All of the responsibility was on Godwin, and so he had done his best to shoulder it. He was a Gruger and he was The Baron of Fawkland. He would do what needed doing. His uncle met with him at the country estate; on the very day Godwin’s old ship was to sail for the West Indies…without him. He looked out at the gray sky and tried to let go of the part of him that wanted to be with his mates out on the open sea. He felt he would rather face Napoleon than his own younger brother. When he learned that his kind Captain had died of yellow fever in that god-forsaken land, he wept…in private of course. But no matter how he felt, that life was over now. He turned to face the new.
Godwin spoke to Mister Marks about getting his father’s affairs in order in London. His uncle stayed on at the estate for a time, but his own home was several days ride away. So in the country, it was Mister Bellevue who became Godwin’s mentor in the day to day endeavors. Godwin had a shrewd head on his shoulders and learned quickly. The Fawkland estate prospered under his hand.
He kept a townhouse on Grosvenor Square and saw to the upkeep of the country estate which boasted a manor house and acreage attached to it, along with a fair wood for hunting. Meanwhile, Cedric drank and worked his way through the village girls. Eventually, Godwin paid for his brother to have a separate apartment in London and an allowance. Perhaps that was ill chosen, but he needed peace and his brother would not allow him that. Besides, was it not the job of the matrons and chaperones to see their charges safe? They were certainly more experienced at the task than Godwin himself. Occasionally, Godwin invited some of his bachelor friends to shoot or ride at the country estate, but he held no hunts or extravagant house parties. He preferred small bachelor gatherings which precluded him asking his mother to act as hostess. Mister Marks suggested that he begin to search for a wife to help with the hostess duties, and his uncle suggested that as a baron he would require an heir. Godwin avoided those conversations when he could.
He had put aside his black gloves and mourning clothes and yet found he preferred the comfort of the black. He wore no ornament but his heavy gentleman’s ring. Still as The Lord Falkland, Godwin cut a dashing figure in town. He was tall, blond and virile. He went to the occasional gambling hall where the play was deep and visited St. James Street often but avoided the gatherings which presented the season’s debutantes. Mister Marks reminded him time and time again, that he should go to these balls and soirees; that it would behoove him to find a bride, but Godwin was not interested in the silly girls who frequented the marriage mart. They reminded him too much of his helpless mother. She had veritably fallen apart when his father died and was more like a child to be cared for than a woman to be a helpmate to her son. So when Godwin thought about a bride of his own, he remembered a tall girl with wild dark hair and unfathomable deep blue eyes He thought of the girl who stood head and shoulders over his brother on the day Godwin came home from the sea; a quiet young woman with poise and substance who kept her own council, the daughter of his mentor and now good friend, Mister Bellevue.
She was still young at the time, but Mister Marks and his uncle were becoming troublesome about the necessity of a wife. So Godwin had proposed the arrangement to her father because he remembered Miss Bellevue’s grit. She was the girl who had inspired him with a glance and Godwin felt he knew her through her father’s stories.
Now that Godwin had met Miss Bellevue again, he was beginning to see her more clearly for himself. The more he learned about her the more perfect Miss Bellevue seemed. He loved that she spoke her mind, and even that she had slapped Cedric. He supposed no one had done so for many years, perhaps ever, considering how their mother coddled Cedric especially after Father’s death.
Godwin would have liked to have held Miss Bellevue in his arms to comfort her, but he understood her need for independence, especially after Cedric accosted her. Once again Cedric had made a mess of things. Once again Godwin felt coerced into a situation for which he was not fully prepared; attempting to pick up the pieces, but if Mister Bellevue’s opinion of his daughter was to be believed she was a discerning woman. She would see Cedric for the man he was…and also see Godwin for the man he was. Godwin had to believe that.
He remembered her father’s tales of her accomplishments with a smile as he approached the entrance of the Grand Pump Room. He had moved to help Miss Bellevue when he spotted her alone with Cedric, but she stood up to his brother on her own and truthfully, it was refreshing to find a woman that did not need a nursemaid. He had enough of that with his mother. Godwin was unaccountably proud of his betrothed. She was all her father said she was and more.
