Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

D aniel checked both sides of his face in the hallway mirror. Bingham’s valet was quite the hand at accomplishing a clean shave. After such a long journey and late night, it was nice to be clean and fully rested.

At the doors to the breakfast room he stopped. Several people were conversing within, but only one of them sounded feminine. He knew Mrs. Waverly had planned on other guests, but until this time he’d not thought how that might affect the next few weeks.

From the tenor of the voices within, the majority of the occupants were male—and not the aged type. That might be a problem where Miss Haynes was concerned.

He’d seen the way Bingham’s gaze had softened when he looked at her. It was the first sign of hope for his old captain since he’d carted him off the battlefield six months ago. Sure, Bingham had taken up his duties as baron with the efficiency he’d shown as a captain in the Royal Army, but he was not truly living. Only simply existing. But with a wife, maybe he could move past his stagnant and perpetually anxious state.

Adjusting his coat, Daniel entered the breakfast parlor and took stock of each gentleman that might pose a risk to his friend's happiness.

There were three men seated across from a smiling Mrs. Waverly, all with striking dark hair and brown eyes, but none with the athletic frame of military men. One of the three turned to peer at him and frowned. An elderly couple also sat at breakfast, their attention not diverting from their plates at his entrance.

Mrs. Waverly turned. “Ah, Mr. Kaye. Do come in and make yourself a plate, but before you do allow me to introduce my cousins and nephews.”

The guests set down their utensils and rose. Two of the younger men were decidedly shorter than Daniel, while the third neared his own height, possibly taller.

“These are my cousins Mr. and Mrs. Papworth,” Mrs. Waverly said.

Daniel acknowledged the introduction with a nod. Both Papworths must have been a decade or two older than Mrs. Waverly, for their hair was liberally peppered with grey and they sported a good many wrinkles. They seemed pleasant enough, if a bit quiet.

Mrs. Waverly moved on to the other three gentlemen. With a hand she indicated the tall man in the middle. “And this is Mr. Adam Waverly, eldest son of my husband’s brother and heir to Haverton.” The man gave an abbreviated bow. “Adam, this is Mr. Kaye. He served under your uncle in His Majesty's Royal Army.”

Daniel returned the gesture. “A pleasure to meet you.” It wasn’t, not in the least. The man was fit and handsome and it seemed set to inherit quite the fortune.

“And you, Mr. Kaye. Allow me to introduce my brothers.” He indicated the man on his right. “This is Mr. Bartholomew Waverly, rector of Kendal parish.” The rector nodded. “And this”—Mr. Waverly gestured to the man on his left—“is my youngest brother, Mr. Caleb Waverly.”

No occupation was connected to the man whose sour expression was now locked on Daniel, but he had no doubt about his welcome where that man was concerned. It did not surprise him. As Mrs. Waverly’s nephews on her husband’s side, these men were probably well acquainted with the beautiful Haynes sisters, and as such most likely had a vested interest. Definitely not a good omen for the next few weeks.

Daniel gathered a plate of poached eggs and toast before sitting next to Mrs. Waverly. A footman filled his cup with coffee and he topped it off with cream and a lump of sugar.

The eldest Mr. Waverly spoke up first. “Do you have an occupation, Mr. Kaye?”

Daniel placed a crisp white linen napkin on his lap. “I am the oldest and only son of my father and so shall inherit after him.”

“A landed gentleman, then.”

Of a sort. Most of his family’s money had been made in military service, but they did have a small farm with a few tenant families to help run it. The additional tenants were new, however, owing to a few savvy investments his father had made these last few years that had proven lucrative. If they continued on as they had, it was possible they could expand again within the year.

Finally he nodded.

“And what is the name of your estate?” The youngest Mr. Waverly asked, his face no less sour.

“Bartly Lodge.”

“And your name is Kaye?”

“My father acquired it after my mother’s father died and saw no need to change the name.”

Both the rector and Mr. Waverly nodded, but Mr. Caleb Waverly set down his fork and straightened in his seat. “I am to finish my training as a barrister after Christmastide.”

