Sweet Surrender Page 9

  While Odelia’s excitement was evident and obvious, Julianna’s was much more complex. She had enjoyed her evenings at Almack’s when she was a younger girl. She remembered them as uncomplicated evenings of fun. The only activities were dancing and gossiping. One never counted the eating since there was little or no food. The punch was reported to be watered down, and the lemonade was merely passable. Despite that, Almack’s was the place to be for the Marriage Mart, and every debutante wanted to be there, and every chaperone or matchmaking mama did whatever was necessary to procure vouchers from the patronesses who controlled the invitation list. If your name was not on the list, you could not enter those hallowed halls on King Street.

  Julianna’s memories of dancing at Almack’s were, for the most part, pleasant and uncomplicated. She had spent several evenings there with Luc, but fortunately, those memories were untainted by the ugliness that ended their relationship. Julianna’s feet began an involuntary tapping at the thought of the evening of music and dancing ahead.

  Julianna and Odelia were filled with anticipation as they got out of the carriage and entered the rooms. Both were gratified to be acknowledged by the doorkeeper, Mr. Willis, since that austere gentleman was known to be such a stickler of snobbery. After he checked their vouchers and waved them through to the rooms, Odelia looked around with something akin to awe etched on her pretty face.

  The rooms had been cleverly designed with thought given to not wasting any space. The orchestra was placed on a balcony elevated above the dancing couples.

  “It feels like the music is floating down to entrance the audience,” Odelia declared with whimsy.

  Julianna merely smiled in return. She could not help but agree with her niece despite how fanciful it sounded.

  The evening passed in a blur of activity as the two ladies whirled about the room in the arms of a different gentleman for each number. There were times during the evening that Julianna felt as though her feet were not even touching the ground, like she was floating in a beautiful dream.

  Lord Ackerley had bowed over her hand already twice, any more would surely be remarked upon. So when he came around a third time, Julianna shook her head with almost bashful hesitance.

  Luc knew he was making a cake of himself but he could not resist the pull of her warmth and beauty. Despite how their relationship had ended with such harsh words seven years ago, he couldn’t seem to keep away from her. Or maybe it was because of the words that had been said. The accusations she had made that night had never made sense to him. Perhaps he was subconsciously drawn to her in an effort to prove her wrong. Gritting his teeth to refrain from colorful language he extended a different invitation.

  “If my lady is weary of dancing, could I have the pleasure of escorting you to the other room to procure a glass of punch?”

  * * *

  Turning twinkling eyes up to his face, Julianna glanced at his lordship through her eyelashes. She felt aglow with warmth and possibilities and could not refuse his invitation. Placing her hand in the crook of his elbow they proceeded from the room.

  “Only for a few moments, though, my lord. I must return and keep an eye out for Odelia.”

  “I understand.”

  At the back of her mind, Julianna knew spending this amount of time with the viscount was bound to be a mistake, but she could not resist for this evening. It was as though a spell had been cast over them for this one night stolen from history. Julianna felt like a young girl once more, in love with her prince charming. She knew not to believe in fairy tales, but for this one beautiful night she allowed the fantasy to hold sway. Reality could wait until morning.

  Sure enough, after a few minutes of friendly banter while they sipped the rather tasteless punch, the viscount escorted Julianna back to her original place. He bowed formally over her hand before bidding her adieu. Julianna felt a shiver go up her spine at the final sound of his goodbye. She shoved that thought to the back of her mind along with all the other unwanted thoughts she had determined to deal with later. For tonight, she would allow herself to feel like a princess waiting for her knight.

  Julianna continued to dance and laugh with various gentlemen, always keeping a watchful eye upon her niece. Despite having a lovely time for the rest of the night, to her, it felt like some of the enjoyment dimmed when Lord Ackerley left the rooms after saying goodbye to her. She refused to accept such a ridiculous notion and ignored the sensation.

  Not too much time had passed before her friend Catherine approached. “Whatever did you say to Lucius, my dear?”

