by Patty Deans
Ginny stood aside. Julia hurried to her and a footman helped them into the second carriage. After last evening, Ginny did not speak, and Julia let the silence hang between them until they were on the road. Julia whispered, "I've a strategy, Ginny."
With an apprehensive frown on her features, she turned to face Julia, "For what?"
"For you to capture Winnie."
"You practically held him captive all evening. I have never seen him attentive to a female before. I believe he is much taken with you."
"He simply promised to flirt outrageously with me to keep James off his stride. James wants to persuade one of the gentlemen to marry me."
Ginny eyed her skeptically. "Doesn't he want you to fall in love?"
"James is certain I will fall head over teakettle for all of his buddies. He is more interested that one of them fall for me," Julia confessed.
"Oh."
"It just so happens, that the men I have chosen so far have been smitten with others. They are not interested in me other than as a friend. That is why I am able to solicit their assistance."
"You don't say? Then that explains why Glen is now paired with Becca. She is nearly on his level in chess, too. Now you think you can make Winnie fall in love with me?"
Julia smiled with confidence. "Absolutely."
"How are..." Ginny hesitated, then continued in barely a whisper, "...are you going to do this?"
"You will help me. First, Winnie is already in love with you. Second, he can't bear any man paying attention to you, and third, he hates London and fears you love it."
Ginny's eyes widened, and she gasped. "Am I to tell Winnie I love the country?"
"Not until the right moment!"
"What do you intend to do?" Ginny seemed frightened.
"An accident."
Ginny looked horrified. "I don't want Winnie hurt."
"It is you who will look hurt."
Nibbling at her lip, Ginny confessed, "I'm not good at play acting."
"It will be easy. When Winnie rescues you, let the tears fall, and limp. Tell him your ankle is sprained. He will want to take care of it immediately but you must tear up, and tell him that you would just as soon it kept you limping. Then you can tell him you dislike London and all the balls, you prefer to stay in the country."
"That is true." Ginny smiled. "I would not be telling a lie."
Julia raised her eyebrows. "The truth is easier to tell. Winnie will ask why you haven't accepted any marriage proposals."
She bit her lip. "I cannot admit I only love him."
"Then tell him no one wants you: you who likes life in the country. It is a shame you can't tell him you're waiting for him to ask you."
"Oh, I can't do that." Ginny sat back thoughtfully. "Now where is it that I am to fall?"
"I will show you." All Julia's doubts fell away, her confidence flew to the heavens on the wings of a blue bird. Ginny must be persuaded to reveal her love for Winnie.
Julia peeked out of the carriage, and spotted the ruins. "We are nearly there Ginny. This is the place where we make your dreams come true."
Watching Ginny wring her hands, Julia knew she hadn't changed. Ginny would remain standoffish, and fearful.
"I hope you're right, Julia, I've never been so daring before. I pray your idea will work. I will try hard to do all you think I should."
The riders arrived first, and tied their mounts to the hitching posts that had been constructed for the Old Earl's guests.
The carriages arrived. The stable boys held the horses. The footmen helped Julia and Ginny from their carriage. James leaped down from his carriage, assisted Margaret and Jane as they stepped from the carriage, then began to carry out the traditions the Old Earl had adhered to for his Christmas house parties.
Julia couldn't help but notice that James smiled and joked with the two women who tapped him with fans. A twinge bit at her heart, but she frowned and ignored the pain. She planned to marry him. If only he would fall in love with her.
Once the group assembled, James, being a jolly host, had talked in detail to Margaret and Jane about the stunts he and his friends did in their youth, mostly in the ruins. The two women began to tease the others about the incidents.
"I can't believe Winnie would ever throw a bucket of water on anyone," Jane said.
"You're right," Winnie laughed.
"I saw him." Gabby chimed in with enthusiasm.
"I was nearly drowned," Glen admitted.
"James made him do it." Keven laughed. "I saw them."
Keven and Gabby tried to top the stories.
"Becca followed James and me one time, and got caught trying to squeeze between two rocks." Declared Glen.
