“We must arrange for the carriage! Ah, if your father will allow it,” Susannah said a second later, and fidgeted with her hands. “I think he has need of it tomorrow. Maybe we should push back the Duke’s arrangements a little?”
“Mother, I am not afraid to ask Father for the carriage,” Julia said and placed the books on the table. She reached out a hand and touched her mother’s shoulder softly.
“Very well. You ask him instead, dear.”
“Have no fear, I will.” Yet even as Julia spoke, she felt a hatred building, knowing that her mother should never have to feel afraid of asking such a simple thing.
* * *
“God’s wounds,” Julia muttered as she peered beyond the window at Edward’s house as it came into view. She had expected a grand townhouse, as many did have in London, but no, not the Duke, he had a grand manor.
Set within an estate, the parkland went on for a good distance, surrounded by a high golden brick wall, with the gatehouses topped by stone stags. Travelling under one of these entrances, Julia stared forward at the house that appeared at the end of the driveway, feeling her palms beginning to sweat despite the chilliness of the day.
Falling red leaves whipped past, marring the view of the golden house momentarily before it stretched out wide, dappled with windows that glistened in the sun.
By the time the carriage came to a stop, the front door was open, and a lady was hurrying forward, followed hastily by someone who appeared to be a housekeeper. As the carriage door was opened and Julia stepped down, she had full sight of the lady, and realized just who it was.
“Lady Esther!” Julia said, stepping toward the lady who had hurried greet her.
Lady Esther Thorne had changed much since Julia had last seen her. It was plain to see that Edward had not told a lie when he had talked of his sister’s situation, for Lady Esther’s rounded stomach was scarcely hidden by her gown.
“Lady Julia, I am so excited to see you again.” Lady Esther took her hands, grasping them like they were already old friends.
“My Lady, please,” the housekeeper said, stepping up behind Lady Esther. “We must get you inside. You know what the Duke has said. If anyone should see you…”
“I know, Travers, but I am so far back from the road, no one will see me here.” She shrugged and looked back to Julia, her blue eyes, so like her brother’s, gleaming. “Come, Lady Julia, we best go inside before I cause my housekeeper an illness. You must forgive us here, as you can imagine, we are all very on edge.”
“I am glad to see you again, Lady Esther. You look so well,” Julia said with a big smile. She didn’t want to allude to the scandal that was afoot, not in any way. She had always liked Lady Esther and thought highly of her; therefore, she was not going to judge Lady Esther’s situation.
“Thank you, you are kind. Come, you must have tea with me. My brother is set to take you away soon, I know, but I wish to have you to myself for a few minutes first.” She was full of giddy excitement, leading Julia to the nearest parlor so fast that Julia barely had time to admire the marble statues in the hallway, nor the lofted ceiling that had been painted.
Once urged to sit, Julia couldn’t stop smiling, for Lady Esther spoke so quickly and eagerly that Julia could barely utter a word. Lady Esther spoke of her excitement to see her again, and how nice it was to have guests, before asking after thetonand all the events that had taken place. Julia was halfway down her second cup of tea before she managed to speak freely, bemused by Lady Esther’s excitement to have company.
“Where is the Duke?” Julia asked.
“He will be along shortly. He had some business to attend to. Oh, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to know you two are to be wed!” Lady Esther placed down her cup and reached for Julia’s hand again, making her other hand tremble around the teacup.
What did she say?
“I beg your pardon?” Julia tried to keep her tone level.
She had assumed she had been brought to the house to assure Lady Esther that all would work with their deception, but based on what the lady had just said, she believed the tale just as any other did in theton.
“We shall have to make arrangements for the wedding, of course,” Lady Esther said excitably, reaching toward the tea tray between them. “Cake? We should have cake to celebrate.”
“I, er –”
“Here you go.” Lady Esther placed a slice of cake down in front of Julia. “Will you wear white or something else at the wedding? I have already asked Edward at length what he will wear, but he will give me no clues. He is certainly a most secretive brother!”
“How true,” Julia muttered wryly. “Lady Esther, first, there is something I must speak to you about.” She placed down her teacup, rather glad to have caught Lady Esther’s full attention at last. Julia was about to allude to the ruse; she was ready to ask as carefully as she could what Lady Esther knew when a face appeared in the doorway behind Lady Esther.
It was Edward, and he waved madly at Julia, urging her to be quiet.
“What is it?” Lady Esther asked. “If you are to ask whether you should wear white or another color for the wedding, then you will have to ask my modiste instead. I do not know fashion as well as I should. Now, would you like another slice?”
Julia looked down at the cake she hadn’t yet touched, rathe relieved when she saw Edward hastening into the room.
“There you are. Esther, your physician has arrived to see you.” Edward crossed to his sister, pausing beside her.