The way the man declared his profession without being asked left Daniel in no doubt of how he viewed his own importance.

“Yes,” Mrs. Waverly said, “and we are excessively proud of his accomplishment.”

For the first time since Daniel had entered the room, Mr. Caleb Waverly smiled. It seemed he was not completely ill-natured, only irritable where Daniel was concerned.

Bingham entered a few moments later and more introductions were made. Daniel had thought the young barrister's face could not get any more disgruntled, but upon hearing Bingham was a baron, his frown turned to a very disconcerting scowl. However, the grumpy gentleman held his peace.

“And how long have you held the seat at Hartly?” the rector asked.

“A six month.” Bingham took a sip of his coffee. He’d not collected a plate and Daniel wondered if he was not hungry or simply did not want the rest of the room to realize he needed help. He did not blame him. The transition from an able-bodied military man to a disabled gentleman must have been awful.

Daniel rose and filled another plate before setting it in front of his friend. Bingham nodded in acknowledgement but did not lift his utensils.

“We have servants who can do that, Mr. Kaye,” the barrister sneered.

“It never hurts to be kind.”

The rector nodded at him. “A good deed done is worthy in the sight of God.”

Daniel smothered a smile at the man’s piety. By the width of his girth and the fact it was Sunday morning, he doubted the man saw to his flock at all. He probably left some poor curate to do the job for him.

A grating voice in the hall heralded Mrs. Barker’s approach as she chastised the Misses Haynes in none too quiet a tone. Daniel had nearly forgotten about the woman’s existence after the wonderful day they’d had yesterday and almost wished her carriage had taken a wrong turn so they could have another. But that would be uncharitable, and knowing the determined lady, not even useful as she’d have found her way back like a cat one could not get rid of.

He sighed quietly. She would be another impediment for his slow-moving friend.

Bingham rose from his seat and crossed to the door. “Miss Haynes, Miss Julianna, how wonderful to see you this morning. I trust you slept well.”

Daniel was shocked into silence as the two women answered in the affirmative. Who was this gracious man who’d inhabited his friend's body?

“Lord Bingham,” Mrs. Barker said, “I have a few words to speak to you.”

“I am sure you do, but you shall have to do so after breakfast. You may take yours with us today if you wish.” The hint was subtle but clear. She was still in servitude and so needed to check her tongue.

Mrs. Barker’s mouth hung agape as the Haynes sisters passed her into the room.

Greetings were given to all the room's occupants, but when Mr. Caleb Waverly jumped to retrieve a plate for Miss Julianna, it was Daniel’s turn to frown.

The man was all politeness and Daniel was tempted to shoot back his own admonition about servants. The barrister’s pointed attention explained his disgruntled attitude. It seemed there would be some competition for Miss Julianna’s affection.

General Waverly was the last to enter the breakfast room. He greeted everyone with a nod and stopped to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Papworth before moving to the sideboard.

Bingham leaned and whispered, “I thought you said the general had a case of melancholy. He seems in good spirits to me.”

Daniel studied the big man, just as confused as Bingham. “Perhaps my mother was mistaken.”

Mrs. Waverly began speaking of all the entertainments they had planned, pulling Daniel’s attention away from the quandary that was General Waverly.

“Kendal has an assembly every year on the Friday before Christmastide, and we have several dinners and parties planned with our neighbors. Waverly, did you say you were going to take the men hunting as well?”

General Waverly nodded. “We have pheasants to collect for your fancy dinner.”

“I shall have to abstain from such excursions,” Mr. Papworth said. “My rheumatism and all. I will leave the killing of game to you young men.”

“I completely understand,” Mrs. Waverly said as if he were giving his excuses directly to her. “But at least you will be able to enjoy the game at the dinner I have planned for the eve of Christmas. I have invited several families from the neighborhood.”

Both the young ladies appeared excited at the prospect, but Miss Julianna was far more vocal about her delight.

“And will you have a masquerade for Twelfth Night?” she asked.

