Juliana

Part 21

"My dear General! At last! Can you have been hiding from me?"

Lady Farnborough, applying the tip of her shade to the General's forearm, permitted herself a smile that suggested that such a possibility was, well, not possible.

General Leighton eyed the aforementioned object with unmistakable distaste.

"Have the goodness of restraining your delight, Augusta."

"Well, Thomas - I see you have not changed. What my poor Charlotte would have had to say about your beard ..."

"She would have indulged me in my obstinacy." He lifted his brows briefly. "And now you shall have to endure another of my whims, for I intend to return to my carriage. Good morning."

"Thomas Leighton! Upon my word -!"

The General, his tall person resplendent in a long, dark coat of no less than three capes, halted in the process, heaved a sigh and turned on his heel.

"Very well, madam. I apprehend you wish to congratulate me on providing myself with such an exemplary granddaughter. By all means -" He waved a gloved hand. "- let us proceed with the absurdities."

Lady Augusta drew herself up to the full height of her self-importance.

"You are a most unnatural grandfather. You should be grateful to me for arranging such an excellent match for her! You, evidently, saw no reason to exert yourself on that head."

"Quite so. Strangely, I have always been partial to the unusual philosophy that my granddaughter should be the one in control of her own happiness." The General did not seem visibly disturbed by the reflection. "It must be one of my more prosaic notions."

Her ladyship took quite a different view of the matter.

"Fiddle-de-dee. She will do as you bid her, of course."

"Oh, she will - will she?" The bushy brows had drawn together. "Well, if it gives you comfort." He nodded and once more attempted to mount the stairs to his carriage.

"How can you be so disobliging?!"

The General's coachman, behind a mask of most respectful aloofness, enjoyed some appreciative amusement in the face of his employer's unmistakable roll of his eyes, before the same turned towards the bristling old woman once more. Then Jackson buttoned up his coat a little more tightly - the wind had suddenly become quite chilly. The horses, it appeared, seemed to agree with his judgement.

General Leighton, with wonderful patience, supported himself on his cane.

"It takes not inconsiderable practice - but you puzzle me, Augusta. I have, thus far, considered my share in your marvellously fabricated conviction all that was forbearing. It quite bewilders me to learn that I was mistaken."

Lady Farnborough's thin brows snapped together.

"Forbearance? When you have not even answered my letter!"

"Precisely." He nodded, seemingly unmoved by the suggestive accusation. "Good day."

With that, General Leighton uncompromisingly took his leave and, one energetic application of his cane signalling to Jackson that the horses were at last permitted to rejoin the growing traffic in Mayfair, leaned back into his seat, a thoroughly satisfied expression on his lined face. Then an attack of a cough seized him. Well, some hot tea should do the trick.

"Lord Langton -"

The Duchess, having timely recalled a pressing duty that would permit her to disengage herself from the ongoing debate to her side on the subject of that very morning's sport, had turned towards the Viscount. "I quite forgot - Lord Trent wished me to again express his gratitude on the advice you gave him. He thought it most admirable in a gentleman in your position. And indeed -" Her Grace seemed equally impressed. "To show such circumspection on a matter you can have little experience in!"

His lordship was at his most phlegmatic.

"I have been given to understand that it behooves me to be more benevolent in my conduct, madam."

"Indeed." Her Grace did not seem to find fault with this reasoning, her eyes twinkling. "It was most solicitous of you. Still, I wonder if her ladyship should - well, the air will be beneficial, at all events. And they will return to Town after the birth, I dare say."

Juliana, having listened to the conversation with half an ear - and in silent amusement; looked up at this. Had he - no. But then -

She caught the Viscount's eye.

Oh.

She briefly permitted herself a questioning glance - which provoked a flicker of a smile in his lordship's eyes. He inclined his head in a barely perceptible motion, but it was enough to confirm Juliana in her suspicion.

She reached for her glass and brought it to her smiling lips.

It really would not do to laugh.

When the gentlemen had returned to the drawing room after dinner, some of the younger people had assembled around a card table. The Duchess had devoted herself to the Ladies Heywood and Trevellyan and Miss Heywood had been persuaded to favour them all with a performance on the harp.

Juliana had taken a seat close to one of the windows, at some distance from the merry chatter and laughs of the card players, a book on her lap. She found that her concentration had, temporarily, deserted her and after a few unsuccessful attempts of familiarising herself with Miss Anville's fate, she let her thoughts wander to the events of the afternoon - and the gentleman in the midst of them. Which was an automatic occurrence, as it were. Since he was present in the same room - of course her mind insisted on returning to his person. It was only natural. Quite.

That Lady Trent should have -

She had more than once shaken her head at the idea. Had at least the lady's aspirations been founded on something more substantial than a pressing desire for position, for fortune and for, quite simply put, catching one of the biggest matrimonial prizes - Juliana made a face in disgust - her disappointment would have been of some validation. But this - this was utterly despicable. To use his younger brother as a means of revenge, too!

She could only wonder at his lordship's forbearance.

But in the end, if Theodore had insisted on not making the lady's antics public ... He really had too kind a heart.

To think that such a woman should have believed herself worthy of him! It was preposterous, it was - well, surely her own worth had hardly been under Lady Trent's consideration in the case, Juliana reflected. And moreover, she really should not think in flowery phrases.

