Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

C hristmas day had indeed been merry, probably one of the merriest Daniel had enjoyed in years. Crossing paths with Julianna early had brightened his whole day. The whole morning had been quite the surprise, from hidden passageways to avoid crotchety companions, to stumbling upon Carswell with Miss Haynes. And while they had given the same excuse for hiding away, Daniel could not help but notice the way they’d held hands when he and Julianna had entered.

They’d spent the next hour together in the space sharing stories of Christmases past. The only damper had been the constant sour looks Miss Haynes had cast him. Was she upset at him for being in the passageway with her sister? If so, he was not to blame. Julianna had been the leader in all of this.

By time they’d exited, Mr. Baitman had finally left his room, something they all silently praised the man for as he’d kept Mrs. Barker adequately occupied ever since.

Around midday the Waverlys’ sleigh had been pulled out for all to enjoy a ride on the white fluffy snow, and there had been far more food than Daniel had eaten in years. Wassail and wine had flowed freely and by evening he could easily declare this to be the best Christmas he’d ever had.

But one thing weighed on him.

While he had offered his hand to Julianna, she had not given him an answer. At first he’d not thought much about it, but as the days passed and they’d grown closer he now wondered if she’d done so on purpose, perhaps out of self-preservation. Did she plan to break the engagement?

She had no obligation to keep it. Mr. Caleb Waverly had not returned since the previous Sunday. No one really knew where he’d gone, but he’d also not been missed. His surly disposition and determination could not have been so easily supplanted, though.

Daniel had no doubt he would return with some other method to demand Julianna’s hand, but this time he would be ready for him. While his offer had been impetuous, he now realized his heart had been leading his head the whole time. In the three weeks he’d been at Haverton, he’d fallen madly in love with Miss Julianna Haynes and had no intentions of going back on their engagement.

But what if she found someone else? It had been a stipulation of the engagement. Could he stand back and let her go? The fear of losing Julianna created a vice-like grip around his heart.

“Are you well?” Julianna asked from the chair beside him.

He blinked, pulling his gaze from the fire that burned in the hearth. “Pardon?”

“You have been silent these past ten minutes.”

“Only a bit fatigued.” The blood rushing through his veins countered his remark. He tried to quietly calm his erratic heartbeat by taking a few deep breaths.

Julianna did not appear convinced. “Your fists are clenched and your face is ruddy.”

“Only a bit warm. I should probably move away from the flames. Plus, I have some correspondence to attend to.”

“On Christmas?” Her little nose scrunched.

“Not that I need respond today, but it is our tradition to send notes for the holiday.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the letters he’d been saving to read as a special Christmas treat. Julianna’s eyes brightened. “Ah, with your Eton friends. Would one of those friends be Mr. Alfred Deane?”

Daniel nodded, surprised that she’d remembered the name from the stories he’d told her about his childhood.

“And would another be from Robert Cratchit?”

Daniel chuckled. “Yes. You have a good memory. Can you guess who the last one is from?”

She tapped her chin for a moment and he smiled at the pretty picture she made in the soft fire light. Someone laughed softly from across the room and he turned to see Mr. Baitman whispering something in Mrs. Barker's ear. Oh, how he wished to ply the woman with a little of her own wisdom if only to see her squirm, but that would ruin his own blessed moment of peace with Julianna.

“It was something with a J, or was it a G?”

He turned back.

Julianna popped a finger up in the air. “I’ve got it. James… James Bailey.”

“Very good. You deserve a prize for best memory. I do not believe I could name any of the friends you have mentioned.”

“That is because all your friends have such normal names, while mine have the misfortune of having very creative parents. How many women do you know named Javenia?”

“Yes, but you have others with fairly normal ones as well.”

“I suppose Mary and Olivia are a bit more common.”

“Jule,” Miss Haynes said from behind her sister.

Julianna turned to peer at her.

“I am going to turn in for the night. Will you be alright?” Her eyes strayed to Daniel and she frowned. Was she truly worried about him? They were in a room full of people.

Something had been off about Miss Haynes ever since they’d practiced in the music room yesterday, at least concerning him. She’d remained closer to her sister, often pulling her away from his company and interrupting private conversations. It was strange after she’d been so willing to help him the night of his and Julianna’s accidental kiss.

