However, his original idea for a wife did not include a young woman like Julia.
And he felt certain she had never imagined meeting and liking a man like him.
Once again, the two of them had found themselves in the same sort of circumstances—and perhaps they were truly meant for each other.
But how did he go about telling her that he wished to court her? Of course, he needed to speak with her father right away. A letter would take care of that.
“Your Grace?” Julia’s honeyed voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Would you ever consider singing for a charitable event?”
They had joined a larger group of guests for an afternoon walk through the south gardens, a mixture of heavy woods and open fields with sculpted hedges, and rows and rows of flowers. One of the features that stood out the most was the white, cobbled walking paths. The Duke of Stanhope must spend a tidy sum maintaining the walkways, for Alonzo swore he had yet to see a speck of dirt on any individual stone.
“What sort of charity?” She clung to his arm, looking devastatingly charming in her pink walking gown and matching bonnet.
“For the widows and orphans of the war.”
He considered her carefully, then gazed at Willa who was walking next to Julia. How could he deny these women anything?
“And what venue did you think to have me sing at?”
“We have not thought that far ahead,” Willa said.
The prospect of raising funds for such a worthy cause interested him immensely, however, he would prefer to have a hand in who was invited to the concerto.
“I believe we could reach some sort of agreement.”
Julia stopped walking and clapped her hands together, a smile lighting up her face. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“How soon did you wish this to happen?” he asked.
“After the summer season,” she said. “Once we have all returned to Town.”
“I think that would be an appropriate time of year for such an event,” he assured her. “Our country estates provide an escape from the stifling heat of the summer, but once we return to London, I find myself starved for the theatre, balls, and whatever soireés you fashionable ladies like to host.”
Willa laughed at him. “I believe you to be the only man who has ever admitted he enjoys going to balls.”
Alonzo straightened his coat and feigned seriousness. “Well, perhaps you keep company with the wrong sort of men, Lady Willa.”
They walked on, taking a different route than the larger group, ending up near the woods. “Stanhope told me there is a temple of some sort dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting, a quarter of a mile from here. Would you care to see it, Lady Julia, Lady Willa?”
Willa gazed at her friend and shook her head. “Would you think me a ninny if I decided to go back to the house? My feet are achy from so much exercise.”
Alonzo turned his head to hide his smile. What a smart girl, knowing the right time to make herself scarce so he could spend some private time with Julia. He looked back at her. “Of course not. Shall we escort you?”
“Your Grace,” she said, resting her hand on her hip, “I can see the roof of the main house from here, and my mother is but thirty or forty yards away.”
“Very well,” he said. “I trust you are capable of seeing yourself home.”
Julia embraced her best friend and watched as she disappeared up the footpath and out of sight. “If only I could have been blessed with a sister—Willa would be my choice.”
“She is an extraordinary young woman, resilient, and very intelligent.”
“She would appreciate your confidence—I know I do.”
“You think I lavish praise where it is not deserved?”