In any case, Theodore was safe - with Lord Langton´s unexpected but all the more timely appearance, the lady's carefully derived plan had come to nothing, and she had only exposed herself in the end. Juliana did not wonder that the Viscount should have taken such a keen interest in his brother's admiration of her cousin. Even if Cassandra would, possibly, not have stooped to such lowering means as Lady Trent, he would have - and ultimately, if, thankfully, only briefly, had - been subjected to another painful realisation. It all made sense, in retrospect.

It was almost worthy of Mrs. Radcliffe, she smiled to herself.

Well, it was to be hoped that one of the lady's more inspired works had been the source of her ladyship's reprehensible plan; it was a lowering reflection that a woman in her altogether comfortable position should be so devious on her own inclination, but then, it was also much nearer to the truth. It had been fortunate that it had been the Viscount who had walked in on her ladyship - in her state of wonderfully rehearsed distressed relief - and an unsuspecting Theodore; and not the lady's spouse, as had been her plan. The shock Theodore had subsequently been subjected to would have been nothing in comparison to if her plan should indeed have been executed to its end - it would not only have made the young man a laughing stock, but would also have blackened his character in Society's eyes. And the Earl would very likely not have taken a lenient view of the matter either.

In the happy conviction that his young bride was all that a gentleman could have wished for in terms of a loving, innocent and gently reared wife, the information that his beloved should have been forced to endure the insulting attentions of a rakish, love-sick puppy would have transported Lord Trent into an unprecedented rage. That it should have been her ladyship who had convinced the young man, whom - due to the estates of their fathers having been situated in closer proximity - she had known for a greater part of her previously tedious life, that her fate had become all that was unbearable (and she had shown herself an expert at the execution of despondent airs and tragic sighs) the unsuspecting spouse would have considered preposterous.

Poor Theodore.

She hoped that these unhappy experiences would not induce him to renounce the gentler sex once and for all. But then - he was too warm-hearted, too jovial a young man to permanently bask in the inspiring glory of self-pity.

And indeed, judging by his conduct at the late ball - he did not seem inclined to dwell on his misfortunes. And Miss Morton not disinclined to bear her part in the recovery of his spirits.

Juliana did not know exactly what the Viscount had chosen to credit Lady Trent with when he had sent his flabbergasted brother out of the room that evening some two years ago, but from her own experience of him, she felt certain that his words had been meticulously chosen. And to the point.

The reflection made her smile.

But then - and she did feel the honour, which, in itself, really was a stupid expression, but how else to put it ... Kindness? Goodness? He would instantly reprimand her for entertaining such notions, of course - another smile flickered over her face - of having been told about the affair in the first place. She knew only too well that Lord Langton was at times painstakingly private in his dealings. Still - even if her mind had been relieved of one, well, she had better admit it - worry - and even if she had been given a reason for Lady Trent's excessive interest in her affairs - she had, through it, only, and eventually, become aware of the existence of quite another problem.

How stupid of her to -

She rolled her eyes and attempted to concentrate on her book once more.

"I wish you had told me."

Juliana looked up and found that the Viscount had taken the seat beside her, his expression a little pained.

She frowned, somewhat puzzled. Told him - what, precisely? That she had begun to consider his formidable aunt's determined matchmaking not quite as unwelcome as she had so resolutely attempted to make him believe ... Perhaps not.

"Sir?"

"The harp."

His lordship's faint incredulity provoked an answering smile from Juliana.

"Miss Heywood is considered an expert, my lord."

"So I have been given to understand by her doting mama. Why she presumes I must be gratified by the information somewhat eludes me, but I almost believe I must have accorded myself creditably on the occasion."

"Oh?"

"Yes. You will find, Miss Leighton -" His tone had adopted a mournful shade - "- that since I have no decided preference for the instrument, Miss Heywood will, henceforth, be happy to exhibit her talents on the pianoforte."

Juliana, her eyes smiling, merely shook her head by way of a reply.

The Viscount seemed to enter into her feelings.

"Yes, I thought so, too, but unfortunately it occurred to me that our prolonged stay will come to an end very soon. Lady Heywood, at all events, seems to feel all the disadvantage of it."

"Lord Langton -" She attempted to quell the bubble of mirth and regarded him in what she hoped to be a stern manner. "You are - unprincipled!"

His lordship's brows lifted in mild astonishment.

"Well, yes, but what has that to do with anything?"

An involuntary laugh escaped her - but her countenance became a little pensive as she met his smiling gaze.

It would not do. She really ought to remain on safer grounds.

She looked away and let her eyes wander over to where the card players were enjoying another round of whist.

"What is it?"

The calm, almost insistent, enquiry nearly shook her off her balance.

Well, her wits had not yet completely gone begging, she hoped - and it was, moreover, not his fault. She should have known better.

She turned towards the Viscount once more, a small smile on her lips.

"I beg your pardon. My mind was merely wandering."

His lordship lifted a brow, seemingly unconvinced by her offering.

Juliana was quick to provide what she felt to be a valid explanation.

"I am inclined to believe, my lord, that you have, very kindly, of course, advised Lord Trent that a prolonged stay in the country would be most beneficial to his wife during her confinement." She smiled more naturally at the thought. "And that he did not hesitate to adopt your most excellent notion."

"Yes - but that is not what is troubling you."

She found that his uncompromising gaze was fixed on her. Once more, she knew herself confirmed in her conviction that he was not so easily dissuaded. Must he always be so - so inflexible?!

