“Uncle, I have friends throughout this country, and I live to correspond with every single one of them. If I may, I am going to go to my rooms to open the letter and write a response. Would you like me to write your correspondence for you while I’m at it?” She knew what the answer would be. She asked anyway.
“No, dear girl, I don’t have any correspondence for you today. Go on, now, so that we can visit with your friends here in town later this evening.” Her uncle winked.
Though their relationship was somewhat strained due to Henrietta’s frequent disagreements with both of them, Juliana and her uncle still had a good deal of camaraderie. She exited the sitting room and climbed the stairs to her rooms.
Juliana sat at the writing desk her father had given her years ago and read the missive. She took out her quill and parchment so she could write a return letter before her uncle and cousin found who she was corresponding with.
Your Grace,
I must admit that that sounds good. You are very dear to me, as well. I am not sure how we came to be as close as we are in such a short time. I have missed you, as well, my darling. You make everything brighter. I don’t know what to call this thing that has been ignited between us, but it almost frightens me. Your letters are a balm to my soul. When will you be back in town?
Yours,
Lady Juliana
* * *
Marcus’s slaving away on his household budgeting came to a halt when Jenkins, his overbearing butler, stumbled into his study.
“What is it, Jenkins?”
“Your Grace…”
“Out with it, Jenkins. What has you in a dither? And, when have you ever ‘Your Grace-ed’ me?” Marcus asked impatiently.
“Your Grace, there is a problem down at the stables. I think you had better find your way down there, sir.”
“I am assuming you don’t know what is wrong and that Smith can’t handle it himself.”
“You would be correct, sir.”
Marcus pushed his paperwork to the side, pushed back his chair, and got to his feet. He looked through a couple of windows as he slowly made his way down the stairs from his study to the massive front door. At least, he thought to himself, it was a beautiful day. He walked around the formal gardens to the stables where he housed his prized thoroughbreds.
As he entered the building, he could sense something was off. “Smith, what’s wrong with the horses?”
“Oh, Your Grace, Psyche and Athena are sick again. I don’t know how or why. Your two-year-old racer is in a bad way, as well. I’ve done what I can with him, sir, but it isn’t looking right good for them. I have looked through all of the bales of hay and grain. Nothing looks off.”
“Are you suggesting that someone is poisoning my horses, Smith? If so, who on Dunsbury land would do this?”
“I have no idea, Your Grace. Might I suggest going to the magistrate?”
“I will do so right away, Smith. Continue to do what you can for the horses. Let me know if their condition changes.”
“I certainly will, sir. Would you care for me to saddle up one of the Arabians for a ride since you are already here?”
“Please saddle up Titan. I could use a ride. And, Smith?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Thank you for doing what you can for the horses.”
The horses had relapsed? Someone at the Abbey had a bone to pick with him. It needed to stop. Damn and blast!
* * *
While awaiting a response from Marcus, Juliana spent her days in a haze. She caught herself staring out the window, daydreaming. Not even Lady Anne or the duchess knew anything about what was happening.
Maybe I should confide in them about Marcus, she thought to herself.
A footman tapped at her door, bringing her out of her daydream.
“My lady, Lady Anne and the duchess are here to collect you for a trip to Broad Street.”
“Thank you very much, Franklin. Please tell them that I will be down shortly.”
“I would, my lady, but they followed me.”
“Very well. Show them in. While you are going downstairs, can you see to bringing some refreshments up for the ladies and me?”
“I will do that promptly,” he said as he bowed his way out of the door.
* * *
Bethany followed her friend Lady Anne through the open door and witnessed a beguiling sight—a disheveled Juliana.
“Whatever is the matter, Juliana?” asked Anne.
“What do you mean? Nothing is wrong,” Juliana said.
“Something is wrong, my girl. Now, do tell. And how can we cheer you up?”
Bethany looked at the girl and knew in an instant what was wrong with her. She had fallen for Marcus. Oh, the poor child. Marcus was far from marriage-minded. The man, her only son, had only one thing in mind, and that was a dalliance. She should warn the girl, but knowing Juliana as she did, she would not be persuaded. Still, maybe Marcus was ready to settle down and start a family. The thought was reassuring but unrealistic.
“Anne, darling, I think I know what is wrong with the girl,” Bethany said as she watched Juliana’s eyes register that she knew. “Darling, the dear girl is infatuated with my son.” She chuckled.
An audible gasp came from Lady Anne. “You must be joking, Beth. Our Juliana with your Marcus? Why, that is absurd! Why, Marcus is a—”
“Don’t you finish what you were about to say, Anne. I will not have you saying such things around Juliana about Marcus!”
“Ladies, I do like Marcus. It was like we had known each other forever when we met. We have been exchanging letters. I don’t know what to think.”
“There is plenty of time for you to understand your feelings and what you truly want. You have just met him. Though I would love to see him married off and giving me the grandchildren I have been dreaming about for so long, you cannot rush this. You have to know what your true feelings are and what his are. Keep writing him. There is more to him than just being a rake.”
