A Friendly Alliance by Johanna Evelyn

Author:Johanna Evelyn [Evelyn, Johanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency
Publisher: Johanna Evelyn
Published: 2019-07-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

At eight o clock sharp, Juliana met Peter at the door. He’d secured permission with her uncle the evening before, as long as she brought her maid along. Peter smiled affectionately as she slipped on her gloves.

“Where have you decided upon going today?” Juliana asked.

“I shall tell you on the way.”

“It can’t be a secret.” Juliana shot her brows up at him. It was not like Peter to keep her in suspense. No that was not right, Peter loved keeping her in the dark.

“No, but I like to raise the suspense. In case you do not like where I plan to take you.” His teasing smile relaxed her.

“I shall enjoy anywhere you choose, as long as you are with me.” She did not miss the pleased expression at her answer.

“Let us not suspend our wait any longer then.”

Peter helped Juliana into the phaeton while his groom helped her maid into the jump seat where a basket lay on the floor, causing very little room for its occupants.

As Peter wound through the city, it did not take long for them to be out of familiar territory for Juliana.

“Can you tell me now, where you are taking me?”

He turned to her with a smile, before looking back to the street. “I thought you would like to travel north since you have not been this far before.”

Juliana lit with excitement. “Do you have a particular destination?” She would trust Peter to take her anywhere but was curious as to where they would spend the day.

“We are going to Hampstead Heath. It is a bit of a drive, but I have packed us a picnic and there are some ponds that I thought would remind you of home.” His smile broadened at her excited exclamation.

“Oh Peter, I cannot wait to see it, perhaps there will also be some ducks to remind me of my friends from home.”

Peter laughed. “Perhaps.”

The ride indeed took the greater part of the hour, but Juliana hardly noticed as Peter kept her occupied with his tales from his past visits to London. She no longer felt there was a part of him she’d missed at having to stay behind when she was young.

He pulled alongside a grove of trees when they’d traveled the park for just a little. They’d traversed a hill, and upon the break, she could see far and wide. London was but a small dot from where they stopped.

“The view,” she breathed in reverent awe.

“I thought you might like it.” He hopped from the carriage before helping Juliana alight. His groom was already down, awaiting orders from his master.

“Stay with Miss Gibbon’s maid. We will be back in time for lunch.”

The groom nodded and her maid smiled in amusement, not seeming put out that Peter wished to be alone with her.

Peter took her arm and led her away from the carriage, where a trunk of a tree had been placed. “I do not wish to sit just yet. The ride was long. I would like to stretch.

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