Ophelia noticed the change in Julian’s mood the moment he returned to the drawing room. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but he didn’t glance her way. He picked up his valise and told her they had to leave. Then he helped her up and led her back to the carriage.
To her surprise, the footman followed them. Julian turned to face him, and the footman hugged him. “It was good to see you again. Your father would be glad to know you turned out all right,” the footman said. He released Julian, clasped Ophelia’s hand, and kissed it. “Be good to him.”
Ophelia had no idea why the footman would say that, but she assured him she would be a good wife. How could she not? Julian had saved her from Lord Wolfe, even if he didn’t know it.
Julian thanked the footman but waited until the footman headed back to the townhouse before mumbling something about how the footman shouldn’t have been so expressive where everyone could see them. When she gave him a questioning look, he added, “In London, it’s not right to hug people in public, whether a servant or otherwise.”
He didn’t seem to want to tell her any more than that, so she decided not to ask. As long as it didn’t have anything to do with her, she didn’t need to know.
“I’m going to take us to the townhouse of someone I know,” he continued as he set his valise on the floor of the carriage. He helped her into the carriage and propped her leg on the blanket. “It’ll be a much shorter trip than the one we just had. In about an hour, we’ll get you some clothes and other items to make you comfortable.”
She nodded, and he shut the door of the carriage. She peered out the small window. There were so many things in London. Lots of townhouses were pressed up against each other. Lots of people and other carriages were going up and down the street. She’d been overwhelmed by it all when he’d pulled up to his brother’s townhouse. It was only now that she was beginning to adjust to it all.
The carriage moved forward, and she watched as the scenery passed by. He turned down one street. Then another. And after the third turn, he came to a stop in front of another townhouse that looked just like all the others. There was very little to distinguish one townhouse from another. How did people know which one they needed to go to?
She took her attention off of the townhouses as Julian opened the carriage door. She scooted over to the door and let him help her out of the carriage. He shut the door, and she realized his hands were empty.
“Aren’t you going to take the valise?” she asked.
“I think I’ll wait this time,” he replied. “We might be going home later today.”
He took her by the arm and offered her support as she used the cane to help her walk up the steps to the front door of the townhouse. She was secretly glad he had no stairs in the cottage. It was challenging enough to get from one room to another. It would have been impossible to get up the steps if he wasn’t right beside her.
Once they reached the door, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
He offered her a sympathetic glance. “By this evening, you won’t be forced to wear my cloak anymore when we go out. I know it’s uncomfortable under there.”
“This is what I get for falling off a horse in the middle of August,” she joked. “I should have waited until October.”
He chuckled. “It’s nice that you can laugh about it. Too many people never learn to laugh after going through a difficult period of time.”
“It was only a fall off a horse. It wasn’t like my life was ruined.” In fact, that night might have been the one that saved her life.
The door opened, and Julian made the introductions to the footman. He then requested to see Lord or Lady Pruett.
“They are out for the moment, but you’re welcome to come in and wait,” the footman replied.
“Thank you,” Julian said. “We’ll do that.”
The footman led them in, and once more, they were led to a drawing room and offered something to eat or drink. Though she had had something to eat and drink in the other townhouse, Julian hadn’t, so she expected him to partake in the refreshments as soon as the butler brought them in. To her surprise, he didn’t. He did the same thing he’d done at the other townhouse. He went to one of the windows and stared out of it.
“Why do you do that?” she asked.
“Do what?” he replied, not bothering to take his gaze off of whatever was interesting to him.
“Stare out the window. Are you looking for the people who live here?”
After a moment, he turned from the window and walked over to her. “No. I’m just thinking of the past.” He sat across from her and lowered his voice. “I spent my entire childhood in London. I never left its limits.” He shrugged. “I didn’t feel the need to leave. Everything I wanted was here. Have you been to London before?”
She shook her head.
“It’s probably just as well that you haven’t,” he said. “Once you get used to all of the things London has to offer, it’s difficult to do without them.”
