“Do not over tax yourself Julia. Let the men handle this,” Jane urged.
“Yes, do not worry Miss Bellevue, Lord Beresford and I will sort this out.” Lord Fawkland promised. We shall return with the couple directly.” With that Lord Fawkland and Lord Beresford strode across the ballroom and out of sight presumably in the direction of Lavinia and Captain Hartfield.
“Let the gentlemen handle it,” Mrs. Poppy snorted when the men had gone. She was comfortably seated next to Jane and had witnessed the whole exchange. “It has been my experience that men of that age can barely wipe their own noses. When they reach the age of forty, they can sometimes be trusted to carry a message,” she said.
Jane laughed. “In that case, I shall look forward to when my husband turns forty.”
Julia could not deny the warm contented feeling taking hold of her, but the feeling did not last.
Whispers followed Lord Fawkland as he traversed the floor. Several women looked back over their fans towards Julia. It was clear who they were talking about.
“One would expect such a man as Lord Fawkland to dance with her.”
A woman’s voice from somewhere behind Julia cut through the din. The sound was shrill, and seemed pitched for her to hear.
“The Baron of Bastards.”
Julia gritted her teeth, her face burning.
“A shame but not a surprise, given her breeding.”
The woman drew out the last word, as if relishing it. Julia had heard it all before, the slander and the slurs.
“Harpies,” Jane hissed. She did not keep her voice low. Like the other woman, her sister’s words were pitched to carry and the biting, cold laughter from the woman stopped as Jane caught Julia’s hand. Jane was after all, a countess, and no one really wanted her disapproval.
A hush ran through the nearby crowd. Julia stared at the floorboards, studying the swirls in the wood and the dull marks of footprints across the waxed surface. She wanted to run, but her foot precluded such movement. In a moment, her head would stop swimming. She would not prove them right with an outburst. If Lord Fawkland could handle the talk with poise, so could she. There was no retort from the other woman, and in a moment the chatter rose to its previous levels. Julia let out her breath.
“Are you alright?” Jane asked squeezing Julia’s arm in reassurance.
There was a sour pit in her stomach, but she no longer felt the desire to thrash the snarky woman. Julia nodded. She wished Lord Fawkland would hurry back. She searched over the tops of people’s heads for his tall countenance. She didn’t see him. Instead, her eyes caught Cedric’s form. She looked quickly away, but was too late. He had already noticed her gaze.
~.~
Chapter Seven
She had not yet recovered from the gossips when Cedric appeared by her side. Fury filled her. How dare he even speak to her? What he did at the picnic was the reason the ladies were gossiping. They wouldn’t be talking about her tonight if he had not kissed her and mussed her hair. She stood, a little wobbly on her sore foot. She grasped the chair to steady herself. When he would have greeted her, she glared at him.
Cedric frowned at her. “What has happened to your foot?” he asked.
“I injured it,” she said.
He seemed a bit taken back by her cold attitude, but pressed on. “You did not mention your foot this morning at The Pump Room,” he said.
Julia didn’t answer.
Jane answered for her. “My sister had a mishap playing shuttlecock yesterday. Her foot pained her later in the evening.”
Cedric turned back to Julia, the ever-present smile even brighter than usual. Obviously he knew that Jane was making up an excuse for her, but said he nothing as Jane continued.
“I fear the dancing was a bit overtaxing for her.”
Julia thought how this was all Cedric’s fault. She wanted to kick him. Lord Fawkland had told Julia to kick nothing more firm than a shrub, but perhaps an exception could be made of Cedric’s shin. Maybe she should use the other foot. What a ninny she was. And then she would be entirely the cripple.
Cedric faltered a bit. “Then you are not dancing?” Cedric asked. “I had hoped we would be able to speak.”
“I think not,” Julia said.
“You danced with my brother,” he accused.
