Josette (20 page)

The letter had been posted just days before and despite knowing this, she couldn't keep her mind from wandering to Captain Carter. She imagined him holding the letter in his tapered fingers and scanning it with stunned green eyes. At least, she hoped, he would read her confession with surprise. To imagine him staring with his expressionless face made her ill.

Every manner of business that made the front bell ring jolted the household. But neither Edward nor Captain Carter came.

Only Millerd presented himself the day after next. He took an uneasy turn around the space although it was only Josette and Caroline who welcomed him into the drawing room. “I'm sorry to have missed your mother,” he said to Caroline.

She
smirked
her disbelief.

His hands moved in and out of his pockets.

“And I'm sorry Amy is ill,” Josette repeated.

“I did hope that I would find her recovered.”

Caroline lied for them all, "She exhausted herself at her first ball."

“Perhaps she is too delicate for the long evenings out.”

“Amy's health is in no danger,” Josette said. “A few days of rest will set her up. We're going to take a carriage ride late this morning and perhaps tomorrow go to the Bazaar.”

Caroline made a face, more Josette assumed for the smell of the place, than her companions.

“I'd be happy to accompany you,” Millerd said, and the spark of eagerness in his eye could not be missed.

For an uneasy moment it occurred to Josette that Millerd had befriended them far more than in the common way. He always seemed to find their company and never had a cross word, only compliments. Bother, had she led the man on in some way?

In the awkward silence, he suddenly and without ceremony pulled a letter from his waistcoat and passed it to Caroline.
“I almost forgot,” he declared, and not without some strain at his attempt to be cavalier. “Edward asked me to deliver this and his apologies that he could not get away.”

“From the theater?”
Caroline asked, not missing one beat of the conversation. She accepted the note, laid it beside her on a table, and continued lounging on the settee with her unruffled air.

“From a meeting.
He was writing.”

Josette could only scramble for some turn to make in the conversation. Her heart did not know whether to feel surprised or betrayed. Her mind calmed the tumult of emotion to consider later.

Millerd interrupted her struggle. “I entirely forgot to mention, that I received word from Captain Carter.”

Josette quickly tried to adapt an expression that showed she did not care. Caroline said, “Phillip? Is he going to be able to get away at all?”

“He writes that he will be returning on a matter of business for the Admiralty. It should take at the very least two to three weeks, maybe more, for you know how slow the wheels can turn at Whitehall.”

“He’s taken another prize,” Caroline mused.

All the while Josette's heart pounded in time with her thoughts. That Captain Carter would come for the Season now, after she had written him such an intimate letter. “Good Lord,” she cried forgetting herself, “where will he stay?”

Caroline turned her head. “Why with us, you goose.”

Millerd nodded happily as Josette felt herself pale.

“Lady Berclair should receive word any day now. I only thought to prepare you for the happy news.”

“Yes, Millerd,” said Caroline, “you love to deliver us news.”

Millerd faltered, unsure if he had received compliment or injury.

Josette stood. “I'm so glad you called, and I’ll be sure to let Amy know.” She offered him her hand, and he bowed over it.

Caroline could be so cruel when she was bored, Josette mused as the poor

man
hurried out. She heard the lady pass behind her on the landing to go up the stairs.

“Caroline,” Josette said in a voice as shaming as Lady
Berclair's
, "why must you tease poor Millerd?”

The girl snuffled a laugh as she floated up. “What else is there to do but laugh?” She stopped and gave Josette an inquisitive stare. “Why is it you are determined to protect everyone but Phillip? I've never heard you come to his defense, and you act as if you’d rather us leave him to sleep in the street.”

Josette swallowed and willed herself not to flush. She could think of nothing to reply.

Caroline gave her a devilish grin and went up to her rooms without another thrust.

≈
≈
≈

With Lady
Berclair's
somewhat reluctant condescension, Millerd was allowed to join them on their outing.

There were exotic creatures and birds to distract Amy for a time, and she even accepted an orange that Millerd bought for each of them, but in-between his chattering queries, she fell silent and stared off at nothing at all.

Josette only saw her show any interest when he mentioned the Wednesday ball at
Almack’s
. “And I understand you will be coming as well?” he said, more to Lady Berclair than anyone else.

Caroline pursed her lips.

 
Josette could only be surprised.

“Yes,” Lady
Beclair
said. “I meant to astonish and please my wards, but you've ruined it.” While Millerd colored, she turned to Amy and patted her hard on the knee. “I told you I would get you in to the most important parties of the Season. The Countess has prevailed and allowed us two strangers’ tickets, as I knew she would.” She turned to Josette and nodded her head as if she'd thanked her. “You’d do well to make these rounds with your sister, though you already have before.”

