Chapter 6

JULIA AWOKE AGAINST something hard and thought she might have fallen asleep on one of the blocks of marble in Laurentia’s studio. The last thing she remembered was practicing her songs in the stillness of the night, surrounded by an audience of half-formed figures and chiseled bits of white stone.

And then the marble on which she lay moved, just slightly, and her memory was startled into recalling other things. She opened her eyes.

Her cheek was on Will’s broad chest, rising and falling with each breath he took. With each rise, she took stock of their surroundings, and decided that the absence of flowered dimity and lace suggested they were in a man’s bedchamber. Will’s bedchamber. Or, at least, the one he was assigned while at the Seabury Christmas party.

It was a fine room, but it did not matter. The passionate pleasures they shared last night had nothing to do with the furnishings or the comfort of the overstuffed mattress. They could have been anywhere—including a cramped coach—so long as they were together and did the things they did. Julia blushed just thinking about it. Leighton had been dead for only eighteen months, but she had already forgotten it could be like this.

But then, it had never been quite like this.

“Do you suppose we can manage to be snowbound for another few months?” Julia heard Will’s voice vibrate deeply in his chest.

She shifted so she could look over the rumpled bedding to the window and, not surprisingly, it was still snowing. “You may have your wish, Will, but I doubt it will go unnoticed if we do not join the others for Christmas. Laurentia will be quite put off, and instruct the servants to push us out the door. As it is, we may not have more than an hour left to us this morning.”

“Then I suggest we use it to our best advantage,” Will said, and rolled her onto her back. She looked up at him, at his hair falling over his forehead, at the light shadow of his beard, at his half-closed eyes. “And to think that I called you ‘Lady Frost’ when first we met.”

He melted any resistance that might have remained. It did not matter that she felt aching and sore, and very much loved. It also did not matter that she would be perfectly happy to be snowbound with him for years and years to come. But they were guests in the home of her sister and brother-in-law, and it was Christmas, and there was much to be done. Already, the sounds of servants and perhaps a few sleep-deprived guests could be heard in the hall.

She pushed him, gently, but he obediently rolled on his back, taking her with him. “I intend to use everything to my advantage, dear Lord Willem, and have every expectation that you will indulge me. And so, I will ask that you wait until this evening, when the house is once again quiet, and the night is dark. In the meantime, we shall behave as if there is nothing particular between us. You may flirt with the ladies, and play chess—or whatever it is that you do—with the gentlemen. I shall dutifully admire my new nephew and listen to talk of birds from Miss St. John. You will discuss Mr. Raffles’s memoirs and possible elevation to the knighthood with the others. I will discover who is no longer welcome at Almack’s.”

Will sighed so dramatically, Julia might have thought he expired, if she did not know him so well. He pulled himself up on his elbows, supporting them both.

“Please explain to me how all these distractions will play to your advantage?” he asked.

“Why do you not worry that we have seen quite enough of each other? We have spent more time together than most old married people, and I doubt I can continue to tempt you.” Julia blushed, and said something she never would have said to her husband. “I believe you have seen every last bit of me.”

His response was immediate, as she guessed it would be. “Beauty looks quite different in the light of day. And besides, I can think of a few bits as yet unexamined.”

She asked for it. And he found them.

“THERE IS SOMETHING different about you this morning, my dear,” Laurentia said, studying Julia with a speculative gaze usually reserved for blocks of unpolished granite in her studio.

Julia guessed that her clever scheme of acting as if nothing had changed in her life was doomed to fail. They sat around a large table in the parlor along with the other ladies, stringing red berries on white thread. It was not so very different than a sewing circle, but for the blood-red juice stains on their fingers. Anyone coming upon them might think they were stitching up the wounded after a battle.

“I suppose my bruises are healing after all these days, or I am no longer suffering from the travails of a long and arduous journey,” Julia murmured, thinking it was time to launch into another conversation. But she had also had a long night, and her words could not keep up with her thoughts.

