Page 78 of A Lovely White Christmastide
The focus of attention was completely on her, but all she could think about was the man by her side. The man who would be her husband. How had life become so good in such little time?
Chapter Twenty-Six
Daniel glanced down at the slip of paper that had been handed to him at the end of the musicale. Of course he’d drawn Joe Giber. What else could he be but the court jester at tonight's masquerade?
Other guests drew names from the bowl Mrs. Waverly held, each paper naming the part they would play for the Twelfth Night festivities. This part of the celebration was Daniel’s favorite as they each had the opportunity to play a role for the evening, and the strict social rules could be bent a bit for the sake of merriment.
He peeked over Julianna’s shoulder to see what her paper said.
She quickly tucked it against her chest. “No peeking.”
“It is not as if it is a secret.”
A giggle escaped her. “Yes, but a gentleman asks to view a lady’s paper instead of peering over her shoulder.”
Daniel wanted to snake an arm about her waist and pull her close, but the crowd of people dissuaded him from making such a scene. Instead he settled for leaning in and whispering, “Perhaps I am not to play a gentleman this evening.”
Julianna blushed to her ears and he chuckled.
A sudden smack to the back of his legs pitched Daniel forward and he stumbled to the side to keep from knocking Julianna over. When he finally regained his footing, he turned to see what had sent him off balance.
“You should be more mindful of those around you, Kaye,” the Duke of Rothes said, his cane laid sideways across his lap. “I could have been badly hurt by your carelessness.”
“But—”
Daniel raised a hand to forestall Julianna’s arguments. It would do neither of them any good to confront the duke. He’d only make their lives more miserable. Best to humor him until he left.
“I shall endeavor to be more watchful,” Daniel said. “And how are you enjoying your visit to Westmorland, Your Grace?”
“It would be far better if impertinent upstarts such as yourself did not ask me such inane questions. Also, you should refrain from singing, Kaye. I’d rather hear a donkey bray than another one of your attempts to carry a tune.”
Then without any further warning, Rothes tapped the side of his chair with his cane and the valet pushed him on.
“What a miserable man,” Julianna murmured.
“The worst,” Daniel conceded. But why had the duke decided to attend such a lowly function?
The question plagued Daniel the rest of the afternoon as he readied himself for the ball. The Duke of Rothes did not travel anywhere or attend any function unless he received some sort of return, and not something monetary. No, his most sought-after payment was revenge. But on who?
Daniel had not done anything to the man to cause offense, but maybe His Grace considered him guilty by his association with James. Something of that nature was not below the ill-tempered duke.
When the last pieces of his costume had been placed, Daniel donned the mask Mrs. Waverly had made for him. There would be many men in various masks this evening, but he doubted any would have one as colorful as his with its green, purple and gold accents and plume of blue feathers.
Downstairs, everyone gathered in the entryway awaiting the carriages that would take them to the Kendal assembly hall. Curiously, Daniel glanced around to see who had been crowned king and queen for the night. Although everyone wore masks, it was not difficult to tell who was who.
General Waverly had apparently drawn the part of Lord Spendthrift, as he pretended to go about looking to purchase things off of other guests. Everyone chuckled at his antics.
A figure clad all in white with diamonds at her throat and wrists descended the stairs. Daniel could not contain his grin. Julianna was breathtaking even with her face half covered by a white domino mask. It seemed she would be playing the part of Miss Sparkle this evening.
When she reached the bottom step, a man in a black domino stepped up and offered her his arm. She blinked at him in confusion but took the proffered forearm. A stab of jealousy pinched at Daniel’s chest. He’d wanted to be the one to lead her out, but it would not do to make a scene.
Finally, a lady and gentleman approached the head of the stairs, paper crowns set upon their heads. Polite clapping ensued as the two descended together. Daniel laughed as he sought out Mrs. Waverly’s gaze. It seemed her matchmaking skills knew no end, as Bingham led Miss Haynes toward their faithful subjects.
General Waverly clapped when they reached them. “I believe we are all gathered. Please make your way to the awaiting carriages.”
People slowly filed out until Daniel caught sight of the Duke of Rothes dressed all in black. It suited him. He donned no maskother than his usual sour expression as he ordered the valet to push him forward. Odd that he’d chosen to attend a ball where he could not even dance.
Outside, Daniel took care walking on the frozen, slushy mud. There would be more snow this season, but for now he was grateful for the warm days that had cleared the roads.