  “Nothing of import, why do you ask?” Julianna was made curious by her friend’s question.

  “Well, it seems to me that he left pretty much immediately after bowing over your hand.”

  “Please, do not read overmuch into that. I assure you we are getting along very well and without controversy. I promise I said nothing to overset his sensitive feelings.” Julianna allowed a note of sarcasm to seep into her voice.

  Catherine responded with a ripple of laughter. “That was not what concerned me. In fact, the exact opposite. I was worried that the two of you may have inadvertently worked yourselves up to warmer feelings than you expected.”

  Julianna felt her face heating with color but refused to acknowledge the possibility that her friend could be right. “You need have no fear in that regard either, my dear friend. His lordship and I are acquaintances of long standing and did enjoy a couple of dances this evening. That is all. I cannot comment on when or why he left. He said nothing of his plans for the evening to me.”

  Catherine continued to eye her friend speculatively for another moment before allowing the subject to change to a juicy tidbit of gossip she had heard earlier that evening. Julianna breathed a little easier as the conversation turned to a more comfortable subject.

  Late into the night Julianna finally had the carriage brought around and escorted her niece home to bed. It had been a lovely night.

  The next couple of days continued to pass quickly as the ladies went about the various activities of the Season. They shopped on St. James Street, went to Piccadilly to visit Bullock’s Museum, got some books to peruse at Hookham’s circulating library despite Odelia’s adamance that they would surely not have the time to enjoy them, and even spent an evening at Vauxhall. Odelia was very satisfied with how her Season was progressing.

  Finally, the evening of the Duchess’ dinner invitation arrived. It promised to be an interesting event.

  Odelia, filled with far more excitement than the rest of her family, was amazingly the first to be ready and waited impatiently at the bottom of the stairs for everyone else. Pacing with a measure of uncharacteristic irritation, she complained to the butler.

  “What do you suppose is keeping everyone, Harley?”

  “Well, my lady, I suspect they are just endeavoring to ensure they look nearly as lovely as you tonight,” he surmised diplomatically.

  “You cannot distract me with your flummery, Harley, but thank you for the kind compliment. I am ever so anxious about getting there. Do they not realize how the dowager duchess will react if we are late?” Odelia fretted.

  “I am sure they are aware. Never fear, Lady Odelia, you are just early. No doubt the rest will be along shortly. Do you wish me to send a footman to knock on their doors?”

  “Yes, thank you, Harley,” Odelia agreed before thinking better of this plan. “No, wait, if someone goes and knocks it will just distract them and they will be even later. Let us wait and see. We should give them each a couple more minutes before we send someone to check on them.”

  Odelia resumed her impatient pacing. Finally, she was relieved to see her father descending the staircase. She released an unladylike whistle in reaction to his handsome appearance.

  “Papa, you sure look nice this evening,” she complimented. “I am impressed. Your valet has outdone himself.”

  “Thank you, my dear,” answered Lord Montgomery. “You look exceptionally lovely yourself this evenin
g. Although your color is rather high, are you running a fever? You have not gone and painted yourself, have you?” he demanded with growing concern.

  “No, I have not painted myself, Father!” declared Odelia aghast at the suggestion. “I am merely impatient to be off to Great Grandmother’s house for the evening. I have to admit, despite everything Julianna has tried to teach me about decorum and grace, I have been pacing which no doubt explains any heightened color. Do I truly look fevered?” Odelia’s vanity was disturbed by the thought, and she ran to the mirror hanging just down the hall.

  “No, no, never fear, Dee. You look marvelous. Now come get your wrap on. Here comes Julianna and Fletcher.”

  “Finally!” Odelia declared with vehemence. “I was beginning to fear you would never be ready.”

