by Patty Deans
"The earl has sufficient funds to cover the cost."
"But you don't understand. There are other plans," she whispered.
Mr. Jones looked at James and frowned.
Why couldn't Mr. Jones just have sold the books and left James out of this? "Sell them, sir." Julia demanded in an even voice.
James sat back in his chair. "Do you wish Stewart to invest the money for you, Julia?"
"No!"
"He is very good at turning a profit. I have no need of your money," James insisted.
With her hands pressed against the table, uncontrolled anger in her voice, she turned to Mr. Jones. "Why did you tell him about the books and the ram? They were of no concern to him."
"Lady Julia, I'm his solicitor." Concern filled Mr. Jones' voice. "I would never hurt you. This is for the best. Martin told him all the plans you have initiated. The Earl agreed with his bailiff."
Julia studied Mr. Jones. It was evident he understood her feelings from the kindness she saw in his face.
"Sometimes as much as we love our ideas, we cannot change the laws." The solicitor spoke softly. "The earl has the right to know. It is his land, his tenants and he has more than enough money to pay for all the improvements. In fact the tenants are also turning a very hefty profit this year. I believe it has come about from your deeds, Lady Julia. The earl appreciates that, too."
"Please forgive my rudeness, Mr. Jones. I do not relinquish my dreams easily." Her voice trembled; she cleared her throat.
James put his hand over hers. "I've read your book on agriculture. I believe you can share your ideas with me."
Heat moved up her arm from his touch. Surely a dragon would not elicit such a response from her.
After a moment, he interrupted her thoughts, "I, too, have dreams, Julia."
She glanced up into his unreadable expression. Could one of his dreams entail marrying her off to someone else?
CHAPTER 8
Julia rushed down to the yellow parlor at Aunt Shredda's summons to be on time for tea. From the urgency of the missive, Julia tried not to believe a monstrous problem awaited her.
The smile on Aunt Shredda filled her voice as well. She said sweetly, "It will be delightful!"
"What do you mean, Aunt?" Julia swallowed her anxiety the moment the older woman fluttered her handkerchief.
"James has the most marvelous idea. Too bad you were ill last night and missed dinner. He told me what he wanted us to do." Aunt Shredda leaned forward and continued, "It will be like the Christmases when my father was alive and directed the celebration. We will have mistletoe, holly with bright red berries trailing down the stair banister. Caroling. Remember how sad we where last Christmas? I never liked being dressed in black. Especially for the holidays."
Julia cringed with the memory of the loneliness. Poor young Robert was in the dismals. "What are the earl's plans?"
Aunt Shredda smiled. "Music, dancing, a ball which translates into guests. A Christmas house party."
"A house party!" Julia's breath escaped before she could control it. James had done it again! Forcing her to socialize with members of the ton. She had to have faith that James would keep his promise by obtain a special marriage license and marry her during the holidays. With mulish determination she decided she could handle anything James dreamed up; December twenty-fifth wasn't a very long wait.
Aunt Shredda twittered, and talked incessantly of plans for the Christmas house party. She even followed Julia all about the manor to consult about one great idea after another. The Christmas happiness exuded by Aunt Shredda had all the servants whistling carols. Even Robert and Miss Harper were excited and took every Christmas book from the library.
"I've another idea, Julia!" Aunt Shredda shouted.
Julia winced with every new whim.
"My dear friend, Mildred Raynaud married a Frenchman who died young and left her a very wealthy widow. Mildred entertained across the continent. Should I write and ask her to help?"
"Only if you want her company. I thought we had agreed five single men and five single women plus a few chaperons would suffice. I'm not complaining. It is the earl's party after all." Julia shrugged, inwardly hoping to relieve the tension in her neck and shoulders.
"You will enjoy it, my dear. And you are probably right; Mildred would have made a production, and we want a simple pleasant Christmas party." With those words Aunt Shredda waltzed around the room.
Julia couldn't help but chuckle at her aunt's obvious gaiety. "That does sound like an easier task."
