Sweet Surrender

by Wendy May Andrews

  “How exciting, Aunty Jules. I so love the theatre. Shakespeare can be so diverting. And the crowds of people are almost as entertaining.”

  “That is true enough. But when we arrive, be sure to stick close to me. I am actually surprised your father agreed that we could go with no official male escort this evening. With the crowds that are sure to be there, I fear we may get separated if we are not diligent about remaining close.”

  “I will try, Aunty, but you know I get easily distracted when I have to look around at everything.”

  Julianna knew she was speaking the truth and allowed a burst of laughter to bubble forth. “Well, do make an effort, but I will keep your lack of ability in that regard in mind and try my best to keep my eye on you.”

  “This is such a treat! Were you not surprised when Lady Ashwood granted us the use of her box?” Odelia was still beside herself about her grandmother’s generous gift.

  “Yes, I must admit I was quite surprised. It was very nice of them to think of us this way. It is unfortunate they could not be there to play host to us, but it was generous of them to say we might invite whomever we would like to join us.”

  “Thank you for allowing me to invite my friend Abigail. I know you are not overly fond of her, but I think she is great fun.”

  “I am glad you have a friend to share your season, Dee. My feelings about Abigail are more to do with my concerns about how Fletcher feels about her than about any fault she might have.”

  “You do not think Fletcher is actually serious about her, do you?” Odelia demanded with a degree of impatience. “Don’t be a noddy. He is only nineteen.”

  “Exactly my point. He is only nineteen, but in his mind he is a man, and I know at his age feelings can take on a life of their own. And if he did decide his feelings were serious, she would not be a good match for him. He is much too young. And so is she, for someone like him. She needs a mature gentleman to guide here, not another child to play house with.”

  “Well, I really don’t think you have any need for alarm in that quarter, Aunty Jules. Abigail thinks of Fletcher as a brother. She has a tendre for Mr. Jackes but she wants to hold out for an earl. Her mother thinks she could catch a duke, but there aren’t really that many around.”

  Julianna couldn’t help but laugh at the prosaic way Odelia was determining the odds. Perhaps the younger woman was right, and she had nothing to worry about. She pushed the worries from her mind as the carriage came to a stop in front of the theatre.

  Stepping down from the coach after Odelia, Julianna took her arm. “If we hold on to each other we can both look around like school children fresh from the country and still not lose one another.”

  Grinning at her aunt, Odelia had no objection. “Excellent thinking!” She suited her words to action and linked arms with her aunt as she gazed about in wonder at the beautifully dressed nobility and the shiny, fancy foyer bathed in the glow of what seemed like a million candles. A smartly dressed footman quickly stepped toward them to offer an escort or to fetch them refreshments.

  They were soon shown to the Ashwoods’ box and were settled with a small glass of ratafia each. Both ladies enjoyed continuing to gaze about as they waited for their friends to join them.

  Lady Chorney soon stepped through the curtain. “What a delightful location your box has. I have been in few boxes with such an equally good view of the stage as well as an excellent view of the other spectators.”

  The other occupants of the box smiled their agreement since it was an unspoken understanding that the majority of the ton went to the theatre to observe and be observed rather than to actually be edified by the theatrical arts. It was much like the park and really just about every other event during the Season.

  Julianna paused for a moment as she pondered the absurdity of it all. Of course, there were connections to be made, both political and matrimonial, but the majority of the Season’s activities were all one big gossip session – whether one was causing it or spreading it, or even just participating by listening to it. She shook her head in derision before she sheepishly allowed herself to return to that activity.

  Looking across the theatre Julianna was surprised to see a young gentleman who looked very much like Fletcher stepping into a box just ahead of Viscount Beaufort. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. Sure enough, it was Fletcher.

  “When did Fletcher become friends with Luc?” Catherine voiced Julianna’s thoughts perfectly.

  “That is an excellent question. I did not know they even knew each other.” Odelia was gazing across the theatre with a perplexed expression upon her face.

  Julianna felt a wave of heat rise to her face as she struggled to be nonchalant. She knew the viscount had barely even met her nephew before she told him about her concerns.

  She felt wretched on so many levels. He was obviously still trying to follow her wishes, and she was avoiding him like the plague. Now seeing how kind he was being to her beloved nephew, she was even more certain that she could not face him. She pulled her chair a little further back into the shadows, hoping the viscount would not look across the theatre and see them. With Catherine here in her box and how she had been avoiding him for days, he was sure to come over to see them.

  “Why are they at the theatre with Lady Geneva and her sisters?” Odelia asked with suspicion.

  Lady Chorney looked at Odelia with a laugh. “Well, Odelia, I know he is your big brother so you do not think of him as a regular man, but Lady Geneva does have several beautiful and sweet sisters, so it is quite a common sight to see gentlemen stopping by wherever they are.”

  Odelia wrinkled her nose at this statement. “Aunty Jules thinks Fletch has a tendre for my friend, Lady Abigail Fielding. So maybe it is Lord Ackerley who wishes to visit with those ladies.”

