Page 7 of A Lovely White Christmastide
Julianna turned to see the golden-brown hair of the man who’d been standing near them moments before, over the crowd. When had he left? She’d not witnessed him leave but perhaps that was because she had been a little preoccupied with staring at his companion.
The gentleman made his way back to where they stood. Stopping in front of them, he bowed. “Please forgive me for taking this duty upon myself, but under the circumstances I hope it is permissible. I am Lord Bingham of Kettering, and this is my companion Mr. Kaye.”
The mulish expression Mrs. Barker had previously melted away into one of adoration. She pulled her shawl tight about herself and offered her hand to Lord Bingham. “And I am Mrs. Barker.”
He took her hand and bowed over it. Julianna stared.
The woman batted her eyes as if she were a woman of one and twenty instead of five and forty. Not that Lord Bingham was terribly young either. He looked to be a man well in his thirties. Looks could be deceiving though, especially on a man with a slightly receding hairline. He was not bald by any means, but the sides of his hair had significant peaks on his forehead. It gave him the look of a scholar with his wide brow and serious expression.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Barker.” He bowed over her hand. “And might I presume that these are your daughters?”
That wiped the smile straight from their chaperone’s face. She pulled her hand back. “They are not. These are my charges.” Her lips pursed at the words like she’d bit into a lemon. It truly must have been sour to admit her position to a lord after making such a ninny of herself.
With her hand she gestured to Beth first, giving her the deference she deserved. “This is Miss Haynes.”
Both men bowed.
“And this is Miss Julianna Haynes.”
Lord Bingham bowed but Mr. Kaye swept up her gloved hand and kissed it. “A pleasure for sure.”
A fluttering started in her chest and threatened to engulf her whole body. But Mrs. Barker grasped her arm gently, pulling her hand out of the man’s hold and guided Julianna to a position behind her.
“Yes, well we must speak with the proprietor again to see if there are rooms for us.”
“There are,” Lord Bingham said assuredly. “I am having him prepare them even now.”
“That is very kind of you,” Beth said, her gentle voice joining the conversation for the first time. Lord Bingham turned to her, seeming to take her in for the first time.
“Nothing of the sort, miss. It is my duty as a gentleman.”
Beth cast him a timid smile before her gaze flitted away. Anyone else would think her uninterested, but Julianna was not fooled. She peered closer to see the telltale sign of blotching rising above Beth’s collar line. Its appearance made Julianna’s heart jump for joy.
Was her sister truly interested in someone again after all these years? If so, Julianna had her work cut out for her. They only had one night in this inn with these gentlemen. That was not enough time. In the morning they would go their separate ways and who knew when Beth would open her eyes again to someone?
Julianna’s gaze strayed to Mr. Kaye who was looking at his friend. She would not mind getting to know him better as well. Perhaps if she?—
“Ladies,” he said, “would you be amenable to joining us for a bit of dinner while we wait? I am sure Cap—Lord Bingham has already arranged for a private parlor.”
His Lordship shot a glance at his friend, frowned, then cleared his throat. “Yes, I have. Won’t you join us?”
Beth nodded. “We would be happy to. Thank you, again.”
And with that, Mr. Kaye had opened up the perfect opportunity. Julianna smiled. He would be an excellent ally, and it did not hurt that he was pleasant to look at either.
Julianna savored the last few bites of the thick stew. It was not the best she’d ever had, but she’d been famished when they entered the inn and even now she wished she had a second bowl. She would have to content herself with another slice of the thick brown bread.
She reached for a slice and her hand bumped Mr. Kaye’s.
“Pardon me.” He smiled.
She bit back a giggle. No need to act as ridiculous as Mrs. Barker had. “Thank you.” She picked up the last piece of bread. “Would you care to split it?”
“Oh no, please go ahead. I have eaten too much already.”
Julianna broke off a piece and tossed it in her mouth, smiling as she chewed. Then her gaze caught Mrs. Barker’s scowl. The mousy-haired lady glanced pointedly at the bread and again at Julianna’s empty bowl, her meaning quite clear. For some reason the dragon had always insisted she should never eat as much as the men at table. It was a silly notion that somehow because she was a woman she could not have a big appetite.
Even so, she’d already started into the bread. What did the woman want her to do, put it back? That would be far more improper than simply eating it.
