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Robert didn’t want to have to tell them about his illness and how he’d spent three days incapacitated in his mistress’s bedroom during the meal. Of course, a more ridiculous excuse he wouldn’t have come up with in his wildest dreams, but that was the truth. Whether his wife believed it was another story entirely. However, there was another reason why he was unwilling to talk about his business in London so far. Because it would involve his dealings and plans with Mr. Tule. And he really wanted to speak to Julie privately first.
“I think it is time we attend a ball with Mary,” the dowager said suddenly.
Julie’s eyes widened slightly. “I don’t imagine we would be well received in any of the ballrooms,” she said carefully.
“Isn’t she too young?” Robert asked, looking at Julie.
“Is she?” The dowager raised a brow.
“Well, she will be sixteen in less than a fortnight,” Julie answered.
“Sixteen?” Robert looked at Mary wide-eyed.
She didn’t look a day older than twelve. Robert saw Julie’s lips twitch at the corners at his astonished expression.
“She looks younger, but yes, sixteen,” Julie said with a smile.
“Didn’t you tell me you were eleven?” Robert raised a brow at Mary in question.
Mary shrugged. “I had eleven birthdays; I didn’t have any more.”
Julie’s face crumpled, and Robert suddenly wished he hadn’t asked at all. Of course, she hadn’t had birthdays since she was sent to the asylum.
“Sixteen is almost old enough for a come-out,” the dowager observed, popping a piece of fruit into her mouth. “Besides, it’s not like we are going to wait two years for it,” she added quietly.
Julie lowered her gaze to the plate. Robert’s heart squeezed in a painful vise. The dowager was right. Mary might not live that long. Robert didn’t believe for a second that she would die that young. Still, he would not deprive her of new experiences because of his opinion. What if she didn’t live past sixteen? What then?
He saw his wife fight for composure, probably thinking the same thing as he. He reached out, took her hand in his, and gave her a comforting squeeze. Julie colored slightly at the gesture and hastily turned away.
“Evie is having a coming-out ball soon,” she addressed the dowager. “Hers is probably the only household that will have us amicably.
“Evie.” The dowager pulled a thoughtful face. “Do you mean Lady Eabha? Somerset’s granddaughter?”
“Yes.” Julie nodded for emphasis.
The dowager frowned a little before schooling her features. “That sounds reasonable enough. The support from the duke should smooth out our appearance.”
“Oh, I am sure of it.” Julie visibly brightened. “Evie would love to have Mary at her ball. And she won’t let anyone talk badly about her. She loves her almost as much as I.”
“It’s settled then.” The dowager wiped her lips gingerly with a napkin. “We’ll need to go to modiste on the morrow and make sure Mary has the most beautiful of gowns.”
“A ball!” Mary said, dreamy-eyed. “Like a princess.”
“Yes, a ball.” Julie smiled widely.
* * *
Mary was first to finish her dinner, as she still wasn’t feeling too well, and Alice took her directly to her rooms.
The dowager stood next and regarded Robert down her nose. “I will retire early tonight. I believe you owe your wife a few explanations.” She bowed her head lightly and walked out of the dining room. Robert regarded her defection with raised eyebrows.
Robert turned to his wife quizzically. Julie just shrugged and stood from the table.
“I am going to my room, as well.” She started walking away, but Robert halted her.
“Don’t you want explanations?” he asked, raising one brow.
She turned and regarded him coldly. “Do you have any explanations?”
Robert was taken aback by her quiet attack, but he was also surprised and quite pleased that she was expressing her displeasure with him.
“I’ll come by your room in an hour, and we’ll talk. All right?”
Julie nodded and left the room.
