Chapter Thirteen
“There you are, at last,” Janet announced, as Annie approached with Julian Northcott.
The woman stood alone in the gallery, the buckets of flowers, emptier than before, still at her feet.
The flower arrangement had taken visible shape but was obviously not quite finished.
As for the countess and the duchess, both ladies had apparently gone elsewhere.
Annie gave silent thanks for the reprieve.
Janet spoke again, her voice unexpectedly stern. “I trust you have apologized to Mr. Northcott for your untoward behavior, Annie, running off like that. I have already apologized to Lady Hutton on your behalf, and explained you are not quite yourself due to being so recently bereaved.”
The unanticipated reprimand left Annie momentarily speechless and not a little embarrassed. Resentment tightened her throat, but before she could respond, Julian Northcott cut in.
“I do not require an apology, madam,” he said, calmly. “Miss Fairfax had a bit of a shock, that is all. As did I, in truth.” He smiled down at Annie, which set off the now-familiar flutter in her stomach. “A very pleasant shock, I might add.”
“I see.” Janet’s subsequent smile held little warmth as she directed her gaze, once more, to Annie. “Till today, sir, I was not aware my young guest had met you before. I find it odd, frankly, that she’s never mentioned it.”
Once again, Annie opened her mouth, meaning to explain, but Julian Northcott didn’t give her the chance. “How long do you anticipate being at Myddleton House today, Miss…” he frowned. “Forgive me. Miss Caldridge, is that correct?”
“Yes sir,” Janet replied, her expression still sour. “I expect we shall be finished here by mid-afternoon.”
“Good, then we have some time. My reason for asking is because I’m stealing Miss Fairfax away for the next while and was wondering how long I might keep her.
” He took Annie’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm once more.
“I trust you can manage on your own, Miss Caldridge, for the time being?”
Annie’s conscience gave her a nudge. “Um, actually, Mr. Northcott, perhaps I should stay and help Miss Caldridge with the flowers.”
“Indeed, sir, I would much prefer the young lady remain with me,” Janet said. “She came here to assist me, after all.”
Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “A compromise, then,” he said, in a tone that brooked no argument. “Miss Fairfax will spend the better part of the next hour with me, after which time she will return and assist you with whatever work remains. I trust that is agreeable?”
It obviously wasn’t, judging by the expression on Janet’s face. “As you wish, sir,” she replied, giving Annie another sour glance. “I’ll see you later, then, Annabelle.”
Annie, struggling to find any suitable rejoinder, merely nodded her response. She could not imagine what had got into the woman. She fully intended, however, to find out later. Now was not the time.
“Uh oh,” Julian muttered as they headed for the door. “From ‘Annie’ to ‘Annabelle’ in less than a minute. I fear things do not bode well for you, Miss Fairfax. But do not lose heart! If you’re evicted from your current lodging later today, I’m sure we can find room for you here.”
Annie smothered an urge to laugh, which also helped to hide her dismay at Janet’s uncharacteristic behavior. “I’m sure Miss Caldridge won’t go that far, Mr. Northcott. And I must confess, I do feel somewhat guilty about leaving her.”
“You shouldn’t.” He shrugged. “You told me you have little talent for flower arranging, so tell yourself you’re doing the lady a favor by absconding, since you’d probably be more of a hindrance than a help if you stayed. You came here to see Myddleton House and see it you shall.”
Annie’s conscience refused to be quiet. “But she’s been so very kind to me, sir.”
“One hour, Miss Fairfax,” Julian replied. “That is all I ask. One hour.”
*
Throwing caution to the wind and acting without aforethought wasn’t like him at all.
But then, Julian had never felt like this before, nor could he begin to describe the feeling.
Not for the first time that day, he dared to imagine fate had intervened, albeit in a tragic fashion, to ensure his and Annabelle’s paths would cross again.
To be so fanciful, so fatalistic, was not like him either.
No matter how it came about, whether by the blessings of fate or the paths of misfortune, Annabelle Fairfax now stood beside him in Myddleton’s imposing library.
Having issued an apology along with a succinct explanation about what had precipitated the events in the gallery, Julian now finished off by introducing Annabelle to his uncle and aunt, propriety demanding the initial introduction be made to them.
As Annabelle rose from a perfect curtsey, Lord Hutton peered down at her from beneath his impressive pair of silver brows.
“Well now, that’s quite the coincidence,” he said, in response to Julian’s account.
“Welcome to Myddleton House, Miss Fairfax. And please accept our condolences on the loss of your father.”
