Part 7
Adam finally arrived at the Wentworth's. He had sent his family on without him as he hadn't yet finished bathing and dressing when his father and Hoss left. Hoss mentioned that Adam's fondness for immersing his whole body in a bath at least two or three times a week was unnecessary as was his demand that all his clothes be immaculate; only certain parts of the body needed cleansing, Hoss had said, and clothes could easily be worn many times before being steamed and brushed. But Adam responded that there was more to being a gentleman than manners-a cleanliness of the body was as vital as the purity of one's mind and at that, Hoss guffawed. He knew then that Adam was in jest, that he just enjoyed the relaxation of the warm water. Besides, Adam added, it wasn't as if he himself had to fill the tub so if he cared to, he would take a bath every night should he desire.
But one of the benefits of relaxing in the bath was that Adam found that the time allowed him to think and to make plans. The plan he was now forming was how to go about making the acquaintance of Miss Gosling again. Adam was surprised that he hadn't the urge to bed anyone else since he first saw Julia the night he robbed her family; she haunted him with her green eyes and her fair face and he could still feel her soft lips on his and how she had yielded to him. But so far, he had no viable plan in mind as he wanted to meet her as Adam Cartwright, not as a thief who snuck into her room in the dead of night.
Even though Joe had been invited to the Wentworth's as well, he had been invited to the Fenwick's that evening, much to Ben's annoyance. Ben recognized the signs of a family grooming a future son-in-law and with Joe's tendency to act impulsively and repent later, Ben worried that Joe would give his promise to marry Arabella without consideration. But yet, Ben admitted, he couldn't very well keep young Joseph locked in his room but why, Ben wondered, couldn't Joe be as logical as Adam or as sanguine as Erick?
In the foyer of the Wentworth's, the footman took Adam's hat, gloves and outer coat and then directed him into the dining room where everyone was at table, not yet having been served since they were waiting on him..
Sir Wentworth rose to greet him and Adam put out his hand; Adam truly did like Sir Wentworth and Sir Wentworth reciprocated the affection. Now Mrs. Wentworth and Millicent, they were not as down to earth and were far too pretentious for Adam's liking.
"Welcome, Adam" Sir Wentworth said, grinning. He was imagining what his grandchildren might look like should his plans for a union between Adam and his daughter be successful; he secretly hoped they would resemble their father. "So glad that you are here."
"Forgive me for being late-I do hope I haven't created any inconvenience…" Adam glanced around the table and suddenly caught his breath; sitting quietly with the candlelight adding a warm glow to her already sublime complexion, was Julia Gosling wearing her returned pearls.
"Let me introduce you, Adam. This is Sir Henry Gosling, an old friend of mine." Sir Gosling stood and he and Adam exchanged pleasantries. "This is his wife, Lady. Gosling and his daughter, Miss Gosling."
"We have already met as I'm sure that Erick has told you," Adam said, grinning as he walked over to Julia. She put out her hand and Adam kissed it. He looked into her green eyes. "Our lovely interloper."
"It certainly takes one to know one," Julia said, smiling up at him. And then Adam knew that she was aware that he was the knave who had robbed her parents and her and later crept into her bedroom. And he also knew that she was keeping quiet because there was something she wanted and what it could possibly be intrigued him.
"Yes," Hoss said, "I told them how we came across Miss Julia, I mean Miss Gosling, on our property and how lucky she is to have 'scaped with her life."
"Yes," Julia said. And then looking up at Adam, she said in a low voice, "and with my virtue still intact." Adam grinned wider and Ben looked oddly at them. He had heard what Julia had said to Adam and was puzzled. But then, perhaps, Julia hadn't known that Adam and Hoss were gentlemen, Ben reasoned, and decided that must the cause for her remark, that perhaps when she met them earlier, she had been saucy and Adam—unfortunately—acting the rogue.
The dinner went smoothly and Adam paid adequate attention to Millicent Wentworth who simpered in a most annoying manner but whenever his gaze caught Julia's, she gave him a slight smile and continued with her meal and her polite conversation with Hoss on her right or Ben on her left. But when Mr. Wentworth revealed during conversation that the Lord of Amesbury was traveling to London and would be staying with them for a fortnight come Sunday eve, Adam's ears picked up; he told himself that he would have to find Dick and Mac. There would be very little moon that night, just a sliver-a perfect night to hold-up the stage. The only decision was just where along the road it should be.
