Page 15 of A Lovely White Christmastide
“Because I worried you would not come. You needed to get out, and this seemed like the best option.”
On his way out of the parlor Bingham grumbled something about no good do-gooders much the same way Daniel’s old friend Alfred would have. Daniel smiled at the memory. It seemed he could not get away from grumpy ‘old men’in his life.
Their trunks were being loaded onto the coach as they entered the bustling courtyard.
The ladies appeared and several footmen carried their trunks to another carriage where the ostler helped strap them on. Mrs. Barker’s sour expression had turned hostile, but she still said nothing to Bingham. Daniel was amazed. He’d expected the woman to filet his friend for his heavy handedness, but it seemed rank held far more sway with her than he’d previously realized.
“Your carriage will lead out, Mrs. Barker. That way you may arrive first.” Bingham handed the woman up into the coach.
The personal attention must have soothed her ruffled feathers because the woman actually smiled. “Thank you, my lord. Your thoughtfulness does you credit.”
He shut the door, then shuddered at the address.
Daniel chuckled. “She is not that bad.”
“No.” Bingham tipped his head toward him. “But what she does not realize is that I have instructed their carriage to go ahead so my valet can have things prepared when we arrive.”
“But our trunks are strapped on our own carriage.”
“Something I will remedy quite shortly.”
It took only a few minutes for the switch to be made as they loaded the Haynes’s carriage with more luggage. Miss Haynes looked on in confusion, her hand coming up to rub her necklace, but she did not question the change until they were well on their way.
“Is there a reason you placed more of the trunks on our coach?” Miss Haynes’s gaze was sharp, her eyes not missing anything that had transpired in the courtyard.
“There are more passengers in this carriage and we would not want to tax the horses any more than necessary.” Bingham’s simple explanation rolled off his tongue so easily that even Daniel wondered if that was the real reason for the change.
The cheeky grin on Miss Julianna’s face showed she was not fooled. “And is that why our coach is traveling much faster than yours?”
Miss Haynes leaned to peek out the window, her brows lowering in confusion. “It does seem to be moving quite swiftly.”
“My valet will arrive ahead of us to make sure all is ready.”
Miss Julianna giggled. “Mrs. Barker will be livid when she finds out we are not staying together.”
“And yet you do not seem distraught about the prospect.” Daniel rubbed his upper lip to cover his own chuckle.
“I must admit, it seems fortuitous that we happened upon you both at the inn. You have saved us from a fate worse than death.”
The chuckle he’d tried to withhold burst forth. “A fate worse than death?”
Miss Haynes leaned slightly forward. “You will have to forgive my sister, Mr. Kaye. She can be quite dramatic.”
Miss Julianna huffed. “Do not be so sanctimonious. You are just as relieved as I am to be rid of our dragon guardian for the last leg of our journey.”
A grin split Daniel’s face. “Dragon. What an apt descriptor.”
“Is she truly that bad?” Bingham adjusted his lap robe, smoothing the wrinkles out until it lay straight.
“Worse. Perhaps she is not as severe on Bethie, but she detests me and finds every opportunity to provide correction.”Miss Julianna’s cheeks were rosy with her passionate declaration.
“She is only concerned for your welfare, Jule.”
Daniel smiled.Jule.It suited her. She was truly a gem among women. However, the tension radiating between the two sisters was anything but lustrous. “Since you have a whole day free from your tormentor, shall we speak of more agreeable things?”
“Yes,” they said in unison. Glancing at each other their severe expressions melted into smiles.
“Might I ask about your names?”
