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"I can go after the maid," she suggested, but Chelsea crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.
"You go and see what you can get out of him and I will go after the maid," Chelsea persisted, the look in her eyes saying she wouldn't easily be dissuaded. "How would it look if I was caught alone with the male cousin of my betrothed?"
Julia sighed deeply, knowing that her best friend was probably right. After all, she had already lost her only hope at happiness, so what would it matter if she risked a little more? Especially if it meant figuring out what was making the Tatford brothers so ill.
"Fine." She hissed with surprise when Chelsea practically shoved her again, right out of the safety of the bush they had been hiding behind.
Though he was some distance away now, Barnaby turned in almost the same instant and his eyes widened, alighting with pleasure the moment that he saw her.
"Miss Pritchard!" He greeted her warmly, though there was an ever-present undertone of aggression in his voice. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
He moved towards her but, seeing her friend out of the corner of her eye, crouched and creeping away, Julia quickly intercepted him, coming up with an excuse on the spot. "I admit I was here to see the earl, but he has once again refused to see me. I… I saw you from the window and thought perhaps you might like some company instead."
Julia half expected him to become suspicious at that, but his face spread into a wide smile.
"Ahh, yes, I had noticed your lack of closeness of late," Barnaby stated, and Julia's entire body shivered with discomfort. If even he had noticed that she and the earl were no longer on talking terms, then she couldn't imagine who else had noticed. "I must advise you that I am much more fun to be around than my stoic cousin."
He grinned widely, looking quite proud of himself, and Julia had to force herself not to move back when he closed the distance between them. Holding out his elbow to her, he suggested, "Perhaps we could walk together for a while?"
Instinctively, she wanted to protest, but she quickly bit it back, thinking about how she was doing this for Lord Sutthers, not herself.He had better appreciate it!She thought begrudgingly.
But even as they walked around the rose garden, Julia found it was pointless. How was she supposed to find anything out about their plan? She couldn't exactly ask him outright what he and the maid were planning without admitting she had overheard them.
By the time their walk had finished, Julia had gotten nothing from him, save for the feeling that he was very attracted to her. He was much like any other pompous young nobleman who saw her as a prize thanks to her dowry and her father's connections. She could see it plainly upon his face even as he said farewell, leaning down to kiss her gloved knuckles.
"Perhaps one day I might share your company again, Miss Pritchard," he suggested, looking up at her through his eyelashes with an expectant glint in his eye.
"Yes," Julia said, even against everything in her that was screaming at her to run for the hills. "I would like that."
I have to know the truth;she reminded herself over and over, feeling as though she might well be the only thing standing between him and whatever his plans were for his cousins.Whether the earl has denied me or not, he is still a far better man than Barnaby.
Chapter 24
The closer to Christmas, the worse Gabriel felt. He found himself bed-bound once more, wracked by violent stomach cramps and nausea. He found he was always a moment from vomiting.
He barely saw his brother now. He did get bad reports from his mother and his cousin, Barnaby. They visited almost daily to check on how they were doing.
And with every passing day, through the haze of illness and thoughts of regret from his past, Gabriel found himself growing more and more suspicious. His cousin seemed too cheery, all too adamant that he was surprised by what their mother had to say of their grandmother, claiming she must have gotten her on her good days.
By the end of his second week of illness, Gabriel was barely conscious for more than an hour at a time. When he wasn’t, he found himself dreaming of the beautiful blonde he had rejected, wishing he had never sent his letter. And during the hours when he was awake, he found himself thinking of all the ill will that had befallen him, of his accidents with the pickpocket, the carriage in the lake, and this current illness, which seemed certain to take his life.
It wasn't until his brother came to him, looking as though he could barely walk, that he even attempted to sit up in bed.
"You ought to be in your bed," Gabriel told his brother the moment he saw how dreadful he looked.
"I came as soon as I received this," was Jonathan's only response. He hobbled up to the bed and gave Gabriel a letter. With a confused look at his brother, Gabriel read it.
My love,
Julia and I have been greatly worried for your and your brother’s health, and it turns out we have good reason to be. I did not wish to say these words to you until we were absolutely certain, as I fear there are ears listening in your home, and I am frightened of where that might lead.
Over the last week, at great danger to herself, my best friend has put herself in the company of your cousin Barnaby, and through doing this, she believes he holds great ill will against you. We also believe it is why you are so ill.
Please, my love, be wary of him and of others close to you. Julia and I would like to see you and your brother to discuss figuring all of this out, but we cannot do that until your brother is convinced to see Julia. Please, for the sake of both your lives, convince him to listen to us!
All my love,
Chelsea
