The Lady’s Torn Heart (Faces of Love Series #2) (3 page)

* * *

W
e arrived
at the manor just as the candles were being lit. Mary rushed out to greet us, waddling as fast as she could. “Julia! I was so worried about you!”

“I’m fine, I promise,” I said as she took me in her arms. Gaffton wasn’t far behind her.

“But look at you, you don't look fine at all,” she retorted.

“I took a spill off of my horse. Luckily, Lord Patterson was there to help me and see me home.” I deferred to James, standing next to me.

Gaffton stepped forward and took his hand. “Thank you. Words cannot express how grateful we are for your aid.”

“It was no trouble at all, Your Grace. I am just happy to see that the lady wasn’t harmed in the fall.”

Gaffton showed James into the drawing room, and Mary and I followed. Mary immediately called for some tea to warm me up and Gaffton poured brandy for both men. “Tell me, Lord Patterson, what brings you here?”

“Please, call me James. I am actually on my way to stay with my aunt.”

“James is a relation of Lady Heather,” I chimed in happily. “He has come to keep her company.”

“Oh, how very kind of you,” Mary added. “She seemed truly devastated at the loss of her husband. She has been so,” Mary hesitated. “Out of sorts.”

“Well, I hope to improve her mood,” James replied.

“It’s too late for you to make it the rest of the way tonight on horseback, so why don’t you stay for dinner and then you could take our carriage the rest of the way?” Mary offered graciously.

“I wouldn’t want to impose,” he replied.

“Nonsense,” Gaffton interjected. “Give us a chance to pay our gratitude.”

With that being said, James humbly agreed to stay.

I excused myself to go upstairs and change before dinner. I was shocked at the sight I saw in the mirror. My once curled hair was windblown and wild at my shoulders. My cheeks were red from the bit of the cold, and my dress was a horrific sight to behold. Josie had quite a time putting me back together.

I came back down in a dress that I had earlier borrowed from Mary. She had insisted I wear some of hers, since she was too big for them herself. I hadn’t had a reason to until tonight. It was a soft rose pink-colored chiffon dress with short sleeves and a modestly low-cut front. Josie was kind enough to weave some dried rose buds into my hair. I hoped their fragrance would hide the lingering muddy smell on me.

After dinner, we all sat in the library. Mary had insisted James stay the night after such an enjoyable dinner so that we could play a game of cards.

“The transformation is quite breathtaking,” he whispered to me over his cards.

“What do you mean?”

“You. Wild woman on the roadside to a beautiful lady.”

I blushed at his compliment.

“Tell me, which one would you say you are more often?”

“I would say the wild one,” Mary said with a smile.

I wrinkled my nose at her. “She is just teasing.”

“I should hope not,” he replied with a twinkle in his eye.

“Since you are here to stay, James,” Mary continued. “I hope we will see a lot more of you. Lady Heather visits often. She is a relation of Gaffton, though no one really knows how.”

“I warn you, don’t ask,” Gaffton added. “Or you will regret the length of tale.”

“Gaffton,” she said, giving him a teasing slap. “She is a very kind lady. We enjoy her company often. I hope that you will take those opportunities to come too.”

“I would be honored, Your Grace,” James said respectfully.

* * *

T
he next morning
was a pleasant one. James had left early instead of staying for breakfast since his aunt had been expecting him the day before. Gaffton, Mary and I sat silently eating our meal.

“James is quite a handsome gentleman,” Mary said, breaking the silence.

Gaffton raised a questioning eyebrow in her direction.

“I mean for Julia, of course,” she explained to her husband.

He gave a huff at this. Mary ignored it and turned to me for my response.

“He was very kind, entertaining, and I suppose he was good to look at too,” I said with a blush.

“Mmm-hm. I feel a matchmaking bone itching inside of me,” she teased.

“I believe you have enough to do right now,” Gaffton said. “Plus, if I know Lady Heather, she will keep a tight leash on that boy. It sounds like she plans to give him her inheritance, and if that’s the case, she will want total control of his life. That includes who he marries.”

“Are you saying she wouldn’t pick Julia?” It was Mary’s turn to raise her eyebrows at him.

“No, not at all. I think he would be lucky to have her. But that means you would have to work hard to get on Lady Heather’s favorable side. Not an easy feat.”