  Julianna gazed in assessment at her niece wondering what was behind her unusually prompt behaviour while she allowed the butler to assist her with her wrap. “Is there a reason for your obsession with our timing this evening, my dear?” she inquired. “It is usually the other way around. We are most often made to stand here with impatience while it is you that dithers in her preparations. On this occasion, I think you should have someone check your clock since your impatience is for naught. According to that clock on the mantle, we are exactly on time. We shall arrive at your great grandmother’s house just when we should, perhaps even with some moments to spare. Is there anything you wish to share with the rest of us?”

  Odelia’s color deepened under her aunt’s scrutiny. “No,” she declared with a degree of defensiveness. “I just do not wish to keep Great Grandmother waiting,” she stated, trying to sound prim.

  Julianna looked unconvinced but refrained from further comment as the footman announced their carriage was ready, and the family departed. She determined to keep a close eye on her niece that evening to see what could have gotten into the girl. Most likely she has developed a tendre for one of the gentlemen and has discovered that he will be attending this evening. This should be interesting, mused Julianna as she made herself comfortable and arranged her skirts to avoid wrinkles on the short ride to her grandmother’s fine home.

  Upon arrival, they were greeted by the duchess’s aging, but perfectly proper, butler. He greeted Julianna with restrained affection and took delight in welcoming the rest of the Montgomerys. After they had given their wraps, hats, and gloves to the waiting footmen, they were escorted to the morning room. The dowager duchess was receiving her guests and serving drinks while they waited for all the guests to arrive before adjourning to the dining room.

  “Lord Hartford Montgomery, the Earl of Somerton, Lady Julianna Montgomery, Lord Fletcher Montgomery, Baron Hanford, and Lady Odelia Montgomery,” the butler intoned formally as he ushered them through the door and before he returned to his post to await the next guests.

  At the butler’s announcement, there was brief lull in conversations as the previously arrived guests turned to observe the newest arrivals.

  “Welcome, my dears,” greeted the Dowager Duchess of Westerley with somewhat uncharacteristic cheerfulness, allowing Hart and Fletch to kiss her dry cheeks and accepting graciously as Odelia dipped into an elegant, respectfully deep curtsy.

  Turning to Julianna, the dowager duchess granted her approval. “You have done well with the girl. She looks like she’ll do.” It would seem to be faint praise to an outsider, but Julianna, knowing her grandmother well, was gratified by the praise of her efforts at raising the younger Montgomery generation. She stepped forward, and grasping her grandmother’s hand tightly, gave her an affectionate kiss on her papery cheek, wishing she could hug her but knowing the older woman would not welcome such a public display.

  Nodding curtly, the dowager duchess turned back to her other guests and led her newest arrivals into the room. Turning to Odelia, she inquired kindly, “Do you know everyone present, my dear, or should I perform some introductions?”

  Odelia glanced around the room with a becomingly hesitant smile upon her pretty face, examining who all was present. It appeared that she was already familiar with those who had already arrived. She was delighted to see that some of her friends were there, and after another moment of brief conversation with her great grandmother she skipped off to join the young people clustered in one corner.

  Lady Abigail, Odelia’s new young friend, was there standing in conversation with Mr. Landon. The young baron was looking slightly harried by the girl’s giggling conversation, and despite Odelia’s propensity toward giggles as well, he looked relieved to have her join them. Julianna, seeing the interaction, wondered momentarily if she should somehow intervene, but thought better of it. Very little harm could come to any of them in this company, she thought with comfort as she looked around at the group assembled by her grandmother.

  Instead of joining Odelia’s group, she opted instead to approach Abigail’s brother, the Earl of Hearst. She had known him only distantly during her Season, but if she remembered correctly he had married a girl she had gone to school with. It would behoove her to widen her circle of friends, especially if Hart made good on his intent to find himself a wife. Maybe Julianna could give him a push toward someone she would enjoy having as a new sister-in-law.

  “Lady Julianna Montgomery?” questioned the Countess of Hearst somewhat gushingly. “I could barely credit it when we received the invitation from the dowager duchess! How are you? I know it is hardly the convention but I really must give you a hug.”

