“You do know that type of behavior you’re showing isn’t very acceptable,” Julie pointed out. “Men don’t like women who are…well, you.”
“What are you talking about?” Beverley demanded, gesturing at herself. “There’s nothing wrong with me.”
“I didn’t say there was,” Julie hastened to add. “It’s just what men prefer.”
Beverley rolled her eyes and paced away.
“I’m not going to be meek and sweet for anyone because that's what they prefer, Julie. What you see is what you get. Nobody’s complained about it before.”
Julie knew from experience that people would have complained but Beverley wouldn’t have taken any notice. She didn’t take criticism very well. In many ways, she was still a child. But she plastered a smile on her face.
“Well, if no one’s complained, then you have nothing to worry about. But you’re a confident person, Beverley. Why don’t you approach the earl?”
“I have, and he shies away. I can’t get near him, so he needs a nudge in my direction.” Beverley pointed at Julie. “Now you have his attention, you can tell him all about me. He’ll see the real me soon enough. You’re a loyal, honest person. Who would disbelieve you?”
Julie bit her tongue. She didn’t want to respond to that. Beverley smoothed her hand over her hair.
“When are you next seeing him?”
“On Monday. He’s going to take me on a carriage ride in Hyde Park.”
“Good. Make sure you make the earl know I am very suitable to be his wife.”
Julie wished she was stronger. Then she would be able to stand up to her friend and tell her it was a waste of time. From what she had already gathered, Reading was not about to accept Beverley beyond an annoyance. She was going to find that out very harshly if she was very unlucky.
“I’ll do my best,” she murmured.
Beverley nodded, giving Julie a smug look that said she knew she was going to get her own way, and swept out of the room without bidding her farewell. Julie had to sit down once the door shut very loudly behind her friend. Beverley could make anyone exhausted just by standing there. She wasn’t the same person Julie had known before her mother took ill. The sudden injection of money into her father’s name and entering Society when she never expected it to happen seemed to have gone to her head. She was different and Julie didn’t like it.
The door opened again. Julie looked up and saw a tall, thin man with receding dark hair enter the room. She jumped to her feet.
“Father. I didn’t realize you were home.”
“I was hiding in my study trying not to do the work that has to be finished by the end of the week.” Paul Watts, Earl of Norwich, approached his daughter and kissed her cheek before hugging her. “Was Beverley here?”
“How did you know?”
“I heard her voice across the house. And I did see a whirlwind leave the house.” Norwich raised his eyebrows. “I wondered what had happened between you two. Have you fallen out?”
“No, but I have a feeling we’re going to soon.”
“What does that mean?”
Julie sighed and moved to sit on the couch.
“Beverley wants me to be a matchmaker.”
Norwich chuckled.
“Oh, dear. Who’s the unlucky man?”
“Father, that’s awful.”
“Well, you’re thinking the same thing. I know you are. Beverley would be a perfect farmer’s wife or a fisherman’s wife but for a nobleman? She’s going to struggle.” Norwich sat opposite his daughter, brushing down his trousers before crossing his legs. “Who’s the man she wants to be matched with?”
“The Earl of Reading.”
Norwich stared. Then he burst out laughing, making Julie jump.
“She wants to marry David Livesay? She should be so lucky. He wouldn’t have her as a wife in a million years.”
At least someone shared Julie’s thoughts. She wished Beverley did.
“You used to know the family when you were younger, didn’t you, Father?”
“I did. The last Earl of Reading and I were good friends, ever since we entered Society. It was only when he married his second wife that we drifted apart. I haven’t spoken to him since we visited them ten years ago.”
“I didn’t realize that woman was his stepmother.” Julie was beginning to remember parts of that visit. “She wasn’t very nice.”
“That was because she wanted her husband all to herself. No one was allowed to share him, not his friends, not even his son.”
Julie hadn’t liked the woman back then. She was liking her even less now.
“Where is she now?”
“She’s living the high life still, but Reading sent her to Cumbria with her children as soon as he was able to. Her eldest son is seven and due the earldom after Reading if he doesn’t provide his own heir.” Norwich made a face. “According to my sources, Reading’s half-brother is a spoiled little brat. Reading doesn’t want to hand anything over to them beyond their allowance, especially not his title.”
“Things are not good between them at all, then.”
“That’s an understatement.” Norwich frowned. “Why is Beverley enlisting your help to get the Earl of Reading to fall at her feet?”
Julie sighed.
“Because you know what she’s like. She always manages to get me to do things for her. And the earl remembers me.” She went red and dropped her eyes to the floor. “He’s asked to see me again.”
Chapter 4
Doing It for Herself
“And you’re not sure if you should.” Norwich sounded understanding. “You feel like you’re betraying your friend.”
“Yes.”
They were close. Norwich knew his daughter very well. Julie didn’t need to speak half the time to know Norwich would understand. Norwich smiled and sat forward.
“Well, it’s your life, Julie. Go and see him again for yourself. Reading’s a good man. You two would balance against each other perfectly.”
“I’m not asking to marry him myself, Father!” Julie squeaked.
Norwich grinned.
