Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The funeral of Juliette’s grandmother took place several days later, in a side chapel of Saint Paul’s cathedral. It was attended by several hundred mourners, many of whom had known the aged aristocrat in her youth and were themselves closer to the grave than the cradle. It was a somber affair, and in the eulogy, the dean spoke of a woman who had lived by her principals and remained steadfast to the end.

Juliette’s mother wept through the whole service, while her father remained stoic, and after the final blessing, Juliette and Emily escorted her out, insisting on her returning home to bed. But in the coming days, her mood was lightened by the promise of Alexander’s offer – a promise she had excitedly accepted.

“It’ll do us all the world of good, Juliette. How kind he is to invite us – and there’s no doubt as to his reason,” the viscountess had said.

As for that reason, Juliette still remained uncertain. Her mother was convinced there would soon be a proposal, but Juliette was more cautious. In truth, she simply did not know what Alexander intended – or desired. She had still heard nothing from Nicholas, and as for his dealings with Lavinia, the death of Juliette’s grandmother had put the events of the previous days and weeks into perspective.

The matter would resolve itself one way or another, and Juliette could only hope Nicholas made the right decision. Henrietta had written to her telling her she had news as to what had happened between her brother and Lavinia, but as for its conveyance, it would have to wait until Juliette and the others returned from Norfolk, where they had just arrived at the magnificent estate, with its views of the vast open beaches, and glorious summer skies.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Emily exclaimed, peering out of the carriage window as they drove up the long drive towards the house.

Walsingham Grange was, Alexander had explained, the family seat, a handsome house built of the local red brick during the reign of Queen Anne. An east and west wing had been added at a later date, and the older part of the house was almost entirely covered in wisteria, the purple flowers of which hung down like great bunches of grapes.

The house was surrounded by mature gardens stretching down to the sea to the north, and merging with parkland to the south. It was, as Emily had said, beautiful, and Juliette now realized just how much she had needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of London life. Out here, deep in the countryside, there was a stillness and calm, and as they drew up outside the house, Juliette breathed a sigh of relief.

“And here’s Alexander to greet us, and that must be his mother. I’m so looking forward to making her acquaintance,” Juliette’s mother said.

“And his twin sisters,” Juliette said, as two pretty young girls – identical in looks – appeared at the door of the house.

The servants had gathered, too, and it seemed there was to be a proper welcome to the house.

“I trust your journey was uneventful?” Alexander said as he opened the carriage door for them.

Alexander had gone ahead of them, and Juliette had not seen him since the day of the funeral. But the country air appeared to suit him, and he looked fresh faced, as though he had already ridden out that day or walked on the beach.

“Mercifully so, thank you,” Juliette’s mother said, and now Alexander helped her down, followed by Emily and Juliette.

Juliette felt suddenly nervous at the prospect of meeting Alexander’s mother. She, like her own mother, believed in the truth of the courtship, and as she stepped forward, Juliette smiled and curtsied.

“Lady Dacre, how lovely to meet you,” Juliette said, as Alexander’s mother held out her hand.

There was no mistaking she was his mother – the same dark blond hair and dark blue eyes. She was tall and pretty – an elegant woman, dressed in a blue gown and matching shawl. She smiled at Juliette and held out her hand.

“I’ve been so very much looking forward to meeting you – all of you,” she said, turning to Juliette’s mother and Emily in turn.

“It’s so very kind of you to host us in this way,” Juliette’s mother said.

“It’s our pleasure, Lady Harcourt. I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I knew of her, of course – you have my deepest condolences. I do hope a short while with us here will give you back a sense of peace,” she said, and Juliette’s mother smiled.

“You’re too kind, Lady Dacre, and I’m sure it’ll be a delightful time,” she said, glancing at Juliette and smiled.

The twins were now introduced — Claire and Alice. They both smiled at Juliette and held out their hands.

“I’m Alice,” one of them said.

“And I’m Claire,” the other continued – in perfect unison.

Juliette smiled, even as Alexander groaned.

“No – you’re not,” he said, and the two girls began to giggle.

Juliette was confused, even as Lady Dacre tutted.

“Really, girls. Stop confusing us,” she said.

“You can tell them apart by the dimple and the birthmark. This is Alice and this is Claire,” Alexander said, pointing to one and the other.

Juliette smiled.

“If I had a twin, I’d surely do the same,” she said, and with the introductions now made, Alexander led them all into the house.

