The child behind them began to cry. The lad was likely five or six and made his displeasure at not being able to see Adair’s show very loudly. Julius kept his gaze on Maura as he tried to ignore the child.
Maura, of course, could not. She glanced over with new worry on her face. “He’s so distraught.”
“That he is.”
She turned her gaze to him. “Julius, don’t be so cold.”
He held back rolling his eyes as he glanced over his shoulder at the mother who was trying to console her child. Then he turned to the front as they reached the admittance stand. “Five tickets please.”
He felt a hand brush his arm and looked over to find Maura smiling up at him. Her pleasure at his kind act was so clear and breathtaking he knew she shined from her heart, that place that he knew to be white as snow.
Once he paid his coin, he turned and gave the mother three of the tickets and didn’t wait to hear her thanks before he pulled Maura away.
“That was so kind of you,” Maura whispered a moment later. Her head was tucked down slightly, but that heavy-lashed gaze came up to meet his.
His lips twitched. “I didn’t do it for them. I did it for you. I’m hoping you’ll allow me to take special liberties this afternoon.”
She gasped, her lips parting ever so temptingly.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He pushed her toward a door that was in the opposite direction where their friends had assembled. From over a few heads, he could see them waving him over. Sophia and Lorena both wore a look that shot daggers in his direction. He ignored them. He had no intentions of sharing Maura. They were engaged, and it was sensible for him to court his fiancée, even if the marriage wasn’t a love match. There was much to learn about one another, like what her legs felt like and how soft a treasure she kept underneath her skirts.
Maura turned to him. The crowd was too thick for her to have seen their friends trying to gain her attention. “Tell the truth. It felt wonderful doing something for someone else, didn’t it?”
He thought about it as he steered them further away. Then he shrugged. “No. I can’t say I feel any particular way about it. I’m glad the child ceased its complaints, but otherwise…”
“Your heart can’t be that cold.” She sounded concerned.
“Oh, but it is.” He’d come to terms with himself a long time ago. The world was full of people who would one by one let you down in one way or another. He found it easy to trust the members of the Brotherhood. Their relationship worked on the exchange of kind acts. He cared for them and knew they cared for him as well, yet he also knew that when it came down to it, they would all choose their wives and children over Julius, just as it should be. Julius held no anger at that fact. A man had to look out for his family. It was his duty and he’d never ask them to do otherwise.
He liked their dedication. Admired it but understood the reality of it no less.
He thought of Maura. He’d protect his marchioness with his life, but he neither needed or cared for her love. He looked down at her to find her watching him.
He took her hand and placed it on his arm as they entered the theatre. He was moving them down one of the aisles when she spoke.
“I’ve never hated anyone before.” A glance over her shoulder at him showed that her eyes glittered with profound emotion. “But I hate her.”
He frowned as they continued on. “Who do you hate?”
“Your mother, for what she’s done to you.”
He’d have likely fallen had she not chosen that very moment to place her hand on his chest. Her expression was saddened. “I’m sorry, Julius, but I can’t marry you.”
Piecing her last few statements together, he began to understand why she refused. He wasn’t good enough for her. He’d not been good enough for his mother, after all, a woman who should have cared for his safety over all else. He often recalled how easy it had appeared for her to lift her hand to kill him. Her expression had held no guilt or sadness. He’d not been worth either emotion and he’d stopped wondering long ago why that was.
He grabbed her arm and pulled it from his chest. “I’ll not let you be locked away, Maura, so the sooner you understand that, the better.” Then he moved past her and, still holding her wrist, helped her into a row close to the front before taking his own seat.
* * *
chapter 29
* * *
Julius said very little during the first part of the performance, and Maura was so stuck in her own thoughts that she barely paid attention to the events at the center ring. The moves of the riders with their horses were impressive, but she couldn’t seem to shake her attention from Julius.
Thankfully, distraction came in the form of the woman and her two children. Apparently, Julius had not only purchased them seats, but he’d gotten them very good ones. The Stroud family was kind, and she quickly fell in love with Henry, the youngest member of the trio. He had dark hair and eyes that seemed to shine like onyx gems. He loved everything about the show, and Maura soon felt her own joy rising.
The intermission came, and Julius surprised her by saying, “Tell me the rest of the story you told Allen this morning.”
Maura blinked. “What?”
He turned to her and leaned close. “That story that I didn’t find any humor in. Tell it to me in its entirety.”
Maura blushed. “Oh, well, it was from the script of a play that one of the women at the Spinster Home had written.” She smiled, glad they were speaking about something besides the marriage that would never take place. “The lead male is a ruthless solicitor who finds himself quite attracted to the daughter of nobility. When the woman is stolen away, her older brother calls the solicitor to a duel. When the solicitor is stabbed through the head, he declares, ‘Waste. I have nothing there.’ Then the noble brother stabs him through the heart. Again, the solicitor says, ‘Nothing there.’ Finally, he’s stabbed in the groin…” Maura let her words trail off.
Julius was grinning. “I’m sure this immortal law keeper refused to claim there to be nothing between his legs.”
