By the time Thomas was measured and materials and colors selected, Brendon led the man out and over to the dress shop. He arrived just as the ladies stepped out.
After a pleasant hour in the park seeing and being seen, Brendon suggested they return Julie back to the townhouse. Escorting Jolene in he was surprised when Bing stepped up and handed a thick packet to Julie.
Chapter Twenty-One
Confused while at the same time intrigued, she turned the packetover in her hands. Not noticing a return direction, Julie glanced to Jolene then Thomas. With all of London aware she now resided at the Hampshire townhouse, it could have come from almost anyone.
“Lord Hampshire, I wish to refresh before opening this. Might I have your permission to do that with everyone present in your office?”
“Certainly, m’ lady. I was hoping you would make that request. If I’m not mistaken, we all are desirous to learn its contents. Would you like me to take it?”
“I would, m’ lord. I shan’t be more than thirty minutes.”
She accepted Thomas’s arm and allowed herself to be guided upstairs to her suite. At the door, Julie paused while he opened it for her. Peering in, she saw Suzy laying a fresh day dress out on the bed.
“I’ll meet you shortly and learn what mystery was delivered,” Thomas uttered, then bowed and retreated downstairs.
Walking into her room, at least for now, she smiled to her maid. She still had some difficulty allowing another to help dress and undress her as that was a task she’d undertaken for many years.
“Where did that dress come from?”
“Emmy, through Lady Jolene, said you may borrow it until some of your new dresses arrive. Speaking of such, how was the visit with the dressmaker?”
“Interesting. I never knew there were so many different choices to make between the pattern, materials, and colors. If it hadn’t been for Lady Hampshire and Lady Jolene I would have been at a complete loss. They should start arriving sometime tomorrow with one being a ball gown.”
“Wonderful. Now let’s get you changed and into this comfortable dress.”
With her needs taken care of and in the new, for her, dress, Julie sat while Suzy pinned a few strands of hair back in place. With a light shawl and wearing satin slippersJulie made her way down to the earl’s office. At the door, she peered in and panicked. She was the last one. Thomas stepped up offering his arm.
Settled on the settee, she reached for the packet, broke the wax seal then unfolded the outer wrapping exposing several yellowed broadsheets.
Julie,
I had Mrs. Love give me all the reports she collected in regards to a missing eight-year-old girl. As it turns out, it was you. I thought this information might be helpful in finding out how you ended up in the river.
Vikki
She handed it over to Thomas then picked up the top sheet, passing it over to Jolene. Julie continued that task until everyone had a broadsheet. Taking up one for herself, she read the article.Discouragement grew by the time she finished. Nothing. No hint as to who had dumped her in the river or where. She examined the others. All were frowning as she felt she must be doing.
“Julie, who is Mrs. Love? Does she work at St. James?” Thomas inquired.
“Yes, in the kitchen as one of the supervisors. When my parents could not be found, she took me under her protection. She had always thought there was something special about me. From her I learned to read, write, my numbers, speak French, and dance.”
“That explains quite a bit. She was correct in that you are unique. I would like to carefully examine all the articles to attempt to learn if I might find anything which will help identify who pushed you in. The why? That, I won’t be able to learn until the person who tried to kill you is found.”
“Thomas, wouldn’t the investigator at the time do that?” Robert said.
“It would all depend on in what condition Julie was found. Her clothing…was the dress of excellent quality or poorly made?Then there would be her physical condition. Did she present severely underweight or well-fed?Add to that, who they talked to. Most likely this Mrs. Love was interviewed but couldn’t give the police any real information,” he explained.
“Where a reporter would be able to learn even more even if the child was a waif. Is that correct?” Jolene uttered.
“Regrettably it is. Most inspectors then were only interested in a case involving peers or murder. Those were the ones where they make a name for themselves. With the changing times so has our desire to solve every crime, no matter the victim,” Thomas said.
“Then please, do whatever you can to find those responsible. If you will excuse me, I am tiring and wish to rest before dinner.”
“And again, we will be staying in, so mayhap we might have a music recital again tonight. However, Julie since you will have a ball gown tomorrow we should attend one,” Kristina told her.
With a nod, Julie allowed Thomas to escort her to the stairs. As she climbed them she could feel his eyes on her which felt exciting that someone cared for her as herself not an excellent baker. That was,except for Vikki.
Changed into a bathrobe, she chose to recline on the window seat and read. Picking up Candide, she settled against a thick pillow while Suzy covered her with a quilt. No sooner had Julie opened the book then a movement coming from the garden caught her attention. Aware that Brendon had loaned Robert several footmen, but they stayed in front or around the mews, this had Julie curious who this man was. Even stranger, she knew he wasn’t a gardener as she’d met them.
“Suzy, don’t come over here, but do exactly as I say. Find either Mr. Spencer, His Lordship, or the marquis and tell them there might be an intruder on the property and be quick about it.”
Julie lifted the book as if she was reading all the while keeping aneye on the man. As he got closer to the veranda, she noticed he looked up directly at her. She didn’t recognize him, but she noticed he wore a scar down the right side of his face. A shiver rushed down her back when he ran his thumb across his neck then pointed up to her.
