The Daughter of Highland Hall (22 page)

Edward excused himself and left Kate by the punch table.

Jon straightened. This was his chance, and he did not intend to delay another moment. He crossed the room and came up behind her. “Hello, Kate.”

She turned, and her face brightened. “Jon, I wondered where you were.”

“You were looking for me?” He couldn’t hold back his smile.

Her cheeks flushed. “I didn’t see you come in, and I thought you might have been delayed at the hospital.”

“We were delayed on our way because of an accident.” As if on cue the next song began. “Would you like to dance?”

She nodded, her smile warm and genuine. “I’d like that very much.”

He guided her onto the dance floor and took her hand.

After a few steps she said, “I didn’t know you danced.”

“My mother taught me, much to the chagrin of my father.”

“He doesn’t approve of dancing?”

“I wouldn’t say that, but his upbringing was rather strict, and his family didn’t dance. My mother was raised here in London. In fact, she was a debutante in ’84.”

“Really, I didn’t know your mother took part in the season.”

Jon smiled down at her. “There are many things you don’t know about me and my family.”

She returned a smile, her eyes sparkling. “I suppose that’s true.”

She looked especially lovely tonight with her hair up in an elaborate style. Diamond earrings dangled from her ears, and a sparkling tiara crowned her head. “I like the tiara. It makes you look quite regal.”

“Oh … thank you.” Her expression faltered and she looked away. “It was my mother’s.” He almost didn’t hear her soft reply.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize …”

“No. It’s all right. I just wish she could be here with me tonight. I think she would be pleased.”

“Yes, I’m sure your parents would be very happy for you.”

“My mother would, though I doubt my father would’ve arranged anything this lovely for me.”

“Why do you say that?”

“My father didn’t like coming to town, especially for the season.”

“Why was that?”

“He was an outdoorsman who loved country life—hunting, riding, fishing. Those were his passions. But he was a hard man to please, and he never got over the fact he didn’t have a son to inherit his title and estate. That was a constant source of contention between my parents.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He blamed my mother for not producing an heir.”

“Then he’d be very surprised to hear he was the one who determined whether his children would be male or female.”

She looked up at him. “Are you quite sure?”

“Yes. It’s a new theory, but it makes sense scientifically.”

“Well, it’s a good thing he didn’t live long enough to hear that. It would have tilted his world off its axis.”

Jon chuckled. “Either way, whether we are male or female, God says we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. And I don’t think He’s simply referring to the amazing way our bodies are designed, though my medical studies have shown me that is definitely true. I believe men and women reflect His glory in unique ways. Each of us is valuable and loved by Him.”

She sent him a doubtful glance. “You really believe that?”

“Of course. Men and women are equally chosen to inherit God’s likeness and able to receive the blessings of salvation.”

“So if you had only daughters, you wouldn’t be disappointed?”

He thought for a moment, picturing a little blue-eyed girl who looked very much like Kate, then smiled. “No, I would not, not in the least.”

Her expression brightened, and she shook her head. “Jonathan Foster, you are a very modern and forward-thinking man.”

“Forward thinking, perhaps, but those ideas aren’t modern—they’re taken from Scripture.”

“I’ve never heard a sermon like that.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be preaching, especially while we’re dancing.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s a message I’m glad to hear, and someone I’m very glad to hear it from.” When she looked up at him, her smile was so endearing, his breath caught in his chest.

Was that affection reflected in her eyes? Could it be true? Did she also sense the growing attraction between them?

He couldn’t deny his feelings for Kate any longer. She was special, so very special, and every day he found himself more drawn toward her. The differences between them flooded his mind, sending him a warning, but he pushed those thoughts away.

Those differences were not as important as all they shared in common. And somehow he must find a way to convince her that was true and win her heart.

Julia’s mother had taught her how to dance when she was a young girl. Her brother had been her partner then, but that was nothing like dancing with William. He led her through the steps with confidence and ease, and in his arms she felt treasured. She looked up at him, and joy bubbled up from her heart.

He returned a loving gaze, and they swirled around the dance floor until the waltz came to an end. Then they stepped apart and clapped for the musicians.

“That was lovely,” she said. “Thank you.”

“Truly, it was my pleasure. You are a charming dancer.”

She took his arm, and they returned to the side of the room where Sarah and Clark waited.

Sarah reached for Julia’s hand. “You and William dance beautifully together.”

“Thank you.” Julia glanced around. “Where is Penny?”

Sarah looked toward the dance floor. “She is dancing with Theo Anderson again.”

Julia turned and searched through the crowd. She soon spotted Penny and Theo near the far end of the ballroom. Just to the left of them, Kate danced with Jon. Kate gazed up at Jon with a delighted expression. Was it the rush of excitement on this special evening … or something more?

