Josette (8 page)

“My cousin was the one to inform me of how it came about.”

After a few passing moments, Carter said, “It does not matter how he gave his life. I would never paint him any less a hero to any man or any family.”

“You truly believe that?” she asked in distain.

“He was one of the best officers I have ever known. I did not wish to further your pain.”

This left Josette with nothing to reply, and she strained to force her attention on the performance.

The captain cleared his throat and crossed one ankle over the other. After a very competent stanza, he said, “You intend to perform with your sister?”

“It's written on the program.”

“I'm sure it will be first-rate.”

“I play for Amy to sing.”

“She sings well.”

“Like an angel.”

“And looks the part this evening.”

“I'll be sure to tell her so.” Josette gave the captain a quick glance. In profile, his nose was rather large and straight. His eyes, green and oval, were framed by short, dark lashes. He had a pretty jaw with high cheekbones but his mouth was masculine and full. He shifted his gaze to her at her evaluation, and she blinked, turning quickly back to the fire blazing at the front of the room.

The audience applauded, and Josette joined them. Her mother's fan, dangling from the scarlet cord on her wrist, jiggled rebelliously. She caught it up and folded her arms in her lap.

Beside her, Captain Carter shifted in his seat as a young woman stood to sing. It became more akin to yowling after a few moments. He sighed.

Josette sniffed to stifle a laugh. What would he think of an unspirited woman who giggled during concerts?

To her surprise, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “I met your cousin in London.”

“Yes, he informed me he made your acquaintance.” Josette found the reply difficult because she could suddenly smell Carter as strongly as she could feel him. Sea damp and sunshine, and something very fresh, like laundered linens. She closed her eyes and the scent traveled from her nose, down into her throat, and she swallowed it. Her eyes snapped open.
Bother!
What was she doing?
The girl trying to sing shimmered like a distant mirage. Josette struggled to focus on her.

Again the man beside her shifted in his seat, and she sensed his uneasiness. Good! He deserved his discomfort. Why had he chosen to sit beside her if he found her so wanting? And what made him smell so appetizing? She angrily rubbed her nose. It seemed as if each performance grew shorter the closer it came to Amy's turn. When they were announced, Josette jumped out of her seat and maneuvered out of the row.

The pianoforte was a welcoming diversion. She ignored the ogling and concentrated only on her fingers as they drifted across the ivory keys attuned to the rise and fall of her sister's timbre. She had practiced for it and knew in her heart as the music intertwined with Amy's voice that she was far above competent for the occasion.

A thunderous round of applause punctuated the finale and though she knew it was for Amy, she felt a surge of satisfaction. They had performed as well as any other, if not better.

Her gaze swept the appreciative crowd all at once but it was Captain Carter who caught her eye. He was not smiling although his hands clapped in polite time. It was his stare, of such intensity and directed at her alone, that made her knees wobble in her curtsy. She abruptly took the nearest seat leaving Amy standing alone. The man had the strangest effect on her posture.

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Caroline Berclair closed the evening with the harp, a selection so beautiful it almost made Josette weep. As the doors on the far side of the drawing room opened into another room laden with refreshments, Josette passed through the throng determined to attach herself to Edward's elbow.

Lady Berclair, with the man in puce, intercepted her. His name was Mr. Millerd, and he was followed by Caroline.

“You have a talent for the pianoforte, Miss Price,” Caroline declared.

Lady Berclair abandoned them for other pressing matters as Amy and Edward joined them.

“And you play the harp as angelically as my sister sings.”

Amy blushed.

Caroline smiled. Her eyes were as green as Captain Carter’s, but cat-like.

“Miss Berclair has a gift,” Edward interjected. He bowed.

The gentleman, Mr. Millerd, said, “I have never seen a finer collection of prettier girls and no better music.”

“Girls?” teased Caroline.
“Millerd, really.
As if we're children.”

“No, certainly not,” Millerd relented. He tugged at his cravat and smiled anxiously at Josette who could not help but feel bemused.

“And what did you think of my performance, Miss Berclair?” Edward grinned, teeth glowing.