Maura laughed. “Exactly.”
He chuckled, and his eyes softened. “That sounds like a dreadful play. I hope to see it produced one day.”
She lifted a shoulder.
“I’m surprised Allen enjoyed it, being a solicitor himself and all.”
Again, her shoulder went up and down. “I suppose that would say something about him and his character. He’s not above comedy even at the slight offense of his profession.”
Julius’s expression became dark. “We should announce our engagement.”
She turned away and watched Betsy, Henry’s older sister, show him some trick with string.
Julius leaned toward her. She could feel his warmth at her back, his breath at her ear as he asked, “What would make this easier for you? I already promised you a London terrace and a country house, the family seat, no less.”
She looked at him. “I’ve a question for you. How exactly am I to uphold my duty as the marchioness and have an heir if I live on the other side of town?” She only blushed slightly at the words.
“That’s simple. You won’t be giving me any heirs.”
Maura felt as though the entire theatre had frozen around her, yet somehow, she was spinning. “What?”
“Lorenzo is my heir. The seat will pass on to him once I’m gone. His children will inherit.”
“You don’t want children of your own?”
His expression seemed horrified and full of disgust. He didn’t need to speak the words that came. She knew the answer even before he said it. “Not at all.”
Maura stared at him as an ugly realization came to her. He’d been planning to marry her and hadn’t bothered to share that they’d never have children? He’d have her stuck in a barren marriage all alone? Could he not fathom how very cruel that was? Again, she wished his mother alive, so she could throttle the old marchioness. “Never?” She had to be sure. Perhaps, it was only she he
didn’t wish to bear his children. “What if I died and you married again?”
He shook his head. “Never.”
She was confused and horrified and didn’t know if the tears burning at the backs of her eyes were for him or herself. She stood. “Excuse me. I need a moment.” She moved out of the row and went up the aisle toward the doors.
She pushed through and was immediately seized.
Julius stood over her. “What were you thinking? You can’t simply leave on your own. All manner of things could befall you.”
She wondered how much he cared. Then she knew the thought unfair. He did care. He cared enough to give up his chances of happiness so she’d remain out of Bedlam. She thought about her next words for a moment and then said, “I won’t be going to Bedlam.”
He opened his mouth, ready to argue, but then narrowed his gaze before saying, “Why not?”
She pulled in a breath. “The Spinsters have a plan.”
His expression didn’t improve. “Is it dangerous?”
* * *
chapter 30
* * *
When Maura’s gaze fluttered away, Julius knew he had his answer. Whatever plan the Spinsters had come up with, it would not turn out well for anyone. He was getting ready to remind her of his words from earlier that day when they were interrupted by Natalia and William.
Natalia’s golden eyes widened. “Oh, I didn’t know you two would be out here. We decided to walk a bit before the rest of the show began.” Then she turned to Maura. “Oh, His grace, Lord Levenberg, is looking for you. William can take you to him. He didn’t truly wish to walk anyway.”
William looked puzzled but then shrugged. “Stay with Julius,” he told Natalia. “No wandering away.”
Julius tightened his hold on Maura. Her gaze at first was soft with an emotion he couldn’t read but slowly it grew in irritation when he wouldn’t let go. She glared at him before tugging her hand free.
“Thank you, William.” Maura moved to the other man and then allowed him to walk her away without a backward glance.
Julius turned to his cousin. “What’s your plan?”
Natalia’s eyes widened again as she produced a fan. “Plan?” The sweeps of air flung her red and golden hair back from her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He didn’t believe his cousin for a moment. Natalia had done very few things in life without a plan. When she returned to London after ten years on the Continent to see to Julius’s enemies, she’d been such an expert at disguise that she’d even fooled him. It had been William who’d discovered her true identity, William, who’d been in love with her since they were children. Natalia had felt the same. If there was one woman in the world Julius knew loved him, it was Natalia. He’d ruined her family before she’d left, yet she’d return to see that he was all right. There was no question in his mind that she cared for him, which meant he trusted her above most anyone else.
That didn’t mean he didn’t expect her to lie. Most of the Spinsters lied. “What is the Spinsters plan for Maura?”
Natalia turned back to the doors. “I think I hear the music beginning. It’s likely time for the show to start again.”
It wasn’t. They still had time, so he grabbed her arm. “Tally Cat, tell me.” He used the name he’d given her as a girl. When they’d been children, she’d always carried a hideous cat named Starlight around. The animals had been scarred and abused and likely had an infection. Julius had accidentally killed it, but all had been forgiven.
His cousin smiled at him. “We’re doing what is best for Maura.”
“I’m what’s best for Maura.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure of that?”
He hesitated, and she shook her head with a sigh.
“Cousin,” she began. “I love you more than air itself.” She touched his cheek. “You could kill ten Starlights, and I’d have found a way to forgive you.”
He’d almost allowed William to take the blame for killing Starlight but had confessed to feeding the cat an obscene amount of coffee before Natalia had given the creature over to William. For years, Julius had remained silent, afraid of losing Natalia’s love.
