The Barrister's Choice

by Kelly Anne Bruce

  "Why are you bringing up Lady Julianna?"

  "I would think it is obvious."

  "Obvious? What are you talking about?"

  "I think Lady Julianna would be a good match,” Matthew said. “A better match for you.”

  "Lady Priscilla is the perfect choice." He was shaking his head again. "Lady Julianna is too opinionated and…"

  "And what?" Matthew asked him.

  "And I think I might be in love with her." Hugh let out a long sigh and dropped his head to the table.

  Matthew let out a chuckle. "Finally. I never thought you would come to admit that."

  Hugh picked up his head to peer across tabletop at his younger brother. "You knew?"

  "Yes, of course. Although it was Henrietta who figured it out first."

  "Henrietta? Leave it to her to tell everyone save me," Hugh said in a mocking tone.

  "Once she pointed it out then it was quite easy to see," Matthew tried to reassure him.

  "Thank you, dear brother," Hugh said. "But what am I to do? Lady Priscilla is as I said, the perfect choice, her family is well respected, she is well-versed in London society and she is due a fair-sized inheritance."

  “She is also a vicious gossip without a care for anyone else, their reputation, or their feelings.” Matthew shook his head as though Hugh was addled. "Answer me this question."

  "All right."

  "Tell me how you feel about the idea of being married to Lady Priscilla a year from now?"

  Hugh grimaced. He could not control his reaction. The idea of being married to Lady Priscilla was wholly disheartening.

  Matthew took that as an answer. "And how do you feel about the idea of being married to Lady Julianna?"

  The smile was so natural that Hugh could not stop it.

  Matthew leaned across the table to look at Hugh. "Brother, please listen to me. I would rather see you with someone who makes you smile like that than to see you with someone who the mere thought of makes you grimace. This should not be about being flush in the pockets."

  He was more confused than ever. Pushing back from the table he stood up. "I am going to get us another drink."

  As Hugh made his way through the crowd to procure more whiskey he ran nearly headlong into Lord Norsely.

  Hugh took a step back and watched as Norsely wavered in front of him. Hugh very well could have stepped out of the other man's way but he was already in a sour mood and did not particularly feel like it.

  "Repington," Norsely slurred.

  "Well, I see you are well into your cups tonight, Norsely," Hugh commented.

  "I am here celebrating my betrothal," Norsely said holding up a bottle of rum.

  Alarmed Hugh asked, "Betrothal? To whom?" He had known that Norsely was paying attention to Lady Julianna but he had seen her just that afternoon. Hugh could not think that she could have already excepted Norsely's proposal.

  "To Lady Julianna although she does not know yet so… shush about it." Lord Norsely put a finger to his lips in a spirited manner, the effort in coordination nearly knocking him over.

  "You are celebrating already?"

  Norsely shrugged causing another stumble. "My father has decided, so there is nothing else to do but celebrate."

  "Your father has decided?"

  "He has stated that it is the thing to do to save the family name, so I shall ask her on the morrow."

  "You do not care for her?" Hugh asked him his panic turning into anger.

  "She is just another young chit at the marriage mart." Norsely shrugged and smiled. “But I am a dutiful son. So it will be.”

  Hugh was furious and pulled his arm back about to plant a facer when Matthew pushed his way in between them.

  "Norsely, I suggest you leave as I cannot hold him back for much longer."

  Norsely staggered into the crowd without a look back.

  "Pompous scoundrel," Hugh muttered.

  Matthew let go of him and took a step back. "And if you continue on your path to marry Lady Priscilla you are no better."

  Hugh stood there a moment longer watching Matthew walk away, swore under his breath to go after him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Excuse me, Lady Julianna. This letter arrived for you.”

  “Thank you, Bernard,” Julianna said taking the letter from the butler.

  She hoped that it was a note from Lady Amelia. Julianna so wished for a distraction. Ever since they had gone riding she had been thinking about Hugh Repington. Their unexpected kiss in the stable continued to play through her mind.

  In her two Seasons, there had been a few stolen kisses and while they had been nice and a bit exciting they were nothing like the kiss with Hugh. Even before the kiss, Julianna had known that she had fallen in love with Hugh, and she had attempted to ignore it. It would be even harder for her knowing that Hugh had feelings for her as well. She was not naïve enough to think that one kiss meant that Hugh was in love with her, but she was also certain that there was more than friendship between them.

  Dwelling on it would do her no good, she thought and let out a long sigh. She turned the envelope over several times and finally opened it and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

  She had just finished reading the letter when her mother came into the drawing room. “Bernard said that a letter had been delivered.”

  “Yes, mother. I have just read it. it is from Lord Norsely.”

  Her mother smiled broadly. “What does it say?”

  “He has invited me to accompany him on a carriage ride in Hyde Park.”

  “Oh, how lovely,” her mother exclaimed.

  Julianna knew that her mother would not like what she was about to say but she went on anyway. “I do not wish to go.”

  “We have spoken about this before, Julianna.”

  “Mother, I have tried to be understanding and cooperative, though I believe I should stop doing so at once.” Julianna stood up to face her mother. “After his behaviour at Mr Webb’s card party, I am surprised you even want me associating with him.”

