Chapter Seventeen
‘Whistles after dark’
It was with a sense of relief that Julia learned from Smithers that the Wentworth family had returned from London. The following day, Julia received the two Miss Wentworths, and after the usual exclamations of pleasure and delight, the three young women settled down to discuss all the news from London and in the county.
‘Thank you so much for keeping an eye on Lockie for me, Julia,’ said Caroline. ‘He did miss me of course, but Mrs Carew has looked after him incredibly well.’
‘I knew that she would,’ smiled Julia. ‘However, I can well believe he is very pleased to have you back home, as I am too.’
‘Mama sends her sincere condolences to you, dear Julia, about poor Mr Farraday,’ whispered an anxious Susan.
‘But he was very, very old, wasn’t he, Julia?’ added Caroline.
Julia placated both young ladies, ordered tea, and after assuring them of her well-being, turned the conversation to their stay in London.
‘Do tell Julia your news, Susan,’ coaxed Caroline.
Susan blushed becomingly and extended her left hand to display a diamond engagement ring.
‘Why, Susan, how delightful! Oh I am so happy for you.’
Impetuously, Julia leant across and kissed her cheek.
‘Pray tell me. Who is this fortunate man?’
It turned out to be a certain young Toby Kinston, eldest son of a baronet, recently returned from military duties overseas. He had met Susan the previous year, renewed the acquaintance in London and proposed instantly, to be accepted by a love-struck Susan.
‘For I had liked him so much from the moment I met him last year, and then he had to go away. When we met again this year, it was just…’
Susan lifted an enraptured face to Julia, which left no doubt about her feelings for the dashing Toby.
‘Yes!’ said a triumphant Caroline. ‘And papa and mama were so pleased for Susan that it could not have been better. They know Toby’s family and everyone is delighted. In fact, you will be able to make the acquaintance of Toby very soon as he is arriving on Friday to stay with us for a week.’
‘Indeed, it is so,’ smiled her sister. ‘I am sure you will like him, Julia,’ she added shyly.
‘Of course I will, my dear,’ agreed her host, and with the arrival of afternoon tea the rapturous bride-to-be poured out the merits of her fiancé, the wedding plans, where they proposed to live, and the latest London fashions. The afternoon passed in a happy convivial state until the Wentworth ladies took their leave under the firm assurances that Julia would call upon them the next day.
Lady Wentworth cordially greeted Julia the next day when she called at The Hall, and after tea had been taken and Susan and Caroline were otherwise engaged, her hostess turned to her with a smile and said, ‘I had the pleasure of recently making the acquaintance of a friend of yours from Court, dear Julia.’
‘Oh, who was that?’
‘Viscount Illingham. He heard we were near neighbours of yours and particularly wanted to know if we had heard how you were managing since Mr Farraday’s death. As you know, he is still in mourning for his brother and is not out in society. However, he had previously met Sir Henry and took the trouble to call on us while he was in London on business.’
Julia felt a surge of pleasure at Lady Wentworth’s remarks.
‘I had the distinct impression, Julia, that Lord Illingham’s call was really to hear all about you and your life in Winchelsea. He does seem to have a tendresse for you, my dear.’
‘Philip has always been a steadfast friend. But now he is the heir to an earldom, I am sure there will be many other suitable young ladies that his family would prefer for him.’
Lady Wentworth patted Julia’s hand in a sympathetic way, and with another conspiratorial smile, changed the subject to a much less controversial matter, Toby Kinston’s expected visit.
‘I would very much like to make up a party to visit my cousin’s home at Astonbury to see the Roman ruins. Although presently in town, I know they would have no objection to us seeing the house and gardens. All I need to do is contact their steward who will provide the repast. I had thought next Tuesday would be a suitable day and would be delighted if you could accompany us, Julia.’
This request Julia was only too pleased to accept, and after hoping that the weather would favour them for the visit, asked Lady Wentworth about the house and its history as it was unfamiliar to her.
As she was about to leave, her hostess invited Julia to join the family on Saturday for luncheon to meet Susan’s betrothed. Julia accepted with pleasure as she was curious to meet the man who had conquered her young friend’s heart.
