by Abby Ayles
Christopher turned, to see the man standing just a short distance away, eyeing him coolly.
“Your Grace,” he began and saw no use in prevaricating. “I do.”
The Duke harrumphed again, as seemed to be his usual habit.
“How is it that you are made Captain?” he asked. “Paid your way to it, I suppose? Outbid some other fellow?”
“I earned it,” Christopher said, with steely-eyed pride. He drew himself up consciously.
“Major Brazen recommended me personally to take the position. I had also the support of my former Major, who is now gone on higher still. The men under my command also, I believe, had put in some good word on my behalf.”
The Duke’s mouth popped open a little, as though he could not believe what he was hearing. “Promoted on merit?” he said.
“Indeed,” Christopher replied smartly.
“In a time of peace – it is no easy thing to do,” the Duke said.
“And yet I have done it,” Christopher replied. “Not to mention the hours I have spent with the community, and with those I may have wronged before; the penance I have paid for the mischief of my youth.”
The Duke had nothing to say now, and that much was abundantly clear. He seemed to shrink on the spot, his posture stooping, his face more uncertain.
“Well,” he said at length. “Congratulations.”
He walked away to some private retreat, and Christopher smiled at his back. Yes, he was ready; more ready now than he had ever been to make a man of himself, and an honest woman of Juliana.
The moment he looked up from the hall to see Juliana stepping down the stairs, however, he found he may not have been ready after all. The vision of her took his breath away, and the enormity of his intentions almost stole his courage.
But Juliana smiled at him and giggled a little at the awe on his face, and that relaxed him enough that he was able to offer her his arm, under her mother’s watchful supervision.
They stepped outside and admired the grounds, walking a slow path which led straight down towards the lake where trees sheltered one side of the water.
He remembered last summer, playing here with the children, Jasper in tow. Back then things had been rather different – Edmund unmarried, Joanna a governess only, and his hopes for Juliana apparently dashed.
If he had been told then that he would walk, a year later, with Juliana on his arm at the same spot, he might have laughed.
“It is a more pleasant part of the country than I had thought it,” the Duchess conceded.
“Thank you, my lady,” Christopher said, with a smile. “We do favor it. It has long been a favorite spot for my family, to picnic by the lake.”
“I do not eat outdoors,” the Duchess told him stiffly, before softening. “But I do see it.”
“Is there boating on the lake?” Juliana asked eagerly.
“There is,” Christopher told her, with a light laugh. “Edmund and I have both fallen in, more than once, as boys. We have a couple of small row boats for the purpose. I do not recommend it for you ladies, however, given the heavy weight of your skirts.”
“Pish,” Juliana said dismissively. “We wouldn’t fall in. I’ve been boating up near Windemere, two summers ago. That was a lark, was it not, Mama?”
“It was,” the Duchess said. “The Duke enjoyed it thoroughly. He was Captain for a day or so.”
“You did not enjoy it as much, my lady?” Christopher asked.
“The water was very deep,” the Duchess said. “I had constantly to grasp onto the sides for fear of overturning, and I was tugging Juliana back down into her seat all the while.”
Juliana giggled. “I did forget we were in a boat from time to time,” she admitted.
“I wanted to see better, for the Duke kept pointing out interesting things nearby or in the distance. And other boats passed, whose occupants would wave at us.”
Christopher had led them to the lakeside, and now they paused, looking into the water.
“Juliana,” he said, after a moment. “There was a question that I wanted to ask you, with your mother present, this morning on our walk.”
Juliana turned to face him, her eyes sparkling. She was ready, he could see.
Christopher grasped her gloved hands in his, holding them up between their chests.
“Juliana, I have loved you,” he began. “And I have loved you long, from afar and from close. I have loved you to distraction and beyond, and back again.”
Juliana made a small sigh of contentment, and Christopher risked a glance at the Duchess, whose face was unreadable. He knew he had to ensure this match; his very being depended upon it.
And so he continued, not for Juliana’s benefit but for that of the Duchess.
“I have mended my reputation piece by piece, act by act. I have progressed my commission to Captain, for a better standing and a better income.
“I hope to see Major, and would aim even higher, based upon the praise of my superiors. My family I am proud to say is a good one, and my name a strong, even if we have connections to Earldom merely.
“In short, in every way possible to me, I have attempted most arduously to improve my person and standing in such a way to be one who could stand by your side.
“Lady Juliana, your hand has been the singular goal of my heart, soul, and mind these past two years. I have set aside the trappings of my youth and stand before you a changed man.
