Abandoned to the Prodigal, page 11
“Apparently not if I don’t choose to be,” he said with an unusual hint of bitterness, which he seemed to shake off with an impatient shrug of his shoulders.
“What do you mean?” she asked. “No one would choose to be poor, would they?”
At first, the deliberate smile in his eyes told her he was about to laugh it off, to change the subject, and then the smile drained away, and he blurted, “My mother has received an offer of marriage from a very wealthy gentleman. She has decided to accept him, and I am afraid it is for my sake. And my fault.”
“What does your mother say?”
“That he makes her happy.”
“Is she in the habit of lying to you?”
“No,” he conceded. “But this is different. She wouldn’t tell me the truth if it made me feel bad about not providing for her.”
“And you feel she is still trying to provide for you?”
“Exactly.”
She mulled that over for a little. “What will you do?”
“Tell her I won’t take a penny from him. If she still marries him, it’s because she wants to. Probably.”
Without thinking, she threaded her fingers through his and squeezed. His hand closed on hers in instant response, but his glance was curious.
“What is that for?” he asked.
“Comfort. I’m returning the favor.”
His eyes gleamed. “As I recall, I kissed you.”
She laughed, although heat surged into her face. “I don’t feel your distress is great enough for that.”
“It’s the best argument I’ve heard for misery.” He swung her hand into the air and drew her back toward the woods.
*
Although it was getting increasingly hard to leave Dan after their walks, Juliet cheered herself with the thought of this afternoon’s treat of meeting Lawrence King with Kitty. All the same, she could not help dwelling on her time with Dan, for he had kept hold of her hand for most of the walk through the woods. And she had let him. Which was both foolish and improper. They were not children. He did not wallow in his anxiety over his mother. On the contrary, he was as entertaining as ever. And yet his strong, roughened fingers had held lightly on to hers, novel, exciting, and strangely sweet.
But he was still Dan, her friend. He had taken no liberties as they’d parted near the driveway, merely smiled and said goodbye until tomorrow. She could have imagined the warmth of his eyes. It was likely he had simply forgotten he held her hand. After all, they were very comfortable together.
However, no one seeing them together in that way would have imagined their relationship to be the innocent friendship it was. Dan was just too easy-going and seemed to be infecting her. She had to be sensible, or they would both be in trouble.
All the same, she couldn’t help feeling ridiculously happy about life as she ate her second breakfast and helped Kitty choose which gown to wear for her betrothed’s visit.
He was expected in the early part of the afternoon and would stay for dinner. “In fact, Mama says he may stay the night,” Kitty said eagerly, “to save such a long ride in the dark. And that will be his last visit before the dinner party next week.”
“And when will you be married?”
“The first part of September, we think.” Kitty glanced at her. “I never thought it would be before your wedding.”
“Neither did I.” Juliet gave a difficult smile. “My life was perfect, was it not?”
“Do you not think so?”
Juliet shook her head. “No. I think I looked too much at the surface and rarely saw what was beneath.”
“You are thinking of Jeremy.”
“And other things, but yes, Jeremy is my prime example. I’m not looking forward to seeing him again.”
“Do you think Ferdy will punch him on the nose?” Kitty asked.
Juliet laughed. “I hope not. I doubt it would help my rehabilitation! Though part of me would like to see it if he did.”
“I don’t even know if they will let you come to dinner. And I so want you to be there. I hate that it all depends on the Alfords’ attitude to you!”
“So do I. They were so kind to me and then just cut me off without thought or explanation, just because of some vulgar, so-called newspaper.”
“Don’t upset yourself again,” Kitty pleaded.
Juliet smiled. “I’m not upset anymore. To be honest, I feel free and happy. Now, you should dress, or you will not be ready to greet your Mr. King.”
Juliet, already gowned for the occasion, stayed and watched critically while the maid helped her sister. But in truth, it didn’t much matter what Kitty wore. She was so pretty and good-natured. Lawrence had better appreciate her.