“I noticed there are many people and townhouses here.”
“Yes, and there are more places to shop than you’d ever need. There are also unlimited activities. If you have enough money, you can do anything.”
He paused, and she suspected he was wading through memories he’d long ago put aside.
“I suppose you might as well know about my past in case someone brings it up,” Julian slowly continued, staring down at his hands. “For lack of a better explanation, I was a demanding and selfish person while I was growing up. I felt as if everything my father owned was mine. I didn’t care that I had two brothers, both of whom were older than me. I wanted it all for myself.”
His voice grew lower, and she had to strain to hear him.
“When I was sixteen,” he said, “I talked my cousin into helping me convince the steward into giving up my father’s money. We gave the steward a hefty portion for helping us, and then we split the rest. The steward left for America. My cousin and I ran off to Paris. I’m not sure what became of my cousin. We started out together but then drifted as we found our own forms of amusement. I preferred to give expensive social engagements like balls and dinner parties. The more money spent, the better. I was young and foolish. As you’d imagine, I did a poor job of managing the money, and within two years, I lost everything. I don’t know how long I was living off of scraps and sleeping with nothing but my cloak. One morning, I woke up and realized I needed to change. So, I made my way back to London in hopes of begging my father to let me stay with him. I was willing to even take on the role of a servant.”
A moment of silence hovered between them, and just as Ophelia was beginning to think he expected her say something, he continued with his story.
“My father had died during the time I was gone,” he softly said. “I never got the chance to tell him how sorry I was.” He took a deep breath and released it. “Anyway, my brothers didn’t want to have anything to do with me and demanded I leave. They were right to do that. I would have done the same in their position.” He paused. “Over the years, I’ve learned that when people have nowhere to turn, they’ll make one of two decisions. They’ll either seek out a power greater than themselves or they’ll do whatever it takes to get what they want. I chose to give my life to God, and everything changed for me after that.” He made eye contact with her then. “He took what was broken and healed it. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if it hadn’t been for Him.”
This time when he stopped speaking, she knew he wanted her to say something. “It’s good your life changed for the better.”
“It is. I probably would be dead already if I had chosen the other option available to me.”
“Do you mind if I ask you how old you are?”
“I’ll be twenty-seven next month.” After a moment, he asked, “How old did you think I was?”
She shrugged. “I had no idea.” She’d been so limited in her interactions with other people that she wouldn’t be able to tell someone’s age unless they told her. “But I’m still twenty-one.”
His lips curled up into a smile, and he laughed. “That’s good because it’s the age you had to be in order to get married without a guardian’s permission.”
She forced herself to chuckle. Imagine asking Lord Wolfe’s permission to marry Julian, or anyone else for that matter! He never would have granted it. She didn’t care if Lord Wolfe had led a life where he did everything to please his father and brothers. She still wouldn’t have wanted to be with him. There was something terrible and dark about him. She was much better off with Julian. Even after finding this out, she knew she was better off with him.
“I hope you don’t think less of me because of what I’ve done,” Julian said.
“No, I don’t. I’d ask you to marry me again if given the chance.”
“Can I ask you why you were so desperate to marry me? Surely, you could have had your choice of many gentlemen. You have a sweet temperament. You’re beautiful. You don’t talk so much that a person can’t think. I can’t think of anything else that’s usually required of a wife.”
“Are those things important?”
“I think they’re nice, but I suppose each gentleman has his preference. That’s why you don’t see every gentleman pursuing marriage with the same lady.”
She wondered why Lord Wolfe had wanted to marry her without having even met her. He had shown up with the intention of making her marry him. Her looks, her temperament, and her personality had nothing to do with it. Was it only because he’d been her guardian?
The butler stepped into the room and said, “Lord and Lady Pruett have returned.”
Julian rose to his feet, and Ophelia turned her attention to the doorway where an attractive couple entered the room. The two greeted Julian in a way that let her know they had known each other for quite some time. She watched the easygoing exchange they shared with interest. Growing up, no one had ever visited her, nor had she gone anywhere to visit someone. It was interesting to see how people greeted each other. This exchange was nothing as stiff as the one she’d experienced with Lord Wolfe or Julian’s brother.