“Now there is but one thing to make my transformation complete.”
“And what is that?” Juliana asked sweetly, giving him a cue though she must have known what he meant.
“I would ask your hand, Lady Juliana,” Christopher said warmly, clutching more firmly as he said it. “I would have you joined by my side, as my wife, for as long as we both shall live.”
Juliana paused only a moment, looking over to her mother.
The Duchess did not look disapproving as Christopher had feared, and even seemed to have softened as she listened to his words.
At last, she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, and Juliana turned back, free to make her own decision.
Chapter 39
Juliana had never heard anything more romantic in her life entire. She wanted to throw her hands around Christopher’s neck and weep with joy, and kiss him deeply, and know the feel of his arms around her body.
But there was one person yet who could ruin it all, and with reluctance, Juliana looked over her shoulder to her mother.
The Duchess did not smile, but she did not frown either; did not say yes, but neither shook her head.
Juliana was in an agony of torment, watching her, waiting to hear what her future would be.
She knew that Christopher was it, but whether they would marry happily and in comfort or cut off from her family was a question that had to be answered.
And when the Duchess nodded, Juliana’s heart swelled with a happiness the likes of which she had never known before.
“You have it,” she said, with as much warmth as she could muster.
There were tears hanging in her eyes, and Christopher seemed to blur, the light shining from his gold buttons and glancing off his handsome face.
“You have my hand, for the rest of our lives.”
And then happy tears did run down her face, and Christopher embraced her – even ignoring the presence of her chaperone – and they both were connected by a thread of joy that linked their two hearts forever.
And when they finally parted, Juliana turned to embrace her mother, as a reward for giving her the thing she longed for most at last.
This was a long moment, and a bittersweet one.
Sweet because of the joy she now felt, and the knowledge that she had been raised with love, by a mother who truly wished the best for her.
Bitter because marrying Christopher, though it would make her the happiest she had ever been, would necessarily mean a parting from her family and the way of life she had experienced until that point.
It
was a farewell, as much as it was the opening of a new chapter.
But that new chapter excited her tremendously, and Juliana could not help her mind from spinning instantly into what kind of things they might need to arrange as soon as they were wed.
“We shall have to rent a home close to where you are stationed,” Juliana said. “Do you think you will remain where you are now? Or is there a chance that you may be moved elsewhere to take your Captaincy?”
“I believe I will stay,” Christopher said, with amusement.
There was color in his cheeks and his eyes were bright, still giddy as she was with the joy of the accepted proposal.
“Major Brazen has given me no indication otherwise. Though I can certainly make inquiries to be sure of it.”
“And what kind of country is it, around there?” Juliana asked. “I do hope there will be a house fitting for us. I should like to be within ample distance that you may visit easily when you are given leave, though a good home is important as well.”
“If there is none, perhaps we shall build it,” Christopher laughed. “Though I believe there is fitting accommodation around those parts.
“The other officers have wives living in various states, depending on their circumstance; I believe there are some larger residences, as well as everything in-between.”
“We shall have to source a full set of new linens,” Juliana mused. “Not to mention furnishings for the sitting room, dining room – the bedroom; we shall need a bed, of course.
“I wonder if we shall find a charming little cottage to rent, with a garden that could grow us our dinner?”
“Maybe so,” Christopher chuckled, patting her hand. “Though you shall have to employ someone who knows how to grow and harvest it for you.”
Juliana knew that he was only humoring her, but she was enjoying herself all the same, and running the household would fall to her now, so it was a very real duty she discussed.
“Yes, and that is not all,” she said. “We shall need a butler and a housekeeper, at the very minimum. A cook, too. I should like it if we can get a lady’s maid also, but we shall see how far your wages go.”
“If they are not enough, I shall speed towards my raise to Major,” Christopher said.
“Can you really do it?” Juliana asked.
“I promised you I would be a Captain, didn’t I?” Christopher asked, tapping his epaulette and the insignia there with his free hand.
“Look how I kept that pledge. I can do it, for you, my dear.”
The Duchess trailed behind them and said nothing, for once leaving them to their conversation. Juliana wondered if she was truly happy for her daughter, or rather miserable to know that she would end up marrying the man they had advised against.
It did not matter over much; the result was the same. Still, Juliana felt herself becoming afraid to turn and look at her mother, just in case she did not like what she saw on her face.
“Major would be a fine title,” she said instead, as they slowly strolled their way back to the house.
