by Heather Boyd
Valentine swallowed. “He will be sorely disappointed.”
He caught Melanie’s hand again. Her skin was ice cold, and after a moment she withdrew from his touch. “As much as I’d like to stay, I should be going before Father remembers I did not follow him. It’s a miracle I’ve had this long to myself. He has been uncomfortably watchful of late.”
“I’m sorry.”
“He is the way he is.” Melanie approached the door and opened it a crack. She turned back suddenly. “But before I go, I should like to say congratulations again. You’ve made a wise decision in marrying Julia. I hope you will both be very happy.”
“Thank you.” He moved to her side and kissed her brow. “No, I told you so’s? I thought you’d ring a peal over my head for taking so long.”
“Not today, and I’m sure my insistence had no impact on your decision. You have ever been a man to make up your own mind, in your own time.” She stepped out into the hall but stopped to curtsy. “Mr. George.”
“Miss Merton.” George bowed formally. “Felicitations for your birthday last month.”
His sister blinked and then she nodded. “Thank you, and the same to you of course.”
Valentine frowned a moment, then he groaned. “Damnation, I forgot you share a birthday. Happy Birthday.”
A fleeting smile crossed her face. “It wasn’t important.”
George gestured to the front door. “Your maid and a footman have arrived to return you to the hotel.”
Valentine raked his hand through his hair as Melanie hurried away and disappeared. After a few minutes of staring, he sighed. “I should have gone with her. Made it up to her somehow.”
George looked at him curiously. “How could you forget that your sister was of age?”
“I don’t know, but I did. Christ, she’ll never forget or forgive me for that.”
“Perhaps your parents spoilt her or something.” George shook his head.
“They likely wouldn’t have done anything to mark the occasion.” Valentine closed the door and sighed. “I should never have sent her back. It’s no wonder she’s having nightmares again.”
When George said nothing to that, he glanced at his friend. George was frowning. “Go ahead. Say what is on your mind. I’m sure you, like everyone else, have enjoyed the peace while she’s been gone.”
“I remember you saying you believed sending her home was the only course of action. We all believed she’d make more trouble for Julia. Discovering that might not have been the case now is disconcerting.”
Valentine glanced sharply at George. “You overheard us?”
“Not intentionally. The maid had come and…” George scratched his head. “I had no idea she wanted you to marry Julia. Everyone expected her to be furious about the match, if one was to be made.”
“With me. She was angry with me about the race and the eventual damage that would fall on Julia. We quarreled quite heatedly over the matter. She insisted I had no choice but to marry the day I sent her away.” Valentine shook his head. “When I refused, she begged me to at least consider it.”
George squinted toward the door. “I thought she disliked Julia.”
“Melanie does disapprove of Julia running about like a boy, and she has remarked endlessly about her habit of climbing through windows. It’s unladylike, but that is as far as her censure goes. It probably sounds a great deal worse from her own lips though.”
George shook his head. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“What have you heard, and from whom?”
George was silent a long moment then nodded. “I’ve been led to believe that Melanie finds the friendship between you and the Radleys an embarrassment.”
“She doesn’t. Has my father suggested that was the case?”
“Actually, no.” George shook his head. “What Melanie said about your cousin Teresa stirring up trouble might be correct, you know. Over the years, most of the criticism about Melanie—and it’s not even so easily termed, now I think about it—has come from your cousin. Melanie says this, Melanie says that. Melanie would not approve, etcetera. She is always quoting her. That is not to say your sister has always acted kindly, but added to the other, it has made her appear a shrew. Perhaps it is your cousin who does not approve of Julia. I shall have to look in to that.”
“Don’t cause trouble for her?”
“For Melanie?” George shrugged. “I don’t think her reputation can suffer any more than it already has. However, if Teresa is misrepresenting your sister’s opinions, I’d have thought you’d like to know for your own peace of mind.”
“I do. I just don’t want to cause another scandal.”
George smiled. “I’ll be discreet, I promise you.”
Nine
Julia waited as Linus locked up the townhouse behind him. “Thank you for coming with me.”
He snorted and fell into step beside her. “As if I could allow my sister to go to the market alone when there is so much at stake. You don’t know how lucky you are.”
She had an inkling of what her marriage meant to him. Now that she’d secured what he termed a proper match, Linus was even more determined that she behave appropriately. The fact that Valentine stole kisses and met with her after dark to talk had escaped his notice entirely. She held in a smile. If not for those stolen moments, she would never have consented to the match, ruined or not.
However, she would not argue with Linus today and held her tongue on the subject of her imminent marriage. If she thought of that coming day for too long, her stomach began to twist into knots. She would be Mrs. Merton soon. She glanced at her list quickly as panic assailed her again. “Mrs. Baker wants a pair of plovers today and whitebait delivered tomorrow.”
“How long before the cut on her leg is healed enough to return to full duties?”
“Her foot,” Julia corrected yet again. “A few more days, just to be safe. The last time she walked as far as the market it began to bleed. I do not like that, so she must rest.”
“Do not speak of the matter to anyone.”