“Indeed we shall, only it is held at the assembly hall in Kendal where all of our neighbors can join us.” Mrs. Waverly’s eyes danced with delight. “I hope you have brought your best masks.”

Miss Haynes finally spoke up. “We have not attended a masquerade in several years, so I am afraid neither of us came prepared.”

Mrs. Waverly waved the comment away. “It is of no matter. I love to piece together masks and we have an abundance of leftover costumes from previous years. How about we set some time aside to design each of your masks?”

Miss Julianna gave a happy little bounce in her seat, but Miss Haynes’s pointed glance stopped any more expressions of excitement. For Daniel’s part he wished Miss Julianna was allowed to revel in her anticipation. It never seemed to make sense to him why they all had to squelch their emotions to within the bounds Society deemed acceptable.

“Then it is settled.” Mrs. Waverly stood and the gentlemen did likewise. “For those that are interested, I would be happy to lead you all on a tour of the house after services.”

Bingham and Daniel accepted, never having been in the home before, but the three Waverlys gave their excuses. It was no surprise as they were well acquainted with the house already. But when both Haynes sisters expressed their interest in joining the tour, the youngest one magically remembered he no longer had anything to attend to.

Daniel’s brow furrowed. He’d hoped sour-faced Waverly would leave them to their tour, but it seemed they’d have to endure the grouch for the afternoon.

He’d been right about the rector employing a curate, which both pleased and saddened Daniel. It fed his pride to know he’d read the man right, and it turned his stomach how the rector lived off the majority of the tithes while doing little to no work himself. But such was the state of many clergymen in England.

At least the curate had seemed a good sort. His sermon had been well prepared and his intent on the people was evident in the way he spoke to each parishioner as they left. It was too bad the young man was not the one drawing the living.

In the parlor of Haverton, Daniel waited for the others to gather for their tour. He tapped the letter in his hand against his leg as he crossed to the window to view the bare trees. The missive had been waiting for him when he’d arrived yesterday, but he had yet to read it.

It must be of some import considering his friend Alfred had redirected it to Haverton. Carefully he broke the seal and read.

My dear Daniel,

I trust this letter finds you in good health and you have arrived in Westmorland safely. Would that I was free to take a holiday to see friends such as yourself. But my own ventures as his Lordship’s secretary have, by necessity, greatly occupied my time to the point where, in light of James’s marriage to Eleanor Dove, I find myself longing for the day that I, too, may enter into that felicitous state.

I do not mean to appear ungrateful for my current employment and would be pained if that is the interpretation you derive from my unfair complaints on the demands of my time. To the contrary, I shall strive to repay his Lordship for his kindness to me, and through me, my family, ‘til the end of my days. However, I cannot but wish to begin the search for a suitable companion of my life.

As I have not the time to be introduced to any suitable young women, I have very nearly decided on the resolution to advertise. Though I cannot devote any time to courtship in the flesh, I can do so through letters. I find myself of the opinion that if two minds are of one on matters of character, virtue, vice, ethics, etc., then they are in a fair way to finding felicity in the marriage state.

Do not think I enter into this venture to find a wife tomorrow. Prudent thought shall be my guide, and for you to cite my youthful years is unnecessary as I know the jests you will make at my expense already. However, I shall suffer through them if you are of a mind to give your opinion or advise me on the matter.

I remain your esteemed friend,

Alfred Deane

Daniel chuckled. He’d seen advertisements for a companion before, but never imagined one of his friends would even consider taking one out. Alfred must be desperate indeed to resort to such tactics; then again he’d always been a logical, sensible fellow.

He would need to write to him as soon as time permitted. A wave of longing for times gone by washed over Daniel. Life had been so much easier when they were boys at Eton. He stared out the large window, visiting memories of James, Alfred, and Robert and himself playing ball during field time, or swapping stories about the masters they liked least.

Then another desire swelled in his heart. He too had seen James’s felicity last Christmas and just like Alfred, it had lit a spark inside him. Would that he could find a woman who completed him as much as Miss Dove had.

