Chapter Fourteen
From excitement to despair to joyfulness, what a day it had been! Annie could hardly make sense of all that had happened thus far, and the day was not quite over yet. She was still with Julian Northcott, still beside him, as they headed down the hallway toward the gallery.
He spoke. “May I call on you, Miss Fairfax?”
At last. The question she had wished for, hoped for.
He had asked it softly, almost whisper-like, exactly as Annie might have imagined if she’d been daydreaming about him in a moment of solitude.
But this was no daydream. The actuality of it almost robbed her of the ability to reply.
It also unsettled her a little, though she couldn’t quite fathom why.
“Yes sir, you may,” she replied, near breathless with anticipation. “I would like that very much.”
“Then I’m already looking forward to it.
” Wearing a slight frown, Julian cleared his throat.
“The thing is, I fear I cannot call on you till Monday. The reason I’m at Myddleton House is because I was invited to my uncle and aunt’s party, which, of course, begins tomorrow and continues till Sunday.
I could arrange an invitation for you, but given that you are in mourning, I’m not sure it would be appropriate. ”
“It would not, sir, but thank you,” Annie replied, with a shake of her head. “Monday is perfectly fine. I’m already looking forward to it as well.”
Minutes later, they paused at the doorway to the gallery and looked over to where Janet stood, beside the completed flower arrangement. Annie felt a slight twinge of anxiety, wondering if there was about to be another unpleasant exchange.
“What do you think?” Julian Northcott gave her a questioning look. “Is it safe for us to approach?”
Annie grabbed the opportunity his question presented. “I think that I shall not allow anything or anyone to spoil my happy mood, Mr. Northcott,” she replied. “You may leave me here, sir. I’ll be fine. Please rejoin your family and enjoy your luncheon.”
He looked doubtful. “Are you sure you don’t need a bodyguard?”
“Absolutely certain.”
“Till Monday then.” He placed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand and then glanced over to where Janet stood. “In the meantime, I hope you’re back to being ‘Annie’ again.”
She stifled a laugh. “Till Monday,” she replied, and watched him walk away from her as he had once before. This time, though, there was no regret, no sense of loss. Quite the opposite.
“I’ve decided to have luncheon back at Ferndale,” Janet said, as Annie approached. “I’m all finished here, so no reason to linger. I assume you’re finished hob-nobbing?”
Annie barely stopped herself from snapping out a defensive reply. Why was the woman being so obnoxious? “I thought you had another arrangement to do.”
“It’s done. You were gone a while.” Janet looked past her to the doorway, where Julian had been standing. “Well? Are you staying here or coming back with me?”
“I had intended to return with you,” Annie replied, keeping her voice purposely soft, “but I believe I shall walk back on my own.”
Janet scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s throwing it down.”
Annie shrugged. “Not bothered by a bit of rain. Besides, I brought my umbrella.”
“You’ll catch your death. It’s three miles through the fields and almost five by road.”
“Fields it is, then.” Annie smiled over her growing irritation.
“As to my being silly, I’d rather face a three mile walk in the rain than suffer any more of your inexplicable rudeness, especially since I haven’t a clue what I’ve done to merit it.
You embarrassed me earlier, Janet. I have since, however, experienced one of the happiest hours of my life with someone I never thought to see again, and I will not allow you, or anyone else, to besmirch that happiness. ”
Janet heaved an audible sigh, closed her eyes briefly, and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’re out of your depth, young lady,” she said. “Trust me. Whatever you believe exists between you and Julian Northcott is temporary at best. His sort do not entertain serious relationships with our kind.”
“Our kind?” Annie gasped. “What does that mean? Are you saying I’m not good enough for him?”
Janet shook her head. “When it comes to marriage, no, you’re not. At least, not in his eyes. Has he said he’d like to see you again?”
“As a matter of fact, yes, he has. He asked if he could call on me.”
She frowned. “And you agreed?”
Annie nodded. “He’ll be paying me a call on Monday.
You misjudge him, Janet, you really do! Julian Northcott is courteous, kind, and attentive.
The epitome of a gentleman, in fact. He introduced me to his family today, including Lord and Lady Hutton.
Would he have done such a thing if he considered me unworthy? ”
Janet’s eyes had widened at Annie’s words. “He introduced you to his family?”
Annie nodded. “His parents, two of his sisters, and his youngest brother. They were all very gracious. His mother, especially, is just the sweetest lady. Would that I had been blessed with such a mother.”
