The roomful of gentlemen and ladies turned at the announcement and everyone watched as Arabella and Julia entered. Alexander drew a short breath at the sight of Julia. She wore a pale blue gown that flowed over her curves like a waterfall. Her hair had been done perfectly, softness framing her lovely face. She was the center of attention and it wasn’t because she was the bride-to-be, but rather because any person in the room would be a fool not to be drawn to her.
“At last,” Laurence snipped beside him and handed over his drink to Alexander before he started across the room to her.
His cousin didn’t look swept away by the appearance of his intended. He simply looked annoyed, even as he reached her and took her hand to lead her into the crowd. He was talking close to her ear and the flicker of discomfort that moved across her face made Alexander think his cousin was scolding her for being late.
He watched the pair make their way around the room. Laurence was introducing her to people, those who would shortly be her equal in rank. From their expressions it was clear many would never see her as an equal in truth. The women, especially, lifted their noses a little. Julia would have a good amount of work to do to make inroads into their circles. Of course, if his grandfather was correct and she was only marrying Laurence for his money, she wouldn’t care about that.
They continued to circle the room, moving ever closer to him, and at last they reached him. Her gaze moved over him swiftly and then she inclined her head. “Mr. Castleton.”
He cleared his throat. “Miss Comerford. My felicitations.”
Her lips pinched a little, as if she didn’t believe he meant the offer. But then she smiled, perhaps a little too brightly. “Thank you. It’s lovely to have some of Laurence’s family here. I know it means so much to him.”
Laurence had been quiet in the exchange and now he jolted. “What? Oh, yes. Well, I can always depend on Alexander. And who else would come?” Her smile faded, but she didn’t respond to that statement. Laurence continued, “I’ll get you a drink, my dear. You talk with Alexander.”
He left without waiting for a response and Julia shifted a little. “Itwaskind of you to come.”
He drew a breath because now he was going to have to act the role of guard dog. Not something he relished. He speared her with a glance and tried to ignore the fact that her eyes were the most startling sapphire blue he’d ever seen.
“I’m here, Miss Comerford, because I care about my cousin’s well-being. I will be certain to help him make good decisions if I feel he’s being misled. I only want what’s best for him.”
Her gaze narrowed slightly. “I see. And it’s obvious you already have opinions on that score. You andotherinterested parties.”
There it was. Like him, she was addressing the elephant in the room, the one shaped like his grandfather. He sipped his drink before he responded, “I think you’re a clever woman. I don’t believe you’re so naïve as to think his family wouldn’t have opinions on the matter. And that there might be doubts given the circumstances of your affiliation before this sudden engagement.”
“The fact that I was Laurence’s lover before.” She tilted her head. “Please, if you’re going to insult me, do it directly, Mr. Castleton.”
He pursed his lips. “I’m not trying to insult you.”
“Then you’re simply a natural talent at it. Congratulations.” She looked across the room, clearly looking for Laurence’s return. He followed her stare and found his cousin was now talking to Silas and Arabella Windham. Neither of them looked any happier than he felt in this exchange with Julia. It seemed the uniting of the two families wasn’t going to be easy on either side.
Julia folded her arms and looked back at him. “I’m certain you’ll hold any defense of myself against me, so I hesitate to give one. But you don’t know me, Mr. Castleton. You’ve no idea of my road to my current circumstances. And since you’ve made very little attempt to get to know me since I began my association with your cousin, you’ve also no idea about what I share with him or my motives when it comes to our future.”
He drew a sharp breath. “I-I suppose that’s correct.”
“I don’t want to be at war with Laurence’s family. And if I end up in one, it won’t be because of me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to join my sister. I assume you won’t be coming to the wedding in some kind of protest so?—”
“Oh no, I’m coming to the wedding. When Laurence invited me here, he also included me in the wedding gathering.”
There was a flutter of frustration across her face and then she erased it. It was remarkable how swiftly she could go to the heights of such strong emotion and switch to being almost blank. That chameleon nature was…troubling.
“I see,” she said. “Then I hope you’ll give me the courtesy of getting to know me there before you decide what and who I am. Good evening, Mr. Castleton.”
She pivoted away and started across the room toward her sister. As she reached Arabella, Laurence handed over her drink, said a few words and came back toward him. As Alexander waited, he couldn’t help but feel the burn of…shame. Every word Julia Comerford had said to him was true. He almost had to appreciate her directness in addressing his rude behavior.
But even if he did as she requested, even if he went out to the country and took a few weeks to truly get to know her. Even if she turned out to be someone he could respect and admire and would be happy to see as his cousin’s wife, the material fact remained that it wasn’thimwho she had to impress. No, in this case, he was simply a lackey. And the person who had sent him would never see her as anything more than her past.
Julia’s hands were shaking as she reached Arabella and Silas. She almost sloshed her drink from the glass even as she attempted to calm herself. What in the world had she been thinking being so confrontational with Alexander Castleton? She wasn’t one to let her emotions spill over, especially with someone who clearly disliked her already.
But tonight had been trying. She’d been snapped at by Laurence for being late. Then half the room had looked her up and down like she was trash. It wasn’t that she hadn’t expected it. She’d seen what her sister had gone through with this lot. They only barely accepted Evie because of Vaughn’s clear affection and protection.
Her? Well, she didn’t have either of those things so it was clearly going to be much harder. Most seemed to have come only to watch the show. To be able to gossip even louder. Of course by the time she’d reached Alexander she’d already been on edge.His little comments had pushed her over and she’d found herself verbally sparring with the man. It was an idiotic thing to do, he had so much more power than she did, he could make things more uncomfortable in her marriage.
Even now, as Laurence returned to him and the two men began to speak, he watched her from a distance, his dark brown eyes taking her in and judging…well, nothing good apparently.
“Are you well?” Arabella asked.
She blinked and forced her attention back to her sister and brother-in-law. “Yes. It’s all a little overwhelming.”
