Chapter 8 #2
“Go and ready yourselves, then.”
In our room, Juliet said quietly, “It is very strange how accommodating Jeremy is being. He would normally complain and make a fuss about always having to escort me around like a nursemaid.”
I nearly said something about him being concerned about her reputation after what happened with Mr. Fairweather.
But it was true that he had been extremely attentive the last two weeks.
In fact, I was beginning to think he was a good person—at least as far as his sister was concerned.
I refused to like him or let myself be friendly with him, as I knew how much he detested me.
Instead of mentioning the unfortunate incident with Fairweather, I said, “He cares about you and wants to watch over you.”
“He is a good brother. Better than I deserve.”
Perhaps what happened with Mr. Fairweather had changed her. I hadn’t thought so in the beginning, but in the time that we were sick, she’d seemed a bit . . . different. Quieter and more thoughtful. But she was right about Jeremy. Even I could see that he cared about her.
We hurried to get ready and go on our excursion. After a long time of looking at fabrics and Juliet ordering a new dress at the dressmaker’s, we went to take tea at a nearby shop.
I was watching for people staring or whispering about us, or acquaintances of Juliet’s snubbing her, but nothing of the kind seemed to be happening. Perhaps Juliet had been fortunate enough to escape the gossipmongers, which would be quite miraculous.
Two gentlemen were staring at us from several feet away. Jeremy went to speak to them, and a minute later they approached us. Jeremy made the introductions.
Their names were Mr. Timothy Shelley and “Gilbert Gotthurst, the fourth Baron Gotthurst.”
Lord Gotthurst smiled. “It’s a bit much for one man, is it not?”
“Lord Gotthurst, Mr. Shelley, and I were schoolfellows years ago,” Jeremy said.
They were both young and handsome, and I could see Juliet smiling at Mr. Shelley.
“I believe, Miss Juliet Beaumont, we have met before.” Mr. Shelley made a proper bow.
“Yes, at a ball last Season.” Juliet was still smiling, gazing into Mr. Shelley’s eyes.
“You remember.” He looked so gratified, for a moment I thought he would kiss her hand.
“Mr. Shelley and I sometimes play cards together,” Jeremy said. “He and Lord Gotthurst will be at Lady Snowden’s ball.”
“I hope you both will do me the honor of dancing with me,” Lord Gotthurst said.
“Yes,” Mr. Shelley said. “May I dance the first with you, Miss Juliet, and the second with you, Miss Moore?”
We both smiled, and I think I could safely speak for Juliet that we were enjoying the attention of these handsome gentlemen. I was looking forward to the ball even more than before.
The next day the two gentlemen called on us and brought us some lovely hothouse flowers. My heart fluttered a bit when Lord Gotthurst handed me the pink lilies, while Mr. Shelley gave his bouquet of white roses and forget-me-nots to Juliet.
This attention was quite a turnabout. No one had come to call since Juliet’s ride in Mr. Fairweather’s carriage. We’d been too sick to mind overmuch, but it was a bit discouraging and made us afraid of the reason they had stopped calling.
Mr. Timothy Shelley was slightly below average height, handsome in the classic English way, with light brown hair, a small nose, and broad cheekbones.
Lord Gotthurst, on the other hand, had dark, wavy hair and long dark sideburns.
His face was rather full, but I liked it.
He was both charming and friendly in an easy, informal way.
Leastwise, that was my first impression of him. My first impression of Mr. Fairweather had also been good, so obviously one couldn’t rely on first impressions.
Mr. Shelley began talking to Juliet about dancing, one of her favorite subjects.
“I believe I prefer the country dance to a quadrille,” Mr. Shelley said.
“I enjoy every kind of dance. I should be hard-pressed to decide which I liked best.”
This seemed to delight Mr. Shelley, as his smile widened in a way that indicated particular interest.
“I believe Mr. Beaumont said you were from the country,” Lord Gotthurst said, addressing me.
“Yes, from Buckinghamshire. And you?”
“My family’s estate is in the Peak District, but my mother sends me quite often to London. My father’s health had been failing for some time, and he passed away several months ago. I have been making trips to London to take care of business for some years now.”
“I’m very sorry for the loss of your father.”
“Thank you.”
“And do you enjoy taking care of business?”
“I do not wish to complain or to shirk my duty, but I confess, I’d spend nearly all of my time in the country if I could.”
We smiled at each other, as we were of the same mind.
Meanwhile, Jeremy stood by the fireplace, leaning against the mantelpiece and drinking from his teacup.
We were speaking of how Lord Gotthurst had been friends with Jeremy Beaumont in school. “Sometimes I was shunned because of my dark hair and complexion,” Lord Gotthurst said. “Boys can be cruel, and they called me gypsy and much worse things. But Jeremy was a good friend.”
The two men, with crooked smiles, saluted each other with their teacups.
“My mother was of Spanish descent, and that is what has robbed me of my pasty English complexion.”
I laughed at his pretend self-deprecation.
When I glanced up, Jeremy was turning his face away.
Our two callers stayed an appropriate amount of time and then began to take their leave.
“I am looking forward to dancing with you at the ball,” Mr. Shelley was saying to Juliet before turning to me. “And with you, Miss Moore.”
Lord Gotthurst said the same, looking into my eyes as he did. I both hoped and feared that he would kiss my hand, so when he didn’t, I let out a sigh.
I caught Jeremy Beaumont staring hard at me as he stepped forward. “I’ll see you fellows out.”
As soon as they were gone, Juliet let out a subdued squeal and clasped my hand.