Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

B eth had been bracing herself all day, but not for an ill-tempered duke. Deep down in her heart she’d hoped Carswell would return—he had promised to sing with her after all—but she’d never really let her heart believe it would happen. And now here he was before her… literally. He’d stepped between her and the duke, blocking the man’s distasteful perusal. Gratitude for the warmth and comfort of his protective presence filled her.

“I am not afraid of a little criticism.” She rolled her shoulders back in an effort to stand taller—not much help for someone so short, but it made her feel more confident.

“That is good, because he will not hesitate to say it to your face.” Mr. Kaye glanced past Carswell, frowned, then turned and offered his arm to Julianna. “If you will excuse us. It seems we have an annoying ex-suitor to evade.”

Beth leaned back to peer around Carswell. Mr. Caleb Waverly was indeed headed their direction, but her uncle motioned with his hand and Mr. Waverly and Mr. Bartholomew Waverly moved to intercept their brother with lukewarm greetings. It seemed there was a plan in place to keep the youngest Waverly in check. Good. Julianna did not need any more unwanted attention.

“Shall we?” Carswell said, holding out his arm.

Sparks much like those that danced in the hearth began to pop and sizzle inside her. She smiled and laid her hand gently on his outstretched arm. How she’d missed simple interactions like these.

Slowly, they made their way through the crowd of people. Every so often Carswell stopped to introduce someone. It felt so natural, as though they had gone about together like this all their lives, and yet the experience was new and exciting.

“Are you ready?” Carswell asked when the Waverlys finally led everyone to the music room.

“I hope so. If not, we will both hear our fair share of those insults Mr. Kaye spoke of.”

He placed a comforting hand over hers. “You could never disappoint, not with that angelic voice of yours.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you. I shall carry your compliment close to my heart when others disagree.”

Carswell pulled her to a stop, allowing the rest of the guests to go around them. His eyes darted up and down the hallway.

“Is everything all right?” Beth glanced around. The last guests filed into the music room. The musicale would begin shortly, and even though she knew they would not sing until the end, it still made her nervous to be late.

A squeak met her ears and before she had time to think, she found herself gently tugged through the open panel in the wall.

“What are you doing?” She whispered when Carswell quickly shut the hidden door. Beth had almost forgotten this particular passage existed. But when he led her up the stairs and down the small corridor to the room they had first sat in together, she smiled.

“Carswell, we are going to be late.”

He turned toward her. “This will not take long, I promise.” His eyes roved her face. “Beth, I am sorry for my cynicism, but more importantly for my stubbornness. If I had listened to you, I could have saved us both the torture of these last ten days.”

Was he saying what she thought? Her eyes misted and she reached out to grasp his hands, but he pulled them back. Her heart sank like a rock in dark water. Had she misunderstood?

“Wait. I have something.”

With his left hand he reached into the pocket of his dinner jacket. She waited expectantly, wondering what could be so important that he would pull her away from her aunt’s party.

Slowly he extracted the most beautiful silver locket she’d ever seen, its value resting mostly on the treasure she knew it held inside.

Her breath caught and she reached for it, reverently taking it from his grasp. She opened it and staring back at her was her mother. The mist in her eyes turned into tears that trickled down her cheeks.

“How did you know?”

“Julianna told me.”

“Thank… you.” She sniffled and he handed her his handkerchief. “I have not known what to do with myself since I lost it.”

“It’s the reason your hand flutters at your throat.”

He had noticed?

“I wondered at the odd habit, but when Julianna informed me of the loss, it made sense.”

“I rarely go anywhere without it.”

“May I?” He gestured to the necklace and she handed it back, turning so he could help her with it.

She waited, but nothing happened. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him try again and again to grasp the other side of the necklace to undo the box clasp. Instead of helping, she patiently waited, watching in fascination as he finally willed his thumb and pointer finger to grasp the chain—quite the feat with gloves on.

He glanced up, a triumphant grin on his face, and she smiled.

The weight of her mother’s locket settled on her chest like a comforting blanket. The precious gift had been returned, and with it the man whom she’d come to cherish above all others. That he’d gone to such lengths to recover it warmed her heart. He’d taken so many risks, especially going out in that storm like he did.

Beth spun to face him and this time he let her take him by the hand. “I cannot thank you enough. You did not have to find my necklace, but I am grateful all the same.”

“Actually I did, Beth. I needed to learn to trust you. For a week I tracked down that necklace with only Julianna’s description and a hope that when I found it, I would know I had the right one. Interesting how I chased after something I’d never seen, never held in my hands, and had no knowledge of before someone told me about it. And yet I searched with unrelenting faith that I’d be able to recognize it when I found it… and I did.”

Light like the twinkle of stars opened up in Beth’s heart as she grasped on to the hope his words elicited.

He pulled her close, placing her hand on his chest and circling her waist with his arms. “Beth, I have never seen love, never had any knowledge of it before. But since I met you, my whole life has changed. I feel lighter, like a weight has been lifted and I can breathe easier. I may not have a full knowledge of what love entails, but I know that right now I am holding it in my hands.” He swallowed hard. “And I never want to let it go.” His voice became husky. “I never want to let you go, Beth.”

Her fingers found their way around the lapels of his jacket and she pulled him down. Their lips met like two starved souls who had no idea when they would find their next meal and had suddenly found a feast.

Oh, how she’d missed him. He tightened his hold and she melted into him, uncaring of how she might wrinkle her dress or rumble his cravat.

“Marry me?” Carswell said when she pulled back for air.

Tears filled her eyes.

“I need you in my life, Beth. It would be torture to go back to only being able to take half breaths.”

She placed a hand on the side of his handsome face. “I would never torture an innocent man. I would be honored to be your wife.”

To say they were late for the musicale was an understatement. They would need to make an announcement before the day’s end or there would be talk. When they entered, Julianna and Mr. Kaye were just approaching the front of the room.

Beth rushed to the piano to accompany them. The relief on both their faces nearly made her laugh, or perhaps the joy in her heart was the actual cause of her merriment. Whichever it was, she did not care. Her spirits floated with every key she played, even when Mr. Kaye hit a few sour notes.

She had to give him credit, though. With Julianna’s training, he’d made great improvements—even if they’d only allowed him to sing the melody of the chorus.

When the simple song ended, everyone clapped politely—except two gentlemen. The Duke of Rothes and Mr. Caleb Waverly looked on with scorn, and when the noise of applause died away they could be heard making light of Mr. Kaye’s performance.

The oldest Waverly brother took the makeshift stage next, singing a Scotch ballad in his flawless baritone that left the room humming with excitement. And then it was time.

Beth had not left the piano as she’d played for Mr. Waverly, but there was something unnerving in knowing the next performance would be a direct reflection of her own ability.

Carswell rose from his seat and came to stand behind her. She glanced up into his concerned eyes and tried to summon all the courage she could. He was just as ill at ease as she was, perhaps even more given his explanation of the embarrassment he’d suffered during his last duet.

His posture straightened, and, taking a deep breath, he nodded for her to begin.

Beth trilled the introduction and began to sing. Carswell’s deep voice blended so magically with hers that she almost forgot they had an audience as they danced about the notes like a well-performed waltz. With each verse, she lost herself even more in the song until they both crescendoed on the last note. It was so perfect she did not want it to end, but then the applause began and her gaze found his.

He offered his hand and she rose to her feet, barely aware of the praise being bandied about the room. They bowed and curtsied, then Carswell surprised her by stepping back and gesturing to her with his hand.

The focus of attention was completely on her, but all she could think about was the man by her side. The man who would be her husband. How had life become so good in such little time?