Chapter Nineteen
Julian got to the river’s edge at the same time as Molesworth.
“One went in and then t’other, Mr. Northcott,” the coachman said, panting as he rolled down his shirt sleeves and pulled on his jacket. “Gave me a bit of a scare. They look to be all right though, other than being sopping wet.”
“Don’t worry, we’re fine,” Clara proclaimed, clutching her sodden skirts on one hand, the other arm outstretched as she waded toward the bank. “The stones were slippery. Evie fell in first, and I went in when I tried to save her.”
Julian heaved a sigh and held out a hand. “Any bruises?”
Clara took it and clambered onto dry land. “No, don’t think so.”
“What about you, Evie?” He held out his hand again. “Do you hurt anywhere?”
“My hair came loose,” she replied, as he hoisted her onto the bank. “And my shoes are ruined.”
Julian parted with yet another sigh. “Do either of those things cause you pain?”
“No.”
“So, are both of you uninjured? I’m not joking. I need to be sure.”
“I’m fine, Julian,” Clara said, her teeth chattering. “Just a bit cold.”
“Same,” Evie said.
Julian silently cursed his carelessness. He’d been irresponsible and the burden of blame rested solely with him. Heaven forbid they fall ill because of this.
“There’s a couple of blankets in the carriage,” Molesworth said. “I’ll fetch them. Actually, sir, I’ll bring the carriage over. I expect you’ll be wanting to get the young ladies home as soon as possible.”
“Yes, thank you, Molesworth.” Julian glanced around.
“We’ll clear up here and then head straight to Myddleton.
Do you have any objections to being a guest for the night, Miss Fairfax?
I’ll have a message sent to Ferndale Grange explaining the situation.
If you’d rather return home, I can arrange that too, of course. ”
“No, I have no objection at all. But, if I’m to stay the night at Myddleton, might the message include a request for some suitable attire to be sent back with the messenger?”
“Yes, of course. Forgive me, I should have thought of that.”
“You have more important things on your mind, sir,” she replied. “Priority must be given where it is due.”
“Indeed.” Julian gave the twins a critical look. “Hot baths for both of you as soon as we get home,” he said, and added a touch of levity to hide the depth of his concern and guilt. “And you owe me five shillings.”
*
“Ah, there you are.” Julian wandered into Myddleton’s ballroom and gave Annie the smile she’d come to love. He looked at ease, unlike earlier when worry had etched lines across his brow. “I’ve been looking for you. I was beginning to think you’d run away again.”
Annie shook her head. “No, just exploring this incredible house. How are the twins?”
“Bathed, dressed, and not in the least contrite.” He moved to her side and heaved a sigh of obvious relief. “But they appear to be none the worse for their soaking, thank God. In fact, they’re already talking about tomorrow’s outing. Oh, and a messenger has been dispatched to Ferndale.”
“Thank you.” Annie wrinkled her nose. “Hattie will probably think it was all orchestrated to provide me with an excuse to spend the night at Myddleton House.”
Julian cleared his throat. “And I fear she may be right.”
Annie gasped. “No! Are you saying the twins fell in on purpose? Surely not. They wouldn’t do that. Would they?”
“I wouldn’t put it past them. Evie alluded to the fact that, thanks to their little escapade, you and I are able to spend more time with each other.
In any case, orchestrated or not, I accept full responsibility for what happened.
I should have known better.” His eyes took on a softness.
“But I must also admit, Annie, I’m glad you agreed to stay.
I rather like the idea of sleeping under the same roof as you. ”
Annie pressed her hands to her cheeks as if to halt the sudden blush, which now warmed her fingers. “Mr. Northcott, really. I don’t know what to say.”
He winced. “Uh oh. I’m back to being Mr. Northcott. Did I offend you?”
“No, you didn’t,” she replied, dropping her hands. “Quite the opposite. You say the loveliest things. It was just… unexpected, that’s all.”
Julian glanced at the door and then back at her. “In that case, allow me to give you fair warning that I’m about to kiss you. Unless, of course, you have an objection.”
She shook her head. “Not a single one, Julian.”
“That’s better,” he said, and drew her into his arms. Annie laughed and clung to him as she had once before, feeling equally as light-headed as she had on that previous occasion.
But this was deliciously different. Intoxicating, exciting, and somehow undeniably right.
Her gaze flicked to Julian’s mouth, and she licked the dryness from her lips, anticipating.
Julian touched his thumb to her chin and bent his head.