“You know you did well, you beast,” laughed Caroline, and Josette took a sip of her punch to avoid having to join her.

“Edward was magnificent,” Amy declared in a sudden burst. “He will be a tremendous author some day and take London by storm.”

“Why he's already done that,” Caroline insisted.

“He's certainly taken Beddingfield Park by storm,” agreed Josette.

Edward beamed. “My beautiful cousins make it a pleasure.”

“Breathtaking, I say,” added
Millerd,
and Josette squirmed.

Edward took Amy's hand from his arm and pushed her to the center of their circle. “Take a whirl, kitten, and show them your pretty gown.”

“Oh, Edward!” cried Amy and she blushed furiously.

“I've never seen you so modest,” Josette declared. “It suits you.” At this sisterly betrayal, Amy grew even redder.

The sound of Captain Carter's voice caught Josette off guard. “Your modesty is to be admired, Miss Price. It makes you all the more pleasing.” He bowed to Amy and continued, “I've never seen a room full of lovelier ladies.” Though he managed this without any enthusiasm, the group burst into gales of laughter, and Edward slapped Millerd heartily on the back.

“You were completely right, man!”

“I was just saying so,” Millerd explained to Carter, who colored slightly.

Josette smiled.
“How inspirational that you share the same sentiments of these gentlemen, Captain Carter.”

Cleary he did not like sharing compliments with either Edward or Millerd. Rather than respond to her baiting, Carter merely looked her over with indifference.

“And you Miss Price,” Millard interrupted, “are the prettiest of them all, if I may be so bold.”

The amusement at Carter’s expense came to a breathless halt. Josette looked from Millerd to Amy. Carter cleared his throat, and she was certain he laughed from behind his mask.

“Have we complimented one another to everyone's satisfaction?” Caroline asked.

“Let's take a turn, ladies. It's uncommonly warm in this swarming room.”

“I’m dying of thirst,” said Amy. “Edward, won't you fetch me something to drink?”

Edward made a gesture and hurried away, but not without calling back, “And for you Miss Berclair?”

Caroline shook her head. She took Josette by the arm and moved over to a window that had been cracked for circulation. They both opened their fans and began to cool themselves.

“Tell me, Miss Price, how long will your cousin be at Beddingfield Park?”

“I believe he plans to stay until the Season.”

“Will you join him in London?”

“I’m not certain we will go to London this year. Edward will return to find a new distraction.”

Caroline gave a chuckle, and Josette took the opportunity to ask, “And your cousin, Captain Carter. How long will he be with you?”

“Phillip?” Caroline made a careless gesture. “I haven't seen him in years. He was fond of my father but since his death and that filthy Bonaparte we're lucky to see him at
all,
and even then at his father's home.”

“His family has an estate in Ipswich?”

“Yes, and he a modest situation of his own.
His elder brother will inherit, worthless thing. Phillip’s on shore leave since his last commission.
Disastrous affair.
But of course, you know.”

Josette nodded at the unspoken insinuation.

“He was very fond of your brother.”

The pair made a turn, and Josette pressed her lips together in a polite smile.

“Why I don't recall a time we've ever seen so much of him,” Caroline said.

“He stayed with us for some time after his arrival.”

“Yes, so I recall. And that place in the village.” Caroline looked sideways at Josette and lowered her voice. “It's hardly proper,” she said in an accusing tone, but then looked away and smiled at someone.

“Village?”
Josette repeated with some confusion.

“Bedfield.
He takes care of matters there--with the child.”

“How kind,” Josette said. She did not understand what Caroline implied and would not share in the satisfaction of a conspiracy.

“Indeed,” Caroline breathed. “At least he found the little thing a home.”

Josette nearly tripped over the hem of her gown. She searched the room and found the captain standing over his aunt's shoulder enduring what appeared to be a droll inquisition.

Captain Carter placing fatherless children in country villages?
What could he be at? For a moment the idea that his visit to her family had been a sham, if not opportune, irritated her. He had important business in Bedfield after all. Business his relatives were not approving of.

“It was very kind of you to include us,” she said after a long pause in which Caroline seemed to be waiting.