Page 16 of His Scandalous Viscountess
But once he was banished to Eton, Julia and Ros were suddenly thrust into training to become the wives of noblemen, despite the fact that their parents were neither from old money nor part of the peerage. Until Julia was nineteen, she was forced to submit to training in dining etiquette, dancing, piano, singing, de Brett’s History, the art of conversation, household management, and of course, needlework.
Even had Wolf come home from school, she would never have had the time to see him.
Pushing thoughts of him aside—she could not entertain old desires while defending against current unwanted advances—she glided into the front parlor and greeted everyone. “Good morning, Father.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Mother.” Another kiss. “Ros.”
One last kiss hello, and she finally made it to a nearby chair.
Patrice Fairchild looked pointedly at the clock. “So good of you to join us, Julia.”
“My apologies, Mother. I had something of a late night. But had I known you were going to be visiting at this hour, I certainly would have left instructions to be woken in time to greet you.”
She made no attempt to hide the censure in her tone or words. She was no longer a young girl who would be intimidated by her mother.
Her mother sniffed in reply. “It is unseemly to laze about, but I suppose that is a habit you acquired in your travels.”
“Well, she is up and about now, dear.”
Her father stepped in and quelled the brewing disagreement. He’d always played the pacifier between them. As Julia came of age, the yoke of her mother’s expectations had grown burdensome and less wanted. Now those expectations were completely ignored.
“And just in time, too. Lord Wallthorpe is due to arrive shortly.”
Her mother nodded at that, pleased with herself.
Ros gasped.
Julia’s vision turned red with fury. “What do you mean, Wallthorpe is due to arrive shortly?”
For the first time in Julia’s life, her mother looked slightly uncertain about a decision she’d made. “What could possibly be wrong with your stepson joining us for a family luncheon?”
Julia growled as she rose from her seat. “He isnotfamily. He was anadultwhen I married his doddering old father. And most importantly, I did not invite him to my home!”
“Julia, he has been nothing but solicitous toward your father and me over the years. The man is far more appropriate in age for you, and he has also indicated an interest in courting you.” Her mother looked at her, earnest as ever.
With a huff of frustration, Julia strode away from where her parents sat, looking genuinely baffled by her reaction. “I am well aware of his interest in courting me, butIhave no interest in marrying him.”
Her mother looked annoyed. “I shall not have this conversation with you again. Ten years ago was sufficient. You need a husband to handle your affairs. Someone to support you, to give you children. And think of your sister. Ros needs you to set a good example.”
Julia drew to a halt. “Ros is quite capable of determining her own needs and wants without relying on me as a guide. However, she could do worse than to follow my lead. I handle my own affairs, and I am wealthier now than most men who might seek my hand in marriage. As for children? Why, one just needs to stroll near the docks to see that a husband is not required to become pregnant.”
Her mother gasped.
“Here now, Julia,” her father blustered. “You’ll cease such talk this instant.”
To her dismay, her mother then turned to her father. “When did she become so vulgar? She was never this way as a girl. She needs a husband to rein in such bad habits.”
“I am standing right here, Mother.”
She had to tamp down the urge to stomp her foot in frustration. And with yet another mention of a husband, Wolf’s words flitted through her mind again.
Could he be of assistance now?
No, she refused to give in to her mother’s ridiculous demands.
“Be that as it may, I have still invited Lord Wallthorpe, and you will not be rude to him.”
For the first time, Ros entered the fray. “Mother, that is outside of enough. This is not your home.”
Mrs. Fairchild blinked in surprise.
