Chapter Twenty One
‘If you do as you’ve been told,
likely there’s a chance’
Julia had just finished her breakfast and was about to tackle her correspondence when Molly entered the room to announce, ‘Ma’am, a messenger has arrived with a letter for you.’
This was a surprise at this early hour. Unable to mask her curiosity, Julia took the proffered note. She walked into the morning room, picked up her letter opener and opened it.
In flowing script was a perfectly worded invitation from Philip’s aunt, Lady Furnbridge. It began by apologising for the short notice but could Julia possibly visit her the day after tomorrow. Her nephew Philip, Viscount Illingworth, had expressed such pleasure in Miss Farraday’s company that she very much desired to make her acquaintance before she left the following day for a protracted stay at Sharnborough.
Julia was speechless as she read on. The footman would wait to take back her reply, and, if it was more convenient, Lady Furnbridge would send her own carriage to collect her. Her head was in a whirl. This was so unexpected, yet the letter was cordial and an answer would have to be given.
Carefully, she wrote her reply, gave it to Molly to give to the footman, and then rang the bell for Ridges.
‘I am going to need the services of a competent coachman, and the barouche readied for a journey to Hastings,’ Julia announced firmly.
The manservant wrung his hands.
‘I don’t know, ma’am. The barouche would get you there, but we have no horses.’
‘Surely,’ persisted Julia, ‘there must be someone in the district who would hire me two carriage horses for the day? I assure you, I will pay them well. Besides,’ she added tartly, ‘we know someone in the district must have two suitable horses from the night when the barouche was last used.’
Ridges gave her a defeated look and said, ‘I will see what I can do ma’am.’
‘We don’t have much time as her ladyship expects me the day after tomorrow,’ she reminded him. ‘In the meantime, I would suggest you get young Jimmy and one of the maids to give the carriage a thorough clean and polish.’
Smithers, when told of the visit, was visibly pleased.
‘Ah, Miss Julia, to pay a call on Mr Stratton, I mean, Lord Illingham’s aunt. That is good news, Miss Julia. Let me go and look out your travelling costume and what else may be needed for the journey. You will need me to accompany you.’
The last was said triumphantly, and Julia nodded her agreement. Smithers sailed forth to look out the clothes with a satisfied smile on her face. Julia knew she had always liked and approved of Philip, while her disapproval of Gerald was blatantly obvious.
On the morning of the visit to Furnbridge Court, Julia stepped into the transformed barouche. The paintwork was sparkling, the newly blackened spokes of the wheels pristine, and the interior was polished to perfection. Two matching bays were between the traces, groomed with the same care, and Julia was delighted that her wishes had been carried out so well.
On the box was Jimmy, seated beside the driver, who it eventuated, was his father, and, according to Ridges, a thoroughly experienced whip. Both wore borrowed livery and looked, according to Molly who witnessed the scene, as fine as five pence!
Ridges closed the carriage door with a bang and they were off, bowling along at a respectable pace, with Smithers prattling on about Court gossip of Philip’s father, the disreputable Earl of Sharnborough. She was obviously intending to enjoy her outing away from Winchelsea.
Julia’s mind wandered away from Smithers’ flow of words, puzzling as to why the invitation from Isabella Furnbridge had been forthcoming. To be sure, Philip had certainly spoken to his aunt about her and had aroused her curiosity. Even so, a nagging feeling of being at a distinct disadvantage and the possibility of a lecture on her unsuitability as a connection to the House of Sharnborough, was the constant thought in her mind.
The barouche arrived at the Dower House of Furnbridge Court at the expected hour, and its occupants alighted at the pillared porch and climbed the steps. On entering the house, Julia was greeted immediately by her widowed hostess.
‘Miss Farraday, it is so good of you to visit me at such short notice. I do hope you didn’t think me too presumptuous. Please, do come in and let me offer you some refreshments.’ This was said with such a welcoming smile that Julia felt her fears vanish.
Isabella Furnbridge was a slight, willowy creature, past middle-age, but still with traces of her former beauty, dressed simply but fashionably, in mourning. Despite the sweetness of her smile, Julia felt there was a strong will behind it, of one who would not be easily thwarted.