And this morning he was quite certain her questions about his childhood had a hidden agenda, but what? She’d become particularly focused on his sisters’ friends, which seemed odd as he’d spent the majority of his growing years away at school.

“I am fine, Bethie. No need for mother hen to smother the chick.”

Miss Haynes gave her sister a tight smile. “Well, Little Chick still has plenty to learn before she flies the coop.”

Julianna shook her head, an amused grin on her face. “Good night, Bethie.”

Miss Haynes leaned down and kissed the top of her sister's head. “Good night, Jule.” When she rose, she cast Daniel a warning glare before sweeping out of the room.

The expression left no doubt that he had indeed landed in her black books, but how?

“Is something amiss?” Julianna asked.

He relaxed his face, smoothing away the wrinkles in his brow. “Not at all. I am only anxious to read my letters.”

She flashed him a bright smile. “Then please do not let me keep you.”

“Would you care to hear what they might have to say?”

Her eyes widened and she leaned forward. “Are you not worried what sort of secrets they might contain?”

“Not in the least. I could sum them up in a few short words. James will relay how happy he now is, even though the Duke of Rothes still tries to make him miserable, and how his dear Eleanor is getting along. He will do so with a good many blots of ink that will make his letter difficult to read, but he thinks so long about his words that his quill drips in the meantime.”

She smiled. “And Robert?”

“He will pretend that he is not hurting by telling of his children in the most succinct way possible, all the while avoiding the topic of his late wife, but I can see the feelings beyond his words.”

Her pretty blonde brows dipped in concern so he rushed on.

“And Alfred… well, perhaps I should omit part of his letter. I'd hate to incur his wrath. He’s a bit more private and very fastidious.”

She giggled. “Best to start with James’s first then.”

He smiled. There was something so satisfying in having someone with whom to share this little moment of joy. The other occupants of the room were busy in their own conversations as Daniel quietly read his letter and recited what details he could to her. As expected, they were as diverting as he’d hoped with silly stories and Christmastide well wishes that warmed his heart and made his friends seem much closer than they really were.

After reading the few parts he dared of Alfred’s letter, he glanced up and noticed the soft warmth in Julianna’s gaze.

“They seem like wonderful friends.”

“They are.” He wanted to take her hand in his, but a sidelong glance from Mrs. Barker across the room stopped him. Where was Mr. Baitman when one needed him? “One day, I hope you have the chance to meet them all.”

That is, if she accepted his offer as the sincere proposal he realized it had been. He wanted her as his wife, but she’d given no answer. Another glance at the room's occupants forestalled the question on his lips. Tomorrow, he promised himself. He would ask her again tomorrow.

Daniel entered a very full dining room the next morning. Baskets and bandboxes were stacked all about the area with various items either waiting to be placed or laying neatly in each container.

It seemed the Waverlys were very generous when it came to Boxing Day.

“Can I help you with anything?” Daniel asked a harried Mrs. Waverly.

“Would you please? I seem to have set down a stack of clouts I meant for a tenant, but in all the chaos I am unsure where.”

He walked about the table checking each basket and pile. A maid rushed in with a flour sack full of root vegetables and the housekeeper followed with several old serving dishes.

“Put the dishes in the basket for the Thatchers.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The housekeeper scurried to the other side of the table but in her haste knocked a teetering basket from the edge.

Daniel reached to pick it up but found his hand precariously close to a smaller hand that he recognized. His head came up and he stared into Julianna’s dancing blue eyes.

“Good morning,” he said softly.

“Good morning.”

He allowed his hand to move covertly toward hers until their pinkies touched. Her cheeks pinked and she glanced about the room, but no one paid them any mind.

“You should be careful with such blatant flirting, Mr. Kaye. I might actually believe you like me.”

He chuckled but kept his voice low. “As if asking for your hand was not proof enough.”

“Come now, we both know it was a ruse.”

The mirth dropped from his face. “Not for me.”

The humor in her eyes fled and she let go of the basket. Julianna quickly stood, running her hands down the front of her cream-colored gown and straightening nonexistent wrinkles.