  “It is possible. Lately it seems Luc is always around wherever there are ladies. But you do realize your brother could have a tendre for different ladies at the same time, don’t you? He is still quite young and will no doubt enjoy the company of many different women over the next several years before he settles down and has anything serious. I have a feeling you shall find it highly diverting entertainment.”

  Odelia stared at the older lady with surprise. “Do you have brothers, Lady Chorney?”

  “I do, as a matter of fact.”

  “Did you find them entertaining when they were young men?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did. I still do sometimes, I must say, even though most of them are old married men by this point.”

  “Do you find my father entertaining, Aunt Jules?”

  Julianna was shocked to feel a laugh burbling up her throat despite how nervous she was feeling. “It is not quite the same thing for me and your father as it is for Lady Chorney and her brothers. I am several years younger than Hart so I was still in school when he was cutting a swath through the ton. By the time I got out of school, he was a father and had settled into his political career, so I cannot say I ever saw him chasing after the ladies overly much.”

  She paused for a moment before continuing. “Although, just this afternoon he was telling me he might be considering looking for a new countess.”

  Odelia turned to her aunt with eyes round with shock, her mouth opened wide in an O of surprise. “Do you really think my father might remarry?”

  Julianna instantly regretted her momentary lack of foresight. As strange as it may feel to her for her brother to consider remarriage, no doubt it would be even stranger for his daughter. “I’m sorry, Dee. I really did not think before I spoke. But yes, he did say it was a possibility. He was telling me about it in the context that I should be thinking about my own future, in case he does remarry. It did not strike me as something he was seriously considering for any day in the near future, nor do I think he had any potential brides picked out. But, yes, I do think your father might remarry someday.”

  “Oh my. That would be so interesting.”

  Odelia gazed off into the distance as she thought a
bout what it could mean for her if she had a stepmother. Catherine and Julianna looked at each other regretfully.

  “If my father gets married, maybe you and I could set up our own establishment.” Odelia turned to her aunt with enthusiasm, surprising Julianna with such a positive reaction.

  “That might be an excellent idea. In the meantime, I think the show may be about to begin.”

  Julianna turned to the stage with relief, already exhausted from the highs and lows her emotions had been taken on that day. Hopefully the actors would be sufficiently skilled as to divert her attention for a time, giving her feelings a welcome reprieve.

  When the curtain fell for the intermission, Julianna was startled by the resounding and sustained applause. She had been so entranced by the play it was as though she had been outside herself. She blew a deep sigh and turned to her companions.

  Several more ladies had arrived just as the curtain had risen and now there was a lively cacophony as they seemingly all spoke at once exclaiming over the charming show, complementing one another on their lovely dress and grooming, and whispering whichever tidbits of gossip they had been privileged to hear that day.

  Julianna enjoyed the happy buzz of female companionship. It was not something she was very accustomed to but thought she would love to share in it regularly. She was momentarily distracted by the thought that perhaps she should set up her own establishment here in Town. She could have access to many more friends if she wasn’t holed up on her brother’s estate for most of the year.

  Absorbed in her thoughts, she was startled to hear Lord Ackerley’s deep voice greeting the ladies as he entered their box.

  “Lady Chorney, Lady Julianna, I was surprised to look across, expecting to see the Ashwoods, and here you are. What a charming surprise.”

  He was gratified to see color rise in Julianna’s cheeks, relieved to see that she was at least not indifferent to him despite the fact that it seemed she had been avoiding him for days. Luc was determined to have a private conversation with her soon. He wanted to put her mind at ease over Fletcher, if nothing else. He was a charming boy with whom Luc was enjoying spending time. But he was still a boy, and Julianna had little to fear about him getting overly serious with any particular young lady for quite some time.

  Catherine was delighted to see her friend and stood up eagerly to greet him. “My lord, it is about time you came to say hello to us. I could hardly credit that you are here with Lady Geneva and her passel of sisters and did not have the time to come by and say hello to us.”

  “That is hardly fair, my lady. How was I to know you were in attendance this evening, since you did not invite me to join you? I heard such rave reviews of Kean’s performance. I just had to come see it for myself. Since no one else invited me, I had to join the passel of ladies.” The viscount teased her mockingly as he bent over her extended hand, kissing it with a flourish.

  Julianna had risen with much less enthusiasm, forcing a welcoming smile to her face. She was delighted to see that he had brought Fletcher with him, so her greeting was not feigned. “What a pleasure to see you! I had no idea you were coming to the theatre this evening.”

  Fletcher dipped his head in bashful greeting. “When his lordship invited me to join him for the evening I did not know we would be coming to the theatre. He says it will do me some good to get an education in the arts.” Fletch grinned at the viscount before continuing to speak with his aunt. “It was a pretty good show, wasn’t it, Aunt Jules? I could not believe I was so riveted to the action!”

  “I know! I was much the same. It was a shock when everyone started clapping.” Julianna laughed, pleased to be in full agreement with her nephew.

  Luc smiled at the pair, happy to witness their contentment.

  Catherine saw the look on his face and was surprised by the depth of feeling displayed there. She regarded him steadily with her eyebrows raised. When he turned back to her, he was startled into speech.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked with suspicion.