Juliana blushed. “I know there is, Your Grace.”
“Oh, my! How far has this gone, dear?”
“We have only kissed one time.”
“Just once? Dear heart, that’s all it takes. Someone, anyone, could find you in his embrace, and that would ruin you. He is my son, but is he worth it?”
“Yes, Your Grace. He is,” she said as she ushered her guests to the sitting room for tea.
“I think Lady Juliana should be moved to a different house, my Lord. As you remember, I spoke to you about your niece’s amnesia after the carriage accident three years ago. The stress of the season and the possibility that her memory is trying to come back has been causing her a series of migraines. I have prescribed laudanum, but she has refused to take it. I suggest allowing her to be taken to Dunsbury House. Her Grace has graciously said that she would take care of all bills and the like until her ladyship is feeling better,” said Doctor Stevenson.
“Do you really think that would be beneficial?” Basil asked the doctor.
“I do, indeed, my Lord. I think being in the care of the duchess would be more beneficial than the care she is currently getting here.”
“Fine. So, it shall be.”
Doctor Stevenson nodded and stepped out the door.
“Henrietta, what do you think? Should we send my niece to the duchess?” Basil asked.
“It would be our best chance to seek those letters. She should go,” Henrietta sneered.
“Then we’re in agreement.”
“On your way out, will you ring for Jones?” she asked Basil as he left the room.
* * *
Jones summoned Maddy to his rooms. She didn’t know why she was being summoned, but it appeared something wasn’t right.
“Maddy, Lady Juliana is being moved to Dunsbury House as soon as we can make it happen. You will be going with her, seeing as you have known her for so long and will be needed. Please start packing my lady’s belongings for removal to Dunsbury House.”
“Yes, sir.”
Maddy made her way back above stairs, thinking to herself that Juliana would be in a better place. Maybe her migraines would disappear altogether. She gently tapped on Juliana’s door and walked in.
“My lady, it seems that the doctor has ordered you to be removed to Dunsbury House until you are feeling better. He believes you will get better cared for, and, most likely, have a better doctor to find out what really is going on with you.”
“Oh, Maddy, really? I can’t imagine how or why Uncle Basil would let me go. He thrives on me being here.”
“I don’t know, my lady, but it looks like he wants you to get better, and this would be the best option. Jones has ordered me to pack all of your belongings to go to Dunsbury House.”
“Very well, my friend. Please hurry, for I need to be out of this house as soon as you can make it happen.”
* * *
The Duchess of Dunsbury was surprised to have a messenger arrive from the Earl of Dumbrey. He said Lady Juliana was ill and needed to be removed from the Dumbrey household. She remembered a conversation she’d had with a Doctor James Stevenson about the possibility of taking in the girl. She was already the girl’s chaperone. What was wrong with the girl that she needed to be relocated?
She sent the messenger back to the earl. She wanted him to know that she would have a room prepared as soon as Juliana arrived. Not long after, she penned a letter to her son, advising him to come back to town as soon as he was able.
Bethany had a maid prepare the Green Room in the family wing for the girl. She loved Juliana as if she were her own daughter, always had. The relationship between the families was a long one that went back as far as the Norman Conquest of England. Juliana didn’t have to know about that, and it seemed as if her son didn’t remember that relationship, either. She was the only one left who knew, and it would go with her to her death.
* * *
Juliana arrived at Dunsbury House in one of her uncle’s closed carriages, the blinds shut to keep out as much light as possible. The pain rippled through her, concentrating between her eyes and radiating down through to the bottom of her skull. Any noise or bump in the road during the journey from her home to the duchess’s residence was excruciating. It wasn’t long before the carriage came to a sudden stop.
“Lady Juliana, we are here. Do I need to get a footman to help carry you into the house?”
“Yes, please, Maddy. I don’t think I can move without collapsing.”
“I will go get one from inside the house. You will be well, my lady.”
Minutes later, a tall, broad man in livery stepped into view to help her into the house. She heard Bethany direct the man to take her to the Green Room. Juliana had no idea where the Green Room was, but it was dark when she opened her eyes.
“Oh, good. You’re awake, child. Whatever has happened?” Bethany asked.
“Your Grace, a couple of days ago, I got a letter from Marcus and it forced so many memories to come all at once that I’ve had these migraines, and they won’t go away. The doctor prescribed laudanum but I refused to take the vile concoction. I don’t know what to do. I was surprised that Uncle sent me here. He was always protective of me before. Now, he seems so happy to have me out of his hair, and Henrietta was acting strangely. More than usual.”
“Child, we will talk about this more in the morning when you have had a good night’s sleep. There are things we need to discuss. Have a good sleep, my dear,” Bethany said.
Juliana closed her eyes, let the pain overwhelm her, and passed into the darkness that had been threatening to drag her under for the last several hours.