“Oh, yes, it must have been very arduous traveling with the fascinating Lord Willem,” said Miss Rossiter, a young lady who seemed to find every eligible gentleman fascinating. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laugh, and now had the bloody juice running down her cheek.

Laurentia picked up a scrap of linen and leaned across the table to wipe Miss Rossiter’s face before the juice stained her pale gray dress.

“But you looked just lovely when you arrived,” Laurentia said, and everyone looked at Miss Rossiter. “And no one could have imagined you had endured a crash, nearly freezing to death, and a desperate rescue by a gallant gentleman.”

Everyone turned back to Julia.

“Let us not think of such things, Lady Howard, for this is a season for celebration. Lord Willem told me that my biggest concern seemed to be that I might yet sing on Christmas Eve, for my first words to him must have sounded like a croaking frog. But he plied me with hot tea and porridge until I sounded more like myself.” Julia hoped her explanation would be sufficient to deflect any more interest in her own personal drama. “Indeed, Lord Willem supposed I was an opera singer.”

“Do you mean, an actress who would appear on the stage?” asked Chary St. John, as if it was the greatest thing for a lady to own to a profession.

“That seems rather common,” said her Aunt Catherine. “Surely he did not believe it of you.”

“As to that, I cannot say for certain. After all, I might have been anyone at all, a nobody who was abandoned by her fellows in the snow. I had no possessions, and I daresay he was suspicious when I admitted I was also traveling to Seabury. Truly, the coincidence defies belief.”

Laurentia sniffed. “I hope he was sufficiently convinced when I greeted you at your arrival,” she said imperiously.

Julia noticed that Chary St. John’s thoughts were elsewhere, surely not in the room. She looked towards the door. “Such coincidences are the things of great romances, wherein unexpected circumstances contrive to bring lovers together.”

“Lord Willem and I are not lovers,” Julia said quickly. Too quickly.

“Of course not,” Laurentia said, with a certainty that disarmed any reproof from the others. But Julia knew her too well and avoided her gaze.

“I think I should like to sing, as well,” announced Miss Rossiter.

“Do you mean as an actress, on the stage?” asked Chary St. John.

“Oh, heavens, my mother would be appalled if I even toyed with the idea. She does not even permit me to join in charade at a house party, which she considers quite unladylike.” Miss Rossiter sighed. “However, she very much values your good opinion, Lady Howard, so if it is permissible for your sister-in-law to sing, I am certain she will allow me to do so as well.”

“I was not aware you had talent in that direction, Miss Rossiter,” Laurentia said. “But we should be delighted to have you entertain us.”

“Oh, I am not known for my voice, but I am sure I might manage, Lady Howard.”

Julia could see that Laurentia was torn between suggesting that her enthusiastic guest save her breath for something else, and acting the gracious hostess. She studied their handiwork on the table as if it were as complicated as the Bayeux tapestry, and said nothing. For Laurentia, who had an opinion on everything, that was quite remarkable.

“It is an excellent way to attract the notice of eligible men,” Miss Rossiter continued. “I am thinking of one gentleman in particular.”

“Lord Willem promised to teach us all how to skate on the ice,” said one of the ladies, leaving no doubt whom that gentleman might be. “He was raised in Holland, of course, and I believe they do that all the time.”

“Presumably only in the winter,” said Julia, a little tartly.

A brief knock on the door announced the entrance of several of the gentlemen, including the one who apparently was of most interest to the assembled ladies. Julia despaired that she could neither lay any claim to him nor profess any particular interest in front of the others. She certainly had no interest in stumbling about on the ice and watching Miss Rossiter fall into his arms.

“Lord Willem!” said Miss Chary St. John. “We were just speaking of you.”

Will looked at Julia, who only acknowledged him with a brief nod.

“Lord Atherton, Lord Jamison, Mr. Quist,” said Laurentia. “We missed you at breakfast this morning. Are you aware that Lord and Lady LeFavre have only just arrived? They are recovering from their rough journey, but I have every hope that we will have a full house this Christmas.”