Aunt Shredda patted her lips with her lacy handkerchief and plopped on the sofa. "I'll give you the guest list. We can write the invitations and have James send them."
Once seated comfortably at the desk, Julia drew out paper, pen and ink. "Will James be back soon?"
"I expect him any day." Dismissing the earl with a wave of her aged hand, Aunt Shredda moved on to what was at the front of her mind, the house party. "Let me see, there is Winston Trembelle...he will be a duke...tall, dark and handsome as a dream prince. He has two lovely sisters that look alike, Jane and Margaret. They are not out yet. You've seen them at church, not that they attend that often. Winnie spends a lot of time in London and his father doesn't see that his daughters attend church regularly."
Julia inked in their names.
Aunt Shredda flipped her handkerchief as though it were a fan. "There is Glen Sharn, James' best friend. Boney's men got him in the leg."
"Will he need assistance because of his injury?"
"I think he uses a cane."
"Poor man."
"He's not poor...not rich either. Might not suit you but...then of course he is second in line for the Duke of Nareyton. That would change his fortune."
"Much like the French changed his walk. Oh, Aunt Shredda, are we only interested in those who have a chance at being a duke?"
"Of course not, my dear." Aunt Shredda rushed on with no further explanation "Glen is too quiet. Never understood why he holds the respect of the others, but he is always pleasant. Won't help you but will be a congenial guest."
"Who else?"
"Clarice's boy has inherited his title. He's the Earl of Howerd. Marrying him would make you a countess same as marrying James. Gabriel is a patient man. And his sister, Virginia, a beautiful girl...hasn't taken on the marriage mart though."
Julia's eyebrows rose. "I thought all the beauties succeeded."
"You have much to learn, my dear." With a look of shock on her face, Aunt Shredda put her hand to her chest. "Tsk, tsk. Beauty is only part of it. Virginia is well dowered, too. The chit is hard to please."
"It is pleasant to know some women are given a choice. My guardian is all powerful and has decided with his help I will fall in love with anyone he chooses." Resentment filled Julia at the thought of James running her life as she added Howerd to the list.
"He only wants you to fall in love. It seems to me that falling in love with James would be easy. He is handsome, intelligent and ever so sweet."
But there were times he was uncivil to Julia, she thought.
"We must ask Keven, Marquess of Wattor, as well." Aunt Shredda smiled. "Now there is a handsome man, has chestnut hair, maybe not as spectacular as Winnie, but the ladies follow him around. He has a way of making all women feel more beautiful than they are. He would not be easy to trap, though I doubt anyone knows what he is thinking."
"His name is on the list. That gives us four men and three women, Aunt Shredda."
"We will ask the Vicar's daughter. She would have been invited if her brother were alive."
"Becca. That would be nice. I like her, and it would be nice to invite one guest I already know. Besides, Becca will be thrilled to meet London men for she will never have a season. She could come for the outings and need not stay overnight."
"I insist she spend the whole party here. I can quickly order her a ball gown. It will be her Christmas gift. She will look beautiful. We have plenty of bedrooms. Besides she has known
all our guests since she was a child. Not to mention she has done so much for so many, that she deserves a Christmas to remember."
"Becca will be delighted. You're really thoughtful, Aunt Shredda." Julia looked over the list. "If you include James and me that would make ten. Do we need more?"
"Perfect. That gives me room to have Clarice. I might just ask Patrick and Harry Trembelles to the outings. We will check with James if he wants to add another man. Surely he believes his friends will be worthy of you.""
"I promised James that we would not mention my engagement until after the ball."
Aunt Shredda put her hand over her heart. "I thought I might hint. How will you keep the other women from him? He is so eligible and so handsome."
"I have a secret weapon...he promised to marry me Christmas week if I haven't fallen in love with someone by then. I promise you I will marry James!"
Aunt Shredda chuckled. "My lips are sealed."
"Don't let me down, Aunt Shredda."
