Danvers was interesting, and even more so when he was around his wife. He loosened a little, came out of the confines of talking only about steam and gears. And there was no doubt of the absolute devotion he felt toward the woman he’d married. It was written on every line of his face, every smile that tilted his lips, every word he spoke to or about her.
As for Mrs. Danvers, herself, she was a delight. She was kind and amusing and sharply intelligent. And she was welcoming to Julia without hesitation and seemed genuinely interested in her as a person, not just as some lurid study of a life most ladies couldn’t imagine.
As those facts sank in over the time they spent together, Julia relaxed. She had engaged in easy conversation and smiled often. She seemed very comfortable now and it was a great relief to him.
They were finishing their desserts when Danvers said, “Why don’t we forgo the silly tradition of separation after supper and all go to the parlor together? We can discuss your potential investment in my ventures then.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Gray,” Mrs. Danvers said. “Miss Comerford has been exceptionally patient not asking after it all night.”
“It isn’t patience, I assure you, simply enjoying good company,” Julia said. “You’ve been very kind. But yes, I’m happy to talk about the investments with you, Mr. Danvers. I admit, I have a great many questions.”
“Very good.” Danvers rose and the rest followed. He extended a hand toward his wife as he came around the table and not for the first time that night Alexander was struck by the lightning heat of the couple’s connection. Danvers always looked at her with intensity, both passionate and also of deep interest. And she returned those looks, their unspoken communicationflowing through them like water. Even now she leaned on his shoulder as they walked, laughing with him.
Alexander cleared his throat and looked down at Julia and found she was already staring up at him. Their eyes met and for a moment a similar spark flickered between them. Then she looked away, the magic broken.
“You—you are doing wonderfully, Julia. I hope your earlier worries are gone.”
She nodded. “They make it easy. Both of them are delightful in their own way, but I never feel less or judged. It’s remarkable, actually. It’s not the way of the world.”
He thought back to the countryside when she’d been upset servants had been cruel to her. He’d had respect from most people his entire life and he could imagine finding it in unexpected places really was refreshing for her. It made him like the Danvers even more.
They entered the parlor where they’d begun the evening and their hosts went to pour drinks as Julia and Alexander settled onto the settee. Her knees brushed his as they sat and she blushed at the contact.
There was a light knock on the door and they both turned to look. It was a tall woman with a bright, round face. “Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Danvers. I believe you said you wished to bid the children goodnight.”
“Oh yes!” Mrs. Danvers said, that lovely face lighting up even further as she crouched down and opened her arms for two children who came racing into the room and bounded at her.
There was a little girl and a little boy and they hugged and kissed their mother as she laughed. Danvers bent and swept the little girl up, his face now bright with the smile he rarely showed in public. “There is my Jilly. Are you ready for dreams, sweet?”
“Yes, Papa,” the little girl said, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Mrs. Danvers picked up the little boy, who looked to beyounger than his sister, and said something quietly to him that made him giggle.
“Sweets, this is Miss Comerford and Mr. Castleton,” Mrs. Danvers said to the children. “Our guests tonight.”
Both the children said solemn good evenings before they turned their giggling attention back to their parents. A few more kisses and whispers and both were set down.
“Go with Miss Wilson now,” Mrs. Danvers said. “And have the sweetest dreams. We’ll see Aunt Felicity and Uncle Asher and the cousins tomorrow.”
The children seemed thrilled at that idea, said their goodnights and off they went. The Danvers stood for a moment after they’d gone, then Mrs. Danvers let out a contented sigh as she picked up the drinks they’d been preparing and went to deliver them.
“Forgive the interruption,” she said. “We always say goodnight if we’re home.”
“Of course,” Julia said with a wistful glance toward the door. “It’s lovely to see you with the children. You’re so warm and they are delightful.”
“They are,” Danvers agreed. “The light of our lives.”
Julia nodded and there was only a flicker of sadness, but he saw it. He realized that she must have wanted to have children. That part of the lure of marrying Laurence would have been to fulfill that dream in a way that might not be as easy or safe for a courtesan. Yet another thing stolen from her by cruel machinations.
“Now, we’ve had a lovely night,” Danvers said, back to the seriousness with which he normally acted. “But I’m certain you wish to talk business, Miss Comerford. Castleton tells me you wish to put some money into my ventures.”
“I do,” she said, smoothing her hands over her lap. “I’ve saved a little over the years from—” She broke off and blushed,then started over. “I’ve saved a little. Probably enough to keep me for a few years, perhaps a bit more if I were frugal. But things look to be changing soon and I might not be able to bring in more funds easily. I’d like to ensure some level of independence and I so admire what you are trying to build.”
“What do you know of it?” Danvers asked.
Her face lit up. “I saw the steam engine for the train in Wales a few years ago and I was entranced by the idea of such speed and ease of travel. The future will be one of technology such as that, I believe it to my bones.”
Danvers glanced at his wife and she was smiling as she watched Julia wax poetic. “As do I. Good. I don’t want investors who aren’t behind the projects I am enacting or may enact in the future. I take very seriously that you’re telling me you’re investing a living into the work. I wish I could guarantee you a return. I suppose I could, I believe in what I do that deeply. But nothing is certain. If you give me what you intend, I could double, triple your money. It could also disappear. I don’t want to mislead you.”
She tilted her head. “That is decent of you. I do understand. Of course the idea of losing everything is frightening. But I do have other means of survival if need be.”