“I am delighted to hear it,” said Will. “You must blame me if some of your gentlemen were absent this morning, Lady Howard, for we needed to discuss some matters of consequence.”

“That would explain where my dear husband was, as well,” Laurentia said. “And I do not blame you at all, Lord Willem, for the business of diplomacy and politics must go on, even at a Christmas house party.”

“But we have done enough for this day,” said Mr. Quist. “The snow has given us a reprieve, and we hope the ladies will join us for ice skating. Lord Willem has promised to instruct us all.”

The ladies abandoned their berries and needles in an instant and made hurried excuses as they met the men halfway across the room. Only Laurentia and Julia remained where they were, surrounded by puddles of juice and tangled string. Will looked over Miss Rossiter’s head, asking Julia an unspoken question and looking somewhat startled when she cheerfully waved him off.

And then he was gone, pulled away from her by the little typhoon of excited guests.

“Dear heavens,” said Laurentia. “Why did I invite her to Seabury?”

“Miss Charlotte St. John, do you mean? I supposed it had something to do with Lord Nicholas Hawkely.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Julia. Chary is a lovely girl. I refer to Miss Rossiter.”

“Oh,” said Julia. Of course, she already knew that.

“And yet, I suppose her best efforts will be in vain. She might sing her heart out, but I doubt it will have the desired effect.”

“She might prove hopelessly inept on the ice, and require a man’s strong arms about her, for support,” Julia added.

“Yes, there is that,” agreed Laurentia. “But I think I quite agree with Miss St. John, that there is something utterly romantic about coincidence and the meeting of two people in the most extraordinary circumstances.”

“Perhaps.”

“Something has changed, dear Julia. You can hide it from these girls, but not from me.”

“We are hardly older than these girls, as you say, Laurentia,” Julia reminded her.

“Yes, that is true. But I am already an old wife and mother, and you are far too young to be a widow.”

“I will never forget him, Laurentia. I adored Leighton. I always will.”

Laurentia patted her hand, leaving little fingerprints of juice. “Of course. I know that better than anyone, for I adored him too. But it is time for you to go on with your life, to have happiness such as I have now. Leighton will always be with you, but there is room in your generous heart for more than one love. I also know something about that.”

Julia was as close to tears as she had been in the months after Leighton’s death, but they were not ones of grief. They were of joy, for the love she shared with Leighton’s sister, and for her blessing to open the door to new hope and possibilities.

“So, whatever are we to do?” Laurentia asked suddenly.

“About Will?”

“Oh, Will, is it? Well, I suppose several days in cramped quarters would do that to anyone. But that is for you to figure out; my role is already over.”

Julia wondered what she meant by that.

But Laurentia went on, before she could respond. “I mean about your costume for the masquerade ball, of course.”

Julia had given it almost no thought. “I suppose the men Geoff sent out will apprehend Mimma and Hedges, and I shall have my bags returned to me. They may have sold my jewels, but I doubt they will do anything with a shepherdess’s costume.”

“Nor will you,” said Laurentia, with her accustomed air of authority. She rose and walked over to a table in the corner of the room, where she picked up a sheath of papers. “Come here. I have something to show you.”

Knowing Laurentia as she did, Julia did so with some trepidation, wondering what her sister-in-law had in mind.

“I see,” Julia said casually, after looking at what Laurentia held. “Your next project will be a statue of Titania, Queen of the Fairies.”

“Oh, it is certainly my next project, but has nothing to do with statuary. You have not the disposition to be a shepherdess, but I think Titania will suit you just fine.”

Julia did not know what sort of disposition was required to be a Fairy Queen, but she doubted she had Titania’s capriciousness and sense of mischief.

“Do you not think it peculiar if a Greek forest sprite returns the next evening to sing Irish country ballads at an English Christmas Eve?” Julia asked, even though she knew one thing truly had nothing to do with the other.

As usual, Laurentia managed to be very persuasive. “I do not see it as any more peculiar than Mr. Shakespeare, who never left England, writing about the Greek countryside.”

“And what of midsummer? We are now in the wrong season, in a dream or otherwise,” Julia protested, trying again.