The sound of approaching hooves drifted through the open window. In a trice, she and Kitty had their heads out watching Mr. King’s arrival on horseback. He must have heard their voices, for he looked up and smiled spontaneously, before raising his hand in an enthusiastic wave. As a groom hurried to take his horse, he dismounted and vanished out of sight into the house.
“He looks just as I remember him,” Juliette said warmly.
“Come, let’s go down,” Kitty urged.
Juliette was glad to oblige, but as she drew her head in, her attention was caught by some distant movement in the trees that lined the drive, A vehicle was trundling around the bend, traveling toward the house.
She almost let out an exclamation of dismay, but Kitty was already dancing across the room and had not seen. Impulsively, Juliette followed her. Only on the stairs did her heart beat a little guiltily. But she did want to spend some time with Kitty and Lawrence. And in truth, she was too restless, too full of energy she didn’t know what to do with. She felt incapable of going meekly back to her room to wait. It could be any kind of vehicle, after all. It could be someone come to see her father privately, or a wagon full of wine or beef or flour…
And if not, she could always hide later.
Both her parents were greeting Mr. King in the salon, but Juliet was delighted to see the way his face lit up at the sight of Kitty. He was a stocky man of pleasant appearance, his mouth ready to smile, his eyes, kind. And there was fervor in the way he kissed Kitty’s hand and cheek, not the mere, refined courtliness she now recognized had been Jeremy’s idea of love. And hers. Foolish, so foolish.
On introduction, she curtseyed to Lawrence’s bow and offered her hand. She was pleased to find his grip light but firm, and his friendly smile just as she remembered it.
“Of course, I remember you,” she said in answer to his only half-teasing question. “I regarded you almost as another brother, without realizing you would become so, indeed!”
The countess had ordered tea to go with the glass of sherry already provided by her husband, and it was while the trays were being ferried into the room and set before the countess that the other visitors were announced.
Some failure of communication had clearly occurred. Perhaps no one had told the servants that Juliet was present, and other visitors were to be held back until she was removed. Whatever the reason, the earl and countess almost gawped in horror when Abbot intoned, “Mrs. Cornwell and Mrs. Stewart. Mr. Colin Cornwell and Mr. Stewart.”
The earl, who had only just sat down, jumped to his feet. Juliet was left in the middle of the room, holding a teacup and saucer designed for him. The countess glared at her so hard, Juliet wondered if she should hide behind the curtains.
And then the regal figure of Mrs. Cornwell, dressed in a fawn gown with matching hat and feather, sailed into the room ahead of a more vital lady in blue. The countess had to leave off glaring and push the table aside to greet her unexpected guests.
“Lady Cosland!” uttered Mrs. Cornwell. “I do hope you don’t mind such an onslaught! But my sister was determined to answer your call today, so I felt I should come to introduce her.”
“Oh, how thoughtful,” said Lady Cosland, always the perfect hostess. “We do not stand on formality here. We are happy to see everyone from Myerly.”
Juliet, with Dan’s name ringing in her ears, finally saw him saunter in behind his cousin.
“My sister, Mrs. Stewart,” Mrs. Cornwell said, not exactly with distaste, yet managing to convey she would not, from choice, have introduced such an inferior person to her ladyship.
“How do you do, Mrs. Stewart?” the countess said warmly. The earl, by comparison, seemed rooted to the spot, having stood at the first announcement. It was hard to imagine he had been humiliated, perhaps even heartbroken by this woman.
Mrs. Stewart was no longer young, but despite the lines of care around her eyes and mouth, she retained the kind of prettiness that comes from a happy disposition. Like Dan, Juliet supposed.
“You know my son, of course,” Mrs. Cornwell said regally.
Her son duly bowed and murmured respectful delight.
“And my son,” Mrs. Stewart said, her lips twitching as she realized her sister wasn’t going to trouble with that introduction. “Daniel Stewart.”
Dan stepped forward with his usual casual grace and bowed. “How do you do,” he murmured.
