The servants had been dismissed for the night. Nevertheless, when Michael and Julia reached the parlor, he closed the door behind them to ensure their privacy.
Julia voiced no objection. In fact, she didn’t even seem to notice. “Are those sandwiches?” she exclaimed, immediately spotting the food laid out on the tea table.
“I asked the servants to leave us something. I thought you’d be hungry.”
“Indeed I am!”
It did Michael’s heart good to think he had anticipated her needs. It seemed small recompense after all she’d done for him and his family.
Before long, Julia was eating and exclaiming that she’d never tasted better. Michael did not partake; he was content just to watch her, to enjoy the way she took delight in the food. Sitting in this room, he could not help but recall the hours they’d spent here, working on her Latin lessons. Even—or perhaps most especially—the times she’d poked and prodded at him, inspecting his injuries. All the times she’d been so near him, not realizing the effect she had on him.
Just like now, when she was wiping a crumb from the corner of her mouth . . .
“You’re smiling,” Julia said. But it was posed as a question.
Smiling? More likely grinning like a besotted fool. Michael brought his thoughts back around to the other reasons—besides the sheer pleasure of her company—that he’d wanted to see her again. “God is good, isn’t He?”
He enjoyed how startled—and pleased—she looked. She said nothing, waiting expectantly for him to continue.
“I believe now in the things you told me.” He paused, not finding further words to express himself, but she seemed to understand. “You might also like to know that Myrtle Hodges was acquitted of all charges.”
She gasped in delight. “How do you know that?”
“I represented her. I defended Gwen, too, at her trial. She was recommended to mercy, and her sentence was reduced to three months. Her aunt, on the other hand, got eighteen.”
“I’ll have to do something to help Gwen when she gets out. I don’t know exactly what, but . . .”
“We’ll think of something.”
“We?” She gave him a teasing look, the kind he loved.
“Well, you seem to have a calling to help these people. I began to see that I can perhaps be of use, too.”
Her face was alight with joy. He wanted to spend the rest of his life doing all he could to bring that expression to her face and keep it there. “I saved the best news for last, though. I have been doing some research on your father.”
“You have?”
“I was intrigued by your story, and I began to wonder if there was any way to find out what happened to him. With Jamie Anderson’s help, I was able to track down someone who used to know him. Do you remember a man named Charlie Stains?”
Her brow furrowed as she searched her memories, but then she drew back and looked at Michael. “Wait a minute. Did you say you asked Mr. Anderson for help?”
He grinned. “Let me tell you everything.”
She listened attentively, all the while looking at him with that lovely Julia expression. Attentive. Curious. Beautiful. There were so many words to describe her, and yet not enough.
Especially now, when she wore a dreamy expression, like a child who wanted to believe in fairy stories. “It seems incredible. Do you think it could possibly be true?”
“I think it’s worth trying to find out.”
“But to go all the way to South America.” She deflated a little at the thought. “It’s so far out of reach. The money and the time it would take . . .”
“Is this the same Julia Bernay who has told me so often about a bountiful God who supplies all needs?”
“Well, if I was truly convinced of it, I would have no trouble believing for the means. But this . . . is it folly?”
“Maybe sometimes we don’t know for sure. Maybe sometimes we just have to walk out and see. I would gladly pay for you to go.”
“No, I could not even think of asking—”
“I love you, Julia.” He took her hand. “I’d take you there myself if I could. Of course, I’d have to marry you first. But then I could never come back to England, because Corinna would want my head on a pike. Even David, kindhearted man that he is, because I promised him—”
“What are you saying?” Julia looked confused, and yet also amused by his babbling. “Was that . . . a proposal?”
His heart sank. Like an idiot, he’d gotten carried away. He should never have said those things aloud. “I wish it could be. But as I told you that day in the park, there are circumstances that prevent me from doing so. Things I hope to change.”
Once more, there was that hint of a smile playing around her lips. “What a good thing that his lordship has had a change of heart.”
Michael was so caught up in the swirl of desire and disappointment that he thought he couldn’t have heard properly. “I beg your pardon?”
“Lord Westbridge told me he was the one who forbade you to see me again. But you said it had something to do with your family.”
“It was both.” He hesitated, confused. “His lordship told you?”
“Yes, and he said he was sorry for it. He said you had your reasons, and you might explain it to me if I asked—”
“Wait!” It was Michael’s turn to interrupt. “I appear to be missing some very important information.”
“Ah, so you are. Here it is in a nutshell. I got Edith to go and talk to him, and they decided they did not want to fight each other anymore.”
If Michael had thought Julia was a miracle worker before, he was sure of it now. He looked at her in wonder, feeling like a hopeful traveler standing on the brink of a brave new world. “Why do I think there is more to it than that?”
“I’ll be happy to tell you all about it. It seems there is a lot to discuss.” She reached out and gave an inviting tug to his coat collar. “But perhaps it can wait a bit?”
“Mmm, yes.”