While waving her handkerchief in the air, the old lady raised an eyebrow. "Never. Let's get the invitations written. I'll discourage James from adding others."
"I'll not hear of any such idea. James is the earl. He can invite whomever he wishes. I can handle it. I've heard there is safety in numbers."
"That has to do with mathematics and the larger the number of pounds." Aunt Shredda threw up her hands. "All I want is your happiness. James will he happy when you marry him."
Not James, Julia thought. Robert will be happy.
***
Stewart had made James a rich man. The money from his mother's father, set aside for himself and his brother had grown. Money meant to be shared equally when either grandson married or became Earl. In case one deceased the other received all monies. With a thirty thousand pound a year income James had no worries.
An account was set up for Julia per his orders. The earl insisted her books were not to be sold even though Stewart would agree only if he could tell her. It was decided that Stewart would wait until after Christmas. By then Julia would have chosen someone to marry without knowledge of her own worth. The notion of being independent might vanish from her mind. Or so, he hoped.
The shops in London afforded a plethora of ideas for gift giving. It was so good to be home from Spain. Every toy soldier he could find he bought, and he commissioned an artist to create the ones he could not find. There were ivory handled fans, parasols and bonnets for Julia and Aunt Shredda. Books by the dozen for Robert.
A strand of pearls caught James' eye. Every young girl needed pearls. While in the jewelry shop he noticed the sapphires. Blue as Julia's eyes. He couldn't resist the necklace and earrings. Julia was more beautiful than any female he had ever met, and he wanted her to have jewelry. He regretted she tended to be a headstrong bluestocking. She needed a man that could handle her. An older man preferably someone about his age, but the man must love her. Just thinking of the chit made his heart beat faster.
He visited White's club and Gentleman Jackson's boxing saloon. While James sparred with a fellow pugilist, two of his friends wandered in.
"Winnie! Gabby!" Two friends he felt worthy of Julia. Winston, or Winnie, as he was known, was the taller of the two, and a very proper gentleman. On the other hand, Gabriel, or Gabby, was dependable and had an easy manner about him. Julia would like him all right.
The men hurried over and James stepped out of the ring. Winnie smiled and reached for James' hand. "We heard you were back and titled. I forgot, sorry to hear about your father. He was a good man." On a lighter note, he said, "Who are you ordering around now that you can't push the army about?"
At one time he may have been offended by his friend's keen observation of his character. But the war had taught him differently. James laughed and changed the subject. "Going to have a Christmas ball just like my grandfather was used to. Your family will receive an invitation for the house party."
Winnie grinned. "Superb. It has been a long time since we have been together for Christmas."
"Robert and Julia, my wards, need a real Christmas. Robert is six and Julia is seventeen. The girl turned out more beautiful than I remembered. Last Christmas had to be unpleasant with Papa dead and only Aunt Shredda to make merry."
"Need to give the chit practice so you can introduce her to the ton?" Gabby grimaced.
"The chit's still feisty. I doubt the patroness's of Almacks would give her the nod of approval for her to waltz any time soon." He did not encourage his two friends to dangle after Julia. Better they meet her without marriage on their mind. The little minx may not charm them if they are inclined to keep away from her.
Finally James left his friends to finish his business in London. Late the next morning he rushed back to Hawkthorn. He arrived home after dark, but Ellis had the cook arrange a dinner to be served in the little dining room.
When he sat down to eat, Julia and Aunt Shredda sauntered into the small room. Ellis must have alerted them of his return.
Aunt Shredda chose the chair across from him and said, "I hope you don't mind our company. Julia and I have worked hard on your Christmas party and need to consult you on a few items."
Julia's fetching Lilac dress of gingham caught his attention as she hesitantly sat next to Aunt Shredda. He pulled his gaze away to study his travel worn breeches and laughed.
"I'm still in my riding clothes, but I'll listen to you. You both look well." Once more James peered across at Julia. "Has Martin moved into the larger cottage, Julia?"
"I think he plans to paint it first, but he wants to talk to you about two of the tenants' children getting married and needing a place."