A cheeky smile and dancing blue eyes crossed his mind. Too soon, he reminded himself, but Miss Julianna’s face still hovered in his imagination.

A breeze rustled a brown leaf that clung tenaciously to one of the bare trees near the window, pulling his mind away from the pleasant thoughts. The day had been quite cold and there was some talk that it might snow, but as of yet the ground still lay bare in all its dingy, muddy glory. Perhaps by Christmastide they would see some of the white powder fall from the heavens.

“Mr. Kaye,” an irritated voice said from behind him.

He turned to look at the man who had joined him, already knowing who had spoken. “Mr. Caleb Waverly. How do you do?”

“I have been better. My aunt tells me you and Lord Bingham took the liberty of denying my aunt’s nieces of their chaperone yesterday.”

“I think you mean saving them from their companion’s sharp tongue.”

“That is none of your concern, sir. If Captain Haynes sees her as a fit companion, you need not interfere.”

Daniel caught sight of Bingham out of the corner of his eye and smiled at his look of determination. Mr. Caleb Waverly did not know it yet, but he had just taken on more than he could handle.

“Neither it is any of your concern,” Bingham said. “Especially since Mr. Kaye was not the one to offer the women an escort. So if you have any grievances to take up, you should address yourself to me. But I must warn you, the law does not take kindly to insulting a peer.”

The shorter man’s eyes widened. It seemed his education had been thorough enough to know Bingham spoke the truth.

There were some definite advantages to traveling with a baron. Perhaps Daniel would take some time to make more friends in the upper echelons of Society. They came in handy when confronting short men with big opinions of themselves.

Bingham tipped his head toward Daniel’s letter. “News from home?”

“No, one of my Eton mates.”

“Those friends of yours must be quite attentive if they knew where to direct your correspondence.”

“Yes, Deane is a good ol’ man. He pays attention to every detail, which is to his advantage in his job as a personal secretary.”

Mr. Caleb Waverly grumbled something under his breath and they turned to look at him. Apparently he took offense to a conversation he could have no part in. Why Daniel did not know. It was not like he wanted to get to know them; he didn’t even want them there.

No more conversation was necessary as the ladies entered, Mrs. Barker marching dutifully in front like a guard dog. Daniel had hoped with Mrs. Waverly’s escort they would be relieved of her presence, but it seemed she took her job quite seriously.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Mrs. Waverly said as if she had not just seen them the hour before. “Are we all set?”

Nods of agreement traveled around the group and they set off. The floor where they had met had mostly public rooms: parlors, billiard, breakfast and dining rooms, but there was a small ballroom with a pianoforte in the far corner.

Half of the rooms had decorative wood appliques covering the walls, while the others were plain plaster. One was even made of plain stone, a testament to the chaos Miss Haynes said they would find at Haverton.

They were advised that the servants’ quarters were both below and above stairs, with mostly cooks and maids below, while the butler, housekeeper, valet, and lady’s maid resided on the third floor. The guest chambers also resided on the third floor but in a different area of the house.

On the second floor they were led into a portrait gallery. They had changed positions several times during the tour, but here Miss Julianna moved to stand by Daniel’s side. As in previous rooms Mr. Caleb Waverly followed, taking up the position on her right.

“Is not that a pretty picture of my aunt, Mr. Kaye?” She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. The gesture was so intimate that Daniel almost started in surprise, but when he felt a little squeeze he stopped. He locked eyes with her, the pleading in them hard to ignore.

He turned them about to look at the picture she spoke of, effectively putting her on the side away from her pursuer.

“Who is that sitting on her lap?” he asked.

“James, our cousin. He died when he was but four years old.”

Daniel frowned. The same name as his friend. How disconcerting, especially after his own friend James had nearly met his end about this same time last year. “That is truly unfortunate, but I was under the impression that the General and Mrs. Waverly had no children.”

“They do not often speak of him. It really was a sad business.”

Mr. Caleb Waverly spoke up. “Children die all the time. It makes way for the stronger of us to inherit.”

