Julia had her plan, she now just had to put it into action. She looked away from her mother and glanced across the room, seeking out the perfect man for the role she needed someone to play tonight.
One kiss, it is all that is needed. One kiss and a few seconds will be enough to destroy my reputation and leave any chance of a marriage in tatters. I will be free!
Julia couldn’t help thinking of where she would rather be spending her evening. She thought of the orphanage and the children there. She could have been reading to them at this very moment, with Lucy on her lap and the twins sitting at her feet, listening attentively.Robinson Crusoewas their favorite at the moment, and she would have happily spent an evening reliving that story, rather than having to stand in this ballroom.
“Mama, you must acknowledge that Father has done an ill job of choosing a husband for me. I did not ask him to choose one at all, but he could at least have done a better job of it, do you not think?” Julia’s wit made her mother smile a little, before that smile fell flat.
“I understand Lord Gillet is fond of…money.” Susannah hissed the word in a whisper, as if it were a great sin to gossip in such a way. “Your dowry is a healthy one, and clearly one that he wanted.”
“Wonderful, so as well as philanderer, narcissist and cruel, I need to add money-grabbing to his list of vices.” Julia sighed and lifted her eyes to the ceiling, ready to plead with the heavens for help. When she lowered her eyes to peer through the candles and the other guests’ faces that were glittering orange in that candlelight, she saw the answer to her prayers. “If you would excuse me, Mama, I wish to greet Lady Beatrice.”
“Lady Beatrice?” Susannah said, her dark eyebrows lifting in alarm. “You always say she talks nonsensical gossip.”
“Indeed, she does.” Julia nodded, trying to hide her mischievous smile. “Yet it is the right thing to do to greet an acquaintance, is it not? I will return shortly.”
She stepped away before her mother could make another attempt to stop her. Susannah was clearly uncomfortable, looking back and forth, ready for the return of her husband with Lord Gillet, but Julia turned her focus away from her mother. If her plan was to succeed, then she could not afford to dally.
I must take action now!
“Lady Beatrice, how lovely to see you.” Julia curtsied when she reached the lady.
“Oh, Lady Julia,” she said, giggling already, in such a way that her pudgy cheeks shook. Lady Beatrice was a woman with a fast smile, ready to laugh when no joke had even been made. Not only was she good company, but her habits suited Julia well tonight.
“I trust you have been up to your usual games,” Julia said good-naturedly in jest. “Any scandals to share with me tonight?”
“Oh, you do me credit, my friend. I will admit, I am rather good at pulling out one or two secrets,” Lady Beatrice said, fluttering her fan in front of her face, “but I do hope there are more yet to be unearthed, otherwise where would be the fun in coming at all tonight?”
Julia forced herself to laugh with Lady Beatrice, wanting the lady to trust her in this moment.
“Here, I have a few tales to share.” Lady Beatrice linked arms with Julia and turned her to face the crowds, pointing out to individuals as though they were at the theatre, watching acts on the stage. “They say old Mr. Thomas has a newfriend.Do you see that remarkably young lady next to him?”
“I do.” Julia nodded, watching two individuals together.
“They are extremely close. Imagine my surprise when I discovered his wife is sick at home, and he is escorting a young lady this evening?Unattached!What a scandal indeed.” Lady Beatrice giggled all the more.
“Once again, your skills have exceeded expectation,” Julia said, gritting her teeth. In truth, she had no love for gossip, and the way those such as Lady Beatrice fed off others’ misfortune and unhappiness made Julia burn to say something sharp in retort, but tonight, Lady Beatrice could prove useful. “Tell me, do you know anything of rakes here tonight? My mother tells me volumes could be written on some of the gentlemen in attendance.”
“Oh, your mother is not wrong.” Lady Beatrice turned Julia once more, looking in a different direction across the room. “There is Lord Davenport, of course, quite a rake indeed, though his latest lady has lasted longer than they usually do.”
He will not do.
Julia’s eyes rested on Lord Davenport who was dancing with a particularly beautiful young lady. To her mind, Lord Davenport was quite smitten, and he might not be known as a rake for much longer judging by the way he was gazing at his dance partner.
“There is Mr. Harrison too.” Lady Beatrice gestured across the room to where an older man was sat, nearly falling out of his chair. He was so in his cups that he couldn’t sit straight.
Good Lord, no one would believe I had any inclination to kiss such a man!
“But ah, I think I have just seen the finest rake of them all,” Lady Beatrice giggled with the words. “This man in particular has certainly given me much amusement over the last few years. He keeps me guessing.”
“Who?”
“Do you see him there, Lady Julia? The Duke of Stapleton!”
Julia followed Lady Beatrice’s motioning hand to where the Duke was crossing the room. He seemed to be making an effort to get somewhere, but young ladies kept stopping him, moving in his way, eager to speak.
Julia had met the man before.
An egotistical, vain and insufferable man!
He had a habit of thinking his opinion was always the right one, and she could not stand him for it. It led to her trying to avoid his company at events such as these as much as possible. Yet here was a real possibility for her plan. The Duke of Stapleton was not only an incredibly handsome man, with curly brown hair and midnight blue eyes, so much so that it would be believable for Julia to lose sense of her decorum and fall prey to a kiss, but he was also a man who had no inclination to marry. She had once overheard him speak of marriage with a friend of his.
“You think I should marry someday? Ha! Then you are quite wrong. I’d sooner vow myself to a spider than to a lady.”
“He could be perfect,” Julia whispered.
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing. Do go on, Lady Beatrice,” Julia encouraged, but her eyes never left the Duke of Stapleton, not once. He was perfect for the role she needed him to play. She could steal a kiss, destroy her own reputation, and nothing would come of it.
Now all I must do is wait for my opportunity.