“Thank you, Lord Hutton,” she replied. “And thank you for allowing me into your magnificent home.”
“You’re most welcome.” He cleared his throat. “Are you related to the Middlesborough Fairfax’s by chance?”
Annabelle blinked. “Er, no, my lord, I don’t believe so.”
“Hmm. Just as well, perhaps.” Lord Hutton appeared to mull for a moment or two.
“So, you’re staying at Ferndale Grange, eh?
Nice little farm. Used to be part of the old medieval estate.
Somewhere along the way, it slid into independent ownership.
” His silver brows knitted together as he glanced away briefly.
“Can’t remember quite how it all came about.
I’ll have to read up on it. It’s changed hands a few times since then, of course. ”
“That’s very interesting, my lord,” Annabelle replied. “I have wondered about its history. It’s a charming house.”
“Yes, quite.” Lord Hutton nodded. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, ladies, nephew, I have some correspondence awaiting my attention before luncheon. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Fairfax. Enjoy your visit.” He bowed slightly.
Annabelle inclined her head. “Thank you, my lord.”
Lady Hutton stayed where she was, a smile tugging at her lips as her husband wandered off. “There now, my dear,” she said to Annabelle. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Annabelle smiled also and shook her head. “No, Lady Hutton, not at all. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, my dear.” The countess then turned her attention to Julian. “You’ll find your parents in the conservatory, Julian, and I wouldn’t dally if I were you. They’ll be sounding the luncheon gong shortly.”
“Understood, Aunt, thank you,” Julian replied, and presented his elbow once more. “Miss Fairfax?”
“They were very gracious,” Annabelle said, as they made their way into the hallway.
“Always are. I told you there was nothing to fear.”
“And the library is incredible.” She gazed up at the murals as they passed through Myddleton’s main entrance-hall. “So is that ceiling. Goodness. Is Highfield Hall as grand as this?”
“No, not quite,” Julian replied. “Though it’s just as impressive in its own way. It’s been in my mother’s family for over six hundred years, though the house today bears little resemblance to the original castle.”
“It was a castle?”
“Once upon a time,” he replied. “Drawbridges and dungeons and all that. It was torn down a couple of hundred years ago, and the stones were reused to build the current house. There have been other changes made as well over the years, so it’s become something of a glorious hodge-podge.
The medieval gatehouse is still standing and there’s a ruined watchtower on the moor road.
The old chapel still exists in the house and a corner of the cellar is also original. ”
“It sounds wonderful.”
“It is.” He stopped himself from suggesting she might see it for herself one day, though he dared to believe she would. There was plenty of time for that, however.
Annabelle appeared to ponder for a moment. Then, “Is it haunted?”
Julian groaned. “My dear Miss Fairfax, I cannot believe you asked that question. Of course it’s haunted. A ghost or two is mandatory for any historically-burdened house.”
She gave him an amused glance. “Are you teasing me, Mr. Northcott?”
“Absolutely not.” Biting back a smile, he kept his gaze to the front. “And this is Myddleton’s conservatory.”
“Heavens,” she murmured as they paused at the entrance. “I could never have imagined anything like this. It’s extraordinary.”
“Yes, it is rather splendid,” Julian replied, frowning as he cast his gaze over the jungle of giant palms, exotic ferns, and sweet-scented flowers, searching for his parents. “Ah, there they are, look. Over by the pond.”
He felt Annabelle’s resistance on his arm. “Who is sitting with them?” she asked. “My goodness, those two young ladies are twins, surely.”
“Yes, my sisters, and they’re sitting beside my youngest brother. Arthur. The quiet one I told you about.”
“Should there not be two more?’
Impressed, Julian glanced at her. “You remembered.”
She gave a slight shrug. “I remember everything about that day, sir.”
Something stirred beneath Julian’s ribs. “As do I,” he replied, soberly, “and yes, you are correct. Louisa, my eldest sister, and Maxwell, her husband, are not here, and neither is Josiah. I believe I mentioned him to you already.”
“Yes, you did. Do I curtsey?”
“You don’t have to. My father should be addressed as ‘Captain Northcott’ initially and ‘sir’ after that, and my mother as ‘Mrs. Northcott’.”
“Right.” Annabelle heaved a sigh and smoothed her skirts. “I do believe I was less nervous meeting Lord and Lady Hutton.”
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Julian said. “Come on. I promise they won’t bite.”
Annabelle didn’t quite look convinced as she fell into step beside him.