Page 23 of A Lovely White Christmastide
“Thank you again for saving me.”
“It was my pleasure.”
The earnest way he said the words, his voice nearly a whisper, sent delightful little tingles up her spine. When Julianna had teased her last night about Lord Bingham she’d been able to honestly show her indifference, but after the moment they’d shared in the carriage when his beautiful grey eyes had bored into hers, she could no longer claim that indifference. In truth, the immense amount of emotion that had clogged her throat and kept her from speaking at that moment still surprised her.
After Edward, she never thought she’d feel butterflies dance in her stomach again, and yet they had with great vigor.
“I must thank you as well,” Lord Bingham continued quietly.
“Me? I do not see why?”
“For helping me with my glove. I—” He glanced across the carriage at Mr. Kaye. His friend seemed to be occupied with staring out the window.
He dipped his head to speak closer to her ear, the warmth of his breath sending happy little chills down her neck. “It is hard for me to ask for help with something I used to do without thought.”
She peered at him, understanding how difficult losing one's abilities could be. She had not lost any physical ones, but over the last few years the ability to find joy in life had become increasingly difficult. Each day ran into the next with no relief in sight. And while she’d insisted to Julianna that they need not rush into any relationships, she longed to be a wife and mother so much that it hurt.
But it was that exact longing that had sent her into Edward’s unfaithful arms. They’d been childhood friends after all, and it only seemed natural that their relationship should advance into something more. Apparently he was not as convinced on the subject as both of their fathers.
She squeezed her hands together in her muff. No. She would not think on it. Edward had stolen too many of her yesterdays. She would not give him today as well.
Carefully she removed her hand and placed it on Lord Bingham’s gloved one. “I am happy I could be there to see your need.”
He smiled and his thumb twitched under the pressure of her hand. Turning it slightly, he allowed her fingers to fall within his own. Only the forefinger truly curled around hers, but it was enough. Her heart warmed at the contentment and comfort she found in his gaze.
“Not apple… short please, with pink…”
Beth’s eyes shot to her sister and she pulled her hand free of Lord Bingham’s. Mr. Kaye peered at Julianna in confusion.
A smirk broke free of Beth’s usual emotional constraints. “She talks in her sleep. Sometimes she thrashes her arms too. I would stay on my guard if I were you.”
A grin appeared on Mr. Kaye’s cheerful face. “Duly noted. I shall make certain I am prepared to defend myself.”
When they reached Kendal, Beth was saved from another awkward change of seats. Julianna woke with a start when the carriage rumbled along the cobblestones that lined the street in the middle of the small village.
Once the conveyance passed through the town, they turned right up a long tree-lined drive. A grey stone home with three stories came into view. Not much of the exterior had changed since Beth’s last visit other than the trees growing larger and the ivy covering more of the home than she remembered.
She leaned forward to get a better look, catching Mr. Kaye and Lord Bingham’s attention. “Gentleman, welcome to Haverton, our Uncle Waverly’s favorite place to be in the entire world.”
Mr. Kaye let out a whistle. “That is a fine house. Had I known such was possible, I might not have sold out of His Majesty's Royal Army.”
“Do not let the exterior fool you,” Julianna said. “It is a work in progress. When Uncle Waverly bought the place it was in quite a state of disrepair. It has taken years to renovate. And since his service ended, Uncle Waverly has not been satisfied with the normal updates.”
“How so?”
Beth placed the bonnet she’d had in her lap on her head. “The house was already a veritable maze of odd rooms and hidden passageways, but I suppose with the inactivity of a gentleman’s life Uncle Waverly has found a hobby in adding onto the home's unique qualities. At least that is what our aunt reports in her letters.”
“This holiday is sounding more and more diverting the closer we get. How many more surprises do you think we shall find, Bingham?”
Lord Bingham crossed his arms. “I will settle for less diversion and more warmth. Let us hope our old general’s projects have not left his home drafty.”
Beth scrunched her eyes in the dark of the interior trying to make out Lord Bingham’s angular features. Where had the contented man she’d witnessed not one hour ago gone? He seemed irritated and out of sorts.
“No need to be surly.” Mr. Kaye said. “I am sure they will have a large fire, thick blankets, and a nice bowl of gruel for you, old man.”
“Yes and hopefully a nursery for you,” Lord Bingham shot back.
Mr. Kaye’s bark of laughter filled the carriage. “Do not mind him, ladies. Bingham here gets a might ornery when he is cold.”
