“Well, of course he is not the same, Papa. How could he be? Given the time that has passed and the experiences he has endured, it’s hardly surprising. He is no longer a youth, and working long hours for his uncle is what kept him away. He regrets his unbroken absence, but is proud the business has become so successful, which is why an expansion to London is now possible.”
“Yes, he did explain all that,” her father replied, looking anything but convinced. “Perhaps my concerns are unfounded, then.”
“I’m sure they are! Leo and I have spent a good amount of time together over these past few weeks, and we get along well enough. I see no reason why our marriage will not be a loving one.” Annie then voiced the question that had thrust its way to the front of her brain. “I confess to being puzzled, Papa. Why would you wish to discuss all this now, with the wedding but a fortnight away?”
“Because weddings can be cancelled, my dear. Marriages, not so easily.” His taut expression softened as he collapsed back into his chair. “I simply need to be sure this union is what you want. I need to know you’ll be cared for and protected. I need to be assured of your future happiness.”
Before I die.
Those final three words were not spoken, yet Annie heard her father’s silent declaration quite clearly. It was deafening, in fact, the intensity of it sending a chill into the depths of her bones.
And so, driven by little more than a heartfelt need to placate her ailing father, to eliminate any and all of his fears, Annie could supply but one response. “Please do not fret, Papa,” she said. “I have no doubt Leo will take good care of me. I want this union, truly I do. He and I will be happy together, I’m sure of it.”
Chapter Four
By the timeJulian arrived at his family’s London home, he’d managed to smooth out the dent in his ego. Well, almost. He cringed as he replayed Miss Fairfax’s gentle rejection for the umpteenth time. Not that she was to blame. He’d been guilty of assumption and acted impulsively, which was not usually his way. But no harm done. Nothing lost.
Still, he paused before the columned portico of the elegant townhouse and took a moment to shrug off a lingering remnant of despondency. Then he entered the house, only to be greeted by a crescendo of chatter and laughter coming from the front parlor, the door to which stood wide open.
“What have I missed, Hewitt?” he asked, handing his hat to the butler who had hurried across the foyer to greet him.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harlow have recently returned from the continent, sir,” the man replied, gesturing to the parlor. “They arrived not a half-hour since.”
“Max and Louisa are here?” Julian’s subdued spirit lifted instantly. “Oh, now, thatiswelcome news!”
A smile appeared. “Indeed, sir.”
Julian tugged down on his vest and approached the open door, where he paused for a moment on the threshold to absorb the scene before him. With the exception of Josiah, his entire family was present. Aldous and Grace, his parents, were seated on one of the settees. Histwin sisters, Evie and Clara, were perched on the edge of another. Arthur, his youngest sibling, was seated in an armchair, his face bright with a smile as he regarded Louisa and Maxwell, who were standing by the hearth. Julian’s gaze came to rest on them as well, and his subsequent smile surely matched Arthur’s.
“My favorite was definitely Florence,” Louisa was saying, her voice ringing with enthusiasm. “There is something about it that touches my soul. But the entire journey was wonderful, truly wonderful. We’re glad to be home, though.” She then cast a glance at Maxwell, her rapt expression one Julian recognized, for didn’t his mother often wear the same expression when she looked at his father? It spoke plainly of a deep and profound love. And, judging by the reciprocal look Maxwell had given Louisa, it was totally mutual.
Julian was happy to have been proved wrong about his sister’s somewhat scandalous marriage to her Anglo-Scottish industrialist the previous year. In the beginning, he’d harbored reservations about the union, serious reservations. But no longer. Louisa was obviously content, and Maxwell didn’t look too miserable either. It gladdened Julian’s heart to see it. He could only hope to be similarly blessed in marriage someday. So far, though, his bachelorhood was not at any risk of ending. This past London season had been enjoyable enough, but he’d yet to meet a woman who intrigued and captivated him to the point of proposal. Well, until today, of course, if his heart had not misled him. No, he was certain it hadn’t. His attraction to Miss Fairfax had been genuine enough, but sadly misplaced.
“Julian, there you are.” Louisa’s cry pulled him from his musing. “We’re back!”
“So I see.” Smiling, he went to her and dropped a kiss on her cheek before shaking Maxwell’s hand. “Welcome home, both. Have I missed some good stories?”
“One or two,” Louisa replied, “but I have plenty more to tell.”
Maxwell chuckled and gave her another fond glance. “We’ve barelyscratched the surface, Julian,” he said. “In fact, by day’s end, you might all wish we’d bypassed London and continued straight on to Yorkshire.”
“Not I,” Evie retorted. “I love hearing about foreign lands. I hope I have the good fortune to see some of the places you describe, Lou.”
“Same,” Clara piped up.
“I hope you do too, both of you,” Louisa replied and wrinkled her nose at Maxwell.
“Did you manage to find Josiah?” Grace asked.
“I did, Mama,” Julian replied, “and he promised he’ll be here for dinner.”
Grace placed a hand on her chest and heaved a sigh. “Oh, that pleases me very much, and it’ll be all the more special now Max and Louisa are here. Truly a nice surprise for him.”
Louisa’s face lit up with another smile. “Our timing couldn’t be more perfect, arriving here the day before you all leave for Highfield! I feared we might have missed you, but now we can all travel back together. We’ve had a wonderful trip, but I am so looking forward to going home.”
Julian glanced at the window and the city beyond. “So am I,” he said, all at once eager for time and distance to erase a persistent sense of disappointment.
So am I.