Linus hated that while Mrs. Baker rested, the household errands fell to her to manage. She could have sent the scullery maid Julia had insisted Linus hire as additional help, but Mrs. Baker was so particular about whom she purchased from and the girl always went to the wrong stalls.
“Oh look, I see Miss Long is coming toward us,” Linus said as they neared the first market stall. “And your betrothed is at her side. Hide that list this instant and pretend we are merely passing through.”
“They are out early today,” she murmured as she tucked the scrap of paper inside her glove while keeping an eye on their progress. Miss Long smiled suddenly. She faced Valentine, her face lighting up with joy as she spoke to him. Then she caught his arm and dragged him laughing into a nearby haberdashery shop. The door closed slowly but Valentine never had a chance to see them because his attention was riveted to his cousin.
Julia’s feet turned to lead and she turned away to stare into an apple cart. She ignored the growing ache in her chest as she inspected the apples until her worry abated. The cart’s owner moved closer. “How much for a pair?”
The old woman smiled. “A shilling for you, lovey.”
She paid over the coin gladly and dropped the firm fruit into her basket. “Thank you.”
She found Linus unsmiling, hands on his hips. “I swear they saw us. At least Miss Long recognized me.”
“I’m convinced she did too.” Too certain. When Julia added up the subtle snubs over the past weeks and months, she could not help the inevitable conclusion she came to. Teresa was no longer her friend. She had somehow lost her regard and likely it was because of Valentine.
“We should catch up to them.”
“No,” Julia protested as she retrieved her list. “I have all this to organize before luncheon for Mrs. Baker or she might come looking for me.”
Linus grimaced and then relented. “Very well. But let’s be quick about it.”
“Miss Radley!” Melanie Merton called and Julia spun around, quite unused to the sound of Melanie raising her voice, especially on a public street. The woman rushed over, her maid trailing behind. “I was afraid you would not see me.”
“Good morning.”
They exchanged pleasantries and comments about the weather then Melanie grasped her arm. “I was hoping to call on you today but you were not at home?”
Julia glanced at the arm twined about hers so familiarly and then at her brother. Would her next words spoil this friendly meeting? “I’m running errands for cook.”
“On account of her sore leg.” Melanie winced. “Hmm, Valentine’s housekeeper mentioned there had been an accident in your kitchen. I’m glad to see you’ve managed to make her rest.”
“It has been quite a battle,” Julia informed her.
“I imagine so.” Melanie laughed softly and looked toward the paper. “What does she require this morning?”
Reluctantly Julia unfolded the sheet, aware that Melanie was scrutinizing her cook’s shopping list with a critical eye.
“Do you mind if I join you?” Melanie asked suddenly.
“Yes, of course you may join us,” Linus agreed before Julia could finish gaping like an idiot. What on earth would Melanie want to visit the market for? Shouldn’t she be shopping with Valentine and Teresa Long?
“Thank you, sir.” Melanie spoke to her maid quietly and handed over a coin. The maid smiled warmly and slipped it into her glove then peeked around the stalls nearby to see what she might buy.
“I find myself at a bit of a loose end this morning, so I am very glad you could accommodate my request,” Melanie murmured quietly.
They moved deeper into the crowded marketplace. Heads bobbed deferentially to them, much more than normal, and it seemed to Julia that Melanie must be a well-known face here.
“Where is your father today?”
“He’s gone to visit an old friend in Hove. Do you know the Markhams?”
“No. Not at all.” She stored the name in her memory for future reference. “Are they important people?”
“To my parents, yes.” Melanie examined a loaf of bread, testing the weight with one hand. She paid over coin and the shopkeeper handed her purchase to a small lad of about ten. “Mr. Markham attended school with my father. They meet every time he comes to Brighton.”
“What is he like?”
“He is exactly like my father, unfortunately,” Melanie sighed. “I am glad to have been made to stay behind, I assure you.”
Melanie stopped at several stalls Julia did not normally frequent and as she listened, she heard Melanie mention her brother’s name frequently and his respect for their wares many times. So often that she came to realize Melanie was using her presence for a purpose.
At the end of her errand, Melanie took her arm and sighed. “That was perfect.”
“You were promoting your brother.”
“I must take every opportunity while I have the chance. When my father returns from Hove, I may not have the opportunity again. Knowing him and his whims so well, he could very well uproot us tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t like that.”
“Neither would I,” Linus cut in, breaking his silence. “It has been good to see you again. Julia has missed you.”
Julia tried not to reveal how great a lie that was.
To her surprise, Melanie smiled a little sadly, as if she already knew that wasn’t the case. “I am sorry if my overfamiliarity has made you uncomfortable but it is the fastest way to disprove that I have any reservations about your marriage to my brother. Often it is not what is said but what is done that sticks in the mind.”
“I see.” She swallowed nervously. “Then perhaps you could help me.”
“With what?
“To be more like you.” Julia lowered her voice. “Graceful, calm. You have the respect of everyone you meet, where I do not.”
They were outside Julia’s home when Melanie turned to Linus. “Mr. Radley, might I steal your sister away for an intimate tea at my brother’s home?”
