That wasn’t precisely true, although the man did like the sound of his own voice. She breathed a sigh of relief when no one appeared ready to contradict Melanie.
Mr. Merton Senior raked Julia with a furious glance. “Reparations can be made.”
“No,” Melanie warned. “Julia’s reputation would never recover from the scandal of a broken engagement at this point. That situation would tarnish our name too.”
Mr. Merton sized her up, and it wasn’t a pleasant sensation. “I’d like to speak to her alone.”
Linus sat forward. “I beg your pardon? I cannot allow such a thing.”
“If you believe I will allow any sort of female marry my son and heir, you are out of your mind, sir. I know what is said about her behavior.” The pair glared at each other. Linus was the first to look away. “I want to see the truth of her character for myself.”
“I’ll stay,” Melanie advised them suddenly. When Valentine protested, Melanie threw an apologetic glance toward her father and cousin. “Miss Radley is a lady and must be chaperoned. I will stay with her so the proprieties are observed.”
It was a flimsy excuse at best but Julia nodded. She couldn’t avoid a discussion with Mr. Merton forever and she’d frankly be relieved for any company when i
t did happen. She wouldn’t like to speak to him alone when he had so clearly set his heart against her. Even with Melanie present as chaperone, she would still feel overwhelmed, but she might prevent Julia from getting flustered. She drew herself up straight, mimicking Melanie’s mannerisms for all she was worth. “I’d be very happy to speak with Mr. Merton with his daughter as chaperone.”
Although Mr. Merton appeared not to like the idea, he nodded sharply. Valentine, Linus and Teresa left. She could tell Valentine didn’t want to leave by the way he kept glancing back until the door closed. Teresa, again, only had eyes for Valentine, and that broke her heart. He clearly had no idea the woman was so enamored of him.
When the door closed behind them, Julia folded her hands in her lap and waited with as much patience as she could muster.
Mr. Merton dug in his pocket and tossed a soft leather pouch at her. She caught it easily. “I’m sure you understand what that is for?”
Puzzled by the weight, Julia tugged on the strings and peered inside. Her mouth grew dry at the sight. Money—more money than she’d ever touched before. “Indeed I do not.”
Mr. Merton stood and began to pace behind the settee Melanie was sitting on. The woman appeared to shrink a little. “My son has a bright future ahead in Oxford. He has the education and breeding to excel at anything he sets his mind to and his mother and I have high expectations for him. I have allowed him to play here in Brighton, but no more.” Mr. Merton set his hands behind his back and faced her. “I’m sure any damage done to your reputation will be recovered with an increase in your fortune.”
Julia cast a glance in Melanie’s direction desperately, but Valentine’s sister remained silent, her eyes downcast. She would get no additional aid from that quarter in refuting his claim. The idea of being bribed made her furious. “You think you know what’s best for me? You barely know my name, let alone my character.”
“Women like you come and go. You’ll be just the same as the others.”
She shared a glance with Melanie at last, one that conveyed he spoke the truth, and a hot blush crept up her cheeks. “What others?”
Mr. Merton ignored her question. “Do yourself a favor and leave my son alone to live the life he was born for, or you will live to regret it.”
Valentine had his own ideas for his future, and when he had spoken of Oxford, it had been clear that he didn’t want the life his parents expected. Her pride stung her enough to anger on Valentine’s behalf. She knew what it was like to be forced into an ill-fitting role. “I believe I understand you.”
She understood him, but Mr. Merton had no power to make her obey.
“Good.” He strode out, slamming the door behind him. The front door slammed too, and in the next moment, Valentine burst into the parlor. “What on earth did he say?”
Julia swallowed and hid the bribe beneath the folds of her skirt quickly. “That he disapproves of me. That is all.”
“I am sorry.” He sagged. “I thought he would be this way. I had intended to inform my parents after the fact of our marriage, rather than before, to delay such a conversation.”
Julia blushed. So he’d gone against his father’s wishes and proposed to someone his family considered unsuitable? Her temper rose. She wanted to throw something, and yet to do so would prove Mr. Merton correct about her unsuitability to join his family. She had to calm herself, and quickly. “Could you give me a moment?”
Valentine frowned. “Yes, of course. Melanie?”
“We both need a moment, brother. This won’t take long. Please.”
“Very well,” Valentine agreed slowly.
Julia bolted to her feet as soon as the door shut, somewhat relieved that Melanie had stayed. She had lots of questions to answer. “How could he speak to me this way? To anyone?”
She scowled at the money Mr. Merton had tossed, left behind when she rose. It mocked her. She felt herself finally to be as tainted as everyone suggested. She felt ill. Unclean.
“Our father has all the subtlety of an axe,” Melanie apologized, her tone matter-of-fact. “Our parents believe happiness and ambition can be achieved through money alone. They will do their best to make your association with Valentine into a sordid affair, too. Father will paint you as a grasping adventuress intent on elevation through cunning.”