“With great difficulty, Mr. Edwards.”Livie wiped Theodore’s mouth, as Emily began standing in her seat. “Please do sit down, Emily,” the duchess scolded the child before she turned back to Elijah. “Henrietta will bring you a plate from the sideboard.”
Elijah stared at the food. Henry knew that he wasn’t used to such a grand affair. In their travels, they lived simply, never as paupers, but nothing on the scale of what was presented at Karrington’s table.
“Remember, ladies do not stand on chairs, princess.” Karrington walked over and lifted Emily up. “Please sit and enjoy yourself, Mr. Edwards. You must tell us all about your travels and how you met this rascal.” He tilted his head toward Henry.
“I’m not a lady, Uncle. Aunt Livie and Aunt Julia is,” Emily insisted with her little hand on Karinngton’s cheek.
Henry felt a jolt of jealousy at his friend’s relationship with his niece, but there was no one to blame but himself.
The duchess stood and took Frederick out of Henry’s arms. “Lucy, I believe these three have had enough adult company. You best take them up for their lessons.”
“Very well, Your Grace. Shall I prepare them for a walk to Hyde Park with you and Lady Julia later?” Lucy took a giggling Frederick from the duchess. The baby was round and happy, the spitting image of his father other than his mother’s gray eyes.
Henry’s gaze traveled around the room, noting the differences in the décor. Like his friend, the house had transformed with no signs of its former misery or emptiness. The breakfast room was bright and cheery with light yellow curtains and a vase of flowers in every available corner. The walls were covered in decorative paintings, all bright and colorful. There was no sign of the empty, cold space that it once was. The same was true for his friend.
“Perhaps later. I’m not sure if Lady Julia is up for it today.” The duchess escorted Theodore out of his chair while Karrington set Emily on the floor.
“Up for what?” Julia asked from the doorway.
Henry’s head turned toward her sultry voice as she strode into the room wearing a green day dress that clung to her diminutive frame. He couldn’t control the way his heart sped up at the sight of her or the pulse of his cock at seeing the curve of her perky breasts.
Swallowing hard, he turned away from the woman who continued to turn him upside down. Julia made it perfectly clear in the library that she wanted nothing to do with Henry, and for now he would oblige her. First, Henry would get affairs in order, beginning with the shipping business Elijah and he would open.
“Going on our daily stroll through Hyde Park,” the duchess responded before walking back to her empty chair.
“Aunt Julia!” Theodore’s loud musical voice carried through the room as he rushed over to Julia.
“Teddy, did you not wait for me? How dreadful of you!” She plucked the boy up in her arms and pressed her head to his.
“I was hungry!” he voiced loudly.
“Morning, Aunt Julia,” Emily said as she walked over to Julia and Theodore.
Julia set Theodore down before bending down to speak to Emily. She ran her hands through Emily’s long, white-blonde hair. “Hello, darling, did you enjoy breakfast with your aunt and uncle?”
“Yes, Aunt Livie and I had preserves!” Emily exclaimed excitedly.
“Come along, children.” Lucy walked past with a crying Frederick.
Emily took Theodore by the hand and they followed the maid out.
Out of the corner of his eye, Henry watched Julia take the seat farthest away from him. She sat between Elijah and the duchess, purposely ignoring him.
“Mr. Edwards, allow me to introduce my wife’s cousin, Lady Julia St. John. Lady Julia, Mr. Edwards is a guest of Heartford’s from Africa.” Karrington introduced the two before he took a sip of his coffee.
“It is very nice to meet you.” Elijah nodded toward Julia.
“Welcome to London, Mr. Edwards.” Julia smiled at the maid who set a small plate filled with ham, toast, and eggs in front of her. “Livie, I’m not sure if I can go walking today.”
The duchess glared at her cousin. “If you cannot join me, that is fine, but may I inquire, what is so important?”
Julia spread butter on a piece of toast, feigning indifference. “St. Clara said he would call on me today.”
At her declaration, Henry froze. St. Clara, the man who had disowned their sister, was just as responsible for Amelia’s death as Henry was.
“If you are having St. Clara as a caller then Her Grace should chaperone,” Karrington added in a rather firm voice.
“Forgive our rudeness, Mr. Edwards. As you can see, we are an active household.” The duchess smiled at Elijah.