Saturday once again saw Julia and Smithers make their way in fitful sunshine between the showers to the Hall, and after a warm welcome, Julia was presented to the Honourable Toby Kinston. He was a pleasant-faced plump young man, not in his regimentals, but in civilian dress of snuff brown coat, buff breeches and yellow waistcoat. His thick curly brown hair was cut in the fashionable style, and his easy and relaxed manner, particularly with his betrothed, was delightful to see, and, thought Julia, exactly how a young couple on the verge of matrimony should be.
The more she conversed with him during the afternoon, the more certain she felt of his genuine feelings of affection for Susan and how well suited they were. There was much merriment, and talk of wedding plans as well as the proposed visit to Astonbury on the following Tuesday, before Julia could make her farewells.
Lady Wentworth drew Julia aside briefly to implore, ‘My dear, I know you are still in mourning for your great uncle. However, I have proposed a small dinner party for Toby to meet some of our neighbours next Thursday. If you were able to attend it would be delightful for us all. Only a few people, such as the Sandersons, Barlows and Walter-Hunts with their eldest son will be here.
‘No dancing of course. I know she is still in the schoolroom, but Caroline will be present as she has just had her sixteenth birthday. We feel it is time, before her debut next year, for her to gain a little knowledge of the polite world. Oh, do say you will come. I shall send Hopkins with the carriage to collect you and I shall be forever in your debt if you accept, as, without you, there will be thirteen for dinner which would never do,’ she added smilingly.
Julia murmured her assent. ‘I am sure I will enjoy it very much.’
‘Bless you, my dear. I knew I could rely on your support. I shall send the carriage at eight o’clock.’
On that happy note, the ladies said their goodbyes.
Dark rain clouds were gathering in the sky as Julia prepared to leave, but she refused her hostess’s offer of the family carriage as it was a relatively short walk. Hardly had she and Smithers turned the bend in the road when the first raindrops fell.
‘We must hurry Smithers or we are going to be soaked.’
The two women increased their pace as much as they could. With the rain falling steadily, they heard the sound of an approaching carriage and moved to the side of the road. The chaise came alongside and stopped. Gratefully, Julia went over to it to see who the kind benefactor was, and looked into the beautiful face of Gerald’s French mistress. Instinctively, she shrank back as the door swung open.
‘Bonjour, bonjour la chaste pucelle; montez dans mon carrosse. Il pleut si fort, et, vous avez bien l’air d’une poule mouillée.’
Julia translated quickly. ‘Good day, good day, chaste virgin. Climb into my carriage, it’s raining so hard and you look like a wet hen!’
Julia was speechless as Lenore continued.
‘You will be, how do you say, drowned if you do not get in, Mademoiselle Farraday; and your maid with you.’
The rain was indeed pouring down now. Even as she spoke, Julia could feel it penetrating her coat and dripping from the brim of her hat. Smithers shivered beside her.
‘Merci, Mademoiselle.’
‘It is Madame.’
Julia climbed inside, followed by Smithers, to sit
opposite the Frenchwoman, feeling once again at a disadvantage with her wet, bedraggled appearance while the other, elegant in cream with dark green trimmings, looked immaculate. Julia spoke in French and looked Lenore in the eye.
‘It is most kind of you to offer us a lift. Although my home is only a short distance away we would have been drenched to the skin.’
The lovely Lenore raised an eyebrow. ‘Your accent is very good. Bah, it is nothing.’ She waved her hand dismissively.
‘Thank you.’ Julia nodded stiffly. ‘We are almost there. If your driver would turn at the next entrance to the right, we will be home.’
Lenore tapped on the carriage roof with her parasol and instructed the coachman accordingly, returning her gaze to Julia. For the last part of the ride, the two women sat staring at each other, while Smithers sniffed beside Julia. For the life of her, the erudite Miss Farraday could think of nothing to say, but sat as if mesmerised, like a rabbit to a stoat, by the woman opposite her.
Suddenly they were there, and the door was quickly opened by a cloak-covered groom.
Impulsively, Julia turned to Lenore as she was about to alight. ‘Would you care to come in and take some refreshment?’
There was a flicker of surprise across the beautiful features. ‘Why, yes. That would be most agréable.’