Her brow furrowed.

"I wish, my lord, that you will desist from interrogating me! I -"

Perhaps she should plead a sudden headache and -

"Do not dare to claim an indisposition."

Juliana gasped at his warning, if subdued, tone. Well, really -

"I had no intention to, sir!"

He merely raised a sardonic eyebrow at her.

"Well, yes, I did think of it," she conceded after a moment, her eyes twinkling. "But a gentleman, sir, would have accepted the rebuke with grace." She looked past him to where a stout young man was, unmistakably, and with increasing desperation, attempting to catch the Viscount's eye. "I believe Mr. Sutton is trying to obtain your attention, my lord."

His lordship did not seem at all moved by the communication.

"Thank you, but he will have to restrain his enthusiasm. You and I still have something to discuss."

Juliana felt somewhat cornered.

"It is of no consequence. I beg you will not keep Mr. Sutton waiting on my account."

"Miss Leighton -"

"Please." There was a certain degree of finality in her voice.

The Viscount scrutinised her face for an unnerving moment, then -

"Very well, madam." He had risen from his seat and bowed curtly. "Goodnight, Miss Leighton."

Juliana watched him discouraging Mr. Sutton from his ambition.

Oh, this was just perfect.

Now she had offended him, too.

"Very good, madam."

The elderly servant bowed, and responded to Juliana's request with alacrity. It had come far, he reflected, as he took himself off in pursuit of his mistress, when he had to recall to his hand that it was not to pat one that belonged to a member of the family, no matter how fondly he might regard the same. Well, Miss Juliana reminded him much of his own granddaughter.

Juliana made her way across the landing, her bonnet in one hand, her coat not quite buttoned up yet. Her hurry was such that she did not look up in her stride - until she collided with - someone.

"Oh - I beg your pardon, I did not see -"

"Do not apologise."

She looked up in surprise and found herself face to face with Lord Langton, one arm steadying her at her elbow.

"Oh. It is you."

"Yes, it is I." A smile flickered in his grey eyes - which turned into a slight frown as he took in her apparel. "You are leaving?"

"I -" She appeared to be a little distracted. "Yes. I must return to London. I have received a letter - my grandfather has taken ill, sir." She looked around for her bonnet, which had fallen from her hand at the collision.

His lordship, in one graceful movement, bent - and returned it to her.

"Thank you. If you will excuse me -"

"In a moment." The Viscount had taken hold of her wrist. "Are you travelling on your own?"

"Oh - yes. I did not wish for the Duchess to desert her guests. She has been kind enough to lend me her carriage already. My grandfather was to send his for me, you see."

He nodded, and, after a brief moment, released her arm.

"I will escort you. Wait for me in the hall."

Juliana was momentarily startled. No.

"No! That is -" She recollected herself and looked up at him. "It is most kind in you, but hardly necessary. It is but a short distance, and I will have Achilles for company. Thank you," she added belatedly.

"Do not be foolish." His face was set rather grimly. "You have no reason to distrust me."

Juliana felt increasingly irritated. Why must he always be so -

"I do not mistrust you, my lord. But I cannot accept your offer."

"Why can you not?"

He had retired behind his cool aristocratic façade - and it vexed her to see it.

Well, but what was she to say to him - that she could not, in good faith, make promises on her part as regarded the promotion of Lady Farnborough's plans during their journey? Hardly.

She shook her head. "I cannot speak to you now, I must -"

"You will answer me!" There was no mistaking the command in his voice; he seemed almost angry. "Why must you persist in keeping me at a distance?"

"Because I - oh!" She could have stomped her foot in frustration. Well, if he must know -

At least she could finally be on her way. It was imperative to consider one's priorities at times.

Juliana reassembled the remains of her dignity and raised her eyes to his.

"Because, sir, I do not think Lady Farnborough's efforts all that objectionable any longer. I hope that will satisfy your curiosity. Excuse me."

She dropped a curtsey - and was gone.

Part 22

"Is my grandfather resting, Carlton?"

Juliana, having discarded both her bonnet and coat, addressed the elderly valet, who had met her in the hall upon her arrival in Park Lane.

A maid who had attempted to carry Achilles upstairs in her well-meaning arms had quickly learned that he had no high opinion of such condescension - he passed her by in languid movements; his bushy tail swinging leisurely from side to side as he pawed his way up the grand staircase.

"No, he most certainly is not!" boomed a voice from above them. "I am not quite at the end of my tether yet!"

She quickly turned to see the General on top of the staircase - to the ecstasy of Achilles, who paused in his stride to take a moment to circle his tall person in acknowledgment of his proper conduct; they had, after all, not seen each other for more than a week; of course the General must have missed him - and magnificently to behold in a burgundy coloured dressing gown.

"And -" The old gentleman continued in an ominous voice, "- if I should find that it was you, Carlton, who gave my granddaughter the outrageous notion that I should be at death's door, I will find it incumbent upon me to write to Lord Omberton to assure him that I will be most grateful if he would take you off my hands at last!"

The valet did not seem visibly shaken by this wrathful promise.

He bowed respectfully.

"Merely a severe chill, my lord."

Juliana, relieved to find her grandfather in such excellent spirits, tried her best to keep the smile from her voice.

"And I am very grateful that he did, sir. I can well imagine how -" Her eyes twinkled - "- challenging Carlton must have found it to comply with Sir William's orders."

