Chapter Twenty-One
Justina heard Verina’s sigh as she twirled. “Oh, you will have every bachelor eating from your hand, my sweet sister.” To the modiste, Verina said, “I think you have outdone yourself, Madame Laurent.”
“While I appreciate the compliment, Your Grace, this was your sister’s design. Not mine. I merely brought her vision to life.”
Verina stared at Justina. “You are the one who came up with this?”
“Yes. Madame and I have collaborated on more than a few gowns for the Season.”
Her sister sniffed haughtily. “And I am only hearing about this now? Why, I could have had you do the same for me.”
She knew Verina teased, seeing the merriment in her eyes.
“We will take it with us,” Verina told the shop assistant who began to help Justina from the gown. “And I believe this is the ballgown you should wear to tomorrow night’s opening ball.”
“Do you think so?” she asked.
“Definitely,” Madame Laurent said. “Of everything I have made up for you, my lady, this is by far my favorite.”
“Then I will do so,” she agreed.
Justina knew she should feel happier than she was in this moment.
She had spent the last three months at Redfield, happy to be in her sister’s company.
Verina was increasing again and close to six months along.
She and Matthew, along with Marcus, had only come to town for a few weeks, wanting to see Justina make her official come-out and visit briefly with all the cousins before they returned to the country.
While Verina was more lively now than she had been when Justina had first arrived at Redfield, her sister told her that this middle period of carrying a child would soon turn to lassitude, based upon her previous experience with Marcus. The babe was due to arrive in mid-July.
Knowing how bumpy the carriage ride could be from town to Redfield, Justina had supported the decision, wanting Verina home at Redfield and comfortable as soon as possible.
She had told Matthew and Verina that as soon as the Season ended, she would return to Suffolk to tend to her sister and the babe.
Verina had laughed, saying that Justina would most likely be preparing for a wedding and honeymoon, and that she was not to worry about visiting Redfield.
Marriage was the last thing she wanted, especially with some gentleman from the ton. While she still looked forward to her first ball and attending others, she did not wish for any suitors to call upon her and try to woo her. She was devoted to her art.
Fortunately, it had not seemed to matter that J Fulton was a woman.
The original three gentlemen who had purchased her paintings from Mr. Layton had not returned them after they had been informed she was a woman.
In fact, two of the three said they were interested in purchasing further art she produced.
Of the eight landscapes she had brought to town with her back in December, all but two had sold.
Mr. Layton had told her that winter was a slow time for sales, and he fully expected now that people had returned for the Season, the remaining two would sell quickly.
She had brought the art dealer another seven paintings, all done while she was visiting Redfield.
Justina fully planned to continue painting as the Season went on and would send anything she completed to Mr. Layton.
All her cousins had arrived in town by the end of last week, and she had shared with them that she was now selling her artwork.
They had been very supportive and promised they would mention to their friends and acquaintances that her artwork was now available from Mr. Layton.
Even Aunt Charlotte had visited him and purchased a painting, which thrilled Justina to no end.
But no matter what went on about her, Justina could not shake off the melancholy filling her.
She missed David more now than she did when she had first left Traywick Manor.
Only Verina knew of her feelings for the handsome shopkeeper, for they had spent many hours closeted together, discussing David Rochester.
While Verina said that if Justina truly loved David, she should not let anything stand in their way, Justina knew him to be a proud man.
Too proud to offer for her since he had so little to his name.
And it wasn’t as if she could offer for him.
It simply wasn’t done. No lady ever asked a gentleman for his hand in marriage.
Besides, too much time had passed. For all Justina knew, David might be seeing someone in Kidsgrove, perhaps that nice Miss Peachley.
She had desperately wanted to hear news of David when Tray arrived in town for the Season, but her brother had not once mentioned the shopkeeper.
She certainly was not going to ask Tray about David.
She only hoped that being caught up in the social events of the Season would keep her from being so despondent.
Justina reminded herself that she had her large family surrounding her.
Visiting with different ones of them each day always brought a smile to her face.
She also had her painting, which was always a comfort to her.