  “Why are you looking at them like that?” she countered, holding her opened fan in such a way as to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

  The viscount cheeks heated with color. “Would you believe me if I said, I have no idea what you are talking about?”

  “No!” Catherine was emphatic in her denial.

  Luc heaved a sigh of resignation. “Well, it would actually mostly be true if I were to say I have no idea, because I barely know how I feel.” He paused for a moment and regarded his friend steadily. “Do not press me on the subject, Catherine, my dear. I am completely muddled in my thoughts at the moment and would not be coherent in the least.”

  Nodding with sympathy, Catherine merely squeezed his arm before moving over to speak with some of the other ladies in the box. Luc approached Julianna and Fletcher.

  “No escorts this evening? Do you think that is wise?” he asked with censor, interrupting the relatives as they were discussing the play.

  Feeling he had no right to question her choices, Julianna tried to ignore him but Fletcher stopped, immediately turning to his new mentor.

  “He is correct, Aunt Julianna, does my father know you two have gone out on your own?”

  Irritated, Julianna gritted her teeth but could not quite keep a bite out of her tone. “We are not on our own. We are with a large group of ladies. And yes, your father knows where we are. Thank you for your concern,” she concluded with a hint of sarcasm.

  Seeing Fletcher’s arrested expression, Julianna was instantly contrite. “I’m sorry, Fletch. You probably are concerned for us, and I appreciate that. But we really are going to be just fine. Do not worry about us for one moment. Go off and have fun with your friends. We are certainly having fun with ours. We are planning to go straight home after the theatre, so you need not worry at all.”

  Recognizing his dismissal, Fletcher turned to leave, pausing on his way back to the corridor in order to greet all of Julianna’s guests. Not instantly following him, Luc continued to regard Julianna in assessment.

  “Are you quite sure you will be all right on your own?”

  Beginning to bristle again, Julianna’s answer was cool. “Quite sure, my lord.”

  Realizing his error, Luc apologized. “I’m sorry, Julianna. I promise I do not mean to question your ability to look after yourself. I just do not think this is the safest neighbourhood for ladies to be traveling around without escort.”

  “My brother apparently did not feel the same.” Julianna refused to be appeased.

  “Your brother does not see beyond the end of his own nose most of the time,” Luc stated baldly, irritation causing him to overstep once more.

  “Well, how fortunate for you that this is none of your concern. Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a lovely evening.” Thus dismissing the viscount, Julianna turned her back on him and greeted the Fieldings.

  “How lovely that you could join us. I’m sorry I did not notice your arrival I was so enraptured by the play.”

  “I can fully understand how that happened. The instant we took our seats, I was immediately engrossed. Thank you so much for inviting us. We do not have a box of our own so we have not had a chance to see many of the spectacles. This is a rare treat to be sure.” In her enthusiasm Lady Hearst was more pleasant than usual, and Julianna allowed her irritation to drift away.

  Realizing he had made a serious error in judgment, Luc looked at Catherine to see if she had observed the exchange. The amusement dancing in her eyes indicated clearly that she had. The viscount made a droll face at her before he collected Fletcher and they made their escape.

  Julianna, ever aware of the viscount’s presence, was equal parts relieved and disappointed when she sensed his departure. It infuriated her that he would censure her behaviour although she appreciated it was no doubt prompted by pure motives. She found herself wishing he had not so quickly accepted her dismissal.

  Once again she was relieved when the play resumed and sw
ept her away from her concerns. By the time the curtain fell upon the final scene she was sufficiently diverted as to be able to cheerfully discuss the play’s various nuances with her guests while they waited for the crowds to disperse enough not to get swept along in the crush.

  “Thank you so much for inviting us, Lady Julianna,” gushed Abigail. “It was the best night of the Season.”

  Julianna was surprised the marriage-obsessed young girl would so enjoy an evening in the company of only woman. She answered with warmth. “You are most welcome. I am glad you and your mother were available to join us.”

  “My brother did not want us going out without him, which was why we were a little late. He and his wife were also coming to the theatre so we have to wait here for him to come and fetch us,” Abigail guilelessly pointed out. “They should be along any moment.”

  Most of their guests had drifted out by now, and it was only the Fielding ladies and Odelia who remained with Julianna.

  “Would you like us to escort you to your carriage?” Lady Hearst offered generously. “When my son gets here, he will no doubt insist upon it.”

  Gritting her teeth to not say anything cutting, Julianna thanked her for the offer. “We should be just fine on our own, my lady, but thank you for your concern.”

  At that moment, one of the Montgomery footmen arrived to be their escort to the carriage. Julianna was relieved that he had arrived before Lady Hearst’s son could insist upon anything.

  “Let us step out of the box. The crowds should be sufficiently lessened, and we will be able to watch for your son more easily.”

  Finally, the Fieldings were gone after more thanks were exchanged and promises of visits the following day were given.

  As they walked briskly toward the carriage, again arm in arm, Odelia turned to her aunt. “That was so much fun!” she declared with glee. “It’s nice to be independent for a night, isn’t it?”