The Accidental Marriage Read Online Free PDF Page B

repeated. ‘That was not temper! Paula was devastated at the commotion she had caused, but you should never have insisted on her performing. If it was a fiasco it was your doing! But I’m sure most of your guests understood and were sympathetic. Apart from whoever it was who could not control her deplorable tittering.’
    He went red, but after glaring at her stormed out of the room, and moments later they heard the outer door of the apartment slam.
    Fanny began to cry. ‘He’s gone to her!’ she sobbed. ‘Julia, what shall I do?’

Chapter Three
     
    They had just finished breakfast, and Maggie had taken the girls away to start the lessons Julia had set them, when a visitor was announced.
    It was Sir Carey. Julia found herself slightly breathless, and inwardly chastised herself. It was inappropriate. From his handsome clothes he was clearly affluent, and she was a penniless governess. Nonetheless she wished she had put on one of the new gowns Fanny had insisted on buying her, instead of the old grey one.
    ‘Forgive me, ladies, for calling at such an hour, but I have a meeting with Lord Castlereagh shortly. I wanted to reassure myself that little Paula is not too distressed after last night.’
    Fanny smiled at him. ‘How kind, Sir Carey. She is a little subdued, but Julia has given her some pictures to colour. It’s her favourite occupation at the moment, and will take her mind off it.’
    He smiled. ‘All little girls seem to enjoy that. My sisters were for ever plaguing their governess to allow them such a treat, instead of doing sums.’
    ‘How many sisters do you have?’ Fanny asked.
    ‘Two, half-sisters, aged twelve and fifteen. My father married again after my mother died. Unfortunately he and their mother died several years ago when there was an outbreak of cholera in the nearby town, so I am responsible for them.’
    ‘You are married? Your wife must be a help to you,’ Fanny said, and Julia shrivelled inside. How could her sister be so obvious?
    Sir Carey was shaking his head. ‘Not yet, Lady Cunningham, but I am to be wed in the spring, when I go back to England. Angelica is not very much older than my sister Caroline, and I am sure they will get on famously.’
    It didn’t matter to her in the least, Julia told herself firmly. How could such an attractive man not be married or betrothed. Even if he were free, there was no chance of him looking towards dowerless, insignificant Julia Marsh for a wife. She was being foolish even thinking of such a possibility. She felt a pang of envy for the unknown Angelica, and firmly suppressed it.
    Sir Carey was rising to his feet. ‘I must be going. No doubt I will see you both at the Peace Ball next Tuesday?’
    ‘Yes, we will be there. Prince Metternich is generous with his invitations. I hear he has over two hundred people to dine at the Chancellery every Monday.’
    ‘Have you not been?’
    Fanny shook her head. ‘Frederick isn’t in that strata of society,’ she said wryly.
    ‘We must see what we can do to get you invitations. Now, ladies, farewell.’
    * * * *
    ‘What is it you are doing to drive Frederick into the arms of other women?’ Frau Gunter demanded.
    Julia stiffened, angered by the old woman’s imperious tone. She glanced at Fanny, who shrank back into the chair, and looked as though she would burst into tears at any moment.
    ‘I haven’t done anything,’ Fanny managed.
    ‘Sit up straight! No wonder the girls are so undisciplined when you cannot even conduct yourself with proper decorum. I hear they made an unseemly commotion at your little party.’
    Fanny was on the verge of tears, so Julia intervened, trying to keep the anger out of her voice.
    ‘Alice sang beautifully, but it was too much strain for Paula, being forced to sing in front of so many strangers. She’s only four! It’s hardly surprising she found it impossible.’
    ‘Only four, indeed! At that age I was conversing in German, French and Italian to my parents’