by Georgie Lee
‘If that’s what you wish.’ He took her elbow and untied the leather strap. His eyes told her the truth but the way he held her arm said more and it scared her. If she asked him to end this, he would. She only needed to speak, but she didn’t possess the words or strength to end the pleading in his eyes.
‘Please know this is no longer a game for me. I am quite serious and I believe you are, too.’ He moved nearer and she closed her eyes, his breath warm on her cheek before he kissed her. In his lips she felt a need and hope echoed in her own heart. She added her silent questions to his, unsure of the answers. No, this was no longer a game. It was something much deeper.
Someone cleared his throat and they jumped apart. Davies stood a short distance away, his calm demeanour betraying nothing. ‘Miss Howard, your presence and the captain’s is requested in the study.’
‘Requested? By who?’
‘Captain Russell.’
Julia almost reprimanded Davies for interrupting them, then realised she should thank him. Once again she’d been weak in the captain’s presence. Davies might be the most discreet of servants, but what if someone less reliable had seen them?
‘Shall we?’ Captain Covington offered Julia his arm and she took it.
The tangle of emotions continued to plague her until she wanted to scream with frustration. What did he mean it was no longer a game? She knew, though she refused to admit it. Why couldn’t people leave her alone so she could think? Instead here was yet another demand and from Uncle George of all people. Usually, he was the one person at Knollwood who didn’t order her about. Perhaps there was news from London or of Paul? A new fear filled her and her hand tightened on the captain’s arm.
‘Is something wrong?’ the captain asked, squeezing her hand.
She shook her head. ‘Davies, is it news of Paul?’
‘No, Miss Howard.’
Her grip relaxed and they followed Davies up the stone steps and through the back sitting room. The instant they entered the study, everything became clear.
‘What are you doing here?’ Julia demanded.
Charles turned around, his grey eyes growing darker at the sight of her hand on the captain’s arm. Her mother sat quietly in the window seat, her lips drawn tight, and Julia knew she’d been forced to endure another of his long-winded tirades.
‘I received Emily’s letter.’ He held up the wrinkled paper as though Julia needed reminding. How typical of Charles to be so dramatic.
‘I was told Uncle George wanted to see me,’ Julia answered.
‘I’m the one who summoned you. I knew you wouldn’t come if Davies said it was me.’
‘I thought as much.’ Julia crossed her arms, already tired of Charles. ‘Did you bring my inheritance?’
He stepped closer, but she did not step back. Try as he might, he didn’t scare her for she knew he was more bluster than any real threat. To his credit and her relief, the captain remained by her side. ‘I’m here to find out what you’re up to and save you from who knows what scandal.’
‘What scandal?’ If only he knew. Julia dug her nails into her palm to keep from laughing. For once Charles was correct, but she’d deny it to the grave before she let him know.
‘Riding alone with a gentleman, confronting a mob of angry men...’ Charles ticked off on his fingers ‘...visiting a gentleman in the middle of the night.’
He knows! Someone must have seen her leaving the captain’s room. It didn’t matter for she had no intention of admitting anything. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Don’t dare deny it. Emily saw you last night.’
Over Charles’s shoulder, Emily sat, shamefaced, the tips of her pale ears red. Julia’s heart pounded in her chest and she tried to think of some explanation or way to redeem herself. No, despite his proof, she would give him nothing. If she let him bully her now, she’d never be free of his heavy hand. She drew herself up to face him, but the captain spoke first.
‘Mr Howard, I assure you nothing inappropriate took place. She was retrieving one of your brother’s books while I was gone. Unfortunately, I came back early.’
‘Thank you, sir, for your explanation, but you have a great deal to answer to in regards to my sister’s honour.’
‘Charles,’ her mother chided, ‘you of all people should not give such lectures.’
Charles’s face went red and his mouth fell open, his stunned expression matched by Emily’s. Julia threw her mother a silent question, but received no response before Charles recovered himself.
‘Captain Covington, please excuse us for a moment. I wish to have a private word with my sister before you and I speak.’
‘Of course.’
* * *
James closed the door behind him, taking a deep breath in the cool dark of the hallway. Through the heavy oak he heard Julia and Charles arguing at the top of their voices.
‘I don’t know what you’re up to with this rash engagement, but after last night you will marry him,’ Charles insisted.
‘I will do no such thing.’
‘Be reasonable.’
‘Reasonable, from the man who is the most unreasonable.’
‘It’s only a matter of time before the story is known.’
‘Why? Do you and Emily intend to spread it?’
James had not confessed his feelings to her. He’d been on the verge when they were interrupted. Now everything stood in the balance. Charles knew about their encounter last night, but Julia’s stubborn nature worried him more than Charles’s. Despite her true feelings, of which he had a good sense, she would never marry him if her brother insisted.
The door opened and Mrs Howard marched up to him.
‘Captain Covington, if you have any interest in my daughter, now is the time to make it known, especially to her.’ She walked off down the hall, her spaniel trotting behind her.
Inside the study, the sibling argument rose three octaves.