“Are you sure about that?”
Julie faltered. Realizing she was going to get herself backed into a corner, she stood and hurried towards the door.
“I think I’m going to get ready for lunch,” she mumbled.
Julie could hear her father laughing as she hurried up the stairs.
***
Reading could feel that he walked with a lighter step as he entered the club. The last two months had been the best he could ever imagine. Since Julie Watts had walked into his life, she had caused Reading to straighten up a little. He found himself enjoying a woman’s company for the first time in his life without having to pretend. Julie was someone he could really relax around. He missed her when she wasn’t there and wished she wouldn’t leave.
Reading had never thought he would be able to fall in love with a woman. But it had happened. Julie was beautiful, kind, intelligent and quick-witted. When she let her guard down, she smiled more and wasn’t afraid to prod Reading with teasing. It was incredibly refreshing. Reading enjoyed it.
He had made up his mind a long time ago about her. Julie Watts was going to become his countess, he just knew it. Reading just needed to pick the right moment. Which wasn’t in secret. Their meetings were kept secret because Julie claimed she wanted their time together to be special. Reading had a feeling there was another reason for it.
He was going to address it soon.
Barking was already at the bar when Reading came in, whistling loudly. He exchanged looks with the barman before raising an eyebrow at his friend.
“You’re in a good mood.”
“I’m in a very good mood.” Reading took his seat as his usual drink was placed in front of him. “I’m going to see Lady Julie Watts later.”
“Lady Julie?” Barking looked startled. “I didn’t realize you were courting her.”
“I am.” Reading had
kept it quiet at Julie’s request but he couldn’t keep it from his friend. “We’re keeping it secret. She says it’s to keep it special between us.”
“Oh? And how long have these assignations been going on for?”
“Don’t make it sound sordid. We always have a chaperone. And it’s been two months now. Since that night we first saw her.” Reading downed his drink and grinned. “She’s going to be my wife, Barking, I know it.”
Barking looked as though he was going to fall off his stool. But he recovered and beamed, clapping his friend on the back.
“Well, well, I never thought I’d hear you say that with such confidence. Congratulations.”
“I need to propose to her first before you congratulate me.”
“And when are you going to do that?”
Reading frowned. Now that was the point he had been struggling with. There never seemed to be a right time. Something always ruined the moment. And it was always the same thing.
“I just need to find the right time and make sure she doesn’t shy away.”
Barking laughed.
“Shy away? Sounds like she’s not very interested at all.”
“Trust me, Barking, she’s interested. I can tell by the way she looks at me.” Reading made a face as he sipped his drink. “But she’s more focused on wanting to talk about her friend Beverley Nye all the time.”
That was a dampener if ever Reading saw one. Beverley Nye was not a topic of conversation he wanted to have, but Julie was very determined. It was getting on his nerves. Hopefully, once he had proposed, there would be no more talk.
Unless Julie turned it down for her friend. That would be a travesty.
“Beverley Nye? The landowner’s daughter?” Barking chuckled. “The girl who’s as common as muck despite her airs and graces. Does Lady Julie really think Miss Nye is better suited for you than she is?”
“Not a chance.” Julie Watts was the woman Reading wanted. “I have a feeling Beverley made Lady Julie try to divert my attention towards Miss Nye. But that’s not going to happen. My mind is made up.”
“I have a feeling a friendship is going to be broken.”
“Since when did you ever care about relationships?”
“Since you decided you wanted to put on the shackles that a married man carries around with him.” Barking smirked. “So, when are you going to tell her?”
“Soon.”
Lady Julie Watts was going to become Countess of Reading by the end of the season. Reading was absolutely sure on that.
***
Julie was happy. And she felt very guilty about it. That wasn’t right at all. She shouldn’t be feeling like this. Her job was to get the earl to realize that the woman for him was Beverley. But all her attempts to make him see that hadn’t worked; Reading was more focused on Julie.
It wasn’t that Julie wasn’t flattered. She was, incredibly so. But it felt like a betrayal. Beverley wanted the earl for herself and Julie had promised, foolishly, to help. Now it wasn’t working. Now she had given her own heart to the earl.
This was going to get very messy soon. Two months had gone by, filled with secret meetings with only Julie’s maid Millie in attendance, and Julie knew it was only a matter of time before Reading proposed. He wouldn’t let it go on this long if he didn’t have that in mind.
That was going to devastate Beverley. Julie knew she needed to turn it down even if it made her heart break at the thought. She couldn’t do that to her friend. She just couldn’t.
“Julie?”
“Hmm?”
Julie started. Reading was sitting beside her with a concerned look on his face. They were sitting on a blanket by the river, Millie sitting a short way off under a tree, reading a book. It was a quiet part of the park and they had visited it several times. No one had ever disturbed them and it was a beautiful place.
Julie was going to miss this place.
“Are you well, Julie?” Reading touched the backs of his fingers to her cheek. “You don’t look warm, but you drifted off while I was speaking to you.”
“Oh.” Julie blushed and looked down at the handkerchief she had been almost picking apart in her lap. “Forgive me, my lord.”
