“Just the chap we have been looking for.”
Julian put down his glass as Francis and Will Saunders claimed the chairs opposite him. “Gentlemen.”
He was most of the way through his third glass of brandy, intending to push on and see if he could make it to five before he called time. A quiet nook in the corner of Brooks, with high-backed chairs facing toward the fireplace, had given him what he thought was the right amount of privacy.
Caroline’s brother Will, however, was a man capable of finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. His years as an undercover agent for the British crown in Paris had honed his skills of espionage to a fine point.
“To what do I owe this honor?” said Julian.
Francis summoned a nearby waiter, and ordered two bottles of wine and a platter of food. It was clear that both he and Will intended to stay.
“We wanted to have a chat about our sister,” said Francis.
“And the lack of enthusiasm that she has noted on your part since the announcement of your engagement. We just want to make sure that everything is right between the two of you, especially before tonight,” added Will.
Julian picked up his brandy glass and downed the last of its contents in one long gulp. He sat for a moment, rueing the fact that his drink was yet to dull his senses to the desired level. Will’s words did have an effect.
Caroline was worried that he had got cold feet.
Fool.
Once more, he had let his mother get to him and blind him to what really mattered. The necklace was worth a small fortune, but Caroline’s heart was priceless.
“Is there anything we can do?” offered Francis.
Julian sighed. “No. Not unless you are offering to strangle my lovely mother.”
Francis and Will collectively groaned.
“I take it that her highness has been her usual pleasant self,” replied Will.
“Let us just say that the conversation with her at the Austrian embassy did not go well. My father, God rest his soul, signed over the necklace to her, on the condition that she only has to return it when a new countess comes into the title. So, until I marry, I cannot claim it back. And yes, she was her usual charming self about it, thank you for asking,” he replied.
He did not want to make mention of the unkind words the countess had said about Caroline. He had seen them for what they were: a means to bait him into anger.
“So why not marry now, and claim the necklace before she leaves England?” replied Francis.
Julian had promised Caroline the wedding of her dreams. A full service at St Paul’s, married by her uncle the Bishop of London. A glittering ball at Strathmore House would follow, attended by all of London’s social elite. His mother would not steal that from his bride.
He was determined that their marriage celebration would be a triumph for Caroline. One that put all rumors by Harry Menzies to rest. She was Julian’s chosen bride and his countess. “I understand what you are saying, and if it were anyone else, I might consider it, but this is Caroline. I would not do that to her. Not after what she has been through. She deserves a full society wedding, reflective of her status, and I am determined that she will have it.”
Will and Francis exchanged a knowing look.
Two servants arrived at that moment, one carrying two bottles of French burgundy, the other, a platter of cold meats and pickles.
Will reached over and picked up a piece of cold pickled pork and looked at it. Just before he put it in his mouth, he met Julian’s gaze. “How about the three of us have a glass or two of this fine wine and discuss the options before us?”
Chapter Fifty-Four
Caroline dismissed her maid as soon as the final button on her gown had been secured. She needed time alone in which to compose herself.
The red gown was perfect; it fitted like a glove to her body. The silver tiara, loaned to her by her mother, matched her silver and pearl earrings. She looked like a princess. Tonight, would be her moment of triumph.
Love had finally conquered the Ice Queen.
She would stand beside Julian and show the world that they were united in their decision to forge a future together. A glamorous prelude to the formal occasion of their wedding.
But a lingering doubt still sat in her mind. What if Julian had changed his mind about their love? He had been distracted at best since the moment he’d asked her to be his wife. While he had explained it away as being due to his ongoing conflict with the countess, but she was still worried. What if, after all that had happened, he felt only a moral obligation to offer her marriage?
It would be the most bitter of ironies. She, who had treated the love of others with such scant regard, left to flounder in a loveless union.
She looked at the diamond and ruby ring on her hand and forced a smile to her lips. She was just being nervous and foolish. The man she had shared that night with at the cottage was still the man she was about to marry.
“Don’t be silly, Caroline. He loves you; he is just in unchartered territory. Have faith.”
Following a quick knock on Caroline’s bedroom door, Adelaide swept into the room. She had on her long woolen cloak with the fox fur trim. She sighed when Caroline turned to face her. “Absolutely magnificent. That color truly becomes you. I just wish your sister was here to see it.”
Caroline smiled. Eve would be in for a surprise when she discovered that her sister was engaged. She could only hope that the letter her father had sent earlier that morning would reach Eve and Freddie in time for them to make it back to England for her wedding.
“The tiara is exactly what the gown needed,” replied Caroline.
The jewel was from the Strathmore family collection, left to Adelaide by her father.
She scowled at the sight of her mother’s cloak. “Aren’t you ready to leave a little early?”
The ball was not due to commence for another two hours, and as much as she wanted to be on time, leaving now was too early for her not yet settled nerves.