“Welcome to the Grand Pump Room, my lord,” the doorman said. “May I direct you?”
“No, thank you,” Godwin replied, straightening his cravat. He just wanted to wander through the rooms and see if any gossip was being spread about his brother and his betrothed. Cedric had seen to it that Godwin was quite the expert at dispelling gossip, though some rumors were beyond even his ability to quell. He hoped that no one had seen him walking Miss Bellevue home, all disheveled, but that was probably too much to expect.
~.~
Chapter Two
Julia enjoyed the walk to the Grand Pump Room, despite her injured foot. She and her sister were there later than Jane had hoped to be; as it took longer to get ready than she had expected. Julia would have rather stayed home painting, but it had been her idea to come and take the waters. She only hoped they cured her wantonness.
“I am not confident this is the best solution for your broken foot,” said Jane as they stood in front of the Pump Room. “But I do admit it seems a great bit of fun. Shall we go inside?”
Julia was bracing herself for the interior of the Grand Pump Room, which would be full of people and music and the strong smell of minerals; an overload to her senses. Hopefully all of the trouble would be worth it. The humidity of the room was wreaking havoc on Julia’s curls and she could feel them beginning to wilt around her face.
“I am ready, and for the tenth time my foot is not broken, the toe is just a bit bruised,” said Julia.
Julia’s toe was still swollen and a shade of purple she had only seen before on her paint palette, but she could put some weight on it now, and didn’t hurt as badly as expected. Jane insisted on helping her through the doors. Inside enormous windows, fully two stories tall, let in the morning sunlight. The room was large enough to accommodate twice the number of people it currently held. Several here today were elderly or wretched, but she was not the only one who appeared in good health. Women and men, dressed in party-worthy clothing, gathered around the fountain, chatting and laughing as if it were a parlor game. In one group, women were laughing and each time one of the women drank, the group cheered.
The source of the water was a fountain pouring from a stone vase, which was only slightly shorter than the man beside it. He was dressed in a servant’s livery, filling glasses with the water pouring from the vase and handing them out to the people standing nearby. The air was humid. Julia could feel her hair frizzing around her face, escaping from Jacqueline’s best efforts to tame it. However, Julia was grateful for the French maid’s attempt and her sister’s insistence on wearing their best morning dresses when she saw who else stood beside the fountain.
“We meet again Miss Bellevue!” Mister Cedric Gruger said brightly, as he took her arm most possessively. Julia attempted to pull away, but he gripped more tightly, his fingers digging into her arm.
“I was so disappointed when you did not stay for the rest of the picnic. You missed quite an evening.” He continued, the smile on his face never wavering.
Julia wanted to crawl inside the vase and disappear down wherever the water came from. Mister Gruger was still handsome in his dapper morning coat and breeches, but his smile made Julia’s skin crawl. It no longer seemed filled with lighthearted fun. Instead, it seemed mocking and sly.
“I…” Julia began but found herself tongue tied.
Cedric went on as if she hadn’t s
poken at all. “I’m sure you did not mean to leave in such a rush. I do hope you are all right.”
How dare he speak of why she left when he was the very reason! She raised her chin a little. “I felt unwell,” she said haughtily glaring at his hand on her arm. “Then, as now.” Cedric released her; she took a step back, and Jane caught her hand.
“Perhaps something you ate,” he said. “My brother also left early.”
“My environs more like,” Julia replied quickly.
Jane missed the true meaning in their exchange and she gave Julia a quizzical look before speaking.
“Lady Pratt throws the most wonderful parties, but my sister was feeling a bit under the weather; hence, our excursion here today.” Jane explained as she gestured at the vase where the water stood. She glanced around and asked, “Is your brother, Lord Fawkland, here as well?”
Cedric frowned at the mention of his brother.
