Page 76 of A Lovely White Christmastide
“Yes.”
“But that would mean…”
Carswell understood. If Kaye considered the duke to be as nefarious as the devil they might all suffer.
“He’s come to rain fury down our heads.” Kaye gave one curt nod.
“Do be reasonable,” Beth said. “The Duke of Rothes is only a man, a rather frail one by the looks of it.”
Kaye shook his head slowly. “Don’t let his current position fool you. He is as nasty as they come and wields his power as a peer like he does that cane—swift and ruthless. Brace yourself, for his presence here will bring no good. I am sure he will have nothing but criticisms for any of the performances this afternoon, and insults for the performers.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Beth had been bracing herself all day, but not for an ill-tempered duke. Deep down in her heart she’d hoped Carswell would return—he had promised to sing with her after all—but she’d never really let her heart believe it would happen. And now here he was before her… literally. He’d stepped between her and the duke, blocking the man’s distasteful perusal. Gratitude for the warmth and comfort of his protective presence filled her.
“I am not afraid of a little criticism.” She rolled her shoulders back in an effort to stand taller—not much help for someone so short, but it made her feel more confident.
“That is good, because he will not hesitate to say it to your face.” Mr. Kaye glanced past Carswell, frowned, then turned and offered his arm to Julianna. “If you will excuse us. It seems we have an annoying ex-suitor to evade.”
Beth leaned back to peer around Carswell. Mr. Caleb Waverly was indeed headed their direction, but her uncle motioned with his hand and Mr. Waverly and Mr. Bartholomew Waverly moved to intercept their brother with lukewarm greetings. It seemed there was a plan in place to keep the youngest Waverly in check. Good. Julianna did not need any more unwanted attention.
“Shall we?” Carswell said, holding out his arm.
Sparks much like those that danced in the hearth began to pop and sizzle inside her. She smiled and laid her hand gently on his outstretched arm. How she’d missed simple interactions like these.
Slowly, they made their way through the crowd of people. Every so often Carswell stopped to introduce someone. It felt so natural, as though they had gone about together like this all their lives, and yet the experience was new and exciting.
“Are you ready?” Carswell asked when the Waverlys finally led everyone to the music room.
“I hope so. If not, we will both hear our fair share of those insults Mr. Kaye spoke of.”
He placed a comforting hand over hers. “You could never disappoint, not with that angelic voice of yours.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you. I shall carry your compliment close to my heart when others disagree.”
Carswell pulled her to a stop, allowing the rest of the guests to go around them. His eyes darted up and down the hallway.
“Is everything all right?” Beth glanced around. The last guests filed into the music room. The musicale would begin shortly, and even though she knew they would not sing until the end, it still made her nervous to be late.
A squeak met her ears and before she had time to think, she found herself gently tugged through the open panel in the wall.
“What are you doing?” She whispered when Carswell quickly shut the hidden door. Beth had almost forgotten this particular passage existed. But when he led her up the stairs and down the small corridor to the room they had first sat in together, she smiled.
“Carswell, we are going to be late.”
He turned toward her. “This will not take long, I promise.” His eyes roved her face. “Beth, I am sorry for my cynicism, butmore importantly for my stubbornness. If I had listened to you, I could have saved us both the torture of these last ten days.”
Was he saying what she thought? Her eyes misted and she reached out to grasp his hands, but he pulled them back. Her heart sank like a rock in dark water. Had she misunderstood?
“Wait. I have something.”
With his left hand he reached into the pocket of his dinner jacket. She waited expectantly, wondering what could be so important that he would pull her away from her aunt’s party.
Slowly he extracted the most beautiful silver locket she’d ever seen, its value resting mostly on the treasure she knew it held inside.
Her breath caught and she reached for it, reverently taking it from his grasp. She opened it and staring back at her was her mother. The mist in her eyes turned into tears that trickled down her cheeks.
“How did you know?”
