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“How can you possibly be so sure?”
“Because weareperfectly suited. I have never met anyone I liked so well as you, and I know that you like me. It would be hard for you to deny, frankly, after what has just passed between us.”
“It doesn’t mean I want tomarryyou!I’ve told you already, I don’t want to marry anyone. I wish you would believe me. Why do you persist in this stupid idea?”
For the first time, the smile slipped. “Why? I… I am not sure, but if I do not—” He sighed, and some expression she’d never seen before passed across his face. But then he recovered himself, and went on smoothly, “My plan is to make myself agreeable to you in every possible way until you succumb to my blandishments, as you inevitably will.”
So smug! She was not sure whether to slap him or storm away in a huff. Instead, for some reason she could not begin to understand, she laughed. “You are incorrigible, James. I—”
James?Since when did she call him by his Christian name? No, no, no, this would never do! He was spinning his seductive webs around her and she must resist… at all costs she must resist.
“We should return to the Blue Saloon.”
“This way,” he said, as imperturbable as ever.
~~~~~
James left the Park as soon as he decently could, striding down the steps, the skirts of his greatcoat flaring. Thomas followed him out, half running to keep up with him.
“What has set you all on end?” he puffed.
“Nothing. I am going for a walk.”
He turned aside onto the path through the rose garden and down to the lake, then up and up to the High Field gate. Springing over it in one quick movement, he headed for the hut.
What a fool he was! All this time, he had told himself complacently that Julia was no more than an amusement, a distraction in an otherwise depressingly boring life. Then she had cut the ground from under his feet.‘Why do you persist in this stupid idea?’she had said. And he had no answer to give her.
He knew what a true gentleman would do when his suit was rejected in such uncompromising terms— he would bow politely and withdraw, being no more than coolly formal from that day forth whenever they should happen to meet in public. He did not pursue her relentlessly, seek every opportunity to be with her, and he certainly did not take her in his arms and kiss her repeatedly and at earth-shaking, heart-wrenching, utterly glorious length.
He groaned. Oh, that kiss! And she had not resisted in the slightest. What a woman she was! So sweet and delightful and unpredictable and funny and frighteningly lovable.
No, more than that. She was adorable. He adored her, loved her, wanted her…neededher. He could not see how he could get through his miserable, lonely life without her. How was he to survive if she would not marry him? He had to convince her, he simply had to. Why did he persist, she had asked him, and the answer was staring him in the face — because the alternative was unthinkable.
Crashing open the door to the hut, he slammed it shut again, hurled himself onto the sofa and gave himself up entirely to the memory of that kiss.
~~~~~
‘To Miss Fletcher, Chadwell Park, nr Ware, Hertfordshire. Dearest Rosie, Camilla is home! No one foresaw it, for we all thought she was to stay with you until after Easter at least, to attend your first ball at Chadwell Park, but here she is back in Yorkshire and no one knows why. She is going about just as if nothing unusual has occurred, saying not a word about why she left or how she arrived home. Her father was as surprised as anyone to see her, seemingly. And there is talk of him sending her to her aunt in Carlisle, but she will not go! Can you believe it! The girl has no discretion, for Emmy Malpas saw her yesterday and was quite shocked at the increase in Camilla’s girth. Poor innocent Emmy had not realised until that moment, it appears. Do please write as soon as you can to tell us what scandal broth she has brewed this time, for there must have been some reason for her to return home in such a hurry. We have been very gay here, for the Malpases have their cousins visiting. You will remember Ruth Malpas, I am sure. She is grown into such a pretty girl, although very serious and religious. She is very taken with Ricky, as you might guess for he has all the girls sighing over him these days. Mrs Malpas is in great hopes of a match. We were glad to receive your last letter which seemed to lay to rest your fears regarding Mr Michael Plummer, but we would both be glad to know that the withdrawal of his attentions is permanent. Ricky asks me to remind you that you do not have to marry anyone you do not like, which of course you know, but with your sweet, compliant nature you may feel an obligation. We are sure you are too busy with preparations for your departure for London to write, but we would welcome a few lines to assure us of your continued good health. Oh, and the ball! Do tell us all about the preparations for the ball. How excited you must be! We want to know all about it, if you can spare the time to write. Your devoted friend, Belinda, and Ricky sends you his best regards, as always.’
~~~~~
‘To Miss Fletcher, Chadwell Park, nr Ware, Hertfordshire. Ricky makes me write again, and pray apologise to your Pa for the extra postage, but he wishes me to tell you - that is, Ricky not your Pa wishes me to tell you that no matter how taken with him Ruth Malpas may be, she is nothing at all to him. He is adamant about that, and insists that I write straight away to tell you so, although why it could not wait until my next letter is more than I can guess. He is very upset with me for passing on what he calls scurrilous rumours although it is only what everybody is saying. Anyway, it seems that Mrs Malpas will be disappointed again, if Ruth is not to have Ricky and poor Emmy still does not take, for all her father’s money. It is very sad, for she is a sweet girl. Your affectionate friend, Belinda.’
17: The Ball
Easter brought Johnny back to the Park, and a new, more lively air infused the house. Will now set about increasing the stables with some diligence, and so the two brothers rode here and there inspecting riding horses and hunters, adding a gig and a barouche to the carriage collection and taking on two new grooms.
For the ladies, the approaching ball was now the only topic of conversation. Every one of their new acquaintances was invited, even the Miss Williamsons, not forgetting their nephew Mr Richard Osgood, for eligible young men were in somewhat short supply.
Julia was amused by Mama’s mental contortions over Lady Frederica Kelshaw. She had never been formally introduced to her ladyship, but Pa was fast friends with Mr Kelshaw, and Will had several times encountered the Miss Kelshaws out riding with Miss Bellingham.
“They desperately want an invitation, Miss Bellingham says,” he told her. “There are not so many balls in these parts that they would willingly forgo the opportunity to dance, and they are not to go to London this year.”
“I cannot invite ladies with whom I am not acquainted,” Mama said fretfully. “I should love to have them all, naturally, but the proprieties must be maintained. I do not know what may be done about it.”
“We see them every week at church,” Julia said. “Surely Mr Kelshaw could contrive an introduction?”
It transpired that Lady Frederica was not so unnatural a mother as to deprive her daughters of the opportunity to dance. An introduction was effected on Easter Sunday, Mama made her a deeply respectful curtsy and her ladyship graciously intimated that an invitation to the ball would not be viewed unfavourably. The invitation was written and sent that very afternoon, and an acceptance received the following day.