"Let these tales be a warning. Especially to you, Jane," Winnie tilted his head her way.
James laughed. "Winnie, Jane's too old to listen to you. Come on, who is going to lead?"
Keven and Gabby started down the steep path. Some parts had washed away and stone steps appeared haphazardly along the trail. Once in a while a wall still stood, but James warned of the danger of leaning over the wall or against it trying to look out the ancient narrow windows. He pointed out the crumbling rock below where walls had fallen.
Becca and Glen who had been to the place many times seemed to take another pathway toward the interior of the old ruins. James joined Margaret and Jane with Winnie following.
Winnie showed no interest in the ruins or his sisters. He ambled along, every step showing evidence of a martyred guest. Ginny and Julia brought up the rear.
Soon Keven and Gabby were nowhere to be seen. James apparently took Margaret and Jane to view some unusual sight. At last only Winnie meandered along on the well- trodden path. And Ginny, lacking vigor or determination, unenthusiastically followed.
Julia looked around; now she had to take a chance. Her nerves quavered and she remembered promising James she would not trip Ginny. But how else could she get the couple together?
A raspy voice whispered in her ear, "Quickly, Julia, pass Ginny. Around a bend you will find a tree limb to place in her path. Hurry now."
Julia closed her eyes for a moment in silent prayer then walked briskly around the next bend while Ginny was looking across the valley. Sure enough, there was a limb. Julia hastily moved it across the path then retreated behind two boulders.
The Old Earl whispered, "Good girl."
Julia watched in silence as Ginny meandered up the path. A squirrel in a tree caught her attention and she stumbled over the limb. Ginny fell unceremoniously to the ground and moaned.
Julia winced. Had Ginny fallen harder than expected?
Gritting her teeth, she remained hidden and hoped Winnie would happen upon Ginny soon. Doubts began to gnaw on Julia at her decision to listen to a ghost or someone whispering in her ear.
No one would suspect Julia if she weren't around. Yet a frantic feeling of leaving someone in agony came over her. Should she go tend to Ginny? She stood very still against the boulder and peered around the side.
Ginny, laying on the ground moaned louder. Finally Winnie came around the bend. With a look of anguish, he whispered, "Ginny."
Genuine tears streamed down her face, Ginny gasped, "Help me."
Winnie ran to her. "I'm here, Ginny. Now lie still while I see if you have broken a bone."
As methodical as a surgeon, Winnie carefully felt around the bones before he lifted Ginny to her feet, then helped her to a large flat rock. Julia could not imagine that all that touching was necessary, but Ginny never complained.
Winnie pushed Ginny's hair back off her forehead. "I don't think you broke your ankle, but I think you have sprained it. You will not be dancing at the Christmas Ball."
Ginny sobbed. "The Christmas Ball in the country. It is the first ball I have wanted to go to in years. I hate London. Winnie, don't let Gabby make me go back there, please."
Ginny's words put a grin on Julia's face. Fancy that! She could not have written a better line.
Winnie
hugged Ginny close and replied, "No one is going to make you go anywhere, Ginny. Now tell me if this hurts?"
"A little," Ginny whispered.
"We need to get you back to the carriages where you can be more comfortable."
"I don't think I can walk."
Julia swallowed hard at Ginny's words.
Winnie gently lifted Ginny, holding her close to his chest, and asked, "Is it just your ankle?"
"I don't know. I just hurt."
"Maybe I should -- "
"Don't leave me, Winnie, don't leave me."
He hugged her to him. "I would never want to leave you, Ginny."
Julia sighed at his words and had to remind herself to be quiet.
Ginny kissed his neck. "I wish you would be with me always."
"I like the country, not London."
"Me, too. I hate London."
"I love you. If I marry you, we might never see London again."
"Are you going to marry me?" Tears streamed down Ginny's face as she looked at Winnie.
"After I talk to Gabby."
Julia sighed to herself. It all seemed so romantic.
"Then I'll do the asking," Winnie added smiling at Ginny. "Not that I think you will let me have the first word again."