  With that announcement, she made good on it and enveloped Julianna in a soft, warm embrace. Lady Eliza Fielding’s ample bosom made for a comforting hug and Julianna found herself transported back to the youthful joys of the few years she had spent at finishing school. Eliza, along with Catherine, had been her closest friends, and Julianna again berated herself for allowing her old friendships to deteriorate. Not wanting to allow any negativity she shook the thoughts from her head and smiled warmly at her old friend.

  “Eliza, my dear. Or rather I should say, Lady Hearst, it has been much too long! You look well. It is a delight to see you. I know it has been a few years, but let me congratulate you on your marriage.”

  “Oh, Lady Julianna, we received your lovely letter when we got home from our marriage trip. I owe you a heartfelt apology for not responding. I was so distracted by the pending arrival of my lord’s heir that I could think of very little else,” excused the young countess blushingly.

  “Well, then, multiple congratulations are in order it sounds like,” replied Julianna with a soft laugh.

  “Multiple indeed. We have not been idle. There are now three young Fieldings toddling around our estate — the heir, a spare, and our darling daughter. So I declared a halt. I was determined to see some of the Season especially as this is little Abigail’s debut. No more babies, at least not this year.” The countess prattled in such friendly terms that Julianna was entranced.

  “Three young children, what a blessing for you! I would dearly love to meet your little ones,” enthused Julianna.

  “Would you really?” questioned her friend wonderingly. “I must say when I was single I had absolutely no desire to see youngsters until they were out of short coats, but I do dote on my own darlings, so I would love to introduce them to you. We left them on the estate with the governess and nurses, but I am longing to see them already.” Hitting on an idea she continued with enthusiasm, “If you are serious, perhaps we could ride out to the estate one day to see them together.”

  “Of course I am serious, you silly gabby. I always loved children. Sometimes I think the smaller the better, although I must say Fletcher and Odelia became even more interesting with age. It would be such fun to ride out to your estate and meet your babies. We could catch up on all that you have been up to in the past seven years.”

  On those words, the earl broke into the conversation. “If that is the case, Lady Julianna, I will be sure not to accompany the two of you,” he began with a warm teasing look at his plump and smiling wife. “It would be l
ovely for Eliza to have a female friend to visit with, and she has been pestering me to take her to see the children all week, but I have been much too busy in the House to take her myself. You would be doing your country a great service if you go with her, leaving me free to carry on with the business of governing.”

  Julianna couldn’t help herself from bursting into laughter at this supercilious statement. “I believe you must be cut from the same cloth as my brother. Hartford has much the same opinion of the serious importance of his position in the House of Lords. While I’m sure the king and the country could manage for a day or two without either of you, I would be delighted to go into the countryside with Eliza. All this gadding about with Odelia is a daunting task, and I am no longer used to being in the city for such long stretches. It would be a delight to see trees and fields and livestock.” Then turning back to Eliza she concluded, “We are having Dee’s ball in two days. I have to admit, until that is over I cannot think of anything else. And, of course, I will have to ensure Odelia would be properly cared for while we are away.” She paused for a moment and saw that her friend was looking disappointed. She hurried to add, “I promise you, as soon as my niece’s ball is out of the way, I will call on you and we will make arrangements.”

  On an impulse, Eliza gave her another friendly hug. “I am so happy to be reacquainted with you, Julianna! It will be highly diverting!”

  Feeling an obligation to circulate amongst all the guests, since the hostess was her grandmother, Julianna politely extricated herself from the Fieldings and turned to see who else was in attendance.

  As expected, her cousin, the current Duke of Westerley and his wife, were in attendance. Since the Duke was much closer to Hart’s age Julianna had never played with him when they were children. It was disloyal of her but she had never much cared for the duke and duchess since they were a rather cold and imposing couple. Julianna excused herself with the thought since they had never made any effort to be kind to the Montgomerys despite their many tragedies. However, family was family and Julianna braced herself to at least be polite.