Having Julia assist while she taught the children was supposed to instill a sense of responsibility, not place her in danger. How had she missed seeing Julia sneak away? She, of all people, should have been alert for young men who tarried after Sunday sermons.
Perhaps she wasn’t a fit influence, after all.
“Why are you frowning?” Julia smoothed her skirts. “It’s not as if I exposed my ankles to the village boys.”
“If Markham heard you talk so gaily about exposing your ankles, you’d be packed off to those distant relatives before you could say turban.”
Julia shivered. “I would not go.”
“Well then, you had better not mention your conversations with Ian Linton, either.” Katherine narrowed her eyes. “Julia, I expect the truth. Has Mr. Linton tried to become familiar in any way?”
“Pish!” Julia’s stiffened with genuine shock.
“Be careful,” she said, letting out the breath she’d unconsciously held. “Young men read more into a lady’s actions than they listen to a lady’s words.”
“I had a few conversations with the boy.” Julia sniffed. “It is not as if I met him behind the posting stable.”
“What,” Katherine emphasized thet, “do you know about meeting boys behind the posting stable?”
Julia grinned. “Not a thing. But you, apparently, are better informed.” She grabbed her book and ducked out of Katherine’s reach.
Katherine glanced heavenward. “I wasn’t going to indulge a fit of temper, Julia, even if you can be trying.”
“Yes, well, I’m trying to help. Weren’t we discussing a quandary?”
Gracious. “It’s time for you to go upstairs to your lessons.”
“Latin,” Julia spat. “The language is dead. Your quandary is far more interesting.” She glanced down at her book. Renewed excitement swam in her gaze. “I have an idea.”
Katherine shook her head. “Please, no.”
“This one, you’ll like,” Julia insisted. “If Markham’s friend’s intentions are foul—and he really is coming just to catch a glimpse of the most unmarriageable lady in England—well then, give him exactly what he wants.”
A prickling sensation skittered over Katherine’s arms. “What do you mean?”
“Put on a show that will send him running.” Julia’s eyes twinkled. “Turn yourself into the most shrewish, abhorrent spinster he’s ever seen.”
Visions of mobcaps, shrill recitations of propriety and a horrified look on the face of a foppish young gentleman stole into her mind.
“Oh, you must do it! No one could accuse you of being an unfit companion then.” Julia clapped. “Besides, just imagine how diverting it would be!”
It did sound diverting. And imaginative, impetuous, risky, andwrong.
“Let’s practice,” Julia said.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Pretend I am Markham’s friend.”
“No.”
“Not a day goes by without you telling me to practice.”
“The pianoforte, Julia. There is a difference.”
“I don’t see a difference. If one wants to improve one’s confidence and performance, one must practice.” Julia ended her sentence with an emphatic nod. “Isn’t that what you preach?”
“So, youcanlisten,” Katherine said drily, “on occasion.”