The General's eyes narrowed as he looked down at his granddaughter.

"And you propose to assist him, eh?"

"Certainly, sir."

"So that's it then, is it?" He held her smiling gaze, until - "Well, I suppose you may come up." He extended one thin hand to Juliana. "Before your combined resources give me an apoplexy!"

She was quick to take him up on the disgruntled invitation and soon after found herself in his surprisingly strong embrace.

A compromise had been reached between grandfather and granddaughter.

The General had retired onto a comfortable armchair, his legs covered by woolly blanket - but he had forbidden the introduction of a hot brick and his obvious disdain at the sight of a bowl of gruel, which his housekeeper had had hopefully sent up to him, had terrified the servant into an alarmingly swift retreat.

He did, however, dutifully sip the hot tea Juliana had constrained him to accept.

General Leighton's defences had eventually crumpled in the face of his granddaughter's matter-of-fact approach to his convalescence, his eyes twinkling responsively at her stern admonishments.

After another sip of his tea, he was moved to ponder the following.

"I suppose you will object should I request something more substantial?"

Juliana had positioned herself at his feet, her chin, supported on both her hands, resting on the arm of his chair.

"You may have some soup later," she informed him unblinkingly.

The General heaved a sigh.

"I feared as much."

She smiled and rose slightly so as to be able to kiss his bearded cheek.

"Yes, well, no need to bring in the heavy artillery. Now what's this?" He had possessed himself of her chin, raising it up to his line of vision. He subjected his granddaughter to his piercing scrutiny, his brows furrowing at what he found. "Must I write to the Duchess and reprimand her on the duties of a hostess?"

Juliana, a little startled, shook her head

"No, indeed, sir - she has been most kind, of course."

"Has she? Well, then I must be more inspired in my enquiries." The General's brows had lifted. "I own it comforts me to hear you say so, for almost I felt it behooves me to write to her to learn why she must let you travel on your own."

She flushed a little.

"I - that is - Lord Langton offered to escort me, sir."

"I see."

He took another sip of his tea, seemingly not inclined to dwell on the information.

Juliana felt a decided inclination to wring her hands.

"I did not wish him to trouble himself on my behalf."

"Of course."

Her grandfather used his free hand to adjust the fabric that covered half of his person - an action that appealed to Achilles´ curiosity. He looked up from his position in front of the blazing fire, his eyes speculatively following the promising movements. Well, if his master insisted -

"No, you will not."

Achilles - half rising - paused in his tracks and, with an audible huff of disappointment, curled up once more before the dancing flames.

Juliana took the General's hand into both her own, her eyes raised to his lined face.

"Are you very angry with me, sir?"

"Angry?" Both his brows had lifted. "Why - what has it to do with me?! If you find you cannot tolerate Langton´s company, then -"

His brows rose to an even higher level at the image of his granddaughter burying her face in her hands.

Ah.

Well, even so - he was not one to condone missish behaviour.

"You may find a cushion more instantly invigorating."

A half-muffled, half-laughing reply was his reward.

"But Achilles might consider himself ill-used."

"Why yes." The General appeared to be quite at his leisure. "So," he ventured, after a brief pause, his tone all that was conversational. "Am I to apprehend that you find that you can?"

Juliana looked up, biting her lip. Then -

"Yes." She sighed. "And the thing is -"

"Well?"

"I have told him."

General Leighton took this information with wonderful composure.

"I see we are in need of more tea."

He rose and subjected the bell to an energetic tug.

"Is my brother at home, Warren?"

Theodore had walked into his brother's hall the morning after the Viscount's return from Berkshire. He had wished to pay him a visit that very same day, but had - he had been nothing but properly raised - timely remembered that his lordship might not relish an energetic, if a little one-sided, discussion on the subject of his inspiring wardrobe the moment he had stepped down from his carriage. And since the success of his mission was of utmost importance to him...

"Yes - but whether I shall condescend to see you is a subject still very much open to debate!"

Theodore turned to where his brother had come into the hall, and bowed unabashedly, a grin on his face.

"Good morning, my lord."

"Theodore."

His lordship appeared to be somewhat pained.

"Yes?"

"Not at this time of the day."

Theodore smiled.

"Well, but I do need to speak to you. And tonight will be too late."

"What an ominous promise," the Viscount reflected mildly. "Very well. I can spare you a few minutes. If I must."

The younger St James was not to be deterred.

"You must, dear brother."

"Yes, I understood as much." His lordship turned towards the attendant footman as he led his high-spirited sibling away towards the staircase. "I am not at home to visitors, Warren."

"Very good, my lord."

Warren, his countenance impassive, proceeded to ensure that his master's orders would be complied with. Master Theodore ... He permitted himself a small, indulgent shake of the head.

"Well, it is one of Tristan's - but it does very well."

"So I see." The Countess smiled at her younger son." But -" She raised a stern eyebrow at him. " - you should cease to torment your brother with your selective taste, Theo."

Her unperturbed son merely laughed.

"For shame, mama! Why, he did not even oppose me this morning - and referred me straight to Thompson. The poor man was very much shocked!"

Lady Denham was suitably astonished.

"So I should think."

"Yes. And I have high hopes that he will permit me the use of his phaeton and -"

"Do not push your luck," an ominous voice advised Theodore from the door.

Theodore merely rolled his eyes at his mother and then, with a grin on his face, walked out of the room.

