Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

D aniel glanced down at the slip of paper that had been handed to him at the end of the musicale. Of course he’d drawn Joe Giber. What else could he be but the court jester at tonight's masquerade?

Other guests drew names from the bowl Mrs. Waverly held, each paper naming the part they would play for the Twelfth Night festivities. This part of the celebration was Daniel’s favorite as they each had the opportunity to play a role for the evening, and the strict social rules could be bent a bit for the sake of merriment.

He peeked over Julianna’s shoulder to see what her paper said.

She quickly tucked it against her chest. “No peeking.”

“It is not as if it is a secret.”

A giggle escaped her. “Yes, but a gentleman asks to view a lady’s paper instead of peering over her shoulder.”

Daniel wanted to snake an arm about her waist and pull her close, but the crowd of people dissuaded him from making such a scene. Instead he settled for leaning in and whispering, “Perhaps I am not to play a gentleman this evening.”

Julianna blushed to her ears and he chuckled.

A sudden smack to the back of his legs pitched Daniel forward and he stumbled to the side to keep from knocking Julianna over. When he finally regained his footing, he turned to see what had sent him off balance.

“You should be more mindful of those around you, Kaye,” the Duke of Rothes said, his cane laid sideways across his lap. “I could have been badly hurt by your carelessness.”

“But—”

Daniel raised a hand to forestall Julianna’s arguments. It would do neither of them any good to confront the duke. He’d only make their lives more miserable. Best to humor him until he left.

“I shall endeavor to be more watchful,” Daniel said. “And how are you enjoying your visit to Westmorland, Your Grace?”

“It would be far better if impertinent upstarts such as yourself did not ask me such inane questions. Also, you should refrain from singing, Kaye. I’d rather hear a donkey bray than another one of your attempts to carry a tune.”

Then without any further warning, Rothes tapped the side of his chair with his cane and the valet pushed him on.

“What a miserable man,” Julianna murmured.

“The worst,” Daniel conceded. But why had the duke decided to attend such a lowly function?

The question plagued Daniel the rest of the afternoon as he readied himself for the ball. The Duke of Rothes did not travel anywhere or attend any function unless he received some sort of return, and not something monetary. No, his most sought-after payment was revenge. But on who?

Daniel had not done anything to the man to cause offense, but maybe His Grace considered him guilty by his association with James. Something of that nature was not below the ill-tempered duke.

When the last pieces of his costume had been placed, Daniel donned the mask Mrs. Waverly had made for him. There would be many men in various masks this evening, but he doubted any would have one as colorful as his with its green, purple and gold accents and plume of blue feathers.

Downstairs, everyone gathered in the entryway awaiting the carriages that would take them to the Kendal assembly hall. Curiously, Daniel glanced around to see who had been crowned king and queen for the night. Although everyone wore masks, it was not difficult to tell who was who.

General Waverly had apparently drawn the part of Lord Spendthrift, as he pretended to go about looking to purchase things off of other guests. Everyone chuckled at his antics.

A figure clad all in white with diamonds at her throat and wrists descended the stairs. Daniel could not contain his grin. Julianna was breathtaking even with her face half covered by a white domino mask. It seemed she would be playing the part of Miss Sparkle this evening.

When she reached the bottom step, a man in a black domino stepped up and offered her his arm. She blinked at him in confusion but took the proffered forearm. A stab of jealousy pinched at Daniel’s chest. He’d wanted to be the one to lead her out, but it would not do to make a scene.

Finally, a lady and gentleman approached the head of the stairs, paper crowns set upon their heads. Polite clapping ensued as the two descended together. Daniel laughed as he sought out Mrs. Waverly’s gaze. It seemed her matchmaking skills knew no end, as Bingham led Miss Haynes toward their faithful subjects.

General Waverly clapped when they reached them. “I believe we are all gathered. Please make your way to the awaiting carriages.”

People slowly filed out until Daniel caught sight of the Duke of Rothes dressed all in black. It suited him. He donned no mask other than his usual sour expression as he ordered the valet to push him forward. Odd that he’d chosen to attend a ball where he could not even dance.

Outside, Daniel took care walking on the frozen, slushy mud. There would be more snow this season, but for now he was grateful for the warm days that had cleared the roads.

“Mr. Kaye,” a grating voice said from behind him when he neared the carriage.

He turned slowly, pasting a smile on his face. “Yes, Mrs. Barker?”

The last few days the bossy woman had become rather pleasant, but her voice still rallied his defenses faster than Napoleon’s troops.

“I am Lady Careless this evening, and it is a good thing too, for if not I would be required to tell you that you have left your betrothed to the company of a most disagreeable character.”

Daniel glanced around, realizing he’d lost sight of Julianna. Down the row of carriages he saw her enter with the same black masked gentleman from earlier. Recognition made his chest seize. It was Mr. Caleb Waverly. But before he could chase after them, Mr. Adam Waverly stepped up and the conveyance set off.

Certainly the eldest Mr. Waverly would keep his brother in line, would he not?

Mrs. Barker huffed. “You best take the next one if you wish to keep her from his clutches.”

Daniel did not need to be told twice. He rushed to the barouche that waited next and offered to be the fourth of their party, only realizing a moment too late that two of the Crane sisters and their mother were the other occupants.

By the time he reached the assembly hall, his ears were ringing from their shrill laughter as he’d been required to play his part of court jester the whole way. Someone should outlaw such irritating laughter; it was neither pleasant nor genuine, but many young ladies employed the false tones with the hope of catching a man’s attention.

Nothing but relief filled Daniel as he left their presence and entered the hall in search of Julianna. While Mr. Caleb Waverly had played the part of a gentleman during the musicale, there was no guarantee that he’d continue to do so. Past experience had proven that he could turn devious at a moment's notice.

Why had Julianna’s father not confronted the fellow before now like he’d once threatened he would do? Then again, with what she had relayed of her father’s hatred of gossip, he’d probably not wished to cause a stir and fuel Society’s wagging tongues.

Revelers already lined the dance floor, colorful skirts swishing and polished shoes stomping. Daniel searched the crowd.

“You seem a bit distressed, Kaye.”

An icy chill slithered down Daniel’s back at the Duke of Rothes’s words. He never showed concern for anyone, especially not one of James’s friends. His Grace’s malevolent smile confirmed Daniel’s fears. The man was not here out of a need to socialize and celebrate.

Finally a flash of white caught Daniel’s attention. Surely Julianna knew who she was with; Mr. Caleb Waverly could not fool her so completely. Could he?

Daniel pushed through the gathering crowd and passed through the dancers following the chalk pattern on the floor. A lady with a feathered mask huffed at the interruption, but he ignored her.

Julianna stood with her back to a tall pillar at the edge of the room, a glass of punch in her hand. She did not appear distressed as she spoke with the man before her.

Several more guests stared at Daniel as he moved briskly toward her and he realized how much of a stir he was creating. Best to slow his pace and approach the pair inconspicuously. When he came within speaking distance, Julianna glanced at him and gave a covert smile but kept conversing with the man in front of her.

Daniel paused. She seemed well enough. Then Mr. Caleb Waverly spoke and he nearly laughed. The voice that should have been low and menacing was pitched higher with several familiar inflections on his words. It could not be.

He slapped a hand over his mouth. Was Mr. Caleb Waverly trying to imitate him?