“This is my wife, Ophelia,” Julian said as he led them over to her. “She sustained an injury which requires her to keep her leg up.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Lady Pruett replied.
“No,” Julian began, “the doctor said it was a minor injury. She’ll be walking without the aid of a cane in no time.” Julian glanced at Ophelia. “These are Lewis and Marcy.” Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he added, “I had the honor of marrying them.”
“We’re grateful you did it, especially as quickly as you did,” Lewis said. “I wanted to make sure the most wonderful lady in the world didn’t get away from me.”
Marcy waved his comment aside, but Ophelia noted that she blushed in pleasure at his compliment.
Ophelia studied the couple. There was no doubt they were happy. Both of them were glad to be married to each other. And though Ophelia had never seen anyone who was in love, she bet this was what love looked like.
“I hope you two don’t mind we came by uninvited,” Julian said. “My marriage happened rather suddenly, and I brought Ophelia to London to get some new clothes for her. My brother will be sending over his steward shortly. We had nowhere else to wait in the meantime.”
Ophelia wondered if Lewis and Marcy would think it strange that she and Julian didn’t just wait at Julian’s brother’s residence, but if they did, they didn’t show it.
Instead, Marcy said, “You’re both welcome to stay here. Will you be in London for a couple of days?”
“Would you mind if we were?” Julian asked.
“Not at all,” Marcy replied. “We have plenty of bedchambers. I’ll make sure the coachman brings your things in. Are they in the carriage out front?”
“There’s only one valise, and it’s mine,” Julian said.
Lewis’ eyes widened. “That’s all you have?”
Julian nodded. “Now you know why I had to come to London to get Ophelia more things to wear.”
Ophelia noticed the flicker of surprise on Marcy’s face. She waited for Marcy to ask why she didn’t have more than the things she was wearing, but it was Lewis who spoke.
“It’s a good thing you came when you did,” Lewis said. “It looks like that cloak has seen better days.” He gestured to the cloak Ophelia had covered herself up with despite the warm room.
Julian chuckled in a way that seemed forced. “The situation that brought us together is an unusual one. I’m not sure now is the right time to get into the details.”
“It’s all right,” Marcy replied. “You don’t have to explain anything if you don’t want to. The important thing is that everything is going well for you two.”
Sensing a question in the comment, Ophelia said, “Everything’s fine. I’m glad to be with Julian.”
She saw the relief on Julian’s face and realized he had worried she would regret her marriage to him once she learned about his past. To further put his mind at ease, she smiled at him.
“Are you two thirsty or hungry?” Lewis asked. “We can have the butler bring something.”
Julian’s gaze went to Ophelia, so she said, “I’m not thirsty or hungry.”
“I should wait,” Julian told Lewis. “I want to be ready when the steward gets here.” Even as he said it, his attention went to the window.
“If you want to go to the window so you’ll know as soon as he arrives, you’re free to do so,” Marcy said as she sat in a chair next to Ophelia.
Ophelia was sure Julian was going to do that, but he ended up sitting in another chair. Lewis, looking startled that everyone was already seated, hurried to a chair and settled into it.
Ophelia sensed Marcy and Lewis would start inquiring about her since she was the new one in the group, so she opted to beat them to it by asking, “How did you two meet?”
“It’s actually a romantic story,” Julian told her then motioned for them to share it. “I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.”
Lewis and Marcy glanced at each other as if to decide which one should answer it, and after a moment, Marcy began to speak. As soon as Ophelia realized it was going to be a long story, the knots in her stomach loosened.
She knew she couldn’t put off telling Julian the truth forever, but she certainly didn’t want to give anything away right now. She’d rather put that part of her past behind her for a little while longer. Maybe once she could feel the shadow of Lord Wolfe’s presence depart, she could stomach the idea of reliving her brief time with him. For now, she was more than happy to focus on what her marriage with Julian was going to be like.
