by Brenda Hiatt
“Of course.” Juliana set down her cup, and arose from the bed. She remembered that Grandpapa had bade Lord Amberley to visit them today, and decided she wished to speak to Grandpapa before that happened.
She chose one of her most modest morning dresses. After Polly had helped her into it, and tied a cap onto her head, Juliana eyed herself in the mirror. She could not help chuckling at her demure, Quakerish appearance. Nothing could be a greater contrast with the dashing Mademoiselle Juliette. If only it were bad enough to make Lord Amberley regret their engagement!
She sobered, knowing it was no use hoping she could disgust him into withdrawing his offer. No doubt he was just like Charles Bentwood. The only difference between them was that Bentwood had been a clumsy villain, and Amberley had been anything but clumsy…
“That will be all, Polly,” she said more sharply than she intended. “Thank you,” she added in a softened tone before leaving the room.
She had barely sat down when Grandpapa and Mrs. Frisby entered the morning parlor, where it was their custom to breakfast after services. They both smiled at her broadly, and she wished she could be as delighted to have returned as everyone was to see her.
As she poured some coffee for Grandpapa, Juliana once again had to endure her companion’s felicitations on her engagement.
“Thank you, Mrs. Frisby,” she replied. “But I must tell you that I have every intention of crying off from this engagement after a suitable period has elapsed.”
Mrs. Frisby threw a nervous, questioning look at Juliana’s grandfather.
Juliana watched Grandpapa for signs of anger. Though there was a worried crease in his forehead, he remained calm as he replied. “Juliana has not had a proper opportunity to become acquainted with Lord Amberley. She may change her mind after a month at Redwyck Hall.”
“She may indeed. I imagine it is a lovely place, and from what I hear, Lord Amberley is the handsomest of gentlemen. To think we shall see you a countess!”
There was a wistful note in Mrs. Frisby’s voice, and a trace of anxiety in her smile, but her good wishes were sincere. Mrs. Frisby had shared Grandpapa’s hopes that Juliana would make a good marriage, but at the same time there was no doubt she wondered what would become of her once that happened.
Juliana smiled at her reassuringly. “Dear Mrs. Frisby, I assure you Lord Amberley’s rank means nothing to me, and no matter how beautiful a place Redwyck Hall is, it cannot tempt me into matrimony. But even if I do marry someday, you will always have a place with me.”
Mrs. Frisby’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude.
“In fact, I fully expect you will accompany me to Redwyck Hall,” said Juliana, realizing that would be no bad thing. Much as Mrs. Frisby had supported Grandpapa’s wishes for Juliana to marry, she had always been a careful chaperone.
“Surely Mrs. Redwyck’s chaperonage will suffice,” objected Grandpapa, scowling.
Juliana bit her lip to hold back a rash reply, and forced herself to maintain a cool demeanor.
“Grandpapa, have you thought that perhaps Mrs. Redwyck is in league with her son to draw me into this marriage?”
“Do you have reason to think so?”
She relaxed slightly. At least he was listening to her.
“I cannot imagine why else such a lady would be willing to accept as her daughter a girl who—” Juliana lowered her voice, “who has been masquerading as an opera dancer.”
“There’s no doubt the Redwycks need money,” said Grandpapa. “That may be why Mrs. Redwyck is willing to overlook your indiscretions. But I cannot think that she, or a gentleman such as Lord Amberley for that matter, would stoop so low as to wish to entrap you into marriage.”
“You think not? Amberley is not the first gentleman to have tried to compromise me so that I would marry him.”
“What? Who did such a thing? Why was I not told?” Grandpapa looked accusingly at Mrs. Frisby.
“It happened while I was staying with Lady Plumbrook in Brighton last summer,” Juliana hastened to reply. “I did not tell you, for I did not wish to worry you.”
“Do you think Lord Amberley capable of the same villainy? He seems every inch the gentleman!”
“He is a charming scoundrel,” she replied bitterly.
“So you believe he knew who you were when he brought you to Amberley House?”
“I do. And even if he did not know who I was, what does it say about his character?”