“I did,” Julia said. The thoughts were festering in her head. She could barely think at all. She had been turning her actions at the picnic over and over in her mind. All day her thoughts had churned around and around. She had not done anything at all to tell Cedric his advances were wanted. She had told him he was being inappropriate. This was all Cedric’s fault. He had led her away from Jane. He had taken liberties. It was Cedric’s fault that she left the picnic early. It was his fault that she hurt her foot. It was his fault that the gossips would not stop, and now he was here. Right in front of her. Making things worse. How could he? If she was not surrounded by the Ton, she would slap him again.
Cedric’s smile faded for just a moment as he caught her eye, but he recovered quickly. “Will you walk with me?” he asked.
Jane glanced at Julia, a frown forming on her brow.
“No, I will not.” Julia said simply.
No doubt Jane would be reluctant to leave her alone with any man after last night, but she took Julia’s refusal to heart. “I do not think that is wise after recent events,” Jane said.
Cedric looked at Jane as though for the first time, and then threw a questioning look a Julia. He tried again false sweetness dripping from his words. “I must beg your pardon, Miss Bellevue” he said. “I know. I have been unaccountably forward.”
She looked at him. Did he expect her to forgive him? She didn’t answer.
“I had hoped to do this with far more tack and elegance, but my brother has forced my hand. He always manages to meddle at the worst times,” said Cedric, drawing himself up to face Julia and Jane. “And it would be entirely improper for you to spend so much time and attention on my brother.” Cedric grabbed for Julia’s hand, clutching it tightly.
He closed his eyes for a moment and then continued. “I have loved you since we played together as children. I suppose I forgot for a moment that we are now grown, and such familiarity can be misconstrued. I did not wish to offend you.”
He had forgotten nothing.
He sank to one knee in front of her, and Julia stared at him. This could not be happening. She was engaged to Lord Fawkland, his own brother. The room turned as one, tittering at the display Cedric was making.
The Poppy sisters beside her all gasped as one. Julia looked desperately towards Jane and Jane looked at her. Julia thought the panic must be evident in her eyes.
“Wait,” Julia hissed looking for some way to escape, but Cedric did not stop.
“I have loved your forever. I want to spend my life with you,” Cedric continued earnestly. “I do nott know what I should do without you, Julia. I think I should probably go mad.” He had grasped her hand now, pulling it to his lips, and she did not know how to escape.
The room felt like it was closing in. There was not enough air. She could only think of Lord Fawkland’s words. He is not what he seems. He simply takes… He will go to any lengths to ensure he gets anything I have ever desired.
“If you have any kindness within you, my dear Miss Bellevue, you will say yes. You will say you will be my wife.”
“Your w-wife?” Julia felt the room tilt. Yesterday he had treated her like a light skirt in a tavern and now he was asking her to marry him? She wanted to flat out refuse him. She wanted to run. She wanted…the world to stop moving. This could not be real. This was a dream that had turned into a nightmare. Perhaps she had fallen asleep before the ball. Perhaps in the coach and she was not even in Bath yet. Perhaps she was still in the carriage on her way to Bath and none of this was real. Perhaps Father would still be alive, and nothing would have changed. The room felt strangely fuzzy and distant. Suddenly Jane was there at her side clutching Julia and pulling her a
side. Julia near stumbled and stepped down hard on her sore toe. It had the effect of snapping her out of the fuzziness with the sudden pain. Reality came back with a jolt, but Cedric was still kneeling before her.
She felt the stillness and realized the music was still playing but most of the dancers had stopped. Everyone was looking at her. She felt the heat of a blush fill her face and could not speak at all. What could she say? She opened her mouth and closed it again, like a dim-witted baby bird. If she had two good feet she would have run, but as it was she could do nothing but stare at him.
Jane came to her rescue. “My sister is clearly over-whelmed by the sentiment and the unusual setting for a proposal. Please give us…give her…some time to consider.”
Julia did not need time, but she did not contradict her sister. She was so grateful to Jane.
Cedric did not look pleased, but he nodded. “Very well.”
Julia’s feet were leaden as Jane stood and dragged her away still dazed. When they were out of the ballroom and in the ladies’ retiring room, Jane gave Julia a little shake.
