“I know you, Edward. That is simply a front you like to wear, not the truth.” The surprisingly honest words from his friend made Edward fidget and take another sip of his wine, turning his gaze back to Lady Julia.
She was a particularly beautiful lady. He had thought the same the first night he had seen her at her debut some years ago. Tall and striking, with such curves that were barely hidden by the Pomona green gown she wore that she made Edward pull at his cravat, needing a sudden looseness there after heat had crept up his spine and his neck. The eyes in particular were something that he had always admired. Brown, almost amber, they could pierce a man across the room to the spot.
“A beauty, is she not?” Charles whispered at his side, elbowing him in the rib.
“She is. The problem is at some point those fine lips start talking,” Edward jested, relieved when his friend gave way to firm laughter. “No, Charles, she is too great a challenge for me, and I would not dishonor her so regardless. Lady Julia does not wish for any man to join her in life, least of all does she want a rake to join her for a night or two and no more. I would not sully her.”
“I knew you had honor in you somewhere, even if you like to hide it.” Charles teased him some more as he took the wine glass from Edward’s hand, topping it up for him.
Edward moved his eyes away from Lady Julia, rather reluctantly. He had been honest in his refusal of considering Lady Julia, for the two had spoken a few times before, and that conversation had never ended in anything but arguments. She clearly thought him a wastrel and a pointless use of space. He could not exactly find a good argument to counter her.
I know exactly what I am.
“Speaking of ladies, there is another that is missing here tonight,” Charles said as he returned Edward’s glass to him.
“Oh? Who’s that?” Edward asked as the champagned tickled his tongue.
“Your sister. Where is Lady Esther Thorne?”
Edward had to work hard not to choke on the champagne as he lowered the glass once again, coughing it clear of his lungs.
“Is something wrong?” Charles murmured, stepping forward.
“Not at all.” Edward forced a smile to his face. “My sister simply has no enjoyment for events such as these at present.”
“Edward, you have said that for the last two months at least.”
“Because it is true.” Edward nodded his head. “She has no wish to join such events, and I will not be one of those elder brothers that forces their sister to such events for the sake of seeing her marry someday. Let her decide to return in her own time, I will not pressure her to do so.”
“That is a kind thing.” Charles nodded, showing no inclination to renew the subject, but Edward was irked all the same.
Ah, Esther, what are we going to do?
He could not speak of her freely at this moment. Not without fear.
“If you would excuse me, my friend, I am in need of some air. I will return shortly.” Edward bowed his head to Charles and turned away, aware that Charles’ lips parted to say something more, but Edward gave him no more time to do so.
A minute alone with my thoughts. That is what I need.
* * *
“Julia, it is time we take you to Lord Gillet.” The Earl of Finch’s words made Julia freeze, feeling her hand tighten around the dance card at her wrist.
She could remember all too well the last time she had danced with the man that was to be her future husband. He’d had wandering hands, and she’d had to subtly slap one of those hands away to stop him from touching her any further. No one else on the dancefloor had noticed, but it had angered him, that was plain in the tightening of his jaw and how firmly his hand had taken hers.
“Are you so eager to be rid of me, Father, that you wish to place me in the Viscount’s hands tonight?” Julia asked tartly, aware that her mother beside her was smiling sweetly at passersby. Susannah was rather good at keeping up appearances, even when it was the last thing that she felt like doing.
“Do not be churlish, child,” her father said, shaking his head in dismay.
“Child? If I am a child, then surely, I am not old enough to marry?”
“No more, Julia. No more.” The Earl stepped toward her and darkened his tone. “Wait here a minute whilst I find him.” He flounced off so quickly, that the flap of his tailcoat whipped against Julia’s arm.
“Mama, this is madness,” she said as she turned to her mother.
“I know, but there is nothing we can do.”
You mean, there is nothing you can do.