Julia’s thoughts flashed back to the past few weeks. Jon did seem to have a particular interest in Kate. He was always eager to go riding with her, or to spend time with her in the evenings. And he seemed especially intent about watching out for her.

He had been cautious and protective when they were growing up. She had teased him about it then, but she’d felt safe with him wherever they went. Her father trusted Jon as well, often sending him along as a guide for other missionaries traveling through their area.

She observed Jon for a few more seconds, and his focus on Kate hinted at deeper feelings. Did Kate see it? How did she feel about him?

Perhaps she should speak to Jon and see if she was reading the situation correctly. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the possibility of Jon and Kate developing a closer friendship, but one thing was clear: Louisa would not be happy about it. And that was only one issue. What about Jon’s future plans? Would Kate want to travel to India as the wife of a missionary doctor?

The small spark of faith she had observed in Kate seemed to be growing, but had she truly made a commitment to Christ? Julia would never encourage her brother to seriously pursue Kate unless that was true. He needed a wife who not only loved him but was also committed to serving God. Marriage was challenging enough. Without a common faith, it could be painful and difficult.

A movement to her right caught her eye. A man in a dark cape approached William through the crowd. David Ramsey came into full view, and a tremor traveled through Julia. He had not responded to their invitation, and she had not expected to see him tonight.

“William, I must speak to you.” David’s taut expression and serious tone put Julia on alert. What did he want?

William nodded to David. “Good evening, David. I’m glad you decided to join us.”

“I’ve no time for pleasantries. This is urgent.” Anxious lines creased his forehead as he looked around the room. “Where can we speak in private?”

William’s posture became rigid. “We can step out on the terrace.”

David nodded and set off without waiting for William.

William shook his head and turned to Julia. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what has put David in such a mood, but it’s best I deal with it now before he disrupts the evening.”

Julia watched David cross the ballroom. “Yes, I understand.”

Appreciation flashed in his eyes. He squeezed her hand, then he turned and strode after his brother.

William stepped onto the terrace and crossed to meet David. “Now … what is so urgent?”

The torchlight cast deep shadows across David’s face. “I’m in serious trouble, William.”

“What do you mean? What kind of trouble?”

“Reginald Martindale has been shot.”

William pulled in a sharp breath. “David, you didn’t—”

“No, I didn’t shoot him, but everyone will assume I did.” David gripped the terrace balustrade and stared across the gardens.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Dorothea and I were … in the drawing room at her house when Reginald arrived quite unexpectedly.”

William clenched his jaw and suppressed a groan. “David.”

He lifted his hand. “I know, I know. We should never have been there alone together.”

“Or anywhere else, for that matter.”

David faced William, his eyes wide. “Reginald was irate, ranting, threatening to kill us both. Then he stormed out of the room. Dorothea was terrified. She said he kept a gun in his desk in his study. She urged me to go, but I couldn’t run away and leave her there with him.” He closed his eyes and raised his hand to his forehead. “Only a few seconds passed, and we heard a shot.”

William gasped. “Did he shoot himself?”

“No. We ran into the entrance hall and saw Reginald on the floor, and another man dashing out the front door.”

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know. He wore a hat and dark coat. We didn’t see his face.”

“He shot Martindale?”

“Yes! It had to be him!”

“Is Martindale … dead?”

“I don’t know.” David shook his head, his face pale. “Dorothea sent a servant to fetch a doctor who lives nearby, but she urged me to leave before the doctor or the police arrived.”

“So you just left?”

“Yes! What else could I do?”

“You could’ve stayed and told the truth about what happened.”

David rubbed his hand across his jaw and chin, looking dazed.

“Do you think Dorothea will tell them you were there?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did any of the servants see you?”

David looked up and met William’s gaze. “Yes, the butler and a footman.”

William gripped the balustrade. “Then you’ll be questioned. There’s no way you can hope to escape.”

TWELVE
 

Kate left her packages in the entrance hall and reluctantly followed her aunt into the library. An explosion was coming, and there was nothing Kate could do to stop it.

Louisa strode across the room. “William, I must speak to you.”

Jon and Julia turned toward Louisa. William looked up, his expression wary.

Her aunt slapped the newspaper down on William’s desk and jabbed her finger at the bold headline. “Do you know this man … this Reginald Martindale?” Her accusing tone made her suspicions clear.

Jon shot Kate a questioning glance. She sensed his concern and support, and it bolstered her courage.

That morning at breakfast William had told the family about his conversation with David at Kate’s ball, but Louisa had not been present, and no one wanted to tell her. An hour later, Kate and her aunt went shopping on Bond Street, and a newspaper boy shouted the headline, “Reginald Martindale Shot in His Berkeley Square Home.” Kate bought a copy to take back to William and Julia, since she knew they were anxious for news about the events surrounding the shooting.