“Did you know…expect this…”
Julia opened her mouth to speak, and emotion suddenly overwhelmed her. She burst into tears, ugly sobbing tears that would not stop. Julia was not a woman easily moved to tears. She could not remember the last time she had cried. Yes. She could. Father’s funeral.
“Is this not what you wanted?” Jane asked in confusion, realizing Julia’s tears were not happy ones. “A husband before summer’s end? And one I thought you may actually have felt some affection for?”
Julia could not get control of her tears. She just sobbed harder.
“What is wrong? You told me you preferred Mister Gruger and since he is Lord Fawkland’s brother the solicitors think they may even be able to allow the house here in Bath to past to him rather than cousin Rupert.”
“Wha—no.” Julia made an effort to speak coherently. Jane did not know it was Cedric who had accosted her. Jane thought it was Lord Fawkland. Had Jane written to the solicitor? Oh this was even worse than Julia expected. She just cried harder. “I should…” said Julia.
“Should what?” Jane said.
“I should…but…but…but.”
“But what?” Jane demanded wiping Julia’s face with a dampened handkerchief. A few curious ladies had moved in close, but Mrs. Poppy managed to shoo them out.
At last, Julia got Jane to understand that it had been Cedric, not Lord Fawkland who had so upset her the night before. Lord Fawkland had only seen her safely home.
Jane was shocked, but only for a moment. “Are you alright for a moment?” she asked. “I will call the carriage.”
“I will call it for you,” Mrs. Poppy said.
Jane continued to wipe her face. “Come now,” she said at last, pulling Julia limping towards a door. “Please little sister, you must stop crying. Your face will be all ablotch,” Jane said as they hurried out a side door to the carriage.
“Oh, what shall I do?” Julia asked taking a breath.
“”Well, we shall not lose our heads,” Jane said after they had entered the carriage. “It will be alright. We will sort this out.”
“I just want to go home,” Julia said.
“I know, dear. I know,” Jane said smoothing her sister’s hair.
~.~
Godwin was going to kill him. Cedric liked to stir up trouble. He liked to cause mischief for his own amusement, but this time he had gone well past mischief and deep into mayhem and Godwin was going to kill him. Godwin had learned of what happened from the Poppys when he returned to find Julia missing and everyone gushing over Cedric.
“What have you done?” Godwin asked eyes narrowed and fists clenched.
“Do not make a scene, brother,” Cedric said.
“We are leaving,” Godwin growled.
“Are you not going to offer me your congratulations?” Cedric asked.
Godwin grasped his brother’s coat and moved in close. “Let us go. I’ve called for the carriage.”
“Perhaps I am not ready to go,” Cedric replied.
“You are.” Godwin laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder and steered him towards the door. “I have given our apologies,” Godwin said tightly. “We are leaving.”
The doorman opened the door. Godwin stepped through putting Cedric in front of him. The warm night air did nothing to cool the tension between the two brothers.
Cedric pulled away. “Unhand me.”
“No Cedric. I am finally taking you in hand. You have done enough to tarnish our good name. These games stop now.”
“This is no game, Godwin.
“No. This is bad form. The lady is a member of the Ton, not some village wench. Have you not caused enough trouble?”
Cedric jerked his arm away from his brother. “Go to hell,” he hissed turning back towards the ballroom.
Godwin put his hand on the door, blocking his brother’s entrance.
By now, the footman had stepped forward. “Please gentlemen,” he practically begged. He would not lay hands on a gentlemen, but he certainly wanted them to remember their manners.
“We are leaving,” Godwin said again. “And you are going to refrain from contacting Miss Bellevue.”
“I shall not. I have asked Julia to marry me,” Cedric said.
Godwin grabbed his brother by the coat and pulled him close. “By her father’s will she is my betrothed,” Godwin hissed. “You had no right.”
“I had every right,” Cedric growled at his brother. “You may be the eldest, but you are not the best of our father’s sons.”
Godwin never saw Cedric’s right hook until it connected with his face. He rocked back against the door and Cedric was on him one moment, hitting him again, and then as suddenly as he had come on Cedric was thrown back; the fight stopped.
