“Yes.” Julian nodded as if to reassure himself. “Yes, actually, I am. You should consider coming for a visit as well, and sooner rather than later. You’ve yet to meet your long-lost uncle. He’s in fairly good health, all things considered, but he’s not getting any younger. Would be a pity if you missed the opportunity to see him.”
“Mama mentioned the same thing to me earlier this evening.” Josiah gave a slight shrug. “And I do want to meet him, believe me. But, as I said earlier, I’m finishing up a special commission right now. I’ll head north as soon as it’s done, which will likely be in a month or so.”
“Anyone I know?” Julian asked.
“The commission? Quite possibly, yes. In fact, I’m sure it is, butmy lips are sealed.”
“A portrait?”
“No. Yes.” Josiah grimaced and tugged on his earlobe. “Sort of.”
Julian laughed, got to his feet again, and downed the rest of his drink. “Well, I’m calling it a day. See you at breakfast.”
“No, actually, you won’t.” Setting his empty glass aside, Josiah rose also. “I’m not staying. The night is yet young.”
“Another carefully selected liaison?” Julian shook his head in feigned disapproval. “I thought you said you lived like a monk.”
“I do. And monks have long upheld a reputation for keeping odd hours.” Josiah winked and gave Julian’s shoulder a squeeze. “Goodnight, brother. See you in a month or so.”
Chapter Five
“Three more.” Hattiefastened the final few buttons on the back of Annie’s bodice and patted them lightly. “There, all done.” She moved around to the front, eyes visibly brimming as she regarded Annie. “Oh, my pet,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper, “you quite steal my breath away.”
Annie turned to the mirror, her own breath catching at the sight of her reflection. “Goodness,” she said, with a slight shake of her head. “I do look rather…”
“Beautiful,” Hattie finished. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
Annie looked down at herself as if to verify the reality of her reflection. Made from fine Scottish muslin, embellished with cream lace and embroidered with tiny pink flowers, her gown was indeed exquisite. “It is splendid. Truly.”
Hattie huffed as if in agreement. “Indeed. But then, Estelle Gilbert is a wonderful modiste. One of the best in the city, in my opinion, if not the entire country.”
“She is certainly talented.”
“And a good-hearted soul besides.” Hattie heaved a sigh. “I swear I can hardly fathom it. My little Annabelle, a bride. It seems only yesterday you were in pinafores. Where have all the years gone?”
A lump came to Annie’s throat. “No matter where, they’ve been good years for the most part,” she said. “Please don’t become maudlin, Hattie. You’ll have me in tears, and I’m not sure Leo would appreciatehis bride sporting red eyes and a nose to match.”
“Appreciate his bride?” Hattie harumphed. “I hope the wretched man knows just how fortunate he actually is. I confess to having some doubts.”
Annie gasped. “That isquiteenough,” she said, ignoring an odd little flutter in her belly. “You force me to remind you of your place.”
Hattie huffed again. “Oh, I never forget my place, pet, but there are times when I must speak as I see it. The father was a good man, but something about the son bothers me. He’s not the lad I remember, and I suspect your father feels the same way.”
Another flutter arose in Annie’s belly as she recalled her father’s words from a fortnight ago, which seemed to support Hattie’s opinion. A whisper of doubt brushed across her mind, but she sloughed it off. Yes, Leo was assertive by nature, but he was a good man and sure to be a good husband.
Hattie sniffed and glanced briefly over her shoulder as if to verify their privacy. “I’m curious. Do you ever think of the other one?”
The question took Annie momentarily aback. She knew exactly who Hattie meant, but feigned ignorance. “The ‘other one’?”
The maid clucked her tongue. “Apparently you do. I can see it in your eyes.”
Was it that obvious? In truth, Annie had thought about Julian Northcott many times since that day. Indeed, she remembered every detail of their short time together. But the memory of him walking away was the one most often occupying her mind. Without fail, the image would be accompanied by a feeling she’d been presented with an opportunity but had chosen to ignore it. And, in doing so, she had made an irrevocable mistake. None of which made any sense, for it had been such a brief encounter. In truth, she knew practically nothing at all about Julian Northcott.
Even now, the same twinge of regret arose beneath Annie’s ribs, immediately followed by a spontaneous thrust of resentment. “Thereare times, Hattie Henshaw,” she said, through gritted teeth, “when you truly overstep your bounds. This is one of those times. You do me a serious discourtesy to speak of such things on any day, but especially on this, my wedding day. It is one of the most important days of my life, yet you continue to voice your unwarranted opinions on my husband-to-be and actually have theaudacity…” Annie drew a shaky breath, “the audacity to remind me of another, who never had, nor will ever have, a place in my life. I want you to be happy for me on this day and all the days to come. Is that asking too much?”
Hattie’s face had fallen during Annie’s rebuttal, and her hands now flew to her reddening cheeks. “Oh, my dear child, you are quite correct. What was I thinking? Please forgive me! I swear my mouth is an entity unto itself at times. You are right to be angry. I should never have mentioned the gentleman at all. I never will again, not ever, I swear it.” Her voice wavered with obvious emotion. “Your happiness is the most important thing to me, my lovely. The most important thing. Always has been. I want you to be happy in this marriage, truly I do. Believe me, I want it more than anything.”
Annie closed her eyes for a moment, reaching for a semblance of calm before giving Hattie the benefit of a forgiving smile. “I know you do,” she replied, taking in another slightly shaky breath as she turned back to regard her reflection. “And I will be happy.Wewill be happy.”
