* * *
Julia, accompanied by the faithful Smithers, walked across to Wentworth Hall to say farewell to the family. They were leaving the next day for their London townhouse so Susan could enjoy the season. On entering the Hall, Julia and Smithers were met by an unusually flustered Lady Wentworth. Looking around her Julia could understand why.
Dust covers were being prepared to go over furniture, and upstairs, Susan and Caroline were busy with the maids sorting out what apparel and personal items were to go to London with them. Most of the servants were travelling to London as well while the house was closed so it was a large party to be organised.
‘Oh, dear Julia,’ cried Caroline. ‘Do come and help me. Should I leave Lochinvar here with Mrs Carew or take him with me? Mama says that the journey in a jolting coach upsets his equilibrium, but if I leave him behind I am sure to miss him.’
In the girl’s bedroom, portmanteaux and valises were open, and gowns, hats, scarves, shawls and shoes were scattered or draped over furniture and arms while weighty decisions were being made. As if aware of his importance and determined not to be overlooked, Lochinvar, squawking incessantly, cast Julia a beady eye. Julia looked at the parrot in his cage dispassionately. An imploring glance from Lady Wentworth was enough to show her where her loyalty must lie.
So long as she did not have to take the parrot home to Great Uncle Thomas, Julia was prepared to help out.
‘My dear, Caroline, you will be so busy in London going out and about as well as visiting your cousins, that you will have no spare time to spend with Lochinvar. It is indeed a long journey and I remember your telling me that when you last brought him down from London, he was so put out that he went right off his food and sulked for days,’ Julia reminded Caroline.
‘Yes,’ mused Caroline. ‘That is true.’
‘Besides, Mrs Carew your housekeeper, is an excellent woman and she will enjoy having Lochinvar with her for company while you are away.’
Caroline still did not look convinced.
‘Furthermore, your visit is not going to be of a long duration and if it will make you happier, I will call on Mrs Carew and write to let you know how Lochinvar is.’
This much Julia did not mind doing.
‘Oh, would you? Thank you, Julia. I feel much happier now. Indeed, Lockie can stay and you are right, Mrs Carew is fond of him and I know she will look after him for me.’
Lady Wentworth threw Julia a grateful glance while Susan interrupted crossly, ‘Caroline, stop making such a fuss about Lockie and let Julia come and help me sort which dresses will be most in the current mode for London.’
Julia did not like to say that her knowledge of the current London fashions was probably now well out of date, but instead sat down on a chair and gave Susan what she hoped was the most appropriate advice. By the end of her visit, Julia felt almost as exhausted as the Wentworth ladies. Wisely, Sir Henry had retreated to his library and kept well out of the way of the tumult in his household.
Julia said her farewells, only then realising how much she was going to miss the easy informality of the Wentworth family in the coming weeks. Never having known an intimate family life since she was a child, she could not but help feel sad at their imminent departure.
She returned home and waiting for her on the hall stand was a letter from Philip Stratton, Viscount Illingham. He said he would be visiting in the district over the next few days and hoped to have the pleasure of calling upon her.
Julia felt a glow of pleasure at the thought of Philip’s visit. It seemed so long ago, her time at Court, and she couldn’t help wondering how he would appear to her now that his fortunes had changed and he was the heir to an earldom. Though the gossip was that with the massive debts his father had accumulated, he would still need to marry a wealthy heiress. Match-making mamas would be sure to take a great interest in him for things had changed and there was now a coronet to be had.
She was still in a state of confusion over the revelation of her great uncle’s supposed fortune and put this out of her mind. She also tried to forget about Philip’s proposed arrival. Instead, she concentrated her thoughts on the daily rides with Gerald for it was only these which seemed to offer constancy to her routine.
To be sure, since that light kiss to her hand, he had never tried to be familiar with her again and even seemed to be at times preoccupied. She recognised that her feelings for him were becoming more intense each time she was with him. The following Thursday afternoon as Julia was changing into her riding habit, she heard the sound of hoof beats on the drive, and with some trepidation she entered the drawing room to find Philip Stratton standing there.
He looked tired and drawn but his blue eyes lightened immediately as she walked into the room and his ready smile was just as she remembered it.
‘My dear Miss Farraday! How very, very pleased I am to see you again after what seems to be an eternity.’
His smile grew further as he bent over her extended hand. ‘Thank you for your kind expression of sympathy over the recent loss of my brother. As I was in the district I could not in all conscience leave without paying my compliments to one of my truest friends.’
