Chapter 15

Christmas Eve, Coleson Estate, 1910

The estate was packed with people now. People in their best clothes were everywhere. Townspeople mostly, but some of the better families from Shadrach and Garrity and Coleson Hollow and Value and even Barrattville and Finley Creek had traveled down to attend Elspeth’s first ever ball . Most of those from out of town were staying at the manor, now, too. Or in the carriage house above the carriages.

There were rooms up there. Iagan had made sure of it; he had said the staff of his hospital would sometimes need places to stay. There were more rooms for people to stay in then Beatrice privately thought were needed.

There was even a basement in the carriage house. She had never heard such a thing.

Beatrice thought he was enjoying showing off his new estate proper. There was even talk about building an actual three floor school for the children of Coleson Hollow.

There were far too many people for Beatrice. They were loud, smelled like perfumes, and wanted to talk constantly. But Elspeth was happy and the other girls were excited. Beatrice was just trying to stay out of the way.

Beatrice smoothed the soft green velvet gown Elspeth had insisted she wear, telling herself it was not itchy. It was a beautiful dress, the nicest she had ever worn in her life. But the feel of it on her skin—she shuddered just thinking about it. It fit well, but she felt out of place in it. Agnes had altered it to fit Beatrice’s smaller, slighter frame than Elspeth’s.

They had all acted like tonight was the most special night for Beatrice. She still had not gotten a good answer why. Or why they kept doing that talking without speaking thing—about her.

Agnes appeared beside her. “You look like a rabbit cornered by a wild animal. Where is that braw fox of yours, Beatrice Maeve?”

“I do not have a braw fox, and you ken that just fine.” But she wanted to look for Oscar. Beatrice admitted that to herself. He had been conspicuously absent over the last two days.

He and Dr. Coleson both. Something about property south of Coleson Hollow, toward Garrity. Prime property, and it was up for sale now. The two men had been speaking in hushed tones whenever she had seen them at breakfast yesterday. Oscar had carried her to the parlor, sat her in front of the hearth, told her to stay warm, and to actually behave herself while he was gone. He had promised they would discuss his plans when the time was right. And she was to stay out of trouble, remain off her feet, and away from Dr. Duvall.

Then he had kissed her on the temple—right there in front of everyone. Before he had disappeared with Dr. Coleson. She had watched the two men leave on horseback. She had not seen them since.

“Oh, nonsense,” Agnes said, her voice bright with cheer. “It’s all terribly grand, is it not? Look at all these people—so many fine gentlemen to admire you.”

“Admire me?” Beatrice asked, her brow furrowing. “Why me?”

Agnes laughed, obviously joking again. “Oh, don’t play coy. You’ve caught the attention of half the room, Beatrice Maeve. I rather knew you would, as unique as you are. The green dress is perfect, and you look so bonnie, little bird . I love it when he calls you that. Very romantic.”

Beatrice glanced around nervously, her unease growing. She was not used to being noticed, and she did not want to be. Why would anyone be looking at her? It was just her in a pretty dress.

“You should try to enjoy it,” Agnes said, nudging her lightly. “This is what all the novels are about, aye? Balls, fine clothes, handsome men. One handsome man in particular, for you.”

Beatrice’s was not sure what novels Agnes had been reading, but this felt more like a test of endurance than a fairy tale. And why did Agnes and Mora and Isobel keep referencing her and Oscar like that? Had they guessed about the kiss? She had not told anyone about it. She would not, until she figured out what she wanted to do about Dr. Oscar Collins’s supposed plans.

Before she could respond, Elspeth joined them. Everyone watched Elspeth when she moved. She was one of those women who everyone just watched. Beatrice had noticed it before. Tonight should be special for Elspeth—not for Beatrice.

“You’re not hiding in the corner, are you?” Elspeth asked, arching a brow at Beatrice.

“Not,” Beatrice said quickly, though she knew the word rang false. That was exactly what she had wanted to do tonight. Find a quiet spot, sit, and just watch.

“It’s a lot, I know. But you’ll find your footing. Just give yourself time. Everything will work itself out. And Oscar and Iagan will be here soon, they were tending a man in town who fell, hanging Christmas bows and garlands on his roof, of all things. Why would people decorate their roofs, I ask? It sounds so dangerous,” Elspeth said. “I do wish Iagan would hurry, though. It is getting late. Most of the guests have arrived.”

“Speaking of men,” Agnes said, pulling Beatrice closer. “Here comes the infamous Dr. Henry Duvall. Probably looking for our Bea again.”

Beatrice’s stomach sank as she followed Agnes’s gaze. Dr. Duvall was making his way through the crowd, his sharp suit and polished smile giving him the appearance of charm. But Beatrice knew better. That man was as evil as a serpent in the garden.

