After a short while, Julia shifted a little in her chair. “Mrs. Castleton, I did want to thank you for including me tonight. I’m sure you must have had hesitations, but you’ve been nothing but kind.”
His mother set her fork down. “I won’t sport with your intelligence and try to pretend I don’t know what you mean. I’mcertain there were a great many things that led you down the path you’ve taken. I have a hard time imagining, but I couldn’t judge them.”
“I’m certain you could,” Julia said. “A great many would and do.”
“I suppose it’s easy to do so from a place of comfort and privilege. And fear, because those things can be so easily taken away.” His mother glanced at him. “What I care about most is what makes my son happy. I would like to know you better, though. Would you tell me about yourself?”
He saw Julia stiffen, felt the shift in her as they moved from lighter topics to this one. She took a long drink of her wine and then she said, “Er, what would you like to know?”
“Your family?”
Her breath was a little rougher now. “M-my father was a country gentleman, but not one you likely would have known. You know how it is, second sons of second sons of second sons.”
“Ah yes, I do know,” Alexander said with a little smile for her since she was describing him, at least a fraction.
She laughed. “Well, not all of you are worthless, I’ll grant that.” Her laughter faded. “But he was…complicated. Angry at his lot in life, wishing for more than daughters.”
“There are three sisters, yes?” his mother asked gently.
“Yes. Arabella is the oldest. She’s married to Silas Windham. And Evelina, who is married to the Earl of Blackburn and about to have a child any day now.”
“I recall their romance last year,” Mrs. Castleton said. “She is a truly stunning woman, as is your eldest sister. All three of you have a wonderful spark that is very attractive.”
“Thank you. If I’m ever compared to them, I’m always happy. They’re everything to me.”
Alexander could see his mother approved of that by the way she smiled at Julia. “And what of your mother?”
Julia’s breath hitched. “I…I don’t remember her. She died when I was just a baby, trying to give my father the son he demanded. My sisters recall hints of her, but she’s blank to me, I’m afraid.”
The pain in her voice as she said that broke Alexander’s heart a little. This woman had been born into pain and chaos and loss and here she was, as bright and wonderful as she was. She had climbed mountains of heartbreak and somehow was resilient. All he wanted to do in that moment was wrap her up in his arms and give her a soft place to fall. To make her see, through every action he committed for the rest of his life, that she didn’t have to fight anymore. At least not fight alone. He’d fight for her, they would fight together.
And it was a startling realization to have sitting at his dining room on a Tuesday night with his mother in attendance.
“You might know my aunt Caroline,” Julia continued. “Mrs. Banfield? She is out in Society. My father’s sister.”
“Oh, I do know her!” Mrs. Castleton said. “We’ve met at a few charitable societies. I’ve always liked her. Of course I knew she was your aunt, but wasn’t even thinking. Are you close?”
“Very,” Julia said, and now her face was lit up. “She might have turned away from us when our circumstances…changed, but she never did. I adore her beyond measure.”
“I should really invite you both to be part of my monthly book club, if you think that’s something she would enjoy,” Mrs. Castleton said.
Julia’s lips parted. “I know she would, but Mrs. Castleton, you cannot think to invite me. I am not the same as my aunt and everyone there will know it. I wouldn’t want you to damage yourself just to be kind to me.”
“If being kind to someone worthy is reason for my longtime friends to turn on me, they aren’t the sort of friends I’d like,”Mrs. Castleton said with a glance at Alexander. “You’ll always be welcome with me, my dear.”
Julia didn’t speak for a moment, but all her emotions were clear on her expression. The surprise, the warmth, the flicker of worry. Once again, it let Alexander see a glimpse of a future if she was in his life. She and his mother would be close. Some part of Julia would be filled by that loving relationship.
He could also see she was overwhelmed by all this and so he gave his mother a little wink. “Now tell me, aren’t those book club nights an excuse for gossip, as well? Don’t pretend to my…to my friend that you are all propriety and intellect. Give her the real truth.”
His mother blushed and swatted as his arm with a laugh. “I never! To be accused of such a thing.”
“Truly, Alexander,” Julia burst out with a giggle. “You are terrible. We ladiesnevergossip. We carefully and consciously share vital information.”
“You see, she understands,” his mother laughed.
The rest of the evening seemed to fly by with laughter and stories and an increasing sense of comfort between the three. And it was only hours later that his mother looked at the clock in the mantel of the parlor where they retired after supper and made what Alexander could see was a pretended yawn.
“Oh, this has been a wonderful night, but I must excuse myself,” she said. She crossed to Julia and took her hands. “What a pleasure it’s been to meet you, my dear. I cannot wait to know you better. Goodnight.”