For a moment, the contrast between his dress and everyone else’s was stark. Colin, perfectly attired in a well-fitting coat of blue superfine and snowy white cravat, stood between the elegantly dressed ladies. Mrs. Stewart, Juliet guessed, had already accepted gifts from her wealthy suitor. Dan, quite clearly, had not. Although his coat was well brushed and clean, it was worn and mended at the cuffs. It was a little too tight across his shoulders, and even a shade too short in the sleeves. And yet, there was something about him that would always draw interested eyes. He felt no shame, no need to pretend. Careless of his outward appearance, he was comfortable in his own skin and not remotely overawed by his aristocratic company.
As the countess turned away, his gaze shifted and found Juliet, still standing in the middle of the room with the tea intended for her father. One of his eyes closed, so quickly and so discreetly, that anyone not staring would have missed it. Her breath caught. She wanted to laugh.
And then her father brushed past her, and the teacup wobbled precariously in her hand. She walked across and set it down by his chair. When she turned back, the earl was civilly shaking hands with the woman who had jilted him, smilingly observed by the woman he had married. The countess’s demeanor was as perfect as always, and yet somehow, Juliet suspected she was just a little on edge.
Of course, that could be Juliet’s fault. Her moment for escaping through the connecting door and back to her lonely chamber had passed. Juliet went forward with Kitty to greet the Cornwells and be presented to the Stewarts.
“My daughters, Juliet and Katherine.” And, of course, not by a flicker did her mother reveal anything other than pride in her daughters.
“Charmed to renew our acquaintance,” Colin Cornwell claimed. In the circumstances, he could say no less, but he did sound as if he meant it. As did Mrs. Stewart.
Dan merely smiled, bowed, and murmured, “How do you do,” as if he had never met her before.
Well, Juliet was not supposed to mention the stagecoach, and she had no intention of admitting to their meetings since.
By then, the countess was introducing Mr. King and inviting everyone to sit. “Juliet ring for more tea,” she added.
Of course, there was no need to ring. The well-trained servants were already providing another pot and more cups, and Juliet and Kitty ferried tea to everyone.
“Why did you not tell me you were coming?” she murmured to Dan under cover of a smile as she presented him with his cup and saucer.
“Didn’t know,” he replied. His lips twitched. “I thought it might be a pleasant surprise. If we were allowed to see you.”
“You’re lucky,” she murmured.
“So are you. I almost brought Gun.”
At the thought of the dog galumphing among the porcelain, she had to turn away to hide her laughter.
Fortunately, Ferdy wandered in at that point and had to be introduced to everyone. “It’s such a beautiful day,” he observed. “Can’t we move into the garden?”
“There’s no reason why you young people shouldn’t go out,” the countess replied. “I daresay we’ll join you after tea.”
As they all traipsed out onto the terrace garden, which sloped down to a wider lawn, Ferdy breathed a sigh of relief.
“Don’t know how they can bear to be so cooped up indoors,” he remarked.
“It’s a large, airy room,” Mr. Cornwell suggested.
“Not like this,” Ferdy said, waving his hand toward the sky and the gardens. “Though I suppose you might be fed up with the sun, Lawrence, since you rode over here.”
“I’m content wherever,” Lawrence replied, his gaze on Kitty, who smiled back.
“Don’t start that, or I’ll be sick,” Ferdy advised, much to Mr. Cornwell’s startlement.
“Do you care for the outdoors, Lady Juliet?” Colin asked.
“Of course,” she replied. “Who would not on a day like this?”
“The last time we spoke, you were hoping to accompany Her Highness into Europe,” Colin recalled.
“Sadly, she chose someone else, but now that the war is over at last, I suppose we may all go where we please.”
“And where would you go if you could decide?” Colin pursued.
“Oh, where would I not go? First, perhaps to Rome, Florence, Greece, Egypt…”
“You are a curious young lady,” he said, apparently amused. “But what on earth would you do there?”
“Look, learn, marvel.” She regarded him. “Do you have no spirit of adventure, Mr. Cornwell?”
He smiled indulgently without answering, saying merely, “It is unusual to find it in a young lady.”
