“Is your aversion to carriages why you asked to lodge with me while your brother takes his wedding trip?” Miss Watson asked.
Julia nodded, although she hadn’t been invited to go on the trip, of course. She’d been expected to return to the city with Bromton and Katherine. But, for the first time ever, the very thought of London filled her with distaste.
Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, everything had become so muddled. Rayne’s presence worsened her condition, but, unfortunately, Rayne wasn’tentirelyat fault.
No.Rayne wasaproblem, but nottheproblem. The real problem? Though happy for her siblings’ love matches, for herself, she’d lost faith in love.
She winced into the cold, turning her face toward the pale, empty sky.
For as long as Julia could remember, she’d had plans—glorious plans to rule the world, or, at least, her world. She’d seen too much of the alternative.
In fact, by eighteen, the life experiences of those around her had practically formed a guidebook for hownotto live. She had no memory of her mother’s short life, but she knew that when her mother died her father had succumbed to drink. After her father’s death, her brother had struggled under the weight of their father’s debt, and, for other reasons, her sister had wound up exiled at Southford in shame.
But, despite everything, deep in Julia’s heart, she’d held to the conviction that love—like Miss Watson’s childhood cuddles—would make everything right in the end,ifshe just took charge.
Then, Rayne had entered her life.
Diamonds, they’d called him, and he had the hard polish to match. She hadn’t justseenhim, she’dfelthim—like the bass chords in a rousing song. After they’d kissed, she’d named the overwhelming sense of recognitionlove.
Falsely, as it turned out.
She’d announced her love in front of her family, but then Rayne had disappeared, leaving her reputation intact but her heart shattered. Still, had she collapsed? Never. She’d defiantly resumed her plans.
Love was out there…somewhere.
She’d made her London curtsy with Farring’s sister, Horatia. Together, they’d fooled the stuffy matrons into believing them demure, and, for their efforts, they’d been crowned diamonds of the first water.
She’dtaken particular pleasure in the title, as if, by name, she’d usurped Rayne.
But now, Horatia was engaged and busy planning her trousseau. And for Julia, without someone who knew her true heart, crowded ballrooms had become deserts of loneliness barely prettied by false cheer.
As for love?
Not a sign on the horizon.
Miss Watson dipped her head to catch Julia’s gaze. “I’m surprised you aren’t in a hurry to return to London, dear.Iheard you’d made quite the impression on the ton.”
“Surprised, are you?” She forced a smile. “I behave as I ought when I must.”
“Of course you do.” Miss Watson patted Julia’s arm. “And you must have countless gentlemen clamoring for your attention.”
“A few.”
To her consternation, none of them had sparked a tenth of the thrill she’d felt when close to Rayne.
She feared none ever would.
“I had a season once,” Miss Watson said wistfully.
“Did you?!” Julia exclaimed, grateful for the distraction. “I didn’t know.”
“Well, itwaslong before you were born.” Miss Watson sighed. “You should have seen the styles, then! So many men insomuch lace.”
Julia wrinkled her nose. “Men in lace?”
“Oh, I know tastes have changed, but on the right man, lace can be”—Miss Watson’s gaze went dreamy—“remarkably manly.”
Julia lifted a brow. “Therightman?”
