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She remained cold and still throughout the first course of the meal, offering only brief answers to Lord Belper’s incessant questions. His dark hair came to a curl on his forehead, and his eyes glistened in the candlelight as he ate his meal at an alarming rate.
Mama smiled at him as though he were the most intriguing man in the world. He might have been the most intriguing man in the room, but that was because he was theonlyman in the room. Julia’s father had been away for weeks on some business matter, leaving the house precisely how Mama liked it. To herself. She could host whatever she pleased, and Julia and her two younger sisters were forced to attend the many social events Mama thought to invent for the Christmastide that year. Julia far preferred the Christmastide traditions of her father, which usually included hiding from all members of society surrounding a burning yule log, greenery, and all the plum pudding he could fit in his belly.
Julia continued to ignore Lord Belper as best as she could, earning several glares from Mama throughout the meal. Determination rose in Julia’s chest in response to her mother’s resistance. She would do nothing that could be mistaken for encouragement. She didn’t wish to mislead any man into thinking she would consider him. Because she was most certainly not considering Lord Belper.
When it came time for the ladies to remove to the drawing room, Lord Belper stayed behind alone to enjoy his port in the dining room. Knowing how much he enjoyed staying at Julia’s side, she doubted he would remain at the table for long.
The moment they entered the corridor, Mama found Julia, wrapping her fingers around her elbow. Her golden curls were tight against her temples, sharp blue eyes filled with frustration. “Julia. You cannot be so cold toward Lord Belper.”
“I don’t wish to mislead him.” Julia stopped in the drawing room doorway, turning to face Mama. “You cannot be serious in thinking that I would marry him.”
“I am serious. Very.” Mama’s eyebrow arched. “Stop being aloof. This could very well be your last chance.”
“What do you mean?” Julia scrunched her brow in confusion. “I’m going to London in the spring.”
Mama closed her eyes, releasing a slow breath. She lowered her voice. “We cannot afford another season for you. I know you have been planning on a third, but since you failed your first two, the expense might not be worth the reward. Your father must keep funds in reserve for your younger sisters who might take marriage more seriously than you have.” Mama’s eyes flashed with accusation. “Lord Belper is a respectable and titled gentleman who is in love with you. No woman of sense would reject an offer from him.”
Julia sighed, turning away from Mama’s censure. In truth, Julia had lost her sense a long time ago. Ten years ago, in fact. And she had never found it again. She could still remember the day Oliver left to work aboard a ship. She had never seen him smiling with so much pride and excitement. She remembered the ache in her heart when she realized that she might not see him for years, and that he had likely forgotten all about their bargain. If he was miles away, floating atop the waves, he couldn’t possibly marry her. At least not anytime near her twenty-first birthday, which was approaching in just a few days.
Could she wait for him forever? Their arrangement had been made when they were children. She laughed at it now. She and Oliver had even laughed about it together when they had become a little older and realized how ridiculous it was. But now, faced with Lord Belper’s looming proposal, she couldn’t help but take that bargain seriously.
“Surely there are other gentlemen I could meet here in Croftstead,” Julia said, facing Mama with a lifted chin. “We have family members in other towns and counties as well whom I might visit and be introduced to eligible gentlemen. Lord Belper cannot be my last chance.” Julia’s voice squeaked in dismay.
Mama opened her mouth to speak again, but stopped when Julia stooped down to pick up the little old dog who waddled out of the drawing room. Rupert had been napping by the fireplace. His squished nose and wrinkled skin were covered in flecks of gray. She hoisted him into her arms, giving his head a pat. Each time she saw the dog, her heart immediately stung. It wasn’t a painful sting though—it was a pang of fondness and hopelessness, all muddled together.
It was what she felt each time she thought of Oliver.
He had left Rupert with her when he left for sea two years before. Julia hadn’t known if it was his way of trying to discredit their bargain or if he simply knew how much Julia loved the dog.
Mama’s serious demeanor faded just as Julia had hoped. She had a softness in her heart for Rupert—one that Julia was often envious of. Mama would have never forced Rupert to live with anyone as horrendous as Lord Belper. No, Rupert’s heart belonged to Oliver, and Mama knew it. That was why Julia liked the dog so much. They had a great deal in common.
Scratching behind the dog’s ears, Mama let out a sigh. “I wonder if Oliver Northcott will ever return for this dog.”
Julia’s heart gave a thud at the mention of his name, one she was certain Rupert could feel as she clutched him to her chest. “Unfortunately Oliver Northcott is aboard a ship somewhere very far away.”
Lord Belper’s unexpected voice made her jump. “No, he isn’t.”
She turned around slowly. He stood in the dark corridor, head tipped to one side as he observed Julia and her mother standing in the drawing room doorway.After recovering from the fright he had given her, the meaning of his words settled into her skin. “What did you say?”
Lord Belper appeared pleased to have finally struck a subject that captured Julia’s interest. “Haven’t you heard the news?” He glanced between Mama and Julia, eyes wide. “The Northcott family has always been rather private, I suppose. But I heard in town just yesterday evening that Oliver, the younger son, has just returned from his ship after sustaining a few rather serious injuries. I daresay he will not be returning to sea again.”
Julia’s breath became solid in her throat. She pulled Rupert closer, clinging to some small piece of reality. This couldn’t be true. Oliver couldn’t really be back already. Her heart hammered with concern. “Injuries?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. I have not heard how dreadful it is, but the surgeon and physician have both been seen on the grounds of Larkhall in recent days.” Lord Belper licked his lips as his eyes raked over her. “I hope I have not offended your sensibilities by speaking of…injuries.”
“No.” Julia swallowed. “You have not.” Her mind raced as she considered what could have happened to Oliver. Dear, sweet, cheerful Oliver. What had the war done to him? Dread flooded her chest.
“His career has ended before it truly began,” Lord Belper said. “It is quite tragic. Thankfully his family has enough wealth to sustain him while he seeks a different path. His elder brother Matthew is known for his generosity.”
“Yes, of course.” Though Oliver had been absent, Julia had still seen the other members of the Northcott family frequently over the last two years. She suspected Matthew knew of her attachment to Oliver, but he never teased her about it. Even if he knew about the attachment, no one besides Julia, Oliver, and Julia’s friend Mary knew about the marriage agreement they had both signed all those years ago.
The timing of Oliver’s return to Larkhall sent a shiver over her spine. He could save her from Lord Belper. Sudden nervousness boiled in her stomach. She couldn’t approach Oliver with that ridiculous piece of paper after ten years, and two years without even speaking to him. He had plenty to worry about besides being trapped into a marriage. That was her own worry to undertake. If Mama had her way, then Julia would be trapped into a marriage of her own with a man she didn’t love within a matter of weeks. She couldn’t do the same to Oliver.
Her heart flooded with too many emotions to keep track of, beating wildly as she stroked Rupert’s head. Was Oliver all right? How injured was he? He was still alive, and that was all that mattered to her. She stared blankly at the floor, completely unaware of the conversation around her. Had Lord Belper asked her a question?
“Julia.” Mama’s voice broke through the fog, muffled and quiet. “Julia!” Her fingertips pressed into Julia’s arm. “Are you all right?”
The dog wriggled in her arms, serving to bring Julia back to her senses. “Yes. Forgive me. I was distracted.” Her brow settled into a furrow again.