***
Julian sat in the chair in Lewis’ den, worn out from the afternoon full of shopping. He used to go from store to store in the past and not notice the passage of time, but having gotten out of the habit, he’d found himself constantly checking his pocket watch. Perhaps if he’d gotten to do something interesting, like watch Ophelia try on the clothes, then he would have been enthusiastic about the task. At least then, he’d get a chance to see her bare flesh. But he’d been forced to wait in a chair by the window while the others picked out clothing suitable for a vicar’s wife.
Now, he was relieved the afternoon was over. He threw his head back on the chair and closed his eyes. He hadn’t realized how peaceful it was at the cottage. Not that he hated London. He didn’t. But he did appreciate the quiet simplicity of living away from all the activity in this town.
“You look like you could use something to drink,” Lewis said as he came into the room.
Julian opened his eyes and straightened up in the chair. “I don’t drink alcohol. I used to, but I don’t anymore.”
“I said you looked like you could use something to drink. I didn’t say it had to be brandy.” Lewis picked up the decanter. “Believe it or not, this is water. I rarely drink alcohol, and if I do, I make sure I’m not in a position to make a stupid financial decision.”
“That’s a smart decision.”
Alcohol had a way of making a gentleman do many stupid things, but Julian didn’t want to share this. He was a vicar. People had a tendency to think vicars didn’t share the same weaknesses every other human being did. He was just glad that Ophelia hadn’t been repulsed to learn his past wasn’t as spotless as people expected it to be. It was why he didn’t make it a habit of telling anyone the sins of his youth. Most, like his brothers, wouldn’t understand.
He wasn’t sure what had prompted him to confess everything to Ophelia except that there was a sweetness about her that made him feel safe in telling her. And he’d been right. There’d been no look of condemnation or disappointment on her face. She’d accepted it without any effort on her part. And that made him wonder about her. Just how much exposure had she had to people during the course of her life?
Lewis approached him and gave him a glass of water. “It’s nice that someone doesn’t mind drinking something as plain as water,” Lewis said as he sat across from him. “Stephen would never commit himself to water.”
Julian thought of their mutual friend and smiled. “Stephen would probably snicker at us for drinking like two young lads.”
“Yes, he probably would.” Lewis took a sip of the water. “Which is why we won’t mention this to him.”
Julian put his hand over his heart. “He won’t hear a word of it from me.” He took a good, long swallow of the cool water and let out a satisfied sigh. “You have the finest water I’ve ever tasted.”
Lewis chuckled. “Whew! I worried you might not find it adequate.”
“In that case, I’m happy I could offer the reassurance.”
After a moment, Lewis asked, “Do you mind if I ask how you decided to get married? The last time we talked, you didn’t mention looking for a wife.”
“I wasn’t looking for one. She just happened to show up at my front door, and…” And what? And she had seemed so helpless and pretty that he couldn’t say no when she asked him to marry her? Was that really something he wanted to admit aloud, even to a friend? He cleared his throat. “It seemed like marriage was a good arrangement since she had nowhere else to go.”
Lewis frowned. “She had nowhere else to go? Is her family dead?”
That was a good question. Was her family dead? Julian shifted in the chair, hoping Lewis didn’t sense his uncertainty. “Her family isn’t around.” At least, he didn’t know of anyone in her family who might be nearby, if any of them were living.
“What a shame. I have no one in my family who’s still alive and neither does Marcy. I suppose not everyone is blessed with a family like Stephen’s. When his brother and sister go out to visit him with their families, it’s hard to find a vacant chair in the drawing room.” He paused then asked, “What about the two brothers you have? Are they married?”
“Surprisingly, they’re not.” Julian had expected both of his brothers to be married. Jonah, especially, should have been married since the family title was in his possession. But it wasn’t up to him to tell his brothers what to do. He was the youngest, and besides, he’d betrayed them both. “I imagine it’s only a matter of time before they do. They’re still under forty. They have time.”
