Minutes later, they paused at the doorway to the gallery andlooked over to where Janet stood, beside the completed flower arrangement. Annie felt a slight twinge of anxiety, wondering if there was about to be another unpleasant exchange.
“What do you think?” Julian Northcott gave her a questioning look. “Is it safe for us to approach?”
Annie grabbed the opportunity his question presented. “I think that I shall not allow anything or anyone to spoil my happy mood, Mr. Northcott,” she replied. “You may leave me here, sir. I’ll be fine. Please rejoin your family and enjoy your luncheon.”
He looked doubtful. “Are you sure you don’t need a bodyguard?”
“Absolutely certain.”
“Till Monday then.” He placed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand and then glanced over to where Janet stood. “In the meantime, I hope you’re back to being ‘Annie’ again.”
She stifled a laugh. “Till Monday,” she replied, and watched him walk away from her as he had once before. This time, though, there was no regret, no sense of loss. Quite the opposite.
“I’ve decided to have luncheon back at Ferndale,” Janet said, as Annie approached. “I’m all finished here, so no reason to linger. I assume you’re finished hob-nobbing?”
Annie barely stopped herself from snapping out a defensive reply. Why was the woman being so obnoxious? “I thought you had another arrangement to do.”
“It’s done. You were gone a while.” Janet looked past her to the doorway, where Julian had been standing. “Well? Are you staying here or coming back with me?”
“Ihadintended to return with you,” Annie replied, keeping her voice purposely soft, “but I believe I shall walk back on my own.”
Janet scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s throwing it down.”
Annie shrugged. “Not bothered by a bit of rain. Besides, I brought my umbrella.”
“You’ll catch your death. It’s three miles through the fields andalmost five by road.”
“Fields it is, then.” Annie smiled over her growing irritation. “As to my being silly, I’d rather face a three mile walk in the rain than suffer any more of your inexplicable rudeness, especially since I haven’t a clue what I’ve done to merit it. You embarrassed me earlier, Janet. I have since, however, experienced one of the happiest hours of my life with someone I never thought to see again, and I will not allow you, or anyone else, to besmirch that happiness.”
Janet heaved an audible sigh, closed her eyes briefly, and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’re out of your depth, young lady,” she said. “Trust me. Whatever you believe exists between you and Julian Northcott is temporary at best. His sort do not entertain serious relationships with our kind.”
“Ourkind?” Annie gasped. “What does that mean? Are you saying I’m not good enough for him?”
Janet shook her head. “When it comes to marriage, no, you’re not. At least, not in his eyes. Has he said he’d like to see you again?”
“As a matter of fact, yes, he has. He asked if he could call on me.”
She frowned. “And you agreed?”
Annie nodded. “He’ll be paying me a call on Monday. You misjudge him, Janet, you really do! Julian Northcott is courteous, kind, and attentive. The epitome of a gentleman, in fact. He introduced me to his family today, including Lord and Lady Hutton. Would he have done such a thing if he considered me unworthy?”
Janet’s eyes had widened at Annie’s words. “He introduced you to his family?”
Annie nodded. “His parents, two of his sisters, and his youngest brother. They were all very gracious. His mother, especially, is just thesweetestlady. Would that I had been blessed with such a mother.”
Janet opened her mouth as if to reply, but hesitated as if rethinking her response. “Well, I’m… I’m glad they were kind to you, at least,” she said at last. “And I suppose I might have misjudged the young man, but I still say his intentions remain to be seen. In any case, you don’t have to walk. I apologize for the things I said. I just don’t want to see you… that is, I don’t want you to be misled or hurt.”
“Julian Northcott is not capable of doing either, I guarantee it,” Annie replied. “Even Hattie approved of him, and you know how opinionated she can be.”
Janet gasped. “Hattie has met him as well?”
“Yes, she was with me that first time.” Annie shrugged. “I’ll tell you about it on the way home.”
The drive home was quiet. At least, Annie did most of the talking, relating the tale, as promised, of how she first met Julian Northcott. Janet had acknowledged the account with an occasional nod or smile but showed little interest otherwise. She seemed preoccupied. Downcast, even. Not unlike the miserable weather. There was something about the sound of rain pelting an open umbrella that made Annie yearn for a cozy chair, a warm blanket, and a cup of hot, sweet tea. Perhaps some of Janet’s mood could be attributed to the miserable conditions.
They arrived back at Ferndale to find Hattie a bit rattled.
“Thank God you’re home,” she said to Annie before any other greeting had been exchanged. “He’s been waiting for you this past hour. Left London yesterday afternoon, apparently.”
