Page 25 of A Lovely White Christmastide
Julianna’s optimism was sweet, but Beth knew better. The world was not always filled with sunshine and daisies. Mankind often let one down, especially if a body was not near enough to remind them to hold to their honor.
Chapter Eight
Daniel 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. BartholomewWaverly, 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.