James smiled. "Ah, Martin is already seeing to a new tenant, very good. I'll talk to him in the morning. What is it you wish to speak to me about, Aunt Shredda?"
"Read my list." She shoved the paper into his hand.
"The vicar's daughter?" he remembered her in much the same image as Julia, as a young child.
"Of course, the vicar's daughter. She is a pretty girl with an appealing turned-up nose. I'll see that she is dressed properly. It would be good for Rebecca. Besides we must have an equal number of young ladies to balance the number of gentlemen, which is five. Does this number meet with your approval?" One firmly arched eyebrow was enough to inform him that Aunt Shredda's mind was already made up.
James nodded thoughtfully. "Umm. Becca is fine."
"She knows everyone." Aunt Shredda smiled. "It would be nice if she found a husband. The poor dear will never have a season."
James returned to perusing the list. Need he warn Aunt Shredda again that the party is to find a husband for Julia? "Winnie and Gabby have accepted the invitation. They were glad to be asked. You do remember them?"
"Of course, James! They were the cream of the crop. Of the six mischievous Eton boys, there are only five now with Becca's brother snuffed out by the French." Without showing a twinge of emotion Aunt Shredda turned to Julia. "My dear, you will love the boys. My friend Clarice will be delighted with you too. She's coming with her son. Perhaps -- "
"How about gentlemen for you and Clarice?" interrupted James.
"No need. I will ask Duke of Trembelle and his brother."
"Winnie's father and uncle?" He shrugged. "Don't spare the expense on the ball, Aunt Shredda, I've plenty of the ready. Grandfather left me well-off."
"The Old Earl?" Julia blurted turning beet red as James regarded her closely. His father wasn't that old.
"My mother's father." He clarified. "A cousin inherited the title but my grandfather's other holdings were invested for my brother and myself."
"The dear man loved your father," Aunt Shredda added, "but felt, rightfully so, that his brilliance did not make him astute with his money. Your mother refused money from her father and managed well enough."
"I wished I'd known my grandfather better," James said.
"Your mother's family died young." Aunt Shredda sipped her tea.
James looked at Julia. "I can a
fford a season for you, Julia. You can be dressed in the finest gowns."
"I have all the dresses I need, thank you."
Aunt Shredda chimed in changing the subject. "The house party plans, my dears. We are going to have a fabulous Christmas ball, like father used to have. Holidays are, after all, for families, and the ball is scheduled for the twenty-third, a nice time to announce an engagement."
James laughed. "Aunt Shredda, you've been a widow too long. Have you forgotten how to catch a man? A woman must be cautious. A man does not want to know he is being chased. He can then elude capture." He winked at his aunt. "We've invited the best and they do not realize our plans. Don't even hint about our scheme. Let the men think it's their own idea."
"Knowing or not knowing doesn't matter." Aunt Shredda grinned. "If the lure is beautiful, what fish can reject the bait?"
"Who taught you to fish, Aunt Shredda?" James didn't fail to catch his aunt's hidden meaning. In no manner would he allow her to pull him into her scheme for marrying him to Julia, for he could see that was what she was trying to do.
"My father, your grandfather, the man who is referred to as the Old Earl." She had the audacity to giggle.
Julia laughed, joining the conversation. "I heard the Old Earl boasted about being the best fisherman. Even the stable boys know about lures from him. James, you should have learned to fish from them. They know exactly where fish bite, and just what lure attracts them."
On this note, James heaved his weary body from the chair and started for the door. Over his shoulder he laughed. "Aunt Shredda, make sure your protégé learns how to be a lure. Such frankness would not attract the loneliest or homeliest fish of the human variety. Incidentally, I learned that from the Old Earl, too. In spring I'll take both of you on and catch more fish than the two of you."
***
Julia watched James stride out of the room.
The minute the door closed, Aunt Shredda shook her head. "James is being pompous. I'm far better at catching fish than he is."
"I believe you," Julia stood with her aunt and strolled with her out of the dinning room.