“I think I need some air,” she said, quietly. For two days, Dr. Duvall had made a point of singling her out. And with her hurting ankle, she had not always been able to escape him. But her friends had stayed near. Protected.

Agnes and Mora were sharp ones—they had always understood men far better than Beatrice. They made it clear they did not like Dr. Duvall one bit, either. And they had ensured she was not left alone with that man for anything. One of them was always with her now.

“You cannot run every time he shows up,” Agnes said softly, though her expression held concern. “Though he is a handsome one—I can understand the want to avoid that lad. He is not to be trusted.”

They all agreed on that.

“I’ll only be a moment.” Beatrice stepped away before either of them could stop her. Her ankle was better, but she was under orders not to be on it too much tonight.

The cool air near the veranda was a relief. There was not as much noise there. She wished to slip away to the library, but there were several men from the town congregating in there. And Elspeth would never forgive her if she snuck off to her room.

Elspeth was so excited, she had wanted Beatrice to enjoy the holiday more than anyone, she had said. Elspeth had said, and the others had agreed, that this Christmas was to be the most special one for Beatrice . She suspected it was because of Dr. Oscar Collins and whatever plans that man was making.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned. She had honestly expected Oscar to have found her by now. He had acted like he was going to when she had last seen him. She was supposed to save any dances she felt up to doing for him. And only him. Except…he had said she could dance with Dr. Coleson once, if she wished. But only once, since Dr. Coleson was her host and she had to be polite. But if she was to dance with anyone tonight, it was to be Oscar.

He was much looking forward to it.

“Miss Ardis.” Dr. Duvall had found her.

She started shaking. She had wanted to be alone. She had not realized he had seen her slipping outside. “You’re a difficult woman to find.”

“I was not hiding,” she said. Even though she lied. She had been hiding—from him, and all the noise. But most especially from him.

“Of course not. But you must know by now that you’re the center of attention tonight. Everyone’s been talking about you.”

“I doubt that.” Why would people be talking about her? She had done nothing of special worth.

“Oh, I don’t,” Dr. Duvall said, his tone turning sly. “A woman like you, with that quiet way… It’s no wonder you’ve caught so many eyes. Especially Collins’s. That has what has gotten them talking. You have captured yourself a fine one with Dr. Collins, you have. He’s as wealthy as Coleson, as you no doubt know. Well done. Very clever girl you are. What a very nice catch you have made.”

His words made her skin crawl. He sounded so hate-filled when he spoke about Oscar. She took a step back. Almost to the shadows where the lamplight just did not reach. “I do not ken what you are talking about. I should go back inside.”

“Not so fast,” he said, stepping into her path. “It’s a ball, Miss Ardis. Surely you can spare a moment for a gentleman. One other than your precious Oscar, that is. I heard you call him by his given name yesterday morning. In that accent…So sweet and innocent you pretend to be. Tell me, do you call him Oscar or darling in the bedroom? Or the barn, rather?”

Her heart pounded as he reached for her hand, his grip firm and unwelcome. The scent of spirits wafted off him again. He seemed to not be able to avoid the liquor. And he was the kind to go mean with it.

“I said no,” she said.

“Now, now. No need to be rude. I’m only asking for a dance.”

“Let her go.”

The voice was low, firm, and unmistakably angry. And came out of the darkness like a miracle almost. She recognized it immediately. Just like before.

“ Oscar! ” The word just escaped but…she took a step toward him—and away from Dr. Duvall. That was when what she had been feeling became clearer for her to see.

Maybe she had not been hiding, maybe she had been waiting. For Oscar.

Dr. Duvall stiffened but didn’t release her hand.

“Collins. Imagine seeing you out here. You’ve developed quite the habit of interfering. Skulking around like some sort of mad lunatic tonight?”

“And you’ve developed quite the habit of not listening. I was out tending a patient—something doctors are expected to do. You might try it sometime,” Oscar said, stepping closer. “Let her go.”

“This is getting tiresome. Do you think you have ownership of the girl already? There is still time for her to change her mind. Now that she’s had a taste, maybe she’d like a man to show her what it is really like,” Duvall said, pulling Beatrice even closer. His hand settled on her shoulder. Far too familiarly. She gasped.

She was tempted to kick the man. Kick him and run—right to Oscar. She wanted Oscar to dance with her tonight. She had been wanting that. Ever since he had promised. Even if she had not admitted it to anyone but herself. For two days, she had been imagining what it would be like to dance with a man for the first time in her life. And always…always it was Dr. Oscar Collins holding her in his arms she imagined.