“As has Caroline,” Josette said in defense, for Caroline was almost as old as Josette, and without doubt had more experience presenting her self to the available lords and dukes wanting rich, young, and pretty wives. She was surprised
the patronesses at
Almack’s
had any patience for Caroline at all.

“Yes, but I don’t intend to settle anytime soon,” Caroline bit back, leaving “if at all” unspoken.

“If there is not to be a union for Beddingfield Park,” said Lady
Beclair
, “you are lucky to have me to help you find a suitable situation.”

Josette cringed at her words for Amy's sake, but her sister listened merely as if they were deciding on where she would be buried.

“I am in no hurry to settle myself,” Josette said, her irritation evident though it did not settle the lady. “My parents are in perfect health.”

“As was your brother,” Lady Berclair declared, and Josette had to clench her fists to keep from screaming. For one who claimed interest in settling the affairs of the park, Lady Berclair did not seem to be especially concerned with bringing either one of them to Edward.

Somewhat distressed at the ladies’ conversation, Millerd suddenly asked Amy, “You will come?” and she refocused on his hopeful eyes. “You mustn't stay the whole night or fatigue yourself, but the refreshments are light and the music and company without compare. Upon my word you will have a lovely time of it.”

Amy glanced at her sister then managed to smile and nod. She was trying ever so hard to be polite and tolerate the gentleman’s kindness.

Josette felt a surge of satisfaction at her sister's manners. “Indeed,” she said at once. “We will all come and make it the
most merry
assembly of the Season.”

≈
≈
≈

Upon their arrival to the St. James ballroom, the three young ladies under the protection of Lady Berclair were thought to be a lovely and diverse bouquet of womanhood.
Red, yellow, and mahogany hair coiffed up becomingly off of their necks.

Dressed in the finest of white gowns, Josette endured the examination of the room for only a few moments before she guiding Amy over to a private column and potted fern.

The building, though simple in its outer architecture, satisfied its reported reputation and Josette having graced its ballroom before, gave the dazzling quarters only a precursory investigation before settling beside Amy to point out those persons of interest that she might know of, for Amy had not been flattered with admission in her first Season.

 
It took no time at all for Millerd to find them.

What a comfortable old shoe, Josette thought pleasantly to herself.

After a flurry of tortuous introductions, Millerd accompanied them to dine and afterward joined them in the ballroom. He was quick to think after Amy’s well-being, and escorted her to the middle of the first set leaving to her bemusement, Josette without a partner.

 
Ducking behind her fan, she faded back up against the wall, hoping to go unnoticed by the sharp-eyed matchmakers, and in so doing was shocked when Edward appeared as if by magic at her side.
 

“Cousin,” he said, and he gave her a bow.

All astonishment, Josette stuttered, “Edward! What are you doing here?”

He grinned and leant close to her ear. “I won a ticket you know.
In a game.”

“Impossible!’

He nodded easily and turned his head to observe the couples dancing.

Josette studied him.

He had a handsome profile, but there was a heavy look to his eyes.

“However did you get in?

Offended, he made a silly face. “What do you take me for, Miss Price? I am not a second son or very poor, and I am to inherit that lovely estate in Beddingfield.”

“Are you very drunk?” she asked him, and he laughed.

“No, I am not. I’ve only come to dance, and those old peahens are too hypocritical to confess they’ve admired my work on the stage.”

“It’s a wonder they don’t throw you out at once.”

“Look there, my little kitten is dancing with Millerd,” Edward said, ignoring Josette’s concerns. “He told me he would be here tonight.”

“Yes, he's a man of his word.”

“There is a good match.”

“Millerd?
He's an agreeable fellow, though I don't believe Amy’s ever considered him in any other way.”

“A bit serious,” Edward agreed, changing his mind. “Shall
we
match-make tonight?” he added with a teasing grin.

“I've come to watch my sister is all. Besides,” Josette motioned toward the chaperones clucking and cackling, “
there
are plenty of matchmakers in this place.”

“Not everyone comes for a dowry. Some of us are just in want of merriment.”

“Merriment for a gentleman?
Here? You need no assistance finding diversion, Edward. It comes by you naturally.”

Edward made a face at this. “I didn't find an interested party for my play as I hoped. Did you hear?”

Josette shook her head.

“I am tired of lines, lines, and more lines. I enjoy the performances,” he sighed, “but the work to bring them forth is torturous.”