"Well, my dear - your generosity must naturally reflect on your brother's spirits," the Countess mused meditatively, as her elder son kissed her cheek, "- but I cannot but wonder what it can have been that has made you so - accommodating. Not even a hint of opposition, Tristan!"

Her ladyship seemed to be sorely disappointed.

"I must have been in an unusually mellow mood," her son offered prosaically.

"Yes. Now -" She waved an elegant hand. "I apprehend you have something you wish to tell me."

His lordship's brows rose in mild dismay.

"Can I not pay you a visit without being - unjustly! - suspected of an ulterior motive?"

The Countess regarded her son in marked patience.

Langton smiled.

"But what would you wish me to tell you?"

Lady Denham permitted herself a speaking sigh.

"Tristan - if you should have adopted this behaviour when you addressed yourself to Miss Leighton, I will not be surprised if she refused you!"

"She did not."

"No? Oh, but then - she has accepted you?"

"No."

"She has - ?! My dear, I beg you will not talk in riddles!" Her ladyship straightened in her chair. "What have you been doing?"

She subjected her first born to her most interrogative gaze.

"I did as you advised me. I offered Miss Leighton my apologies and she -" A flicker of a smile crossed his handsome face. "- refused my escort to Town."

Lady Denham's shoulders, with all the advantages of a long - and rather closer - acquaintance with her son, visibly relaxed.

"Well. I can see that you are not at all discouraged by it."

He rose.

"I own I might have been a little shaken in my preconceptions - had I not been presented with a very reasonable argument for her reluctance. You see, mama -" The Viscount had taken hold of his mother's hand and pressed it lightly. "Miss Leighton finds that my esteemed Aunt might not be so high-handed in her notion after all."

The smile had fully reached his eyes as he took his leave.

On the fourth day of her return to London, Juliana found herself at the breakfast table - in the company of her grandfather. He had not yet fully recovered from his cold, but it was only an occasional cough that persisted in disturbing him and so he could not be persuaded to further his convalescence by way of mainly residing in his chambers.

She had, that previous afternoon, told him the whole of the matter - and her grandfather seemed, surprisingly, to have taken a rather sober view of the same. Which had, initially, relieved her - for she knew him well capable of marching down to Brook Street and ensure that Lord Langton should presently present himself prostrate before her person.

In fact - the General had offered that particular service; which she had hastily declined.

Not that the idea itself went so very much against her own inclination, but if he should need such an -

Well, she had much better remain single in that case.

She sighed.

Why could she not have kept her tongue?

She had seen his eyes widen a little before she had so hastily embarked on her retreat - well, of course he must have been surprised! And think her - no. She had determined to attempt to not further dwell on it; she wished she had not said as much, but it was too late now, and it would not do to wallow in self-pity for the ensuing weeks.

Besides, it was highly likely that she would not see him for quite some time - and then she would be going to Brighton, so when they should meet again, she would be able to meet him with the composure of a distant acquaintance, if she must. If only he would not smile at her in his disconcerting way -

Oh, but whom was she trying to convince ... she had no wish to be a mere acquaintance!

And moreover - it was a severe failing in her family that no-one seemed to consider the availability of cushions in their breakfast parlour a natural necessity. It was odiously provoking!

She was roused from her reflections by an unmistakable giggle that came from the general direction of her grandfather.

But he, usually, did not giggle.

Juliana looked up from her plate, at which she had been picking rather unenthusiastically, and - General Leighton was, quite positively, giggling. And moreover - his shoulders were shaking, too.

Completely bewildered, she attempted to prevent worse.

"Grandfather?"

He looked up from the correspondence he had been pursuing and - with a decided twinkle in his eye - held it out to her.

"Read it. I find it most edifying."

Juliana, recognising the hand of her maternal aunt, frowned and then scanned the lines.

Oh.

She eventually looked up in smiling disbelief.

"She cannot -"

She handed the letter back to the General.

"Tell me, my child - can I assume that your cousin has the intention of becoming a leader of fashion?"

This suggestive enquiry provoked the first bubble of laughter from Juliana since her return from the country.

"Well, if that don't beat the Dutch!"

Theodore, his face incredulous, held the paper from his person at arm's length - only to soon after bend his head over it to once more subject it to his thorough inspection.

"Theodore."

The young man looked up from the pages that had moved him into such an outburst.

"Well - what?"

"Must I ask you to refrain from showering me with your theatrical talents?"

One corner of Theodore's mouth went upwards.

"Oh? Do you think me talented?"

"I will thank you not to expect me to add to your conceit."

Theodore, not at all abashed, laughed. "Yes - but what do you think of it?"

The Viscount accepted his fate with wonderful equanimity.

"I see you will not spare me. Very well. What is it that has inspired such vehement feelings?"

His lordship instantly found himself in the possession of the Gazette. He grimaced slightly at this attack on his senses.

"Theo -"

"Yes, I know! At the bottom."

Miss Cassandra Rose Charwood, daughter of Sir Arthur James Charwood, Baronet, and Lady Sarah Louise Charwood, neé Holden, of Charwood Manor, Kent, to Sir Randolph Godfrey Augustus Brockton, Baronet, Northamptonshire. St. George's, Hanover Square, Mayfair.

"Ah."

Theodore's brows drew together in surprise.

"Is that all?"

His lordship appeared to be mildly astonished.

"But what can you wish me to contribute?"