He could never understand why she forgave him for anything he did. He thought it had to do with her devotion to the Creator, but he also thought it to be simply her. She was giving and kind, like many of the other Spinsters.
“But you’re a fool,” she whispered, her fingers sliding away.
He stiffened. “A fool?”
She nodded. “If you want Maura to marry you, you have to woo her, Julie.”
He hated when she called him Julie. “I don’t have to woo her. I’m just her friend and she’s out of options.”
Natalia lifted a brow. “Is she?”
Julius felt that unsettling turning in his gut. It had started with breakfast and had grown worse while riding to town. All he could think about were the men who’d accompanied Maura the entire way. Anthony had already mentioned wishing to bed her. He’d seen the way Allen had become consumed by her at breakfast. Even now, he didn’t like that she’d been taken away to be with Garrett, who planned to introduce her to Adair after the event…
He stilled and was certain he knew the Spinsters’ plan. “It’ll never work. None of those men would propose to her in a matter of days. Love doesn’t work that way.”
Natalia smiled. “Oh, but doesn’t it? Emmett swears he knew Lorena was the one during their first encounter, which happened to take place at a party at a country estate.”
Julius shifted from one foot to the other. “That was different. They were young and their hearts easy to sway.”
Tally Cat rolled her eyes. “There’s Sophia and Morris. They wanted each other at first sight.”
“Yes. Want. That’s entirely different than a marriage proposal.”
Natalia stared into his eyes for a long moment and said, “Let us make a deal.”
He said nothing, but it was clear she had his attention.
“Do you love Maura?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then no more interference from you for the next few days or until her father arrives,” Tally said. “Let us see if Maura can manage to find a man more suited for her. If we fail, then we’ll reassess your plan. What do you say? There’s nothing to lose with giving her space, is there? And you know we’d try to convince Maura to do whatever she can to stay out of Bedlam.”
Julius thought the agreement a reasonable one. Still, he hesitated to give his consent. He could leave Maura alone for a few days. That would be easy. He could even find humor in watching her try and catch the attention of some of the hardest hearts in London. There was a reason each of them had yet to settle. Julius didn’t see their minds changing within a few days. Not even a week. And definitely not by someone as mad as Maura.
A moment later, he shrugged. “Very well. You have a deal, but when you fail, you must swear to convince Maura to marry me.”
Natalia nodded. “Now, take me into the theatre. I don’t wish to miss a minute.”
* * *
chapter 31
* * *
Maura enjoyed meeting Adair. He was charming, friendly, and more importantly, kind to children. Maura had convinced Prince Garrett to invite not only the Brotherhood and the Spinsters to meet their friend but also the family that Julius had paid admittance for. Henry seemed to be having the greatest day of his life as one of the other equestrians led him and his sister over to the handsome steed a few feet away.
“Thank you for this, Your Grace, Miss Shaw. My children will remember this day for years to come,” their mother Mrs. Stroud said to Prince Garrett and Maura before running off to see about her children.
Maura watched them go but became very aware of Garrett at her side when he began to speak.
“You like children?” he asked.
She turned him and smiled. “What’s there not to like? They seem to find pleasure in small things and can imagine the
wildest things.”
He chuckled, his voice as warm as his eyes. “Yes, my sons are the same way.”
Maura recalled meeting Garrett’s sons. They’d attended a party in honor of one of Maura’s nieces. Their mother had died some years ago. “What’s it like? Being a father?”
He stilled and stared at her for a moment. His smile slowly slipped away. “I… don’t recall being asked that question before.”
Maura’s cheeks reddened. “Of course not.” Who asked a prince what being a father was like? He likely didn’t even see his sons often, if he was anything like most of the fathers in Society. Boys were given tutors and then, when they were old enough, they were sent away to Eton and beyond, returning only when they were able to prove themselves ready to take their father’s title and manage the family estates. Besides, the answer to such a question could be quite a private matter and though she’d been introduced to Garrett some years ago, she had to right to ask a prince such a question. “Forgive me.” She looked around to find one of the Spinsters, desperately in need of escape. What had she been thinking to try and woo a man?
She found her Sisters standing by a female rider and waved her hands to gain their attention.
His words cut through her worrying. “It’s a remarkable journey.”
She hesitantly asked, “A journey, Your Grace?”
“Yes, and it’s one that never ceases to surprise you. With each age, you learn something new, and I’ve been told that it doesn’t matter how many you have, one’s character will never be the same as the other.”
She smiled. “I admire that you’re capable of seeing that. No two people are ever alike. You must spend a great deal of time with your children.”
He nodded down at her as he stepped closer. “I promised to keep my boys close after their mother’s death. This country party is the longest I’ve been away from them.”
“You must miss them terribly.” She was surprised he’d shared something so personal with her and for a moment, she felt honored and recalled all the other people who’d trusted her in the past with her work at the Spinster Home, “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve your confidence, but I swear to keep it.”
Maura’s Special Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 11
