Cavanagh Family 01 - Ice Angel by Elizabeth Hanbury

Author:Elizabeth Hanbury [Hanbury, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780719806520
Publisher: Independent Publishers Group
Published: 2010-02-15T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

THE following day, Julia and Lady Bramwell were taking a late breakfast together in the morning-room used for the purpose in Berkeley Square. Sun streamed in through the window, holding out the promise of fine weather.

‘Hal seems happy this morning,’ remarked Julia, as she spooned blackcurrant conserve on to her plate.

‘With good reason,’ said her mother. ‘Dominic is safe, but matters could have turned out very differently. The providential outcome was due in part to a girl called Sarah, who, Hal tells me, is no more than eleven or twelve years old. She hid Dominic and made her way here alone to raise the alarm.’

Julia raised her brows. ‘That was a courageous thing to do. What has happened to her now?’

‘She is being cared for of at one of Hal’s refuges.’

‘I see,’ said Julia, nibbling thoughtfully on a slice of bread and butter. ‘The hours when Dominic was missing must have been awful for Isabella.’

‘Indeed. As a mother, I know I would have been similarly distraught. It is fortunate that everything ended well and there is no lasting harm done.’ Lady Bramwell sipped her coffee and observed with a percipient smile, ‘Hal tells me that he is taking Isabella for a drive this afternoon.’

‘I believe they are falling in love, Mama.’ Pushing aside her plate with a sigh, Julia leaned on the table and cupped her chin in one hand. ‘I hope I shall soon be as content.’

Marguerite, glancing across the table at her daughter’s despondent expression, said, ‘Have you received word from Freddy?’

‘Only an impersonal note to say he will be attending tomorrow night – nothing more.’

‘Try to be more cheerful,’ urged Lady Bramwell. ‘Freddy will be anxious to make amends now he has had time to think.’

‘He might still be upset with me,’ said Julia sadly.

‘I would be surprised if he is,’ observed her mother. ‘Freddy is normally amiable and more than a little in love with you.’

Julia made a sound of frustration. ‘I wish he would tell me so.’

‘He will,’ declared her mother. ‘Now, shall we indulge ourselves with some shopping this morning?’

The door opened and Theo came in. Overhearing this comment, he protested, ‘I hope you don’t require my company – I’d rather finish my essay than go shopping.’

‘It will be difficult, but we will endeavour to manage without you, Theo,’ replied Lady Bramwell, amused.

‘I’m relieved to hear it.’ He sat down and took the cup of coffee his mother passed across the table. ‘After searching the gin dens and flash-houses last night, even I crave a quieter time of it today.’

‘So, will you be working on your essay then?’ prompted his sister, arching a mischievous eyebrow.

‘Most definitely not, Ju,’ he said with a shudder. ‘I plan to dine with Hal at White’s and enjoy a hand or two of cards.’

‘The tabula rasa awaits, Theo,’ teased Julia.

Theo groaned in disgust. ‘Don’t start sounding like my tutor – the essay can go hang!’

Despite her responsive laughter, melancholy shadowed her eyes and Theo, observing his sister over the rim of his cup, frowned when he saw this.

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