What does Lady F and the Duke of S think of the pending nuptials of the Marquess of H and Lady J? We are sure to find out at the Duchess of K’s upcoming ball.
The entire family was gathered in the parlor to help with the preparations of the upcoming Karrington Ball. The ball was in one day. The household was in an upheaval, making sure everything was presentable in time for the event.
Julia shifted the sketchbook she was doodling in, wondering where Henry was. They needed to face her family together. The excitement of their upcoming nuptials filled her with so much joy.
“Where is your intended, Julia?” her uncle asked for what seemed like the tenth time.
“I’m not sure, Uncle Hempstead. He said he would return this afternoon to visit.” Her hand moved rapidly across the page as she tried not to think the worst.
“Although I am ecstatic that you and Heartford found yourselves back together, I would like to know how this happened.” Mother Di raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side. “You were just with St. Clara.”
“That’s what I would like to know as well,” Aunt Len stated firmly, her voice transporting Julia back to when she and Livie were girls.
They always found some way to get in trouble with Lady Hempstead, either by playing in mud or disappearing for hours in the meadow by Hill Manor.
Julia stopped drawing her sketch of Henry and looked up at her aunt. “Well, we…talked,” she forced out, trying not to reveal the truth—that they had been intimate twice. She could no longer deny their connection.
Their love.
It permeated throughout her body, and she wanted to tell him
She loved Henry Livingstone with all her heart.
“Talked?” Mother Di questioned her, a teasing smile on her lips.
“Yes, sometimes talking heals,” Livie interjected.
Or screaming in Julia’s and Henry’s case, but it did heal them.
Julia glanced at her cousin, hoping for a simple smile, a nod, something that would tell her that they were all right. She hated that Livie wouldn’t speak with her. There was so much she wanted to say.
Going back to her sketchbook, Julia worked on the strong jaw that she had caressed with her lips the previous night. The image helped to lift her melancholy mood.
“Should you not be resting, dearest?” Aunt Len reached over and took her daughter by the hand.
“I’m fine, Mother. I assure you.” Livie looked at her husband. “His Grace took hold of me so tightly that I was hardly jostled within the carriage.”
Julia still couldn’t believe that her beloved cousin was nearly killed, and no one had given her the details. She tried to gather information before she left for St. Clara’s that morning, but her cousin would not see her or talk to her. In her entire life, they had never not spoken. They bickered, sometimes even fought, but they always resolved things rather quickly. This time, however, Julia might have gone too far.
In truth, she only kept her feelings and relationship with Henry a secret because she couldn’t face them herself. She never meant to hurt Livie.
“Have you discovered who was the culprit?” Mr. Prescott leaned forward, concern etched on his weathered face.
“No, but I will not rest until I find who was responsible.” Remington’s voice was deadly, his hands clenched tightly into fists.
“Are you sure someone deliberately tampered with the carriage?” Mother Di shifted in her seat beside her husband.
“Yes, there is no question about it. The elliptic spring was loosened. Our carriages are in excellent condition and maintained regularly.” Remington’s jaw was clenched tight.
Livie took her husband by the hand as he stood stoically by the sofa, like a knight guarding his precious queen. “We’re fine, Your Grace. We’re healthy and home with our family. That is all that matters.” Remington began to protest but stopped at the sight of Livie’s raised eyebrow. “Besides, we should be preparing for the ball.”
Dayton entered and announced, “The Duke of St. Clara and Miss Price.”
Julia stood up and placed her sketchbook down on the small table. Her friends were a welcome distraction from worrying about what was keeping Henry.
“Did you two come together?” Julia asked, excitement coursing through her at the thought of her two best friends forming an attachment.
Pippa shook her head. “No, of course not. I came in a hackney to check on you. The maids are gossiping like mad.”
