The Barrister's Choice

by Kelly Anne Bruce

  Across the room, there was an uproar at the table playing Vingt-et-un. Several of the men were talking loudly.

  Miss Diana turned back to their table. "That does not sound good."

  "That is why we did not join them," Mr Webb said quietly.

  "Oh?" Lady Amelia said looking toward the table where they were still talking loudly.

  "Yes," Matthew agreed. "Most of them are a trifle disguised, although I expect more than a couple are well into their cups."

  The talk at the table got louder so much that all talk in the room stopped as people stopped to watch. Julianna could not hear what was said but Lord Norsely stood up so suddenly that his chair fell back to the floor.

  "You had better watch what you say!" He yelled pointing at one of the men still sitting at the table. "I'll not have you cutting shams about me!"

  "I have said nothing but the truth," the other man said,

  Lord Norsely swore loudly and turned away from the table. He nearly fell over the chair he had knocked on the floor. In his anger, he picked up the chair and threw it over the table barely missing those still seated. Without another word, Lord Norsely stormed from the room.

  "That was quite a display," Lady Amelia commented.

  "Quite. I shall be more than surprised if he is allowed back into Almack's," Matthew said loudly.

  The room erupted in laughter and while Julianna appreciated Matthew's comment she could not help but be troubled by Lord Norsely's behaviour.

  Chapter Sixteen

  "I am so glad that you suggested that we go riding today," Julianna said as they rode into Hyde Park.

  "I'm glad as well," Lady Amelia agreed. "Timothy had mentioned that he wanted to go and I immediately thought of you. I sent a note to you straight away."

  "I suppose I shall thank you, Mr Sedgwick, as well," Julianna said with a laugh.

  Mr Sedgwick bowed, well, as much as he could while riding upon his horse. "I am glad to be of service."

  The park was so quiet with only a few people walking about the fashionable time where most people would visit the park would not happen for several hours. Julianna was grateful not only for the quiet in the park but also to be able to ride her horse. She had not had a chance to do so since returning to London.

  She was also very grateful for Lady Amelia had become a great friend. Amelia was not one of those people that felt the need to fill every moment of silence with idle chatter. Julianna had found that she did some of her best thinking while out riding her horse and she felt she needed much time to think right then.

  Weighing most heavy on her mind was her concerns regarding Lord Norsely. She had already been struggling with her feelings about whether she wanted to enter into a courtship with him. After all, this was her second Season, and while she was in no hurry to marry, it was an expectation. Her parents had not interfered before so the introduction to Lord Norsely seemed odd and sudden. Given the incident involving his brother she quite understood the reasoning and possibly a rush to settle into an arrangement.

  While Julianna had always known that she would marry either a Peer or a gentleman from a respected family, she had still hoped to find someone special. She wanted to be in love, though she realized the unlikely slant to her desire.

  She had been hopeful upon their introduction, but Lord Norsely’s behaviour during their recent meetings had taken a toll. And then there was Mr Hugh Repington adding a wrinkle to the whole thing. In truth, her reactions to Hugh Repington had been rather telling.

  “Amelia, I heard that there was some issue at Webb’s card party the other night,” Mr Sedgwick asked after they had ridden a short time. “You were at that party, were you not?”

  Lady Amelia gave Julianna a quick glance before answering. “Yes, but Lady Julianna and I were there together.”

  “I heard that Davidson nearly came to blows with someone at the Vingt-et-un table.” Sedgwick went on to add, “Someone said that the affronted party was upset because they had lost the game."

  “I am not certain, but I believe it was Lord Norsely who argued with Mr Davidson.” Julianna had spoken up so that Lady Amelia would not have to.

  “We could not see who Lord Norsely was upset with, we only saw him stand up and yell at someone still seated at the table.”

  “Did they really almost come to blows?” Mr Sedgwick asked.

  “They did not. Although I would not have been surprised if it had come to that,” Lady Amelia told him.

  “Nor I.” Julianna kept her eyes forward and said quietly, “He threw a chair.”

  “He did what?”

  “When he stood up to confront Davidson, Lord Norsely knocked his chair to the floor. When he turned abruptly to leave, he nearly stumbled over the chair. Apparently stumbling angered him further, so much so that he picked up the chair and threw it over the table.

  “The Vingt-et-un table?”

  “Indeed. Luckily no one was hit by the chair.”

  “What happened next?”

  “Mr Repington said something humorous and everyone laughed.” Lady Amelia made a silly face. “It was a very odd evening indeed.”

  “Repington? Which one? There are five of them you know,” Mr Sedgwick quipped.

  “It was Matthew Repington,” Julianna supplied.

  “Did I just hear my name in vain?”

  To her amazement, Matthew Repington rode out from behind a stand of trees on another trail that crossed their own. Not far behind him came his sister, Lady Henrietta and even more surprising, his brother, Hugh.

  “Hello!” Lady Amelia exclaimed.

  Lady Henrietta lifted her hand in greeting. “Hello!”