Annie closed her eyes.
“I’ve arranged for tea to be served in the west parlor, Julian.” Lady Hutton’s voice pulled them apart with only a little less force than a physical intervention. “I’m sure you and Miss Fairfax must be ready for some refreshment.”
Julian cleared his throat and turned to face his aunt. Cheeks blazing, Annie bit her lip, lowered her gaze, and tussled with an inexplicable urge to laugh.
Julian nodded. “We’ll be along in a moment, Aunt Eleanor.”
“Good. Be sure not to dally. There are few things more disagreeable than over-steeped tea.” Lady Hutton fanned her face with her hand as she turned to leave. “Goodness, it’s awfully warm in here.”
“Oh dear,” Annie said, unable to stifle a giggle once the lady had left. “Am I to be cast out in shame?”
Julian grinned and took her hand. “If you are, I’ll be coming with you, but it looks like we’re allowed to have some tea first. Besides, you haven’t met all the family yet. You should at least do that before being banished.”
Annie raised her brows as they set off toward the door. “Who haven’t I met?”
A duke, a duchess, a dowager-countess, two uncles, two more aunts, and three cousins later, Annie sank gratefully onto a gold damask settee and placed her teacup on the small adjacent table.
A hum of conversation continued around her, but Annie, for now at least, was happy to listen rather than engage.
“Exhausted?” Julian muttered, taking his place beside her.
She nodded. “And overwhelmed.”
“You were marvelous,” he said, keeping his voice low.
“I was terrified of putting a foot wrong.”
“Like I said, you were marvelous. You even managed to make Grandmama Hutton smile. Quite the feat.”
“I like her. She’s very regal.”
“That she is.”
“And am I right in thinking that your cousin Catherine outranks her parents?”
“She outranks all of us,” Julian replied. “When circumstances allow, I’ll tell you her story. It merits telling.”
“I shall look forward to that. Anyway, they were all very gracious.”
Julian gave her a sideways glance. “With one exception, in my opinion.”
Annie barely hesitated. “Your cousin Adam?”
“You noticed.”
“I got the impression he didn’t approve of me.”
“He can be a pompous ass at times, especially when he’s had one or two, which is most days.”
Annie nodded her understanding and barely fought off a yawn. “Oh, goodness. Excuse me.”
“It’s all that fresh air,” Julian said, getting to his feet and holding out his hand. “Come on, my dear. I’ll have someone show you to your room. Dinner isn’t till eight. Plenty of time for a nap.”
Annie opened her mouth to argue, but the thought of a nap was simply too enticing to ignore. “Are you sure? I mean, is it acceptable?” she asked, rising to her feet.
“Almost mandatory.” He winked and squeezed her hand lightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll make your excuses.”
A short while later, having promised to escort her to dinner that evening, Julian handed Annie off to Elsa, a rosy-cheeked maid whose smile never faded as they bustled their way up the stairs and along a corridor.
“Here you are, miss,” Elsa said, opening a large, paneled door and standing to the side. “Do you need help undressing?”
“Oh, no, thank you, Elsa. I can manage.”
The maid nodded. “Very good, miss. The room has been readied for a guest, but if there’s anything else you require, the bellpull is next to the bed.”
“Thank you,” Annie said again, taking only a couple of steps over the threshold before coming to a halt.
Behind her, the door closed with a quiet click, but Annie still didn’t move.
Frozen in place, she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.
She ended up doing both, her eyes watering, and the laugh, which sounded more like a hiccup, stifled by her hand.
This couldn’t be her room. Elsa must have made a mistake. Then again, it did have a bed in it. An enormous bed, in fact, with an intricately-carved, four-poster canopy, hung with pale gold damask curtains which matched the counterpane. But there was more yet.
The occupant might, instead, choose to sit on the moss-green velvet settee, or perhaps recline on the matching chaise-longue, and admire the tapestries and gilt-framed landscapes decorating the creamy damask walls.
And, though dormant at this time of year, the black marble fireplace, centered on the opposite wall, promised warmth on a winter’s night.
As for the armoire, standing against the wall to Annie’s right, it was the grandest she’d ever seen.
But it was the large window, elegantly framed in the same gold fabric, that pulled Annie farther into the room, a single question arising in her mind. What might she see beyond it?
Could it be?
Fingers crossed, Annie hurried to the window and gazed out at the surrounding countryside, which had taken on the soft glow of late afternoon.
