One Night With You (The Derrings #3)(17)

"I'm so glad you saw fit to come today." Julianne leaned forward, her voice gentling as she added, "And I respect your need to properly mourn your husband. Did you love him very much?" Jane choked on her biscuit. She cleared her throat with a deep drink of tea before answering. "It was a match arranged by my parents. Lord Guthrie and I were not… close."

"Oh." Julianne leaned back, her disappointment obvious. And Jane felt that disappointment as keenly as a knife's blade to her flesh. Somehow she felt she had let Julianne down. As girls, they had shared dreams of marrying dashing gentlemen and living happily ever after in neighboring castles.

Naturally, Jane had never told Julianne that her brother was the hero of her fantasies. She had told no one that, had kept that particular secret tied close to her heart. Eager to change the subject, Jane asked, "How long have you been in Town?"

"Nearly a fortnight." Julianne sighed, an edge of dissatisfaction in the sound. "I've longed to come to Town. Remember how we planned taking our Seasons together?" A smile tugged Jane's lips. "I recall we were to wear matching gowns of white Charmeuse to Almack's," she murmured. Neither ever had that Season. Jane's parents had arranged her marriage without the need for a Season, using the connections of Madeline's new husband, the ancient Duke of Eldermont.

"Yes!" Julianne laughed, then sighed, the sound tired, defeated. "At least I finally made it to Town. I have Seth to thank for that. Albert would never have brought me." Her expression clouded. "But it's not all I thought it would be. Not that I'm ungrateful to Seth. I'm so happy he's back. He's the only one who has ever taken my wishes into account. But…"

"But?" Jane prodded.

"He suffocates me terribly," Julianne confessed. "He insists on limiting me to drives in the parks. He doesn't permit me to accept a single invitation." She crossed her arms rather severely, reminding Jane of a child denied. "Why did he bother to bring me? He might as well have left me at the Priory."

"Don't overset yourself." Julianne's companion glanced up from her knitting. "Give him time. He'll soon see how capable you've grown."

Julianne smiled indulgently. "Rebecca is the eternal optimist." Jane moved beside Julianne. "I'm sure your brother intends to make the rounds with you once the Season gets in full swing."

A frown flitted about Julianne's mouth. "Seth worries how I will be received." Jane nodded, well imagining the manner in which the ton would regard her. Overly concerned with individual assets—internal or external—they would treat her like damaged goods.

"I've told him I don't care." Julianne's chin lifted. "I'm no fool. I realize many will dismiss me. Heiress or not, I am blind." She paused, moistening her lips. "And yet I still yearn for the chance."

Jane scanned Julianne's earnest expression. "If anyone could open minds, it would be you."

"Hmm." Rebecca nodded in agreement.

"Surely a brave enough gentleman exists to ask me to dance." Julianne angled her face, and it seemed that she turned instinctively to the warm rays of light spilling from the open terrace doors. "It would require a special sort of man to want to dance with me—"

"Not so special," Jane argued. "You're charming. And pretty. Two traits I happen to know attract gentlemen."

"Yes." Julianne's mouth twisted in a manner reminiscent of Seth. The similarity caused a bothersome pang in the region of her heart. She must really put an end to this annoying infatuation. It should have died years ago. With all her other childish dreams. "But sight happens to be another trait gentlemen prefer."

"I've told you already," Rebecca inserted, her hands working with feverish ease as she knitted.

"Some fellow with less than refined looks is going to hone in on you like a bee to honey." Jane and Julianne both burst into laughter.

"And I would welcome his attention," Julianne replied, her laughter subsiding. "Blindness has taught me to value an individual's inner light." She exhaled deeply. "Now if I can just convince Seth to let me out for an evening so that I might stumble upon a gentleman with inner light." Jane studied Julianne thoughtfully and wondered if she had ever witnessed anyone so determined to make the best of her life, despite all hardships. It made Jane more resolved to seize what happiness she could.

"Seth's venturing to Vauxhall tonight," Julianne volunteered, a plaintive edge to her voice. "Of course he claims it unsuitable for me to join him." She pulled a face, indicating what she thought about that.

"Vauxhall?" Jane murmured, thinking of the recently reopened outdoor theater. A prime place for assignations of a less than respectable nature.

Perhaps the reason Seth wanted to go to Vauxhall without his sister was to engage in one such assignation. No doubt that had been his goal at Madame Fleur's. And perhaps he had done so after she left. Vauxhall with its dimly lit paths was one such setting. Even in large groups with chaperones paying diligent attention, ladies managed to steal away to darkened trails with their young swains.

Unable to stop herself, she inquired, "Is this your brother's first visit to Vauxhall since you've arrived to Town?"

"I believe so. He happened upon an old acquaintance yesterday who invited him. I believe Mr. Manchester has a sister Seth is interested in meeting."