Page 22 of A Lovely White Christmastide
When they finished their business and returned to the men, Julianna noticed a basket slung over Mr. Kaye’s arm.
“From the cook,” he said. “To cut down times at stops.”
Lord Bingham gestured for Beth to precede him out the door and Julianna and Mr. Kaye followed. After a moment she pulled Mr. Kaye back to give them space.
“Did you have to make such a forward comment?” She asked quietly
“I was only trying to plant a seed.”
“Yes, well, if you had not noticed my sister, like your friend, prefers to move as slow as molasses on a cold day. If youheat things up too quickly though, she might get runny. If you follow?”
“Entirely, but if she is cold, then my friend is completely frozen at the moment. A good thaw is whatheneeds. Perhaps if we apply the right heat to both they will drizzle smoothly and evenly together.”
“Not too much and not too little?”
“Exactly.”
She tipped her head in his direction. “And hopefully onto the same crumpet.”
Mr. Kaye smirked. “All this talk about food is making me hungry.”
Julianna laughed. “But we just ate.”
“Does not matter. Crumpets and molasses are a weakness of mine. I could eat them the moment a full five course meal finished.”
“I see. Perhaps the cook has packed something tasty in the basket.”
He nodded. “One can only hope.”
“Are we agreed then that minimal pressure should be applied to our cold molasses companions?”
His gaze flicked to where Lord Bingham was helping Beth into the coach. “Agreed. I shall be more careful about my nudging so as not to put us both in a sticky situation.” His eyebrows rose at the pun and she giggled.
How had she gotten so lucky as to have such a diverting co-conspirator? Mr. Kaye slipped the basket onto his other arm and offered his free one to her. She took it, not bothering to shy away from his cheery gaze. Beth’s warning sounded in the back of her mind, but she ignored it. She had one chance, and she would not let it slip away without a concerted effort on her part, molasses sister or not.
Chapter Seven
Beth glanced at Lord Bingham through the dim light of the carriage. The sun was nearly gone as she adjusted her shoulder under the weight of Julianna’s head. Not that she minded her sister using her as a pillow, but Julianna had been asleep for nearly an hour and had grown progressively heavy during that time.
“Are you sure you are comfortable?” Lord Bingham asked for the third time.
Before she answered, Mr. Kaye spoke up. “Perhaps we should switch places.”
“I think not, Mr. Kaye. That would be highly improper.”
“Come, Miss Haynes. You must be a full stone smaller than Miss Julianna and even in the dim light we can see your discomfort. It is only for another hour or so. Plus, who would know? I am simply offering my shoulder like any gentleman should.”
Beth searched his face. Her shoulder did pain her a great deal. “All right, but only until we reach the drive. Then we must return to our current positions. And if any riders come from my uncle’s estate, we must act quickly. Julianna does not need any rumors following her about.”
Mr. Kaye nodded, then leaned forward and placed his hands under Julianna’s head and shoulder so Beth might slip out from under her. The exchange went off far smoother than she could have hoped as Mr. Kaye nestled his shoulder under Julianna.
Lord Bingham held the lap robe up for Beth to take Mr. Kaye’s seat and laid it across when she settled. It felt odd to share the thick blanket with him, but she did not mind at all the warmth he emitted. While she’d been fairly comfortable with Julianna, her sister had not kept her nearly as cozy.
Then again, maybe that was the embarrassment she felt tucked up with a man she hardly knew, but who’d selflessly thrown himself under her to block her from pain.
“How is your shoulder?”
He moved the offended part up and down. “A bit better. I am sure it will bruise, but it does not smart as much as it did earlier today.”
