Chapter Seventeen
“You look verydapper, brother mine.” Evie folded her arms and raked another gaze over him. “Very dapper indeed.”
“Yes, you do, dear,” his mother said.
“Thank you, Mama, Evie,” Julian replied.
Clara sidled up to him, leaned in, and sniffed, blatantly. “Hmm, you smell quite nice as well, Jules. Not too overpowering. I’m sure Miss Fairfax will approve.”
“And thank you, as well, Clara.” Julian frowned. “I think.”
The Dowager Lady Hutton, who was observing the proceedings from a nearby settee, made a sound that surely epitomized disapproval. “I despair of our young people today,” she said, with a shake of her head. “I truly despair.”
“Why, Grandmama?” Julian asked, already knowing the answer.
“Sniffing?” She scowled at Clara. “Good Lord, child, we are not dogs.”
Clara cringed. “My pardon, Grandmama. But Julian will be sitting beside Miss Fairfax in the carriage, so I just wanted to make sure he smelled… well,nice.”
The Dowager’s lips thinned. “I should hope they are not so glued to each other that such an assessment can be made.”
“Don’t worry, Grandmama,” Evie said, waggling a brow at Julian. “Clara and I will make sure they behave. Are you ready to go, Jules? It doesn’t do to keep a lady waiting.”
Julian glanced at the clock. “Yes, perhaps we should,” he said. “The carriage will be here any minute.”
“And where are you taking this young lady?” his grandmother asked.
“Thought we’d take a ride to the Roman bathhouse ruins, Grandmama, down by the river,” he said. “There’s a pleasant walk along the riverbank with bench seats here and there.”
“Along with clouds of midges,” his grandmother responded, shuddering visibly. “You’ll be eaten alive.”
Julian exchanged a brief amused glance with his mother. “I hope not,” he replied. “Right-oh, let’s go.”
“Enjoy,” his mother said. “I shall look forward to hearing all about it later.”
“Do you think she’ll mind us coming with you?” Clara asked, as they headed out into the hallway.
“Who?” Julian glanced at her. “Miss Fairfax or her maid?”
“Well, both, I suppose.”
“I don’t think Miss Fairfax will mind at all.” Julian barely suppressed a smile. “Her maid might not be too happy, though.”
“You do realize, Clara, that we’re being exploited by our darling eldest brother,” Evie said, slowing to a halt. “Although actually, now I come to think of it, it puts us in an advantageous position.”
Julian halted too and turned to face Evie. “Meaning what, exactly?” he asked, hands on hips.
“Meaning compensation, exactly.” Evie gave him an impertinent smile. “It seems only fair we be paid for our chaperone services today, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hmm, let me think about that.” Julian grimaced and scratched his jaw. “There. Thought about it. It seems I shall have to put up with Miss Fairfax’s maid after all. Have a nice afternoon, my dears.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked on, smiling to himself.
“No, Julian, wait,” Clara cried, scurrying after him. “It was Evie’sidea, not mine. I don’t want to be paid. I just want to go with you.”
Julian gave a nod. “Thank you, Clara.”
“Traitor,” Evie said.
“Imp,” Julian responded. “Are you coming, or not?’