"What - Tristan!" Theodore expostulated, in shocked accents.

Langton smiled.

"Surely you do not expect me to experience some degree of, er - regret? I assure you, my vanity is most intact."

A slow grin appeared on Theodore's face.

"Oh - but Tristan! A baronet!

"Yes - and his purple coat. Amongst other deplorable misconceptions," his lordship affirmed coolly, as he walked out into the hall.

He found himself accosted by his father as he put on his gloves.

"Well, son?"

The Viscount smiled.

"Sir."

"Leaving so soon?" The Earl subjected his heir to his piercing scrutiny - and then lifted his brows. "Well, you will not mind my putting a question to you before you go. You see, Tristan - I find I am of such an inquisitive nature!"

Lord Denham had reached into his breast pocket at that.

"Ah, here we are."

He shook out his sleeve and -

"Why must I learn - from a paper! - that you apparently intend to march down the aisle in no distant time?"

Part 23

"Harris!"

The General's voice boomed across the breakfast parlour.

Juliana's teacup almost shook in her hands at his vehemence. Bemused as to the origins of this unexpected outburst - they had, thus far, enjoyed their breakfast in companionable silence - she looked up at him and -

"My lord."

General Leighton was satisfied in the knowledge that his staff was, at least, not lacking in the hearing department.

"Ah. There you are. The carriage - I am going out."

"Very good, my lord."

The footman left the parlour as stoically as he had entered it.

A crease had appeared on Juliana's forehead - he really should not and -

Why was her grandfather drumming his fingers on the table?

She raised her puzzled face to his and found herself subjected to his thoughtful scrutiny.

"Sir?"

"Humph."

Juliana lowered her cup.

"Grandpapa -", she began sternly.

The drumming had stopped. Then -

"Are you expecting any visitors today?"

Her brows lifted in surprise.

"No." She frowned. "That is - should I -?"

The General seemed to be inexplicably pleased by her reaction. His tone, at all events, became much more conversational.

"Oh, I think you might."

He smiled behind his formidable beard at her obvious confusion.

"Yes, well. I fear I must be going. I hear her ladyship keeps very strict hours."

Ladyship? But surely he did not mean to visit his sister so soon after their last encounter? And moreover, he knew the lady's habits very well. Then - oh, but he really should not go out in this wind.

"Grandpapa -" she laid her hand across the table and her fingers came to rest on his wrist. "I wish you will mind Sir William's orders. You are not quite recovered yet!"

"Your Sir William can know nothing of these matters", the General protested, seemingly unimpressed. "I should only be in the way." He stroked his impressive beard in a meditative manner. "And I should, moreover, think myself extremely ill-used if you were to deny me the small pleasure of plucking Lady Farnborough's feathered head. Or has she a fondness for turbans?" His bushy brows lifted at the reflection. "I positively must find out."

Juliana was utterly bewildered.

"Sir, I-"

Her grandfather had directed her attention onto the periodical which he had so studiously pursued whilst partaking of his breakfast.

Her brow furrowed over the page indicated by him until -

"Oh."

No.

She could not have -

It is with great pleasure that we bring to our readers´ attention the news of yet another happy event in the most noble Leighton family. The editor has learned that the granddaughter of General Lord Thomas Leighton, having himself only recently returned to England from a prolonged sojourn on the Continent, is to alliance herself with the illustrious Viscount Langton.

The editor wishes to extend his compliments to the happy couple and feels certain that whilst the information must inspire a little envy and even more regret in the breasts of many a hopeful mother and their most exemplary daughters, Lord Langton´s friends will be grateful for Miss Leighton's compliance.

With one of the most sought-after members of the Ton having so cruelly disappointed a greater number of the fairer sex, we look forward to the day when we shall be able to inform our readers to whom all eyes - and hearts - will have flocked in his lordship's stead.

"Oh! How could she? Of all the -"

Juliana's hands went to her flushed cheeks, her eyes blazing.

This was beyond interfering, this was totally - shabby. Did she not consider how damaging such a ludicrous report could be? Well, no, of course she did not. She must have been hoping that it would eventually induce Lord Langton to do her bidding. Juliana grimaced. With all the world now expecting the announcement - as if the tattletales had not ammunition enough to tide them over their cosy tea sessions; any reaction on either of their parts would only draw all the more attention to it! They -

"Yes." The General, having disposed of his napkin, rose from his seat and straightened his coat. "Well, I must go, my child. Or else I shall be constrained to endure Jackson's airs all the way to Berkeley Square."

"Grandfather!"

"No, really - it would be too much to bear!"

Juliana had the impression that her grandfather was being deliberately obtuse. She took a deep breath and then spoke, in a measured tone.

"And if Lord Langton should call on you, sir?"

General Leighton's brows rose in mild surprise.

"Me? No - why should he wish to see me? Our acquaintance is not of such intimate proportions."

Gone were the remains of Juliana's composure.

"He must call!"

Her voice was almost entreating.

"Oh, I very much hope that he will. I really should not take kindly to being constrained to venture outdoors twice in my current poor state." He approached his speechless granddaughter and applied a long finger to her chin.

The General regarded Juliana in stern fondness.

"Whatever it should be that you wish to say to him, my child - he should hear it from you."

He kissed her forehead and then took himself out of the room.

The Viscount stood in front of a full length mirror, raising an eyebrow at the image of his valet, who had positioned himself at his side.