Janet opened her mouth as if to reply, but hesitated as if rethinking her response.
“Well, I’m… I’m glad they were kind to you, at least,” she said at last. “And I suppose I might have misjudged the young man, but I still say his intentions remain to be seen. In any case, you don’t have to walk.
I apologize for the things I said. I just don’t want to see you…
that is, I don’t want you to be misled or hurt. ”
“Julian Northcott is not capable of doing either, I guarantee it,” Annie replied. “Even Hattie approved of him, and you know how opinionated she can be.”
Janet gasped. “Hattie has met him as well?”
“Yes, she was with me that first time.” Annie shrugged. “I’ll tell you about it on the way home.”
The drive home was quiet. At least, Annie did most of the talking, relating the tale, as promised, of how she first met Julian Northcott.
Janet had acknowledged the account with an occasional nod or smile but showed little interest otherwise.
She seemed preoccupied. Downcast, even. Not unlike the miserable weather.
There was something about the sound of rain pelting an open umbrella that made Annie yearn for a cozy chair, a warm blanket, and a cup of hot, sweet tea.
Perhaps some of Janet’s mood could be attributed to the miserable conditions.
They arrived back at Ferndale to find Hattie a bit rattled.
“Thank God you’re home,” she said to Annie before any other greeting had been exchanged. “He’s been waiting for you this past hour. Left London yesterday afternoon, apparently.”
An icy prickle of dread skittered down Annie’s spine. “Leopold?”
“Lord love us, no, pet, not him! I wouldn’t let that wretch set foot in the place. But it does concern him, I think, though the fellow wouldn’t give me any details. Says he wants to speak to you. Must be important, as well, since he’s come all this way.”
“Who is he?”
“I’d rather he told you himself. He’s waiting in the parlor.” Hattie looked Annie up and down. “Are your clothes wet? Do you need to change?”
“No, I had my umbrella.” Annie pressed a hand to her stomach. What news had this man brought? She suppressed a shiver. “But I’d like a hot tea, please, Hattie.”
“Of course.” Frowning, she glanced at Janet and then back at Annie. “Is everything all right? How was your visit?”
“It surpassed all my expectations,” Annie said, with a pointed look at Janet who, so far, had not uttered a word. “I have so much to tell you, Hattie, but it appears it’ll have to wait.”
“For now, yes,” Hattie replied, still frowning. “Then again, maybe Janet can fill me in while I’m making the tea.”
Annie chose not to reply to that. Instead, she headed for the parlor, pausing at the hallstand mirror to check her hair, smooth her skirts, and to take a slow, steadying breath.
The parlor door creaked as she pushed it open, and a man, seated in an armchair by the fireplace, rose to his feet.
Tall and trim, he was younger than Annie had expected.
Smartly-dressed, handsome too, with finely-chiseled features and a wealth of dark blond curls.
He held himself confidently, chin slightly raised, spine straight, and shoulders back.
“Good day to you, sir.” Annie approached, gazed into a pair of intelligent brown eyes, and inhaled the pungent smell of tobacco smoke. “I’m Annabelle Fairfax, and I’m told you wish to speak with me.”
The man’s right eyebrow lifted slightly as he nodded his acknowledgment.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Fairfax, and please forgive this intrusion. My name is Oliver Taggart. I’m an inspector with Scotland Yard and also Archibald Mason’s brother-in-law. I believe he mentioned me to you.”
“Yes, he did.” Annie’s hand went to the locket at her throat. “Has something happened? But of course, it must have, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“Well, first of all, Miss Fairfax, there’s no reason to upset yourself.
I’m not here in an official capacity, although what I’m about to tell you does concern a police matter.
Please be assured, however, that I do not believe there’s any need for alarm where you’re concerned.
It’s simply a matter of caution. Having discussed it with Archibald, we decided I should take the time to visit you in person and relay the information verbally rather than by correspondence.
He’s taking your privacy and safety very seriously. ”
“Yes, I know he is, and I appreciate it.” Annie gestured to the armchair. “Please be seated, Inspector. I see you’ve already had some tea. Would you care for more before we continue?”
“No, but thank you,” he replied, as he retook his seat.
Annie took the chair opposite. “So, what information do you wish to relay, sir?”
Taggart cleared his throat and opened his mouth to answer, but hesitated as the sound of raised voices drifted in from the kitchen.