CHAPTER5
For Esther’s sake, I must do this.
Edward had a plan, but for now, he would have to make it appear as if there was nothing so much in the world that he wanted as marrying Lady Julia.
He strode out of his carriage, thinking only of Esther and how he had to protect his sister from the gossip in this world, before clambering the steps that led to the front door of the Earl of Finch’s townhouse. Edward had only lifted his hand and hadn’t yet made contact with the door when it was flung open. The result was Edward having to snatch his hand away, to prevent himself from accidentally tapping on the nose of the butler who was now face to face with him.
“Good day, Your Grace. We have been expecting you.” The butler bowed and beckoned him in.
“I thought you might have,” Edward murmured to himself, wondering how much Lady Julia would have told her parents after what had happened the night before.
He followed the butler through the house, passing through corridors toward a parlor at the back of the house, where the door was ajar. The butler strode quickly toward it, but Edward dallied a little, hanging back when he could hear voices emitting from inside.
“Julia, you have caused enough humiliation for this family. I will not have you utter another word in this meeting to cause me more embarrassment.” The Earl of Finch’s voice made Edward’s hands grip around the top hat he had taken off his head.
He talks to his own daughter in this manner?It made him shudder in abhorrence.
“My apologies I am not that daughter you wanted, Father, but I think you and I agree it is a little late to change who I am now.”
“You will desist!”
“Dear, perhaps if we let Julia say a little more –” Lady Finch was making an attempt to speak, but her husband spoke over her.
“I do not want to hear a word from her. This conversation is to be conducted between myself and the Duke of Stapleton. No one else.”
Edward was tempted to hold up the butler a little longer, so he could listen into more of the conversation, but the butler tapped on the door to announce his arrival before he had chance. The door was opened wider, and the butler stepped inside.
“The Duke of Stapleton, My Lord.” The butler bowed and retreated quickly, leaving Edward standing in the doorway, staring at the three people before him.
The room was a fine one, basking in golden sunlight that streaked through the window. With a sycamore tree to the side of the window, it kept casting down orange and russet red leaves. It was at this view that Lady Julia was looking, refusing to look Edward’s way. He was not sure he blamed her for it. He could imagine well enough after such a conversation with her father that she’d wish to be anywhere else but here.
“Your Grace,” the Earl of Finch declared and hurried forward, bowing quickly to Edward. “Thank you for coming, especially after this rather…oddaffair.”
“Odd,” Edward repeated the word, glancing to where Lady Julia and her mother sat together on a settee. “An interesting way to refer to it.” His sarcasm seemed to be lost on the Earl who bowed another time to it. His lingering glance in Lady Julia’s direction showed it was not lost on her though, for she smiled a little more.
“Please, come in. Let me take your hat, tea has been called.” Lord Finch took Edward’s hat before he could make a plea to keep it, then he was bustled further into the room, promptly ushered to a chair sat directly opposite Lady Julia.
Edward sat heavily down, encouraged there by a push to his shoulder from Lord Finch. Edward couldn’t help looking at Lady Julia, wanting just one shared glance. She satisfied his longing and looked to him, those curious amber eyes meeting his own.
“Your Grace, I –” she tried to speak, but her father cleared his throat, making it clear she wasn’t to utter another word. To Edward’s mind, Lady Julia looked ready to burst, her cheeks turning red and one of her hands balling into a fist.
Edward was reminded of something she had said the night before of refusing to being called to a man’s side like a dog. He couldn’t blame her for making such an accusation, especially when her own father ordered silence by making a sound alone.
“What did you wish to say, Lady Julia?” Edward asked. Lady Julia was not the only one surprised. Lady Finch looked up so suddenly that she pricked her finger with the needle she had in her hand to do her embroidery. When blood began to seep, Lady Julia pulled out a handkerchief, lovingly helping her mother with her wound.
One glance showed to Edward that Lord Finch merely despaired of this, looking away and pinching the brow of his nose.
“There is much to say,” Lady Julia began again, leaving the handkerchief with her mother and returning her focus to Edward.
When their gazes met this time, he could have imagined the breadth of space between them wasn’t there. He could have been back in that garden with her, kissing her, feeling that thrill coursing through his body.
No good can come from thinking of such a thing!
“We have agreed I will speak for this family, Your Grace.” Lord Finch stepped to his daughter’s side, placing a hand on her shoulder as she fell silent on the settee.
Edward felt his stomach knot at that possessive touch. It grew even worse when he saw poor Lady Julia leaning away, trying to get her father’s hand off her.
“No doubt you will know the gossip is spreading already, Your Grace,” Lord Finch spoke quickly. “I have heard it from my own staff this morning that they have heard it in the streets on their morning errands. We fear it could be merely a day more before your name and my family name appear in the scandal sheets together.”