“Forgive me,” Aunt Sophy said with a shuddering sigh. “I-I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Dora and Bianca, and you’re right, Rosalind. I’ve been prickly lately. It’s because…well, it’s because I’m getting old, and nothing I try to do is stopping it. And I’m afraid the portrait will show how old I am,” Aunt Sophy said quietly. “Don’t feel sorry for me. You know I hate that. But I dreamed of my dear Arnold the night before our sitting. And…I wondered if he was coming for me. There, I’ve said it. He’s come for me, so it must mean I’m going to die.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I loved him dearly, and I always miss him. But I’m not ready to go yet.”
“I don’t think that means he’s coming for you, Your Grace,” Julian said kindly. While I’m not a religious scholar or knowledgeable about biblical symbols, I believe that when loved ones appear in our dreams, they are there because they care about you.”
Serafina’s heart fluttered at the warmth and sincerity that Julian exuded.He truly has a heart of gold,she realized, suddenly aware of how deeply she cared for this man.
“Did he say anything to you in the dream, Your Grace?” Julian asked.
“He said I was ready—and my dress was perfect for me,” Aunt Sophy said, wiping away a small tear that had slid down her chin.
“And he was right,” Julian said with a smile. “Your gown was perfect for you. You are all beautiful, but yesterday at your sitting, there was a special glow around each of you. When the painting is completed, you’ll see.”
The duchesses all murmured in delight at Julian’s compliments. Serafina couldn’t help noticing how they all gazed at him as though he were some Greek god who’d descended from Mount Olympus to spend time with them. Her eyes met Julian’s, and he gave her a little wink. Goodness, he made her feel the same way, too.
“I agree with Mr. Kerr,” Aunt Bianca said. “Arnold was always a kind soul and given to offering an encouraging word that made you feel better when he thought you needed to hear something uplifting. I remember him from as far back as my childhood because he was my older brother’s best friend. I’m sure Arnold sensed your agitation from Heaven, although you had no reason to be anxious. Just look at how regal and lovely you look in that sketch.”
“Your Arnold was a good man, Sophy, and you have always honored him. He could only have good things to tell you in your dreams,” Aunt Dora added. “He understands worry. The man was always busy with one important project or another—worrying about what he could do for the good of his people and the good of the country.”
“Thank you, Dora. And thank you all for listening to an old woman prattle on about her dream. I was letting my imagination run away from me,” Aunt Sophy said. “Arnold hasn’t been gone that long, but today is his birthday. I’m never sure what to do for him, since he’s gone. And he was so tired when he died, I’ve always imagined he slept the first couple of years.”
Her comment drew giggles and laughter from everyone, and a soft bark from Willow, who’d just woken up and padded over to Aunt Sophy, nuzzling her ankles.
The old woman patted Willow’s soft head.
“It was good to see Edward here yesterday,” Aunt Rosalind said. “He’s not as frequent a visitor as he was before the botched elopement with Serafina?—”
Serafina gasped, Aunt Rosalind’s eyes widened as she suddenly realized what she’d let slip.
“Rosalind!” the other duchesses exclaimed in unison.
“Oh dear!” Aunt Rosalind said, her hand going to her mouth.”
The other duchesses looked between Serafina and Julian and back to Serafina.
Serafina felt the heat rush to her face. Her heart plummeted to the floor. For as long as she lived, she would never forget the shock in Julian’s eyes. She had wanted to tell him. Had planned to tell him, but how could she explain things now? Her worst fears had been realized. He surely hated her now.
“Serafina, I’m so sorry…” Aunt Rosalind cut in.
Serafina shook her head and, with tears streaming down her cheeks, ran from the room.
“Oh dear,” Aunt Sophy said. “I wish Arnold had warned me about this.”
“If it’s all rightwith the four of you, I’d like to go after her,” Julian said, rising from his stool and placing his charcoal nub back in the box.
“I think that’s wise,” Aunt Dora said. “But remember, the elopement didn’t take place. There was a reason for that. You’d be wise to hear her out.”
Julian nodded, hurrying from the room.
Julian found Serafina upstairs in the parlor, staring out the window. Her delicate shoulders were shaking. He wanted to take her in his arms, but he knew it would be better to clear the air first.
“I’m sorry you heard it from Aunt Rosalind instead of me,” Serafina said in a broken whisper. “You have no reason to believe me, but I was going to tell you later today, when we had a few minutes alone. I saw your reaction to Edward when he was here yesterday…and I wanted to tell you that he and I are friends.Onlyfriends. He’s become like an older brother to me.”
“I believe you,” Julian said in a low voice as he stood next to Serafina. “At first, I may have jumped to conclusions, but eventually, I sensed no possessiveness about him—only his concern for your well-being. And he seemed to accept my presence immediately—and we both know your uncle likely told him about my courting you.” Julian could see that Landon and Serafina were close. But Landon clearly felt differently towards Serafina than Julian did. Because Julian had fallen in love with her. And it was just one of two things he needed to share with her. But he wanted Serafina to open up to him first.
She nodded and swiped at the tears that had moistened her eyes. “I was seventeen years old and had been doing Uncle Carlton’s books for him at the Gentlemen’s Club. He asked me not to venture farther than the kitchen—to stay away from his patrons, but when I met Edward, I disobeyed my uncle. Edward had come into the kitchen one day looking for something to eat, and at the same time, I was there having lunch. He seemed so sad. So, I fetched him a bowl of soup. I didn’t think Uncle Carlton would be upset by something so harmless.
Even though I knew I was disobeying my guardian, Edward was the first person I’d met who was even close to my age, who could carry on a conversation. He told me everything abouthimself—that he had only recently inherited his title and was afraid he’d disappoint his mother, who was very ill at the time. He told me how much he missed his late father. And he told me of his sister, and how he feared he would be a failure and disappoint her.”
Julian nodded. “I’m sure he saw your friendship as special.”