“Your father and I are going soon. I want to check with your Aunt Caroline and Uncle Ewan to make sure everything is ready before the first of the guests arrive. Francis has offered to accompany you to the ball. He should be here any minute,” replied Adelaide.
Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek, careful not to disturb the tiara and Caroline’s swept up hair style. “You look stunning, my darling,” she whispered.
As soon as Adelaide was gone, Caroline went back to worrying. By the time Francis finally did knock on her door, nearly an hour later, she had convinced herself that she would be living alone in Newhall Castle while Julian lived in seclusion down at the lakeside cottage.
“That is a gown which makes a large statement. I wonder if you are prepared to make one of your own tonight,” he said.
“Of course; I am ready for the ball and all it entails,” she said. Walking into the room on Julian’s arm and welcoming their guests would send a clear message to all of the ton. She straightened her back.
“That’s not quite what I meant. There is someone you need to speak to before you decide where you go tonight,” he replied.
“What do you mean? We are headed to Strathmore House within the hour,” she said.
He stepped out of the room, and to her surprise Julian appeared. He nodded to Francis, who closed the door behind him. She bit down on her lip and tried to prepare herself for bad news.
“Julian? Why are you here and not at the ball?”
Tears welled in Caroline’s eyes at the sight of the man she loved. He crossed the floor and, taking her face in his hands, placed a long, comforting kiss on her lips. He brushed the tears from her cheeks and kissed her again.
“I’m sorry. I have been a complete ass—I can only beg your forgiveness. I love you. Don’t cry,” he said.
She struggled to keep the tears from falling, but the sense of relief which coursed through her body at his words meant she failed. He put his arms around her and held her tight.
Caroline sighed. Their wedding was four weeks away. Julian’s mother would be long gone by then. The countess was going to extract every last ounce of revenge that she could on the Palmer family. “And you and I will have to travel halfway across Europe to retrieve the necklace from her?”
“Yes. I am sorry to say that my mother has no sense of family honor whatsoever,” he replied.
“No, she doesn’t. Is she still here in London?”
The look on his face was grim. “Unfortunately, not. I have had her watched ever since you discovered she was in town. My sources inform me that she left for Brighton early this afternoon. With their yacht now repaired, I expect she and the count will sail for home as soon as possible.”
Caroline crossed to her dressing table and began to pull out the hairpins which held the tiara in place. “We will need a special licence. The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of our guests tonight. If we hurry, we could beg him to issue us one before the ball. We can be on the road to Brighton as soon as we have it.”
Julian reached into his coat and, with a wry smile on his lips, pulled out a piece of folded paper. A relieved Caroline nodded. He had been one step ahead of her.
“Your brothers convinced me that we might be in need of one. We could be married at the engagement ball tonight, and then leave,” replied Julian.
She considered his suggestion for a moment. It would not be the full church service which her mother had set her heart on, but it would be in front of many of London’s elite. By getting married tonight, they could put the rumors and gossip mongering to rest once and for all.
“No. Much as it would solve one of our problems, it would take too long. There are hundreds of people coming to the ball tonight; it would be hours before we could make our excuses and leave. We need to be on the road to Brighton as soon as possible,” said Caroline.
She hurried to her wardrobe and took out a small travel bag. Within a matter of minutes, she had stuffed it with a spare gown, some personal effects, and the tiara. Hurried wedding or not, she was still going to wear it. “How soon could you have your travel coach ready?”
“It’s ready and waiting in the mews outside, along with your cousin James and your uncle,” replied Julian.
Caroline stopped folding the shawl she had in her hands and looked at him, perplexed. “Which uncle?”
“The one who knows how to rouse the Archbishop of Canterbury when he is having his afternoon nap. I thought Will was a persuasive chap, but your Uncle Hugh is a master of the art,” he said.
Caroline chuckled. “Uncle Hugh has always had a golden tongue. We should all be grateful that he has used it in the service of the church.”
Julian came to her side and took the shawl from her hands. Lifting her left hand to his lips, he kissed the scar. “Are you certain?”
Caroline rose up on her toes and placed a tender kiss of confirmation on his lips. “If eloping was good enough for my sister, it is good enough for me. Besides, if I see one more fabric sample in my life, it will be too soon.”
She closed the clasp on her travel bag, and Julian picked it up. With her heavy woolen cloak wrapped about her, Caroline followed him out of the bedroom. She glanced back one last time at the room she had slept in nearly all her life and bid a silent farewell.
Will was waiting downstairs. At the sight of her luggage in Julian’s hand, he hurried over to his sister and hugged her. “I have just arrived from Strathmore House. I explained the situation to our parents and the choice before you. Mama, of course, became a watering pot of tears, but said she would trust your judgement. She said to let your heart decide.”
“Thank you, Will. I know that must have been a difficult conversation,” she replied.