“There I have to disagree with you.”
He looked slightly stunned that any female would disagree with him about anything, even the opinions of her own sex.
Fortunately, Kitty the peacemaker, spoke up. “I prefer the comforts of home. But we are all different. Perhaps, you have been abroad, Mr. Cornwell?”
“Indeed, I have not,” he said as though defending his honor. “Daniel, however, was born abroad.” He made it sound comparable to being born in prison. “His father was an army captain.”
“Colonel,” Dan said mildly from where he had stretched out on a wooden bench.
Colin frowned. “What?”
“Nothing. What is rank between cousins?” He sat up and stood. “Will you show me your peonies, Lady Juliet?”
Juliet blinked but walked past him toward the terrace steps. “I did not know you were interested in flowers.”
“I confess I don’t know peonies from pinks, but I am prepared to learn. Tempted as I am,” he added below his breath, “to stay here and see which of us punches my cousin first.”
“I didn’t realize you let him upset you.”
Dan cast her a rueful glance. “I don’t usually. I didn’t realize he was quite such a condescending prig.”
“And you don’t mind him picking on you, but he should give your father the respect he deserves?”
His lips quirked. “Something like that.”
“This is the peony. It is quite beautiful this year.”
“Ah, that’s a peony,” he said, fortunately before those following came close enough to overhear his ignorance. “What are those bands on the grass for?”
“Pall mall,” Ferdy said, opening the wooden box at the side of the lawn to reveal the wooden balls and mallets withing. “Want a game?”
Dan smiled.
It was, in the end, a hilarious game with a hotch-potch of rules and no one keeping proper score. Even Colin relaxed enough to smile, while Dan and Ferdy outdid each other with amusing trick shots and silly wagers, which saw Dan losing his handkerchief to Ferdy and then winning Ferdy’s cravat. Ferdy tied the handkerchief around his neck instead. But it was Juliet who won the game, in time to receive the applause of the older people who had wandered down to watch.
“Brava,” Mrs. Stewart exclaimed. “A notable female win!”
Juliet laughed. “Hardly. They only declared me winner because no one was counting the scores.”
“You should still have a prize,” Dan declared.
“Then I shall have a peony from the garden. If you can still remember which that is.”
Dan grinned and walked off to return with a luscious, red bloom, which he gave to the countess to present to Juliet. After which, the servants brought out some freshly made lemonade, and everyone sat informally on walls and cushioned benches according to taste.
Juliet saw Mrs. Stewart sit beside the earl. She wondered if her mother noticed it, too. Mrs. Cornwell certainly did, for she looked as if she would like to drag her sister away by the ear. However, after only a few moments, Mrs. Stewart moved and sat on the wall beside Juliet instead.
“I heard about your trouble,” she murmured. “Allow me to say, you handle it very well.”
“Thank you,” Juliet said faintly. “I think.”
“Oh, yes, it was a compliment,” Mrs. Stewart assured her. Her eyes twinkled rather like Dan’s did. “I’m sure you’re aware I speak from experience.”
“Did you also handle it well?” Juliet asked. She hadn’t meant to. It just slipped out.
“No,” Mrs. Stewart said. “I ran away. I admire you for meeting it head-on. But then, you are innocent.”
Perversely, Juliet said, “You don’t know that.”
“Oh, I think I do. Tell me, did you lose a velvet ribbon?”
“A velvet…” Juliet broke off with sudden uncertainty. Did she mean Gun’s unconventional leash? “Not recently,” she said in a rush. “Why?”
“Oh, I am curious by nature. As, I think, are you.” She smiled amiably and rose. “Tabetha, do you think it is time we left these good people in peace?”
Tabetha looked anything but gratified to be reminded of manners by her scandalous sister, but there was little she could do except agree and stand up, opposing the polite objections of her hostess.
The carriage was summoned, and everyone trooped round to the front of the house to wave the visitors away. Juliet still clutched her peony, and halfway to the carriage, Dan suddenly paused and came back to her.