"Well, Thompson?"

The valet let his unfaltering gaze travel from his lordship's exquisitely clad shoulders to the shining pair of black boots. His eyes wandered upwards again - he frowned -

An expert touch to the stubborn white piece of linen and -

He took a step backwards.

"Yes, my lord."

Thompson turned and made to devote himself to the discarded garments on his master's bed, which - and it had almost shaken him to core of his very existence; never had he thought he should be forced to witness such grossly negligent conduct on his employer's part! - had so unceremoniously been disposed of the moment his lordship had walked into his rooms. He had, until that moment, lived in the happy conviction that he had, right when he had first agreed to enter the Viscount's employ, pressed upon the gentleman the importance of prudence when it came to the care of such tender-minded items such as a silk waist coat of silvery hue and a -

The valet shook his head.

"Have I fallen from grace, Thompson?"

A shudder seemed to cross the servant's rigid person.

"Dear me." The Viscount's brows lifted. "You must - later - tell me what I can do to atone for my sins. For now I must and will trust in your goodness of heart."

Picking up his gloves from the table, his lordship walked out of the room.

It was useless. She might as well take one of the dusty volumes of Ancient Greek from the top shelf -- it would have largely the same effect. Things had come to a pretty pass when not even a book offered the smallest amount of distraction. She sighed and put the handsome volume aside.

How Lady Farnborough -- or any else for the matter -- could think that she was but a pawn in their hands, to be disposed of at their convenience -- that she would agree to marrying someone to please anyone but herself!

And yet -- she loved him.

And she had to refuse him.

The sheer absurdity of it would have made her laugh, if she hadn't felt so stupidly miserable.

"Lord Langton."

"Miss Leighton."

Well, there was that.

Juliana had determined that the best course would be that of politeness.

"Will you not take a seat?"

"Thank you."

His lordship had apparently no fault to find with her reasoning, as he betook himself of a chair and sat down, his gloves still in one hand.

A momentary silence occurred between them - and she felt his smiling gaze on her. Well, she had best come to the point, and then it would be done. But how to -

"I hope your grandfather is feeling better?"

"Oh. Yes - he is much improved. Thank you."

How typical of him to be so - unpredictable. Well, no, that was perhaps unjust. He could be considerate, if he felt so inclined, she knew that. At all events, he had never been unmindful where she had been concerned. Still, these reflections would get her nowhere.

"Lord Langton - I know that -" She raised her eyes to his face. "It is very kind of you to call on me, I am very sensible of your civility - and fear you must think me most troublesome."

"Yes, I think I have shown myself unusually forbearing", his lordship was moved to ponder.

Juliana frowned at this - but quickly composed herself.

"Yes. I -"

"I am happy to see that we are in agreement. I own I had not dared hope to find you in such a complaisant mood."

Well, really!

"Of course I do not agree with you! I - oh, this is ridiculous!", she brought a hand to her cheek in consternation. "I wish you will be serious, my lord."

A flicker of a smile crossed his face.

"I am very serious, Miss Leighton."

She eyed him in acute disbelief, but did not rise to it. One of them had to remember why they found themselves in this predicament. In such cases as this, she surmised, only a direct approach would suffice.

"What are we to do, sir?" Juliana's cheeks adopted a rosy hue. Well, but they had to discuss it. "The article -"

"I fear it may have cost me the services of my valet", his lordship mused reflectively.

"Your valet!"

Juliana was utterly bewildered. How could he think of his clothes at such a moment?!

"Yes." There was the smile again. "You must know, Miss Leighton, that he is not very partial to, er, haste when it comes to my dealings with what can only be described as items very close to his heart."

A faint crease appeared between her brows. What had his valet's preferences to do with anything?

"Haste?"

"Quite."

The crease deepened.

"But why should you have been in haste?"

The Viscount's brows rose in mild astonishment.

"Because I wished to see you, of course."

It had become a frown. Well, she had, after all, expected him. At one point.

It cleared.

"I see."

"I had hoped that you would."

His lordship appeared to be at his most phlegmatic - which thoroughly nettled Juliana.

"Sir, I hoped we would be able to discuss what can be done! It was most reprehensible of Lady Farnborough, but I beg you will believe me that I had nothing to do with this scheme. I should never dream to -"

She broke off, a little flushed.

"I am well aware that you should not", the Viscount informed her gently.

"Yes. Thank you. That is - it was entirely absurd of her to hope that such a fabrication should inspire us to -"

"Quite absurd."

He agreed with her?

Well, good. They could -

But - why must he agree with her?

No.

She wanted him to agree with her. Quite.

"Yes. It was preposterous." She raised her eyes to his and smiled. "What shall we do now?"

The Viscount had risen from his seat, disposing of his gloves onto a small table at his side as he did so.

"We shall be married, of course."

Juliana's eyes flew to his face. Had she not just told him - ?!

She instinctively took a step backwards and attempted to adopt a matter-of-fact tone, shaking her head.

"Lord Langton, I have no notion of getting married because of a nonsensical, ill-mannered, outrageous -" She strove for composure. "To no-one!"

"I am very glad to hear it", the Viscount responded calmly.

He had advanced towards Juliana in a few determined strides. She hardly knew where to look.

"Yes. And if you think that I mean to hold you to -"

"My adorable little fool!"

His lordship, having uncompromisingly possessed himself of her flushed face; most effectively, proceeded to put a stop to any further remonstrations.

