Page 72 of A Lovely White Christmastide
Halfway through the meal Mrs. Waverly leaned over and patted his arm. “You seem a bit out of sorts, Mr. Kaye. Care to talk to an old busybody?”
Her words were spoken softly, but Daniel still glanced around the table to see if anyone had heard. The rest of the occupants were completely captivated by Mr. Haynes and Mr. Papworth’s conjectures on what might come before Parliament this season, so Daniel proceeded to give Mrs. Waverly a short explanation, minus the fact that he and Julianna had been alone in the hidden passageways.
Mrs. Waverly nodded slowly. “I had heard as much.”
Daniel set his fork down and leaned back.
“It is not that surprising, Mr. Kaye. I am the girls’ aunt. Without their mother to guide them they tend to bring all their concerns to me.”
“And is she still angry with me?” He asked quietly. “I tried to speak with her earlier, but the maid said she was unavailable.”
“I would not say angry. Confused, disappointed, perhaps a little frightened, but not angry. This is all new to her and I do notthink she knows how to approach disagreements. Add to that the unconventional beginning of your engagement and I think she is questioning her own choices.”
Daniel frowned. “You mean, she is questioning the wisdom of marrying me.”
The soft motherly smile Mrs. Waverly had employed slipped.
That was exactly what she meant and it pained him. How could one small disagreement shift Julianna’s allegiance so easily? Just a week ago she’d declared her complete devotion.
General Waverly’s voice carried across the table. “Perhaps Lord Bingham has returned to London for the season.”
Daniel’s gaze shot to Miss Haynes; his own problems completely forgotten. Her face blanched and for a moment he thought she might faint. Broken words of warning Julianna had uttered to Bingham before he left crossed his mind. Something about London and not letting it happen again.
He’d not been paying much attention as he’d checked the horse's saddle before handing off the reins to his friend, but apparently the warning had not been unwarranted. He needed to say something.
Miss Haynes shot to her feet, her hand to her mouth. The chair toppled to the ground in her haste. She glanced at it as the footman rushed to right the piece. “My apologies. I am unwell. Please excuse me.”
Everyone watched as she hastily exited.
“Perhaps the roast disagreed with her,” Mrs. Papworth said.
Something disagreed with her, but it was not the roast and now Daniel had two upset Haynes sisters on his hands.
Where was Bingham? Half of this was his mess to clean it up.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Julianna crept out of her room into the dark hallway, a candle in hand. The maid had brought a tray up, but she’d finished the contents hours ago. Her stomach grumbled again as she pulled the door closed.
“Finally.”
Julianna jumped at the masculine voice, dropping her candle in the process. Thankfully the flame flickered out before landing on the hall carpet. There would be a wax stain, but at least it would not have scorch marks.
Moonlight illuminated the hall from the far windows, allowing her to see Daniel’s silhouette in the darkness.
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.”
“At this time of night?”
“Morning, you mean. It’s far past midnight.”
She tried to stifle the smile that pulled at her lips, not wanting to encourage him. Then again, it was dark. If she could not see his face, he could not see hers.
“All right, what are you doing here this early in the morning?” Dash it all, she heard the smile in her words. How didan expression contort such a simple phrase to sound delighted rather than accusatory?
He stepped closer. “Waiting to grovel.”
