Read Online The Accidental Marriage by Sally James - Free Book Online
Authors: Sally James
Tags: Regency Romance
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from her unhappiness about Frederick’s behaviour than a physical malaise. Then help came from an unexpected quarter.
* * * *
Sir Carey, being privy to Lord Castlereagh’s thoughts, knew better than most how precariously balanced the situation was. The letters he received from friends in England were worrying, too. The government, not really interested in European affairs, was becoming impatient, and there were many disapproving noises about Castlereagh’s conduct of the negotiations.
‘They should be here, to see what he has to contend with,’ he said bitterly one afternoon when he met Julia outside some shops, and persuaded her to have coffee and some sachertorte with him at one of the many cafés.
‘Is it impossible?’ Julia asked.
‘A settlement? Sometimes I think so. Both the Tsar and Frederick William are unpredictable men. If they don’t get what they want, I fear there could be another war.’
He shouldn’t have said that, he thought, seeing how pale Julia went. But she was such an intelligent and attentive listener, he sometimes forgot to be discreet.
‘War? Ought I to insist Fanny goes home?’
‘I’m being pessimistic. France is on our side now, and though we won’t get a strong and united Poland, I’m sure something satisfactory can be worked out.’
When she left he pulled the last letter from Angelica from his pocket and read it again. She was excited to be joining a large house party in Yorkshire for the Christmas season, but unusually, she did not complain that he would not be there with her. He smiled. She seemed more grown up, and had realized it was impossible for him to desert Lord Castlereagh now, so had ceased demanding it of him. He would, however, have to leave Vienna by the end of February. Come what may, he intended to be home in England in plenty of time for their wedding.
* * * *
Frederick reappeared at the apartment a few days before Christmas. An hour later Klara announced Frau Gunter, who stalked in and settled herself in the most comfortable chair before Fanny had a chance to greet her.
Julia tensed. What did the old woman want? She had not bothered much with them for weeks now.
‘Has that renegade husband of yours arrived?’ she demanded.
‘Frederick?’ Fanny stammered.
‘How many husbands do you have, ninny?’
‘He - he has just now come in.’
‘Good. Make sure you keep him here this time. That hussy has been sent away, and I expect Frederick to behave himself now. I’ve told him he’ll see none of my money when I’m gone if he doesn’t stop this ridiculous philandering. I’d send you home to England if it weren’t likely to snow and block the roads. Well, what do you say?’
Fanny cast a terrified look at Julia, who was having difficulty suppressing her thoughts as she imagined the confrontation there must have been between this old harridan and Frederick. He would have stammered like a schoolboy, and the threat of being cut out of her will would have brought him to heel.
‘I - thank you,’ Fanny managed, and Frau Gunter seemed content.
She rose to her feet. ‘You are to inform me at once if he spends a night away from home, or you discover him going to her at any time. I have my own methods of knowing where she is, and if she dares to return to Vienna. In such a case I will expect to see Frederick at once, so that I can make sure he understands I am quite resolved. Good morning.’
Julia and Fanny were too astonished to do more than stare after her as she swept out of the room. The front door slammed, and Julia let out a peal of laughter.
‘Well, what do you make of that?’
There was a hopeful look in Fanny’s eyes. ‘Do you think he’ll obey her?’ she asked hesitantly.
‘Time will tell. I wonder what he’ll be like?’
‘Angry, no doubt. But if he stays here I know I can make him forget her!’ Fanny said, and smiled for what seemed the first time in weeks.
Julia wondered. Frederick might have been cowed for now by his
* * * *
Sir Carey, being privy to Lord Castlereagh’s thoughts, knew better than most how precariously balanced the situation was. The letters he received from friends in England were worrying, too. The government, not really interested in European affairs, was becoming impatient, and there were many disapproving noises about Castlereagh’s conduct of the negotiations.
‘They should be here, to see what he has to contend with,’ he said bitterly one afternoon when he met Julia outside some shops, and persuaded her to have coffee and some sachertorte with him at one of the many cafés.
‘Is it impossible?’ Julia asked.
‘A settlement? Sometimes I think so. Both the Tsar and Frederick William are unpredictable men. If they don’t get what they want, I fear there could be another war.’
He shouldn’t have said that, he thought, seeing how pale Julia went. But she was such an intelligent and attentive listener, he sometimes forgot to be discreet.
‘War? Ought I to insist Fanny goes home?’
‘I’m being pessimistic. France is on our side now, and though we won’t get a strong and united Poland, I’m sure something satisfactory can be worked out.’
When she left he pulled the last letter from Angelica from his pocket and read it again. She was excited to be joining a large house party in Yorkshire for the Christmas season, but unusually, she did not complain that he would not be there with her. He smiled. She seemed more grown up, and had realized it was impossible for him to desert Lord Castlereagh now, so had ceased demanding it of him. He would, however, have to leave Vienna by the end of February. Come what may, he intended to be home in England in plenty of time for their wedding.
* * * *
Frederick reappeared at the apartment a few days before Christmas. An hour later Klara announced Frau Gunter, who stalked in and settled herself in the most comfortable chair before Fanny had a chance to greet her.
Julia tensed. What did the old woman want? She had not bothered much with them for weeks now.
‘Has that renegade husband of yours arrived?’ she demanded.
‘Frederick?’ Fanny stammered.
‘How many husbands do you have, ninny?’
‘He - he has just now come in.’
‘Good. Make sure you keep him here this time. That hussy has been sent away, and I expect Frederick to behave himself now. I’ve told him he’ll see none of my money when I’m gone if he doesn’t stop this ridiculous philandering. I’d send you home to England if it weren’t likely to snow and block the roads. Well, what do you say?’
Fanny cast a terrified look at Julia, who was having difficulty suppressing her thoughts as she imagined the confrontation there must have been between this old harridan and Frederick. He would have stammered like a schoolboy, and the threat of being cut out of her will would have brought him to heel.
‘I - thank you,’ Fanny managed, and Frau Gunter seemed content.
She rose to her feet. ‘You are to inform me at once if he spends a night away from home, or you discover him going to her at any time. I have my own methods of knowing where she is, and if she dares to return to Vienna. In such a case I will expect to see Frederick at once, so that I can make sure he understands I am quite resolved. Good morning.’
Julia and Fanny were too astonished to do more than stare after her as she swept out of the room. The front door slammed, and Julia let out a peal of laughter.
‘Well, what do you make of that?’
There was a hopeful look in Fanny’s eyes. ‘Do you think he’ll obey her?’ she asked hesitantly.
‘Time will tell. I wonder what he’ll be like?’
‘Angry, no doubt. But if he stays here I know I can make him forget her!’ Fanny said, and smiled for what seemed the first time in weeks.
Julia wondered. Frederick might have been cowed for now by his
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