No sooner had that happened then she saw him turn and try to run back the way he had come. Except her Thomas was faster and caught and threw him down. In a heartbeat, Robert and Brendon helped lift the man up and drag him into the house. As much as she wished to learn why he’d tried to sneak in, besides threatening her, Julie knew it wasn’t her place any more. She hoped that when they learned something they would inform her.
She tried to concentrate on the book but kept having visions of the motion the man did across his throat. Between being shot and now this Julie couldn’t come up with a reason why someone would wish her harm. After all, until a few weeks ago she was a simple baker’s assistant with excellent prospects of being promoted. Even Vikki expressed disappointment at losing her skills.
Throwing the quilt off, she stood and started pacing about her suite. No sooner had she begun then Jolene entered, without knocking which was unusual even for her.
“As you witnessed the gentlemen caught the man. He’s now in the basement being questioned by Thomas, I would suppose. But, as for my reason to be here? To keep you company while a new room is opened up for you.”
“But why, Jolene? This one is fine not to mention I do love the color.”
“For your safety. It will be in the family wing next to mine. You’ll still have a view of the lawn and garden. It’s just that if someone tries to get in, they will have to deal with footmen as they are at each end of the corridor all the time.”
“Then, yes, and I gather I’ve no choice in the matter?”
“No as we, my parents, I, and in particular Thomas wish to keep you safe until you two marry.”
That last little piece of news caused Julie tobecome faint. To keep from falling she grabbed the back of a chair and carefully sat. She knew she hadaffectionsfor him, but until now was unaware they were returned. Julie lifted her head to her friend.
“How do you know of this? Neither of us has said anything ab
out how we feel.”
She waved Jolene onto the chair opposite while waiting for an answer.
“My dear, it’s simple really. It’s the way you look at each other. This afternoon in my father’s office he kept gazing to the door until you arrived. This wasn’t the first time either. Whenever you are in the same room together but not beside each other, you both are less interested in the conversation. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, it does. And here’s Suzy smiling, which means either she met a handsome footman or my new suite is ready?”
“M’ ladies,” the maid curtsied. Then said, “No, I did not meet a handsome staff member, and you will love the new suite. Everything is different shades of blue.”
Julie wanted, on learning the color, to jump for happiness but didn’t as she wasn’t sure that was proper behavior for a lady.
“Help me back into the dress from earlier. I believe it would be inappropriate for me to leave here wearing only a bathrobe.”
Changed and with Suzy carrying fresh undergarments, Julie followed Jolene over to the family wing and into the new suite. She smiled, then spied an evening gown of bluedraped over the bed.
“That’s for tonight,” Jolene said.
Peering at it, Julie suspected a certain young man wouldn’t keep his eyes off her all night.
“M’ lady, while you dine I’ll move everything from your old suite into here. I already took the liberty of examining the private room and there are several bath oils already there.”
Later, bathed,andwearing the gown and with her hair in a chignon, Julie stepped out of the suite and into Thomas’ arms.
Chapter Twenty-Two
In a pastel-blue gown with a slightly revealing bodice, to entice Brendon into trying to misbehave, and her hair piled high with a few strands hanging down to frame her face, Jolene took a final glance in the mirror and smiled. Gently she lifted the latch and stepped into the corridor. She frowned.
“Don’t even think of attempting to steal a kiss from her,” Jolene directed to the now caught couple.
“M’ lady, nothing has or had happened. As much as I would wish to be kissed by Thomas, I believe in my heart he won’t compromise me.”
“Is that true, Mr. Spencer?”
“It is, m’ lady. I would do nothing to offend the earl or countess,” Thomas answered.
“I am pleased to learn of that. Now, shall we repair to the countesses parlor before a hue and cry is sent out?”
To make sure Julie and her escort behaved, Jolene hadthem in front of her as they went to meet her parents. She also was curious if Brendon had arrived yet. That had always been one of several things she liked about him. Punctuality.
Sweeping in, she glanced around for her father and found him talking in a hushed voice with the marquis. She smiled when he turned to her. Was it his wide-eyed expression or the opening and closing of his luscious lips with no sound passing them that she enjoyed the most?Mayhap both.
“M’ lord, are you yourself?” she teased.
“Ah, ah, um. Yes,” Brendon was finally able to get out.
“I’m pleased to learn that, as I am so looking forward to a waltz or two this eve.”
“That would be indeed a pleasure. Perhaps if Lady Julie might be able to tear herself away from Mr. Spencer I could enjoy one with her as well,” Brendon jested.
“Lord Lange, that might be allowed too if Mr. Spencer is permitted to share the floor with Lady Jolene,” Julie quipped.
“So be it. But, more importantly, what were you gentlemen able to learn from the prisoner?” Jolene inquired purposefully to change the topic.
If anything, Jolene wanted to find out if there was someone else after Julie as that could affect ventures out to the dress shop and balls.
“Quite a bit once we removed Thomas from the questioning,” Robert started.
“M’ lord, I don’t understand?” Julie asked.
“Mr. Spencer wanted to pommel the man into the ground for threatening you. Neither Lord Hampshire nor I believed that technique would have worked with him,” Brendon explained.