"I've always loved you. I've always listened to you."
Julia could not stop smiling when Winnie shook his head, and said, "Like the time I had to sit you forcibly on your horse."
"Why did you do it?"
"I didn't want a wife who was afraid to ride."
"Why did you wait so long to declare yourself to me? I wanted to marry you when I turned sixteen."
"I thought you needed a season."
That sounded familiar to Julia.
"I hated London. I only wanted to be with you."
"Music to my ears." Winnie started walking up the trail to the carriage with Ginny in his arms. A pang of regret filled Julia as she watched. If only James would look at her in the way Winnie looked at Ginny, then Julia would consider herself the luckiest lady alive.
Winnie leaned against a pile of rock and started kissing Ginny, and kissing her, and kissing her.
Julia wondered what it would be like to have James kiss her like that? Unable to hear their whispers as Winnie continued to carry Ginny back to the carriage, Julia stepped back onto the path. Pride surged through her for getting them together. With her head high she quickened her steps.
Shakespeare could not have staged it better! She cleared her throat. "Winnie, what are you doing carrying Ginny?"
"Go away," Ginny called.
Winnie laughed. "You need to be taught a bit of decorum, my love, before others catch up to us."
"Ginny!" Gabby yelled. "What is going on here?"
Julia jumped. Then as she looked around she saw James standing straight as an arrow, and glaring in her direction.
Winnie sat Ginny in the carriage and grabbed the blankets the footman held out to him. "I want to marry your sister, Gabby!"
"Looks to me like you...what?" Gabby's head jerked up to stare at Winnie. "How long have you felt this way?"
"Since the first time I saw her." Winnie admitted, while laying the blankets over Ginny's ankle.
Gabby's grin grew wider and his eyes twinkled with mischief. "Does this mean you will marry before the next season?"
Ginny looked up into Winnie's pleading eyes. He smiled. "If you can tolerate a country wedding, will February be too soon?"
Ginny reached up and kissed Winnie's chin.
Gabby's gaze turned skyward. "If you two can persuade mother, you have my permission."
"Gabby, you are now the head of the family," Ginny paused, and then grinned adding, "I consider you the last word."
"I don't want you taking her off alone," Gabby warned Winnie.
"I love her. But I'll make sure she has a chaperon until we are married."
A servant bowed, "Lady Julia, the table has been set, in the cottage."
"Thank you. Ginny and Winnie, you'd better get out of the carriage. Here let me take one of the blankets for Ginny to sit on. Winnie, can you bring the other for wrapping her ankle?" Then with the sweetest smile she could muster, added, "Gabby perhaps you will join them." Julia turned quickly to wave Keven, Glen and Becca to the cottage.
James followed with Margaret and Jane and seated them quickly. He dashed over to Julia and grabbed her by the arm. She cringed inside, but her mulish streak kept her calm.
"Julia," James whispered, "I'll talk to you later."
Everyone sat around the fireplace telling stories when James walked over to Winnie. "Is Ginny's ankle broken?"
"It doesn't hurt as much now," Ginny assured James.
Winnie smiled. "The ankle's sprained. But there were extra blankets to keep her ankle warm. The swelling has already begun to go down. We won't have to shoot her." he teased with a glint in his eyes.
James grinned and patted Ginny on the head as though she were a child. "I am glad you were not seriously hurt. I find it interesting that your white knight was so near to rescue you."
Julia didn't miss James' censorious look. In spite of him, Julia could hardly keep from smiling, feeling like a cherub for the moment even if James suspected that she had a hand in it. The thought of poor Ginny being forced to attend some balls this season for the benefit of Margaret and Jane didn't amuse her.
James finally came over to her, took her by the elbow and led her away from the others. "Well I hear you succeeded in getting a proposal. How did you do it?"
Surprised how pleasant his voice sounded, she leaned close and whispered in his ear, "I wasn't there. It seems she tripped. Perhaps she even fell into his arms."
"I'd bet one of my best horses that you were instrumental in her fall. Don't act innocent."
