Page 17 of Two of a Kind
Chapter Twelve
James had done his best to avoid Guy over the past few days, but the betrothal party loomed large. As best man, there was no chance of him being able to escape attending. The wedding preparations were moving ahead whether he liked it or not.
If it had just been himself attending the party this evening, he would have wished the betrothed couple all the happiness for their future, stayed for the speeches, and then left. But since Claire was one of Leah’s friends, the whole Radley family had been invited. Even Maggie had removed herself from her usual place by the sitting room window and made the effort to attend.
“I hear everybody who is anybody is coming tonight. The Shepherds have gone all out,” said Mary.
“Rumor has it that Guy will be pushing Tobias Shepherd to find him a nice safe seat as soon as he and Leah are married,” replied Hugh.
“I expect once everyone sees Leah’s gown, all talk of politics will cease. It is stunning. The fabric was the most expensive that the modiste had ever used. And you should see the material for her wedding gown. Why, it looks like something royalty would wear. Leah’s parents and Guy are spending an eye-watering amount of money on the wedding,” said Claire.
Her mother frowned at her. Money was a crass subject and should not be discussed in company.
“Is it true Guy has commissioned a special china dinner service for them? I heard it has over one hundred and twenty pieces and that is just for day-to-day use,” said Maggie.
Claire nodded; her eyes wide.
The Radley family town carriage was a tight squeeze with Hugh, Mary, Claire, Maggie, and James all on board. They hadn’t even arrived, and James was already in a foul mood. He grumbled as his father nudged him along on the seat.
“Come on then, lad, shift up and make some room,” said Hugh.
James moved an inch or two over on the leather bench seat, earning him a hard stare from Hugh. Reluctantly, and with a decided lack of good grace, he moved again. He held his arms tight against himself and scowled at anyone who dared to look at him.
“I hope you are not going to be that much of a misery guts for the entire evening, James. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Your best friend is getting married,” said Mary.
“Yes, well since we are already going to the betrothal ball, do you think we could talk about something else on the way?” he replied.
He should have apologized to his mother over his behavior, but he couldn’t shake himself out of his dour frame of mind.
“What is the matter with you, James? You have been in a black mood all week,” observed Claire.
He knew full well why he was so out of sorts, but it wasn’t exactly something he could share with them. His growing feelings for Leah were something he had to keep to himself. “I’m sorry. I am just a little at sea at the moment. The two Tims left for Derbyshire on Friday and I won’t be seeing them for another month.”
“Well then, with your friends out of town, now might be the right time to stop moping about the house and make some firm decisions about your future,” said Hugh.
A frustrated James turned and looked out the carriage window. He had many things he would like to say in response to his father’s words but decided that silence was the wisest option. That and a good half dozen glasses of something strong.
“Oh, thank God,” he muttered.
Caroline and Francis were standing on the footpath out the front of the Shepherd family home in Duke Street as James stepped down from the family carriage. He could have cried at the sight. These were the two people he could share an evening with and not get himself into trouble. He didn’t want to hear any more about wedding gowns or extravagant dinner sets.
“Ah, my lovely niece and nephew,” said Hugh.
“Uncle Hugh, it’s good to see you. Mama sends her love,” said Francis.
Hugh frowned. “Your parents are not in attendance tonight?”
Francis shook his head. “No. We have a new shipment arriving at the docks from the West Indies tomorrow morning, hence why I shall only be staying for a short while. And Mama is spending time with William and Hattie, helping them to set up the nursery.”
William Saunders had recently returned from France, and to everyone’s surprise, had taken himself a new wife. Hattie was with child and Adelaide Saunders was already a doting grandmother-in-waiting.
With family greetings quickly over, James held out an arm to Caroline. Francis accompanied Maggie and Claire up the front steps.
“Looking forward to this evening?” he asked.
Caroline screwed up her face. “Not particularly. But I am under instructions to attend tonight and to keep a low profile. I am not in my parents’ good graces. I have received lectures from both my mother and father on the shortcomings of my behavior. Apparently, I am getting myself somewhat of an unwelcome reputation as a result of having one or two overly amorous admirers.”
He winced, taking no joy in knowing that his cousin was also on the out with her family. Though for Caroline, it was not an uncommon occurrence. She had a prickly nature and did not suffer fools. Too many men had discovered to their great cost that beneath her stunning beauty lay a sharp mind. It would take a special kind of man to capture Caroline’s imagination, let alone her heart.
