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Chapter 5
“To the bride and groom!” sounded the toast of a best man. “Now, you may know that I do not advocate marriage myself. In fact, I probably will not be marrying at all. Why tie yourself to one person for life when you can enjoy multiple a day?”
Clydesdale cleared his throat loudly.
“Right. I digress. Some unions, however, are made in good faith. And I believe that this is one of them. I wish them happiness, whatever that happiness might look like.”
“To the bride and groom!” echoed the room.
Julie was sitting on one end of an extremely long table in her father’s drawing room, the table used only during balls and soirees. She hoped this was the last time she ever dined in this house. To her left sat her father, looking smug and self-important. Mrs. Darling was seated to her right, proud that her charge had made the match of the year. A couple seats down from her sat Julie’s only ally, her distant cousin Evie, who roll her eyes at the best man’s toast. Julie wanted to laugh at the expression on the face of the politest lady she knew, a lady who had yet to make an entry to the ton. She was sitting between her father, the Marquess of Stratford, and her grandfather, the Duke of Somerset. Her loving mother sat on the opposite side of the marquess.
Julie looked at them with an unconcealed longing. Some people were just born lucky. Evie had a loving family, a doting grandfather, wealth that allowed her to have anything she wanted, and she was a refined beauty to boot. Lord help the poor fops of the ton when she made an entry to society.
Somerset stood at that moment to make his toast.
“I’ve known our lovely bride, Lady Julie, since she was a little girl,” he said, looking fondly at her. “Her mother was like a daughter to me. Until my son married, I had no daughters of my own, you see. In a way, that makes Julie my distant granddaughter. And I wish her only the greatest happiness. If I were choosing a husband for Julie myself, I wouldn’t have found anyone better than Robert, the Earl of Clydesdale, the future Duke of Rutland. It has nothing to do with his title, although it certainly doesn’t hurt.”
Laughter broke out around the table.
“Clydesdale is one of the finest men of the ton. He is reliable, hardworking, and I know he will treat our Julie right. Now, I know that love matches are not fashionable. I also know that this marriage is of convenience. But knowing these fine young people who’ve been joined in holy matrimony, I can see them growing to love each other in the future. And it is my greatest wish for you both. Because love is the most important thing.” He raised his glass at that.
“To the bride and groom!” echoed in the room once more.
Tears gathered in the corners of Julie’s eyes. Somerset had defied society and married a simple Irish girl in his youth. They had one of the most scandalous marriages of his time. They eloped after a brief acquaintance and then spent every minute of their time together. He was devoted to his wife until her last breath, and even after. He openly doted on her and never remarried. His son took his cue from him and also married for love, although into a well-respected family of the ton, securing a substantial fortune for his family at the same time. And in a few years, Evie would take up the gauntlet and enter society searching for a love match.
Julie, on the other hand, had lost her love forever. She looked across the table into the forbidden features of her husband’s face. She tried to recall what John looked like, but she couldn’t remember his face clearly anymore. She tried to imagine him the way he was the last time she saw him outside her balcony doors. But even if she could recall that heartbreaking night three years ago clearly, which she couldn’t, he probably looked so different now. Weathered and hardened by the war.
She closed her eyes in misery. That was in the past now. John was now her past. Her future began with this day.
After breakfast was over, Clydesdale came to her side and proffered his arm. They exited, said their goodbyes, and left for his townhouse. Julie had packed all her valises and trunks the night before. She had a completely new trousseau with Madame Deville’s help, including sheets, gowns, and underthings. She took all her old gowns with her as well. She did not know what Mary was like now, but she knew she would need new clothes once she was out of the asylum.
The carriage ride was brief but filled with awkward silence. Since their fateful midnight chat during the Hampshire house party, this was the first time that Julie and her husband had been entirely alone. Julie had so many questions she wanted to ask of him, but she did not know where to start or approach him. Her mouth was dry, and her thoughts blank.
When they finally arrived at the house, they were greeted with a long row of servants waiting in the hall. They were all liveried in dark royal blue and silver, similar to his bedroom’s colors at the Hampshire estate, as she recalled.
Clydesdale escorted her to the first landing on the staircase and turned to his servants.
“I am happy to present you your mistress, the Countess of Clydesdale,” his voice boomed in the hall. Despite his words, his tone implied that he was anything but happy. “Mrs. Post. Please, do the honors.”
A middle-aged, plump woman with braided gray hair and a brown gown took a couple steps forward and curtsied deeply. “Honored to meet you, My Lady,” she said to the floor. When she looked up, kind, sparkling brown eyes met Julie’s. “I am the housekeeper here. Let me introduce the other household staff.”
She proceeded to introduce everyone by rank and name. Julie’s gaze ran in panic from one person to another. She tried hard to remember everyone’s name, but she failed miserably. There were over forty servants, and aside from Mrs. Post herself and the butler Mr. Hudgins, she didn’t remember anyone by the time the introductions were over.
“I will be most happy to give you the tour of the house,” the housekeeper concluded.
“That won’t be necessary,” Clydesdale chimed in.
Julie looked at him questioningly.
“We’ll be leaving for Clydesdale Hall on the morrow,” he clarified. “I want all of you packed and traveling as early as dawn.” He looked at his servants. “And Mrs. Post, please assign a lady’s maid to her ladyship.” Julie hadn’t taken her lady’s maid with her when she left her father’s house. She didn’t want any memories from the Norfolk house to be carried over to her new life.
“I want everything ready by the time we arrive in Doncaster with her ladyship’s… sister. Like we’ve talked about.” Julie’s heart gave a tiny leap at the mention of Mary, and she didn’t give notice to the small hesitation Clydesdale made. He intended to go after her right away. Julie couldn’t have been more grateful if she tried. She looked up at him with gratitude shining in her eyes.
“Yes, My Lord.” Mrs. Post lowered her head in obedience.
“Right then.” Clydesdale clapped his hands. “I’ll show her ladyship to her rooms. Be sure to send the maid as soon as possible.” With these words, Clydesdale offered Julie his arm.
“Thank you,” Julie whispered as they started up the stairs.
