Free The Accidental Marriage by Sally James

me.’
    ‘Are you busy?’
    ‘Moderately. Lord Castlereagh and the Duke need to spend a great deal of time together, there is so much to report, and the twists and turns of the negotiations all need to be explained. But with the question of Poland out of the way, even if we did not succeed in reuniting the country, the rest of the settlements should not take too much time. Many have already been almost agreed.’
    Julia nodded. ‘I shall always be grateful to have been here, and seen history being made,’ she said.
    ‘Despite what has happened to your sister?’ he asked gently. It had not been a happy time for Lady Cunningham, and she seemed to be totally dependent on Julia for support. That must have been a strain on her, but she seemed a capable enough young woman.
    ‘I think it would have happened one day, wherever we were. Frederick always had an eye for a pretty woman, and he’s a restless sort of person. He’d have left Fanny in the end, I feel sure. I just wish she didn’t love him so. Love can be a trap.’
    ‘You will not think so when you fall in love,’ he said, and smiled as he thought of his own dear love. ‘Is there no fortunate man waiting for you in England?’
    Julia smiled ruefully. ‘Who, apart from a poor curate, would want to marry a portionless girl, especially now, when scandal has engulfed her family?’
    He found nothing to say to this. She spoke the truth. Marriage without a dowry was unlikely. Pretty as she was, most men regarded marriage as a business arrangement, and if they liked the girl they married, that was a bonus. He doubted if many couples shared the sort of devotion he and Angelica enjoyed. Now Fanny’s troubles would affect Julia. If she did attract the attention of some poor curate, the scandal attached to Fanny’s husband would deter him. It seemed as though she would have to settle for a life as a companion or governess. A pity, with her looks and intelligence. She would have been an admirable helpmeet for a bishop, let alone a curate.
    He soon took his leave, and went back to fretting about the lack of letters from Angelica. Some time ago he had written to ask her whether she wished to make an extended round of visits to their relations, and if so, where did hers live, so that he could make plans.
    He told himself he would hear soon, and forced himself to concentrate on the work he was doing for Lord Castlereagh.
    * * * *
    I’ll never see him again, Julia thought as she watched him walk away. Then she turned to more pressing concerns. Somehow she had to force Fanny to face reality, and set off on the long journey to England. They had three days in which to make plans.
    In desperation Fanny had suggested asking Frau Gunter to shelter them, but Julia poured scorn on the idea.
    ‘She would not speak to us, let alone share her apartment with us,’ Julia insisted. ‘Let me make arrangements, Fanny, before we run through all the money Frederick left you. It wasn’t a generous amount.’
    Fanny shook her head. ‘Let us wait one more day. He might come back. He left her once. It must be just infatuation.’
    Frustrated, Julia went to fetch the girls, who were spending more time with the Pryce children while she was needed to keep Fanny company.
    ‘She won’t agree to go,’ she said to Mrs Pryce. ‘Nothing I say will persuade her to make the effort to arrange the journey. I truly believe she imagines we can remain in this apartment.’
    ‘Well, Mr Pryce and I have been thinking. He must go back soon, for Lord Castlereagh will need his support in Parliament. So would Fanny come with us?’
    Julia looked at her, hope in her eyes. ‘She might,’ she said. ‘That’s very kind of you. I’ll talk her into it, if I have to talk for days and night on end till she is exhausted.’
    ‘Then let us think about the practicalities. There are seven of us, with my maid and Mr Pryce’s valet. The coach will hold eight, but no more in comfort. Though the children are small,