A Closed Heart by Oster, Camille (acx book reading txt) 📕

his time in Brighton because of it? London was a mere three hours away. Granted, Denham was a little further away, but in his quest of being away from London, this served that purpose.

There was no reason for him to do this other than some notion he should be incensed that Jane refused to come to him. But maybe he loved her because she did.

In any case, the game was not over. He was simply removing an excuse for her not to be with him. How exactly this would play out, he wasn’t sure, but the game was not over. The question was if she wished to stay away from him if he was here and available to her. Would she have any objections then? Other than perhaps his station in life. Well, that he couldn’t change. He was Lord Hennington whether she liked it or not. What remained to be seen would be if she rejected him based on who he was. It went against many of the things she believed, taking people based on their merit. Well, he was the man that loved her, so would she accept him on that merit? She would be twisting her own beliefs if she did.

Plans were formulating in his mind through the journey to Victoria Station. He would get a townhouse in Brighton. Rent one to begin with. And then, he would simply see how he attracted her—just like the Romans did. See, the Romans had answers to every question. They were good principles to live by.

The bustle of London crept over him as he walked through Victoria Station to find a waiting hack. “I loathe this city,” he mumbled as he watched the slow progress to his townhouse. There were some packing directions for Mr. Fuller to carry out. Julius expected the man would enjoy Brighton. Atticus too.

*

The Albion staff were very helpful in finding an agent to assist him to rent a townhouse. Right on the Promenade, a whitewashed house with large windows. In fact, he might enjoy the sea immensely. The tourists along the beach were a nuisance, but that couldn’t be helped.

“What do you think, Atticus?” Julius said as they walked into the large salon.

“We’re going to live here now?” the boy asked, both confused and fascinated.

“Yes, partially. We’ll still go to Denham fairly often, and it won’t be difficult to get to London.”

They boy’s eyes was large as he took everything in.

“And we’ll have Miss Brightly over for supper one night soon, I’m sure. Maybe even tonight if we’re lucky.”

Atticus smiled.

“Maybe we should go invite her to supper? If we’re quick, we might be able to catch her. Do you wish to?”

He nodded.

“Good, well, let’s go. There’s this café where she likes to have coffee. I’m sure they can manage some chocolate for you.”

They walked down the Promenade to the street that led further inland to where the café was—if he remembered correctly. Atticus was so very curious about everything. This might actually be a good place for him. There were plenty of society families in the town who had children that could be his friends. There was the beach. He could even learn how to sail. There were also some fine, well-established schools over in Southampton when he was a little older. Or in London. That was also an option.

Jane sat inside the café, reading a newspaper. A curious hat sat on the table beside her. Her fashion couldn’t be described as anything other than curious, and before long, she noted there were people in the window regarding her.

The look of surprise on her face was complete as her eyes traveled between him and Atticus. She looked utterly stumped, until she finally rose and came to the door, where they joined her.

“What are you doing here? Hello, Atticus. It’s lovely to see you again. I didn’t know you were coming to Brighton.”

“We have a house,” Atticus said proudly.

“Oh?” she said, her searching eyes coming to Julius’.

“We thought we’d come to stay for a while.”

“How long?” she said, while trying to seem light and breezy in tone because Atticus was there.

“Perhaps semi-permanently.”

“What do you mean?” she queried, forgetting her light tone.

“I mean, we will be spending some time here. The sea air will do Atticus good, and as you know, we were both becoming too isolated at Denham. London is intolerable, so this seemed like a good alternative, and we have a friend here, don’t we, Atticus?”

Atticus nodded brightly, so very excited that they had surprised her.

“He likes surprising you,” Julius stated.

“I am very surprised.”

“Well, we came to invite you to supper.”

Her eyes travelled between his for a moment. Perhaps it had been a little unfair to include Atticus in this, because she couldn’t possibly refuse as she was much too aware of hurting the boy's feelings. Who said the Romans didn’t coerce a little when needed to?

“Of course,” she said.

“And I did promise him a chocolate. I’m sure Giuseppe can manage it. The Italians seem fond of chocolate from what I recall.”

“Yes, of course,” Jane said and led them back to her table.

As they sat down with Atticus between them, Jane silently spoke to him with her eyes, querying what this was all about.

It didn’t take long for a cup of thick chocolate was placed down, and Julius ordered himself a coffee.

“I figured if you won’t come to us, we’ll come to you.”

“It’s not that simple,” she said quietly.

“Why not?”

“Because...” she started, but didn’t find a way of finishing her objection. “What if it just doesn’t work? How could it possibly work?”

“But what if it does? Either outcome is possible.”

Jane sighed and stroked her face. “I think you’re being unrealistic, Julius.”

“Funnily, I’m usually accused of being realistic to the point of pessimistic.