There was a bitterness to his expression and a sadness. “Not quick, I assure you. Their treatment of you was a last straw, not a first. And I’ll come to terms with it. I shouldn’t have burdened you with any of that.” Before she could refute that or ask more questions, he looked out the window again. “Ah, we’ve arrived.”
The terror Julia hadn’t felt during the carriage ride as she spoke to Alexander now rushed forward and her hands began to tingle. She lightly shook them out as the carriage stopped and servants came to open doors. Alexander exited the vehicle first and then he turned back. Her breath hitched as she looked down into his upturned face.
“Julia?” he said softly.
She took his hand and he helped her down. He squeezed her fingers gently before he released her and they looked up at the house. This was not a location where frivolous people had homes so they might be seen, but the manor was beautiful. It wasn’t built or renovated in the current fashion of minimal lines and stuffy pillars, but of a more gothic bent. Or it would have been if not for the cheery red brick that made up its façade. There were spires that rose high and bow windows that jutted out.
“It’s very pretty. He’s done well for himself.”
“He has,” Alexander agreed. “Do you know his history? I’m sorry, I should have asked that before we were walking up the stairs to the house.”
“I-I do,” she said softly. “He’s beloved younger brother of the Earl of Stenfax and he took his inheritance to invest in canals, other shipping and now steam and trains and who knows what for the future.”
“Yes. Are you well, you’re very pale?”
“I’m nervous,” she admitted on the barest whisper.
The butler at the door greeted them. “Mr. Castleton, we’re happy to see you again.”
“Good evening, Greene,” Alexander said, and she was surprised that his smile seemed genuine. So many were brusque with servants, as if anyone lower than they were in rank wasn’t worthy of kindness.
“You and Miss Comerford are, of course, expected. Let me take you to the blue parlor.”
He took their wraps and as they followed him down a long hallway and into a stunningly beautiful room that was, as advertised, decorated in varying colors of muted, sophisticated blues. Julia tried to calm the wild pounding of her heart. Once the butler had left them to let their hosts know of their arrival, Alexander took her hand.
“I know you said you’re nervous and I see it there in your eyes.”
“You see it?” she squeaked out. “Oh no. That means they’ll see it and then it will be perceived as a weakness and?—”
“Julia,” he interrupted gently. “They won’t see it. I promise you, it’s very well hidden, I can only see it because—” He cut himself off and squeezed her hand gently. “You’ll be fine, I promise you. And I’ll be here, at your side the entire time.Onyour side.”
She shouldn’t have believed him on that last point. It was pure folly to do so. And yet, as she stared up into his face, she saw the truth of him there. She saw that he meant what he said and whether she was a fool because of it or not, it calmed her.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He brushed her cheek with his finger and had just dropped it away when Mr. and Mrs. Danvers entered the room. Julia braced herself at their entry, ready to see the judgment and dismissal on their faces. Whatever the reason was for them to invite her, a lady like Mrs. Danvers could never truly wish for an infamous courtesan to be in her walls. She’d see Julia like a rodent who had gotten past the cats.
Only as the couple moved toward them, their arms locked, Mrs. Danvers was smiling at her with only kindness in her eyes. She was a truly beautiful woman, with dark hair that was almost black, pale blue eyes and porcelain skin. She lived up to her reputation of being a great beauty.
Julia had seen Grayson Danvers before, though she’d never been introduced. He was impossible to miss because he was like a sleek panther in a world of barn cats. He was very tall, broad shouldered, and all angles. There was a stern quality to him—he rarely smiled—and yet as his dark gaze flitted to his wife, there was the slight hint of one tilting his lips.
“Castleton,” Danvers said, holding out a hand to Alexander. “I’m so pleased to have you here. Have you met my wife?”
“I’ve not had the pleasure, I believe you were visiting your sister in the countryside the last time I was here,” Alexander said, and offered his hand to the lady.
She shook it. “Mr. Castleton, I’ve heard a great deal about you and all of it good. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Danvers looked at Julia now, his expression giving away nothing of his thoughts. “And you must be Miss Comerford.”
“Y-Yes.” Julia forced herself to extend her hand and swallow back the hesitation she felt when she spoke. No, she had to be bold, confident. Or at least look it. “A pleasure, Mr. Danvers.”
After he shook her hand, she was shocked when Mrs. Danvers took her hand in both her own. “Miss Comerford, what a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to our home. May I get you a drink?”
She was pulled away from Alexander and Danvers and gently toward the sideboard to look at the selection of drinks waiting there. There was no hesitance to this woman nor a hint of disgust at what Julia was. Did she know? She must. It would make no sense that she wouldn’t. Julia’s name was too well-known. Even ladies heard whisperings of the Comerford Courtesans.
So it seemed this woman was only kind because that was exactly who she was. And as she poured Julia a madeira and complimented her dress, Julia wasn’t exactly certain how to manage that. But when she looked across the room and found Alexander watching her, an encouraging smile on his face, she was driven to try. After all, this was her best option for a future she would have any control over. She couldn’t do anything but her best.
As desserts were brought out an hour after their supper had begun, Alexander could feel nothing but relief and happiness about how the night had gone. Julia had been so anxious about what would happen, how she would be treated and it was for good reason. There were many of the Danvers’ station who would have dismissed and judged Julia. But the couple had been nothing but kind and welcoming.
