightful.”

“I am sure it was.” She waggled her eyebrows and he tried not to chuckle.

It was late and several guests had declared their intentions to leave when a footman came in and whispered something to General Waverly.

“Really?” He looked out the window. “I believe you are correct.”

Carswell followed his gaze and saw big white flakes falling in rapid succession.

General Waverly cleared his throat loudly to gather the room's attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we must end our night as I have been informed that it is snowing. For those of you who wish to get home to your families, I suggest you leave quickly before there is too much on the roads to travel safely. For those who would rather not embrace the elements, we will do our best to find accommodations here.”

Several discussions erupted around the room. The three Crane sisters begged their parents to stay, but Mr. and Mrs. Crane would not be moved. They needed to return home to be with their younger children on Christmas.

Carswell inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He’d had quite enough of the three ladies' awkward attempts to gain his attention.

When most of their party had left, Mrs. Waverly turned to Mr. Baitman. “I believe the blue room is already aired out and ready for you.”

Carswell covered the grin that threatened. Of all the guests, Mr. Baitman was the least likely to not make it home since his property was not far from Haverton, but it seemed the chance to stay close to Mrs. Barker had been too tempting. He did not blame the man. In fact, his continued presence was a relief. With Mr. Baitman in residence their Christmas would truly be merry and bright.

“Thank you, Mrs. Waverly. You are too kind.” Mr. Baitman’s gaze flicked to Mrs. Barker and then back to his hostess.

The subtle movement of Mrs. Waverly’s head in the same direction brought with it a big smile. The woman was sharp and missed nothing when it came to matters of matchmaking.

Carswell froze. Glancing around the room he thought through the number of unmarried occupants who had been there that evening. He stifled a groan.

General Waverly was not the real reason they had been invited to Haverton; he was certain of it. With the number of gentlemen that had been present their first day he should have guessed Mrs. Waverly’s intent, but he’d dismissed the thought because of their relation to the general. Now it was quite clear. Mrs. Waverly was in the business of finding matches for her nieces. And possibly not only her nieces, but anyone whom she considered in need of a partner.

It explained why as they had gone over the list of officers to be invited for her musicale she’d been very insistent in knowing which of the men were single and which were married.

And he and Kaye had fallen right into her trap.

He had to hand it to the lady; it had worked masterfully. One glance at the way Miss Julianna leaned into Kaye proved how well Mrs. Waverly’s plan had worked. But it irritated him to be used as a puppet in her game. These were people's lives, and she had used them for her own amusement.

“Oh, Mrs. Barker,” Mrs. Waverly said in a sing-song voice.

The middle-aged woman glanced back at their hostess.

“I believe Mr. Baitman owes you a kiss.” Mrs. Waverly’s eyes flicked upward and Mrs. Barker followed her gaze.

The kissing bough hung over the door that the pair had been exiting, its white berries glistening in the candlelight. Mr. Baitman grinned and Mrs. Barker's cheeks flushed a very becoming pink.

“May I?” Mr. Baitman asked, placing a hand at her waist.

She gave a shy smile and a nod. The whole room watched in silence as Mr. Baitman slowly dipped his head to press a very sweet and gentle kiss to Mrs. Barker’s lips. Her hands came up to rest on his shoulders and for a moment Carswell wondered if they were going to be given a much bigger display then they’d all bargained for. However, Mr. Baitman pulled back and released Mrs. Barker. The remaining guests clapped.

“Anyone else care to get caught under the kissing bough?” Mrs. Waverly’s invitation solidified Carswell’s notion.

Mr. Waverly and his younger brother chuckled. “Are you trying to trap us, Aunt Waverly?”

She smirked. “Only those who wish to get caught.”

The two men grinned and Mr. Waverly glanced at Beth. “Remember the first year she tricked us into standing under the bough together?”

“How could I forget?” Beth blushed.

Something hot and unsavory twisted Carswell’s stomach. She’d kissed Mr. Waverly? He should not have been surprised. It was an old custom. He had also kissed several girls under the bough in his life, but the look she’d shared with Mr. Waverly made a wave of jealous protectiveness wash over him.

