Page 9 of When Jess Wainwright’s Curiosity Was Satisfied (Wainwright Sisters #4)
Chapter Nine
G ert and Emily’s train had arrived at the platform three hours ago, and the cottage was full of chatter. Vin had laughingly told them about the plans for Christmas day, and about Jess’s wager with the rakish superintendent.
The three of them were bent over a London paper Gert had pulled from her valise with a flourish. “I found a press!” she’d called in excitement when she walked through the door.
Gert, Emily and Vin had always been Porthos, Athos and Aramis - the Three Musketeers. And when they were huddled together, it was to the exclusion of their younger sisters Jess and Cece. Her nerves were already on edge about giving Cadoc Morgan her decision tonight, and she didn’t know if she could endure their teasing.
When Jess slipped away with a rueful smile and a half-hearted wave, they didn’t even acknowledge her departure.
She pulled on her cloak and bonnet from the hook by the door, and trudged outside.
The vicar and the curate were both in the vestibule when she arrived, and Mrs. Blevins was already seated behind her organ. As if she’d never left.
“Ah, Miss Wainwright,” the vicar greeted her with an extended hand. “We were just speaking of you. We’ve sent two of your older students to fetch the backdrop.”
Jess dipped a curtsey in his direction. “My sincerest thanks.”
The backdrop was a large piece of tarp she and the students had painted. The donkey and the cow looked like non-descript blobs with spindly legs, and the manger definitely resembled a feed trough. But the students had been enthusiastic and proud of their work, so it would serve as it was intended.
One of her curls had escaped the snood, and she tucked it carefully back into the netting.
She wondered idly if he would be punctual, or if he’d make a brash entrance at the very last minute and steal all the air and attention.
When Caris brought Davy and Ella into the vestibule, he wasn’t with them.
“Is your brother here?” She casually asked.
Grace frowned. “Ugh, not yet. He’s been working in his lab all day. It’s his fault I had to scramble to reattach the hem of Ella’s robe. Cadoc told them they could bring their puppy in the house to play and the rascal chewed up everything he could reach.”
“He’s not coming?” Jess hoped Caris didn’t hear the disappointment.
Caris tipped her head to the side and flashed Jess a sly grin. “Oh, he’ll be here. I know there’s something brewing between the two of you.”
“We have a reluctant wager, and the stakes are high if I lose.”
“I told him to be careful of your reputation and reminded him there are far more rules here about what constitutes proper behavior than there were in the coal mine.”
“I know I can’t let him turn my head, that I need to stand firm no matter what underhanded tactics he employs.”
“Good. It’s been a long time since my brother had to fight for something he wants.”
“You think I’m the thing he wants?” Jess asked in disbelief. Jess was confident of her appeal, but she was a far cry from the sort of woman he usually consorted with. More prim, more keenly aware of the threat of censure and cautious because of it.
“You’re exactly what he wants. I think you’re what he needs as well. I’ll rest easy on my journey knowing he has somewhere he can go for his Christmas supper.”
“Courtesy of my meddling sister.”
Caris chuckled. “Your resistance is good for him. Thank you for not retracting the invitation.”
“As much as I loathe his manipulation, I wouldn’t do that. No one should be alone on Christmas Day.”
His sister’s expression was grateful. “I agree. I was worried about him, and now I’m not. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can ever return the favor.” She patted Jess’s arm as she left the vestibule.
Jess watched her go. The strength of the bond between Caris and Cadoc surprised her. And so did the fierce protectiveness the other woman had shown toward her enigmatic brother. She blinked thoughts of him away and turned to focus on the throng of children.
She clapped her hands together smartly. The conversation came to a halt and all eyes flickered in her direction. “Finish donning your costumes. We’re expected in the atrium in a quarter of an hour.”
The production was nearly flawless. One of the shepherds lost his supper in the empty manger, and all the other children had simultaneously said “Eww!” and wrinkled their noses, and an angel tripped on her robe and fell into the haystack. The children had recovered from those mishaps like a professional troupe, and she was proud of them.
She could feel Cadoc Morgan’s eyes on her as she exchanged niceties with the parents.