Scandal By The Ton (15 page)

Lady Shelborne arrived home in the early afternoon.

Julia greeted her mother and decided not to broach the subject of the missing books. She resolved to let sleeping dogs lie, since all the recriminations in the world would not restore them. "Did you enjoy your stay in Tunbridge Wells?"

Claire sighed. "It was well enough, I suppose. It was a wonderful opportunity to be in the company of the Prince of Wales, who is unfailingly charming, and dear Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, but there was a dearth of eligible gentlemen to dance attendance on the ladies."

"I don't suppose many gentlemen find Chalybeate water to their taste," Julia commiserated.

"Well, to be truthful, I believe the ladies drink it only to be fashionable. Lavinia confided that she had to hold her nose to get it down."

While Claire was giving orders for Thomas to carry her luggage upstairs, the post arrived. Julia sorted the envelopes and as she'd hoped there was a letter for her. "I'll take Dottie's upstairs, and here's one for you, Mother."

Claire took the envelope and tore it open. "Why, this is a dinner invitation from our neighbor John Fane for tomorrow evening. Strange, it's for all three of us. I can understand you being included since you're Charlotte's friend, but why on earth he'd invite Dottie is beyond me."

"Charlotte's father is most hospitable. He always welcomes me warmly. I hope you'll accept the invitation."

"Of course I shall accept it. His uncle is the Earl of Westmorland. There's every chance that he and his countess are also invited. Other members of the nobility could be there too. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed." 

Charlotte and
her father are so unpretentious; it's likely just a simple dinner invitation from one neighbor to another. But I'd better keep that to myself or Mother might refuse to go.

Julia took her grandmother's letter upstairs. "Mother is home."

"So I gathered when I heard the servants rushing about carrying out her orders."

"The post arrived and brought something for each of us."

Dottie took her letter. "It's my invitation to the theatre. It makes a lovely change. All I usually get in the post are household bills."

"Mother too received an invitation. John Fane has invited the three of us to dinner tomorrow evening."

"How very neighborly of Lord Fane. Perhaps Charlotte put him up to it."

"Yes, I haven't visited her since before I went to Hertfordshire." Julia glanced down at her own letter and smiled. "All my thoughts have been engaged elsewhere."

"Do you suppose your mother will condescend to accept the invitation?"

"Yes, but only because John Fane's uncle is the Earl of Westmorland. She pictures a grand dinner party where she will be able to rub shoulders with the earl and countess and other nobles. I think it will be just Charlotte and her father, but I didn't disillusion her."

"Claire suffers from delusions of grandeur. She's mad to remarry, but she's set her sights so high that she cannot see what is right under her nose. John Fane is a widower in his early fifties, who is also a Tory member of parliament. He's solid husband material, but the
Merry Matron of Mayfair
fancies herself as a prize above rubies."

Julia and her grandmother chose to wear simple dinner dresses, but Claire adorned herself in blue taffeta to show off her sapphires and to impress the other guests.

John Fane greeted the three ladies warmly. "Lady Shelborne, I'm delighted you accepted our invitation to dinner." He kissed her hand then welcomed her mother and daughter in like fashion. "In the past I have been remiss in offering my hospitality to such close neighbors, but promise to do better in the future."

"How very thoughtful of you, Lord Fane." Claire glanced about. "Don't tell me we are the first guests to arrive?"

"There's just us tonight, Lady Shelborne." Charlotte grinned at Julia and her eyes sparkled with barely suppressed excitement.

As Claire's expression froze in monumental disappointment, Charlotte whispered to Julia, "We have a surprise for you, but I'll let Father announce it."

Perhaps Lord Fane will announce he is to remarry, or perhaps Charlotte is engaged,
Julia thought.

John Fane
led the way to the drawing room, poured everyone wine, then raised his glass and made his announcement. "Lady Shelborne it gives me the greatest pleasure to inform you that I caught the book thief!"

"The book thief?" Claire said blankly, while Julia and Dottie exchanged expectant glances.

"A few days ago I encountered a young fellow in the backstreet with a handcart filled with books. I instantly made him an offer and bought them for Charlotte, but the moment she saw them she recognized them as belonging to your daughter. You will be delighted to know that at this very moment the book collection is safe and sound in my library!"      

Suddenly, Claire realized Fane was talking about Julia's books. The ones she thought she'd seen the last of. "My dear Lord Fane, how can I ever thank you for rescuing my daughter's treasures? While Julia was away in the country, I asked the servants to remove the books so that the shelves could be dusted. You can imagine my horror when I returned from Tunbridge yesterday to learn that our idiotic young footman had loaded them onto a handcart and sold them in the backstreet."

"Oh, Lord Fane, I despaired of ever seeing my books again." Julie stood on tiptoe and kissed his lordship's cheek. "You have made me so very happy."

Charlotte looked ecstatic. "The moment I saw them I realized they were yours. I was with you when you bought most of them. When I rushed over to tell you, I learned you were away in Hertfordshire. Then Father came up with the idea to invite you to dinner and surprise you."

"It's the best surprise I've ever had." Julia hugged Charlotte. "You are such a good friend."

Dottie smiled at the young women. "Sometimes the Universe has a way of sending us exactly what we need, and it doesn't hurt to have neighbors who look out for each other. One day next week I shall look forward to having you and your father to dinner."

When the food was ready, John Fane offered his arm to Claire and escorted her into the dining room. Halfway through the second course her resentment began to evaporate when his lordship mentioned he was looking forward to visiting his country estate in Oxfordshire. "Ah yes, John, you are the Tory Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire. Is your estate a
large
landholding?"