It took a few moments for her eager gaze to find what she was looking for.
The perspective, after all, was completely reversed.
But, to her absolute delight, there it was, from this distance little more than a small, grayish-brown anomaly on a sunlit, grassy summit. But there was no mistaking it.
“Freya’s Farewell,” she whispered.
That she could see it from her room had significance, though she couldn’t begin to say why.
She could only marvel at the intricate, unpredictable workings of fate.
If today was anything to go by, she dared to believe her future was brighter than she could ever have imagined, especially given the sadness of the past few weeks.
With that came thoughts of Leo, but she shoved them aside.
He didn’t know where she was, and even if he did, it wouldn’t make any sense for him to come looking for her. Not now.
She turned and regarded the bed, thinking she didn’t feel particularly tired anymore.
Still, a brief rest wouldn’t hurt. She reached around to unfasten her dress, wondering if the messenger had returned from Ferndale.
As it was, she had nothing to change into for dinner, though even if she had, it would simply mean swapping one black dress for another.
Secretly, she wearied of wearing the same dark garb, day after day.
A short time later, clad in only her petticoats, Annie slid beneath the counterpane and gazed up at the canopy, certain she was far too excited to sleep.
After that, she remembered nothing till a knock came to the door.
*
“Fancy an after-dinner stroll, Annie?” Julian asked, as the dining room emptied that evening. “Or would you rather spend some time with the ladies?”
“A stroll would be lovely,” she replied, “but you must join the men if you prefer, and enjoy a cigar. I’m sure I’ll be perfectly fine with the ladies.”
“I’d much prefer to spend the time with you.” Julian presented his elbow. “Truth be told, I’ve never particularly enjoyed smoking.”
Annie tucked a hand into the crook of his arm, her subsequent sigh one of obvious contentment. “Papa didn’t like it, either,” she replied. “He was of the opinion it couldn’t possibly be good for the lungs. Should I excuse myself from the ladies?”
“Consider it done, my dear.” Grace fell into step beside them. “Are you heading outside?”
Julian nodded. “It’s a fine evening, Mama. I thought a walk around the gardens and then a seat on the west terrace might be nice. Would you care to join us?”
Grace’s mouth twitched. “Perhaps not immediately. I’ll see you on the terrace later. Miss Fairfax, here, take my wrap. It gets chilly in the evening.”
“Oh, but I can fetch one from my bedroom, Mrs. Northcott.”
“No, please, I insist.” She held it out. “Take it.”
“Thank you.” Annie blushed slightly. “You’re very kind.”
“You’re welcome,” Grace replied, smiling. “Enjoy your stroll.”
“Your mother is so lovely,” Annie said, as they stepped outside into the twilight. “You’re very fortunate, Julian.”
“I know I am, and yes, she is.”
Another sigh, then, “Today has been…”
Julian gave her a sideways glance. “Trying? Interesting? Unpredictable?”
She laughed. “Wonderful. It’s been wonderful. Well, except for the twins falling in the river, though they don’t seem to be any the worse for it, fortunately.”
“I think accidentally-on-purpose falling in the river is a more accurate description,” Julian replied. “But, if not for that, you wouldn’t be here with me now.”
She sucked in a breath. “I still can’t believe I slept for two hours this afternoon.”
“It’s the fresh air. Speaking of which.” Julian took the wrap from her and settled it about her shoulders. “There. Don’t want you catching a cold.”
“Why, thank you, sir.” Annie gazed up at him, her expression unmistakably one of adoration. “Perhaps you should have brought a coat.”
He tutted and shook his head. “We Yorkshiremen are a tough breed.”
She chuckled. “Chivalrous, as well.”
“Your wish is my command, my lady.”
The easy banter continued as they wandered through Myddleton’s splendid gardens.
Julian quietly calculated they hadn’t even spent two full days together, but there was no doubt in his mind.
Being with Annie, simply put, felt right.
It was effortless. Natural. A union of kindred souls, each one different and unique, yet perfectly matched to the other.
Julian smiled to himself, amused and somewhat baffled by the fanciful thoughts drifting through his head. A new experience for him.
Later, as the stars twinkled overhead, they joined others on the terrace, where lamplight and candleflame already flickered.
The general atmosphere seemed to reflect Julian’s mood, contented and just a little bit lazy.
As the night chilled and people moved back indoors, Annie leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“I’ve changed my mind, Julian,” she said.
“Today hasn’t been wonderful. It’s been perfect. ”