Free The Accidental Marriage by Sally James Page A

they take less room. What I suggest is that Edward’s valet, Spicer, travels in the second coach, with the luggage, and if you did not mind, you and Maggie could travel with him. Miss Jenkins will help to keep Fanny’s daughters amused, and my maid Bessie can help Fanny. I can’t do without either of them. Mr Pryce may have to do without his valet for a while,’ she added, and laughed.
    ‘But, won’t the coaches travel together?’ Julia asked. ‘We only brought one, there was room for the luggage as well as us, so I don’t know how it is arranged.’
    ‘We will try to keep together, but it isn’t always possible. With your and Fanny’s luggage as well as ours, and if Fanny is like me, there will be far more going back than we brought with us, that coach may be too laden to keep up. We cannot afford to delay if we are to reach London in good time. Don’t worry, Williams is a very reliable coachman, and Spicer is totally trustworthy. He will have funds to pay your shot at the inns. What do you say?’
    ‘It sounds an ideal solution,’ Julia said slowly. ‘All we have to do is persuade Fanny. Will you come back with me and add your arguments to mine?’
    * * * *
    To Julia’s relief, Fanny raised few objections, which the energetic Mrs Pryce soon disposed of. An hour later she departed to make arrangements, and inform her spouse he would in all likelihood have to manage without his valet for much of the three weeks or more it took to reach London.
    Julia and Maggie set about packing, The children, who had been subdued since their father had left, became very excited when told they were going home, and travelling with their friends Amelia and Charlotte. They did not understand, until the two coaches were at the door, that Julia would not be travelling in theirs.
    Paula began to cry. ‘I want to go with Aunt Julia,’ she sobbed, clinging to Julia’s hand.
    ‘I’ll be right behind you,’ Julia said, lifting her into the coach. ‘You can wave to me out of the window. And we will be together every time we stop for food, or to sleep.’
    Time enough, she thought, for Paula to discover they might not be able to keep up with the lighter, faster coach. Luckily Fanny had divided the money Frederick had left her and given half to Julia.
    ‘We don’t want to be beholden to Edward Pryce,’ she said, ‘so you can pay for your and Maggie’s accommodation, and if we are separated you have money for emergencies.’
    ‘I have most of what you have given me as salary,’ Julia protested. ‘Why should you pay more?’
    ‘I brought you here, it’s my responsibility.’
    There had been no opportunity to say farewell to Sir Carey, and in one way Julia was thankful. Seeing him would only reawaken silly longings. She had effectively made the break the last time they had met.
    As they drove out of Vienna she looked back for the last time at the magnificent buildings. It had been a magical time, an experience she would never forget, something she could never have dreamed of a few months ago.
    There was still snow on the ground, but on the roads it had been beaten down, and the horses had no difficulty keeping their feet. They were to go by way of Linz and Passau, then across Germany and through the Low Countries. It was over seven hundred miles to the coast, and then there would be the crossing, and the final journey to London.
    Elizabeth Pryce had promised, if they were separated, as seemed likely, to keep Fanny with her in London until Julia could rejoin them there. She would deal with what happened then, whether Fanny would want to go to Greystones at once, or remain in London. There was little point in fretting. Or in worrying about what Frederick would do. Would he try to divorce Fanny? Was he so infatuated with his wretched Countess Tania that he might wish to marry her? If he did, Fanny would need to be provided for, and Julia could foresee endless problems, as well as more heartache for her sister.
    She settled down