“Tell me the truth,” Christopher managed eventually. “You know our father cared nought for society’s opinion. He cast thetonaway as a man would dirt beneath his shoe. So, if I am to believe, like him, you wish to marry for love, not for society’s good opinion, then tell me more about Lady Julia. You can hardly expect me to believe after one evening in a garden together you have fallen in love.”
“We started speaking about a year ago at her debut.” Robert’s voice was calm now as the carriage pulled to a stop, but he made no effort to climb out yet. “We grew closer at events. It was rather easy to talk. You hardly ever come to such events, and her sister, Lady Helena, is usually dragged away by their aunt. I fell in love with her, Chris.”
The shortening of his name made Christopher’s stomach tighten all the more. Robert hardly ever did that, and it showed how heartfelt and personal this conversation was for his brother.
“I would elope with her if it came to it,” Robert said in a whisper. “That is how devoted to Julia I am.”
“God’s wounds,” Christopher murmured. “You realize what our family would think to that?”
“I know, which is why I need you on my side.” Robert turned, fixing his focus on Christopher. “Our mother will hate me, our aunt too, and Percy perhaps more than anyone.” He shook his head, grimacing in fear of it. “Yet you are dearer to me than anyone, Chris. I can’t have you hating me for this too. I need your help, your support. Please, I am ready to get down on my knees and beg you for it.”
Christopher sat forward, his eyes fixed on Robert’s face. There was full sincerity in that expression. His eyes didn’t blink once, and no muscle twitched.
“You really do love her,” Christopher murmured.
“I do.” Robert nodded firmly.
God’s wounds, this will be hard.
Christopher feared what would become of this. The hatred between the two families was so deep, that rift caused generations ago, it would not be easy to shift, but that was what was going to have to happen for Robert and Lady Julia to wed.
I’ll have to see Lady Helena much more and make my peace with her too.
The thought of that captivating blue gaze was enough to make him shift in his seat, loosening his cravat around his throat.
Enough thoughts of her. Thinking of her helps nothing.
“Right, that’s that then.” Christopher reached for the carriage door, opened it wide and leapt down.
“What does that mean?” Robert scrambled after him, moving so fast that he tripped on the doorjamb and nearly fell face first onto the gravel drive.
“Oomph!” Christopher caught him and held his brother up. “A great start to impress your new in-laws. Come on, stand straight, button up that tailcoat.” He brushed his brother’s shoulders, ensuring there was no dust on them. “Let’s impress them then.”
“You mean, you will help me?” Robert asked in hope.
“To see you happy, I’d do anything. Even if that means facing the cold gaze of Lady Helena and her family.”
Why did I think of her first before the rest of them?
Yet Robert didn’t notice his slip and hurried to the door of the manor house.
CHAPTERFIVE
“It’s disgusting!” The words were barked from a young voice.
“Matthew, please.” Helena looked at her younger brother. He was twelve years old, but at that moment, he looked much younger with a heavy pout as he folded his arms.
“I’ll fight him.” Matthew put up his hands, balling them into fists, but their father walked past him, and he hurriedly put down his hands.
“No fighting. These families dueled once before; I won’t see it happen again.” Benjamin walked on, moving toward his wife in the room.
Helena’s eyes tarried on her younger brother, who lifted his fists again the moment their father’s back was turned.
“What is to be done? Something must be done. It has to be.” Helena’s mother, Anna, muttered as she paced up and down the room. Helena cast a weary gaze at her mother then moved to stand behind her sister, who was sitting nervously in a chair. Helena laid a soft hand on Julia’s shoulder, a silent sign of support in the room.
Benjamin was pacing alongside his wife whilst on the other side of the room, Gibbs and Kitty stood by the fireplace, shaking their heads and whispering together. Gibbs Carter was Benjamin’s younger brother, a man who was fond of giving his own opinion.
“What will we do, Benjamin? You could send her away?”
