Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack

Author:Josi S. Kilpack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2021-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Julia tossed and turned trying to sleep. Act. Act. Act. She shifted to her side and fluffed her pillow. Act. Act. Act. She heaved a sigh and crawled out of bed. She had to do something. She had to act. She went to her writing table and pulled parchment and pen toward her.

Dear Papa,

I have so many things I want to tell you, but I cannot find the courage to do so. Please meet me in the grove of pine trees on the border of our property. I will be collecting greenery for Grandmother. I will explain everything there.

Yours,

Julia

Her hand trembled, and her head felt heavy with fatigue. She folded the note, sealed it, and went back to bed. Sadly, writing the note served to increase her anxiety, and her muscles refused to relax. She tossed in her bed for hours before dawn finally came. Ignoring her pounding headache, her aching limbs, and the fire in her throat, she alerted the maid to help her dress. The house was quiet when Julia slipped into Alice’s room with her cloak pinned at her neck.

“Alice, wake up.” Julia gently shook her.

“Are you going to see Ivy again?” Alice pushed up into a sitting position. “Please let me come. I want to say goodbye.”

“No, I am going to see Esmond.”

“You mean Mr. Park?”

Julia coughed into her shoulder, embarrassed by her mistake. “Yes, of course.”

“Why now?”

“He and I have devised a way to help Papa talk with Lady Blakely. Give this note to Papa but not until after breakfast.” Julia put the folded paper into Alice’s hand. “It is imperative he receives it around ten o’clock. Can you help me?”

Alice studied her for a moment before answering. “I will.”

Julia grimaced. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“It happens often enough with little effort on my part,” Alice said with a sigh. “I can take care of myself.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want Aunt Morris—”

“Julia,” Alice interrupted, “I promise not to do anything rash like run away.”

Thank heavens, since Julia was the one running away. Having two daughters turn up missing would cause pure mayhem. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”

The sun had just started to stretch forth its first beams of light on the horizon when Julia slipped out the front door. Not even Barnes was awake yet. It was paramount she leave before anyone could ruin her plan. As reckless as her decision might seem, she felt strongly that she was taking a stand of courage for the sake of her family.

The cold air outside shocked her and triggered a coughing spell, leaving her chest aching. Julia pulled her cloak tighter around her. The wind seemed to pierce through her layers and permeate her body. Her cheeks burned, and she burrowed her chin into her cloak as she made her way around the house. The pine trees were more than a mile away, and trudging through the snow instead of along the road made her steps slow and labored.

When she finally arrived, she was exhausted.

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