“Continuing on, we did learn who sent him to threaten or try to kill Lady Julie. Someone we have met before as he gave Lady Jolene the last message. Lord Neill.”
“Wait a minute. You said Neill?”
“Yes, why Mr. Spencer? Is that important?”
“Most definitely, as that is the maiden name of the viscountess. I’d wager she along with her husband have arranged everything from the beginning,” her father uttered.
Jolene pondered the idea that the viscount could have been the one who murdered Jack Cooper. If that was the case then there, she believed, had to be a connection between the two. That would need to be looked into, but by who?She would prefer not to be the one. What if the task fell on Thomas? She was about to ask when the dinner bell rang out.
Once the meal ended, Jolene was a bit taken aback when the gentlemen retired to the earl’s office. Her father had said they would only be there for a few minutes then inform the ladies of their discussion. She with her mother and Julie, both as confused as she, retired to the parlor to await the men to return.
As promised, the gentlemen made their appearance.
“Ladies, there is no easy way to say this, but Mr. Spencer has chosen to return to work,” Robert announced.
“Yes. Doing so will be the best, easiest, and quickest way to find out what connection, if any, there is between Neill and Cullen. With the information Lords Hampshire and Lange were able to obtain from our prisoner at the Met, I will be able to have a warrant issued for Neill’s arrest.”
“When will you return?” Julie asked, disappointment evident in her tone.
“On the morrow. However, His Lordship has extended his invitation to live here. That way in the evenings when we, yes even I, attend balls, it will be easier on you Lady Julie.”
“Thank you. I shall miss your company when we visit the park.”
With that, the future happiness of Julie and Thomas wassettled. Jolene suggested a short musical evening, which was agreed by all.
****
Jolene made her way down to the family dining room for her first meal of the day. As she swept along, she wondered how Julie was holding up with Thomas not present. If she wasn’t mistaken, he would have been up by sunrise then off to his office.
Walking in, she noticed only Julie had arrived. She suspected her parents would be along shortly which would give her a few minutes with her friend. Setting up a plate, Jolene took the chair opposite and started in on her meal. After a few minutes, she set her fork down.
As there wasn’t staff within earshot Jolene chose to speak casually. “Julie, over the past few days here I’ve seen you not only reading French, but Italian as well. Not to mention you dance as if you have done it all your life. I was wondering what other skills you might possess but are unaware of them.”
“It’s interesting that you should say that as I’ve been having the same thoughts myself. How would you suggest we proceed?”
“Let’s finish our breakfast then retire to the garden parlor. I thought we’d find out if you can draw?”
With their meal over, Jolene linked an arm with Julie and guided her to the back of the townhouse and the selected sitting room. On the table in front of the settee which looked out to the garden were a sketch pad and several pencils.
“Dear, have a seat then glance around to see if there’s anything you might wish to attempt to draw.”
To give Julie room and silence, Jolene stepped over to the floor-to-ceiling window. Peering out, she saw several gardeners pruning dead flowers and weeding. Simple tasks she’dhelped do at the estate many times and enjoyed. She also kept an eye on Samson as he went about his morning business then make a dash for the veranda where a footman would let him in.
She peered over her shoulder to Julie who had picked up the paper and pencil. What she thought interesting was thatthe young lady was concentrating so hard on whatever she was dr
awing the tip of her tongue had slipped out of the corner of her mouth.
Since her collie didn’t know she and Julie were in theparlor, Jolene stepped over to the door to await his arrival. In minutes, he rushed up.Patting her hip, Jolene took a seat beside Julie and glanced to what her friend was sketching. Samson.
“My dear, that is so lifelike. It’s amazing.”
“Thank you for your kind words. I only wish I could tell you how or where I learned to draw.”
“So, this is where you ladies are hiding,” Kristina announced from the door.
“Mother, look at this sketch Julie did of my brat, and he wasn’t even here when she did it.” Jolene took the sheet from her and held it up.
“That is beautiful. So now you, Julie, have another talent which a gentleman would appreciate,” her mother replied.
“What brings you, Mother, in search of us?I thought we didn’t have anything planned until after luncheon and the visit to Mrs. Holly.”
“That is precisely why I’m here. The earl and the marquis, who has just arrived, thought that to throw off those hunting you, Julie, we go now.”
Jolene turned to Julie to see her smiling then stand. Together they returned to their suites so they could change into walking shoes then collect their bonnets and parasols. That done, Jolene stepped from her suite just as Julie did then went down to the foyer. There they were met by her father, Brendon, and a surprise for Julie, Thomas.
“Mr. Spencer, we, or at least Lady Julie and I, weren’t expecting you until dinner. Is everything all right?” Jolene asked as it appeared on seeing him Julie had become speechless.
“I know, but I’ve brought excellent news, but that will have to wait until later. Let’s just say things are quickly coming to a successful conclusion.”
Accepting Brendon’s arm, Jolene let him guide her to the landau then hand her in. She waited as Julie was assisted by Thomas. She did found it interesting the earl and countess weren’t accompanying them. They must have had a reason and she would find out later.
To Save a Lady Page 12
