Chapter Seventeen
“You look very dapper, brother mine.” Evie folded her arms and raked another gaze over him. “Very dapper indeed.”
“Yes, you do, dear,” his mother said.
“Thank you, Mama, Evie,” Julian replied.
Clara sidled up to him, leaned in, and sniffed, blatantly. “Hmm, you smell quite nice as well, Jules. Not too overpowering. I’m sure Miss Fairfax will approve.”
“And thank you, as well, Clara.” Julian frowned. “I think.”
The Dowager Lady Hutton, who was observing the proceedings from a nearby settee, made a sound that surely epitomized disapproval. “I despair of our young people today,” she said, with a shake of her head. “I truly despair.”
“Why, Grandmama?” Julian asked, already knowing the answer.
“Sniffing?” She scowled at Clara. “Good Lord, child, we are not dogs.”
Clara cringed. “My pardon, Grandmama. But Julian will be sitting beside Miss Fairfax in the carriage, so I just wanted to make sure he smelled… well, nice.”
The Dowager’s lips thinned. “I should hope they are not so glued to each other that such an assessment can be made.”
“Don’t worry, Grandmama,” Evie said, waggling a brow at Julian. “Clara and I will make sure they behave. Are you ready to go, Jules? It doesn’t do to keep a lady waiting.”
Julian glanced at the clock. “Yes, perhaps we should,” he said. “The carriage will be here any minute.”
“And where are you taking this young lady?” his grandmother asked.
“Thought we’d take a ride to the Roman bathhouse ruins, Grandmama, down by the river,” he said. “There’s a pleasant walk along the riverbank with bench seats here and there.”
“Along with clouds of midges,” his grandmother responded, shuddering visibly. “You’ll be eaten alive.”
Julian exchanged a brief amused glance with his mother. “I hope not,” he replied. “Right-oh, let’s go.”
“Enjoy,” his mother said. “I shall look forward to hearing all about it later.”
“Do you think she’ll mind us coming with you?” Clara asked, as they headed out into the hallway.
“Who?” Julian glanced at her. “Miss Fairfax or her maid?”
“Well, both, I suppose.”
“I don’t think Miss Fairfax will mind at all.” Julian barely suppressed a smile. “Her maid might not be too happy, though.”
“You do realize, Clara, that we’re being exploited by our darling eldest brother,” Evie said, slowing to a halt. “Although actually, now I come to think of it, it puts us in an advantageous position.”
Julian halted too and turned to face Evie. “Meaning what, exactly?” he asked, hands on hips.
“Meaning compensation, exactly.” Evie gave him an impertinent smile. “It seems only fair we be paid for our chaperone services today, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hmm, let me think about that.” Julian grimaced and scratched his jaw. “There. Thought about it. It seems I shall have to put up with Miss Fairfax’s maid after all. Have a nice afternoon, my dears.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked on, smiling to himself.
“No, Julian, wait,” Clara cried, scurrying after him. “It was Evie’s idea, not mine. I don’t want to be paid. I just want to go with you.”
Julian gave a nod. “Thank you, Clara.”
“Traitor,” Evie said.
“Imp,” Julian responded. “Are you coming, or not?’
“Well, of course I am.” Evie hurried to catch up. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Julian gave the twins a sideways glance. “Just don’t make me regret my decision, either of you.”
*
Annie had spent the past hour installed on the window seat in the front parlor, breath misting the glass, eyes fixed on the lane.
She wasn’t quite sure what to expect. A carriage of some sort, certainly.
But she hadn’t quite imagined a sleek, blood-red landau, open to the skies and being pulled by two magnificent bays.
And not for a moment had she considered Julian Northcott might be bringing someone with him.
Any nervousness Annie might have had completely evaporated at the sight of the twins.
She pressed her fingers to her lips, stifling a giggle of delight.
“Mr. Northcott is here,” she called, and slid off the window seat to smooth her skirts.
Ruffy, perhaps hearing the clip-clop of horses’ hooves, tore into the room, leapt onto the window-seat, and set about barking a welcome.
Hattie wandered in a moment later, untying her apron as she came to peer out of the window.
“Goodness, what a handsome carriage,” she said and then frowned. “Has he brought someone with him?”
“It would seem so,” Annie replied. “They’re his sisters, the Misses Evie and Clara.”
“But the carriage only seats four,” she said, looking at Annie. “Where will I sit? Not up there with the driver, surely.”
“I don’t think you need accompany me now, Hattie.” Annie shrugged. “I’m going out to greet them. Where’s Janet?”
“I’m here,” Janet replied, from the doorway. “I’ll invite them in. They may like a little refreshment before you go off to wherever it is you’re going.”
