Chapter 4
Josephine bit her lip in angry frustration as her mother Eudora, Countess of Harrington, ranted about the fact that her only daughter was a spinster at the ripe old age of six and twenty.
Julia, who was a cousin on Josephine’s father’s side of the family, sat primly in a chair with her hands folded in her lap.
From her pursed lips she was feeling much like Josephine.
She, too, kept her thoughts to herself. But when Eudora started her lecture about Josephine losing an earl for a potential husband last season, Julia had had enough.
“Really, Eudora,” Julia began with a scowl etched across her features, “you treat your daughter as though she will be forever on the shelf. When the right gentleman comes along, she will do her duty to the family and marry.”
Eudora turned her mutinous hazel eyes upon Julia. “As if your situation is any better. Why, if it wasn’t for Randall, you would hardly be in a position to escort our daughter as her companion. I suppose a spinster of your age would recognize one of her own kind.”
“Mother! You are well aware that Julia is a widow.”
“And she should be remarried, so she isn’t a burden to her family,” Eudora shouted.
Josephine fumed, coming to her feet. “You will not treat Julia as though she is beneath you in my home.”
Eudora pointed a finger at her daughter. “A home that is paid for by your father, along with all your expenses.”
Josephine defiantly lifted her chin. “You can no longer hold that over my head. Richard told me he has taken over my living arrangements.”
“You’re lucky that you are not living under my roof still. Otherwise, I would have married you off to the Earl of Dexmore two seasons ago!”
“I refused him for a reason, if you recall. He’s a lecherous old man who couldn’t keep his hands to himself, along with being old enough to be my own father,” she retaliated harshly.
“He may be old, but he has enough money to see you and your children well provided for,” Eudora complained bitterly. “I understand from your father that he is still willing to make you an offer, if you would but learn to curb some of your habits.”
“My habits?” she shouted. “Like speaking up for myself when he dares to touch me? He’s lucky he didn’t draw back a nub the last time he made advances toward me.”
“If you accepted his offer, he would have been well within his rights,” her mother said offhandedly.
Julia came to her feet and went to Josephine, who was trying her best not to sob.
“Eudora, you’ve had your say. Josephine won’t be marrying the Earl of Dexmore, not while I draw a breath from my body.
Besides, she is expecting an offer any day now from Viscount Upton, if your spies haven’t already informed you. ”
“Bah! A mere viscount when she could have an earl is hardly any sort of an improvement,” Eudora declared with a flip of her head.
She narrowed her eyes to peer directly at her daughter.
“I’ve been informed that you are traveling to Brighton.
I swear by all I hold dear, if you don’t find yourself engaged by the end of your trip, I shall wash my hands of you. ”
Josephine could stand no more from this woman who may have been her mother, but had never treated her kindly at any time in her entire life.
“Don’t bother to wait until then, madam.
You have no further say in how I live my life, and I never wish to see you again!
” She went to the doorway of her parlor and called for her butler.
He appeared quickly. “Marshall… Show the Countess of Harrington out. She is no longer welcome in this home.”
“Well, I never,” Eudora hissed as her eyes swept up and down Josephine. “We’ll see how soon you come running back to us.”
Josephine gazed directly at this woman who cared more for her money and wealth than either of her children. “When hell freezes over, Countess.”
Marshall led her mother from the room, while Josephine went to the settee. Her knees buckled as she all but fell onto the cushion.
“I’m so sorry you had to witness such a scene, Julia,” she cried, allowing the tears to finally fall, since her mother was now gone.
Julia squeezed her hand. “There’s nothing to apologize for.
You did the right thing, and I applaud you for standing up for yourself.
Most young ladies would never dare to be so bold as to confront a parent in such a way, but Eudora deserved it.
I have no idea how I could ever be related to Randall. Those two deserve one another.”
Josephine patted her cheeks. “I don’t even know why she bothered to come here. She makes a habit of sweeping in when I least expect it, which is why Richard took over my expenses.”
“Thank goodness you have such an understanding brother, but you know why she and your father keep contact with you. They expect you to marry well so they can somehow benefit financially from your marriage,” Julia replied with a grim expression.
“Richard and I have put up with a lot from our parents over the years. I am very thankful I am no longer under their roof, for obvious reasons.”