Grandpapa looked perplexed. It was an unusual expression for him, but Juliana was heartened to see him taking her opinion seriously.
“Do you think such a man would prove a faithful husband?” she continued, hoping to drive her point home.
“I do not know,” he said, and paused, his white brows drawn together.
“There is nothing unusual in it, my dear,” said Mrs. Frisby, breaking the silence. “Few men are above such vices, but it is still better to marry than become an old maid. And of course, you will have his children to comfort you.”
Juliana was not surprised to hear the resigned tone in Mrs. Frisby’s voice. She had always suspected Captain Frisby had not been the most reliable of husbands. She only knew she had no need, or desire, for a marriage with a husband who would neglect her as soon as his need for heirs was satisfied.
“There is no reason for Juliana to have to settle for a philandering husband,” said Grandpapa. “I have already told Amberley as much.”
“So you will allow Mrs. Frisby to come along with me?”
“You really do not trust Lord Amberley to keep the line while you are at Redwyck Hall?”
“I do not.”
“Very well, then. I still do not think Lord Amberley capable of such base schemes as you suggest, but if it will make you more comfortable, Mrs. Frisby and I will both come with you.” He smiled indulgently, then added, “I’d like to see Redwyck Hall for myself, and see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Thank you, Grandpapa,” she said. She went around the table and kissed his brow, feeling more hopeful that all would end well. Grandpapa had not amassed and maintained his huge fortune without learning to beware of the greedy and unscrupulous. Soon he would realize that Lord Amberley fell into that category.
After they had all breakfasted, Grandpapa retreated to his study, and Juliana accompanied Mrs. Frisby upstairs to begin selecting clothes to pack for their upcoming journey. Polly chattered excitedly as she sorted through Juliana’s clothes, exclaiming over the prospect of going to a grand country house. Juliana smiled at Polly’s enthusiasm, though of course she did not share it.
Polly glanced out the window and exclaimed, “There’s a carriage with a crest just arrived, Miss. Oh, is that Lord Amberley? He’s ever so handsome, isn’t he, Miss?”
Despite herself, Juliana went to join Polly and caught a brief glimpse of the earl’s elegant, dark-coated figure as he climbed the stairs up the entrance. She noticed that he still walked with a slight limp. So that at least was real, and not just a ruse to arouse her interest and sympathy. She remembered all her romantic conjectures on how he had acquired the limp, and once more cursed herself for having been such a fool.
She found she could no longer concentrate on the packing, and wondered when she would be asked to go downstairs to meet Lord Amberley. When ten minutes had dragged by, she realized he must be alone with Grandpapa.
“I must ask Mrs. Frisby something,” she told Polly, and left the room.
She went downstairs. Seeing that the door to Grandpapa’s study was closed, she tiptoed softly towards it, glad he had had the hall covered in a thick carpet so that servants’ footsteps would not disturb him at his work. Looking about to make sure no one observed her, she put her ear by the door. Perhaps it was wrong to eavesdrop, but how else could she know what lies Amberley told Grandpapa?
She caught her grandfather’s voice, and was relieved to hear his disapproving tone.
“—not best pleased with what I saw last night. Forgive the question, Am
berley, but how do I know you’re not some sort of rake? That you won’t indulge yourself with opera dancers after you’ve married my granddaughter?”
“I assure you, Mr. Hutton, that was the first time I have ever done anything of the sort.”
Juliana suppressed a snort of indignation.
“It was wrong of me,” Amberley continued in that same disarmingly honest voice, “but I had already given up hope of Miss Hutton’s ever accepting my offer. I promise you that if she does decide to marry me, I will treat your granddaughter with all the respect and consideration she deserves.”
A pause ensued, and Juliana could imagine the piercing look Grandpapa was giving Amberley. She knew it was a look that made even the innocent cringe with guilt over imagined crimes.
“Well,” Grandpapa said slowly. “I consider myself a fair judge of character. You’re telling the truth, or I’m a pigeon.”
Juliana tensed. How could Grandpapa allow Amberley to draw the wool over his eyes?