Putting David out of her mind was something she strived to do each day.
Perhaps one of these days, she might even manage to do so.
She and Verina left Madame Laurent’s dress shop, just as Ariadne and Rowena were arriving. They stopped and spoke for a few minutes, and Ariadne said they would see one another at tomorrow night’s ball.
The carriage took them back to Verina and Matthew’s townhouse. Lucy and Dru were coming for tea this afternoon, as were Lia and Tia. None of her cousins were bringing any children with them, leaving them home with their nursemaids, governesses, and fathers.
As they gathered in the drawing room, Tia asked Verina, “Where is Matthew?”
“He is at White’s, with whatever cousins and spouses have gathered there this afternoon.
This morning, Matthew took Marcus to Hyde Park to fly a kite.
Julian brought Cade, and Con brought Theo along.
The boys also wound up splashing in the Serpentine.
By the time they arrived home, Marcus was soaked to the skin, and Matthew was not much drier. ”
“Isn’t it nice that our cousins and the husbands in the family get along so well?” said Lia. “The fact that all the husbands spend time with their children is nothing short of a miracle.”
“I am missing Val and Eden this year, though,” Dru said. “I know Eden just gave birth, but she is always so much fun to be around. Val, as well.”
“William will be an ideal big brother,” Lucy said. “At four, he will be protective of his new sister.”
“We will see them next Season,” Justina said. “But as many babes as come in this family, surely someone will be missing, at home, ready to give birth, or just having done so.”
“Why, that might even be you,” Tia declared. “Hugo and I are so happy you have decided to finally make your come-out, Justina. We believe you will be the talk of the ton, but in a good way. Because of your paintings.”
“That is the chief reason I am making my come-out,” she shared. “Mr. Rochester, one of the local shopkeepers in Kidsgrove, told me that if I did so, it would bring attention to my artwork.”
“It is interesting that a shopkeeper had an opinion about your come-out,” Lucy mused.
“Oh, Mr. Rochester is lovely,” Lia told the group. “Such a nice, kind man. He has added a bookshop within his space, and I am there all the time, purchasing books for the children. Besides, he is good friends with the Marquess of Marbury.”
“Yes,” Justina confirmed. “The two went to school together. Marbury is the heir apparent to the Duke of Norville. He is the only duke in our neighborhood and very friendly. Tray and I have had tea several times at Norwood.”
The others continued their conversation, but Justina’s thoughts drifted.
She knew she would be seeing Lord Marbury and His Grace tomorrow night since Lady Elinor would be making her come-out.
She had received a note from Lady Elinor, letting Justina know that they had arrived in town, and she was looking forward to renewing her friendship with the young woman.
She was only sorry that David would not be accompanying the others.
She blinked, listening to the conversation once more, and asked, “Pass me another blueberry scone. They are particularly good today.”
Verina passed one to her, and Justina determined not to do any more woolgathering. Hopefully, being able to dance at the opening ball would put her in a better frame of mind.
*
David stood looking at his image in the mirror. He was freshly-shaved, wearing his new evening clothes. Henry had recommended a tailor to him, and the man was only too happy to create a new wardrobe for the marquess’ good friend and a new earl.
He had buried Claude in the Wypen parish cemetery, where other Rochesters had been laid to rest for decades, including his parents.
After the mourners had left—and there had been very few of them—David had lingered, spending time at his parents’ graves.
He had brought roses from Sheridale’s conservatory and placed them against his mother’s headstone, having a conversation with Maman, telling her all about Justina and how he hoped to win her heart.
He’d had to let go of his shop. Ironically, the buyer was none other than Mr. Shaft.
He admitted to David that he had never gotten along well with his brother, who was cantankerous on his good days and downright awful on the bad ones, of which there seemed to be many.
His brother had died shortly after Mr. Shaft’s arrival.
Since he had no interest in farming, he had returned to Kidsgrove, hoping that because of the bookshop upstairs, David might be willing to hire him on as a clerk.
Instead, David had gifted the establishment to him, including every book inside.