He turned away quickly.
“George is a very odd fellow at times to be chasing after your family,” Linus Radley mused. “Always sticking his nose into other people’s business. Come along, Julia. I imagine we will be seeing much more of the Mertons, and very soon.”
Hopefully they’d not have to endure his family for long or she might cry off. Valentine hurried for the vicarage to prevent that.
Seven
When Julia came face-to-face with the Mertons the next day in Valentine’s parlor, her heart clattered wildly. She remained glued to her brother’s side, and he seemed to sense the tension around them too. Mr. Merton Senior, Teresa Long and Melanie stood before them unsmiling.
Frankly, Julia was terrified of this intimidating trio, but then remembered there were worse scenarios to come. Enduring Mrs. Merton’s exalted presence.
She smiled at the group, attempting to make a good impression. Teresa stood close to Mr. Merton, but she smiled only at Linus. Julia looked to Melanie next. The woman’s appearance gave her pause; there were dark smudges beneath her eyes that never used to be there when she’d lived in Brighton. She appeared ready to wilt, which wasn’t in her nature at all. Julia was concerned enough to single her out. “Good morning, Miss Merton.”
“Good morning.” Melanie’s expression was a polite mask that showed no pleasure or disgust in seeing Julia and she turned to Mr. Merton Senior immediately. “Father, do you remember the Radleys? This is Mr. Linus Radley and his younger sister, Miss Julia Radley.”
Mr. Merton Senior had always scared her, with his barking voice and his scorn of Brighton’s more relaxed lifestyle. Her reaction to him hadn’t changed in the years since his last visit. To think he would be her family one day soon made her doubt her decision to accept Valentine.
“Yes, this fellow does look somewhat familiar,” Mr. Merton murmured before extending his hand to Linus.
The way he greeted Linus, polite but utterly dismissive, hinted he had no idea she’d soon be part of his family. Julia rated no more than a fleeting glace from him. “How do you do.”
Valentine shifted to her side and curled her arm about his possessively. “Father, I have such happy news. Miss Julia Radley consented to be my wife yesterday. The banns will be read on Sunday.”
Mr. Merton’s gaze sharpened on her. His jaw clenched. His face darkened to a furious shade of red. “Is that so?”
Teresa flinched at his tone, but the most interesting reaction came from Melanie. She bit her lip, glanced down at her hands a moment but when she lifted her face, she broke out in a rare smile. She seemed overcome with emotion. “Congratulations, I hope you will both be very happy together.”
Valentine returned the smile. “We will be.”
“Thank you,” Julia said quickly, relieved the news had been so well received by Melanie. Her acceptance was a positive. Far more than she’d hoped for. For Valentine’s sake, she wanted to be at peace with the woman, rather than at odds.
“Have you lost what little sense you have left?” Mr. Merton asked bluntly as he took a step toward his son.
Julia shivered in Valentine’s embrace.
Teresa clucked her tongue. “Valentine, this is too generous, even for you.”
Valentine frowned at his cousin, confusion clear in his expression, but then he gestured to the chairs. “Please be seated,” he murmured, smiling at her and Linus as if his family’s reaction was of no surprise. “I had hoped you’d be pleased I was ready to settle down at last.”
Julia took a seat beside Valentine and he grasped her hand firmly. “Everything has been arranged for the marriage.”
“Surely there is still time,” Mr. Merton insisted, shooting Teresa Long a hard look.
The woman smiled warmly at Valentine. “There is no need to sacrifice yourself.”
“What the devil are you talking about?” Linus asked, his voice taking on a hard edge.
Mr. Merton waved his hand. “We can still end this arrangement before any harm is done.”
Julia gaped. She’d imagined some disapproval but having it voiced to her face, before her brother, hadn’t ever entered her head. She pressed her lips together to keep her protest in. Both Mr. Merton and Teresa spoke as if she could be easily discarded. As if the agreement to marry Valentine was utterly impossible.
She met Melanie’s gaze to see if Valentine’s sister would now retract her good wishes in the face of different opinions.
Valentine’s sister nodded slowly and then she jerked her chin up in a familiar way. Julia understood Melanie’s silent admonishment to act as a lady despite what was said around her.
Julia took comfort in the familiar entreaty and managed to smile at Mr. Merton. She would not be persuaded to change her mind, not after discovering Valentine had already lost so much respect on her account.
“It is too late, Father,” Melanie murmured, breaking the tension. “If Valentine has spoken with the vicar then the whole of Brighton will have known of the match before sunset that day. He is a shocking gossip.”