“I feared as much.” She knew she was running late. One glance over her shoulder at the horizon showed over the bank of trees that bordered Edward’s estate that the sun was beginning to rise, with the grey clouds turning orange. “Is Lady Esther here?”
“It is too early to call on a lady at this hour.”
“It is an emergency,” Julia pleaded, even as the butler tried to close the door on her.
“Oh, goodness, Bennett,” Lady Esther’s voice called from behind him. “She is to be family. Do not leave her standing out on our front stoop.”
The butler opened the door once again, revealing Lady Esther had just reached the bottom step on the staircase, with her hand held by a maid who had assisted her down. Lady Esther smiled the moment she saw Julia, but it soon faded.
“What is wrong?”
“Lady Esther, I must beg your assistance.” Julia hurried into the house, her feet slipping repeatedly on the marble floor as she hastened toward Lady Esther. “It is Edward.”
“What is it? What has happened?”
“It is what is about to happen that worries me so.” Julia breathed heavily, finding the words fell from her in a hurry. “Lord Gillet is furious that Edward and I wished to marry, when he had asked my father for my hand. He said we had dishonored him, and he demanded recompense from Edward.”
“No…” Lady Esther stood tall, her chin lifting as she seemed to realize what was afoot without Julia even having to say the words. “Tell me it is not the case. They are not dueling, are they?”
“Almost this very moment.” Julia gestured to the windows, betraying the morning light. “At dawn, in Hyde Park. Please, My Lady, Edward would not listen to me, but he may listen to you. We must stop him from doing this.”
“Of course. Come. Let us go. Now. Bennett, have the carriage brought round.” Lady Esther took Julia’s hand and led her back toward the door.
“My Lady!” Bennett panicked, blocking the door. “We are under orders from the Duke. You cannot leave the house. What if you are seen?”
“Oh, tush, I think the endangerment of my brother’s life outweighs his orders, does it not?” Lady Esther asked, waving a hand in Bennett’s direction. “If you do not order the carriage, then I will go on a horse. We all know what a poor idea that would be, do we not?” She placed her other hand to her swollen stomach. Julia smiled, admiring Lady Esther’s resilience at this time.
Bennett nodded and relented to his lady’s wishes. Within minutes, the carriage was brought round, so fast that when it pulled up on the driveway, the horses were still being properly tacked up.
Julia hurried to the carriage, being sure to help Lady Esther in first, before they gave the orders to go to Hyde Park. As the carriage jolted back and forth, Julia and Lady Esther sat side by side, clutching one another’s hand.
In that moment, Julia felt they really were family, heading toward a loved one they were trying their best to save.
“What people will do for love,” Lady Esther said after some minutes of silence.
“I’m sorry?” Julia murmured in surprise, looking back to Lady Esther.
“My brother is prepared to duel, and you are prepared to walk between two dueling pistols to save him.” Lady Esther smiled, despite the danger of the moment. “The luck of those who are to marry the one they love. You are lucky indeed.”
Julia could not smile. She felt the threat of tears and barely managed to swallow past the lump in her throat. She thought only of the way she and Edward had been together the night before, making love in such passion and intimacy.
If only we were to be married. Edward… you must survive this!
When the carriage pulled up at Hyde Park, it could not go all the way to the meeting place by the river, for it was hidden by a bank of trees through which their track road ended.
“We must walk from here. Can you manage it?” Julia said as they stepped down.
“My legs haven’t given way beneath my extra weight yet. Though, a little help would be appreciated.”
Julia gladly offered her arm. The two of them hastened through the trees, with the footman from the carriage following on behind them, clearly unwilling to let them go alone.
When the trees parted, Julia could see the sun was coming up at last. Its orange crown was just visible beyond the river, in front of which two figures stood. The first was Lord Rutley, and the second was Edward.
“Edward!” Julia called to him.
He turned round with his gaze flicking straight to the two of them. The closer Julia and Lady Esther grew the more Julia could see Edward’s eyes widening.
“What are you both doing here?” He reached for them, before he took Lady Esther’s hand and helped to support her. “Esther, you are in no state to be out here.”