Lewis nodded. “I hope so. No one can take the fact that they’ll live to a ripe old age for granted. Even young people die.”
Julian couldn’t argue that. Last year, he’d presided over the funeral of a newborn child. That had been the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. He prayed he’d never have to do that again.
“I didn’t mean to depress you,” Lewis said. “I’m sure your brothers will be fine. It’s not like there’s a vengeful gypsy and son who are going to kill them because of an old rivalry.”
Julian recalled how Lewis’ brother died. At the time, Lewis thought his brother had choked while eating his dinner. It was only later that the truth came out. Strangulation would be a terrible way to go. Julian grimaced.
“No, thankfully, my brothers have no reason to fear for their lives,” Julian said. “I’m sure my oldest will go on to have an heir.”
“An heir is what having a title is all about,” Lewis said after he drank more water. “I, for one, am just glad I got to have a love match. I didn’t relish the idea of being stuck in a loveless marriage. That’s why I held off on marrying for as long as I did. I got lucky with Marcy. I hope you get lucky with Ophelia.”
Before Julian could respond, there was a knock at the door.
Lewis checked his pocket watch then rose to his feet. “I bet that’s the butler letting us know dinner is ready.”
Julian finished the rest of his water and set it on the desk as Lewis answered the door.
After a moment, Lewis turned back to Julian. “It’s just as I thought. Dinner is ready. I hope you have a good appetite. The cook we recently hired does a marvelous job with goose and white soup. We’re having both tonight.”
It’d been a long time since Julian had either one of those menu items. “It sounds like a treat.”
“It is with the way he cooks them.”
Lewis set down his glass, and the two went to the drawing room to escort their wives to dinner. As soon as Julian saw Ophelia in her new pink gown, he realized all of the anxiety he’d gone through earlier that day in facing Jonah had been worth it. She was much better off with the new wardrobe than she’d been with his old clothes.
Her blonde hair was pulled up into a fashionable style, allowing only a few waves of her hair to touch her shoulders.
He got the impression this was how she appeared every day before he met her. If she had been in London, she would have been snagged up by now. There was no way a lady this beautiful would have gone without a handful of suitors for long. She would have to be holed up in the country somewhere in order to remain unmarried until she was twenty-one.
“You did a magnificent job helping Ophelia buy clothes today,” Marcy told Julian. “She’s so lovely in that gown.”
Ophelia’s cheeks matched the color of her gown. “It’s a lovely gown. It would make anyone look attractive.”
“You don’t have to be so modest,” Marcy playfully scolded her. “You’re more beautiful than most ladies. It’s a good thing you already have a husband so they won’t feel threatened by you. At least this way, if you go to the theatre or some other activity, they’ll be happy to talk to you.”
“That’s silly,” Lewis said. “Ladies wouldn’t refuse to speak with Ophelia because of how she looks.”
“You’d be surprised what jealousy can do to people,” Marcy told him. “It can bring out the worst in us if we’re not careful.”
“Well, you have nothing to be jealous of.” Lewis took her hand in his and squeezed it. “In my eyes, there is no one more beautiful.” Glancing at Ophelia, he added, “Not that I wish to upset you.”
“I’m not upset,” Ophelia assured him. “I think it’s wonderful you said that.”
“I could tell they were in love with each other when I married them,” Julian told Ophelia. It was always refreshing when a couple loved each other. It made the union that much easier to bless.
Lewis cleared his throat. “We should eat before the meal gets cold.” He glanced at Marcy. “I told Julian how good the cook is.”
“He is,” Marcy agreed. “My cousin suggested we hire him. We’re glad you’re here to share this meal with us.”
Turning his attention back to Ophelia, Julian encouraged her to lean on him. Ophelia wasn’t only pleasing to look at, but she felt pleasing as well. The gown had a way of making him more aware of the more feminine aspects of her figure. Hoping no one noticed how attracted he was to her, he helped her to the dining room.