Reading said back with a bemused smile.
“I didn’t realize I was that bad for company.”
“That wasn’t it, I assure you. I’m just…,” Julie sighed. This was not going well at all. “I’m just a little tired. I’ve not slept well lately.”
“You’ve been saying that for the last week.” Reading frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Julie couldn’t really tell him. She tried to be as vague as she could.
“Life. Family. I still miss my mother.”
Reading’s expression softened. His hand covered hers, squeezing her fingers.
“I know. I miss my parents as well.”
“I don’t think I ever asked. What happened to your birth mother?”
Reading sighed and looked across the river, a shadow passing over his face.
“She died of consumption when I was two. Father said she wasn’t the strongest of people so the fact she had got through labor with me was a miracle.” He shrugged. “If I’m honest, I don’t remember her very well at all. I don’t know if that’s a blessing or not.”
“I’d call it a blessing,” Julie murmured.
Reading grunted.
“I would’ve liked her to be around, though. Father told me she was a sweet, kind woman.” He scowled and shook his head. “Not like Rosemary.”
“Is that your stepmother?”
“Yes. She still thinks because she’s the dowager countess now that she’s still entitled to my money. I get letters from her every month blaming me for her life of poverty and begging me to give her money outside of what she calls a measly allowance.”
“And is she living a life of poverty?”
Reading snorted.
“Absolutely not. She’s living better than I am.”
Julie had met people like that before. They thought they were entitled to practically everything. Julie didn’t know whether to roll her eyes or feel guilty for them.
“I’m glad she’s in Cumbria.” Reading stretched his legs out, rolling his shoulders. “She’s loud and garish. Society doesn’t like her. I don’t know how my father found her interesting or even loved her enough to marry her. She’s the complete opposite of my mother.”
Chapter 5
Understanding the Earl
Things were beginning to make sense a little as they fell into place in Julie’s mind.
“Is that why you don’t like loud and garish women?” she asked.
“Because they remind me of my stepmother? Yes.” Reading rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t want someone timid and practically a wallflower. But, then again, I don’t want someone who can be heard right across the room with their normal voice and think they need to speak even when they’re not supposed to. Those people drive me mad.”
Julie grunted. This was not going to go to plan now.
“Beverley Nye is going to be annoyed about that,” she commented.
Reading stared at her and groaned.
“Oh, Julie, Julie. We were having a nice, civil conversation. Why did you have to ruin it by mentioning her?”
“Because she’s still talking about how much she loves you.” Julie cleared her throat. The next bit was painful to talk about. “She’s determined to become the Countess of Reading. And I’m sure your stepmother would approve of her.”
Reading snorted.
“Rosemary will have no say in anything. And I am not marrying Beverley Nye. She can become the Countess of Barking if she so wishes a title.”
Julie couldn’t stop herself from giggling.
“Really? The Countess of Barking? I thought the earl wanted to be a lifelong bachelor.”
“I’ve noticed my friend eyeing her with some interest despite his objections to the contrary.” Reading shook his head. “She’ll be a better s
uited wife for Barking but not for me.”
Why did that make Julie feel better knowing that Beverley wasn’t going to end up being the countess she wanted to be? Chances are, if Barking ever swallowed his pride and followed through, she would be a countess but not for Reading. Julie knew Beverley would never accepted that, despite being much better suited to the boisterous earl.
She sighed.
“I’m afraid it’s going to take more than me telling her that, Reading. I don’t think she would believe me, either.”
“Does she know we’ve been going out together?”
Julie blushed. Going out together.
“No,” she mumbled.
“Ah.”
“What?”
Reading sat back, giving her a knowing look.
“Now I understand. That’s why you wanted our meetings to be kept a secret. So Miss Beverley Nye wouldn’t find out.”
Julie felt like a fool now. She stared at the river before them.
“Beverley and I have been friends for years. She will be furious if she finds out. I enjoy your company and I’ve enjoyed getting reacquainted but…I can’t betray my friend.”
She felt fingers touch her chin and lift her head up. Reading’s blue eyes were warm, affectionate even. He smiled and brushed his thumb across her cheek. Julie felt the heat from his hand catch her breath.
“Who said you were going to betray her?” he asked. “It’s my choice, not hers, who I choose to court. And I chose you.”
Julie swallowed.
“I don’t think I’m worthy of it,” she murmured.
Reading chuckled.
“You’re more than worthy of it, Julie. I know so.”
***
He didn’t kiss her. Julie was a little disappointed about that. It looked like he was about to, but Reading had pulled back. It was as if he sensed she would run if he even tried.
But he had been like that with her ever since their first meeting. Respectful, not pushing his luck with her. And Julie was grateful. She had a feeling if he did kiss her, she would forget her task.
However, getting herself to stay on task was getting harder and harder to do. Julie was finding Reading’s company very enjoyable. She didn’t want it to stop. It pained her that she had to make it a secret, just so Beverley didn’t find out what was going on. Julie didn’t like being sneaky; that wasn’t her at all. But it had been worth it. There had been no one scrutinizing them, and Julie was able to relax and be herself.
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