With an incredulous look he replied, “How can you ask that? Of course I was jealous. I thought you preferred him to me and it made me miserable for weeks!”
Julia tried to hide it, but she was pleased that Henry had been jealous and when she next saw her new brother-in-law, she would owe him a thank you. Who knows if Henry would have realized his feelings in time otherwise?
“Sorry,” she said meekly. Then casting aside the pretended meekness, she said, “There is one other thing that Harriet mentions that I’m concerned about. You remember how my mother wrote that Lord Montague wouldn’t honor their agreement because of the scandal of Harriet’s elopement?” Henry nodded. Julia had confided to Henry about Lord Montague and her mother’s strange agreement. It seemed unfair that because their engagement had been secret, Lord Montague had been able to end it with no repercussions whatsoever. Julia continued, “Well, apparently Mother wrote to Harriet to tell her that it was all her fault. Mother ranted about what a horrible daughter she is and how her stupid, selfish ways ruined my mother’s life.”
“Like I said before, I can’t feel sorry for your mother,” Henry replied. “When I think what she put you and your sister through, I’m amazed that you have any sympathy for her.” Then, as if he was already beginning to forgive her, he added, “But I’m sure she hopes as I do that Lord Montague marries a widow who doesn’t tell him she has a dozen unwed daughters until after the wedding.”
Julia smiled a little at the sentiment. She had never cared for Lord Montague, but as for her mother, she was sorry for her, but mostly because she had pushed Harriet away. Julia, Harriet, and their mother had been a trio for so long, but Julia had always felt like the outsider. Their mother and Harriet had always been close. Julia’s temperament was quieter than theirs. Her mother and sister had always been united in their enthusiasm and despair, but this time, her mother’s despair was Harriet’s fault and her harsh words estranged her from her favorite daughter. “It seems that Mother vowed in her letter to Harriet to never to speak to her again. But I hope she’ll soften up over time. Harriet says she doesn’t care, but I think she does.”
“For Harriet’s sake then, I hope she comes around.”
“For the sake of our wedding, I hope she comes around sometime in the next three days. My mother will be here too and I don’t want our wedding day to be stained with their hostility.” Julia’s mind suddenly took a turn and she looked up at Henry with a smile as she said, “Perhaps we can devise a plan to get them to reconcile.”
Henry smiled with fondness and said, “I should’ve known you’d have a plan. As long as your strategy doesn’t interrupt the ceremony, I don’t mind.”
Julia squeezed his hand. “I promise.” Then a new thought came and with a small shake of her head she raised her eyebrows and gave him an ironic smile. “If anything interrupts our ceremony, it will be the sobbing young ladies of all the surrounding areas who come to the wedding, probably all wearing black as though they are in mourning.” Julia snorted a little at her own joke, but wondered how close to the truth that really was.
Henry grinned down at her and said, “I’ve been meaning to thank you for saving me from them, by the way.”
“You’re welcome,” she said sweetly. “However, I doubt they will thank me anytime soon. You should have seen Miss Clifton’s face when your mother told her we were getting married.” It had been difficult for Julia to tell if the girl had been more angry or sad. But Miss Clifton hadn’t been the only one. “The others were just as bad. Miss Dripple’s reaction, and Miss Trevon’s, and—”
“Not to worry,” Henry interrupted her. “Charles is returning from his tour of the continent in time for our wedding. He can comfort the lot of them.”
Julia didn’t know how effective Henry’s brother would be, but she didn’t need Henry’s advice not to worry about it; despite their reactions, she didn’t care a bit that she was taking Henry away from every other young lady. She gazed up at Henry with all the affection she felt for him and saw the same love reflected back at her. She was amazed that she had never had to pretend to be anything other than herself with Henry; she had never hidden her imperfections from him and he had fallen in love with her anyway. In fact, he vowed he had fallen in love with her because of them.
A
About the Author
Paula Kremser began writing while living in England, so choosing to write about the Regency era was no coincidence. She is an avid reader, but decided to write because sometimes stories just didn’t go the way she wanted. She obviously has control issues; just ask her four kids. She hopes to someday win an award for writing, in the meantime, she brags about once winning a bubble gum blowing competition. She continually practices that skill (along with writing) in her new hometown of Sandy, Utah.
To Suit a Suitor Page 22