Not Dr. Duvall. Beatrice fought the ill feeling in her stomach. She just wanted Dr. Duvall to go away.

“Gentlemen. Enough.” Elspeth had appeared at Beatrice’s side. Beatrice just sent her a look. She did not know what to do right now at all. But Elspeth always did. It had been Elspeth who had brought them all here. Elspeth who had helped them all when the explosion had happened. “This is a Christmas ball. There will be no brawling in my home. Perhaps we should all return to the festivities.”

“Of course. I was merely looking for Beatrice. She has promised me her first dance tonight, and I am anxious to collect.” Oscar held out a hand to her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, though her throat felt tight. “Yes. Thank you.”

Dr. Duvall wrapped his hand around her wrist. He stopped her when she stepped closer to Oscar. “Where are you going? I wanted to dance with you. Or does Collins get you all night now, already? Staking his claim?”

“No. I do not want to dance with you. Ever. You are a rude, foul man, Dr. Duvall. And I’d rather not waste my time with you. I want to dance with Oscar.” Beatrice had never believed lying solved any problem. She was not about to start now. “Him, not you. Never you.”

“I believe you’ve caused enough trouble for one evening, Dr. Duvall.” Elspeth’s tone was very firm. Almost like she was angry. Beatrice tugged on her wrist. Dr. Duvall finally let go when Elspeth said his name again.

Dr. Duvall looked at Beatrice and smiled. But it was such a cold expression she wanted to shiver. There was something so evil about this man. Why could not others see it? It shone in his eyes. Especially when he looked at her. Beatrice was not so great at reading human emotions, but she knew—he was angry. And he hated her. She looked at the man beside him, so tall, and strong and forceful.

No. It was not Beatrice Dr. Duvall hated. It was Oscar. Oscar and Beatrice, too. She did not understand it at all.

“Of course. Enjoy the evening, Miss Ardis. We will dance together soon, I can promise you that.” He turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd. Beatrice just stood there, shaking.

“He is a bad, bad man.” The words just came out before she could stop them.

Elspeth placed a reassuring hand on Beatrice’s arm. “Come inside. You’ve had enough darkness for one night.”

“Good thing we saw him coming out this way,” Agnes said. “We followed him, Bea. We suspected you would need us.”

“Head on in, ladies. You look too fine in your evening wear to waste it out here. I’ll make sure Beatrice gets back inside safely,” Oscar said. He held out an arm to her. Beatrice took it. He looked very beautiful in the light of the kerosene lamps that lined the veranda—if a man could be called such—in his formal wear.

Very braw, this lad. Very braw.

He held out his hand to her—she took it. Warm fingers wrapped around hers. She shivered. He was so much better than Dr. Duvall. She actually wanted Oscar to touch her. She wanted to feel his hands other places.

That thought had her face burning. What was happening to her?

He led her into the ballroom, promising they would talk when they were alone. Later. And that he could not wait for that moment.

But Beatrice did not miss how everyone stopped to stare at them when they stepped back inside. She almost froze, right there in the grand entry way of the Coleson Estate.

“I should go to my room,” she said softly.

Oscar frowned. “You will not hide because of Henry Duvall. Iagan assures me this is the last night Duvall will be here at Coleson Hollow. We are running him off, back to Finley Creek where he belongs, first thing in the morning. My former mentor, Dr. Barratt, is here tonight. He is Duvall’s employer. Duvall won’t dare act the fool in front of him. Barratt can be very harsh with those he does not believe are acting appropriately.”

“I’m not hiding,” she said. Even though that was exactly what she felt like she was doing. There were just too many people here. She just wanted to be alone. Or with Oscar. Just with him. The man was doing something to her head—no denying that now. She wanted to be alone with him, so he could kiss her again.

Even if she had to ask him to first.

“What would you call it then?”

“A strategic retreat?” Beatrice looked at him, as he led her to the dance floor. The newly polished wood was beautiful. The inlay along the edges reminded her of home. Elspeth had been so proud to show her the thistle pattern in mahogany wood. Elspeth had picked the thistle design, because it reminded her of home.

Beatrice wanted to dance across that floor. And she wanted to do it with Oscar. Tonight.

Tonight was Christmas Eve. Her first in America. She had wanted it to be special. And that meant…dancing with him.

Then he was taking into his arms. She could smell the warm male scent of him surrounding her. His arms felt so extraordinarily strong. “Lean on me if you need to. We won’t overdo it. I don’t want you to hurt your ankle even further, but I have been waiting to dance with you.”

“I will not hurt myself dancing. I only want to dance with you tonight, anyway.”

His look intensified. Turned almost hungry.

He pulled her close.

And then they danced.