Marshall returned to the entryway. “Lord Chadwick, my lady.”
Josephine quickly turned to pat dry her cheeks before turning a welcoming smile to one of Richard’s dearest friends. Impeccably dressed as was his style, he bowed low while the ladies curtseyed as he entered the room.
“Georgie. What a pleasant surprise. What brings you to see me?” She held out her hands to him while his grey eyes sparkled in delight. He kissed the air between his mouth and her knuckles.
“You are a vision, darling Josie,” he declared, reverting to the name he, along with the rest of Richard’s friends, called her in their younger days.
She reached up and pushed a strand of his black hair back into place. “And you are looking as resplendent as always. But really… what brings you here today?”
“I… umm…” He suddenly appeared uncomfortable, and Josephine put her guard up. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take in one day.
“Georgie…”
“Perhaps we should sit,” he suggested, as he put a finger to his neck and yanked on his cravat, as though the linen was suddenly too tight.
Julia raised her brow before she went to sit in a chair. Josephine returned to her place on the settee and motioned for George to join her there. Instead, he began to pace much like Richard, leaving Josephine the impression she wasn’t going to like whatever he was about to say.
“You might as well get whatever you need to say over with, Georgie. I’m prepared for almost anything given I just banished my mother from this house.”
He stopped his pacing. “Yes. I encountered her as I was coming up the walk,” he said. “You threw her out?”
“It’s a story for another time, but let me just say she won’t be coming back anytime soon,” Josephine replied, folding her hands in her lap.
“Long overdue, if you ask me,” George declared, finally taking a seat and turning his gray eyes toward her. “Richard sent me.”
That tidbit was interesting. “Really? And why is my brother sending you here? I assume this visit is on his behalf.”
“In a roundabout way. Yes… I suppose,” he grumbled, and then cleared his throat. “I’m afraid I’m to be the bearer of bad news… or good news is probably a better way to put it.”
Josephine put her hand to her forehead. More bad news seemed to be what her day would be riddled with. “Just tell me, Georgie.”
“Richard can’t accompany you to Brighton right now because of business matters. He’s concerned about you and Mrs. Elford arriving safely to your destination. He has heard that highwaymen have been robbing people on the road north of Normanton on the South Downs.”
She arched one brow. “And…”
“He has asked myself and Milton to accompany you,” he blurted out.
“What!” she shouted, coming to her feet, before she calmly sat back down.
“I’m certain you can understand his concern that no harm befalls you. You are, after all, his beloved sister,” George said softly.
“That’s really not necessary, Georgie, and I’d hate to inconvenience you. I happen to know how much you enjoy London.”
He gave a wave of his hand. “I understand Brighton is quite the spot to relax and enjoy the coast. Besides, Milton would go to any lengths to ensure you arrive safe and sound.”
“You mean Richard,” she said, folding her arms over her chest.
“Of course, all of us have always been concerned for your well-being, dearest Josie. You are like a little sister to us, too,” George proclaimed, taking her hand and raising her fingertips toward his lips.
Once again, he kissed the air as he had done a hundred times or more.
George was always the proper gentleman, and Josephine wondered why he wasn’t already married and having children. It was well past time he, too, was wed.
“I suppose there’s no way to talk any of you out of this?” she asked, already knowing his answer.
“Richard has made up his mind, and you know how he is once he’s made his decisions.
Besides, Milton and I were already heading to Brighton, so this trip isn’t exactly like we are going out of our way,” George said as he came to his feet.
“Now, I must be going. Need to pack my things and all. We’ll be here bright and early in the morning to begin our travels. ”
She stood and watched him leave before she turned to Julia. “That was most unexpected.”
Julia shrugged. “I will be thankful for the extra protection, to be honest with you, Josephine,” she said, as they made their way up the stairs to finish packing.
As Josephine entered her bedroom, her mind spun with all the possibilities of spending additional time with Milton.
He had been on her mind since he left her days ago.
Instead, she should be thinking of her answer to Philip when he finally asked for her hand in marriage.
And as she began to plan all the items she needed to pack, she realized that unfortunately, since Milton’s kiss, she hadn’t thought of Philip in days until just now.