When they all retired to the parlor for tea or brandy, Millicent recited poetry and everyone politely applauded. Adam turned to his father and whispered, "Moo," and Ben coughed as he choked slightly on his brandy. He gave Adam a look of reprimand but Adam just smiled and then turned his gaze again to Miss Julia who glanced politely from behind the fan she plied.
"Miss Julia," Mrs. Wentworth said, "Have you anything to offer as way of entertainment? I'm certain that someone as lovely as you must have something to offer?" It hadn't escaped her that Adam appeared attracted to Miss Gosling; she had pleaded with her husband not to invite the Goslings on the same evening that the Cartwrights were there-this was her fear-that Adam would be distracted by the Gosling's lovely daughter.
"Oh, no," Julia said, moving her fan faster, "I am sorry to say that I have no talents of which to speak. My music instructor even threw up his hands in despair at my attempts to sing."
"Adam," Millicent said, "would you kindly favor us with a song? I will accompany you on the spinet."
"Oh, yes," Julia said, "do gift us with a song. You have such a….memorable voice." She smiled knowingly.
Adam looked at her and said sarcastically, "Well, I do desire to please those of the fairer sex." And at the mention of the last word, Mrs. Wentworth and Mrs. Gosling both blushed deeply. "But Millicent, I will play the spinet—it's your turn to just listen and enjoy." Millicent blushed deeply to have Adam pay such special attention to her.
Adam walked over to the spinet and sat on the bench. He began to play and his deep baritone filled the room.
"There was a fair maid of Islington
As I heard many tell
And she was going to Londontown
Her pears and apples to sell
As she was going along the road
A Vintner did her espy
And what shall I give, fair maid, says he
One night with you to lie?
And what shall I give, fair maid, says he
One night with you to lie?"
If you would lie with me one night
You must give me five pound…"
"Adam," Ben interrupted, "perhaps you should choose something more…appropriate."
"Oh." Adam said innocently, "I hadn't even considered the unmarried ladies. Please forgive my choice of songs. So very sorry Millicent. Oh, and you as well, Miss Gosling." Adam went back to the spinet and played an old folk song that he had learned years earlier, "Admiral Benbow."
Julia, although she behaved as if she never gave Adam a second thought, was actually in a state on inner turmoil-the thought that Adam might actually be interested in Millicent Wentworth distressed her. Millicent cooed over Adam and he was attentive to her, flattering her figure and her face, neither of which, in Julia's opinion, deserved any attention at all unless it was negative. It was rare for Julia to feel jealousy or envy, especially of one such as Millicent but Julia knew that Millicent's family was more wealthy and her broad hips also bespoke to easy childbearing; "Like a brood mare," Julia thought.
The evening went much too quickly for Julia although to Adam it lingered far too long. How he longed to speak to Julia alone, to find out what she knew-if she was merely bluffing at his dual identity or if she actually knew that he was the highwayman. He could bluff as well as she but Adam thought that if Julia were to play, he would lose many a hand of poker to her-and she would definitely gloat over her conquest. Adam sensed that Julia would always struggle to have the upper hand in any relationship. And Adam considered how much he would enjoy struggling with her.
"Perhaps we will meet again," Adam said as he kissed Julia's hand upon her departure. She felt the warmth of his lips upon her skin even through the fabric of her gloves, and then he gave it another kiss. He held her hand a bit too long and then released it and she touched her throat.
Adam noticed the flush rise in her cheeks and he smiled like a naughty boy—and Julia dropped her eyes.
"Mr. Cartwright, do you think my family and I shall arrive home unmolested and with all our belongings," she asked in a low voice, "or shall I just hand over all my jewelry now?"
"Why, Miss Julia, are you offering me a dowry? I haven't yet even expressed an interest in you." Adam feigned shock. "You certainly are a bold, saucy maid, aren't you? Besides, the "jewel" I want from you, the treasure that I am certain you hold so dear, cannot be handed over easily-it must be taken." Adam grinned again as Julia became flustered.
Julia turned to her parents. "Shall we go now?" And with one last glare at Adam who was waiting for the stable boy to bring around the bay he had ridden, Julia rode away with her parents. Yet she looked back and the sight of Adam in his breeches and stockings that emphasized his well-formed calves and led one's eyes to move up the length of his thighs and beyond, caused a warm flush to overtake her. And Adam's smile-his sardonic smile along with his arrogant manner made him a formidable opponent. But Julia felt that they just might be evenly matched. She knew she would see Adam again because she had a plan that suddenly began to form in her mind. So Julia sat back in the carriage to enjoy the ride home.