It was a magnificent dwelling, though it had a homely feel to it, too, and the party now passed a pleasantly in the comfortably furnished drawing room. Alexander told them something of the history of the house, telling them he had planned a tour of the estate for the following day.

“And a picnic on the beach. It’s something of a family tradition,” he said, smiling at Juliette, who thought it an excellent idea.

She was tired after their long journey from London – a journey involving an overnight stay at a remote inn on the fens. But to find herself once again in Alexander’s company was a balm, and she could only be grateful to him for his invitation, and the support he had given her following the death of her grandmother. He had done everything one might expect of the man one was to marry, and yet the ruse, as far as Juliette could tell, continued.

“Why don’t you take Juliette and Emily to walk in the gardens?” Alexander’s mother said, after they had taken tea at four O’clock.

It was a beautiful day, and from the drawing room, the view stretched out across the gardens towards the sea, where the sunlight sparkled on the gently rolling waves.

“I think I might retire before dinner – if you don’t mind, Lady Dacre. I’m rather tired,” Emily said, and Alexander’s mother nodded.

“Please, I want you to feel completely at home, Emily. You must do whatever you think best. And we’re looking forward to the arrival of Gregory, too, in the coming days – I haven’t forgotten him,” she said, and Emily smiled.

“That’s very kind of you, Lady Dacre,” she said, rising to her feet.

Juliette glanced at her mother, knowing it was not entirely proper for her to walk alone in the gardens with Alexander, but to her surprise, the viscountess nodded.

“Certainly, yes, you must. But don’t go too far,” she said, as Alexander rose and offered Juliette his arm.

“We’ll stay where we can be seen. Fear not, Lady Harcourt,” Alexander said, and now he and Juliette stepped out onto the terrace.

There was a fresh, salty scent in the air, and Juliette could hear the waves lapping on the sands below the garden. The sun was warm on her face, and again, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I hadn’t realized how much I needed this,” she said, as they made their way down the steps from the terrace to the lawn.

“I knew it would do you good. You’ve had the weight of the world on your shoulders recently, Juliette. You deserve a little peace,” Alexander replied.

Juliette smiled.

“It’s really very kind of you. There was no need…” she began, but Alexander interrupted her.

“But I wanted to, Juliette. I’m glad you’re here,” he said.

Again, Juliette felt confused, not knowing what he intended by his words and actions. If it was all a ruse, it had now gone far beyond anything she might have expected, and yet, if there was something more to it, Alexander was yet to make that clear.

“I’m glad I’m here, too. It’s a beautiful estate. You seem very happy here,” she said, as now they walked arm in arm across the lawn.

“I’m always happy here. There’s something about it. It’s hard to describe. In years gone by, I was… somewhat wayward, one might say. I didn’t always do those things incumbent of a man of good character and standing. I was a rake.

I’m not telling you this to shock you – or to impress you, even. I’m ashamed of the ways I behaved in the past, though there was never any scandal in my actions. I just… found it hard to settle down,” Alexander said.

Juliette had been curious about Alexander’s past. She had not known what he was like in his youth, and she had wondered why he was yet to settle down and marry, given his many inestimable qualities.

“I suppose we all have those things we’d rather not remember about ourselves,” Juliette said, and Alexander nodded.

“Absolutely, yes. And like I say, I’m not telling you this to make myself appear… impressive. I’m ashamed of some of the things I’ve done – the way I’ve treated others. But… well, I hope that’s not the case between the two of us,” he said, and Juliette shook her head.

“Not at all, no. I… it could never be,” she said, and he smiled.

“You’re very kind… you’re… well, these past few weeks… I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, stammering over his words.

Juliette smiled. She did not know quite what he was saying, but he was saying something, and once again, Juliette wondered if there was more to their apparent ruse than met the eye. There was a reticence on his part, but also on hers, as though neither of them was willing to say what was really in their heart for fear of being hurt. Juliette, too, had held back, reluctant to tell him her feelings, just as it seemed he was reluctant, too.

“Alexander, I… all of this… thank you,” she said, and now they stood together, arm in arm, gazing out across the sands towards the sea.

They needed no words now – not in that moment – and Juliette felt as though they had reached a new understanding, an intimacy not previously known. She had barely thought about Nicholas in the past few days, realizing there was no need to upset herself or imagine what might have been. What mattered was what was to come, and now Juliette dared to hope there was something more to come between her and Alexander.