Daniel wished to say more, but several other guests, including Bingham and Miss Haynes, had joined them and confusion overtook the room as baskets were filled.

The clouts were finally located inside a bandbox on top of an old hat Mrs. Waverly had also set aside for the new mother.

Finally when all the things were arranged, servants came in to receive their Boxing Day gifts along with a special bonus.

“Now to deliver the rest of the items.” Mrs. Waverly motioned to the remaining baskets. “Beth, Julianna, I believe you know where the Thatchers live. Would you mind taking this to them? I am certain Lord Bingham and Mr. Kaye would be happy to escort you.”

Bingham leaned over to Daniel and whispered, “Have you noticed Mrs. Waverly’s enthusiasm in placing us with the Haynes sisters?”

Daniel glanced at the matronly woman with the rosy cheeks. “I had not thought on it.”

“If I were a betting man, I’d wager General Waverly’s so-called despondent state was not the true aim of our hostess. Prepare yourself, Kaye, but I believe we are being duped into making matches with her nieces.”

Daniel’s bark of laughter brought all conversation to a halt as everyone stared at him. “Begging your pardon. Bingham was relating a bit of drollery.”

When Mrs. Waverly returned to giving instructions and the room again bustled with activity, Daniel turned to Bingham. “If she is, she’s doing a charmingly good job of it, for I find myself falling more in love with Julianna every day.”

“Love is for nursery rhymes and fairytales. You are simply taken with her fine face and comely figure. Not much different than every other fair maiden you have come across.”

“Not this time. I?—”

Miss Haynes’s glowering face appeared behind Bingham stopping anything Daniel might say. How much had she heard? His friend's words echoed through his head… Every other fair maiden. Good heavens, did she think him a philanderer?

Seeing the surprise on Daniel’s face, Bingham turned to look at Miss Haynes with a subdued Julianna not far behind.

“Still spouting your nonsense about love being a myth?” Miss Haynes placed her hands on her hips.

If Daniel had not been so taken aback at Miss Haynes’s ire with Bingham and not him, he would have found her pose amusing. He’d never seen the reserved woman appear so determined before.

“And I suppose next you will be saying the sun's warmth is simply a delusion of an overwrought brain.” Miss Haynes stepped forward and poked Bingham in the chest. “Or maybe you will also assert that the Americas do not exist because you have never seen them.”

Bingham opened his mouth, but then shut it again. His shoulders went rigid and he smoothed his face into a bored, impassive expression. “You can feel the warmth of the sun every day, Miss Haynes, and one need only ask anyone well-traveled if the Americas exist.”

A glisten in Miss Haynes’s eye alerted Daniel that Bingham had just entered dangerous territory. “The same as asking anyone who has felt or seen love if it exists. And yet you still do not trust them or yourself when it slaps you in the face. But perhaps that is because you are incapable of feeling such warmth.”

She spun on her heels and called over her shoulder, “We do not need your escort, Lord Bingham, Mr. Kaye. Please enjoy the rest of your day.”

Julianna cast Daniel a confused glance before her sister latched onto her arm and pulled her out of the room.

All Bingham’s starch dropped and he curled in on himself like a wilting bloom. When Daniel and Julianna had come upon Bingham and Miss Haynes yesterday, they’d been pleasantly surprised their scheming had begun to work. It seemed they were far more thorough at creating an attachment then either one had expected—at least on Miss Haynes’s part.

Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come, we cannot let them go alone.”

Both his friend’s stance and face turned wooden. “Yes, we can. At least I can. I was not foolish enough to engage myself before I even knew my own mind.”

Daniel yanked his hand back as if it had been burned. “Why so vindictive, Captain?”

“I told you not to call me that, Kaye,” Bingham snapped, then marched out as if the enemy were hot on his heels.

The sudden quiet of the room registered in Daniel’s mind and he discovered all eyes were on him. Discomfort skittered up his spine like a spider. He searched for something to say, but nothing came. However inconspicuous they had tried to remain, they had all made a bit of a scene and the narrowing of Mrs. Waverly’s eyes spoke of her displeasure.

Daniel decided a hasty retreat was the only intelligent course of action… even if it was a bit cowardly.