“Noquestions?” But she had so many.
“Ifyou’re wise.” He cleared his throat and addressed the housekeeper. “When might we have an audience with the mother?”
The mother?
“The mother, I am afraid, is out.” They entered an elaborate black-and-white marble hall. Mrs. Shillingham twirled again. “She is ever so heartbroken not to greet you, of course. And to miss meeting Lady Julia. Farring’s letter set the whole house aflutter, as you can imagine.”
Julia froze.
Rayne caught her wide-eyed expression and raised his brow. “Farring’s letter, you say?”
“Yes, of course. The letter explained everything.” Mrs. Shillingham rapped Rayne’s arm. “And I must say, none of us believed a word. But youare, aren’t you?” She grinned. “You’re eloping with Farring’s young friend, Lady Julia. The very same Lady Julia who we’ve heard so much about!”
Rayne’s smile remained fixed, but his eyes cooled. “Would mydearfriend Farring lie?”
“Depends on the situation, of course,” Mrs. Shillingham replied. “But he wouldn’t give up Periwinkle Gate’s secrets to just anyone, would he?”
“Indeed.” Rayne inhaled. “Well, we’re here, aren’t we? I wouldn’t wish to disappoint, after all. Seems I live”—his tone deepened—“toentertainmy friends.”
Mrs. Shillingham turned to Julia. “We’re so happy you’ve come, my dear.”
Julia forced a smile. “Thank you. I’m…happy, too.”
“Will the mother be long?” Rayne asked.
“No telling,” Mrs. Shillingham answered. “Had word of an animal in need, you see. And, sadly, she’s taken Master Theo and Annette. Theo was, of course, delighted to hear your news, Lord Rayne. Do come upstairs, won’t you?” Her eyes ran up and down Rayne’s dusty clothes. “We started drawing a bath as soon as the gates opened—thank heavens for myexcellentintuition—and I wouldn’t want the water to get cold. I’ll have Fräulein Anna bring up chocolate and a light repast.”
“Thank you,” Julia repeated, by rote.
Any repast brought to her room would go to waste. She’d keep nothing down. Not now.
Damn Farring.
Why had he told the whole household she and Rayne were eloping? And who was this Theo who was “so delighted” to hear Rayne’s news?
In the carriage, she and Rayne had come so close to finally discussing what lay between them. To drop from those heights into the deep chill of his fury-cold glare left her dizzy. She fell behind on the stair.
“Come, come,” the housekeeper prompted.
“Problem,Lady Julia?” Rayne asked.
What was he thinking? And how—how—was she going to explain what she wasn’t certain she understood?
A shrill whistle below halted their progression. Mrs. Shillingham closed her eyes and gave a slight, longsuffering shake of her head.
“Mr. Musgrave,” she said in a deep-throated tone, “what have I told you about that whistle?”
“Need you, Mrs. Shillingham. Sir Cackles is loose and headed for the orangery.”
“Again?” The housekeeper rolled her eyes. She placed a light hand on Rayne’s arm. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“By all means,” he answered. “We’ll find our way from here.”
“Very well.” She smiled. “Ta.”
Rayne sent Julia another hard look and then continued down the hall.
“Rayne?”