Julia felt a rush of warmth. He was so unchanged, a true link with the past and life at Court which now seemed an eternity ago. After ringing for tea, they sat and chatted as old friends about acquaintances at Court, comfortable in each other’s presence, unconscious of time slipping by.
Consequently, when Molly reappeared to announce the arrival of Gerald Hamilton, Julia found herself in a state less calm than she would have preferred.
Calling on her resources as hostess, it was with bright eyes and heightened colour that she introduced the two men. Both tall, one dark the other fair, they eyed each other speculatively, then Gerald swept a perfect bow and Philip inclined his head graciously. Conversation between them was polite but stilted and it was some relief to Julia when Philip announced his departure, adding that as he was staying with his Aunt Lady Furnbridge near Hastings for the next week, he hoped to be able to call on her again.
When he had left the room, Julia found Gerald’s eyes fixed upon her, full of unasked questions. She immediately suggested they leave for their ride before the afternoon had passed. In silence he followed her down to the stables and they mounted up and headed towards the marshes.
As they slowed to a walk, Gerald, with a smile on his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes, said, ‘It would appear, Julia, that perhaps you do have a suitor after all. Last time we were riding together you didn’t seem to think you had one and suddenly you are visited by the noble Lord Illingham who seems to be on very intimate terms with you.’
Julia felt suddenly nettled and in a defensive tone replied, ‘Nonsense, Gerald. Philip Stratton and I are friends from Court but I would be flattering myself immensely if I thought his feelings went deeper than that. Besides, now he is heir to the earldom, there will be plenty of young ladies of birth and fortune whose mamas will be only too happy to have him as a son-in-law.’
Gerald’s eyes were intense as he looked at her.
‘You underestimate your own attractions. You are of good birth and as your great uncle’s heir, as I have mentioned before, you are most definitely suitable, if not desirable, for any thinking male, including His Lordship.’
The last was said with a wicked grin. ‘Your blushes do you credit and are quite becoming.’
Hot and bothered, Julia tried to glare at him but it was impossible. He burst out laughing, catching her hand in his own and apologised if he’d caused her any mortification but really, what was a fellow to do? Still struggling to keep her emotions under control, Julia laughed with him.
‘You are a tease, Mr Hamilton, and I will not let you get the better of me. As a confirmed bachelor in the neighbourhood, I must confess myself surprised that you are so well acquainted with the aspects of matrimony.’
His laugh was infectious. ‘Oh, I promise you, Miss Farraday, I am very well aware of the
machinations of zealous mamas and all that that entails.’
He leaned nearer, his lips close to her ear. ‘However, I am not so old yet and perhaps I may yet be entrapped by the desirability of a certain party that will override my natural disinclination to enter the matrimonial state.’
Forcing herself not to laugh again, Julia burst out, ‘Gerald, stop! You will have me in high expectation if you continue in this vein and as a defenceless female this is most unfair of you, sir. Well?’ She raised her eyebrows and looked in him questioningly, but although he grinned back he lowered his eyes and said no more.
Feeling ridiculously pleased, Julia relinquished Athene to Wyatt on their arrival home and she went upstairs to change, humming a tune as she did so.
The next few days were busy ones; conferring with Mrs Knight on the running of the household and settling the tradesmen’s bills as well as arranging for the chimneys to be swept.
The kitchen oven needed to be re-bricked, a matter Mrs Knight had discussed tentatively with Julia, as cook was complaining. On broaching the subject tactfully with Great Uncle Thomas, he had been surprisingly amiable about the matter and appeared unconcerned at the expense, the guarantee of better cooked meals was worth the expense.
All the while in the back of her mind, Julia was waiting in expectation of Philip’s proposed visit.
A visit to Wentworth Hall established that Lochinvar was not pining for his mistress, but being thoroughly spoilt by the doting Mrs Carew. This Julia was happy to report in a letter to the family in London. A note arrived from Gerald stating that he had been called to London on unexpected business but looked forward to resuming their rides together on his return.
Great Uncle Thomas had developed a cold and Mrs Knight and Julia spent much of their time nursing him, trying to keep him entertained and in good humour. Smithers was full of the recent wedding of the Duke of Kent to the widow of the Prince of Leiningen, and the forthcoming nuptials of the Duke of Clarence to Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.
‘Fancy those two dukes rushing off to wed at their age,’ expostulated Smithers, as she shook a cashmere shawl vigorously before folding it away.
‘There has to be an heir to the throne, Smithers. Since Princess Charlotte’s death last year there are no legitimate children from any of the royal dukes. She was the only one,’ Julia explained.