“Was there ever a year of seasons such as this? Spring, summer, autumn, winter: it has all been a topsy turvy mess.”

Julia saved her best argument for last. “How on earth can such a costume be fashioned for me in a matter of a few days? Shall I stand up before everyone with trim hanging from my hem and pins stabbing anyone who gets too close?”

Laurentia waved her off. “I am certain our Lord Willem has risked more harm to his body than being pricked by a few pins. And you have no need to worry about that, in any case. I already have my maid working on it, with the promise of a Christmas bonus when she finishes it on time.”

Julia had nothing left to say.

WILL CONTINUED TO look for Julia through the long afternoon, hoping she might appear at the lake’s edge, or in the pavilion on the hill or even skating towards him on the thick ice. The ladies whom he escorted about the lake did not seem to notice his distraction, for they were distracted themselves, trying to remain upright while maneuvering about on a sharpened blade of steel. Miss Rossiter, of all of them, seemed the most at ease, chatting about nothing all the while they spent together. She presented herself as did so many others of his acquaintance: she offered the dangerous combination of confidence and incompetence. She made little effort to learn how to skate, but knew he would catch her when she fell.

He did, and she fell often. In one of those moments, she mentioned that she would sing with the famous Lady Leighton on Christmas Eve. He wondered if Miss Rossiter could carry a tune, and if Julia knew she was now to perform a duet.

Julia. Where was she? Surely she and Laurentia would not spend an afternoon stringing up some beads or hauling around holly branches when there were servants to do that work. But the ladies could be anywhere, welcoming new guests or wrapping presents or playing with the baby.

As he led one of the ladies into a wide arc, he imagined himself in another place and another time, when his father first taught him how to skate on the ice. How strange and sweet it would be to teach his own children to skate one day, to catch them when they fell, and kiss away their injuries.

He had never thought of such things when he was with Leena, though he was not sure why. It was, however, not a mystery why he relished such thoughts now. Everything had changed on the day he met Julia, and his future was now entwined with hers on a path he had never trodden before.

“Would you take me for a spin, Lord Willem?” asked Miss St. John. She came up to him in the middle of the lake, revealing her newly learned skills. “Or am I being too forward to ask it of you?”

“It would be a pleasure, Miss St. John,” he said, and he placed her arm through his. “And not at all forward, for are we not friends now? Besides, I suspect you will be as keen a skater as am I, and I shall not have to pull you along as I do the others.”

They set off.

“I first tried on a pair of ice skates when I was a child, though I haven’t skated much since then,” she said. “I was never anywhere near as accomplished as you are. But my father lived in dread that some accident would befall his brood, so he took care to teach us to skate a little, and to swim and do all sorts of things that most ladies do not dream about.”

Will knew something of living an unconventional life.

“I believe you are mistaken, Miss St. John.” She looked up at him, and though she was not a beauty, she had fine features. “Most ladies may not do such things, but they dream about them.”

She laughed, and with her red cheeks and bright eyes, he thought she was radiant.

“Lord Nicholas is a lucky man,” he said. “My congratulations on your betrothal.”

She stopped laughing, and lowered her head, concentrating on her skating. They moved along in silence, further from the others who remained close to the shore, and could hear only the faint sounds of conversation echoing through the cold air.

“I have hardly seen him since we arrived and suspect he is avoiding me, Lord Willem,” she said, punctuating each word, so that he saw little puffs of moisture of her breath. “Our arrangement seems based on a misunderstanding.”

Will did not know how to respond to her words or how he could possibly give her any encouragement. He knew Hawkely’s reputation and yet had always enjoyed his company. Now there was that business of the lost artifacts, but Raffles himself offered some doubt as to Hawkely’s blame in the pages of his memoir. Will had forgotten all about Channing, Raffles’s purser, having access to the artifacts. Miss St. John was right to speak of misunderstandings, for Hawkely appeared to be beset with them.

“Let us hope for the best in the new year to come,” Will said at last. “It is Christmas, and a season of unexpected joys.”