"Now will you run away from me again?" the Viscount demanded some lengthier moments later.

Juliana, her face hidden in the folds of his coat, felt it behoved her to protest.

She muffled a reply into his shoulder.

Lord Langton betook himself of her face again and constrained her to look at him.

"Well?"

"I did not run away!"

"No?" His eyes gleamed. "You, my absurd darling, led me a merry dance! I can only wonder at my own forbearance. The number of times I have wanted to -" His thumb softly grazed her cheek.

"Yes?"

Juliana's eyes smiled.

His lordship felt himself constrained to once more silence his love.

"What will we do now?"

Juliana, most reluctantly, raised her head from where it had been resting against his lordship's shoulder.

She found herself subjected to an uncompromising gaze.

This made her laugh.

"I did not mean - pray do be serious, my lor -" She encountered an inquisitive eyebrow and instantly corrected herself, shaking her head. "Tristan. Lady Farnborough -"

"She will be banned from the festivities!" came the vehement reply.

"Well, yes. But -"

"Well?"

Her eyes danced.

"Do you not think that considering that it was she who - that we do owe her some sort of concession?"

"No, my loved one, I do not", his lordship informed her firmly. "I found you quite on my own."

She found that her hand had been taken into a strong clasp; her fingers unconsciously entwining with the intruders.

"I see."

Juliana considered this. Well, it was quite true. They had met some time before it had occurred to him that his very obliging aunt had made these specific designs on his future happiness. Even if he had omitted to inform her of the fact for some time after.

She shook her head with a smile.

"She will be thoroughly pleased, at all events."

"Yes." The Viscount brought her hand to his lips, his grey eyes smiling at her in their disconcerting manner. "Can you bear it?"

Juliana found that she could.

Epilogue

"Uncle Tristan! Can we see the baby?"

The Viscount looked up from his desk, one eyebrow raised at his hopeful nephew.

"What do you propose to do to him when you see him?"

"He is our cousin!"

Felix did not see what there was to be uncertain about.

"Yes. You may offer him your condolences later. If -" Lord Langton had adopted a prosaic tone - "- your Aunt can be persuaded to subject him to your examination."

"We brought him a present!", Harry informed his uncle confidently.

"Oh my God!"

"But you have not even seen it!"

Harry was justly incensed.

"My apologies. Is it still alive?"

The twins collapsed into giggles.

"I see, Tristan, that fatherhood has not changed you. Almost I am a little apprehensive in my task - but I may still apply to your wife's good sense."

Lady Albury had followed her sons into the room, a charming French confection on her golden head.

"And before you are so good as to enquire - or so provoking as to forget -" she added unperturbedly, "- my daughter is currently in the care of my husband, who found himself constrained to pay a ceremonial visit to his Aunt, and, or so I gather - Charles, of course, vehemently protested at the idea - hopes that the presence of his youngest will raise him in her esteem. For some reason, Aunt Dorrington seems to have a preference for his elder brother, you see."

The Viscount smiled in mild incredulity.

"But what can have given him such a notion."

"I really could not say", his sister replied serenely, taking off her bonnet. "Now, my dearest brother - Aunt Farnborough wishes me to put before you that since she feels herself chiefly responsible for your present state of happiness, it would only be natural that you should accord her the respect she feels to be her due. Tristan, I beg you will not eat me - I am merely the messenger!" Sophia smiled. "Thank you. Now, she proposes that you should honour her efforts by - " She raised an impish brow at his lordship - "- naming your son and heir after herself."

"You may tell my very esteemed Aunt, Sophia -", the Viscount began, in ominous accents -

"Aunt Juliana!"

Both twins had sprung up from their seats and threw their small bodies at their Aunt.

His lordship's brows had lifted.

"Clearly, I have been eclipsed," he was moved to state, a smile softening his eyes at the sight of his wife.

"Yes, it is quite disheartening." Lady Albury´s eyes danced. "Whatever shall you do? Fortunately, only their Aunt seems to have this unhappy effect on them."

"Then I am, of course, very sorry that I should present such provocation!"

Juliana gently disengaged herself from the hold of her adoring nephews and came into the room.

"I heard you come in -" Her eyes twinkled at the twins - "- and could not resist the temptation."

A glance at her husband earned her a barely perceptible roll of his eyes. She shook her head with an answering smile.

The exchange did not go unnoticed by Sophia, who timely remembered her errand, one provocative eyebrow raised at her elder brother.

"I am very glad that you have come, Juliana, for I find Langton quite unmoveable in his position. I beg you will support me, for I dare not return home with my mission failed."

"I shall try to help you, of course - as much as my limited powers should permit", Juliana assured her promptly.

"Thank you. It is this -" Sophia folded her arms in her lap. "Could you, possibly, grow partial to referring to your son as - Augustus?"

Juliana took a deep breath when she eventually found herself alone with her husband.

"Tristan -" she began sternly -

His lordship raised both his brows.

"But what have I done?"

She shook her head, her eyes smiling.

"I must go to our son now."

"You may rescue him in a moment." The Viscount had possessed himself of her face.

"Tired?"

She smiled at his tender enquiry.

"Only a little. I find, my lord -" She had brought her arms around his neck -" That your son is quite as inflexible in his opinions as yourself."

"Impossible," murmured his lordship, as he lowered his face to hers....

The End

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