He allowed her to pull him in, reveling in the kisses of this irrepressible, dynamic, singular woman. Yes, there would be plenty of time to talk. For now, he wanted only to hold Julia in his arms and know she was truly his.
CHAPTER
32
MICHAEL ENTERED THE NURSERY FIRST. Julia hung back at the door, not wanting to intrude. She was not yet a member of this family, although she soon would be. That was a small part of what they planned to share today. The room was quiet, which Julia took for a positive sign.
David had decided to tell Corinna everything, and they were unsure what the collateral damage might be. Michael and Julia had been waiting in the parlor for their signal to come up. Before going to see his wife in the nursery, David had given the servants strict instructions not to disturb them, and that when he rang the bell, the butler was to fetch Michael and Julia from the parlor.
They had waited most of the afternoon for that summons. Clearly, it had taken time for husband and wife to work through everything together. Although Julia and Michael had made good use of the time by discussing their plans for the future, they were also on pins and needles, wondering how the conversation in the nursery was going. Julia sent up countless silent prayers. At last, they’d received word to come upstairs.
Corinna sat in a large stuffed armchair, holding her son. She and David had tears on their faces. Were these tears of joy, sorrow, or acceptance?
The moment she saw her brother, Corinna jumped up from the chair. Cradling the baby with one arm, she threw the other around Michael’s neck and began sobbing. Loud and forceful, as though releasing a torrent of pent-up feelings. By the panicked look on Michael’s face, and the awkward way he half-embraced her while giving her a tentative pat on the back, it was clear overtly emotional displays weren’t typical for them.
David didn’t move from where he stood next to Corinna’s chair. There was a low footstool pulled close to the chair, and Julia supposed he might have been sitting there as he and his wife talk
ed things out. His eyes were glistening, but he wore a little smile that suggested happiness. Or relief, perhaps, at finally getting everything off his chest.
David had insisted on telling Corinna everything today, as soon as they were assured she was recovering from the birth with no ill aftereffects. He’d made up his mind to do it even before Michael and Julia told him that the threat of exposure from the earl no longer existed.
In the three days since the birth, Corinna had continued to be enamored with her husband and heartily in love with her son. Julia had tentatively offered to teach her how to nurse the baby, expecting Corinna might reject that idea and give the job to a wet nurse. To her astonishment, Corinna agreed to give it a try. The outcome was beyond what Julia could have hoped for. Nursing had a profound effect on Corinna’s soul, bonding her and her baby in a powerful way.
Given that Corinna had been so content, it was surprising that David wanted to test these new, tranquil waters so quickly. Julia thought it showed great bravery. Or perhaps, after many years of marriage, he understood his wife’s moods well enough to know when to press his advantage.
“David told you everything?” Michael asked when his sister’s sobs died down at last.
The baby gurgled and squirmed, objecting to being sandwiched in this awkward embrace. His movements spurred Corinna to release her brother. Murmuring softly to her son, she readjusted the little blanket he was wrapped in, carefully repositioning his head on the crook of her arm. She tucked the edge of the blanket under the boy’s chin—a tiny gesture filled with incredible tenderness. Wiping away her tears, she returned her attention to Michael. “You must think I’ve become alarmingly silly.”
Michael shook his head. “Don’t apologize. You’ve had quite the week.”
“David told me about his childhood. About escaping the poorhouse. And how he . . .” She paused, sucking in a breath. If it was impossible for her to finish that sentence, to say how he killed someone, Julia could understand why. No one would guess that David, so consistently mild and cheerful, could have once been a thief and a thug. Even if the man’s death in Manchester had been accidental, it stemmed from a combination of circumstances David had helped create.
David’s shoulders were slightly stooped and his chin a little bowed in a humble posture. Julia suspected he would never truly get over what he’d done, even though he had put forth every effort to atone for it. He watched his wife intently. Perhaps he worried that at any moment she might change her mind and decide to hate him after all.
“David told us everything, too,” Michael said.
Corinna nodded. Did she notice Michael’s use of the word us? She sent the briefest of glances toward the door where Julia still stood, but did not meet her eye. “David also told me why you had to stop the lessons, and what it cost you to do it.” She took another deep breath. “And here I accused you of selfishness.” There was self-recrimination in her words.
“You only knew I’d thrown away a chance to marry well. To advance myself.” Michael did not point out that it would have been an advancement for Corinna, too. In a way, it sounded as though he was excusing her actions, but Julia couldn’t fault him. For years he’d struggled under the weight of his obligation to his sister; the events of these past few months had added an extra burden of guilt because he couldn’t bring himself to do the one thing she wanted most.
Julia felt a surge of love for him. She was heartily thankful that God had brought them through these trying times with their honor intact. He had given them the best answer, as only the Almighty could do.
“My husband certainly had me fooled.” Corinna’s voice held more irony than malice, although it must have caused great upheaval of heart and mind to learn such incredible things about a man she thought she knew. “Here I’d thought of him as simplistically jovial—an unremarkable man who stumbled into success through luck and aptitude. He never gave the slightest inkling how intensely difficult his road has been.”