Julia smoothed her hair down and looked Cedric dead in the eye. He did not flinch. If he felt any shame at all for his behavior the previous evening, there was not a hint of it on his face. In fact, he looked her up and down with a lingering gaze that made her sizzle with rage, bringing color to her face which Cedric apparently mistook as a blush. Julia took a deep breath and looked away. She supposed, she should thank him for returning her sister’s comb, but Jane did not know it had been lost. Anyway, it was his fault the hair comb was lost in the first place.
Though Julia must have done something inappropriate to lead Mister Gruger on, what it was she still did not know. How could she halt his attentions when feigned dismissal was a flirtation? How did one convey actual dislike? Julia was no good at these social games.
“Godwin is around here somewhere,” Cedric said with a shrug. “I spied him earlier, but he did not see me. That was by design.” He leaned in close again. “Will you be attending the ball at the Assembly this evening, Miss Bellevue?”
As it was their turn in line, Julia managed not to answer Cedric. She stepped away and the footman handed them each a glass of cloudy water, with the smell of acrid minerals rising from their depths. Julia tried not to breathe in as she drank. The strong mineral taste made the water seem medicinal indeed. She hoped it cured what ailed her. Cedric drank his in a single swallow, but it took Julia three. Jane took only one sip with a sight grimace before answering for her sister.
“We hope to attend, but I cannot guarantee it. Oh, here is Lord Fawkland.” Jane said coolly.
Julia turned around, a shy smile on her lips, but it faded when she saw Lord Fawkland’s expression. He was moving through the crowd with a thunderous look on his face. Thankfully, Julia was not the target of his ire; his glare was reserved for his brother.
“Good morning, Godwin,” Cedric greeted in a bright voice, his mocking smile still firmly in place. He took a step closer to Julia, brushing her shoulder with his. She froze. She did not want Cedric that close to her. It brought back a peculiar feeling from the night before.
“Good morning, Lady Keegain, Miss Bellevue.” Lord Fawkland said politely greeting them before turning on his brother. “Cedric, I require a word with you.”
Cedric did not budge from his spot; although it was clear Lord Fawkland wished a private word. Cedric twirled his empty glass between his fingers.
“I am engaged at the moment, as you can see.” His eyes lingered on Julia’s neck making her shift uncomfortably. She felt the unwelcome warmth of a blush overtaking her cheeks.
“Cedric, I must insist that…” Lord Fawkland began.
“I suppose you have come to scold me for some incident or other. You truly must learn to relax, brother.” Cedric interrupted.
Lord Fawkland’s jaw tightened but he said nothing more. Julia’s eyes were drawn to that jaw. She wanted to smooth away the crease between his eyebrows and make him smile again. She wondered if the brothers had spoken since last night. Was this about her? She thought horrified. Surely not!
“You have Father’s temperament,” Cedric went on. “Such tension will drive you to an early grave.”
“I see another source of upset, Cedric,” Lord Fawkland said in a low tone.
“Truly?” Cedric replied with a smile in his voice. “Pray tell, what is the reason for your poor temper then?” Cedric laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder and continued solicitously. “Let us ferret out the problem and cure your ills.”
Godwin looked thunderous for a moment and Cedric quickly withdrew his hand and took a step back. Julia realized that Godwin did not want to have this discussion in front of the women, and Cedric was refusing to leave. Julia felt distinctly uncomfortable. Perhaps she and Jane should excuse themselves. She did not know what to do, and of course, Jane was more confused than she was. Julia wondered if she should say anything; though she would probably only make matters worse.
Jane laid a hand on Julia’s arm. “Certainly the waters of Bath are restorative,” Jane said. “I’m sure you can speak with my sister at a later time, Mister Gruger. It is clear that your brother has something urgent to discuss with you.”
Godwin threw a quick glance at Julia and ran a hand over his cravat nervously.
“Well, granted, it is difficult to discuss one’s shortcomings especially in front of a woman you are trying to impress,” Cedric said placidly.
Lord Fawkland looked distinctly dismayed that the conversation had taken this turn.
“It is no matter,” He said at last, deftly changing the subject. He schooled his expression to one of serenity and took a breath, settling himself. “We will discuss this later, Cedric. But rest assured we will discuss it. I would not trouble the ladies with such … issues. Lady Keegain and Miss Bellevue, please excuse my rudeness. I would speak of more pleasant things.”
