“It is fine, Your Grace. I am happy to be in the company of such beautiful ladies.” His voice was light as he looked from the duchess to Julia.
“You pay us a great compliment, Mr. Edwards.” The duchess took a sip of her tea, her cheeks coloring slightly.
“Thank you. When we first came to town we were very sought after. Livie snagged the famous bachelor duke and I had a choice of many suitors.” Julia prattled on as if Henry needed a reminder of their past.
“I haven’t been called that in years. Thank heavens!” Karrington lifted his wife’s hand and kissed her knuckles.
“Mr. Edwards, you will find that society loves their gossip. I feel I must warn you that as our guest, you may end up under close scrutiny. The gossips are quite enraptured with us.” The duchess dabbed at her lips with her napkin.
“I am not afraid of gossip, perhaps it will help me find my sister.” Elijah’s forehead wrinkled in worry as it often did at the mention of his sister.
“Your sister? Is she in London?” Julia questioned in wonderment.
Henry watched their exchange closely, wishing that she was that affable with him. He understood her anger but truly could he not receive a single kind word. Parts of him wanted to demand she have a conversation with him, instead of this childish game she insisted on playing.
“I hope she still is. My mother and father left London many years ago as British loyalists. Many former slaves were placed in the African colony of my country, Sierra Leone. They were forced to leave my sister behind because she was an indentured servant.”
“That’s dreadful!” Julia dropped her fork on her plate.
“My father died when I was six, leaving my mother and me alone. Mother died not two years later. She made me promise that one day I would return to London to find my sister, Patty.” Elijah took a hasty bite of his toast.
Both women were entranced by Elijah’s tale. Henry had heard the story many times, insisting that his friend relay everything his parents had told him. The situation reminded Henry of his own relationship with Amelia, and he had been compelled to assist Elijah in any way.
“I couldn’t imagine having to leave any one of my children behind. Do you remember her at all?” The duchess leaned forward slightly.
“I was not born until five years after they left. Everything I know about her is from my parents.” Elijah began massaging the back of his neck with his hand. “Henry is repaying a debt by assisting me in finding her.”
“What debt is that?” Karrington raised his eyebrows.
“Elijah saved me from drowning on our way to Jamaica. Most of the occupants on the ship were lost at sea. I would’ve been as well if it hadn’t been for him.” Henry’s voice sounded hollow to his own ears.
What he didn’t share was that he had almost given up, but blue eyes had him fighting the sea for his life. Elijah, who was a much stronger swimmer than Henry, saved them both. Henry had given up all hope for living. For one single moment, his life passed before his eyes and all he saw was—“
“How fortunate we all are that you were there, Mr. Edwards.” Karrington sat back in his chair and clasped his hands together, clearly done with his breakfast.
“Extremely,” Julia muttered under her breath.
Though she had insinuated that she had moved on with St. Clara, Henry was determined to prove himself to her. Every snide comment increased Henry’s agitation with her. His temper boiled at the thought of her and St. Clara.
“It was nothing. We had become friends during the journey, and I needed the company since I had found myself out of a job.” Elijah’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “That is why Henry has agreed to go into business with me.”
“What type of business and when will you open it?” Livie asked, leaning forward.
“A shipping business, imports and exports.” Elijah took a sip of his morning coffee. “We will start our company as soon as possible. Henry made several connections on our journey here. He is an excellent businessman.”
“I’m sure he is,” Julia mumbled. She took a sip of her water then set the glass down and turned to face Elijah. “It is a shame, Mr. Edwards, that you did not ask someone more worthy to go into business with you. Lord Heartford is incapable of caring about anyone but himself.” Her voice was bold, but she kept her gaze on Elijah, refusing to meet Henry’s narrowed eyes.
“Julia,” the duchess warned, but it seemed Julia would not be deterred.
Henry ran his hand through his hair and sighed in utter frustration. He turned his head toward her, wishing that she would end her tirade. There was nothing to be done now about his leaving. He left her; the only thing he could do was move forward and try to repair their relationship, but she would not allow that to happen. “You must remember, Lady Julia, that I am dependable,” he gritted out, trying to keep his temper at bay.
“Surely you are jesting? One could hardly depend on a man who could not keep a simple promise of marrying the woman he supposedly loved.” She took a bite of toast as if she had not said anything.
Henry stared at her, their eyes locking as she stared back in defiance. He would swear that she meant to do him bodily harm. “Must you be so childish?” His hand squeezed around his fork so tight that he thought it might break in two.
He knew he had wronged her, but for her to bring it up at the damn breakfast table was imprudent. Couldn’t she give him a chance to prove himself?
“How dare you call me childish?” Venom laced her words. She gave him no chance to answer. “You have no right. You are the one who left me! Now you have the audacity to just waltz back into London like nothing ever happened. How dare you!” She banged her hand on the table. Her glass wobbled and threatened to spill its contents.