He smiled broadly. “Yes, of course you may. Do please take her with my blessing.”
Startled by his easy acceptance, Julia followed Melanie into her future home. At the door, the butler took their hats and gloves and set them aside. “Is my brother at home, Forbes?”
“No, miss,” he apologized. “I thought he was meeting you.”
“Our paths did not cross, unfortunately. Would you mind serving tea for myself and Miss Radley in the parlor in thirty minutes?”
“I’d be very happy to, miss.” Forbes beamed. “Mrs. Vant and I were just saying that it’s a pleasure to see you back in Brighton but we’d be happier yet to look after you at home.”
“And I’ve missed you both very much.”
Melanie watched the butler go with a smile, then whispered. “The reason I’m so well accepted in town is because I’m not in the habit of revealing my unmentionables to everyone. I hope you are done with that nonsense.”
“Yes, well.” Julia blushed. “That is in the past. I proved my point.”
“But not the whole of what you’d intended.”
Julia nodded numbly, expecting further criticism.
“It is difficult to be accepted by all. I certainly do not claim to be an expert but we can do better.”
Julia turned into the parlor and glanced around. “Even so, the people who matter to Valentine’s career like and accept you. I couldn’t help but notice how you adroitly dropped his name into every conversation today.”
“I make a point of currying their favor for his sake whenever I can. I’ve known of his intentions with regards to his career for a very long time. It wasn’t easy at first but I learned to frequent the craftsmen’s shops, buy their wares, and praise them at dinners. I discuss topics relevant to the running of the household with wives and sprinkle in a recommendation or two.”
Julia nodded. “Teach me how to do that?”
“I don’t think that is something I can accomplish over tea. You have to practice.”
“Then what do you recommend? I’ve unintentionally made things very difficult for your brother and I want to make it up to him.”
Melanie nodded. “Well, my first piece of advice is: walking is not a race.”
“I don’t walk too fast,” Julia protested, hands punching her hips.
“You do.” Melanie gently nudged her hands from their position. “And don’t stand like that either. It is not at all ladylike.”
Julia uncurled her fingers and let her hands drop. “What else?”
“Walking first.” Melanie turned her toward the other end of the hall and nudged her to pace the length. She did but when she turned around, Melanie was shaking her head. “Slower this time.”
“I have long legs,” Julia grumbled, stumbling through the mincing steps Melanie demanded she limit herself to.
“Shorter than mine, and I can manage perfectly well without sprinting everywhere I go.”
She glanced up at Valentine’s sister and although she wished to refute the claim, she had no choice but to agree with her. Melanie was half a head taller than herself and she always appeared so graceful. So perfectly poised. If Melanie could walk this way, so would she. Eventually. “I see your point.”
“I’m not asking you to do what I would not do myself. You don’t have to listen to me at all if you’d rather not.” Melanie worried her lower lip, frowning. “But you did ask for my suggestions and this is where I feel you should begin.”
“No, I will manage.” Julia tried again and managed a fair imitation of Melanie’s stride, enough so the woman actually smiled when she turned around.
“Much better. Sometimes it is preferable to walk at a slower pace. For instance, to make a journey longer for extended conversation; to show yourself off to your advantage; to hold a conversation where you have a chance to bring Valentine’s interests into the discussion.”
She pac
ed up and down the hall again, earning generous smiles from Melanie. And it was easier to walk slowly while speaking. After recent events, Julia had preferred to go unnoticed about Brighton. The number of smirks that had been aimed her way was infuriating and she’d adopted the habit of hurrying from engagement to home without stopping.
When tea was brought into the parlor, she was satisfied with her progress and flopped down on a well-padded chair with a groan.
Melanie raised a brow. “That won’t do. Only ever do that around your closest friends.”
She laughed. “I thought I had.”
Melanie let her remark pass without comment. She sipped her tea and Julia studied her poise. Perhaps she had been a little too casual at times.
“I thought I would only have to please Valentine,” she murmured.
“Who’s to say I am not already pleased?” Valentine cut in. “Hello, you two. What a happy surprise to find you here, and together.”
Julia flushed pink at being caught speaking of her intended and glanced down at her teacup as Valentine kissed his sister’s cheek. “Were we not to meet this morning?”
“You didn’t come,” Melanie said softly.
“You had already gone out,” he countered.
“You were with Teresa in the market,” Julia interrupted. “I saw you with her and I thought she saw me.”
“She never said so.” The siblings exchanged a long glance. “I am sorry to both of you. No snub was intended, I swear.”
Melanie sighed. “Miss Radley and I actually found each other in the market this morning and passed a happy hour visiting stallholders there.”
Valentine beamed. “I trust all went well.”
“Very well. Each and every one we met spoke well of your imminent marriage.”
Valentine eased into the chair beside Julia and caught her fingers. “My secret weapon, my dear sister’s faith in me. I don’t deserve her.”
Melanie stifled a short laugh and then sobered. “Might I venture upstairs?”
“You do not need to ever ask that,” he promised.
Julia frowned as Melanie swept from the room. “She has changed.”
