“We have made our own rules,” Lady Joanna answered.
“Bloody hell,” Pickmore muttered under his breath.
Julian silently agreed. The sisters Tilson were tenacious at learning intimate details of the lives of others, and now they were holding court, which could go badly for each gentleman in the room.
“As I have explained what the Court of Love is, each of you must now realize why you are here.”
How could they know of his past interest in Miss Doyle. Only those who had been at Harrington Manor knew and they would have never said anything.
“We will first give you the opportunity to repair the wrongs caused. At the end of a sennight, court will resume, and wrongs will be addressed and righted. I suggest you use the time at this house party wisely.” Aunt Agatha banged her gavel again.
Julian glanced at Cait. She would not even look at him.
The task before him was not going to be an easy one.
“The Devils of Dalston have come to an end and it is time that you settle your future,ifthey will have you.”
Cait knewthat she should not have agreed to attend this house party with Bernadette. What had been between her and Julian ended a long time ago.
Except, Mrs. Wiggons had been so insisting, pushy even. They had thought it very odd at the time since no other teachers were being given a holiday. Cait had felt that she had no choice but to attend.
Had her employer known what Lady Hartfell had planned?
She also didn’t know when Julian had become the Earl of Shorewood.
Sometimes Cait wished that she’d never met Julian. The memories that brought a smile also produced a pain in her heart of what was over and would never be again.
“Had I known…” Bernadette whispered.
“We would both be elsewhere.” Cait knew Bernadette well enough to know that she wanted no part in matchmaking, especially if it involved her. “But perhaps we can find a means to escape.”
“Mrs. Wiggons certainly would not sack us,” Bernadette decided.
“Unless she hoped to be rid of us.” It was a troubling thought, but their employer had never voiced any complaints as to their teaching. Except, she believed in love and marriage and often reminisced about her love, who died too young.
A romantic at heart, who did know of Cait’s love for Julian once, long ago.
Cait frowned. Had Julian told his aunt of their brief courtship? Not that they had actually courted, but it was the closest word to describe what they had shared while he convalesced on the estate neighboring the school.
She couldn’t imagine why he would do so. But if this was a court of love to right the wrongs, why else would she be here? She barely knew the other Devils of Dalston.
Then the revelation struck. If Julian was here, did that mean he was no longer married? Or was he only expected to apologize? He’d already done so in a letter and a face-to-face meeting was not necessary.
“You are free to go about your visit,” Lady Hartfell announced. “There are entertainments planned, in which you can choose to take part, or you may wish to right a wrong.”
Bernadette tugged on Cait’s arm. “Let us find a place where we can hide so that no one will bother us,” she whispered.
Cait did not need to be convinced and was on her feet and allowing Bernadette to sweep her from the drawing room without a comment to anyone else in the room and most especially not to Julian. Though she supposed he was now Shorewood.
Did Julian put his aunt up to this?
That was not possible, nor would it be necessary. Had he wished to see her, he knew exactly where she could be found. So, why had she been invited?
Once they gained the garden full of fragrant blooms, she and Bernadette paused.
“Where shall we go?” her friend asked.
“The stables,” Cait answered. One of the reason Cait had agreed to this house party was because she knew that the estate also contained fine stables and she longed to ride a horse again.
