Page 37 of The Ice Queen
Chapter Twenty-Four
Asheepish-looking Julian eventually emerged from the sitting room late that afternoon and sought out the others. They were quietly ensconced in the library. Caroline had found a book that noted the ancient Roman roads which ran through the local district.
“Good afternoon,” he said, stepping into the library.
They all looked up from their books, and Francis got to his feet. “Hope you’re feeling a little more rested, Newhall. We thought it best to throw a blanket over you and let nature take its course.”
James chuckled. “To be honest, he was all for leaving you outside with the dog, but Caroline thought that would be disingenuous of us and pleaded your case.”
Julian looked at her and a wan smile appeared on his lips. She smiled back, encouragingly. Would the earl ever learn to be comfortable around the easy banter of the Radley and Saunders cousins?
“Thank you, Caroline, for coming to my aid. And thank you, Francis and James, for getting me so drunk that I don’t remember the journey home. It was exactly what I needed.”
Francis cleared his throat and came to Julian’s side. “We have had a bit of a chat while you were sleeping and would like to ask if we could stay on for the rest of the week. It’s a long journey back to London, and none of us is in any particular hurry to leave. That is, of course, if it suits your purposes. If not, we shall make our arrangements to depart as soon as possible.”
Caroline’s heart went out to Julian as Francis’s words registered on his face.
His head dropped. “I am truly humbled by your kindness. Of course, I would be honored for you all to stay on at the castle. I must confess that I was not looking forward to the rest of the week here on my own. At times, I am not good company for myself.”
True to nature, Francis read the mood right, and knew what to do. He slapped Julian hard on the back. “Well then, Newhall, if you insist, we shall stay. But just remember whose fault it is when James and I take all your best game birds and drink your house dry of whisky. Not to mention the damage Caroline will do to your expensive French wine collection.”
Caroline laughed. A gentle ribbing was her brother’s way of letting her know that while he had agreed to her demands, he was still in charge. Just as long as they stayed at Newhall Castle, she was content to let him keep hold of that piece of fiction in his mind.
Julian and Caroline’s gazes met. He did look a little worse for wear. His bloodshot eyes were a window to the pain of his hangover. She would have dearly loved five minutes alone with the Countess of Lienz, so she could give her a piece of her mind.
“I have an excellent wine cellar if you care to take a look. I had a shipment of bottles brought over when I returned from Paris. In fact, your brother, William, helped me to select them,” he replied.
She looked to Francis who was beaming with pride. William had spent years as a secret British government agent in France, working with the allies to overthrow Napoleon. His recent safe return to England had been to the bone-deep relief of his family.
“Will made mention of the fact that the two of you worked together after the war, but I hadn’t realized that you were actually friends. He did say some kind words about you just before we left town,” said Caroline.
“Will is a good egg. I missed his and Hattie’s wedding, so I must have the two of them to stay at some point,” replied Julian.
The door of the library opened, and Lady Margaret stepped into the room. She was smiling. “A carriage has been sighted at the top of the drive. Someone else is coming,” she announced.
In an instant, all books were set aside, and the group of friends went racing down the main staircase. Caroline let out a huge sigh of relief. Their worries had all been for naught.
“Quick. Let us form an honor guard for the new arrivals. It will help to set a fun tone for the rest of the week,” said James.
Caroline came to Julian, who having just dragged himself from a drunken stupor looked to be floundering with the news of the arrivals.
“Here, let me help you,” she said.
He gave her a tired smile. She straightened his cravat and brushed the sleeves of his coat.
“Bend your head forward,” she said, and ran her fingers through his hair, catching the tangles which a long afternoon’s sleep had brought to his dark brown locks.
“Thank you. I dread to think what I look like,” he replied.
“You look very handsome, especially when you smile.”
He reached out and took hold of her hand. Their gazes met, and for a brief moment they stood silently looking at one another, stirring only when Francis called for them to hurry. Caroline gave a quick check of the rest of Julian’s attire before giving him a nod of approval.
Outside the front door, they caught sight of the carriage as it reached the top of the rise and began to descend toward the castle. The four of them lined up side by side, Lady Margaret having gone to check with the housekeeper that the fires in the guest rooms had been lit. They waited for the carriage to arrive.
Julian looked down at Caroline, who was standing to his left, and mouthed “thank you.”She beamed up at him, happy that he was finally going to receive more houseguests.
When she looked away, focusing on the carriage, her smile disappeared. What if the young lady in the carriage was the perfect woman for Julian? He may even fall in love with her at first sight. Then what?
She silently cursed herself. She had been too overeager to remain at Newhall Castle, and had not thought things through. A week of watching him fall in love with someone else would be a week from hell.
If there was a price to pay for having been cold and distant with all her admirers, perhaps it was that she would have to stand by and watch the one man who had stirred her blood have his heart captured by another woman.
Now, as she stood in silence, she heard her heart speak for the first time.
Julian Palmer was about to break her heart.
