“Your Grace, Miss Price, please have a seat. We’re celebrating Lady Julia and Lord Heartford’s engagement,” Livie told the both of them.
“Why are you here, St. Clara?” Remington glared at her friend who strolled over to an available armchair.
Her cousin-in-law had never softened completely to St. Clara, especially after he called Livie exotic their first Season.
“I’m here to visit Lady Julia. Am I no longer invited?” he challenged.
“Of course, you’re always invited. Don’t be silly.” Julia took Pippa by the arm and pulled her to the chaise lounge where she was sitting alone. “Pippa, sit with me.”
“Where is Heartford?” St. Clara looked around the room as if Henry would magically appear.
“That’s what we all would like to know.” Her uncle’s angry voice caused panic to jolt through her.
In an instant, she was transported back to when he left her. It was almost the exact same scene. Julia shook her head, commanding herself to not think about it. He would come. He loved her.
“Would you both like some refreshments?” Livie waved her hand toward the tea tray.
“Y-yes, please, Your Grace,” Pippa stuttered slightly as she glanced at St. Clara.
Julia had no idea why her friend was acting so strange, but she was determined to find out. She couldn’t help but to wonder if there was more between Pippa and St. Clara.
Remington rushed to serve Pippa before Livie could move. Pippa’s eyes widened as the duke poured her tea.
“You must forgive His Grace, Miss Price. We had a small accident and he’s being a little overbearing.” Livie took a biscuit from the saucer on the side table.
“Oh no, were you hurt?” Pippa asked with concern.
“No, just jostled a bit. I am perfectly fine.” Livie smiled as Pippa took the offered tea from Remington.
Out of the corner of her eye, Julia saw St. Clara staring longingly at Pippa Price. She turned her head toward him, meeting his eye. They silently challenged each other before Mothers Di interrupted them.
“St. Clara…” Mother Di began. “Are you well?”
St. Clara folded his long legs, looking cool and relaxed. “I’m quite well, thank you for asking.”
“I believe she is asking about your ended engagement,” Pippa pointed out, looking from Julia to St. Clara.
“Oh, yes, I was devastated at first. But when Lady Julia told me of her undying love for Heartford, I felt I had to release her, so they could be miserable together.” St. Clara sat back and folded his arms.
Julia tried to contain her laughter, but St. Clara had a way of lightening things for her.
“And you’re not cross with Lady Julia?” her aunt asked directly, looking from St. Clara to Julia.
“Never. I understand…love.” The last word was like a whisper. The sadness in his brown eyes nearly bought Julia to tears.
Beside her, Pippa trembled and turned to hastily wipe a tear from her eyes.
Livie cleared her throat, interrupting the silence. “Are you ready for the ball, Miss Pippa? I can’t believe it’s tomorrow. There’s so much to do, but His Grace is refusing to let me lift a finger.” She rolled her eyes, expressing more to Pippa in that one sentence than she had done to Julia all day.
“I am. My aunt is particularly pleased to be invited. I’m afraid she needs a little bit of a reprieve. News has reached us that my uncle is returning from Paris.” Pippa took a sip of her tea.
“Whatever for? Has he grown tired of his company?” St. Clara sat up abruptly, his keen gaze focused solely on Pippa.
“I-I believe the arrangement has ended—” Pippa said delicately.
“Good for her!” Mother Di interrupted. “How anyone could stomach Lord Wayford is beyond me. I barely escaped the man in one piece.” She visibly shuddered, her face ashen at the mention of Pippa’s uncle.
Julia had never met the man, but she had heard tales of his tyranny.
