She turned back toward the parlor frowning and hurried toward the only two people she knew who were entirely pleased for Valentine and sat down. “It’s three of us again.”
“Not for long,” Imogen said suddenly and then stood. “Since my help is not needed for the wedding breakfast, I’ll be on my way too. Miss Merton obviously has everything well in hand despite her distance.”
Julia jumped to her feet again. “Please. There is no need to rush off just because the plans for the wedding day are further advanced than I’d first known. I’m actually very grateful that Melanie spoke to her cook about it. I’d not given the matter a single thought but Mrs. Baker promises she’s balanced the chores between the two households so they can enjoy the day, too, without being run off their feet.”
Imogen thought about that and resettled herself. “Still very high-handed.”
“He’s my brother,” Melanie murmured. “Did you really think I’d risk leaving Valentine to organize what should be the most important day of Julia’s life? His mind is split between the marriage and the opening of his shop as it is. Making sure the little details important to women are not forgotten is a task best left to the housekeepers anyway.”
Imogen smiled tightly. “When my brother marries, I would not interfere.”
Melanie glanced away. “You wouldn’t need to with Walter. He is very different to my brother and took excellent care of you, and his home, when you could not see to do it.”
That might have been the longest conversation the pair had managed in a year, and Julia was pleased. However, a chilling silence ensued and she was keen to break the tension. “I saw Mrs. Faraday in the market this morning, Melanie. She seems overwhelmed by her husband’s sudden retirement.”
“She’s worried about his eyesight for a long time. A workshop can be a dangerous place.” Melanie cleared her throat. “Julia, we need to speak in private if you don’t mind.”
“What about?” Julia shook her head. “I don’t have any secrets from Imogen.”
Melanie glanced at Imogen a touch nervously, and then fiddled with the strings of her reticule. “It is about my father and the money he tossed at you.”
Imogen spluttered. “What money?”
“Oh, that.” Julia shrank, eyeing Melanie’s hands nervously. She must have brought the money with her in her reticule. “I hadn’t quite gotten around to sharing that insult with Imogen yet.”
Melanie winced. “I cannot keep the money forever. I don’t dare leave it in my room to be found. I would not be able to explain where it came from without sending my father into a fit of temper.”
Julia sighed bitterly. “You couldn’t think of a worthy charity?”
“It is yours.”
Julia sank back into the settee. “You want me to tell Valentine about it, don’t you?”
“Shouldn’t you tell him? It will be impossible not to say where three hundred pounds has come from should he discover it.”
“Three hundred?” Julia nearly swooned at the sum. “So that’s what my honor was worth.”
“Wait. What?” Imogen gasped. “What are you talking about? What money is this?”
“Oh.” Julia jumped to her feet. “Mr. Merton tried to bribe me not to marry Valentine as soon as he heard about our arrangement to marry. Melanie heard the whole embarrassing conversation.”
Imogen glared at Melanie. “How dare he?”
Julia paced behind Melanie. “That’s what we thought, and of course I did not think clearly enough at the time to throw it back in his face as hard as I could.”
Melanie turned. “No proper young lady should ever expect to receive a bribe from their future in-laws. It’s not your fault you are in this situation. It is his. I do think Valentine needs to know, if my father hasn’t already told him.”
“Oh, and he would too. Just to make trouble for me.” Julia stared out the front window, furious with herself for being slow-witted that day. “I wouldn’t call it off now, of course, so I’ll have to tell him every humiliating detail.”
“Why ‘of course’?” Imogen asked.
Julia’s cheeks heated beyond her control to stop the blush. She met Imogen’s surprised stare and then Melanie’s confused one.
“I, um.” Julia worried her lip. “I just wouldn’t.”
If a pin dropped, Julia was sure it could be heard all the way to China. Although a low grin spread over Imogen’s face, Melanie’s brow puckered with the beginnings of a frown and then her eyes widened so far in shock, Julia feared the woman would faint.
Julia smiled weakly but Melanie refused to meet her eyes again.