Chapter 7
Seven
Julian glided Lady Abigail Spencer through a waltz. It was the last night of the house party, and the final event was this ball. He’d done his best to engage with all the ladies over the last few days. Not a single one had caught his interest.
Still, he understood Sophia’s logic. They’d been apart for many years, and he didn’t want her to worry that he might have regrets.
“Have you enjoyed your party, my lord?” Lady Abigail murmured.
He glanced down. She was a lovely young woman with black hair and vivid blue eyes. Her eyes danced with amusement.
“I’ve been distracted,” he acknowledged.
She giggled. “Yes, all the ladies have been talking about it. We expected you to choose a bride, but it seems none of us suit.”
“My emotions, I’ve recently discovered, are otherwise engaged.”
Lady Abigail sighed. “You’ve found a love match. How lovely. I hope to find one as well. Though, don’t tell my parents. They would say I’m being irrational.”
The song ended, and he escorted her from the floor. “I won’t say a word, and I think you are very wise not to settle.”
They reached the lady’s mother, and Abigail curtsied. “Thank you, Lord Weston.”
The lady’s mother looked at them proudly, but Julian didn’t stay long. Instead, he headed to where his sister stood by a tall table. For once, she wasn’t reading a book but watching all the festivities.
He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a server and handed one to Diana. “I’m surprised you aren’t reading one of your stories.”
“Mother told me if she caught me with a book that she would throw them all in the drawing room fireplace.”
Julian snorted. “She’d be burning books for days.”
“Plus, I’m enjoying watching the guests. I’m not sure if it is because people are leaving tomorrow, but everyone seems more festive and happy.”
He glanced around and realized she was right. For most of the week, he’d felt as if every time he approached anyone, it was as if he was walking into an interview, but now their visitors appeared much more relaxed. “I hope they enjoyed themselves.”
“I think they are tonight. Now that they know you aren’t choosing any of them. They will all go back to London and gossip about how they almost caught the Marquess of Weston’s interest. Little do they know, it was never available.”
He had almost married one of these ladies. Julian wondered what would have happened had he never gone to the tavern with Diana that first day. “I’m glad we ran into Sophia.”
“So, she will be your marchioness?”
“Yes,” he said, feeling no hesitation whatsoever. Julian loved her and was glad they would spend the rest of their lives together.
“I suppose I will have to spend more time at Pax Hall.”
He planned to reside primarily at the family estate. It had always been what he wanted. “It’s been nice being here, hasn’t it?”
His sister nodded. “Yes, I agree. It has been a bit of a reprieve, but the city still has my heart. Mother said she would spend more time there with me.”
“Do what makes you happy, sister. That is all I ask.”
Diana giggled. “You are becoming soft now that you’ve found your love.”
He shrugged, not caring. “Come dance with your brother.”
“Fine, but if I step on your feet, it is your fault.”
Sophia sighed as she followed Jeremiah and Lily into their bedchamber. It had been a busy day helping all their guests prep for their departure tomorrow. The Weston estate party was coming to an end. Nerves fizzled in her belly because she would see Julian again. Well, if he didn’t find anyone.
She wouldn’t think like that. It was Sophia’s idea for him to give the ladies at his party a chance.
She didn’t want him to ever regret their time.
Honestly, she supposed she needed to evaluate if becoming his wife was something she wanted.
Her and the children’s life would drastically change, and that thought did make her nervous.
For most, it might seem rather romantic for an inn owner to marry a marquess, but there would be balls, teas, Seasons, and much more that she would now have to participate in.
Still, over the last few days, when she thought about her life void of Julian, it unsettled her.
Change wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, and she was ready to start anew with him.
As long as Jeremiah and Lily were in agreement.
The children slid into their bed. At four and seven, they still shared one. She sat on the edge and brushed the hair from Jeremiah’s face. He looked so much like his father. Sophia was grateful that she had a little mini version of her husband.
Jeremiah sleepily asked, “Will we see Julian again? I want to go for a ride in his open-carriage.”
She smiled. “Do you like him?”
Lily snuggled into her pillow. “I do. He is fun and makes you smile.”
Sophia was reminded of how perceptive her children were. “He does.”
Jeremiah asked, “Do you think Father would like him?”
Her son had some memories of Thomas, but unfortunately Lily only had the ones she shared. The question made her heart ache, but she reassured him, “I think he would.”
Jeremiah nodded, happy with her response. She kissed him on the cheek and then Lily. “You two go to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day, and we will see what it brings.”
She rose, and they were both half asleep before she reached their bedchamber door. She hoped tomorrow would bring Julian back to her. Glancing around, she pondered what she would do with the inn.
Sophia decided they would keep it. It was the last part of Thomas she and the children had.
Julian would be understanding of that. The nerves in her stomach started to settle.
She was becoming more certain about her future with Julian.
Her eyes watered slightly because how lucky was she to have two great loves in one lifetime.