He decided it was time to retire for the night. The last thing he wanted was to hear reminiscence of shared kisses.

At the door, however, Beth’s words gave him pause.

“It was probably the most embarrassing experience I’d had in all of my eight years, but I enjoyed crowing over my friends that I’d had my cheek kissed at Christmastide.”

He glanced over his shoulder to see Beth intently staring at him, willing the words to sink in. It was an explanation, not a moment of remembrance. She saw him, his insecurity, and she’d filled the void. He smiled at her.

Turning to the room, he said, “Allow me to bid you all goodnight and be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas.”

Carswell wrapped his hands about the steaming mug of drinking chocolate. He did not often indulge in the drink, and never without an ample amount of cream and sugar, but it was Christmas morning and he planned to enjoy it.

He relished the quiet of the breakfast room as he watched the gently falling snow through the window. No one else seemed in a hurry to rise, much to Carswell’s delight. Weeks of constant activities had left him exhausted down to his core, but this half hour in silence went a long way toward refreshing him.

Beth’s voice was the only welcome interruption to his peace.

“Either that must be one of the most splendid cups of coffee you have ever tasted, or your mind is far from Haverton.”

“It is drinking chocolate, but yes, it is the most heavenly brew. Come, have some with me.”

She crossed to the table and waited as a footman poured her a cup. When the man had re-materialized, Carswell did not know, but he was grateful for the time the footman had allowed him to spend alone.

“If you add cream and sugar it tastes even better,” he advised when Beth lifted the cup to her lips. “Otherwise it is quite bitter.”

“Perhaps I like bitter.” She smiled over the rim of her cup.

“Is that a commentary on the drink or a certain grouchy captain you know?”

She chuckled. Setting her cup down, she added a lump of sugar and a dash of cream. “I know a way to sweeten him up.”

“Oh?” He leaned in.

Beth playfully pushed him back, then peeked over her shoulder at the footman.

Blast the man. Could he not disappear again?

She took a sip of her drink and sighed. “That is good.”

He agreed by taking another swig of his. They sat quietly for several moments watching the snow come down. Carswell was surprised to find he liked it even better than sitting alone.

There was comfort in Beth’s presence, something he’d not found anywhere else, not even in his family. His sister was far too chatty, and his parents had always been at odds with one another. Only his brother had been somewhat of a comrade when he was small, but as they’d grown, their moral characters had taken drastically different roads making comfort a difficult thing to come by.

He let the feeling wash over him. How did she do it?

Then a complaint from the hall stole their peace as Mrs. Barker questioned someone about the Misses Haynes’s whereabouts.

Beth groaned. “It is too early to face her.” Pushing back her seat, she rose and grabbed Carswell’s hand. “Come along, I have an escape.”

He did not argue but followed meekly as she pulled him toward the window. Were they going to jump out into the snow? She must be desperate indeed.

But instead of the snow jump he’d feared, Beth led him to the last panel in the wall and pushed. It slid back, revealing a tight space between the two sections. She yanked him in, quickly shutting the hidden door just as he saw the hem of a skirt enter the breakfast room.

Pitch dark surrounded them as they both tried to calm their breathing. Mrs. Barker could be heard through the wood questioning the footman, but thankfully he said nothing of their whereabouts. Carswell smiled in the dark. He knew he liked that man. Hopefully he’d be just as quiet below stairs. The last thing they needed was for the servants to gossip.

When the room again grew silent, he thought Beth would let them out, but instead she tugged him farther down the narrow space. He stumbled a time or two, but somehow Beth knew where to go. After several paces a dim light materialized above their heads.

“There are stairs here,” she whispered.

He nodded, but then realized she could not see the action in the dark. “Go slow or I am liable to leave us both with bruises if I fall.”

She laughed lightly. “If you fall, I am letting go.”

“You cannot. Remember, dear lady, if one of us is to suffer, then both of us shall.”

Her chuckle turned into full laughter. “Singing is a far cry different from falling.”

“Yes, but if I fall, you are going down with me.”

“That sounds painful.”

“It does not have to be.”