A man in a naval uniform had come between them and another had pulled Cedric off. Godwin recognized Commander Samuel Beresford. “Pray, do not quarrel,” the large man said, stepping between the two combatants. Lord Percival Beresford stepped forward a moment later to help his own younger brother, should Samuel need assistance, and Captain Jack Hartfield made the third, holding Cedric by the scruff of the neck like a spitting stray cat.
As quickly as it had begun, the fight was averted.
The doorman stood wringing his hand and muttering. “Sirs, please. Sirs.”
Cedric straightened his jacket and glared at his brother as he pulled free of Samuel Beresford and Captain Jack’s hold.
“This is not over,” Cedric said to his brother. He turned on his heel and stepped into the carriage that was waiting. The very confused driver urged the horses on and the carriage sped away.
Godwin stood rubbing his cheek, looking from one to the other of the gentlemen who had stopped the fight. He assumed that his friends had followed him outside when he left with Cedric. He was glad they were there. Otherwise, he and his brother may have made a scene with their fisticuffs. He hoped it was stopped quickly enough to avoid more talk. He looked quickly over the men’s heads and saw no one else. Perhaps they would be safe from rumor, but that was probably a vain wish. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you,” he said to his friends.
“Not at all,” Lord Percival Beresford said dismissively.
“He looks to have darkened your daylights,” Samuel said gesturing. “You may have a black eye in the morning.”
Well that would add to the talk, Godwin thought.
“You should put a steak on it,” Percival suggested.
Godwin touched his cheekbone gingerly and licked his lip. It felt cut too, the faint coppery taste of blood on his lip. How could his brother have done so much damage to his face so quickly? If he had been expecting the attack, he supposed he would have been quicker to defend himself, or would he have, he wondered? Cedric was after all, his little brother. Even after everything would he have hit him? Godwin sighed. “I am most grateful for your help,” Godwin said looking a little shame-faced. “I trul
y am sorry.”
“It was no trouble,” said Samuel relighting his cigar from one of the lanterns. “I’ve broken up more than one fight on board ship.”
“Tossing the combatants into the drink generally cools them off,” said Captain Jack with a chuckle. “We should leave though.”
“What of Miss Grant?” Godwin asked.
“I’ve been given leave to call upon her and I think it best not to push my luck tonight.”
“I seem to have lost my carriage,” Godwin replied as he realized Cedric had taken the carriage he called. Godwin brushed off his coat and straightened his sleeves thinking to go back in and call for another if he did not look too bedraggled. Perhaps he should send the footman inside.
“Do not concern yourself,” Percival Beresford said.
“We were considering going to the club. You can ride with us. You look to need a good snifter of brandy anyway.” Samuel continued.
“Perhaps,” Godwin said. “But what of your ladies? Lady Patience and Lady Amelia?”
“Barton escorted his sister and Lady Amelia home,” Samuel explained.
“I think Lady Amelia was overrun with rumors about The Duke,” Percival explained.
“Ah. Rumor,” said Godwin angrily. “Yes. I think a drink would do me fine.”
~.~
The Baron in Bath
~Part 3 ~
The Baron’s Bride
Chapter One
Julia Bellevue and her sister Jane had not lingered at the Assembly Ball after Cedric’s proposal. As they hurried out the side door to the waiting carriage, it was impossible not to notice that everyone was abuzz. Julia could feel their eyes on her as she and Jane hurried away.
The inside of their carriage held no respite for Julia. Although it was dark and the accusing voices of the Ton were shut out by the distance, Julia could not shut out her own thoughts. She had no idea how to stop the rumors now. Everyone had seen Cedric Gruger kneel and propose to her, despite the fact she was already his brother’s betrothed! The news of Cedric’s humiliating proposal would only fuel the earlier rumors of her being seen with Lord Fawkland, but those too could be laid at Cedric’s feet. It was Cedric who had tried to take liberties with her; Lord Fawkland only saw her safely home.
The Baron in Bath - Miss Julia Bellevue: A Regency Romance Novel (Heart of a Gentleman Book 4) Page 17