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Dipping him a polite curtsy, she skipped up the steps and disappeared into the house, leaving James bewildered and confused.
25: No Compromise
Julia sat glumly in the parlour, laboriously sewing a torn ribbon back onto a bonnet. It was hard work, for her stitches were uneven and often had to be ripped out and done again. Rosie and Angie were practising in the music room, the pieces interspersed with much giggling, audible even from the parlour, interspersed with long silences ending in bursts of laughter. At least someone was happy. Julia had Aunt Madge and Mama for company, Mama engaged on some delicate embroidery work, and Aunt Madge methodically adding beads to the bodice of an evening gown.
Mama chattered away brightly, for she was quite excited, in her ladylike way, about the prospect of uniting the Fletcher and Plummer families.
“Such a good connection, dear. Such a long-established family, and they must know absolutely everybody. It will be very helpful to us in London, I am sure. And the connection to the Marquess of Barrowford… I have high hopes that Lord Charles will introduce us to his brother now. So you see how much good you have done, Julia dear, by accepting Mr Plummer. You have raised us all a little higher in society, and that will be so useful for Rosie.”
“Not that she had a thought in her head beyond her own wishes,” Aunt Madge said. “Never thinks of anyone but herself.”
“There is nothing wrong with that,” Mama said equably. “One must choose a husband principally according to affection, although paying due regard to suitability, naturally. Since Mr Plummer is eminently suitable, we must all congratulate Julia on making an excellent match. It is a pity about this business with Bella, but perhaps this visit of hers will do the trick. Julia, you have been constantly working and reworking that ribbon. You will have the bonnet shredded if you keep unpicking your stitches. Pass it to me, and let me see if I can tidy it up a little.”
With relief, Julia gave her the bonnet, where a few deft stitches soon hid the tear, and became a jaunty little decoration which hid the damage far more effectively than any attempt of Julia’s.
“I wish I could do that,” she said.
Mama laughed. “Your talents lie in other directions. Now, dear, we have already settled that you are to come to town to see about wedding clothes.”
“It hardly matters if we’re not to marry for years,” she said mournfully.
“Ah, you are a little out of spirits at the prospect of waiting, and who can blame you? But Mr Plummer will not want to wait too long, you may be sure, so deep in love as he is, and his father will not wish him to be miserable, so he will relent soon enough. Perhaps even now Bella’s words are doing the trick, although one never quite knows with her. Did she tell you what she planned to say to Sir Owen?”
“Not a word.”
Mama sighed. “Well, let us hope for the best, and an early resolution to the problem. And I have been thinking, Julia. Since you will be in town anyway, why not marry there? St George’s in Hanover Square is such a fine church, and all the most distinguished families marry there.”
“I should hate to be the centre of such a public spectacle,” Julia said.
“Well, perhaps we could get a special licence and—”
“No. No fuss, Mama. I’d like to have the banns called in the regular way, and be married in St Hilary’s by Mr Leadbetter, with Pa giving me away, and nobody there but family and a few village women.”
She nodded in resignation. “I should have liked to show you off a little, but there, you never did enjoy being the centre of attention.”
Miss Crabtree put her head around the door. “We are back, madam. It all went very well. Bella was a great credit to you.”
“Thank you, Miss Crabtree. Well, there you are, Julia. Your sister has done her best for you, and we must hope that all will now be well.”
Aunt Madge sniffed, but said nothing. Julia smiled at her. “You disapprove of my marriage, don’t you, Aunt Madge? You never thought anyone would ever want to marry me, and I confess I thought so myself. I’m as surprised by this as you could be. And the worst of it is that I shall be underfoot for ever more, because I shall only be down at the rectory. There is no getting rid of me now.”
Aunt Madge smiled wryly. “I do think he is too good for you, true enough, but your pa will be glad to have you so close. You always were his favourite.”
“Pa doesn’t have favourites,” Julia said. “He loves us all equally.”
“Aye, and you a little bit more. He would rather you never married at all, but he will be glad to have you only a five minute walk away. He will be on your doorstep every day, you mark my words.”
“And he’ll be very welcome,” Julia said, her chin rising.
“We shall all be glad to have Julia settled so close to us,” Mama said hastily. Fortunately, the butler came in before Aunt Madge could escalate hostilities into a full battle. “Yes, Keeble, what is it?”
“Mr James Plummer, madam.”
And there he was, a little damp from the rain, but his usual smiling self, his eyes seeking out Julia anxiously as he entered the room. He saw her, he beamed with joy, and Julia’s was assailed by the most extraordinary feeling. Her heart leapt inside her, filling her with pure happiness. James was with her and all was right with the world.
Mama received him calmly. “Mr Plummer, how kind of you to call. Do you bring us good news from the Manor?”
“I certainly bring news, but whether it is more of good or bad I leave you to decide for yourself. Miss Isabella made a strong case, but my parents remain unconvinced.”