She looked up at him without breaking their stride, and nodded as if she already knew something he did not.

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE and her entourage arrived with a great deal of fuss and bother, dozens of servants bearing trunks, and melting snow making traversing the great lobby replete with hazards.

Julia glanced at Laurentia, who seemed nonplussed by the royal intrusion, and the fact that the princess’s party had brought enough baggage with them for a stay of a year or two. Geoff took his wife’s hand and formally greeted Charlotte and Leopold, as generations of the Earls of Howard had always shown fealty to the crown and welcomed them to their humble home. As their sister-in-law, Julia was presented next.

“But of course,” said the princess graciously. “You are Lord Leighton Kingswood’s widow, are you not? His death was a sad business. But I should like you to meet the prince’s cousin, for he is also interested in marrying an English wife.”

Julia doubted that a German prince would consider her a prime match, but she acknowledged the compliment with a low curtsy. As she did so, she thought of all those who were anxious to do some matchmaking, and how she had managed to sidestep so many unwanted introductions in the past year and a half. That Laurentia did not seem anxious to throw men in her direction was one of the very reasons why she delighted in coming to Seabury.

And yet there was that one thing that Laurentia said a few hours ago. As she rose, Julia looked at her sister-in-law with some suspicion.

But Laurentia had her own distractions.

“I am so happy to stand in your famous hall of statues,” Princess Charlotte said, “for it is renown throughout the kingdom. I believe some of my own ancestors are here and my own father confided that he would enjoy a place here as well.”

“I am sure we can arrange that, your highness,” said Geoff.

“But nothing like the statues along the drive, you understand. I am not fond of the girls with birds and those dancing boys,” she continued.

Laurentia opened her mouth, and Geoff gave her a stern look. But whatever she would have said was interrupted by a commotion from the rear hall, and the entrance of nearly all the other guests spilling into the foyer. It took them but a moment to recognize the estimable presence now in their company. As they all bowed, chunks of ice and snow slipped off their shoulders and onto the growing flood on the marble floor.

Earls, countesses, men of business and the church, wives and spinsters, were all introduced in their turn to a princess and prince who would probably enjoy nothing more than to retire to their chambers. But they were acknowledged and engaged in conversation, and some singled out for particular attention.

“Lady Jersey, I have not seen you in an age,” murmured the princess. “And Lord Willem and Lord Hawkely, I am delighted you both survived the devastation of your little island, so far away. I understand that you have something for me.”

Will glared at Nick, who only just emerged from the library. “I have brought you Mr. Raffles’s manuscript, for your enlightenment and pleasure, ma’am. He was most anxious that I deliver it personally into your hands.”

“So I understand,” Princess Charlotte said. “After Raffles and yourself, I shall be the only other person to read it?”

Julia shook her head, having no desire to get between whatever arrangement they already had, but Will was impossibly honest. She sometimes thought it was a great virtue. But this was not one of those times.

“Lady Leighton has already read much of it, ma’am. We had ample opportunity to study the memoir in the several days we traveled together.”

“I see.” Princess Charlotte said, though Julia was not certain what she did see. Had word of their adventure already traveled throughout England?

“Lady Leighton, what is your opinion? Is Mr. Raffles worthy of a knighthood, do you think?”

Julia had no opinion, for the decision was not hers. And yet there were perhaps thirty people waiting on her response. The princess tapped her boot expectantly.

“Mr. Raffles has written a very credible account of the events. If earnestness and good intentions make a man worthy of a knighthood, then he may very well have earned it.”

Julia’s words fell into a well of deathly silence. Suddenly Lord Jersey started clapping. “Hear, hear!” he said. “Every butler and groom might soon claim a title!”

Everyone, including the royal couple, laughed and applauded as well. Lady Jersey looked at her husband as if he were a madman. And the poor servant who was attempting to mop up the melting snow stood a little straighter. Julia started to back away, hoping she might become invisible.

“Lady Leighton, we shall have more to discuss over the coming days,” said Princess Charlotte.

