Read Online Josette by Danielle Thorne - Free Book Online Page B

reason, bashful to admit her curiosity, Josette asked, “Will he will be back for Christmas?”
    “So soon? Doubtful,” Lady Berclair answered. “He said he would send word and thanked us for our hospitality.”
    Josette stared into the fire glowing from the hearth. Gone to Whitehall. His ship's repairs were more than likely complete. Heaviness thunked in her chest and settled there. Behind her, Edward inclined once more over the chair.
    “You must not stay away,” he chided Caroline. “We're always a player short at cards.”
    “Lady Price does not care for drawing room games?” Caroline accused.
    “Not at all, unless I am fervently beseeched.” Lady Price smiled. “You should join us for a night of games after Christmas as soon as your young charges have taken leave.”
    “Or perhaps before.” Caroline seemed unable to hid her displeasure at being cooped up with youngsters in wintry weather.
    Amy laughed. “You shall bring them here, and Edward and I will entertain them.”
    Josette felt Edward tense and smiled to herself. Children were not in his line of frivolity. “Yes,” she added, “and he will perform for them.”
    The ladies smiled, Amy laughed, but Edward pressed the back of her neck with a little pinch that made Josette join her sister.
    The Berclair women stayed for tea. After giving Lady Price her opinion of what remained to be endured for the period of mourning, Lady Berclair insisted her daughter help her with her thick wraps and ordered the carriage to be readied. They departed in a parade of fur and feathers.
    Josette excused herself to her room to lie down but first went to the window to watch the carriage disappear into the naked trees. She could not remember a time Lady Berclair had ever taken it upon herself to make the trip to Beddingfield Park. There were foggy recollections of the woman's trumpeting voice perhaps years ago, but nothing came immediately to mind.
    She traced the windowpane until the cold of the glass turned her fingertip numb. Captain Carter was gone. He had not sent word to Beddingfield Park. No goodbyes or further acknowledgements of their association. But why should he after she had all but thrown him off the grounds? And still, he had shewed forth kindness. Lady Berclair had probably come at his request. Be mindful of the lieutenant’s family, she imagined him encouraging his old aunt.
    Since the concert, she had been unable to find little else to occupy her mind. Over and over the events of the night would play out in her thoughts, and always she would unavoidably dwell on Captain Carter leaning over to whisper, his stare across the room, and his firm grip on her hand as she lit into the carriage. Then there was that final look before he shut the carriage door. It was not one of reproof or distaste. She was not a romantic, but she knew the difference
    Josette's eyes rested on a group of yews across the grounds. Any of them would make a lovely Christmas fire. She had hymns to practice, for Amy was going to sing, and despite their mourning, her mother still planned to take baskets to the less fortunate of the tenants, with Edward accompanying her.
    Thank goodness for Edward , she thought to herself. The year's close would feel so final without him there. She thought of his fingers pressing into her neck and was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for his attentions to her family. After all, he had made no plans to hurry away.
     
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    Josette spent the morning before the eve of Christmas in front of the library hearth finishing an article by her favorite adventurer, the botanist Sir Joseph Banks.
    Amy got bored waiting for Edward to put down his pen, and wandered out, leaving them alone.
    “I'm going to walk today and this time you must accompany me.”
    Edward looked up from his work. “In this weather?”
    “I have a mission for you,” she said with a teasing smile.
    “I thought you enjoyed your solitude.” Edward got out of his chair, stretched