  “What behaviour are you speaking of?” Her mother’s face was stern but questioning.

  “It was at the card party as I said. Lord Norsely was playing Vingt-et-un and got into a rather heated argument with another gentleman.”

  “Oh, men and their card games,” her mother said dismissively. “They can get quite ruffled at times. It is nothing to be fussy about.”

  “I wish it had been that simple. Lord Norsely stood up suddenly and he knocked his chair back to the floor. After his heated exchange, he was so angry he threw his chair at Mr Davidson.”

  “Oh my.”

  “It went over the Vingt-et-un table,” Julianna explained. “Fortunately, no one was hurt.”

  “I am sure that it was an alarming sight but there is no need to become ruffled about it, dear.”

  “What was an alarming sight?” Julianna’s father asked walking into the drawing room.

  “Lord Norsely throwing his chair at another gentleman at Mr Webb’s card party the other night,” Julianna said quickly before her mother could shush her.

  Her father narrowed his eyes. “I heard something about that, but had not heard who the gentleman was. Certainly I did not know you had been there to witness it.”

  “Father, I do not feel comfortable spending time with Lord Norsely any longer. Between his recent behaviour and knowing the violence that his brother had perpetrated, I simply do not feel safe with him.” Julianna then turned her mother to say, “If Father has already heard about the incident, then there can be no doubt that the gossips have already begun to speak about it. I will be the next subject if I spend more time with him.”

  Julianna’s mother gasped and looked to her father who said, “Yes, I think it would be best for you to stay away from Lord Norsely. When it is possible I will speak to Lord and Lady Marsfeld.”

  Her mother took the letter from her hand. “I shall send a note declining the invitation.”

  The door to t
he drawing room opened as her mother turned away. Bernard glanced at Julianna before announcing, “Excuse me, there is a Mr Repington here to see Lady Julianna.”

  Julianna’s heart leapt and she could barely breathe. Her father looked puzzled. “Please show him in.”

  Julianna sat down on the settee and hoped she looked presentable. A moment later Bernard appeared in the doorway again but the man with him was not Hugh Repington.

  “Good afternoon,” the man said.

  Her father stepped forward. “Good afternoon, Mr Repington.”

  Recalling Mr Sedgwick’s comments about there being many Repington brothers, she decided this man was one of Hugh’s brothers.

  “Thank you for seeing me unannounced. I have come to speak with Lady Julianna over a legal manner.”

  “Julianna?” Her mother asked.

  “Legal matters?” Her father asked at the same time.

  This Mr Repington, James, she repeated in her head, smiled and she recognized it as the same as Hugh’s. He gestured towards the chairs, “Perhaps if we all sat down.”

  “Of course,” her father said. Julianna sat down on the settee with her mother on one side of her and her father on the other.

  “What is this about?” Her father looked confused, but interested in getting to the bottom of any legal matters that might be affecting his daughter.

  “I suppose I shall start at the beginning.” James opened the leather bag that he had placed on his lap. He looked at Julianna’s mother and said, “Lady Alverston, I apologize that I am the bearer of this news but I must inform you that your uncle, Silas Mowbray has died.”

  Her mother still somewhat confused by what was going on managed to nod and then said, “Uncle Silas, it is a wonder he lived so long.”

  “Yes, he lived a long life, nearly eighty-four years to be exact. He was very fond of you and your family and that is the reason why I am here.”

  “But you said this had to do with Lady Julianna. I do not understand.” Her father stated.

  “Well as you know, Lady Alverston’s Uncle Silas was also the Earl of Ryleigh, and as he did not have any living children his title would normally cease upon his death.”

  “Normally?” Julianna asked. She had been watching them go back and forth trying to figure out what was going on.

  James smiled at her. “Yes, but this is far from a normal situation. The Earl of Ryleigh was a close friend of King George. When Silas’ son died he went to the king, and similar to the Earl of Mansfield in 1776 and the Duke of Marlborough in 1792 your uncle received a special patent naming a remainder of his choice.”

  Her mother began to speak but her father held up a hand. “Please go on, Mr Repington.”

  “Silas Mowbray, the Earl of Ryleigh, chose Lady Julianna Merchant as his successor.”

  Julianna shook her head sure that she had heard wrong. “I do not understand.”

  “You are now the Countess of Ryleigh, in your own right.”

  “Is that even possible?” Her mother was asking looking at her father.

  “I assure you that I have done all of the research into this and it is perfectly legal and binding.” James looked to Julianna again. “It seems that Lady Julianna made quite an impression when she spent a summer with the earl. He wrote in his journal that he would always remember the special care you took with him.”

  “Special care?” Her mother shook her head and scrunched up her nose.

  “Oh, I remember.” Julianna had only been ten years old. “He had been injured after falling off a horse. I spent my afternoons with him, sometimes reading to him or helping him move into the garden.”

  “And stealing cakes from the kitchen for you to share,” James added and laughed when Julianna looked surprised. “He mentioned that in his journal as well.”

  “I do not even know what to say,” her father said.

  “Nor I. I am a countess?” Julianna simply could not believe it.

