Page 44 of A Lovely White Christmastide
“Do behave yourself,” Miss Julianna called out as Mr. Baitman led Mrs. Barker away. The scowl Mrs. Barker cast her made Daniel lose his composure.
“Well done,” he saidsotto voce.
She grinned. “Thank you. But it is you I must thank for introducing Mrs. Barker to someone who might be able to keep her occupied for a time. The relief is keenly felt.”
He chuckled. “To the refreshment table then?”
“Lead on,lieutenant.”
The rest of the night seemed to fly by in a blur of dancing and entertaining conversation. Daniel wished it would never end, but when the whole party retired to their carriages he realized how incredibly sore he would be in the morning. He had not danced so much in ages.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked Miss Julianna on the drive back to Haverton.
She sighed. “I did. And you?”
“Most definitely.”
Miss Haynes glanced at her sister, a small smile playing on her lips. She’d been her usual quiet self since they’d entered the carriage, but something was different. Unlike Miss Julianna she did not appear nearly as tired.
Mrs. Barker, on the other hand, had fallen asleep within a few moments of entering and her head now lulled on Daniel’s shoulder. A tiny snore escaped her lips where a bit of drool quivered. Should he nudge her upright before the dangling saliva smudged his greatcoat?
“Bethie, did you enjoy the night?”
“It was splendid.”
Miss Haynes’s covert smile was only visible to him in the dimness of the carriage. Something was afoot. Now that he thought about it, he did not remember her in the ballroom after supper. Where had she gone off to?
“Do you know what happened to Lord Bingham?” Miss Julianna asked. “I did not see him most of the evening and I am quite certain he did not dance with anyone. Did he go home early?”
“He danced.” Miss Haynes focused on the dark landscape that rolled by the window, her simple statement both saying nothing and giving away everything.
Since Daniel had not seen Bingham dance in the ballroom, he could only surmise that it had taken place somewhere else. Probably for the best. With Bingham’s injury it would be hard for him to perform some of the hand movements in the more complex dances.
“He did leave a little early,” Beth finally said. “Mr. and Mrs. Papworth were tired and he offered them a ride.”
Miss Julianna yawned, not even noticing her sister’s distractedness.
He smiled. Just the way Bingham and Miss Haynes would want it. And while he would have loved to be a bug on the wall towitness his friend’s moment, he’d not have given up his evening with Miss Julianna for anything.
“Bethie,” Miss Julianna said, “are you certain you will not sing for Aunt Waverly’s musicale? I have the perfect duet that would be quite lovely if sung in your hauntingly beautiful soprano. Of course, you would need a nice deep bass as your partner.”
Miss Haynes peered at her sister. “And who did you have in mind for that part?”
“Lord Bingham.”
Daniel slapped a hand over his mouth to keep a laugh from sputtering out. If Miss Julianna thought she could convince Bingham to sing in public again after the disaster they’d had the night before Waterloo, she was sorely mistaken. Perhaps he should warn her.
Miss Haynes cast him a questioning glance before turning back to her sister. “What if he does not sing? You cannot listen to the timbre of someone’s voice and assume they can match a part.”
“I am not assuming. Uncle Waverly told me Lord Bingham has one of the best bass voices he has ever had the pleasure of listening to.”
It was true. Daniel had not heard many that compared, but Bingham had disliked public performance even before the Richmonds’ ball. No doubt he despised them now. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it will be nearly impossible to persuade Bingham to sing a duet. And I am afraid it is my fault.”
The two women stared at him, obviously waiting to be enlightened.
“I thought to showcase Bingham’s talent at a ball the night before Waterloo, so I asked him to perform a duet with me. We had no time to practice, but I assured him I knew the piece well. Which I did. Only I was remiss in mentioning I had littleexperience singing for an audience. It seems I get nervous in front of so many people and I may have hit several scratchy notes which my men kindly pointed out sounded like a braying donkey.” He went on to explain how he’d also tripped over a fold in the rug, hit a candelabra which flew onto the piano bench where Bingham sat, effectually lighting the tail of his jacket on fire. By the time he finished telling of the fiasco that had been his first and only performance, they were all chuckling.
“That does not mean it is hopeless.” Miss Julianna cast a conspiratorial glance at Miss Haynes.
