This time, however, there was no chill. Instead, he felt a warmth—soft, yet firm—that seemed to envelope his whole body. Where his throat would be raw, he felt the dimpled smoothness of fabric over muscle and bone.
Julian vision became clear again and he leaned into the warmth for a moment, glad to feel something strong around himself. Suddenly, he became aware that his chin was resting on something. His ear brushed against another ear and he smelled bay rum.
His chin was on a shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Julian pushed himself away from Mr. Halifax.
“I was embracing you.” Robert smiled. “In an attempt to calm you down.”
“Don’t do that again!” Julian trembled.
“An embrace is harmless enough. I’ve put my arms around my own brother. It’s a gentle gesture. And, it did serve to bring you back to me.”
“Back to you?” Julian sputtered.
The knocking at the door persisted.
“Someone’s here.” Julian said nervously.
“I know.” Robert nodded, reaching up to smooth Julian’s hair. Julian moved his head away and hurried to the mirror on the wardrobe.
“Well, then, shouldn’t we open the door?” Julian panted.
“When you’re prepared.” Robert said.
Julian straightened his cravat and studied his reflection in the glass. A button on his waistcoat was loose. Briefly, Julian debated whether he should pluck it free or let it hang. His pale visage stared back at him. What time was it? What day?
“Yes, yes, open the door.” Julian said, running his finger through his chestnut hair.
Robert did as instructed and as he did, the room filled with the smell of anxious roses—a scent Julian knew well.
A woman in a pink lace gown entered. She wore a wide-brimmed bonnet draped with a rose-colored veil, dotted by chenille.
“I’m sorry to intrude.” The woman rasped—her voice crackling with age.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” Robert bowed his head. “I am Robert Halifax.”
“Charmed, Sir.” The woman responded. “I am…”
“Robert, this is Miss Rittenhouse.” Julian said, turning around. “She was my nanny.”
“You remember me, Lord Fallbridge.” The woman lifted the veil from her face—a pinched countenance quilted with the lines of time and worry.
“How could I forget you?” Julian answered stiffly.
“I saw you in the passage below earlier, Lord Fallbridge.” Miss Rittenhouse continued.
“Of course, you did.” Julian nodded. “I suppose you’re on this ship purely by chance.”
“I am, Sir.” She nodded. “Oh, but I haven’t seen you in so long—not since Lady Barbara was a wee girl.”
“She is no longer a girl.” Julian answered clearly.
“No, Sir. I suspect not.” Miss Rittenhouse blushed.
“And, you really expect me to believe that chance has placed you on the Hyperion at the very same time that I’m taking a voyage to find my sister?” Julian responded flatly.
“It is quite the coincidence, Your Lordship. You see, I’m on my way to America to work in the home of a distant cousin. Fane Rittenhouse, you see, is my second cousin. He and his wife, Carling--they need a governess to look after their young son, Rowan, and their little girl, Afton. They’ve an older girl—Ulrika—she’s nigh on twenty years of age now, I think. Rowan’s still just a boy. A sweet and precocious lad such as you were. Afton, I’m told, is quite sickly. The American Rittenhouses have done quite well for themselves in the gem trade and in sugar cane.”
“The Rittenhouse family of Marionneaux?” Robert asked.
“You know them?” Julian raised his eyebrows.
“I know of them. My brother has written me about them. They own the plantation next to that of my brother’s employer, Mr. Cage.” Robert said.
“Your brother?” Julian squinted, unaware that Robert had spoken of his family to Punch.
“Yes,” Robert nodded, “I’ll tell you more about it later.”
“Well, then, we’re all connected. Isn’t this an interesting bit of coincidence?” Julian muttered.
“Sir, I hope you don’t mind my visiting.” Miss Rittenhouse continued. “It’s just that I had heard of Lady Barbara’s…journey.”
“What do you know about it?” Julian asked.
“Only that she left Fallbridge Hall. You know how people talk.”
“Yes, I know.” Julian mumbled.
The three of them stood awkwardly in the cabin before Miss Rittenhouse broke the silence.
“Lord Fallbridge, I always did my best to look after you, and, later, after Lady Barbara.” Miss Rittenhouse began, “and I think I did as fair a job as anyone could.”
“Did you?” Julian narrowed his eyes.
“We were chums you and I. Remember? We had our little games…”
“And secrets.” Julian whispered.
“Yes.” The nanny blushed. “I thought you might like to know that I thought I saw Lady Barbara on the docks before we set sail.”
“How could you have?” Julian asked, faintly recalling that he had sensed his sister’s presence himself.
“I don’t know, Sir.” Nanny Rittenhouse responded. “It’s just what I thought I saw.”
Julian leaned against the wardrobe. “Thank you for telling me. I wish you a good voyage.”
Miss Rittenhouse looked at Robert who smiled.
“I think his Lordship is weary.” Robert said gently.
“I shall take my leave, then.” The nanny said, drawing the veil over her face again. The motion caused the scent of roses to rise again in the room.
“Farewell.” Julian nodded.
Robert showed the woman to the door as Julian sat on the bed.
As the door clicked shut, Julian shook his head.
“I’m not a fool, Mr. Halifax.” Julian sighed. “I can’t be expected to believe that this is all just a trick of fate.”
“You’re right to be incredulous.” Robert agreed. “I get the sense that you don’t care much for that woman.” He remembered Punch’s angry reaction to the nanny. “May I ask why?”
“The Duchess must never know. Her Grace must never know.” Julian mumbled.
“Pardon me?” Robert asked.
Julian looked up. “Robert, you know more than you’re telling me.” Julian pulled his watch from the pocket of his waistcoat, as he did, the button which had been hanging came loose and clattered to the floor. The noise startled Julian.
“Isn’t it funny how everything unravels?” Julian smiled. He looked at his watch. “It’s now nearly evening. The last I recall, we were having breakfast. Where have I been?”
“With me—mostly.” Robert answered uncomfortably.
“Why don’t I recall it?” Julian asked.
Robert thought of Punch’s pleading cry to not tell Julian about his presence.
“Robert,” Julian said firmly. “What is the matter with me?”
“Lord Fallbridge,” Robert began, but paused nervously.
“Tell me, please…” Julian begged.
“Julian, dear boy, you’re correct. There is something you don’t know…”
Did you miss Chapters 1-23? If so, you can read them here. A new chapter of Punch’s Cousin will be posted on Monday, August 23. Thanks for reading!
2 comments:
I must say that you are absolutely expert and bringing a very high anticipation right before your Sunday break!
It would appear that the nanny really ought to re-think her child-rearing skills having seen the result in the grown-up Julian. During their active lives, Nannies influenced legions of children and sometime into three generations. If they were unsuited to the job, the impact could be quite extensive. Come ahead Monday!!!!
I appreciate that, Dashwood. You're correct, Miss Rittenhouse should reevaluate her career path. She's already done enought damage.
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