Beside Lady Furnbridge was her companion, Miss Phoebe Watson, a distant relation of about the same age, but far more formidable, who looked at Julia in such a penetrating manner that she almost quailed beneath it.
‘Phoebe, be so kind as to take Miss Farraday’s maid to the housekeeper and see her wants are attended to,’ said Isabella Furnbridge.
The two women left the room and Julia was escorted into the drawing room where refreshments were laid out. Julia accepted out of politeness, for she had never felt less hungry in her life.
‘My dear nephew, Philip, has spoken of you in the most glowing terms, Miss Farraday.’ Her hostess seemed to purr this compliment as she poured the tea.
‘I have had the pleasure of knowing Lord Illingworth over many years of attendance at Court,’ answered Julia evenly. ‘He always showed me great courtesy and kindness, even on the most trying of occasions. I was naturally deeply distressed to read of his elder brother’s tragic death and wrote to him expressing my condolence.’
Isabella Furnbridge nodded in agreement, her face clouded with distress.
‘Oh, my dear, it was too, too, dreadful! Poor dear Selina, and those little girls.’ She dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, and Julia kept silent until she composed herself.
‘I must confess to you that Philip has always been my favourite nephew.’ Lady Furnbridge looked Julia in the eye. ‘I believe he will in time, be a fine head of the house of Sharnborough. Regretfully, my father and brother have left the estates in a heinous position owing to their ill fortune at the gaming table, and Philip will be fortunate indeed if there is anything left for him to inherit,’ she said bitterly. ‘There is only one way he can save Sharnborough and that is to marry an heiress.’
Julia tightened her grip on the teacup she was holding, and her heart began to pound.
‘My dear, may I speak frankly to you?’
‘Of course, Lady Furnbridge.’ Julia’s voice shook slightly.
‘My nephew admires you greatly and is very fond of you.’
Isabella Furnbridge leant forward with an air of confidentiality, twisting her hands in her lap.
‘I do not wish to be offensive, but as I said before, he must marry an heiress and one of equal birth. Though I am sure, with your standing at Court, that you come of a respectable family, your birth can in no way be the equal of his. I understand that your great uncle died recently and you have inherited from him. Not a great fortune though, and this Philip would need to keep his position and repay his brother’s, father’s and grandfather’s debts, to retain the family estates.’
Julia sat in frozen silence.
‘I really do not mean to be rude,’ Isabella Furnbridge spoke in a gentler tone, ‘but the situation is really quite desperate. I believe you need to know the truth of Philip’s position, as it is too easy to become emotionally attached to someone in a situation that is hopeless.’
Lady Furnbridge put down her cup. ‘Do you understand my meaning, Miss Farraday?’
White-faced, Julia met her gaze. ‘You have been abundantly clear, Lady Furnbridge.’
‘Oh, dear. This so difficult, but I do need to know that you understand the circumstances, so that should my nephew approach you regarding the delicate matter of a matrimonial alliance, you will consider the unsuitability of such a match.’
Th
is was said in such an earnest and imploring manner, that Julia felt unable to take any offence from the remarks. For the truth was, Lady Furnbridge was right. Without a vast amount of money, Philip could never hold his position as Earl of Sharnborough. Her birth could never match his, and the money Great Uncle Thomas had left her would be but a drop in the ocean compared to what the debts amounted to.
It was the death knell of the girlish dream she had so cherished for the last six years. Now, with the reality of the true facts, Julia knew the dream was over.
‘I can only say that it is highly unlikely that Philip would ever approach me in such a manner, for as you have pointed out, he knows his duty to his family and Sharnborough.’
She gave a rueful smile. ‘I assure you, I would never encourage any further familiarity, so I think we can now consider this the end of the matter.’
Lady Furnbridge gave her a grateful smile.
‘Oh, bless you, my dear. If you knew how relieved I am to hear you say that. The situation, as I said, is desperate, and Philip needs all the support we are able to give him.
‘We will certainly not speak of this again, but I give you my heartfelt thanks for your understanding. May I offer you some more tea?’
Julia declined graciously and the subject was changed to her hostess’s proposed journey the next day. Making polite conversation was not difficult, but Julia felt totally bereft and was relieved when she was able to make her farewell.
Returning home, Smithers kept tactfully silent while Julia remained lost in her dream world of what might have been.