“Or an enjoyable one,” Mary said with a shiver.

“I love how you are discussing this like I am not even here,” I stated in a playful tone.

Mary waved off my comment. “Did you like him?” she asked.

Both of them were watching me intently.

“I thought that the reason I came here instead of going to town with Mother was to avoid this very situation.”

“Oh come on, we are not acting like Mother does. Just an innocent question.”

“Yes, I did like him,” I said with a sigh. I quickly hid my face behind my teacup.

Mary clapped her hands in joy. She stopped short and held her side. Gaffton was halfway out of his chair in concern when she halted him. “Nothing to worry about, just a kick.”

It was enough for Gaffton to send Mary to her place in the drawing room, lying on the love seat again. I loved how sweet he was to her, so concerned for her well-being. It was that kind of love that I wanted to find.

It was easy to see that Mary was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. There wasn’t much I could do for her other than sit by her side and read to her. We spent the remainder of the morning in this manner.

I was never so relieved to be interrupted than when the footman came in later that afternoon. He announced that Lord Patterson was coming to call. Both Mary and I perked up immediately.

“I hope you ladies don’t mind me barging in again, and so soon after our last meeting.”

“Not at all,” Mary said, slowly getting to her feet. “I was just about to go upstairs and lie down. Gaffton insists upon it,” she added with an eye roll. “You can keep Julia company while I am resting.”

Before either of us could say more, she waddled her way out of the room.

James took his seat on the chair across from me, and I rang for some tea.

“I hope I didn’t scare her off,” James said concerning Mary’s quick departure.

“No, she is just a bored wife shut up in her house by a worried husband and looking for some entertainment.”

“You and me being the entertainment?”

“I’m afraid so. I wouldn’t be surprised if we found her lurking outside the door and listening in on our conversation.”

“Well, then we should give her something to gasp at, at least.”

“And what do you have in mind?”

“Well, it is a much nicer day today than yesterday, though we both know you don’t seem to be deterred by cold weather. Why don’t we take our tea out and have a little picnic?”

“I think that would be a lovely idea.”

Thirty minutes later, I found myself seated on a quilt next to the very handsome James Patterson. We were nibbling on some sweets and mostly just enjoying each other’s company. James was not at all held by the conformities of society. I found his boldness and humor endearing.

“Tell me, how your aunt was when she saw you this morning?”

“Well her exact first words to me were ‘How kind of you to grace us with your presence.’ When I told her why I was held up the extra day, she seemed to be more understanding.”

“Really?”

“I think it mostly had to do with the Duke. She wants to be on his good side for some reason. Perhaps just to have good connections in society,” he added with a roll of his eyes.

“Well, I don't think Gaffton would be the best choice.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He abhors society. I don't think he has been back to town since he and Mary were wed.”

“Hm, I knew I liked him.”

“So you are also of his persuasion?” I had already figured that James wasn’t one for society, but was interested to know why.

“Well, I
am
the second son. Society doesn’t have much interest in me. I am not sorry for it. It is all just silliness to me. People act a certain way and worry about useless things when the whole world is going on around them.”

“And you know of the world?” I asked, genuinely interested.

“Well, not a lot, I am sure. Before my aunt contacted us, I was in the process of being commissioned. My father also owns several plantations that I was able to visit alongside him.”

“So you are a world traveler then?”

“I wouldn’t say that much. I have seen enough, though, not to want to waste time with all the gossip and frivolity of the ton.”

I considered his words.

“I assume that you are not of the same opinion. I won’t be offended if you say you don’t agree with me. You are, after all, a proper lady. I am sure your livelihood depends on that particular social bubble.”

“Actually, I readily agree with you. In fact, I came here to help my sister, but it was really just to escape another season.”

“But you are so beautiful; I can’t imagine that it would be difficult for you.”

I looked down and blushed at his words.

He gave a nervous laugh, “Pardon me. I didn’t mean to be so forward.” I could see that he was blushing too.

“It’s alright. Thank you,” I murmured.

“So, no ton for you then?” he said in the hope of bringing back the lighter mood.

“I am much like you. I can’t bear how everyone speak with their lips, but holds something different in their hearts. I want honesty. I don't understand how you could find love or happiness without it.”

He smiled at my boldness. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”