Page 45 of A Lovely White Christmastide
She did not return her sister’s excitement. “Jule?—”
“Oh, come now, Bethie. I know you can convince him and I would dearly love to hear you sing again. Mama would have wanted it, you know. She would be grieved at the way you have hidden away your incredible talent. Remember that story she always told us about the man who hid his talent in the dirt? You do not want to lose yours, do you?”
Miss Haynes’s face screwed up in thought. “I hate it when you use Mama against me.” She sighed. “All right, I will ask. But if he says no, then that is the end of it.”
Miss Julianna bounced in her seat. Daniel grinned. He loved her enthusiasm.
“And will you sing, Miss Julianna?”
“Only if you will do a duet with me.”
His eyes widened and his palms began to sweat. “Did you not hear a word of my story?”
“I did”—she leaned forward— “and it sounds like you could use a few music lessons.”
Her flirty smile made him grin. He’d take as many lessons as she was willing to give.
Chapter Fourteen
Julianna floated through her morning routine as she readied for church the Sunday after the ball.
She’d spent a good part of the previous day in bed due to the late night, but they had enjoyed the evening sitting by the fire roasting nuts and listening to the eldest Mr. Waverly read. She’d forgotten how expressively Adam could recite. It seemed some things did not change from childhood.
However, she’d struggled to pay attention to his words as her gaze had strayed multiple times to Mr. Kaye. She’d heard of love at first sight, but now she believed it, for she could not picture herself with anyone else.
He’d been so attentive to her that she was certain he must feel the same, especially since his eyes had met hers so often last evening, his lips dancing in that mischievous way that was half conspiratorial and half interest. It was a look only they shared and it made her insides pop and sizzle almost as much as the roasting nuts on the fire.
Even hours later she still relished the warmth of his gaze. Glancing in the entry mirror, she set to tying her bonnet strings.
“Good morning, Miss Julianna.”
Her heart slammed into her throat and she spun to find Caleb dressed in his Sunday blacks.
“Oh, good morning.” Ice slithered down her back at his intent stare and she wished she’d not taken so much care with her appearance. She’d hoped to attract Mr. Kaye’s attention, not Caleb’s. What was he doing here anyway? Last she’d heard he’d decided to visit a friend for the holiday.
“I trust you are in good health?” His stare began to travel downward and she spun to peer in the mirror.
“Yes, excellent health. Thank you.”
Heavy boots clicked on the stairs and Julianna gave a little sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted was an extended tête-à-tête with Mr. Caleb Waverly.
“Caleb, my boy. I see you have returned.”
Uncle Waverly’s voice held a bit of strain as he tried to exude welcome and excitement. She could understand why. It must be difficult to have two family members who he loved dearly but who did not love each other—she certainly did not love Caleb.
“I have,” Caleb said by way of greeting.
“And did you enjoy your time in the south?”
“I did.”
A note of something sinister hung in those two words. Julianna turned and Caleb smirked at her.
“And I will have you know that I have received Mr. Haynes’s blessing to marry Julianna.”
Her jaw dropped. Father would not possibly?—
“I am afraid that will not do,” Mr. Kaye said as he exited the front parlor, “for she has already consented to marry me.”