“Yes, they may. Thank you.” Annie felt a touch of relief. Though it remained somewhat detached, Janet’s gentler mood had continued from the previous night.
“Well, I’m not sure I approve of this arrangement.” Hattie, still frowning, followed Annie from the room. “It’s not how it’s done.”
“It’s not how you thought it would be done,” Annie corrected, “and, truthfully, neither did I. It appears to be a family outing to which I’m invited. I met Miss Evie and Miss Clara last week, Hattie. They’re fine young ladies.”
Janet opened the door and stepped out. Annie, following, shaded her eyes as the driver pulled the horses to a halt. Julian stood and gave Annie a smile that went straight to her heart.
“Good day, Miss Fairfax, ladies,” he said, looking at Hattie and Janet before practically leaping down from the carriage.
His gaze, and his smile, went to Annie again and rested there for a moment.
“As you’ve no doubt noticed,” he continued, “I am not alone. Allow me to introduce my sisters, Miss Evie and Miss Clara. Evie, Clara, this is Miss Caldridge and…” he hesitated as he regarded Hattie.
“Forgive me, madam, but I never did learn your name.”
“Mrs. Henshaw,” Hattie said, with a sniff.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Henshaw,” Julian replied, and gave the twins a nod. “Evie, Clara?”
“Pleased to meet you,” the twins said, in perfect unison.
“It’s nice to see you again, Miss Fairfax,” Clara said.
“Likewise, to both of you,” Annie replied. “I wasn’t expecting this. It’s a lovely surprise.”
“Welcome to Ferndale Grange, Mr. Northcott.” Janet stepped forward. “Would you and your sisters care to come in for some refreshment before you continue with your outing?”
Julian barely hesitated. “Thank you, Miss Caldridge, that would be most agreeable. A pleasant start to our afternoon.” He gave Annie another smile. “How are you today, Miss Fairfax?”
“I’m very well, Mr. Northcott, thank you.” An understatement. At that precise moment, Annie was sure she’d never felt quite so happy. “Was the party a success?”
“It was, indeed,” he said, helping Evie and Clara exit the carriage. “Though I confess I was looking forward to this outing the entire time.”
Clara let out a squeal at the sight of Ruffy. “Oh! What a sweet little dog. Is he friendly?”
“Very friendly,” Janet replied, “though a little rambunctious at times.”
“Which is a fine description of my sisters, I think,” Julian said, winking at Annie. Everyone laughed except Evie, who glared at her brother for a moment before surrendering to a smile.
“Goodness,” Hattie muttered. “It’s as well they wear different colored dresses. Never tell them apart, otherwise.”
What followed was a half-hour of sheer pleasantness.
Annie watched in quiet delight as Julian and the twins engaged Janet and Hattie in easy conversation.
Even Hattie, who’d been a little aloof at the start, lost the tightness around her mouth.
As the visit drew to a close, Annie felt Janet’s gaze on her and met it.
The grave expression on the woman’s face vanished in the blink of an eye, replaced by a smile that surely implied approval.
Annie hoped it also indicated an end to the tension of the past few days.
“It’s a lovely spot by the river,” Janet said, as they wandered down the garden path to where the carriage awaited. “The ruins are fascinating. I think you’ll enjoy them.”
Annie nodded. “I cannot wait to see them.”
“Enjoy yourself, pet,” Hattie said.
“I’m already enjoying myself, Hattie,” she replied, thinking she could never have imagined such a perfect start to their afternoon jaunt.
“And please be careful,” Janet added. “Don’t fall in the river!”
“Never fear, ladies,” Julian said, taking Annie’s hand to help her into the carriage. “I promise I’ll have Miss Fairfax back before dark.”
*
“The visit went well, I think.” Julian closed his fingers against the fading tingle of Annabelle’s touch as the carriage set off down the lane. “A pleasant start to our outing.”
“The visit went very well,” Annabelle replied. “I could not have wished for better.”
“Told you so.” Evie gave her brother an impish smile. “Clara and I can behave ourselves when we want to.”
“There should never be a question of wanting to,” Julian replied. “And, since the day is not yet over, I’ll reserve judgment on your behavior for the time being, but I have to say, so far so good. Keep it up.”
“I’ve decided I’m going to ask Papa if I might have a dog,” Clara said, wriggling in her seat. “A little one, like Ruffy.”
“I believe there’s a lady in the village who has some puppies for sale,” Annabelle replied. “Very similar in appearance to Ruffy, I’m told.”
Julian barely stifled a grin at Annabelle’s implication. “The answer is ‘no’,” he said, as Clara opened her mouth to speak. “We are not going to look at puppies today.”
“Tomorrow, then?” Clara asked.
“We’ll see,” Julian replied.
Evie nudged her sister. “Which means ‘yes’.”