  Matthew had ridden over next to Mr Sedgwick who said, “My sister and Lady Julianna have just been telling me about the excitement that occurred at Webb’s card party a few nights ago.”

  “Oh yes it was quite a night,” Matthew agreed. “It was most likely the highlight of the Season. I am quite sure people will be talking about it for a long time.”

  Lady Henrietta grimaced. Falling in next to Lady Amelia the horses continued down the trail. “Lord and Lady Marsfeld will not be happy, since the scandal involving Mr Townsend had only just died down.”

  Julianna had come to a complete stop when the others appeared. She held back to let the others pass. Mr Repington, Hugh, this time, stopped a little ahead of her and looked back waiting for her to join him. She urged her horse to move forward and they followed the others along the trail.

  “You did not want to partake in the gossip?” Hugh asked her.

  Without thinking she let out a dry chuckle. “No. I do not. I was there to witness Lord Norsely’s abhorrent behaviour and I’ve no need to speak about it now.”

  He looked at her for a moment and then nodded. “I believe Lord Norsely has been acting quite odd since he was ill several months ago. Whether it is due to the illness itself or his brother’s murderous plot, I could not say.”

  “I would imagine that either happening would be cause enough to alter one’s personality. Having to endure both seems a tremendous burden,” Julianna said.

  “The gossips will be sure to smear his name in London now.”

  Julianna shrugged. “At least they are no longer speaking about me.”

  Hugh raised his eyebrows in question.

  “Certainly, you have heard about my embarrassing night at the opera?”

  “Perhaps, although the account was rather amusing.”

  Thoroughly confused Julianna looked over at him and realized what he had said. Unable to keep from smiling she replied, “Indeed. It is no laughing matter.”

  Hugh grinned at her and she laughed feeling better than she had in days.

  “So, Mr Repington, how are you enjoying London?”

  “It has been good. I still miss riding in the country most mornings though. Sometimes I wonder if living in London is worth the trouble.”

  “I can understand that. Although I find merits in both living in the country and in Lond
on. I think it is best if you were able to do both. I truly enjoy the slow pace of the country and being able to go riding every day if I want. But London is so vibrant. There's so much to do. You can enjoy all of the balls and parties as well as the opera and theater. I do not think I would want to live exclusively in London but I also would not want to live solely in the country either.”

  "Because you would grow tired of either with too much exposure?" Mr Repington asked.

  "Perhaps, but I think it is more of that one makes me appreciate the other when I am there." Julianna thought about how she felt when she had to return to London. "When I am at Alverston I appreciate the quiet mornings, and going riding but I also miss my friends and the theater. When I am in London I appreciate seeing my friends and while I will still miss the quiet mornings it is something I look much forward to when the Season is over."

  Mr Repington seemed surprised by her response and Julianna wondered if she had said something wrong.

  "You would be happy living in either London or the country as long as you got to visit the other during the year?"

  Julianna thought about his question for a moment as it seemed somewhat important for him to know her feelings on the matter. "Yes. If the visits were prolonged, I think I would find that agreeable. Is there a particular reason for your interest?"

  "When I finished my studies at the Inns of Court I was chosen to be a barrister and as such, I can either take a position with the government or I can present cases to the bar," Hugh explained. "I am trying to decide on which I would like to do."

  Julianna nodded. "And one would have you staying in London for much of the year while the other quite possibly would have you living elsewhere."

  "Precisely. I know the truth of it and yet I still cannot decide."

  "Perhaps if you spoke with someone who has taken a position with the government you would be able to discern what you truly want to do."

  "Hmm," Hugh said.

  "I would think it would be easy enough to find someone in London to speak with." Julianna watched him intently.

  He had a curious look on his face when he said, "It is much easier than you think."

  Julianna did not know what he meant by that but said nothing assuming he would tell her if he saw fit.

  "It just so happens that my elder brother, James, has a position with the government."

  It was clear that he was reluctant to talk to his brother. "Do you not get along?"

  "No," he answered slowly.

  "Has he maligned you in some way? Tried to block your way as a barrister?"

  "No." Hugh sighed and looked away. “He has actually been quite supportive of my endeavour.”

  "I am quite puzzled that you are hesitant to speak with him, especially since he might have the answers that you seek."

  "It is because I am a foolish young man," Hugh blurted out. "I am concerned over being compared to him and I resent that he became a barrister before I did."

  Julianna had heard similar arguments from her older brothers. "Does he do a poor job as a barrister?"

  "No, he is well respected by all in Parliament."

  They had left the park and were nearing the mews. Julianna passed by him looking back over her shoulder. "Then I would think being compared to him would be a good thing."

  Julianna continued into the stable stopping next to the mounting block to dismount. She slid off reaching her foot down but her skirt got caught and she felt her foot miss the block. With nothing to grab onto she began to fall backward until she felt two strong hands on her waist, and then she found herself face to face with Hugh.

  Her heart fluttered and she felt her breathing quicken. She looked up at him and realized that his eyes were neither brown nor green, they were a hazel color that she had not seen before. A green so vibrant against the warm, deep brown that made her wonder about the man himself.