As though drawn by the remorse in his wife’s words, David closed the gap between them. Looking at them side-by-side, Julia thought they seemed easier in one another’s company now. As though invisible walls had been broken down.
“Scripture tells us to forget those things that are behind,” David said. “Yes, my life has been hard. I wanted to make yours easier.” He reached out and lightly stroked his son’s head. “And his.”
Corinna’s mouth trembled, and she blinked several times, fighting tears. As a nurse, Julia had seen how women were often intensely emotional in the days and weeks after giving birth. There was usually a sense of elation, and sometimes, to their detriment, they could slide into deep depression. However, Corinna’s natural fortitude and strength of will would surely enable her to survive these swings. She allowed her husband to coax her back to the chair.
“I don’t think you know the best part of this whole affair, though,” Michael said, once the baby had been tucked into his cot and Corinna had settled with evident relief into her chair.
“You’re going to tell me you are getting married, I expect.”
For the first time since they’d entered the room, Corinna squarely met Julia’s gaze. It surprised Julia to see a shade of uncertainty in her eyes. Corinna knew there was a gap between them, largely of her own making, and that she would have to own up to this in order to bridge it.
Michael reached for Julia’s hand and tugged her close to him, wrapping one arm around her waist. It was the first time they’d shown such an intimate gesture to anyone else. Julia’s heart fluttered with nervous tension. It felt very public—even if there were only her future sister- and brother-in-law to see it.
David grinned and nodded in approval.
“I can see I’m outnumbered,” Corinna said.
Michael gave Julia’s hand an emphatic kiss before replying. “I love her. I can’t help it. Some men are drawn to feisty women.”
Julia smiled as Michael repeated the line she’d spoken to him just before they kissed for the first time.
“Quite right,” David murmured, his eyes growing misty. He reached down to pat his wife’s shoulder. “Quite right.”
“I shall accept that as a compliment,” Corinna informed him.
Michael rubbed his chin. “Perhaps I’d better rethink this. To have two such women in my life could mean trouble. Maybe—”
“It’s too late now,” Julia said, poking him in the ribs.
Michael’s eyes lit with laughter. “You should like her, Corinna. She has many of your best attributes. Including first-class rib-poking. And speaking her mind.”
“Perhaps I might learn to be a bit more diplomatic in that last part,” Julia admitted with chagrin.
“Diplomacy can make the truth easier to receive,” Michael replied with the air of conceding a point that exactly proved, with a barrister’s finesse, the very point he was making.
Corinna seemed to be trying to join the frivolity, but a tension remained in her expression.
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” Michael said. “A bit of news I’m sure all of you will find supremely interesting.”
He paused for dramatic effect. Julia joined the others in looking at him expectantly.
David said with a smile, “Don’t leave us in suspense. What is it?”
“After I had to stop helping Julia with her Latin studies, I was determined to do something to ensure she got the tutoring she needed. But Julia adamantly refused to accept any money from me.”
He paused briefly, perhaps to quietly—and tactfully—make it plain to his sister that Julia was never a fortune hunter. Corinna’s eyebrows did raise in surprise, and Julia felt vindicated.
“I came up with another plan,” Michael continued. “I arranged for a tutoring program to be offered at the school, something to help Julia get the training she needed. The program was supported by a lady interested in helping women who wish to pursue a medical career. In the beginning, I did not know her identity. Everything was arranged th
rough an intermediary. But I have since learned that the lady in question is Lady Amberley.”
“What?” Corinna sat bolt upright in the chair, her mouth agape. A reaction that brought a satisfied smile to Michael’s face.
“Shocking, isn’t it? Unfortunately, her husband is disappointingly behind the times, so Lady Amberley must be circumspect in her support of this cause.” He cupped a hand to his mouth and added in a stage whisper, “We won’t even mention her thoughts on women’s suffrage.”
Julia stared at Michael, astounded to learn that the tutoring had been his idea. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I wanted to tell you both at the same time. Corinna, you needn’t fear that my falling out with Laura will exclude you from Lady Amberley’s good graces in the future. Far from it. I think you’ll find her more willing than ever to add you to her circle of close acquaintances.”
This good news only brought a fresh round of tears. Corinna accepted a handkerchief proffered by David and began to dab her eyes and cheeks. “My plans seem so petty now, don’t they?”
No one answered that. Nor would Julia even try. She had never been in Corinna’s shoes and would not judge the worth of her dreams. She was glad only that God had met this desire of her heart. And He had done it—as improbable as it seemed—by way of Julia. Michael’s love for Julia had not hindered Corinna after all. It had helped her.
“I’m glad to see you so happy,” Michael remarked, as Corinna continued to wipe away tears. “We’ve got a wedding to plan for August fifteenth.”
“But that’s only a month away!”
“Gives us the three Sundays needed for the reading of the banns. It also perfectly coincides with the long end-of-summer recess in the courts and Parliament. Not to mention that we have to be back from our honeymoon in South America in time for Julia to begin medical school on October first.”
“South America!” David exclaimed. “I think you’d better explain more about your plans.”
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