And then, with a simple wave of dismissal by the princess, everyone was on their way, to change out of traveling clothes or wet garments, to enjoy drinks in the parlor, or to share gossip or secrets.

JULIA SENSED, RATHER than saw, Will come up behind her. Perhaps she already recognized the sound of his footsteps, or identified the woodsy scent that was uniquely his. Or perhaps she just knew.

She stood beneath an elegant arch in the great portrait gallery at Seabury, looking up at a sprig of mistletoe hung on the keystone.

Apparently Will noticed it too, for once he was close, he pulled away her shawl and kissed her bare neck.

“I believe that is now my favorite flora,” he said. “Though I confess, I am also rather fond of the lavender you favor.”

Julia turned in his arms and looked up at him. His eyes were as bright as the sky of summer and she was once again reminded of how very much she missed the summer season of 1816, and all the beautiful things she nurtured in her garden.

“We have grown our own lavender since I was a girl,” she said. “It used to grow beautifully at Gainsmeadow, when we had a warm and sunny summer.”

He kissed her on her forehead. “We will again. Did we not see the stars peeking through on the night of the Langerford ball?”

She sighed. “I had nearly forgotten that, for so much has happened since.”

“Oh, yes, indeed. Now it appears you may be the advisor to a queen.”

“I think our generous princess would make a fine queen, but she has uncles who have precedence. And her son, should she have one, would be king some day. Such honor does not extend to ladies, except in a time of some desperation.” Julia knew perfectly well Will understood the laws of succession as well as anyone else. “Besides, the princess does not wish to consult with me for my clever advice. She already told me she has a German lordling for me.”

“Does she indeed? I am always amazed at how quickly ladies can cut right to the essentials. And what will you say to this German lordling?”

Julia put her hand to Will’s face and caressed his rough cheek. “Nothing, apparently, for I scarcely speak a word of German.”

“And how do your skills extend to Dutch? The language bears several similarities to German, you know. And English, for that matter.”

“Let it suffice to say I am prepared to learn Dutch, and develop a palate for those little herrings.”

“I am not so keen on those herrings myself. But there are some other things I think you’d enjoy.”

They started to walk through the long gallery, which extended along the entire frontage of the main building of Seabury. Will held her hand in his, tucked under his arm, much as if they were skating partners.

“Did you enjoy teaching all the ladies how to keep themselves upright on the ice?”

“I enjoyed talking to Miss St. John, who is perfectly capable of keeping herself up. She is a competent lady, whose marriage to Hawkely will probably do him more good than it will her.”

“And Miss Rossiter? She seemed very keen to be your student.”

“She was very keen to clutch at my arm,” Will corrected her.

Julia laughed and squeezed his hand. Something felt different and she raised their hands together.

“You have taken off your ring, Will,” she said.

“I have put it away for safekeeping, like a memory worth saving.”

There was another advantage men had over women, Julia considered. For she wore a permanent reminder of her marriage, until such time as she remarried. She could neither put it in a drawer nor press it between the pages of a sturdy book, as she might a sprig of fresh lavender. It was her name, of course, Leighton’s name. She had returned to being Julia Townshend for only a brief respite, before she could trust Will with her real identity. But she was once again Lady Leighton Kingswood. For on the day a woman married, she not only gained a husband, but a new identity as well.

WILL DID NOT SEE Julia throughout the remainder of the afternoon, though there was much ado that would have been of interest to her. He and Geoff and several of the other gentlemen were interrupted in their game of billiards by the announcement that Mr. Hedges and Miss Mimma Humphries were apprehended at Dover, in possession of horses that were the property of Earl Howard, and several trunks belonging to Lady Leighton Kingswood. The two opportunists remained in the custody of the local magistrate, but the horses and trunks were returned to Seabury by Geoff’s men.

“Lady Leighton will be delighted with this news, though the miscreants might have already sold her jewels to secure their passage to Europe,” said Geoff. “If so, we shall have to reclaim those as well.”

“The thieves will be punished,” said Leopold with some authority.

