Page 71 of A Lovely White Christmastide
I am sorry. I was wrong.
C.B.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The new year came and went with all the aplomb of a day that knew not its significance. The whole house celebrated, rejoicing in the excitement the coming year would bring. Daniel found it especially jovial with so many embarking on marriage.
Even Mrs. Barker seemed to relax, her own impending nuptials bringing a lightness he’d not witnessed since meeting her. And with her employment soon to end, she hovered less and less. However, not even her change in circumstances could change her need to advise. It seemed words of admonition were simply part of her nature.
Only Miss Haynes appeared dissatisfied with the celebration. None could blame her. If only he were at liberty to tell her why Bingham had left and where he had gone. But he’d been sworn to secrecy. Julianna insisted it was better this way.
So he held his tongue and prayed it all worked out as they’d hoped.
But when Bingham did not return within the few days they had expected, he began to worry. Had something happened to him? Did he get caught in the foul weather and have to hole up somewhere until it passed? They had a time limit.
The day before Twelfth Night, Julianna pulled him into the secret passage. “Where is he?”
“I do not know. I am as concerned as you.”
“How well do you know your friend, Daniel?”
“Enough to know he would not desert his cause if that is what you are asking. Maybe he was unable to locate it, or maybe the coach was unable to travel back.”
Julianna began to pace. “When I suggested he search for the necklace I never thought he’d agree. And now I am not even convinced Beth will see it in the same light.”
Daniel held up a hand. “You mean, you were not certain of the plan? He trusted you, Julianna. I trusted you. How could you insist he do something so foolhardy without knowing your sister would approve? You declared with confidence that she would. And now he has risked his life because of your insistence that he retrieve a mere piece of jewelry.”
She stopped and tears gathered in her eyes. “I cannot read minds, Daniel. I did my best with the knowledge I have, but even I cannot divine the future.”
When Julianna swiped under her eyes with the back of her hands, guilt pricked at him. He reached into his pocket to retrieve a handkerchief.
“Julianna, I’m—” but she bolted before he could hand it to her.
Should he go after her, or was she the type of woman who needed a moment to collect herself? He had both kinds in his family, but he’d not known her long enough to be certain which she tended toward.
By the time he’d decided to go after her however, she was gone. He searched several of the passageways until he found himself turned completely around. He peered out the small glass windows of the narrow corridor. The stables met his gaze.
The curse words he and his friends had once heard from the stablemaster filled his mind. He had gone the wrong direction and somehow made it to the back of the house. No wonder he could not find his way out. Julianna had never brought him here during the times they’d sneaked away for some peace and quiet.
Turning to the wall, he searched for a loose panel. Surely there would be one somewhere. Some parts of the wall were stone and others wood. Finally he came to a wood part that shifted so he gave it a shove. It flew open and he tumbled through the entrance, landing on his belly.
Two very bewildered elderly people blinked back at him.
Finally he nodded to them, embarrassed to have apparently stumbled into the private parlor connected to their rooms. Even more distressing was the way they were wrapped in one another’s arms clad in their dressing gowns.
Daniel scrambled to his feet and avoided directly looking at either one. “My sincerest apologies. I—” How to explain himself? It would not do to tell them he’d been left alone in the passageway after Julianna had run off, and he certainly did not want them to think he was there on purpose to spy on them.
Mr. and Mrs. Papworth glanced at one another but did not separate. Then they returned their focus to him.
Daniel’s skin heated and his palms began to sweat. “Please excuse me, this is my first time falling through a wall,” he blurted, then rushed out the door. The moment it closed laughter met his ears.
“Well, my dear, I believe that is the most excitement we have ever had at Haverton,” Mr. Papworth declared.
Daniel’s shoulders relaxed as he walked away. At least he’d not offended the couple, but he’d probably not be able to look them in the eye after this.
Julianna did not come down to dinner that night, nor did Bingham arrive to save them all from their worry. Daniel ate silently, avoiding eye contact with the Papworths as they spoke with Mr. Haynes, but the elderly couple did not seem in the least distressed.
Miss Haynes, on the other hand, appeared more despondent than ever. Every now and then she cast him a glance from the other end of the table where she sat next to her uncle.