Miss Julianna flinched. The cold, calculating way the man responded made Daniel wish he could knock him upside the head. Could he not see the sadness evident in her expression?

“How long ago did this occur?” Hopefully a distraction from her cousin’s uncouth comments would help.

“Ten years. I was twelve when we received word that he’d died. That was before Mama died. I remember how much she cried.”

Daniel wanted to put a comforting arm about her but settled for squeezing her hand against his side.

“Miss Julianna,” Mr. Caleb Waverly said, catching hold of her other arm, “come look at this portrait.”

Daniel frowned. He’d not even seen the man slip behind him.

“I am busy observing this one, thank you,” Miss Julianna said.

“But the one down there is far more interesting.”

When the man gave her arm a tug she stumbled and her hand slipped out from Daniel’s elbow. With quick reflexes he caught her before she tripped over her skirts. “Have a care, man. You nearly made her fall.”

“My apologies,” the barrister said, but little remorse showed in his face.

Daniel gritted his teeth as he watched them walk away to the other end of the gallery. Miss Julianna glanced over her shoulder twice, but he decided not to follow. The last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt in a tug of war. He would, however, speak to their host. General Waverly had never condoned the mistreatment of women. Every soldier knew it and had adhered to his strict rules or suffered the punishment.

But in the meantime, Daniel had another plan.

Mrs. Barker had been caught up in conversation with Mrs. Waverly about a portrait of the woman’s great-grandfather, but when Daniel approached she abruptly stopped, her eyes traveling the length of the room to find her charges.

“I am afraid Mr. Caleb Waverly has pulled Miss Julianna to a secluded portion of the gallery, Mrs. Barker.” He hid a smile when she began marching through the narrow room. In truth, he could see them the whole time, but adding the word secluded had done its job.

It only took a moment for Mrs. Barker to rescue Miss Julianna, her eyes narrowing at the would-be abductor as she escorted her charge back to the safety of the group.

The rest of the tour was uneventful as they examined the family wing which held General Waverly’s study and a library.

When they entered, General Waverly stood. “To what do I owe this visit, and from so many of you?”

“I am showing them the layout of the house. Do you not remember?” His wife placed a hand on her hip and the general rubbed the back of his neck, obviously embarrassed by his forgetfulness.

“Ah… yes, I do recall now.”

Mrs. Waverly shook her head but went on to explain how her husband had designed the layout of the shelves choosing the wood and stain for the dark mahogany.

When the group moved to the door to continue, Daniel hung back.

“General Waverly,” he said in a hushed voice, “might I speak with you privately?”

The general glanced at the others exiting the room. “Of course, Mr. Key.”

Daniel cringed. Years under this man's service and he still could not remember his name.

When Bingham glanced back, Daniel motioned him to continue. “I will catch up in a moment.”

After the room was silent, he said. “I am concerned about Mr. Caleb Waverly’s treatment of your niece, sir.”

“I have two nieces, Key. You will have to be more specific.”

“It is Kaye, sir, and I am speaking of Miss Julianna.”

“Is it really? I shall have to commit that to memory.” The general rubbed his forehead as if the action would push the information into his skull. “As for Caleb, he has had a sweet spot for Julianna for many years now. You will have to forgive them. Young love and all.”

“Yes, but she does not return his regards.”

“And how do you know?”

“Observation. During the day she has consistently tried to create space between them but he follows her about like a young pup.”

“Perhaps she is simply trying to string him along and make him desire her more.”

“By using me as a shield to hide from him, sir? That does not sound like interest. And when she did not immediately comply with his request, he nearly yanked her over. I am sorry, but I will not sit by and watch any lady be used so ill.”

General Waverly sat back in his seat, rubbing his chin. “That does sound ungentlemanly.” Finally he leaned forward, placing his forearms on his desk. “I will speak with Julianna. If she is indeed distressed by his attention then I will have words with Caleb.” He pushed to his feet. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Key. You are dismissed.”

Daniel’s lips quirked. Apparently the rubbing had not done the trick. But like always General Waverly kept things short and to the point—just like his days in the Royal Army.