Page 4 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
“I didn’t say that,” Juliana argued.
The viscountess was a little wider and fuller around the bosom and hips and would ruin Juliana’s dresses.
“Very well. I’ll go through my armoire after tea. Perhaps I can add a few bits of lace to one of the gowns to make it look newer.”
“I could not have thought of a better solution myself,” Juliana said, readily agreeing.
The viscountess continued to talk about the dinner, telling Juliana everything she knew about the dowager countess. Being invited by the woman was supposedly an honour, but Juliana had rescued the woman’s dog, so it should be an honour for the dowager to meet her.
Tomorrow evening should be interesting.
***
“Do you think she’ll wish to reward you with something monetary?” Juliana’s father asked on their way to Lady Somersby’s manor.
The viscount had asked the question at least three times already, and Juliana’s answer had been the same each time.
“No, Papa. She has invited us to dinner— is that not thanks enough?”
“You nearly died to save that dog,” her father protested. “The least she could do is give you something worth having. A piece of jewellery or some money would be appropriate.”
“Oh, hush, Peter,” his wife said. “Do not embarrass us with your questions about rewards.”
“You asked the same thing,” the viscount accused.
Juliana’s mother had the decency to blush. “Yes, but I haven’t asked since then. Let’s simply enjoy this dinner, and hopefully, the countess will consider us as people she wants to associate herself with. Everyone must be on their best behaviour.”
Juliana sighed and leaned her head on the carriage backrest. Money was always on her parents’ minds, and people were only interesting and worthy of attention if they could provide them with something. It was rather embarrassing, to say the least, but they were still her parents for all their faults, and she loved them.
Fortunately, the carriage ride was not too long because Juliana’s patience was running out. She silently prayed her parents would behave themselves in the dowager countess’ presence and stepped out after her mother. She hadn’t bothered to look out the carriage window to catch her first glimpse of the manor because she had been too busy diffusing another potential argument about money.
Now, looking up at the building, Juliana had to admit that it was something special. She had heard about Clarington Manor, but she had never been to the estate because it was by invitation only, and given by whoever had taken up residence until their lease was through.
“The manor is even more impressive than I recall,” her mother said in awe.
“She has a son, doesn’t she?” the viscount asked.
“I think so, but he’s likely married,” his wife replied. “What I would give to be related to the old crone.”
“Mama!” Juliana protested. “That is rude, and she is not that old.”
“Yes, yes, I didn’t mean it,” her mother insisted. “Oh, look, someone has come out to greet us. My, isn’t he handsome! I do not think he is the butler.”
Juliana groaned. It was probably too much to hope that one of her parents wouldn’t make an inappropriate comment. They knew better, but their mouths tended to run away with them at times.
However, her mother was right about calling the approaching man handsome. There was still enough sunlight left to notice his lovely facial bone structure; full, dark hair, and when he was close enough, the brightest corn blue eyes Juliana had ever seen. Judging by the way he was dressed, she doubted he was a servant.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord and Lady Torrey,” the man greeted. “And this must be the heroine my mother has not stopped talking about. Miss Hathaway, it is an honour.”
The man bowed to her and raised his head to reveal his brilliant smile and deep dimples. Perhaps beautiful was a better word to describe him.
“The honour is all ours,” her mother replied, her tone vaguely flirtatious.
“You must be Lord Somersby,” said Juliana’s father, holding a hand out to him. “We did not realise you had come with your mother.”
The earl gave a shallow bow before the viscount. “I have only come for a week or two, but something tells me I might stay longer,” he said, looking briefly at Juliana.
Her cheeks bloomed with colour, forcing her to look away from those searching blue eyes. The man was flirting, and she should have found him forward, but the earl was too charming to think any less of him.