  He had seemed as much of a contradiction, since they met at the stables of Eastbridge. Sensible and staid upon one meeting and then as she found out at Almack's, passionate and daring the next.

  "I..." Was all she managed to say before Hugh leaned forward pressing his lips to hers.

  The kiss was soft and fleeting, and she leaned into him before she could stop herself. He hesitated briefly before kissing her again, his lips gentle and strong at the same time. The sound of horses approaching the stables suddenly broke the spell and Julianna moved to push Hugh away in the same moment that he stepped back.

  "All right now?" He asked her his eyes roaming her face.

  "Yes, thank you," Julianna said straightening her skirts wishing she did not sound so breathless.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Why are you pacing out here?” Matthew asked coming into the hall from the drawing room.

  Hugh spent most of the late afternoon and evening in the library looking over some correspondence but found that he could not concentrate. After an interminable dinner with his parents and siblings, he was restless, cursing himself for giving up the small house to move back to his family’s residence.

  Hugh knew why he was agitated but he did not want to share that with Matthew. “I suppose that I have been living alone for too long and I am not used to having so many people moving about the house at all hours.”

  Matthew raised an eyebrow and smirked. Clearly, he did not believe Hugh’s excuse but to his credit said nothing about it. “I was thinking about going to White’s tonight. You should come with me.”

  Being in the crowded gambling club did not exactly sound much better but staying home did not appeal to him either. “Perhaps a drink will assist in altering my mood.”

  “Hear, hear!”

  Less than an hour later, they were seated at a table that Matthew had managed to procure in a quieter corner. The tables around them were filled with gentlemen playing cards and enjoying some spirited conversation.

  Matthew handed him a glass of whiskey. “Drink up and then you can tell me what is bothering you.”

  “What makes you think there is something to tell?” Hugh asked lightly.

  “You have been in a sour mood since we got home from riding in Hyde Park.”

  “Nonsense.”

  “Oh really? You snapped at Henrietta when she asked you about attending Almack’s this week,” Matthew reminded him.

  Hugh vaguely recalled speaking to her and seeing her hurt expression when she left the library. He took a long drink and then looked up at Matthew. “I thought I had hidden my feelings.”

  “I am sure if you had stayed at your house you would have succeeded but there are far too many of us at Repington House.” Matthew glanced at the tables around them. “Have you made a decision regarding the position with Fairburn?”

  “No, I have not,” Hugh said and then looked up at him suddenly. “How did you know about that?”

  “Father.” Matthew held up his hands when Hugh scowled. “He made mention earlier this week that you had met with Fairburn.”

  “I am sure that he did. I would most likely have made my decision now if it were not for Father’s interference.”

  “Has he caused you difficulties?”

  “Not directly, no.”

  “I do not understand.” Matthew frowned. “Father seemed to think he was assisting you. He said his only interest is for you to get a good start.”

  Hugh sighed in exasperation. “I did not require his assistance. I have little desire to start my profession as a barrister knowing I got the position as a result of my father’s interference.”

  “I do not believe that is the case. You should discuss the matter with Father before you make such assumptions.”

  “Speaking with Father has been exactly what I have been avoiding since I was chosen to be a barrister. You well know the problems he created for Philip and James,” Hugh told him. “Although, at this point, Father’s interference is the least of my concerns. It was made clear to me at the Eastbridge house party that it would behoove me to find a wife. I have been endeavoring to d
o just that but now I realize that there is much more to think about. If I took a position with Parliament then I would be living in London for most of the year.”

  “Yes of course.”

  “If I were to present cases to the bar then I would mostly likely need to find a residence outside of London.” Hugh looked at Matthew.

  “You think this might be a concern in regard to choosing a wife?”

  “When I began to seek a wife, I was looking for someone that would like to live in London and host parties.”

  “Whichever lady you choose will have no choice but to live wherever you live,” Matthew pointed out.

  “Of that, I have no doubt.” He was frustrated that Matthew was not understanding, although Hugh knew it was not his fault. “Yet I would want my wife to be contented at home.”

  Matthew took a moment before replying. “I thought you were simply looking for a suitable match.”

  “It will do me no good to have a wife who is miserable every day. It would be ideal to find a wife who would enjoy living in both London and the country.” He recognized the words as the same ones Lady Julianna had spoken in Hyde Park. Their private moment in the stable came back to him and he tried to expel it from his memory, continuing to dwell on it would only lead to madness.

  "This all makes me wonder if I should be asking about your courtship with Lady Priscilla."

  "And I have not formally pressed my suit but as you know I have been paying some extra attention to her." Hugh picked up his glass again.

  "You and Lady Priscilla would make a favourable match," Matthew said. "However, you look fairly agonized when I see you with her."

  "Lady Priscilla is young and quite preoccupied with the glitter of London, fashion, and parties."

  "She would probably not be happy living in the country then."

  Hugh shook his head. "No, I would think not."

  "And what of Lady Julianna?"

  "Lady Julianna is much more sensible," Hugh answered before realizing what Matthew had done.

  Matthew smiled but said nothing.