“It is no bother really. It was a very taxing ordeal. Lady Evers lost her life and Emily, her mother. You all must understand how difficult that must be for Lord Heartford and myself to discuss.” Livie’s mellifluous voice rang through the room. Julia noted shame on the faces of the other occupants at the table.
Good, it was exactly what they all deserved, behaving so carelessly, as if a death of a woman meant nothing.
Livie placed her napkin down, causing her husband to hastily stand and rush over to her.
“Pray forgive me, Lady Jerzy. I am finding I’m suddenly not feeling well.” Livie touched her hand delicately to her abdomen and the woman quickly started with surprise.
“Of course, Your Grace! You are welcome back anytime.” Lady Jerzy quickly stood from her seat.
“We do hope you will become a subscriber, Your Grace,” the other patroness, Lady Coper, said.
“If everyone will excuse us, I’m going to escort the duchess home.” Remington reached his wife and offered her his hand, which she took, a soft smile on her face.
Julia stood, followed by Heartford. A small thrill ran through her at the sight of him supporting her cousin. “Lady Julia, Lord Heartford, please do not leave on my account.” Livie’s smile did not reach her eyes.
“Are you sure? I’m happy to end the evening early—” Julia tried to insist but was cut off by her cousin.
Livie shook her head, glancing around the room. Julia knew that she wouldn’t want to cause a scene. Her cousin cared about Julia’s second chance to make a good impression in society. “No, you stay. Lord Heartford and Mr. Edwards will accompany you home.”
“Heartford, I’ll send the carriage directly back,” Remington said while holding onto his wife’s arm.
“Of course, we shall see to Lady Julia,” Henry replied, causing a needle of discomfort to crawl down Julia’s spine.
The couple exited, leaving her to ride with Henry in a carriage. Her only comfort was that Mr. Edwards would be with them. Henry would not dare try to speak with her on intimate matters in front of his friend, or so she hoped.
“I hope we did not offend the duchess, Lady Julia?” Lady Jerzy said from her seat at the head of the table. She took a sip of wine as the second course was laid out in front of them, her gaze calculating.
But Julia had no desire to ease their discomfort. She picked up her own glass of wine, peering at the lady over the rim. “She does not like discussing the fire. I’m sure none of you would want to discuss something that nearly took your life.” Julia’s voice was clipped. Without waiting for a response, she took a large unladylike gulp of her lemonade.
She wished they served wine at dinner. She would welcome the fogginess, but the patronesses did not allow such an indulgence. After all, how else was she to stomach the remainder of the evening or a carriage ride with the Marquess of Heartford?
It seems that being ruined once was not enough for Lady Julia. She is intent on it happening again with the same man. I’m sure there are a number of available ladies that would definitely allow the Marquess of H to ruin them, repeatedly.
Henry sat across from Julia as the carriage pulled away from Almack’s on King Street. Elijah had chosen the company of one of his many admirers over returning back to the townhome. A fact that Henry was pleased about. Finally, he had Julia alone, and they could discuss the events of a fortnight ago and their relationship.
At least he hoped this could be the beginnings of a new start for them. He understood that he had hurt her when he left, but surely, they could begin anew.
He stared at her rigid form as she gazed at the deserted London streets at this late hour. It was a time when most of the city was asleep, when all was quiet and well in the world, but not in his. He took a tremulous breath, trying to steady his nerves. He wanted her. God, did he want her.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, but she was missing the fire that had attracted him to her. He wished there wasn’t a wall of emotion between them. Her silk shawl hung precariously off her shoulders, allowing him a liberal view of her decolletage.
“Do you plan to ignore me the entire carriage ride?” A sliver of light brightened the dark carriage through the small window. A single curl had come undone from her coiffure to drape seductively across her exposed collarbone. His fingers twitched in the confines of his gloves. He wanted to feel the rich, silky tresses between them.
Julia turned to face him, her eyes analyzing him. “We have nothing to discuss.”
He had expected her to be angry, but she wasn’t. She was cold and unaffected by him. It didn’t’ matter, he would not be deterred.
The horses slowed slightly, giving Henry the opportunity to hoist himself up using the arm strap and sit beside her.
She startled, practically jumping out of her seat, her eyes wide. “What are you doing!”
Wordlessly, he took her hand in both of his like a prayer. Her small delicate one was engulfed in his, and he didn’t want to ever let go. “You’ve been avoiding me for a fortnight, and I think it’s time we finally spoke.”
He leaned in closer to her, wrapped his arm around her tiny waist, and pulled her closer. Her breathing increased at his nearness.
“Very well.” She inhaled deeply trying to pull away from him, but Henry’s grip tightened around her middle, not allowing her to escape. “Speak,” she demanded, giving up the fight to escape his embrace.
Slowly, his gloved hand drew up her arm to wrap around her long slender neck. He stared into her eyes, trying to convey all the emotions he was feeling in a single look. They shone blue and vibrant in the darkened carriage, and he remembered how they glowed with fire as she found her pleasure beneath him.