“However,” Grandpapa continued, “Juliana has her doubts of you, and I have to admit you’ve given her some reason. That’s why I would like to accompany her to Redwyck Hall, along with Mrs. Frisby, who’s been her companion this past year. If it is agreeable to you and your mother, of course.”
“Of course. Mama and I shall be delighted to welcome you all to our home,” said Amberley.
“Very kind of you, my lord. I’ve heard Redwyck Hall is a lovely place.”
Juliana could almost see Grandpapa’s smile through the softening of his voice. Horribly, unbelievably, he had succumbed to Amberley’s wiles. What was she to do now?
“I trust you will not be disappointed, sir,” said Amberley. “The Hall is a beautiful old place, but I will admit, it is in need of serious repairs.”
“I’ve heard as much from Lord Plumbrook,” said Grandpapa, not sounding surprised. “And there’s that matter of the mortgage, too. What would you say if I said I’d pay the next installment for you right now?”
There was a pause, and Juliana could imagine Amberley restraining himself from jumping too eagerly at the offer.
“I would say thank you, sir,” he said. “I know I have not done anything yet to merit such kindness, but I cannot afford to be too proud.”
“Good. I would’ve been suspicious if you had pretended to refuse,” said Grandpapa. “Damn it, I like you, Amberley! Come to think of it, you handled the situation last night very well. Maybe I’ve been too heavy-handed with Juliana. Maybe you’ll manage her better.”
Amberley lowered his voice. Juliana could not hear his reply, but rage at his duplicity boiled up inside her. It was all she could do not to burst through the door and scream at them both.
“It goes without saying,” Grandpapa continued, “that I will pay off the entire amount once you convince her to marry you.”
“I shall do my best, sir.”
Again, Juliana resisted the impulse to enter the room and tell Amberley exactly how unlikely he was to succeed. As the men’s conversation passed on to details of their trip to Gloucestershire, she realized she should leave if she did not wish to be caught. Softly, she walked down the hall, still furious with Amberley, and shocked at how easily he had managed to worm his way back into Grandpapa’s good graces. She forced herself to breath deeply. She had to stay calm, think of a way to expose Amberley for the rascal he was. But how?
She was at the bottom of the stairs when she heard Mrs. Frisby’s voice calling toward her.
“Oh, there you are, Juliana, dear. Your friend Miss Talcott has come to visit. She is in the drawing room, waiting for you.”
When they reached the drawing room, Juliana saw Pen quickly get up from her seat.
“Good morning, Juliana. I am so happy to see that you are feeling more the thing,” said Pen, her smile radiating a mixture of relief, concern and curiosity.
“Yes, I am perfectly recovered from my—indisposition,” she replied, continuing the pretense. Now that her masquerade was at an end, there was no point in letting Mrs. Frisby know Pen had been in on the secret.
“Yes, and we have such exciting news,” said Mrs. Frisby. “Dear Juliana has accepted an offer from the Earl of Amberley himself!” Her eyes pleaded with Juliana not to contradict her.
“I wish you very happy,” said Pen, her eyes widening as she looked from Mrs. Frisby back to Juliana.
“Thank you,” she replied. “Now, dear Mrs. Frisby, perhaps you will allow us some time alone so I may tell Pen all about our plans, and say our goodbyes.”
“Our goodbyes?” Penelope asked.
“We are all going to visit Lord Amberley and his mother at Redwyck Hall,” said Mrs. Frisby with a nervous smile as she looked at Juliana. Perhaps she did not wish to leave them alone, for fear Juliana would confide in Pen. Which was exactly what she hoped to do.
“Yes,” said Juliana. “I am sure there are still a thousand details to arrange before we go.”
Mrs. Frisby looked uncomfortable, clearly unsure whether she should leave them alone, but also fearful of giving offense. Juliana knew she would bow to a stronger will, but hated to play the imperious employer to her nervous companion.
At that moment, Grandpapa entered the room, Lord Amberley following behind. Instantly, she felt an unexpected, treacherous response to the sight of his tall, elegantly-clad figure, which made her stupidly conscious of her dowdy, unbecoming garb. Then her anger reasserted itself, and she greeted him with a cold, challenging look. She had the satisfaction of seeing doubt and anxiety in his eyes as they briefly met hers, before he turned back to listen to her grandfather, who introduced him to Mrs. Frisby and Penelope.
