“Tell us, Miss Pippa, what fascinating things have you been creating in your laboratory?” Aunt Len thankfully changed the subject.
“I’ve been dallying with different combustible reactors—” Pippa began.
“Combustible reactors! Really Pippa, haven’t you learned your lesson from the last time?” St. Clara rushed out the words while bouncing one of his legs up and down.
Everyone in the room looked between St. Clara and Pippa as if just realizing their familiarity with each other. Julia only knew that they were neighbors who disliked each other greatly, but she hadn’t been aware of a past connection.
“What happened the last time you used combustible reactors?” Livie asked.
“It was nothing really—” Pippa began but was cut off by St. Clara’s loud laugh.
“She nearly burned down that shed she calls a laboratory. If I wasn’t there, the place would’ve erupted in flames,” St. Clara said.
“Goodness! When did this happen?” Aunt Len’s eyes were wide and one of her hands clenched her chest.
Pippa’s eyes shifted side to side. “I was twelve then. But I assure you, I have become more accustomed to dealing with combustible materials.” Her smile was tight and did not reach her eyes. “Chaun—St. Clara is exaggerating as usual.”
It wasn’t lost on Julia that her friend almost used St. Clara’s given name. Julia had only learned it a few weeks ago.
A commotion in the hall stole everyone’s attention. Remington abruptly rushed toward the door.
“Karrington!” Henry’s frantic voice called out. Julia quickly stood, releasing a stuttering sigh as relief filled her body. But it turned to fear when she realized that something terrible had happened to him.
Her heart pounded in her chest. She had to be near him. He couldn’t be harmed, not when they had a life ahead of them.
“What’s happened?” Remington asked as Henry came into the parlor. His mother clung to him as if her life depended on it.
Julia’s body relaxed once she saw he was well. She rushed to his side, needing to be near him.
“White and Stanford happened,” Henry announced, causing everyone to gasp in shock.
Julia took on his hectic appearance: his tailcoat was wrinkled and the cravat around his neck hung loosely. He looked as if he had survived a battle.
“Are you all right, Henry?” She took hold of his hand, trying to give him some of her strength.
His shoulders sagged, his jaw unclenching when their palms connected. Their eyes locked. He bought her hand to his lips and kissed it in front of everyone. “I’m better now that I’m with you.”
Julia looked away, feeling shy under his intense gaze.
“Oh goodness! Please sit down, Lady Heartford.” Livie rose from the sofa and walked over to where Lady Heartford stood trembling.
“I have her. You sit down,” Remington instructed his wife firmly.
“Mother, would you have Mrs. Tewksbury prepare a room for Lady Heartford?” Livie instructed her mother, who immediately went in search of the housekeeper.
“Thank you.” Henry’s voice was weak. Julia supposed she should help care for her future mother-in-law, but she didn’t want to leave his side. “I’m sorry to ask, Karrington, but could my mother and uncle stay until I am able to find them accommodations.”
Julia blinked several times, not believing that after avoiding the woman for three years, she would have to stay under the same roof as her. She glanced at Henry, her heart breaking at the sight of him. It made Julia want to help her future mother-in-law, they were to be family after all.
“Did Mr. White ask them to leave?” Remington asked.
“The constable put out everyone in the townhouse.” Henry spit out the words, his mouth pinched tight. “I’m afraid that I need somewhere for my mother and uncle to stay until I prepare the new townhome.”
Julia turned to him. “What new townhome?”
She knew he had lost everything, but she didn’t care. They had each other. She would sleep anywhere as long as it was beside Henry.
“Karrington and your cousin gifted us a townhome as a wedding present.” Henry wrapped his arm around her waist, and she melted into him, wishing that they were alone.
