Chapter 8
Josephine studied the scenery outside the moving carriage but was lost in thought.
That she had fallen asleep on Milton had been an embarrassment, but what was worse was how her heart had betrayed her.
How was she to continue to move forward with Philip, if Milton was constantly in her thoughts, wreaking havoc with her heart?
Philip deserved better than a woman who was torn between two men.
She had been determined to give her full attention to Philip and his parents today in the hope she could move forward with her life and leave Milton in her past. If only the situation was that easy.
“It was a shame Philip was distracted with business and not able to come to your house to take us directly to meet his parents,” Josephine mused as their carriage continued to roll down the street.
“Did you plan to accept the invitation to the Somerville affair? Sir Peter and his wife Penelope are a delight,” Julia asked instead of commenting on Philip’s absence.
“I saw the invitation this morning but haven’t given it much thought, although I do appreciate that they invited us to stay at their country estate.
I have heard that Normanton House and its grounds are magnificent,” Josephine remarked, turning her attention to Julia.
“But there’s a ball planned, and I certainly didn’t bring a gown for such an event.
I thought we’d stay only here for a short time to meet Philip’s parents. I didn’t plan on an extended visit.”
Julia waved her hand in the air. “No need to fret about a gown or anything you may need. I know of a remarkable seamstress in town. Miss Aria Roccati will be able to run up anything we might need.”
“In such a short time? The invitation said the ball was in only two weeks,” Josephine said in surprise. “She’d have to sew far into the night to make such a short turnaround.”
“Let’s stop by her shop after our visit with Viscount Upton’s parents.
That way, we can see if she can accommodate our needs,” Julia suggested as the carriage began to slow.
Josephine gazed out the window and realized they had reached their destination.
Julia took hold of her hand, and turned worried eyes in her direction.
“Are you certain you wish to proceed with a possible union with Viscount Upton?”
“Philip is perfectly acceptable as a possible husband,” Josephine sputtered.
“And he would be completely suitable for any lady he might offer for if said lady’s heart wasn’t already spoken for,” Julia reminded her.
Josephine tore her hand away. “My heart isn’t spoken for.”
“You might want to keep reminding yourself of that, my dear, because what I see happening between you and Lord Langley says differently,” Julia declared, with a knowing smile.
“Milton and George are childhood friends of my brother. It is only natural to feel a closeness to both of them since we all grew up together,” she said, scoffing at the idea that she and Milton were anything more than just friends.
A snort left Julia’s lips, causing Josephine to raise one brow. “George… yes… you are both certainly friends. But you and Lord Langley? You’d be a fool, dearest cousin, to easily dismiss your feelings for the gentleman.”
“I closed off any feelings toward Lord Langley when he left a year ago and didn’t propose. How long was I to wait for him to conclude his business?” she snapped sharply and then realized her mistake. “I’m sorry, Julia. I didn’t mean to sound so… shrewish.”
Julia patted her hand. “I rest my case, Josephine. You can keep telling yourself that you wish to move on, but the heart knows what the heart knows. You and Lord Langley belong together.”
Josephine choked back a sob of denial. “I… I… just can’t give my heart to Milton again to have it broken. My future lies with Philip.”
Julia shook her head. “But you don’t love him, my dear.”
She saw Philip leaving the townhouse and begin walking toward their carriage. “I can learn to love him.”
“If you say so, cousin,” Julia replied softly.
There was no time for a reply, not when Philip came and opened the carriage door himself.
He assisted Julia, who then began walking toward the house and leaving Josephine alone with Philip.
He really was a handsome man with his blonde hair swept to one side while his brown eyes looked at her with a fair amount of affection, if she read the signs correctly.
Well-dressed and attentive, he held out his hand, and she placed hers in his palm as he helped her from the carriage.
He turned toward her once she was on the ground, and as he stepped closer, she waited in breathless anticipation for him to take advantage of their situation.
She wanted him to kiss her, if only to substantiate her claim that her words to Julia would prove true.
She could learn to love him given enough time, and then she could let go of the memories of Milton that still tormented her every day and night.
Philip cupped her cheek before leaning forward. “I’m so glad you’re finally here, dearest Josephine,” he murmured, dropping all formality between them while inching even closer.
“We waited a long time for this moment… Philip,” she declared, waiting for her heart to begin racing as he lowered his head.
“Yes… yes we have,” he answered, running his thumb over her cheek.
She closed her eyes waiting in anticipation for his kiss, but the sound of two women giggling quickly broke Philip and Josephine apart.
Josephine’s eyes swept the sidewalk, only to see none other than the Danvers sisters.
Prudence and Abigail always appeared at the right place at the wrong time, and Josephine began to dread when this latest bit of tittle-tattle showed up in the Teatime Tattler.
Rumors circulated in London that the two sisters were the source of most of the latest gossip supplied to the editor, Samuel Clemons.
Philip held out his elbow to Josephine, and she placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Good afternoon, ladies,” he said to the sisters, as he gave them a brief nod.
“Viscount Upton,” Abigail answered with a quick bob before she turned curious eyes to her. “Good to see you again, Lady Josephine.”
“Lady Abigail. Lady Prudence,” Josephine murmured, not trusting herself to say anything more.
Instead, she forgot about the sisters and focused on being introduced to Philip’s parents and getting to know the couple who could one day be her relations. They made her feel welcome in their home, and she was grateful they seemed to accept her as a possible bride for their son.
Now, if only she could convince herself that this was truly where she belonged. And when the memory of Milton unexpectedly popped into her head, it was his blue eyes that she couldn’t escape. May God help her, but Milton was going to be harder to forget than she thought.