“I am delighted to make the acquaintance of one of Miss Hutton’s friends,” said Amberley, smiling at her friend as she looked up at him curiously.
Penelope actually smiled back at him. Shy little Pen, who shrank from strangers, was actually smiling at that snake Amberley, innocently responding to his charm. Juliana reminded herself that Pen did not know what had happened, or how Amberley had plotted to seduce her into marriage.
“I trust you are in good health this morning, Miss Hutton,” he said, turning back toward her. He said the words smoothly, but she sensed nervousness in his voice. Did he doubt his ability to fool her again? Well he might!
“I am perfectly well, thank you,” she replied in a tone that did not encourage further discussion.
The gentlemen sat down, and a brief, uncomfortable silence ensued. Mrs. Frisby broke it with exclamations of delight at having been invited to Redwyck Hall. Then Penelope talked of the Cotswolds, saying she had read of the beauty of the region. Amberley responded politely, and a moment later, they had somehow passed on to a discussion of country life, and the hardships that the country people were enduring. Juliana sat quietly, disgusted at the seeming sincerity of his replies to Pen’s knowledgeable questions about his tenants and laborers, and appalled to see her friend growing every minute more comfortable chatting with the duplicitous scoundrel.
“I know little of farming,” admitted Grandpapa during a brief pause. “I have heard Redwyck Hall is a fine old place. Juliana and I are quite looking forward to seeing it.” He looked fiercely over to Juliana, wordlessly exhorting her to join in the conversation.
“Yes. Quite,” she replied, determined to give no further encouragement.
“Perhaps, my dear, you would wish Lord Amberley to tell you more about it in private.”
She looked to Mrs. Frisby, hoping she would disapprove of the plan, but her chaperone disappointed her by saying, “Of course, my dear. A certain degree of license is permitted to engaged couples, you know.”
“I think I must take my leave now,” said Penelope, looking uncertain as to what Juliana would wish her to do.
“We can send you home in our carriage, Miss Talcott,” said Grandpapa. “I do not know what your aunt is about, allowing you and your maid to trudge so far by yourselves.”
“Oh, we are both country girls, and prefer to wal
k on a fine day such as this one,” said Pen, as she rose from her chair.
Lord Amberley got up and bowed as Grandpapa escorted the two ladies out, leaving Juliana nothing to do but fume. Not only had she missed her opportunity to confide in Pen, now she was left alone with the author of her predicament. It was tempting to plead an indisposition and leave the room, but Amberley might take that as a sign of cowardice.
No, it was better that she throw down the gauntlet right now, and let him see exactly how impossible a task he faced.
Accompanied by her maid, Pen descended the steps into Russell Square, wishing she had had an opportunity to talk to Juliana in private, but on the whole, satisfied with her visit. It was a relief to know that Juliana was once more safely under her grandfather’s roof, although her sudden engagement still presented a mystery. Perhaps Lord Amberley had rescued her from the rakish lord that Verwood had spoken of, and offered the protection of his name to prevent any resultant scandal.
As they began to walk along one side of the square, Pen reflected that Juliana had not looked pleased with her engagement. Perhaps it was just her friend’s usual rebellion against her grandfather’s plans. She herself liked Lord Amberley very much. In her experience, few handsome young lords were kind enough to speak so cordially to plain young ladies of no particular consequence. It was a sign of Amberley’s good nature. Moreover, few lords demonstrated Amberley’s awareness of their obligations to their dependents.
Perhaps, in time, Juliana would come to love him. From the way he looked at Juliana, it seemed that he was already at least half in love with her. But how could that be?
She was startled out of her musings by the entrance of a smart curricle drawn by a pair of dark bays into the Square. Holding the reins was none other than Lord Verwood. Noticing her, he drew up his horses and jumped down. He handed the reins to his groom, who began walking the horses around the square.
“Good morning, Miss Talcott,” he said, arching his eyebrows over those dark, clever eyes. “I suppose you have been visiting your friend, Miss Hutton. I trust she is in good health.”