‘If you had no intention of marrying him, why did you become engaged?’ Charles demanded.
‘You wouldn’t understand.’
‘Then Emily’s suspicions were right.’
‘You’d like nothing better than for all your suspicions to be right. Perhaps if you suspected good in me, you’d be less disappointed.’
‘Please lower your voice.’
‘Stop ordering me about.’
‘Julia, be reasonable.’
If he didn’t intervene now, he might lose all chance with her. The more her brother insisted, the more she’d resist, no matter what was in her heart. And what was in her heart? He’d seen it in her eyes outside: passion, longing and the faint traces of love. But there was trepidation there, too, of loving without return, broken trust and betrayal. He knew the power of those emotions, but, striding into the study, he refused to succumb to either her fears or his own.
Charles sat at the desk, his head in his hands. Julia stood on the other side, her back to James, her palms flat on the smooth wood surface. Did she know how formidable she was? He doubted it, for with men like Charles always underestimating her, she greatly underestimated herself.
‘Excuse me.’ James cleared his throat.
Brother and sister looked at him.
‘Tell him nothing happened for he obviously doesn’t trust me,’ Julia insisted, her eyes pleading with him to help.
‘If I may,’ James addressed Charles. ‘I believe I have a solution to the current dilemma. But I must speak to Miss Howard, alone.’
Charles studied the two of them, his frustration reflected in his nervous, wide-eyed wife, who sat by the window. ‘As you like. But I only wish to entertain one resolution.’
‘On this we are both in agreement.’
Charles nodded. ‘Come, Emily. Let’s leave them alone.�
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Emily took Charles’s hand and together they left, closing the door behind them. Once they were alone, Julia turned fiery eyes on James.
‘There is nothing you can say to solve the situation. I suggest you return to London at once so we may avoid any more of these awkward situations.’
‘I have another, more practical solution.’
‘Which is?’
‘For us to marry.’
‘Marry?’ Her eyes widened with surprise and, unless he was mistaken, flattered hope, before narrowing in suspicion. ‘Whatever for?’
‘Mutual enjoyment and benefit.’ At this moment with her temper high, he doubted she’d believe him if he told her the truth behind his very sincere proposal. Once he had her, there would be time to reveal his heart. ‘I know you don’t relish the idea of marriage, but do you really wish to stay here at Knollwood with your brother, for the rest of your life?’
‘Of course not. I want Cable Grange.’
‘What if I offered you more than Cable Grange?’
‘More?’
He cocked one suggestive eyebrow. ‘Much more.’
She crossed her arms over her chest. ‘And when the thrill of much more fades?’
‘There is a great deal more than that.’ He drew her to the atlas, the delicious scent of rosewater filling his senses. He longed to touch her face, caress her cheek with his hand, but he had to proceed slowly or she would spook and all would be lost. ‘The Caribbean, perhaps, or Venice, even India.’
His fingers traced the illustrated countries and seas and her eyes followed the routes with interest. ‘But what about Cable Grange?’
‘You may still have it, and this—’ he tapped the gilded pages ‘—but unmarried, you’ll have neither.’
She shook her head. ‘And when there is a parcel of children dragging at my heels, will I really have this?’
He leaned in with a wicked smile. ‘I’m a Navy man. I know a great deal about a great many things, including avoiding a parcel of children.’
‘You didn’t last night.’
‘I was unprepared by your sudden appearance. In the future I’ll be more ready for such situations.’
Her eyes widened in shock. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, my little Artemis. Though I may insist on one or two children.’
‘Well, that’s not unreasonable.’ She turned back to the atlas, eyebrows knitted while she pondered his suggestion. ‘Why me? Why not Annette or some other woman?’
‘Because you have a courageous nature well suited to adventure.’
‘And the rest?’ The word lingered between them.
‘In time, it will come.’ He brushed her lips with his own, feeling her excitement and anticipation.
Gently, his mind cautioned. He stepped back, her sultry eyes stealing the wind from his chest, yet he found the breath to whisper, ‘Marry me?’
Chapter Eleven
With a single word, Julia found herself at the centre of a frenzy of activity. For two days she was tugged in a hundred directions while Emily and her mother rushed to plan the wedding. The captain was spared the madness. Shortly after his proposal, he received word from his solicitor in London and departed to take care of business. He also planned to buy their wedding rings and make arrangements for a short honeymoon while in town. He was set to return this evening, in time for the ball, and there they would make their engagement public.
She shivered at the thought.
‘Are you all right, miss?’ The seamstress looked up at Julia from where she knelt, pinning the hem of the London dress they’d chosen for the wedding.
‘Yes, thank you.’
‘You’ll need a proper shift, perhaps more than one,’ Emily said from the sofa, reviewing the ever-growing trousseau list.
‘Whatever you think is best,’ Julia agreed, her mind still whirling. What had she done?
‘I don’t believe you’ll need linens,’ Emily mused and her mother nodded.
‘She can have my mother’s set.’
