Page 20 of The Meaning of Love
He nodded. “Carsington Castle, home of the Earls of Carsington since they were barons under Charles the Second.”
“It’s that old?”
“Parts of it.” Without further prompting, he sketched a word picture of a rather large castle-cum-mansion. “Mama lives in rooms in one wing, as does my uncle Frederick.”
“Her brother?”
“No, my father’s youngest brother. There were four brothers. The other two—Harold and Claude—died some years ago. Their wives—my aunts by marriage—occasionally visit, but live with their married daughters.”
She made a mental note to pick her mother’s and grandmother’s brains regarding his family. “Is Frederick married?”
“No, he’s a bachelor. I understand that, as the fourth son, he never felt the need, even though both Harold and Claude only sired daughters.”
“Well, you do have two brothers.” Sure she now had the succession at least clear, she turned to other matters. “I assume there are acres attached to the castle?”
His voice warmed. “Yes, of course.” He launched into a description of the estate, and she needed no interpreter to tell her that he loved the place. It seemed that he knew every tree in his woods, every dip and hollow and field and farm.
By the time they reached the gates of Sedon Hall, she’d gained some understanding of the scale of his holdings, but it was clear that his heart lay at what he called “the castle” and not at any of his lesser properties, even though several were closer to London.
Julian held his bays to a steady trot as he guided them up the drive of Sedon Hall. The avenue was lined with trees, presently leafless. As they approached the house, he saw a couple standing on the lawn bordering the forecourt, shading their eyes as they peered at the curricle.
“That’s Mandy and Rufus!” Melissa waved.
Julian slowed his horses, halting them by the edge of the lawn. Without waiting for any assistance, Melissa jumped down from the curricle and rushed to Mandy, whose face lit with delight. Mandy held her arms wide, and the sisters embraced, rather awkwardly, over the large bump of Mandy’s pregnancy. To Julian’s eye, educated by his sisters’ confinements, Mandy looked ready to, as his brothers-in-law had always termed it, pop.
Melissa, a trifle taller, had to lean forward over the bump to kiss Mandy’s cheek.
A groom appeared, and Julian stepped down to the gravel and handed over the reins.
After releasing Melissa, as Melissa straightened, Mandy fixed widening eyes on her sister’s face. “But what’s brought you here?” She tried to peer past Melissa.
Melissa shifted so Mandy could better see Julian and waved to him as he walked up. “You remember Julian from Little Moseley? Dagenham, as he was then.”
Mandy’s eyes found his face and lit with recognition. “Of course! How delightful to meet you again.” She looked from him to Melissa, then back again, curiosity infusing her gaze. “But what’s brought you both here?”
Melissa patted Mandy’s hand, which was clutching hers. “In a moment.” She smiled at the tall, sandy-haired gentleman standing patiently by. “Rufus—it’s lovely to see you.”
Rufus, Lord Sedon, rounded his wife and bent to kiss Melissa’s cheek. “It’s a pleasure to see you down here, my dear.” Sedon’s gaze shifted to Julian. “Do introduce me.”
Melissa complied. “Julian, Earl of Carsely, allow me to present Rufus, Lord Sedon, Mandy’s husband.”
Sedon’s face lit with interest, and he held out his hand. “Carsely. I heard you’d succeeded your father. Are you intending to join us in the Lords?”
Julian gripped the proffered hand. “I hope to become more active in the future, but as to exactly when, that depends on several issues.” He looked at Melissa.
“There’s quite a lot to tell you.” Melissa smiled brightly at Mandy. “Perhaps we should go inside.”
“Of course.” Mandy gripped the hand Sedon offered and started waddling toward the house. “I came out for some air, and we were just returning indoors.” She glanced rather woefully at Julian. “In my present condition, I can only amble a short distance before I run out of steam.”
He smiled easily. “My sisters were the same.”
He noticed that both Melissa and Mandy took note of his implied experience.
With Melissa flanking Sedon, Julian walked beside Mandy as Sedon, rather overly solicitously, helped his wife up the steps and into the house.
It was a neat manor house, airy and charmingly cozy. With Melissa, Julian followed Mandy and Sedon into a sunny drawing room.
They sat in comfortable, well-padded chairs, and Melissa immediately launched into an explanation of the reason for their visit.The Gazettehadn’t yet reached the house, and Mandy and Rufus were, at first, stunned, then agog.
