Caroline sighed. “Lord Castleton wasn’t a good man and certainly wasn’t a good fit.”
“No.” She found herself thinking again of Alexander.
“And perhaps down the road you’ll find your real, true love, as your sisters have. And then you’ll be even more grateful that you didn’t settle.”
“It’s funny, I was thinking about that before I came in,” Julia admitted. “That I used to be the romantic of the three of us sisters. Dreaming of true love and being rescued by some prince.Even when I became a courtesan, I had these hopes that some protector would see me for who I truly was and sweep me away, Society be damned.”
“It turns out not to be such a wild fantasy. Look at Arabella and Evie.” Caroline sipped her tea.
“Yes.” Julia sighed. “What they’ve both found is magical. But somehow seeing them so settled, it makes me feel further from my dreams, not closer.”
Caroline tilted her head. “That makes sense in a way, dearest. After all, a girlish fantasy was likely dreamy and ill-defined. But seeing love, true love, the way we both do now with your sisters and their husbands? That’sreal. As is what the two couples fought through to come through with their love intact. Of course it feels a little more…more…”
“Out of reach,” Julia said. She realized that Caroline looked as forlorn as she felt in that moment. She covered her aunt’s hand. “Your marriage wasn’t a happy one. But did you ever dream of something more like that? Do you ever seek out someone to fill your life and your heart?”
Caroline hesitated and her gaze grew deeply sad. “I’m…I’m not sure that what I want is even possible,” she whispered. “Or that I’m brave enough to truly try for it.”
Julia worried her lip. A few months before she had seen her aunt at the Donville Masquerade, an underground hell where sin and pleasure ruled. Though Caroline had worn a mask, Julia knew her too well not to recognize her. She’d never said a word about that shocking fact and she wasn’t certain she should do so now. After all, weren’t they all owed their secrets? Her aunt’s sojourn into sin and Julia’s own ill-advised affair with Alexander and all its fraught emotions?
“I think you’re very brave,” Julia said at last. “I know you are.” Caroline dropped her chin and stared into her teacup. “Is there something I can do, auntie?”
“Only don’t give up on the idea that you might be happy,” Caroline said. “You girls went through so much, all of you, because of my wretched brother and the horrible way you were treated. Don’t give up on happiness in your future. And don’t forget that I will support you, come hell or high water, no matter what you do or don’t do.”
“I know that.” Julia wrapped an arm around her and squeezed. “And I feel the same way.”
Caroline glanced at her. “I know. And I?—”
Whatever she was going to say was cut off when there was a light knock at the half-open parlor door. Julia looked toward Parsons as he entered. “I’m sorry, Miss Comerford, Mrs. Banfield. There was just a message delivered, miss. The boy declared it to be of great importance.”
She wrinkled her brow and got up to take the folded sheets of vellum her butler now held out. “Thank you, Parsons.”
He stepped away and she turned the missive over in her hand. The paper was expensive looking and the hand very fine, though she didn’t recognize its owner.
“I suppose I must open it, since it’s important,” Julia said. “Oh, I wonder if it’s from Gray Danvers. I’m investing with him, thanks to Alexander Castleton.”
That would explain the message and she felt a little less uncomfortable as she broke the seal and began to unfold the pages.
“Alexander Castleton?” her aunt repeated, rising. “You’re still in contact with him?”
Julia lowered the pages at her tone, realizing she had just revealed far too much. “Y-Yes. I…I am. He’s…he’s apologized for whatever role he played in his cousin’s betrayal. I think he means it.”
Caroline was quiet a beat. “I would wager he does. He seemed very angry at Lord Castleton that morning out at theGrange. Defensive of you, even. And it seemed you struck up a genuine friendship during your time there. One I commented on more than once.”
Julia pursed her lips. “Do you have something to say?”
“Not at all. Is the letter from Mr. Danvers?”
Julia put her attention back on the missive and began to read it. As she did, she felt the blood leave her face and her hands begin to shake.
Caroline stepped forward. “What is it?”
“It’s not from Mr. Danvers,” Julia whispered. “It’s from the Earl of Heathfield, Lord Castleton’s grandfather.”
“What does he say?”
She folded the letter. “It’s nothing. Just nastiness. You needn’t worry yourself.”
“Julia Elinor Comerford,” her aunt snapped. “I shall worry myself. What does it say?”
