“Good.” He stared at her from cold black eyes. “Then we understand each other.”
Julia bit her lip to keep it from trembling.
“You may go to your room, or if you think it best, you may go to Phoebe and assure her that even if Mr. Langdon were to ask you to marry him, you most definitely would not accept him. I still intend for you to accept Mr. Edgerton’s proposal of marriage. And there will be dire consequences if you do anything to encourage Mr. Langdon’s attentions.”
“Yes, sir.”
“But why did you dance with him a second time, Julia?” Phoebe sat propped against the pillows in her bed, a soggy handkerchief clutched in her fist. “You knew it would hurt me and that he would think you had designs on him. You should have refused.” Phoebe turned her tear-streaked face away from Julia.
“You know I would never hurt you.” God, help me convince her. “I simply didn’t realize he had asked me to dance a second time. Probably he didn’t realize it either.” He probably did realize it, as he wasn’t a man to do anything thoughtlessly. But Julia was desperate enough to tell Phoebe whatever would please her.
“I didn’t remember that I had already danced with him.”
Phoebe turned to give her a disbelieving, openmouthed look.
“I was trying to avoid that odious Mr. Edgerton.”
“Julia, you shouldn’t call him odious just because you do not wish to marry him.” Phoebe gave her a self-righteous look.
“I hope I am not so ungracious to call him odious on that account. He has made untoward advances that I have not thought it proper to discuss.”
“Julia, I’m not a child!” Phoebe sat up straighter, as if the subject interested her. “Did Mr. Langdon rescue you from him?” Her voice was an awed whisper.
“I wouldn’t put it in those terms.” This information seemed to placate her cousin, but Julia knew instinctively to downplay anything romantic Phoebe might make of the situation. “He simply was finding a reason to extricate me—quite literally—from Mr. Edgerton.”
“Did Mr. Edgerton put his hands on you?” Phoebe’s damp eyes were wide now.
“He had hold of my arm and wouldn’t let go. He tried to convince me to go outside with him.”
“What did Mr. Langdon do?”
“He told Mr. Edgerton that I was to dance the next dance with him, so Mr. Edgerton had no choice but to let go of me.”
“That is just like Mr. Langdon, to save you like that.”
It was, wasn’t it? “I only hope he was the only person at the ball who noticed what Mr. Edgerton was doing.”
“What was he doing, Julia? Did he have the audacity to ask you to . . . to go away with him?”
“He insisted I go with him to the courtyard outside. I refused, but he wouldn’t let go of my arm.”
“Perhaps he’s so in love with you he became wild with wanting to convince you to marry him, Julia!”
“I don’t think that is quite accurate.” Julia sat down on the side of the bed, and it already felt as if things were back to normal between them. “Besides, everyone knows his family insists they will not sanction his marrying anyone but an heiress, because of his debts.”
“Oh yes, but Father says he has done away with that problem.”
“What do you mean?”
Phoebe shrugged her shoulders. “Father told me he is giving Mr. Edgerton a rather large sum to marry you, which will be enough to cover all his debts.”
“But why would your father do that? Why does he particularly wish me to marry Mr. Edgerton?”
“It is rather strange.” Phoebe’s forehead wrinkled. “I had not thought Father intended to give you a dowry, but . . .” She shrugged again. “Wouldn’t marrying Mr. Edgerton be better than becoming a governess? I know you do not particularly like him, but is he so terrible?”
Julia bit her lip, hard. How would Phoebe feel if she were in Julia’s position and someone asked her the same thing?
She turned away before Phoebe should see the look of anger and resentment that must surely be on her face. Did Julia not deserve happiness or love? Was that what everyone was telling her?
Phoebe said quietly, “Father wishes you to marry Mr. Edgerton. He told me so himself. He believes Mr. Edgerton would make you a good husband, as he sincerely admires you and wants to save you from becoming a governess.”
Julia kept her back turned as hot tears slipped from her eyes. She quickly wiped them away with her fingers and drew in deep breaths to chase the salt drops away.
“But I don’t suppose you have to decide now.” Phoebe sounded nonchalant. Just as Julia was gaining control and forcing back the dam of moisture, Phoebe said, “So you have no intentions toward Mr. Langdon?”
Julia turned to face her cousin. Phoebe was displaying her pouty look, as she tucked her chin to her chest and looked up at Julia.
“None whatever.” Julia’s voice sounded dull and flat.
“And you don’t think he has any toward you?”