Julia nodded and Jane hesitantly agreed. “Of course, Lord Fawkland.”
Lord Fawkland turned determinedly to Julia. “Miss Bellevue, I request leave to call upon you this evening so we might renew our acquaintance.”
“My sister and I will be attending the ball at the Assembly rooms this evening.” Jane answered before Julia could reply.
“I shall be delighted to see you there.” Cedric said. “We were only just beginning to get reacquainted last night, and since I have thought of nothing but your beautiful smile.”
Cedric’s words sent a chill through Julia. She wanted to take a step back again but the crowd of people behind her, still queued up at the water fountain, left her no room for escape. Jane on the other hand was beaming, having gotten the entirely wrong impression. She clearly thought there was some affection between Julia and Cedric. Lord Fawkland’s face had, somehow, grown even more frightening at his brother’s words. Julia shifted nervously from one foot to the other and winced as she stepped too heavily on her hurt toe.
“Where is that smile now?” Cedric cajoled. “You look so distressed. Has my brother made you cross? I know he certainly vexes me on occasion.”
“Cedric,” Lord Fawkland said sharply. “We should not speak of our differences to a lady. Have you no manners at all?”
A long look passed between the brothers. Julia did not know whether Cedric was frightened by Lord Fawkland’s expression or if simply decided he had tormented her enough.
“Perhaps, I have taken too much of these lovely ladies time with unpleasant talk. I shall take my leave.” said Cedric, bowing low to Jane and Julia, far more than necessary. He held Julia’s fingers a moment too long and lazily let one finger trace a secret path on her palm as he brought his lips to the top of her hand. She pulled her hand away and Cedric turned to Lord Fawkland. “Whatever you wish to say, dear brother will have to keep, but not to worry. I’m sure you will think of some additional reprimands for me, to make the wait worthwhile. Until this evening, my dear,” Cedric said silkily.
“I’m not…” Julia stuttered. I’m not your dear, she thought.
“I will count the moments,” Cedric spoke over her words and then he left, pushing through the crowd with a confident swag
ger. Women stared after him. Julia wanted to throw her glass at the back of his head.
“Julia?” Jane said questioningly, obviously confused by the interaction between the Gruger brothers. Julia tried to smile back at her and then looked down. She hoped Jane took her expression for shyness.
They stood awkwardly after Cedric’s departure. Julia did not know what to say to Lord Fawkland and he seemed at a loss as well. Cedric’s final words seemed to fill the air, blocking any further discourse.
“Do you know those ladies?” Lord Fawkland asked finally and nodded toward a group of women at the far side of the room.
They were lurking beside the windows whispering behind their fans. It was the telltale appearance of gossip. The women hid their mouths behind their fans, but their eyes kept returning to Julia. A flush spread across her skin. Julia bristled as Cedric came up to one of the women and kissed her hand.
“I do.” Jane replied. “They were at the picnic yesterday. I would not have expected such behavior from Lady Stewart.”
Lord Fawkland scoffed and shook his head. “You do not expect gossip and cattiness because you are so optimistic about the world, Lady Keegain.”
“Is optimism a fault?” Jane asked giving Lord Fawkland a hard look.
“Quite on the contrary,” Lord Falkland said kindly. “Your optimism is to be admired. It is a pity the world often cannot come up to such standards.”
“I will go over there and speak to them about their rudeness.” Jane said as she passed her still nearly full water glass to the footman who was collecting them.
“No. Do not bother, Jane. It is not worth the trouble.” Julia laid a hand on her sister’s arm. She wanted to march over and shake the women herself, but it would only bring more attention to the gossip, and she did not want to be anywhere near Cedric. Julia had a sinking suspicion she was the subject of their talk. She frowned. How many people had Cedric told? He was only lending more suspicion to the rumors around her.
The Baron in Bath - Miss Julia Bellevue: A Regency Romance Novel (Heart of a Gentleman Book 4) Page 12