“Then I shall have it,” Christopher declared. “Major Brazen has already challenged me to raise my rank, as he believes it would be possible. I must simply apply myself. And we must hope for a war.”
“Hope for a war?” Juliana repeated, confused. “Why should we hope for something like that?”
“For two reasons, my love,” Christopher said grandly. “First, so that our sovereign nation may extend her empire, and so that our King may rule over more subjects yet.
“And second, because war is a time for a man to excel and distinguish himself. It is a time for acts of bravery and skillful strategy, and when a man has proven himself as a leader, a new commission may follow shortly.”
“I think I would worry myself silly thinking of you getting injured,” Juliana said, not wanting to even entertain the possibility of something worse.
“You need not worry for me,” Christopher said, beaming with the courage of youth, that shines strong and defies death even when the reality of it is all around.
“I shall have someone special to come home to, and so I will always return home, at all costs.”
As they came nearer the house, the Duchess drew level with them and waited for Christopher to go on ahead.
Seeming to sense an atmosphere in the air, he relinquished Juliana’s arm, much to her disappointment.
“I will go ahead and open the doors for you,” he said, walking swiftly away.
“Juliana,” the Duchess said, in a low voice that was meant for just the two of them. “You must prepare yourself.”
“I have been prepared for some time, Mama,” Juliana said, watching Christopher’s retreating back with a fond gaze.
“I think you have not,” the Duchess replied. “There are practicalities to consider. You will be alone for most of the year; a military man is seldom home until he retires. And if he should go off to war, you will fear that he may not come home at all.”
“I know those risks,” Juliana assured her. “I will take them. I would rather have him for one year only than never. I would rather see myself a widow than a spinster.”
The Duchess inclined her head slightly. “There is more grace in it,” she allowed. “But more sadness also. I do not dissuade you, daughter. The deed is done. My intent is only to brace you for what is to come.”
“I understand,” Juliana nodded, feeling that that was enough.
They stepped in through the open door held by Christopher, and were soon in the sitting room; where, to great calls of delight from Edmund and Joanna, and shrill squeals from Amy, the news was shared.
Laughing, Christopher accepted embraces from his brother and sister-in-law, and then a tearful Amy who required reassurance he would still visit from time to time.
“In fact, little one,” he said, brushing her hair back and smiling at Juliana. “You may visit us when we are settled in our new home – and when there are cousins for you to play with, all the more.”
“You are settled on this?” the Duke asked, thoughtfully, his gaze passing between both Juliana and her mother.
“It seems to be so,” the Duchess said, though there was a timidity in her tone. She did not wish to challenge her husband’s authority, after all, though he had not really been consulted.
The Duke’s mouth was a hard line; there was an awful moment when it seemed that he might raise a new objection after all, and the whole thing might be called off.
But it passed, and he bowed his head.
“I am happy for your happiness, Juliana,” he said. “You may not think it, but it pleases me to see you smile.”
“Thank you, Father,” Juliana said, doing him the honor of that title.
“We have not seen eye to eye on this,” he said; perhaps an understatement.
“But you must know that I had only your happiness and future in my mind. It is down to me to see that you are well cared and catered for in your life, and I had to be sure that you had chosen aright.”
“And do you now feel that I have?” Juliana asked.
“I do. And I give you my permission; not only this, but my blessing alongside it.”
Juliana brushed a tear from her eye, finding herself quite overcome with emotion at his admission; and she found that she did not hate him, not even a little bit, for the way he had objected for so long.
“Thank you,” she said. “And for whatever has passed between us this long time, I forgive you.”
There were tears in the Duke’s eyes then, too; so much so that he turned and looked out of the window and pretended to have seen a fox out there, that he would not have to show his face for some minutes.
There was much laughter and toasting, even though it was only the morning still; and as Juliana stood by her betrothed’s side, she knew the right choice had been made.
Chapter 40
Jasper gave up on trying to fix his boot, and flung the offending object across the other end of the stable.
“Blas
t it,” he muttered, getting up to retrieve it. He knew full well that he needed it, and could not replace it. That would require coin, of which he had almost none remaining.
“Are you sure you got enough money to pay me?” the stable boy asked dubiously, looking askance at the boot and the flapping tongue of the broken sole.
“I will have it, if you do your part,” Jasper said. “You know what you must do. If you fail, you’ll not be paid, and rightly so. If you succeed, there will be coin enough to pay you and get me a hundred pairs of new boots.”
