“That is a relief, I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I am still not certain about all the rules in society, but I shall endeavor to do my best this evening.” She swallowed hard before letting out a breath and running her tongue over her lips. Her shoulders were still tense, and Julian could see that she was far more worried than she was willing to admit.
Leaning forward, he placed his hand over hers and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze of encouragement. “You will do just fine. I promise.”
The muscles in her face relaxed a little as her lips lifted into a half-hearted smile.
“I will be right by your side all evening. Allow me to take the lead, and all will be well.” He held onto her hand a little longer, not wanting to let go of the encouraging warmth.
The carriage came to a stop, jostling them both in their seats as Lily quickly pulled back her hand.
There it was again. She seemed to withdraw from him at every opportunity. He did not understand why, yet he did not blame her for still being so uncertain in the face of all they had been through. The marriage had been thrust into her lap as much as it been pushed on him.
Footmen in red livery stepped forward, pulling open the carriage door as they stood straight and proud with their powdered wigs.
Julian watched as Lily marveled at the sight of the grand mansion before them. Archibald House was one of the grandest in London, with high buttresses, dozens of windows, and splendid architecture to finish it off.
The duke and duchess came forward, welcoming them to their home as the duchess spoke first.
“Welcome, Lord and Lady Barnard. It is an honor to have you with us this evening.” Her voice was high and dignified, befitting a lady of her rank, yet Julian could not help but chuckle to himself when he saw the surprise in Lily’s gaze.
The duchess was a short woman with unassuming, plain looks. Her light brown hair hung over her shoulders in curls while her light blue dress almost matched her pallor. The duke, on the other hand, was a short, chubby man with thinning dark hair, a square face that boasted scars, and a large nose. His bright blue eyes shone in comparison to the quiet look in his wife’s light brown gaze.
Lily stepped forward beside Julian and curtsied. “Thank you for inviting us, Your Graces.”
The duke’s eyes sparkled mischievously at Julian as he smiled. “An American. I did not think you would travel so far to find a wife, Lord Bardnard. At least she is not from Spain or France,I would not have forgiven you if you allied with the enemy,” he grumbled under his breath.
Jostling her husband in the ribs, the duchess motioned for him to be quiet. “Do not pay any attention to my husband, Lady Barnard. All he can speak of some days is the war, but I am sure you can understand, what with Lord Barnard being a military man himself.” Her kind smile seemed to set Lily more at ease as they
Rolling his eyes, the duke shot his wife a loving glance of admiration. “And here I thought that you love my passion, Your Grace. Shall we escort our guests inside before Spain decides to infiltrate us?”
Julian laughed, but quickly noticed how Lily flinched at the joke. Had she been offended by the duke’s blatant dislike of the other countries? He had not said anything bad regarding America, but that did not mean that Lily had not taken offense to the man’s stance. Offering his arm, he guided her inside behind the duke and duchess.
They were guided across the grand entrance hall that was almost as big as a dining hall. The chandelier above their heads boasted the finest crystal teardrops, while the marbled floor beneath their feet reflected the splendor of all above.
They entered one of the parlors, and Julian was relieved to see that among the twenty-two well-dressed guests were Benedict and Miss Arabella Tremaine. His heart suddenly dropped when Eleanor waved enthusiastically at them from across the room.She had mentioned that she had been invited, yet Julian had hoped that it was not true.
Why is she everywhere that we go?
He stiffened beside Lily as she came sauntering toward them.
“Lord and Lady Barnard, I was wondering when you would be arriving.” She shot Julian a charming smile that made him clench his jaw before looping her arm through Lily’s. “Do you mind if I steal your charming wife? We have ever so much to catch up on before dinner.” She began to pull Lily away before waiting for an answer.
Looking toward Benedict, Julian quickly sought Arabella, but it seemed as if she were a few steps ahead of Julian, as she had already begun to make her way toward Lily and Eleanor. An inkling of relief set in as he headed toward Benedict. He had not had many encounters with Arabella, but she seemed to have Lily’s best interests at heart.
“Ah, Lord Barnard, I was wondering when you would be arriving. It is not like you to be fashionably late.” Benedict chuckled to himself and sipped from his glass of brandy.
“Do not start with me, Benedict, and have I not told you to call me Julian as you have always done?” Julian grumbled a reply and angled his body toward the ladies, where Eleanor was chatting away to Lily while Arabella listened with a scowl.
What is she saying?
He watched on helplessly, wishing he could cross the room to listen.
Lily did not seem to mind what Eleanor was saying, yet he had noticed that Lily seemed oblivious to any of Eleanor’s faults. Whether it was because of her kind heart or some other reason, it did not bode well if Eleanor truly wanted to create trouble. He still did not want to believe that Eleanor had tripped Lily on purpose, but there had been that movement beneath the table.
Benedict’s voice broke through his thoughts and drew him back to their own conversation. “You can stop staring at her now, you know. She is already your wife.”
“I do not know what you are referring to,” Julian grumbled again before accepting a glass of champagne from a passing footman.
“Of course not,” Benedict shook his head in amusement and looked to the side where the duke was loudly discussing his disdain for Spain and France.