Heaving a sigh, Julian resolved himself to the situation. “Never mind all that, there shall be plenty of time for me to figure that all out. My mother and sister are waiting for me. Will you be joining us for supper?”
His friend lowered his hands from his hips. “I would appreciate that. I dread returning home and telling my father that I have not made progress on any of my plans to own a merchant ship. Supper with your family sounds far more agreeable.”
Julian nodded, heading toward the front doors as a means of putting a stop to his friend’s line of questioning.
“You know, it is going to be hard for me to adjust to calling you ‘my lord’. It seems so formal, given the fact that you were merely a respectable soldier only last month.” Benedict continued from somewhere behind him.
“Then do not. Julian will suffice,” Julian gritted his teeth when the front door almost refused to open. He placed his shoulder against the wood and gave it a good shove.
The large wooden doors popped open on one side, ushering in a cool breeze that smacked them both in the face.
“How many servants did you say are still employed here at Redding Hall?” Benedict asked as soon as they stepped out and shut the door behind them with a great deal of effort.
“Eight,” Julian muttered a reply on his way down the large stone steps.
“Blimey, eight servants to maintain a house that should be run by at least thirty. You honestly do have a challenge on your hands. I do not envy you, my lord.” He ignored Julian’s previous request.
Grunting an inaudible reply, Julian made his way toward their horses. The fallen dry leaves crunched beneath his boots, reminding him of all the problems he had yet to solve.
The horses neighed and bobbed their heads when the men took hold of the reins and mounted their saddles.
It gave Julian ample opportunity to survey the building from the outside. He had not noticed at first, but the ivy was creeping up the walls in the wrong places. Several windows had been boarded up and strategically hidden with tall plants where possible on the ground floor.
“A casual onlooker would never have said that the house was in such a state of disrepair,” Benedict added from the side as he turned his white mare back in the direction of the house.
“I think that is exactly what the late viscount wanted everyone to think. He wanted to give off the appearance of someone who had matters in hand. It also goes to show that his social life was not as elaborate as he displayed.” His jaw clenched a little again as he thought of the responsibilities he would now have to take on. All because of another man’s folly.
“Makes you glad to have spent time in the army, does it not? We were saved from this kind ending, in a way.”
“Yes, but what kind of ending will I have to face if I do not find a means to resolve all of these problems? I would rather stare down the barrel of a musket than have to deal with this mess.”
***
“Mother, is the supper ready?” Julian halted and stopped himself from sighing the moment he set foot in his mother’s drawing room.
His mother, Catherine, came to her feet, smiling knowingly at Julian as she shot him a pleading glance. Her dark brown hair, which had always verged black, had begun to show spots of graying at the roots, showing her fifty years despite the youthful appearance of her skin and expressive blue eyes.
“Ah, Julian, there you are. I was wondering when you would be joining us. And I see you have brought Mr. Southampton along with you.” She smiled at Benedict kindly.
Julian stiffened as he bowed slightly to his mother. “I hope you do not mind that I asked him without checking with you first, Mother.” He inclined his head slightly to the beaming young woman beside his sister on the forest green settee. “Miss Everet.”
His mother spoke again quickly, sensing his discomfort when the younger girl beamed at him, blushing slightly as she averted her gaze.
“It is perfectly fine, Julian. Your sister and I were just entertaining Miss Everet and invited her to have supper with us, so we shall have a full house this evening. I know you will not mind accommodating an old friend.” His mother gave him another pointed look that almost made him sigh.
“Of course, a full house is better than no company at all,” he said stiffly before turning back toward the young woman. “It is an honor to have you with us this evening, Miss Everet.”
Eleanor Everet blushed slightly as she came to her feet. Her light brown hair had been braided on either side of her head, highlighting her gaunt features as she curtsied and spoke.
“Thank you for having me, my lord. And congratulations on your new title and position. We have not seen each other since you received the news. You are well, I trust?” She spoke meekly, almost as if she were out of breath. Her light brown eyes seemed to dart around the neatly decorated room before meeting his gaze once again.
There it is again.
Julian clenched his jaw slightly. It would take many years for him to grow accustomed to the new form of address, but it was not something that could be avoided.
“I am adjusting. Thank you, Miss Everet.” He turned to his sister beside her, hoping to avert some of the conversation. “And have you forgotten your manners, Juliette?” He shot her a teasing smile.
Coming to her feet, Juliette tilted her chin defiantly. At eighteen, she was quite beautiful with long, black, curly hair, green eyes, and olive skin that gave her an almost exotic appearance.