CHAPTER9
Edward snatched his gaze away from the assembly rooms’ door. He had been waiting for Julia to arrive long enough now. Still, she hadn’t come, but someone he wished to speak to had at last arrived.
Charles was walking through the crowds, his face a picture of sadness. He made no effort to speak to those he knew, and when he passed familiar faces in the candlelight, he made his excuses quickly, and headed for a drinks table.
Edward followed him there, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was watching the two of them together, before he reached Charles’ side. As Charles poured out a glass of brandy for himself, Edward placed a hand over the decanter and pulled it out of his grasp.
“What the –” Charles froze, then looked up at Edward. “Edward, don’t take a brandy away from a friend, especially one who needs it.”
“I’ve noticed you seem to need rather a lot of these as of late.” Edward made a point of pushing the brandy decanter away across the table. “It’s a good tonic for a bad day, Charles, but it is not something to come to rely on for life. You and I know that.”
Charles’ attempt at a smile vanished. He seemed to look toward the decanter a little longingly, then purposefully downed the small amount of brandy he had managed to pour into his glass.
“Charles, I have tried to prize out what I can from you nicely for long enough.” Edward took the empty glass from his friend. “Something is plainly wrong.”
“Why does there have to be something wrong because I suddenly enjoy a drink?” Charles asked with a shrug.
“No, that is not it. Something is wrong because you are using drink as a crutch. Oh yes, there is another reason too. You seem to be devoid of something that is rather conducive to happiness. What is it called?” Edward pretended to look puzzled before gesturing to his friend’s face. “Oh yes, that’s it. A smile. You do not do that anymore, Charles. You never smile.”
His friend instantly put on a fake smile and stood straight, jerking the fair hair back from his forehead.
“Oh, a fake smile! I’m satisfied now,” Edward said in jest. “Good Lord, I thought for sure that would get a little laugh from you. There was not even a quiver in your lips.”
“Edward, please, I appreciate you trying to cheer me up, but it is not something that can be achieved so simply. Jests do not distract from reality.”
Do not tell me that. I’ve relied on such a thing for so long.
When Charles went to walk away, Edward took his arm, needing to keep him there for a few seconds more.
“Charles, in all seriousness, please,” Edward begged. “Tell me what is wrong? I wish to help you. You are not the friend I know, and I want to see you happy again.”
Slowly, Charles disentangled his arm from Edward’s.
“You are a good friend but there is nothing you can do at this moment. If you would excuse me.” Charles hurried off, before Edward could try to stop him again. Edward stared, agog, wondering how Charles had gone from being his closest friend to a near enough stranger.
What is happening!?
Edward was considering following Charles once again when he caught someone’s eye. At last, the very person he had been waiting to arrive, had done so. By the door, Julia had stepped in. She seemed to have been escorted by friends, rather than her family tonight. She stood in the doorway for a minute, her eyes turned up to the autumnal decorations. She gazed at the golden hues, completely lost in admiring them.
Edward walked forward. He told himself it was because of their deception that he was going so quickly to her side, but he couldn’t deny the fact that at that moment, he didn’t want to be with anyone else. Julia could make him smile, even when a conversation with Charles had left him miserable.
When he reached her, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing it quickly.
“Good evening to you too, your –” She paused when he raised his eyebrows at her. “Edward.” She corrected herself, making him smile a little.
He wasn’t sure why he was in the mood to argue with her, but he suddenly found the feeling taking over. It might have had something to do with the odd conversation with Charles, or perhaps that he could still feel the stares of the room upon them. Either way, he had to let the frustration escape him somehow.
“I hope you have come ready to play your part tonight,” he said, looping her arm easily through his.
“I have, though I’d say you seem out of sorts. Has something happened?” she asked, following at his side as they crossed the assembly rooms.
“Ha! You know me so well by now do you? That you can recognize when I am upset?”
“The stars even at their great distance could notice it,” she said, gesturing up to his face. “That is a frown, if I ever saw one.”
“I am fine.” He lied, keeping the truth to himself. The sharpness of his words clearly upset her.
“I see, are you intending to be like this all night?” she asked, bringing the two of them to a stop.