Chapter 3 3

Julia was angry, just who did he think he was to manhandle her like that. And to think that he kissed her was unthinkable. he had stolen her first kiss just like that, something she reserved for a man she will fancy her self in love with, or better still her betrothed and the vile man has taken it like it was his birthright.

Blast him! He was saying something but she was lost in her own world angry that she had let him disrupt her evening. He was nothing like his cool, sensible, quiet sister, Victoria. one might even think they where sprout from different mothers.

He was asking her how she managed to sneak out of the house undetected and she wanted to indulge the man.

I have a rope outside my window that I use to accomplish this task, not that it is any business of yours.

Now he was looking at her like she had completely lost her mind. I believe you won't be as foolish as to try something like this again. He said.

what if I tell you I have been doing this for three months now, Julia said.

Bloody tarnation! He cursed. Soon the carriage pulled to a stop at the Cavendish estate and she hurriedly slipped out into the estate without a backward glance. If there was one thing he knew about Julia, it was that this wasn't the last time he would be seeing her at the Angels.

Julia slipped into her room quietly. This was the first time she has been caught, maybe she should stop, maybe she shouldn't. She wasn't entirely sure. She quietly slipped out of her clothes and buried herself in the comfort of her bed.

********

Lady Banbury was hosting a ball and it was all the rage. Two balls In a year and It was rumored that her invitation was highly coveted. Only the very best would you find in her ball. Her mama was making a fuss over her directing her lady maid as she sees fit. She wanted her to wear an ivory gown with a plunging neckline whatever her mother could be thinking. She was excited, Victoria would be coming to the ball. They had each, listed some beaus they set their cap for. Julia wanted lord Wakefield he was tall and dandyish. Someone who would marry her and then let her be. Once she produced the heir and the spare she would be left to her own devices, to do as she wished with enough money to fill her pockets. Someone who wouldn't challenge her or demand more from her.

Her dance card was almost full. Her next dance was with sir Henry bridgerton he was a nice fellow offering to get her drink and all that, but he was old enough to be her father! How he managed to compel her to save a dance for him she would never know. He had asked for permission to court her, and her mother had profusely refused, which by the way, she is eternally grateful for.

The next dance was about to start which leaves her with no choice but to hide in the corner. Now she is sulking because she was missing the fun part of the ball.

The next dance was a waltz! A waltz! She shivered just thinking about it. She will die a hundred times before she even attempted to dance the waltz with Sir Henry brigderton!

Whatever could you be doing here skulking? Victoria said striding towards her.

Julia just scowled at her and continued her mission, at least that was what she thought she was doing.

I would give my whole fortune just to know what is going on in your head, Victoria said chuckling.

You could, but since your whole fortune constitutes of only your dowry, which I might point out to you might not even be yours once you marry and your husband gets his hands on them. Julia pointed out smirking at her friend.

With a big scowl on her face Victoria muttered: since I am probably not married, which you kindly pointed out and I am still under the guardianship of my brother, who happens to have a very big fortune, by being related, I could say I also have a fortune. She finished off grinning like she had just fought a battle and came out the victor.

Whatever makes you sleep at night, Julia muttered. She could spot Sir Henry brigderton he was looking for her, asking about for her. Jerking his head this way and that. He was moving fast heading towards her direction. He was going to spot her, panicking she grabbed unto Victoria's arm, Vicky! Help, please do something before he spots me. She cried out desperately, jerking her head this way and that for any possible escape.

Calm down! I think I spot my brother, he won't desperately mind what am about to do now, that is to say, if he gives me the opportunity to explain. I think he would make a very good ally. Vicky said grasping her hands and hurrying her over to her brother.

Before Julia could even muster up any protest why this was probably a terrible idea, she found herself face to face with Sebastian, and before she could even deny whatever it was that Vicky was telling her brother, which she wasn't listening to because all the while she was straining herself, standing on her tiptoe looking over peoples head for sir Bridgerton!

She found herself in a dance of waltz! with no other than Sebastian Dashwood! From the frying pan to the fire. At least she was done hiding from sir Bridgerton for the meantime.

He finally found her and was looking at her with a forlorn expression written all over his face. She bent her head and tried to avoid his gaze. She wouldn't pity him, no! She tried blocking him from her line of sight by gazing at Sebastian but found him already watching her with a deep frown marring his face.

my, my, look who we have here if it isn't the girl who can't handle herself in a ballroom but probably can handle herself much better in a game room. He bit out and she blushed a lovely shade of crimson starting from her cheeks all the way down to her neck, he watched her all the while.

Lowering her head she murmured thank you.

That wasn't a compliment he bit out.

I wasn't thanking you for that. she bit out. I was thanking you for rescuing me. She murmured.

Cocking one delicate brow up he said: I didn't think you knew that word or even how to use it.

Exasperated she snapped out through clenched teeth what is even wrong with you? You are so bitter that this room could just be infected by your black mood.

Scowling now he said, am just bitter that you have been foisted unto me.

Is it that bad? Whatever you could have promised Vicky, I could release you from that oath, and how did she even manage it?

My sister is my sister and she has her ways. He said. By and by how did you manage to attract the attention of sir Bridgerton.

If you must know, it had nothing to do with any effort from my part. He just got one look at my hips and declared that this was a hip fit for childbearing, one or two children might be able to pass without undergoing all these complications most women had. Are you laughing at me? She asked with wide-eyed innocence. when she noticed Sebastian's shoulder shaking.

Sebastian's shoulders were quaking, he fought to keep it in but he lost the battle and it was all he could do not to blow over from the force of his laughter. She was scowling at him her lips puckered as if anticipating a kiss, her brows drawn together and at that moment she looked so cute that he felt this urge to wipe away her scowl with a kiss.

He shook his head mentally chastising himself on what he had been about to do. She was a very attractive woman he had to give her credit on that at least.

Julia's scowl was quickly disappearing, Sebastian was looking at her in a strange way that she didn't understand. He had this look about him. It made her feel uncomfortable because she wasn't ready to examine what that look did to her.