Page 60 of A Lovely White Christmastide
Daniel yanked his hand back as if it had been burned. “Why so vindictive, Captain?”
“I told you not to call me that, Kaye,” Bingham snapped, then marched out as if the enemy were hot on his heels.
The sudden quiet of the room registered in Daniel’s mind and he discovered all eyes were on him. Discomfort skittered up his spine like a spider. He searched for something to say, but nothing came. However inconspicuous they had tried to remain, they had all made a bit of a scene and the narrowing of Mrs. Waverly’s eyes spoke of her displeasure.
Daniel decided a hasty retreat was the only intelligent course of action… even if it was a bit cowardly.
Chapter Eighteen
Julianna tried to keep up with Beth’s quick steps, both baskets swinging precariously on her arms. “Why were you so cross with Lord Bingham?”
Beth said nothing.
“And what did he mean about all the other fair maidens?” She nearly plowed into her sister when Beth abruptly turned.
“Lord Bingham says your intended has a tendency to fall in and out of love quite quickly. Then again, I am unsure how he is to be the judge as he does not believe love even exists. At least not the kind that is shared between a man and a woman.”
Julianna fought to keep her jaw from dropping at the vehemence billowing off Beth like smoke from a brush fire.
Beth began to pace. Four steps to the left, then eight to the right, a spin, and back to the left. Back and forth, back and forth. “I am uncertain whether we should trust either man, Jule. What if Mr. Kaye is simply waiting to secure your dowry, then leave you in the country while he wastes it in London? Or maybe his plan is something far more nefarious, like speaking soft words of encouragement and kindness in order to make you fall madly in love with him only to walk away and leave you with the scandal?”
Setting the baskets on the frozen ground, Julianna reached out and stilled Beth’s frantic movements.
“He is not Edward, Beth.”
“No, he is Lord Bingham… er… I mean, Mr. Kaye, and he is not to be trusted.”
The slip was not a mistake. Red blotches covered Beth’s skin and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. The snow crunched as Julianna closed the distance, wrapping her arms around her sister in a firm embrace. Beth’s fortitude failed and she collapsed on her shoulder.
Hot tears dripped onto Julianna’s neck, but she did not let go. Beth rarely cried and she would not stop her now. Best to get the pain out before it cankered her soul.
A horse whinnied in the stables and several birds chirped in the bare trees, proof that the rest of the world carried on as usual even when one’s world crumbled. Julianna rubbed Beth’s back as her tears slowed. Finally, when she no longer felt her sister’s labored breaths and her neck began to dry in the freezing air, she released her hold.
“Might I venture that a certain lord has pierced your heavy armor and reached your caged heart?”
Beth shook her head. “Apparently my armor was not thick enough.”
“Nonsense. But perhaps your distrust is a bit too strong.”
“And yours is too weak,” Beth sniffed, “or does not exist.”
The words stung. “That was uncalled for, and completely beneath you, Beth. I am not without reason. I am a woman in my majority, even if you still think I am a child to be fussed over.”
The blotches on Beth’s cheeks flamed brighter as she ducked around Julianna and retrieved one of the baskets. “You are right,. I am sorry, Jule. Your life is your own and I wish you joy with Mr. Kaye, but please stop playing matchmaker. My heart cannot take another piercing.”
“But I do not think Lord Bingham meant?—”
Beth held up her hand. “Stop, Julianna. If I am not to advise you on your life you cannot do so on mine.”
Julianna snapped her mouth shut, her teeth clinking with the action. A weight sunk like a rock in the pit of her stomach. An unseen chasm had opened between them and she did not know how to fix it.
Finally, she nodded.
Silence interspersed with only necessary conversation dominated the rest of their excursion. The two families they visited were happy to receive the gifts and thanked them profusely, even inviting them in to take refreshment, but they both declined.
Usually these sorts of good deeds filled Julianna with joy and energy, but her feet dragged by time they returned to Haverton. It was as if her body had run the thousands of miles her mind had traversed in their short journey.
Beth had obviously formed a much stronger attachment to Lord Bingham than she was willing to admit but considered it too soon to call it love. What did that say of her own tender feelings toward Daniel?