Will then handed Julian a small box. “Our grandmother only managed to bring a few personal items with her when she fled France during the revolution. This is the second of her two rings she left to the family when she died. Eve already has hers. My father has asked that, as a personal favor to him, you place this on Caroline’s hand as you speak your vows.”
Julian took the box. “I am truly honored. Thank your parents from the both of us for their support. It means a great deal to Caroline and I knowing that we have their blessing.”
Francis appeared at the top of the stairs which led down to the family wine cellar, carrying a box. “Weddings require champagne and wine. I would be remiss in my duty if I didn’t make sure we had enough.”
Will chuckled. “You had better have left Papa some of the ’94, or there will be trouble.”
Francis beat a hasty exit toward the door, leading out to the mews. Will followed him, but stopped before he reached the door. He turned to Caroline.
“Good luck. I hope you make it to Brighton in time.”
“You are not coming?” asked Caroline.
“No. We have six hundred and thirty-four guests waiting at Strathmore House. All of whom will be wanting to know why the newly engaged couple are on the road to Brighton, rather than taking the first dance of the evening. I must be with our parents and Hattie tonight. We will stand alongside Lady Margaret and deal with all the guests,” replied Will.
He disappeared outside, leaving Caroline to wipe tears from her eyes.
Julian came to her side. “Ready for our grand adventure?”
She nodded. “Tonight, is just the beginning of our adventure together. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Let’s go.”
Outside in the rear mews, they found the Earl of Newhall’s travel coach waiting. As she climbed inside, Caroline was greeted with the smiling faces of Francis, James, and the Bishop of London. Julian climbed in after her and closed the door.
“Well done, Caroline. I knew you would make the right choice,” said James.
Her Uncle Hugh reached over and took her by the hand. “I hope you don’t mind me coming along for the journey. I promised your mother that, after the disappointment of not performing the marriage rites for your sister, I would make sure I did them for you,” he said.
Caroline was still surprised that her mother had given in so easily and let her go.
“I feel sorry for Mama; she has waited so long for this day. And now she has to go and tell all those guests that the betrothed couple are not attending their own engagement party because they are eloping to Brighton,” she said.
Francis snorted. “Don’t worry about Mama. I expect that at this very minute she is already beginning to add to her plans for your post-wedding ball. Father will be delighted because now Newhall will be footing the bill.”
Julian smiled at her. “And it will be the best post-wedding ball all of London has ever seen.”
Caroline sat back and looked out into the night as the coach pulled away from her family home. The next time she set foot inside the house at Dover Street, she would be the Countess Newhall. All she could do now was pray that they were able to make it to Brighton before the Count and Countess of Lienz sailed.
Her mother’s sacrifice for the love of her daughter was not something she was going to waste.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Julian woke with a start. He had been having a vivid dream of seeing Caroline fall through the ice of the frozen lake. Every time he had got close to reaching her outstretched hand, she had sunk beneath the water and been lost from sight.
To his relief, the real Caroline was laying with her head against his shoulder, staring out the window. A sense of immense pride in her welled up inside him. She had chosen loyalty to him over her long-held dream of a society wedding. He vowed to make it up to her with a wedding ball fit for a queen.
The sun was beginning to peek
above the horizon as the coach made its way into Brighton. Among their little band, James was still asleep. Francis stared out the window, the same as his sister, while the bishop was hard at work writing what Julian eventually recognized as a wedding sermon.
“I suppose the first thing we need to do is make sure that the Count and Countess of Lienz are still in port,” said Julian. His greatest fear was that they would be sailing with the early morning tide.
“So, a visit to the port authority should be our first call. If I ask them to withhold permission for the Count of Lienz’s yacht to leave, that should buy us some time to get the wedding sorted,” replied Francis.
“I suggest you let Caroline and I out at St Nicholas’s church. I will liaise with the local vicar to make the wedding service arrangements. You need to go and find your darling mother,” said Hugh Radley.
Julian frowned. He needed his mother after the wedding, not before. The bishop was suggesting something which Julian found more than a little displeasing. “I am not having that woman at our wedding. She will make a mockery of the whole thing.”
Given the slightest opportunity to make merry hell at his nuptials, she would do it. No. The countess had bested him for the last time.
“Think on it, Newhall. If she has no choice but to come to your wedding and play nice, who then is the victor?” said Francis.
“If the countess comes to your wedding, I shall make certain she behaves. I don’t think even your mother would chance insulting a senior member of the Church of England,” added Hugh.
Caroline shifted in her seat and sat up straight. She looked at Julian, then to his surprise, she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. “What an excellent idea. We should invite both the Count and Countess of Lienz to our wedding. By being in attendance, your mother can never make any claim that we are not properly married.”
As soon as Caroline and her uncle were let out at the ancient mother church of St Nicholas, the travel coach made its way to the marina. Fortunately, there were few boats in the harbor, and Julian quickly caught sight of the yacht belonging to the Count of Lienz.
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