The Accidental Marriage by Sally James Read Free Book Online Page A

was desperately hurt by his neglect. She ought to set up her own flirt, Julia thought, angry for her sister, and for all the other women who were treated so disdainfully by their menfolk.
    She would never endure such humiliation. The thought, unaccountably, brought to mind Sir Carey Evelegh, and she tried, without success, to dismiss him from her thoughts. It was useless for her to even think of marriage, and he was already spoken for. Even if she had ever had the slightest chance of attracting his attention, her lack of fortune would have made her ineligible. She sighed. It would have to be a life as a governess or companion, and her best hope of ever marrying was that a desperate curate, as impecunious as herself, would be in need of a wife to help him in his parish duties.
    Julia didn’t want to be a wife valued only for her good works, she told herself. Wealthy, landed people married for practical reasons, to consolidate estates, or gain influence, or provide heirs for their lands and titles. Poor people, the peasants she had known in her father’s parish, married for other reasons, but whether these were for lust or love, or necessity, she didn’t know. She grinned. It had always puzzled her, when she was of an age to know a little about the process of pregnancy and childbirth, how many premature births had occurred in the parish. Then, mulling over one of her father’s most vehement sermons, she had understood.
    She was in that uncomfortable middle section of society. She had no chance of marrying for the usual reasons of status and money, and it would be frowned upon if she chose her husband from the merchant or peasant classes.
    The musicians finished the collection of sonatas they had been playing, and began to wrap up their instruments. Julia suspected they were going to find some food, and the thought made her hungry. Rising, she made her way back to the main pavilion, pausing only to watch one of the tableaux vivants . There were several of these, and she promised herself she would look for more, and perhaps watch one of the ballets, when she had satisfied her hunger.
    As she approached the buffet she heard her name called, and swinging round saw Sir Carey bearing down on her.
    ‘I wondered where you were,’ he said. ‘I saw your sister, but it’s such a crush I despaired of ever finding you. What do you think of it all?’
    Julia’s heart was racing at the idea that he had looked for her especially, and then she told herself not to be foolish. It was just the sort of flattering remark any man might make, without meaning it. And he was engaged to be married, and from his description of Angelica, very much in love with her.
    ‘Let’s go and find a table,’ he said now. ‘Then when we have eaten will you honour me with a waltz? I believe there are to be some Russian dances, but despite my time there I never managed to perform them to my satisfaction.’
    ‘Is the conga a Russian dance?’ Julia asked when they had helped themselves to platefuls of food. ‘I didn’t see it, but I understand the Tsar led one through the Hofburg at the masked ball.’
    He laughed. ‘No, it’s not Russian, though their dances are often as boisterous. But Alexander is excelling himself for rudeness tonight,’ he added. ‘He’s telling everyone who will listen how much he prefers the company of soldiers. If the Congress fails, it will be largely his fault. But enough of political matters. How is little Paula? Not fretting about her singing, is she?’
    ‘She seems happy enough, though she has refused to learn the new song I found for them. It will take some time for her to forget what happened.’
    How thoughtful of him to ask, she was thinking. Most men would have forgotten the incident, and not been at all concerned about the feelings of a child.
    They danced two waltzes, and then, seeing Fanny standing at the side of the ballroom, made their way to her.
    ‘You look pale,’ Julia said. ‘Are you all