Page 9 of A Lovely White Christmastide
Mr. Kaye pulled her chair out as well and helped her to her feet, giving her a little sample of the touch she’d craved earlier. Leaning in he whispered, “I saw it too.”
She grinned. “Perhaps with a little assistance we could help them into happiness.”
“It will probably take far more than a little assistance. Unfortunately Bingham moves slowly.”
“How slowly?”
“Like molasses.”
She snickered and Mrs. Barker glared at her. It appeared a scolding was to be in her future, but it would be worth it if she and Mr. Kaye could make a match between her sister and his friend.
As they left the private parlor, Mrs. Barker ahead of them, Julianna whispered, “I am up to the challenge, are you?”
Mr. Kaye grinned. “Absolutely.”
Chapter Three
Beth ran the silver handled brush through her hair, quietly counting to herself. Mama had always said that in order for one to have beautiful hair one must brush it one hundred times in the morning and one hundred times at night, which would have been easy if her hair did not fall all the way to her waist. The things one must do for beauty. She sighed.
“I know where your thoughts are tonight,” Julianna said, flopping onto her belly on their shared bed. Thankfully Mrs. Barker had her own room so they could speak freely without her disapproving eye. If she had been in the room, she certainly would have scolded Julianna for her unladylike behavior.
“And where is that?”
“With a handsome lord.”
Beth furrowed her eyebrows. “What? Why ever would you think that?”
“I saw the way you looked at him.”
“You mean with gratitude. Jule, just because a man is kind to us is no reason to fall top over end for him.”
Julianna pushed up on her hands and knees. “But I saw your neck blush. You never get blotchy unless you like someone.”
“Or I am embarrassed.”
“Posh. You rarely exhibit embarrassment at anything.”
“Just because I rarely exhibit it does not mean I do not feel it.”
“I think you are dodging. There have been plenty of times you could have been embarrassed that were far worse than what happened downstairs and yet not once did I see your skin blotch with red. Now when you were in love with Edward, you?—”
Pain shot through Beth.
“Jule, stop.” Beth set down the brush and spun in her seat. Julianna had covered her mouth, her eyes wide with regret.
“I am so sorry, Bethie. It simply slipped out.”
Beth exhaled and dropped her gaze to the floor. Julianna could not help it; she was passionate and impetuous, two things Beth sometimes wished she could be. What would it be like to have such a zest for life?
And yet it often got her younger sister into scrapes, many of which Beth had to rescue her from. Julianna could be the most thoughtful person and in the next moment say the most hurtful things, like mentioning the name of the man Beth would rather forget.
“I forgive you,” she finally said. “But please be more careful with your words, Jule. Remember that words are like fire, they can warm a room but they can also burn one’s house down.”
Julianna lowered her hands and hung her head. “I know. I simply wanted to point out when I had last seen you blush so deeply. It was thoughtless of me.”
Beth rose and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do not be too hard upon yourself. As for my blush, I was simply embarrassed at Mrs. Barker simpering in an obvious attempt to gain Lord Bingham’s attention. Not that I can blame her. He is a nice-looking man, and one cannot help but be impressed by his character, but it was so out of her character to behave so undignified.”
“I do not believe it is out of her character. You know how much precedent she puts on titles and connections. She is full sick of being a companion to us, and I have no doubt if a rich lord showed interest in her, whether young or old, she’d throw herself at the man.”
