Jess addressed Caris, but he knew the question encompassed all of them. He wondered if she was trying to wriggle her way out of their agreement.
“Caris, Ella and Davy will be traveling there by train the morning after the play. I’ll remain in Heathsted.”
She wrinkled her brow at his response, as if he’d flummoxed her.
“If you’ll be alone for the holidays, Mr. Morgan, you should join us for Christmas supper.”
Jess Wainwright threw a stern look at her sister, and he had no doubt a pinch would have followed if she could have made it unnoticeable. “I’m sure Mr. Morgan has other plans.”
He lifted his timepiece as if he was pondering something before he stuck it back in the pocket of his waistcoat. “Actually, I don’t have any plans. I’m happy to accept your invitation,” he said with a slight bow.
Cadoc wanted to laugh at the teacher’s answering grimace. If the decision had been hers, she would have happily let him molder away by himself for the duration of the festivities. When Caris tugged insistently on his arm, he gave the two women a perfunctory bow. “My sister has preparations to make for her extended visit to our family, so I shall bid you adieu. My gratitude once again for the kind invitation to sup at your table.”
“We shall see you at three o’clock sharp, Mr. Morgan. And keep in mind that the Wainwrights value punctuality. Especially my sister, Jess,” Vin said as she threw her arm around her sister’s shoulder.
As Caris pulled him toward their carriage he raised his hand in farewell.
“What possessed you to invite him to our home?” Jess asked, incensed by her sister’s meddling.
Vin laughed gaily. “My motives were purely selfish. I want to sit back and watch the drama play out between you.”
This time Jess did pinch her sister’s arm. “You’re supposed to help ward me against him, not give him more opportunities to infiltrate my defenses.”
“He won’t dare importune you when you’re surrounded by family. But I think he’ll try imbalancing you - and that’s what I want to see. Because I have confidence you’ll give as good as you get, sister.”
“If he does manage to importune me, I’m holding you responsible.”
Vin beamed mischievously. “It will be just like our childhood, Jess. Arie always blamed you for my shenanigans.”
“Not always. I could just never prove you were the one at fault,” Jess grumbled.
Chapter Nine
GertandEmily’strainhad 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.
