“I could very well state the same of you, brother. You know that I have a gentleman caller. Why do you pull me away from him? What could not possibly wait for a few minutes more?”
Viscount Kingston glared at her and folded his arms across his chest.
“You are to wed Lord Bullfield.” Julia’s heart clattered in her chest as she stared at her brother, seeing the glint in his eye, and knowing that there was no possible way he could be jesting. Her mouth opened but she could say nothing, her mouth dry as a cold rush swept over her limbs. “You do understand me, do you not? You are to marry Lord Bullfield. This gentleman, whoever he may be, cannot ever become your betrothed – although that is suggesting he may have an interest in you, which I cannot quite bring myself to believe.”
Julia forced herself to speak, her voice rasping.
“You cannot. You told me that I was to have a month.”
“And you have made so little progress that I have decided to do what is best for you and secure you a husband before it is too late.” Her brother flipped his fingers towards the door, dismissing her. “You may return to whoever this gentleman is, but there shall be no further discussion on this matter.”
Julia did not move. She could not. Her feet seemed fastened to the floor, her eyes fixed to her brother.
“Lord Bullfield is one of the very worst of gentlemen. I will not wed him. You already know that I will not.”
“What is your alternative?” her brother jeered. “You have nothing. You canhavenothing save for what I give you. Do not give me your excuses nor your threats, for I will not listen to them. Take yourself elsewhere. Cry into this gentleman’s arms for all I care.”
With another dismissive wave, he turned his head and picked up some papers, evidently unwilling to listen to a single thing she had to say. Tears burning in her eyes, Julia turned and fled, leaving the room and finding herself quite unable to be composed enough to see Lord Wiltsham again. Making her way directly to her bedchamber, she caught the passing maid’s hand.
“Please give my apologies to Lord Wiltsham. He is present in the drawing room, awaiting my return. I cannot see him at the moment. Please, you must do this at once, regardless of the orders my brother has given you.”
The maid blinked, but to Julia’s relief, squeezed her hand lightly and then hurried away, leaving Julia to her thoughts. Opening the door to her bedchamber, she hurried inside and slammed it shut behind her, closing out the world. Sinking down onto the bed, she buried her face in her hands. Why had her brother shown her such cruelty? He had promised her a month, but then he had taken it away, just when she had thought there might be an opportunity for her with Lord Wiltsham. It seemed that he was determined that she should not have any semblance of happiness. Perhaps in seeing that she had a gentleman caller, he had decided to make certain it could never come to fruition.
But what of Lord Wiltsham?
In the back of her mind, there had always been an idea that she would, one way or the other, find herself betrothed to Lord Wiltsham. That had come from consideration of his character, but the more time she had spent with him, the more she now realized that she could never trick him into anything. There was a consideration of him that had not been there before. Even his call upon her today and his apology had touched her heart in a way she had never expected. She could never force him into marriage by trapping him in some manner. So what else could she do to escape from her brother’s intentions and Lord Bullfield himself?
Julia rubbed her eyes, trying to think clearly. If she was not to do anything to trap Lord Wiltsham into marriage, then could she not simply ask him? It would be a very forward thing for her to do, but under the circumstances, what choice did she have? They would not be able to marry, however, without her brother’s permission. That realization had her eyes squeezing closed, hope fading away, for she could not expect Lord Wiltsham to elope with her! That would cause a scandal and damage his reputation and she could not do that to him.
“I could always make my way from this house as I did before.”
Steeling herself, Julia rose from her bed, aware of the shaking in her legs as she moved across the room. Opening one of the drawers, her fingers soon found the bag she had hidden there. Within, it contained the various items which she had taken from her brother when she had left for Lord Wiltsham’s townhouse, the items she had thought to use so that she might live in comfort for a few years. As yet she had not returned them – so could she use them – and the plan – again?
It is only the very bare threads of a plan, but it is a plan, nonetheless.
“I will speak to Lord Wiltsham. If he refuses, then I know what I must do.”
This decided, Julia set the items back in the bag and pushed the bag deep into her drawer. Thus far, her brother had not noticed the absence of these items, and she did not have any intention of permitting him to become aware of it either. Perhaps it had been good fortune that had not allowed her the opportunity to return them to their proper places as yet.
Wherever she looked, there was darkness. Her heart was covered in shadow, and even the very air around her seemed oppressive. Julia battled against the mounting despair in her heart as, sinking back down to the bed, she closed her eyes and clasped her hands tightly together.
“I will not marry Lord Bullfield.” Her determined whisper brought a little courage to her otherwise fading hopes. “My brother shall not have his way. I will be victorious in the end.”
* * *
The ball had goneon for some time, and Julia had not yet seen Lord Wiltsham. His absence was noticeable, and she found herself wondering whether or not he actually intended to attend the evening, even though she knew that he had an invitation. Her spirits were very low indeed, to the point that even Miss Lawrence had not been able to raise a smile from her. Her friend was currently dancing with Lord Foster, and Julia was battling with the jealousy which came from watching the happiness that was so obviously between them.
“Good evening.”
A hand touched her elbow and Julia turned, a swift hope building in her heart, only to see Lord Bullfield reaching out to grasp her hand with his. She jerked back immediately, pulling herself away from him and giving him no flicker of delight at his company.
“Remove yourself from me at once.” Her voice was sharp as he reached for her again, a broad smile on his face that told her he had no interest in anything she was saying. “I have no wish to be in your company this evening.”"
“And what would your brother say to that, Miss Carshaw?”
Lord Bullfield chuckled, but it was not a delightful sound, making Julia shudder.
“I think you must believe that I give credit to what my brother says. Allow me to dissuade you of that notion.”