  “Yes, you are. You are like every other Peer with one caveat. Your husband shall execute your hereditary office, as well as sitting in the House of Lords.”

  “But she is not married,” her mother blurted out.

  “That is not an issue,’ James replied. “Although I would caution you to be wary of sudden interest as there will be some that will want to take advantage of a ripe situation such as this.”

  “Thank you. I had not thought of that,” Julianna said quietly.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hugh could wait no longer and he found himself paying a visit to the Merchant residence. He had spent the morning doing what he could to secure his financial future. His attempt to speak with James had been fruitless though, James was said to be in London but he could not be found at his Parliament office or his London residence.

  The door opened and an older man said, “Good afternoon, how may I help you?”

  “I wish to speak with Lady Julianna. I apologize for visiting unannounced.”

  The servant seemed to take it in stride and shrugged before stepping back. “Please come in.”

  Hugh entered the house and looked around the large foyer.

  “Your name, sir?”

  “Mr Hugh Repington,”

  The man frowned briefly but nodded and left the foyer.

  He heard a door open and mumbled voices and then someone saying, “Who is here now?”

  His heart sank. Was he too late? Had Norsely already been there?

  “Send him in, Bernard,” he heard a woman’s voice say.

  Hugh followed Bernard down the hall and into the drawing room. Lady Julianna stood up when he entered looking shocked and surprised to see him. Her mother and father were also in the room.

  He could stand it no longer and rushed to her side. “Am I too late? Has he already been here?”

  Julianna looked up at him the confusion plain on her face and then her eyes widened. “He just left.”

  “Damn my stubbornness. Have you accepted his proposal?”

  “Proposal?” Julianna frowned.

  “Lady Julianna, I implore you not to marry him.”

  “James?”

  “Who? No, Norsely.”

  “Lord Norsely?” Lady Julianna shook her head. “I do not know what you are talking about.”

  “Lady Julianna, please hear me out. I love you and I know I have only just been chosen as a barrister but I have already been offered a position within the government.” He looked to Lord Alverston. “I am prepared to do whatever I need to in order to provide for us. I do not intend to rely on assistance from you or my parents in any way shape or form.”

  “Mr Repington,” Lady Julianna said sounding exasperated. “Have you spoken with James?”

  “James who?” Hugh was frantic, things were not progressing as he had expected.

  “Your brother, James Repington,” she replied.

  Hugh realized she was asking because of their conversation in Hyde Park. “I looked for him this morning to seek his counsel but he was not in his office.”

  Lady Julianna glanced at her parents and then back at him. “I think…”

  Worried that she had not understood his intentions, he forged on to not lose his nerve or any more time. “Please say you will marry me.”

  “Yes, of course,” Lady Julianna said with a smile. “I was only trying—”

  “You will?” Hugh asked not believing he had heard correctly.

  “Yes.” Lady Julianna looked to her parents. “I hope neither of you plan on objecting.”

  “Would I argue with the Countess of Ryleigh?”

  Lady Julianna laughed.

  “Who?” Hugh asked wondering if it was his turn to be confused.

  “That is what I was trying to tell you. Your brother, James was here earlier, I am actually surprised you did not see him leave.”

  That would explain why Hugh could not find him earlier. “There was a carriage going down the street when I pulled up. What was James here about?”

  “It is somewhat com
plicated but my great-uncle, the Earl of Ryleigh died and he had received a special patent to choose his successor.” Lady Julianna sighed. “As I said, it is all very complicated but he has named me to take over his house and title.”

  “Title?” Hugh looked over at Lady Julianna and waited for a response.

  Lord Alverston spoke up. “I have seen the paperwork. Your brother has assured us that it is all legal and binding.”

  “I am sure that he has.” Hugh turned back to Lady Julianna.

  “Apparently, I am now the Countess of Ryleigh.”

  “My lady,” Hugh said bowing in front of her. “I am honoured to be in your presence.”

  “And I am more than honoured to become your wife. If the offer still stands, of course.”

  “Indeed it does.” Hugh could not contain his smile. “I suppose my future is sealed. As a husband and a Peer. I could not be happier.”

  The new countess smiled brightly and went to her betrothed. “And so our life together begins.”

  Preview of A Brave New Life

  Book Five in the Repington Chronicles - Matthew’s Story

  Chapter 1

  "Mother said that you received a letter from the Archbishop,” Henrietta told him from across the table.

  Matthew nodded as he took another drink of tea. Henrietta still looked at him expectantly, so he added, "Yes, it arrived yesterday afternoon."

  After a moment Henrietta sighed in exasperation. "You are rather infuriating today. What did it say?"

  “I have been assigned to a small town named Whitehall."

  "Where is that?" Henrietta asked with a frown.

  "It is in the north I believe, near Manchester."

  "Oh, feathers! I had hoped you would be closer to London or perhaps Surrey even."

  Matthew chuckled. "It is unlikely I will ever be assigned to London, but Surrey would have been nice."

  "How long until you have to leave?" Henrietta asked and he could see that she was trying not to pout.

  "I have a little more than two months to put my affairs in order before I have to appear in Whitehall."

  "Well, I for one, am very happy about that. I wish for more time with you before you move away, too."