Smithers gave Julia a withering look and huffed as she set about inspecting a torn flounce on a ball dress.
‘Well, the Duke of Cambridge was married in Hanover recently and he is the youngest duke, so he is sure to have a family. Those other two, well, they are both over fifty, and all those Fitz-Clarences… well, really!’
Julia hid her face so Smithers would not be offended by her smile and continued on with her embroidery.
She remembered Prince William with affection. He had always been so kind to his sisters, and courteous to her on his visits to the Queen’s House or Windsor. Indeed, his liaison with Mrs Jordan, the actress, had certainly produced a large family, but now, with no royal heir, apart from the childless Duke of York, the royal brothers had to do their duty, and an added incentive to change their single status was Parliament agreeing to settle their debts, or part of them.
‘Do remember, Smithers, that the Duke of Cumberland married only three years ago and if he has children and his elder brothers do not, that is where the next heir will come from,’ warned Julia.
Smithers looked suitably shocked at the prospect of the ‘wicked’ Duke’s progeny sitting on the English throne, and with a pursed mouth she applied her needle to the torn flounce with renewed vigour.
Outside, the weather had again turned wet and dreary, which seemed to Julia to reflect her own spirits. She missed her afternoon ride with Gerald but couldn’t bring herself to ask Wyatt to accompany her as a groom. It was therefore most pleasing when a note arrived from Philip, asking if he could call upon her the following day.
The weather was as bright as Julia’s spirits on the appointed day. She dressed in a becoming gown of pink sprigged muslin, her hair was done to Smithers’ exacting standards and threaded with ribbon, and she awaited his arrival with keen anticipation. When he was announced, he bent over her hand, and once again Julia felt the old familiar warm sensation of his presence.
‘I see that I find you in good looks and that the Sussex air definitely agrees with you,’ Philip smiled, raising one eyebrow in mock seriousness.
‘Oh yes, it does. However, I do miss friends from Court if not all the duties it entailed,’ she answered him in his own bantering tone.
‘Do you believe you could settle permanently to country life?’ he asked as he sat down.
‘Yes. On the whole it has been an agreeable exchange. However, I would like to come up to town occasionally to see the latest fashions, though to be sure I have nowhere to wear them.’
He laughed appreciatively. ‘I’m sure your riding companion would be most impressed. Mr Hamilton wasn’t it?’
‘Mr Hamilton is one of our neighbours. He has been kind enough to lend me one of his horses. As my great uncle has no riding horses it has allowed me to have some exercise outside.’
‘Why, how very civil and neighbourly of Mr Hamilton. I only wish I was in his happy situation and able to be of assistance to you in such a fashion.’
Although this was said in a teasing tone, his eyes were suddenly serious. There was a long pause, their eyes locked together, each waiting for the other to break the silence.
Julia rang the bell for Molly, and enquired of Philip, ‘Do you intend to stay on longer with Lady Furnbridge, Philip?’
He shifted his legs beneath his chair as he answered. ‘Only for another three days and then I must return to Sharnborough. My Aunt Furnbridge has always had a fondness for my widowed sister-in-law, Selina. I have been endeavouring to obtain my aunt’s good services in staying with poor Selina at Sharnborough to give her some company during this difficult time. Thankfully, my aunt has agreed to my request and will accompany me to Sharnborough when I leave.’
Molly arrived with the tea things and while Julia busied herself as hostess, Philip chatted on about his widowed sister-in-law and little nieces, only stopping when Julia gave him his tea. Abruptly he changed the topic, his light-hearted tone gone.
‘I would very much like to pay my respects to Mr Farraday, though I understand from your man, Ridges, that he is at present indisposed.’
‘Yes, he has had a severe cold and at his age he has required constant nursing. Fortunately, his constitution is strong and he is certainly on the mend.’
‘Well, in that case I will write to him and make a time to call upon him in the near future. I most certainly wish to make his acquaintance and hopefully gain his approval.’
Julia felt her heart beat faster as she raised her teacup to her lips. Philip looked directly at her.
‘You would not object?’
She shook her head. ‘No, no. Of course not.’
He relaxed and turned his captivating smile upon her.
‘Good. I am in a fever of impatience to meet him. I trust you will put in a good word on my behalf?’
‘How could I not!’
Julia’s mind was in ferment. If she interpreted correctly what Philip meant …
The rest of the visit passed off in an air of expectation and when Philip left, he lingered over her hand. He wished her great uncle a speedy recovery and promised to return just as soon as he was able.