Julia did her best not to roll her eyes in frustration at this inane conversation. Here she was, prepared to lash herself to a man she barely knew, and all Emily could think about was linens and lace. Though the captain’s long friendship with Uncle George gave her some measure of confidence in her current and what would very soon be her future situation, she still worried. A gentleman was apt to act differently with other gentlemen than he was with ladies, especially a wife.
The seamstress motioned for her to turn and she complied, her mind lingering on the memory of the captain when he’d asked—no, bargained with her to marry him. His eyes had held a pleasant mix of hope and—dare she believe it—love? No, it wasn’t possible. But if it wasn’t, then why would he insist she marry him? He had nothing to gain by the union. And what had he meant at the archery range by the game meaning more?
‘My man of affairs secured the special licence and I spoke to the vicar. The ceremony is set for tomorrow at three,’ Charles announced, stepping into the room. A wave of dread hit Julia, but she couldn’t move for fear of being stuck by one of the many pins in her dress. Besides, she wasn’t about to let Charles know she harboured any doubts about her decision.
‘I can’t possibly arrange everything by then,’ Emily complained, tapping her list. ‘And what about Captain Covington’s family? He isn’t expected back from London until this evening and with his mother and sister in Wiltshire, how can he possibly arrange for them to be here by tomorrow?’
‘I’m sorry they’ll miss it, but if Julia wants her inheritance and Cable Grange, she will marry tomorrow.’
‘Or, instead of being so high handed, you could simply allow me to purchase the estate. Then the captain and I can marry at our leisure,’ Julia suggested, her brother more irritating than the pins in her dress.
‘No, I don’t want any reason for you to decline. I’ve sent instructions for my solicitor to arrange the money for Saturday’s auction. Once you and Captain Covington are married, I will bid for Cable Grange on your behalf, then establish it in trust for you.’
Baby Thomas let out a small cry. Charles picked him up from where he lay in the rocker at the nurse’s feet. He held the baby in his arms, his hard expression softening as he carried the infant to the window, laying a kiss on his little head. Emily rose and joined them, moving aside the blanket so they could see more of the baby’s smiling face. For the first time in her life, Julia envied Charles and Emily. They both annoyed her, but they loved each other and always did what they thought best for everyone in the family.
Julia’s stomach tightened. What if she never found such love and happiness with the captain?
‘Enough wool-gathering,’ her mother interrupted, picking up Emily’s list and examining it. ‘There is still much to do.’
* * *
Julia slipped out into the garden, eager to escape all the talk of both her wedding and the ball and be alone so she could think. She pulled the neck of her pelisse close, trying to warm her cheeks in the high collar. The fine weather had turned and, though the sky was clear, the air was sharp and cold. As she ambled over the gravel, the confidence she’d felt a few days ago while sitting here with her mother felt like a distant memory. Her future at Cable Grange had seemed so secure then; now she could see nothing but the unknown dotted with the chance of adventure and travel. What would life hold for Mrs James Covington? Would it really be like he promised or did she run the risk of becoming Mrs Wilkins? Wandering into the hedged garden, she sat down in front of the fountain, listening to the gentle plunk of water dripping into the pool from the clinging bodies.
Captain Covington offered many things in his proposal, but not love. He said it would come in time, but there was no guarantee. If he never grew to love her did it matter? Cable Grange would be hers and she could live t
he way she’d always dreamed of, but with the freedom of a married woman. The thought should have comforted her, but it didn’t. Instead it only added to her loneliness and confusion. Turning back to the fountain, she felt her heart catch. Love was not part of their deal. It never had been.
The sound of someone walking on the gravel caught her attention and a moment later, Annette came around the corner, her heavy dress and pelisse more appropriate for the chilly day.
‘Good afternoon, Julia,’ she greeted with a light voice.
‘Good afternoon,’ Julia mumbled, in no mood for her stepcousin.
To Julia’s surprise, Annette sat down next to her, drawing her pelisse tight. Julia watched her with caution, wondering what she wanted. It wasn’t like her to be so cordial and her sudden nearness felt awkward. In no mood to entertain the chit and knowing she did not possess the patience to be polite, Julia moved to make her excuses and leave, but Annette stood first. ‘Would you please take a turn with me around the garden?’
Julia almost declined, but something in Annette’s manner, less arrogant than before, made her curious. She didn’t like the idea of spending time alone with Annette, but with nervous fretting over the wedding being the only thing waiting for her inside, walking seemed very appealing. ‘Of course.’
She rose and led Annette away from the hedges and down the main garden path. Small birds, searching the stones for food, hopped out of their way, then flew up into the surrounding bushes, chirping in protest at being disturbed.
Annette further surprised Julia by taking her arm in a casual, sociable manner. Julia didn’t pull away but braced herself for an insult, knowing all this friendliness had something to do with Julia discovering the girl’s secret.
‘You are aware of the situation concerning my brother and myself?’ Annette asked, confirming Julia’s suspicion.
‘I inadvertently learned of it.’ There was no reason to lie since they both knew what Julia had seen.