“Because you will catch me?” Her voice had grown quiet and he wondered if they were still speaking of the same thing.

“Of course, much like I did in the carriage.”

He could not see her face, but the way her hand tightened around his set off the strange fluttering again. It was most certainly different from the attraction he’d felt for other beautiful women. This feeling went deeper. Almost like a plant that had wound its roots into his chest and no matter how many leaves he plucked off with reason, it still could not be removed.

Beth cleared her throat. “There are ten steps and they are very steep, so be careful.”

He let the toe of his shoe find the back of each stair before putting his weight on it. As the light grew closer he relied less on his sense of touch, being able to see the dim shape of each tread.

At the top, a row of small square windows about the side of dinner plates lined the passageway. If memory served, there were multiple of these little windowpanes interspersed over the exterior of the house. He’d assumed them just another eccentricity in the haphazard design of Haverton, but now he understood their purpose.

Beth led him down the small space until it opened into a tiny room. The space contained two old chairs and a battered end table.

“How did you know of this passageway?”

“When one is young they will do anything to chase away the boredom.” She sat in one of the chairs and a puff of dust filled the room. Beth fanned it away from her face. “It seems the servants have not been in to clean for quite some time.”

“The servants clean this area?” he asked as he dusted off the other chair with his handkerchief.

“Not really, it is something Julianna and I used to say when we were little and wanted to pretend this room was our own house. Then we’d pretend we were maids and set to dusting it.”

He smiled. “Your childhood sounds enchanting.”

“It was. Not only did our mama dote on us, but we had an aunt who treated us like her own when we came for our annual visits.” Beth retrieved her square of linen and wiped the top of the table to reveal several fashion plates. She picked them up, handing him one to look at. They were old and yellow but the images were still quite clear.

For the next half hour they talked of her adventures with her sister and his with his brother. It seemed they had both found a playmate in their siblings, but her time with Miss Julianna had only led to a closer relationship. Carswell wondered if it was the result of being able to learn from home rather than be shipped off to school as he and his brother had been. Over time they had grown closer to their peers rather than each other and as such, had learned opposite life lessons.

When he grew silent, thinking of how life might have been different had they been kept home to learn, Beth reached out and placed a gentle hand over his.

“Not everyone is blessed to have family as close as Julianna and I are, but that does not mean you never shall.”

He peered at her through the dimness. “Are you suggesting I take greater pains to get to know my sister’s litter of rapscallions?”

She smiled. “That is a start, but I meant the family you will one day have. We are the masters of our own fates. It is up to us to decide whether or not to accept the distance and dissonance of the family that came before us.”

The way she spoke filled a little hole in his heart that he’d not known existed. Even more so, was how she’d included herself in the admonition. It made him wonder if she was as inclined to think of marriage to him as he was to her.

Turning his hand over, he captured her hand in his. She did not resist, grasping as firmly as he held hers. A strange sense of promise hung in the air, as if they were making a pact to never settle for the detached relationships many of their station seemed to have. Perhaps that closeness was what Beth had claimed was love.

They leaned together as if some unseen force pulled at them. Carswell’s gaze flicked to Beth’s lips. They curved into a smile.

“Beth, I?—”

A scratching noise echoed through the small area, cutting off his whispered words.

Beth pulled back, yanking her hand away. “We need to hide.”

“What?”

“Someone is coming.”

They both stood, looking around the bare room and then at each other. Depending on who happened upon them, both their reputations could be ruined. But there was no time to rush down to the breakfast room.

A giggle came from somewhere past the small room.

“Are there other entrances to the secret passageway?” he whispered.

Beth grabbed his hand, ready to flee. “And other rooms, but this is the largest and there is only one corridor that runs between them. We’ll have to go the opposite way of the sound.”

Before either of them could move, however, two people fairly tumbled into the room.

“Julianna?” Beth screeched.

“Beth?” Julianna’s eyes widened. Dropping her hold on Kaye’s hand, she glanced down at Carswell and Beth’s conjoined ones.

Beth seemed to recollect their current position and skittered back. “What are you doing here?”

Julianna grinned. “I should like to ask you the same thing.”