Yesterday
My dearest Juliana,
I am very sorry that I have worried you. It was not my intention. Some information on the deaths of my father and your family has surfaced. A letter was written to me not long before I received your last letter. Do forgive me for the abrupt and careless letter I sent you. I have been thinking about you so that it is almost indecent, and here I am the rakehell. No matter the rubbish my mother and her friends have been telling you, I am not the fiend they say I am. It seems you are the one woman I can’t live without. I don’t want to lose that. I would like you to wait until after I write again for you to make an appearance at Dunsbury Grange. I know you are stubborn and want to come right away, but things are not in a place for a visitor—not to mention the possibility of my mother, as well.
Your devoted servant,
Marcus
* * *
Juliana, draped over the chaise in her sitting room, was reading the newest Jane Austen novel when Maddy opened the door. She was holding a letter from Marcus.
“My lady, His Grace wrote another letter to you.”
“I see that, Maddy. Thank you. You may leave.”
She read the words that Marcus had passionately written to her. She was surprised to read his father had anything to do with her parents. It didn’t make sense to her, but many things didn’t make sense since the accident. She tried to remember, but the ensuing migraine forced her to close her eyes.
“My lady…! The dinner bell has rung. Your cousin and uncle have been expecting you.”
“Tell them I have a migraine and I am unable to make it down. Maddy, I need you to send someone to Dunsbury Grange. I am in dreadful need of His Grace,” Juliana said.
“Yes, my lady. I will do what you have asked of me. Are you sure about His Grace, though?” Maddy asked.
“Yes, Maddy. I am so horribly ill. I think that memories are trying to come back, and it hurts so badly. He needs to be here.”
“Very well, my lady. I will have Samuel ride to Dunsbury Abbey as soon as he is able.”
“Thank you, Maddy. Can you send for the doctor now?”
* * *
Marcus was out in the stables when the messenger arrived with the news of Juliana’s condition. Aaron and Jacob had not shown up yet and the horses were still in a precarious state. There was too much left undone at the Abbey for him to leave right now. But, then, what if Juliana was truly ill? He couldn’t live with himself if something were to happen to her. On the other hand, what if something happened here? He still had to go through his father’s correspondence from the time before he died. Maybe a short trip to town wouldn’t hurt? He would have to wait for the others to arrive before deciding anything.
Marcus told the messenger that he would be in town for a day or two to be at Juliana’s bedside. He then went into what had been his father’s study. The room had not been touched since the man died. The dust was thick, the air hard to breathe. The desk was left as if its owner would soon return.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. All the account books had been taken to his study, which was adjacent to his private rooms. Searching for his father’s most private correspondences would be an obstacle he wasn’t prepared for. He hated the thought of finding something that might incriminate him in something treasonous.
He started looking through the old oak desk that he remembered hiding behind while waiting for his father to find him. The memories rushed back in a wave of familiarity. He remembered his father writing in big bold letters. They weren’t the same letters he’d learned in his lessons. Maybe it was code.
His father had been a Rake, though it was never talked about. He had found his father’s coded journal several days before and read it through. These letters were something else entirely. After reading his father’s journal, he’s recognized right away that it wasn’t the same code as what was in the journal.
Damn and blast!
As his mind filled with endless possibilities, he heard a scratch.
“Come!”
“Your Grace, Lords Blackridge and Elderstone have arrived. Where would you like me to take them?”
“Don’t worry, Jenkins. It seems they followed you. Please order some tea.”
“Marcus, something a little stronger might be more advisable,” said Jacob.
“Not with the work we have to d
o,” Marcus said as he handed Jacob the letter he received about the mystery.
“We need to sort through my father’s old correspondences to see if we can find a connection. It isn’t just my safety at stake here. If it was, I wouldn’t have asked you both here. I could use your underground connections in Whitehall.”
“Marcus, this seems a bit over our heads. Have you thought about involving the War Department?” asked Aaron.
“It has crossed my mind, but, at this point, I have nothing to tell them. The letter is very vague. I have written vaguely to Juliana about it, but I didn’t want to get into it. Last thing I need is for all of her memories to come rushing back at once, causing lasting damage.”
“That may have already happened, Marcus. Your mother is worried about Juliana. She hasn’t been herself, and the girl hasn’t been seen at any parties in the last few days. What happens if what you wrote has done the one thing you were trying to delay?”
“I never thought of that…” Marcus thought out loud.
* * *
Basil Hatfield was glad that Juliana had gone with the duchess. He didn’t want her to be forced into the mess he had created. His brother had left an estate that Basil had no idea how to run. He was sitting in his study. He had no sense of business. The estate was slowly going into ruin, but he hadn’t the heart or desire to tell his niece since she had a duke by his cravat.
The only problem he saw was Henrietta Blackstone. She was living off him now that the duchess was the acting chaperone. The woman was a menace, but they had a single cause to fight over—his brother’s personal papers.
A Rake for Juliana Page 4