"Really, James!" She crossed her fingers behind her back. "You can't even recognize true love. Of course you are much too old for such mundane emotions."
Like the military man he used to be, James stood at attention and ordered, "Julia, there is much to do about this party with Aunt Shredda neglecting her duties. We must call a truce, there is the Yule log and the greenery to gather."
"And mistletoe." Julia smiled.
James' angry eyes mellowed and he chuckled. "Always the young romantic. Dear Julia, how much you have to learn. Instead of capturing available men for others you might start looking for a man for yourself. Or aren't you able to attract unfettered men?"
She smiled at the dragon, her dragon. For hadn't she desired to captured him? James had much to learn. She doubted she could love any man as much as she loved him. She had heard her uncle, when he wasn't teaching her, had quoted his own poetry to a light skirt. Yet, she truly believed her step-uncle remained faithful to her aunt to the very end. They loved their children and provided tutors for them.
But they weren't like Martha and Martin who hugged children and talked to them of the stars, the moon and the fields of grain. She learned a lot from the tenants about nature. Robert often walked with her when she took food or medicine potions and herbs to the tenants. Marrying James would answer her prayers. They could have babies of their own, and she could raise Robert properly, and tend to Hawkthorn.
"Cat got your tongue, Julia?"
Instantly she returned her wandering mind to James. "I can attract any man I want."
"Good! Save me from choosing one for you."
"You promised to marry me if I didn't fall in love."
James frowned. "If I were you I'd look at the eligible men standing around this table. You would never be happy married to a cavalry officer."
"What makes you so sure about that?"
James looked at her and she squirmed. He couldn't forget his promise. He couldn't just marry her off either. What power did her guardian have? She raised her chin and vowed to show him just how appealing she could be to the other men.
Turning, she caught site of Keven, and gazed soulfully at him.
CHAPTER 14
While butt
oning up Julia's lavender dress, Louise said, "I forgot, milady, Lord Hawkthorn's in a lather. Said you better be down early. A mix-up in the seating for dinner."
"Botheration! Louise, you must hurry. I can't have James rearranging the seating. He doesn't have a romantic bone in his being. And I for one am going to sit next to Gabby. I need to keep him from interfering with his sister's romance and need to teach James a lesson."
"Sit milady, your hair."
Julia complied with her maid's command. It wouldn't do to arrive below stairs half prepared to meet the earl.
"I don't mean to complain about James -- he is an astute host. I just believe we need to keep the newly engaged couples together. It keeps the conversation from stalling. Lovers eyeing one another across the table do not have much to say to the guests on either side of them. Please make haste."
"Yes, milady." Louise set down the brush and threaded a ribbon through Julia's locks. "Keep them talking and they'll marry. T'was my mum's best advice."
"I'm sure you are right, Louise, but now I must hurry."
Louise smiled.
As Julia hurried downstairs she heard the raspy voice of the Old Earl. "Good girl! Winnie has Ginny in his pocket. Where she belongs."
"Thank you," Julia whispered.
"James is showing signs of jealousy. Is it for your good works or the attention the other men are paying to you?"
She tucked her head down hoping no one could see or hear her. "I think he wants to get rid of me."
"Enjoy -- " The Old Earl started.
"Julia, come help me change place cards." James interrupted. "Clarice and Aunt Shredda have gone to the vicar's for supper. Didn't Louise give you my message?"
"I came as soon as she remembered. It will take only a few minutes to rearrange them. You proceed to the drawing room and I shall see what can be done."
"Thank you. You had them both on the same side of the table, and I didn't know what other great plans you had playing cupid." He turned and winked.
Maybe the Old Earl is right, Julia thought, James may be a bit jealous that someone else played cupid. Julia entered the dining room and carefully arranged for Winnie to sit next to Ginny and Glen to sit between Ginny and Becca. That left only James and herself with a partner who would be reluctant to stop talking to his true love. Gabby sat next to Julia and Margaret next to James. That left Keven between Jane and Margaret.