"Wormsley Park has about twenty-five hundred acres. Since it's close to the Chiltern Hills, we mostly breed sheep."

Claire feigned an interest in sheep, though her interest in Wormsley Park estate was genuine enough. She even managed to look engaged when Dottie and John carried on a conversation about what was happening in Parliament regarding the war with France.

After dinner Julia told Charlotte that she was being courted. "His name is Nicholas Royston. He owns the adjoining property to Ashridge Place in Hertfordshire."

"Oh Julia, that is so exciting! Are you in love?"

"I rather think I am," Julia admitted. "Dottie knows, but not Mother, so please don't say anything."

"I promise to keep it to myself." Charlotte hugged Julia. "I'm truly happy for you."

When it was time to leave, John Fane gallantly walked the ladies home. "I shall have the books delivered tomorrow."

"We can never thank you enough, John. And you must let us repay you with dinner next week."

Before Dottie went upstairs she bade her daughter goodnight. "He's a good man, Claire."

"If only he weren't in his fifties, and on the portly side." Claire wrinkled her nose.

"You must give yourself permission to let go of old dreams. The best way to pick up the pieces after a broken relationship is to get a new one. It won't be the same, but one can hope that it will be as vibrant and exciting, if you give it the chance."

Before Julia got into bed, she re-read the note that Nicholas had sent her.
I dare not put my thoughts down on paper, but suffice it to say that
e
very time it rains for the rest of my life I will remember our intimate interlude. On Wednesday afternoon I will be driving my phaeton in the park. If you would care to join me for a ride, it would make me the happiest man in London.
She smiled into the darkness.
I'll count the hours until I see you tomorrow.

Julia spent the morning re-shelving the books that the Fane servants delivered. At lunchtime she casually mentioned that she would drop in on Charlotte, then perhaps a walk in the park would be a good way to spend the summer afternoon. She was laying the groundwork to explain her absence, for once she met Nicholas she knew she wouldn't return to Berkeley Square for the rest of the day.

Dottie provided her with a perfect alibi for the evening hours, when she invited Julia to join her at the theatre. "It's so thoughtful of you to invite me. Do you have any plans for the evening, Mother?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. When I was in Tunbridge, Frances Jersey invited Lavinia and me to one of her musical soirees. She only gives them to lure the Prince of Wales of course."

Dottie remarked, "How very convenient that her home adjoins Carlton House. Prinny can pop in any time of the day and night."

"It's hard to believe that her father was a bishop. Frances is known to be witty, but her tongue can be both sarcastic and lewd," Claire said with disapproval. "I fail to see why the prince is attracted."

"Most men enjoy a dollop of debauchery." Dottie winked. "You might try it sometime, Claire."

Julia had to bite her tongue to stop herself from laughing out loud.

For her walk in Hyde Park, Julia donned a lavender linen walking dress and a broad-brimmed straw hat adorned with violets. On Wednesday afternoons the park was always busy. The row was filled with riders exercising their mounts and the adjacent West Carriage Drive was filled with over a hundred carriages moving at snails' pace so that members of the fashionable ton could see and be seen.

Julia removed her hat and shook her hair about her shoulders. She wanted Nicholas to recognize her immediately and feared the chapeau might hinder his view. She needn't have worried. Within ten minutes of arriving in the park, his phaeton drew up beside her. He jumped down from the driver's seat and helped her up onto the box. "You are easily the most beautiful lady in the park today."

"The way you look at me makes me feel beautiful."

"You do realize that driving in the park beside me announces to everyone that I am courting you?"

"I do."

Nicholas couldn't keep the grin from his face, as he maneuvered the horse toward Kensington Gardens. He drew the phaeton to a stop beneath some magnificent trees. All about them were brilliant summer flowers and colorful birds. In the background was the century-old Kensington Palace and in the foreground were elegant swans. He wanted a beautiful setting for the thing he wanted to say to Julia. He took hold of her hands and looked into her eyes. "I've never said this to anyone before and I want you to know that I mean it deeply and sincerely." He lifted her fingers to his lips. "Julia, I love you with all my heart."

Julia's eyes shone with happiness. "My heart has been yours since you took me in your arms at the Duchess of Gordon's ball."

"I have a fancy to prolong this drive. What do you say we take a run to Richmond along the river?"

"I would love it. I am beginning to discover that you are a romantic at heart, Nicholas Royston."

"What makes you think that?"

"You chose such a beautiful spot to tell me that you are in love with me, and now you're taking me on a romantic carriage ride along the river."

"I'm observing the proprieties. Driving together in my phaeton is one of the few acceptable places we can be alone."

"I don't object to acting like a gentleman and his lady for a few hours," she gave him a provocative glance from beneath her lashes, "providing we can behave like a man and woman once the sun sets."

"Julia, my love, you are incorrigible."

"Admit the truth and shame the Devil. I have it on good authority that most men love of a dollop of debauchery."

As he drove the carriage through the park's south exit, he threw back his head and laughed. They drove past Ranelagh Gardens on the way to the river,
and then admired the lush landscaped gardens of Kew. They followed the Thames as it curved down toward Richmond, and Nicholas slowed the horse so they could enjoy the lovely view.

On the way back they stopped at an inn that had a charming private garden at the back. They sat at a rustic table and enjoyed meat pies and ale. Julia took delight in feeding the birds and was thrilled when the sparrows became bold enough to take the crumbs from her fingers.

The light was fading from the sky by the time they drove back into London. "I'm not expected home for hours. Let's go to Curzon Street."

Nicholas warned, "When we are in public, I manage to control myself, but when we are private, I find it damn near impossible."

"The thought of you losing control makes me shiver."