“I would love to have you over for dinner. My daughter is extremely accomplished on the pianoforte.” Lady Ratchford sat up expectantly.
Julia rolled her eyes. This was becoming ridiculous Lady Ratchford’s daughter was not yet sixteen.
“Lord Heartford you must regale us of your current situation. Is it true you’re starting a shipping business?” Lady Allendale wrinkled her nose as if something smelled disagreeable.
“Yes, Mr. Edwards and I are securing a building for our offices at the docks.” Henry’s voice was strong and confident.
The sound of it reminded her of his former self, the one that wooed her so thoroughly. She had known that both he and Mr. Edwards ventured out daily, but she had no idea they had secured a building for their business.
He was really doing it.
“We looked at several properties before we decided on this one. It’s a prime location for a shipping business.” Elijah leaned forward in his chair.
Julia could tell that the two friends were excited about the possibilities their new business would bring them. She was excited for them despite her conflicted feelings about Henry.
“Where is this location?” Lord Allendale sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “I dare say, a gentleman doesn’t need a business.”
“It is near the Billingsgate Fish Market.” Henry stiffened beside her. “And this gentleman does need a business.”
The Duke of Summerset shook his head knowingly. “Yes, the Pomais investment has everyone’s funds tied up at the moment.” He turned to the elderly Lord Evanston. “Has there been any word from your brother?”
Lord Evanston and his wife were prominent members of society. His younger brother had left for Pomais with dreams of grandeur months ago. “No. I’m certain he should’ve reached Pomais by now. I know he had planned to hire some locals to build him a grand home. Perhaps he’s just busy getting settled.” Lord Evanston nodded to himself, finding the excuse acceptable.
“Your brother was on the first ship?” Henry leaned forward, his body tense beside Julia.
“Yes, his wife died quite suddenly last Season, and he felt he was in need of an adventure. I’m hoping to visit him next year. Pomais sounds simply fascinating.” The older man smiled at Henry before he took a drink of the provided ratafia.
Julia found ratafia too sweet for her liking, but her cousin sipped from her cup. Livie loved sweets of all kinds.
“Did anyone attend Bromswell’s hanging?” the Duke of Summerset called out cheerly, as if he was speaking of a boxing exhibition and not a man’s death.
His young, pregnant wife sat across from Julia, ignoring her husband. Her brother, the Earl of Chamberlain, had tried to court Livie in her first Season. The brazen woman, heavy with child, flirted shamelessly with a younger gentleman on Julia’s left. Her mind went to her own possible marriage, wondering if she would treat St. Clara in such a manner. She couldn’t imagine a life so full of unhappiness, and yet, it was what she had agreed to.
“It was rather ghastly. I, for one, am glad he was served justice. To think he kidnapped and attempted to murder two ladies and a baby,” Lady Jerzy said, her face ashen.
Julia glanced at Livie, knowing how upset she’d be at the conversation. She looked as if she would be sick but tried to hide it well. Her husband threw down his napkin rather forcefully, prepared to stand to defend his wife.
“I’ve heard that the former countess has gone missing from her home in Kent. Perhaps she was trying to come back to London to save her lover from the hangman’s noose?” the Countess of Clifton voiced in a bored tone.
“Missing! How absolutely scandalous!” the Duchess of Summerset exclaimed in a childlike tone. She was after all only seventeen, the youngest of Lord Chamberlain’s sisters.
Julia was becoming more and more agitated the longer they spoke on the subject. They had no care for anyone’s feelings.
“May I suggest we change the topic. My wife has experienced their cruelty firsthand and does not wish to relive one of the most terrifying events of her life as if it were a spectacle!” Remington sounded both annoyed and challenging as if daring someone to defy him.
Julia suppressed a giggle at his outburst. She had always thought his smothering was annoying, but here in front of the elite of society, she enjoyed seeing just how protective he was of his wife.
In fact, he had shocked the entire table into utter silence. Footmen came to clear the first course with a few glances over the heads of the quiet attendees.
Henry vibrated with rage beside Julia. A part of her wanted to comfort him, to reach over and place her hand on his leg, but she didn’t. She knew that losing his sister was a great loss to him, especially since they had only acquainted themselves the Season before her death.
Julia clenched her hands into fists under the table, resisting the urge to soothe him. She would no longer behave as brazenly as she had in the library. She was New Julia, damn it! Not reckless, passionate, careless Old Julia, but sensible, wise, calm New Julia.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Livie gave her husband a small smile. “I’m sure our friends did not mean any harm. They have no idea how terrifying being trapped in a burning townhome really is or what it’s like to hold an innocent babe in your arms as the place comes down around you.”
But Julia knew her cousin and could tell that she was upset and trying not to be rude. Livie’s gray eyes blinked repeatedly, a tight smile on her face. She wasn’t eating the lavish meal in front of her, a real sign of her unhappiness.
“Y-yes, of course, Your Grace. We did not intend to offend Her Grace.” Lady Jerzy had never been known to apologize to anyone, yet here she was chastised by the Duke of Karrington in her own domain.
