“Good.” Danvers leaned back in his seat. “What questions do you have for me?”
She glanced at Alexander and then back to Danvers. “Mr. Castleton is the one who arranged this meeting, but—but would he have to be involved in my part in the venture? I mean, do you require a man to represent my interests?”
Danvers’ brow wrinkled and he shook his head. “Not at all. Castleton was kind of make the introduction and I’m so pleased he could bring you here tonight so we could make your acquaintance. But it’s your money. I will happily deal directly with you when dealings are required. I assume you have somekind of solicitor who handles your funds when it comes to your…your protectors.”
He said it gently, but Julia still blushed and glanced at his wife. Mrs. Danvers didn’t even flinch, though and her expression didn’t change.
“I do,” Julia admitted softly. “I will send you the particulars.”
“That’s all I need then. You and I can work out figures once I make the connection with the solicitor. I pay dividends monthly. And I keep you apprised of changes at the same rate. If you want to meet with me at any other time to discuss concerns, I’m happy to oblige.”
Julia shook her head. “You are organized.”
Mrs. Danvers laughed. “You don’t even know. I’m so pleased you’ll be part of Gray’s dream for the future. It’s worth toasting. Will you come help me, Miss Comerford, and we’ll freshen these drinks?”
Julia still looked a little stunned, but she nodded and joined Mrs. Danvers at the sideboard, which left Alexander with Danvers for a moment. He looked at the other man.
“Thank you for being so accepting.”
“Of her?” Gray shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You know why,” Alexander said softly.
Together they looked off toward the women, who were speaking softly as they poured new drinks. When Julia smiled, it eased some of his worry.
“She seems a remarkable woman who has been through a great deal. I know a little about that, about women like that. They are very special.” Danvers glanced at him. “I hope you know the same when you deal with her.”
Alexander started. Danvers was being protective of Julia, even though he didn’t really know her. It was heartwarming, but also startling. And it laid bare the connection Alexander wished he had with her.
“She is very special” was what he said at last.
It was entirely true, of course. Julia Comerford was more than special. And he had no idea of where he stood with her or what the future might hold. But he was beginning to realize he wanted it to hold a place for him in her life.
Foolish as that might be considering their beginnings.
CHAPTER 19
Julia held a glass while Mrs. Danvers poured champagne into it. She couldn’t help but watch the kind woman’s expression, looking for any hint of disdain or judgment, just as she had been all night.
If it was there, she hid it well.
“I-I wanted to thank you,” Julia said at last.
Mrs. Danvers glanced up. “Thank me?”
“You know what I am. You must.” Julia bent her head. “And yet you’ve been exceedingly welcoming toward me when you didn’t have to be. I appreciate that more than I could say.”
“What you are,” Mrs. Danvers repeated slowly. “I suppose you mean where you started. You and your sisters and their…their places in the world before their marriages.”
“Yes.” Heat filled Julia’s cheeks, but she forced herself not to cower away.
“I admire you,” Mrs. Danvers said. “Goodness, any woman with a brain in her head can see that the path you took is one any one of us might have trodden but for one or two different steps in life. I could never judge you, certainly, simply because I was a little luckier when the demons came knocking at my door.”
Julia let herself look at her hostess. She seemed completely honest in those words. Tears stung Julia’s eyes at that simple acceptance, but she blinked them away. “Thank you, Mrs. Danvers.”
“Rosalinde,” the other woman insisted, and went back to pouring the wine. “I think we’ll be friends, so I insist you call me Rosalinde.”
Julia stared at her, shocked that this woman, thislady, would be so easily kind to her when there could be no gain for her to do so. The tears returned and she whispered, “Julia.”