“And yet, Lady Leighton has scarcely spoken of her losses in the time I’ve known her. She has regrets of course, but does not seem vengeful or angry. I suspect it is not in her nature,” said Will.

“Or it may be the consequence of the bump on her head,” Geoff argued. “She had some lovely pieces of jewelry from my wife’s brother, and I am sure she would be upset if they were lost. Unless, of course, she is no longer sentimental about such things.”

Will was aware that several of the men studied him with renewed interest.

“She strikes me as a lady who treasures many memories, whether or not they are of value to others,” he said judiciously. “But she is also a lady of considered opinions, and I cannot speak for her.”

“Considered opinions, indeed,” said Geoff. “It is no wonder she has always gotten on so famously with my dear wife. Leighton and I used to hide in the library when the two of them were together, hatching some plot.”

“Are they together now?” Will asked. “Shall we ask them to join us and reunite Lady Leighton with her lost baggage?”

“I do not dare. They are conjuring up Lady Leighton’s costume for the masquerade and will tolerate no interruptions. I have been forewarned,” said Geoff, and smiled.

Will thought the ladies might be saved the bother of a new costume if Julia’s luggage was restored to her, but decided to be guided by Geoff’s example. He supposed Leighton Kingswood also knew what he was about in his marriage to Julia. So Will returned to the game room with the other gentlemen, content to be in hiding until the entire company regrouped for dinner.

AS THE EVENINGS drew closer to Christmas Eve, Seabury glowed even brighter, the dinners became more elaborate, and the assorted company more celebratory. The presence of Princess Charlotte and Leopold had much to do with the change in spirits, but each guest contributed in his or her own way. And for the first time in many months, the weather was agreeable, facilitating the travel of the last arrivals.

Julia mused about the snowstorms of the past weeks, and her own arrival at Seabury, as she combed through her returned luggage, assessing both the contents of the trunks, and her own circumstances. About an hour before she was to dress for dinner, a knock on her bedroom door heralded the return of everything she had lost. And therefore, it allowed her to consider all that she had found.

If her journey had not been perilous, if her coach had not crashed, if Mimma and Hedges had not left her for dead, she would not have been rescued by Will. If his kindness and generosity had not prevailed, she might have had to make her own way to Seabury. And then, she would have been introduced to him as a perfect stranger, and their conversation might have been brief and of little consequence. Miss Rossiter would have intruded upon their acquaintance, and Laurentia, Lady Jersey, and Princess Charlotte would have put forward an array of eligible gentlemen. She and Will might never have found each other.

She pulled her shepherdess costume from the trunk, smoothing out the wrinkles. This was a fine reunion as well, for the gown suited her so much better than the absurd concoction Laurentia’s dressmaker was even now bloodying her fingers to finish on time. Julia held it up against her body and studied herself in the mirror. Her sister-in-law was right: something had changed. But Julia doubted it truly had anything to do with the fabric of her costume or the simplicity of its style. If Will cared for her, it surely had nothing to do if she was a rustic or a fairy queen.

She doubted Princess Charlotte’s German gentleman would feel the same way.

As she spread the costume out on the counterpaine, a small velvet pouch, secreted away between the lush folds, fell onto the bed. She felt a moment of guilt as she retrieved it, realizing that she ought to have searched for this at once. For here were the only things of any real value, the jewels that might have given Mimma and Hedges a real reason to rob her of her possessions.

The Kingswood family jewels were now in the possession of the current earl, a bachelor who might do nothing more with them than pass them on to the next cousin who inherited. But these lovely necklaces and earrings were personal gifts from Leighton, apart from the estate and belonging only to her. She would wear several pieces this night, to please Laurentia and to thank Geoff for bringing about their return.

And so, when one of the lady’s maids arrived at the door to help her dress for the evening, Julia felt restored to some part of her former self, as she was laced into a corset that retained the scent of summer lavender, slipped into a gown of a length that was perfectly tailored for her, and donned the emerald earrings and necklace that had been bestowed upon her in love.