CHAPTER15
“Ihave come to speak to you.”
Julia stepped away, slipping through the small space that was still available to her past the hall table and Lord Gillet.
“I regret I cannot speak now, My Lord,” Julia said quickly, trying to invent a reason for an escape. “I have a headache and intend to retire to my room.” She managed to reach the bottom of the staircase and place her hand on the banister before he spoke again.
“What I have to say will not take long. Surely, after the spurn already given to me as of late, you would not turn down an audience with me too?” Lord Gillet’s words were trying to make her feel guilty – she could sense it.
She felt no such guilt, but she could feel the eyes of the butler staring at the two of them, evidently suspicious. Julia glanced his way, nervous that any whispers should reach the rest of the staff.
“Very well.” Julia nodded. “Mr. Chambers, perhaps you could bring my maid to me to chaperone for the two of us?”
“Of course, My Lady.”
A few minutes later, Julia was standing in the sitting room, still clutching to the book that Edward had sent her. Behind her, sat in a corner of the room was Maria, pretending interest in some embroidery in her lap, though in truth her eyes were more on Julia than on her stitches. Julia took every opportunity to share a worried glance with her friend, even when Lord Gillet crossed the room to stand in front of her.
“I will speak plainly,” he said, casting a quick look to the door that was set ajar before returning his focus to Julia.
“I pray you would not,” Julia mumbled to herself, fearful of what was to pass.
“I cannot countenance this treatment.” His words were sharp, practically spat through his lips. Julia felt her glare settle on him as he spoke. “Iam the injured party here, Lady Julia, and I will beg recompense for what has passed.”
“What recompense?”
He stepped toward her, with his hand outstretched. Julia moved back, her hands clutching to the book in her grasp and fiddling in her nervousness. She reached for the chair where Maria was sat and stood behind it, as if somehow Maria’s presence was as good as a knight, keeping her safe.
“I have no recompense to offer, neither do you deserve such,” Julia said, attempting to hold onto a formal tone.
“Can you hear yourself?” Lord Gillet shook his head, in evident disbelief. “Lady Julia, you and I were to be married. It was agreed upon. By your father, and myself –”
“But not by me. I did not, and do not, agree.” Julia’s sharp tone surprised him so much that those pale eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline.
“You speak boldly.” His voice was quiet, filled with a sort of venom. “I see that the Duke of Stapleton has had an influence over you.”
“Ha! If only I could credit him with such influence. I have always been bold in voice. If you have not noticed it before, then it is down to your own blindness, not the Duke’s doing.”
“Good Lord! I declare, I do not think I have ever known a lady so outspoken.” Once more Lord Gillet stepped forward. When he came close, Maria cleared her throat. It was a subtle signal for him to move back again. Julia couldn’t help smiling a little as Lord Gillet’s boots came to a stop on the rug between them.
I am safe from you… for now.
“A good husband would see you curb your tongue,” Lord Gillet declared with a wave of her hand, gesturing to her as if she were a dog at his feet. It made her stand taller, feeling her spine grow rigid.
“That is a bad husband, not a good one. Fortunately, the task will never be yours, My Lord. Another has that place now.” Julia smiled as she thought of Edward. Not for the first time did she wish their betrothal was a genuine one.
“For now.” Lord Gillet’s words made her smile fall from her lips and her body grow numb.
“What do you mean?” Julia asked, just as Maria stabbed herself with her needle. She shook her hand to get rid of the blood, staring at Lord Gillet with the same narrowed eyes Julia had. Lord Gillet didn’t reply, though he smiled and lifted his chin higher, as if he had won a victory in battle. “Tell me what you mean, My Lord.”
“The matter will be plain soon enough. I wished you to know this, Lady Julia, and it was my purpose in coming here today.” He stepped forward once again, and no matter how many times Maria cleared her throat, it did nothing to make him step back. Lord Gillet stepped around the chair and leaned toward Julia, as her hands curled into the back of the wooden chair. “I do not lose at anything. Not at cards, nor at business, and I certainly do not intend to lose at anything now.”
“I am not a thing to be won or gained.” Julia kept her voice cold, though Lord Gillet didn’t appear to hear it.
“You have my resolution, My Lady.”
“That she does. I’d say there is no other reason for you to stay, Lord Gillet.”
The new voice startled Julia so much that she flicked her head round, cricking her neck in the process. In the doorway stood Edward. Lord Gillet had so distracted her that she had not heard the bell pull rung nor the butler as he had answered the door. One look from Edward and Julia’s lips flickered into a smile.