Page 80 of A Lovely White Christmastide
“Exactly, and with the special license I have obtained we can be married tonight, without delay.”
Julianna’s mouth dropped open. Did the man know no shame? She had refused him twice, and now he thought he could trick her into marrying him?
The cheerful mockery on Daniel’s face fell away like rocks off a hillside, leaving behind stark anger. Two hands came down on Caleb’s shoulders. He startled, but Daniel’s tight grasp kept him from turning. “I think not, Mr. Waverly.”
Caleb sputtered, then in the ridiculously fake voice he’d been using all evening he said, “You must be confused, good sir, I am Daniel Kaye.”
Daniel spun Caleb around to face him, then ripped off his mask. “I am pretty sure I would know myself.”
The embarrassment that spread over Caleb’s face was evident even in the candlelight. His hands clenched and he stepped back with his right foot. Julianna opened her mouth to warn Daniel, but Caleb’s fist was already sailing toward his face.
Deftly, Daniel dodged and Caleb stumbled past. A lady screamed and Daniel’s foot shot out, sending the off-balance man sprawling onto the floor. A collective gasp rippled through the room followed by complete silence.
Uncle Waverly pushed through the crowd of gawking people as Caleb rose to his feet.
Caleb lowered his shoulder and charged. This time Daniel stepped to the side, grabbing his arm as he passed. Using the momentum, he swung him in a circle and let go. One womanscreamed as others scrambled out of the way as Caleb stumbled into their midst.
“What is going on here?” Uncle Waverly hauled Caleb to his feet and held tight to his shoulder. “Caleb, you swore to me you would conduct yourself with the utmost decorum.”
“It is not me who is to blame. Mr. Kaye forced himself in where he was not wanted.”
Julianna sputtered. Daniel had done nothing.
“Pardon me,” Daniel said as he straightened his jacket. “But I believe my intended very much appreciated my interference, especially as you tried to trick her into believing you were me. Even more distressing is your false claim that you somehow obtained a special license in order to marry her this very night.”
“It is not false,” Caleb shouted. “I have it right here.” He yanked a paper out of his pocket and held it up for all to see. “You stepped in where you ought not, Kaye. I already told you I had her father’s permission and now I have the support of the Duke of Rothes.”
A laugh sputtered out of Julianna catching them all by surprise. The stunned crowd stared at her, scandalized by her irreverent outburst. Whispers started to pass among the onlookers. Being the center of attention, she decided it was time to speak.
“Mr. Caleb Waverly, you have already been refused. In all your years of study, you of all people should know that once a woman is of age, she can accept or reject anyone she pleases without her parent’s consent. But even more distressing is your lack of understanding where special licenses are concerned.”
Caleb sputtered, then glared at her.
Julianna crossed to him. “May I?” She pulled the paper out of his hand and examined it.
“This, sir, is a fake.” Chatter broke out among the guests, but she went on. “But even if it were not, you should know speciallicenses are saved for the peerage. You, good man, have been duped.”
Caleb grabbed the paper back and searched the contents. “That cannot be. His Grace obtained it from the Archbishop of Canterbury himself.”
“I highly doubt that.” Daniel placed a reassuring hand on Julianna’s back. “He is not known for generosity and as you can see has presently left you to your fate.”
Frantically, Caleb searched the crowd. The Duke of Rothes had indeed decamped. Not an easy feat for a man bound to a bath chair, but he must have seen as much of the chaos as he’d wanted to witness before his escape.
“Blast the devil,” Caleb cursed.
“Do watch your tongue around the ladies,” Uncle Waverly reprimanded.
Julianna’s father stepped out of the gathered masses. “Waverly, might I speak with you and your nephew in private?” His booming voice set a few of the ladies' fans to fluttering in front of their faces. There would be gossip. Heaps of it. But somehow Julianna could not bring herself to care.
At any time during all the chaos with Caleb, Daniel could have washed his hands of her, but he had not. He’d stood with her, fought for her, and now he comforted her with his firm presence and his warm steady hand at the small of her back.
Uncle Waverly led a contrite Caleb away. The prospect of her father’s punishment mixed with social embarrassment had apparently worked a miracle none of them had yet accomplished.
Aunt Waverly clapped her hands and motioned for the musicians to begin the dancing again.
As the gathered crowd dispersed, Daniel leaned close. “Care to dance with me?”
“I would be delighted.”
