“Done.” He held up his hands in innocence. “Though on that note, you can hardly blame me for pleading for a touch, when you’re the one who demanded a kiss of me last night.”
Her guilt bloomed and she turned away, huffing in the hope to hide her blush.
“Now please, Lady Julia, hear me out, for I think I have a way to solve our problems to satisfy us both.”
“Now I know you are mad. In case you have not noticed, I did this because I did not want to get married at all.” She insisted, kicking up some leaves as she turned back round to face him.
She didn’t realize how close he had followed behind her, and the leaves kicked up high, so high that a couple hit him in the face. Trying her best to stifle her laugh, a snigger escaped her, as he brushed a leaf out of his face wildly, as if fearful it was a bee, and he would be stung. She was rather pleased to see a smile escape him too.
“I’m glad to see I amuse you,” he said quietly. “I’ll have to if we are to make this work.”
“Make what work?” she asked, her smile vanishing.
“First, I must explain something to you.” He glanced around the garden, checking they were well and truly alone. “I told you last night my family could not stand another scandal.”
“Yes.”
“That is because there is another one brewing, one I fear may be impossible to keep hidden from thetonforever.” He looked stressed, brushing a hand through the curling hair at his temple in such a way that Julia wondered what it would be like to trial her own fingers through his hair.
What am I thinking of? Concentrate!
“What scandal?” she asked.
“First, please, swear to me you will not tell this to a living soul.” He begged, his manner so nervous compared to the usual confidence he wore that Julia couldn’t look anywhere else but at him. “I’ll get down on my knees and beg you for that promise if it comes to it.”
“That is not necessary. I may have made use of gossip last night, but I do not approve of it. What scandal do you wish to keep hidden, Your Grace?”
“It concerns my sister.” He glanced around the two of them again before lowering his voice to an even quieter whisper. “No doubt you have noticed her absence from thetonas of late, many have remarked on it.”
“They have.”
“There is a reason for it.” He sighed and fidgeted, unable to stand still. First, he crossed his arms, then wrung his hands together, then promptly moved them to his hips.
“Goodness, Your Grace, speak or we will be suffocated in falling leaves by the time you speak at all.” She gestured to the autumnal leaves in emphasis, watching as he smiled a little, before that smile vanished.
“My sister is with child, Lady Julia.”
“Oh...” Julia struggled for words. Unable to find them she lifted her hands and covered her mouth, uncertain what grew in her more. Was it the shock that so kind and proper a lady could end up in this situation? Or was it the fear of what a scandal could cause? “Your sister, I liked her very much, whenever I saw her. She does not deserve such a scandal.”
“Believe me, I know that.” He grew agitated, stepping away and kicking out at the leaves, making more of them dance in the air. “I have never known a kinder soul than my sister, and now I have to watch as she will be torn apart by the gruesomeness that is theton. God knows why we all wish to be a part of it. They are worse than the lions at the menagerie in the tower of London. They destroy everyone’s lives with a few words and gnashing teeth. It is too cruel.”
He kicked out once again, casting leaves high in the air where one leaf landed on his head. He didn’t appear to notice it, too busy in his anger.
Julia covered her mouth once again, hiding her temptation to laugh. It was a serious conversation; she could not disturb it with laughter now.
“I will do anything I can to protect my sister, Lady Julia, but I am no fool. Keeping her situation a secret will be nigh on impossible. Already her name will be cast aside, and the chances of her ever making a good marriage and being cared for into her old age are dwindling by the second.” He turned back to face Julia, with his face wan. “If our family has a second scandal, tell me, what do you think will happen to her then?”
Julia lowered her hand from her face, knowing the truth.
“She would be cast out of all good society,” Julia whispered. “It is cruel indeed.”
“Too cruel. That is why I have a plan.” He walked back toward her. “A way to protect her.”
“You love her very much.” Julia smiled a little.
“Of course, I do. Why is that shocking? She is my sister.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace.” Julia reached up and pulled the leaf out of his hair. He was startled by it, staring at the leaf in wonder, before returning his eyes to her. “It shows there is kindness in you.”