The Murdochs Give a Party

"William, wouldn't you like for us to give a party?", Julia said suddenly out of the blue.

"What?" he said practically dropping the book he was reading. "Did you say you want to give a party? You know I'm not much of a party person", he said aprehensively.

They had been married for almost a year and Julia felt like it was time to push her way back into society life. No longer would she slink around on the edges of polite society. She finally found herself oblivious to the stares and whispers. Let them all be damned.

"Just a small one with close friends. Maybe a dinner party."

William squirmed before answering. "And when would this event occur?"

"How about in a fortnight? That would be enough time I think."

"Are you sure you want to open this can of worms? After all you have been keeping a rather low profile for some time now."

"Yes. I know. And I'm tired of it."

"You know I'd do anything for you. If this is something that you really want to do..."

"Thank you, William. I know it's not 'your cup of tea'". She laughed.

"What's the matter, me ole mucker? You look so glum. The honeymoon finally over?" Brackenreid quizzed the detective, who sat morosely at his desk.

Murdoch looked up and smiled faintly. "Julia wants us to host a dinner party in two weeks."

"Oh, you're in for it now, boy-o. Dinners, parties, teas..."

"Teas, sir? Anyway don't sound so gleeful. I'm sure you and Mrs. Brackenreid are on the guest list."

George poked his head in Murdoch's office. "You're needed, sir."

"Ah, something I can deal with." He got his hat and left with George.

Later that evening when William arrived home, Julia met him waving a piece of paper. "Can you look at this guest list and see if it meets your approval?"

"Can I sit down first?" He plopped on the sofa. "Okay, show me." He took the list and began to read it aloud, "the Brackenreids, George, Dr. Grace, Dr. and Mrs. Smythe, Ruby! Is Ruby going to be in town? How nice! " He continued reading "James Pendrick, and Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. Do I know them?"

"I think so. They are patrons of the Toronto Art Museum. You met them last year at Ruby's birthday party."

"Oh, yes. I think I remember them. He's a rather dour fellow and she's quite chirpy."

Julia laughed."I guess you're right. Perhaps we'll leave them off this time. Is the rest okay?"

"Yes. I suppose so. Including us that makes ten."

"A nice round number and I think that you should get on quite well with them all."

"Have you a menu yet?"

"I'll work on that tomorrow. Now let's work on tonight's menu. Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon."

"Yes. I'm starving. I missed lunch."

They retired to the dining room.

Julia spent her evenings planning a menu and addressing invitations. She needed to get those in the post right away. Days were taken up with her private practice, which she had opened again six months earlier. Her patients were now all women. At least William hadn't been her patient since their wedding. His life had finally settled down now that he was happy and could concentrate. No more careless accidents on his part. Marriage definitely agreed with him. She was quite happy too, ecstatic actually. This marriage was so different than the one to Darcy had been. William never argued with her about her social opinions. She was her own woman, to act and think the way she wanted. Of course sometimes she was sure he wanted to say something or voice some objection but he just smiled and held his tongue. He told her she was a strong woman who knew her mind and he wasn't there to change it. She loved this about him. He didn't care about social standing and left it to her to decide their future in that area as well. And then there was the passion. It was always present. How she ever thought she could live without William Murdoch in her life or be married to another was now beyond her ken. Sometimes just looking at him still made her knees weak. Yet he seemed to have no clue to the effect he had on her and women in general. And she knew he adored her. He always had. Many other women had come and gone from his life, but he never had eyes or heart for any of them, save his Julia.

The date of the dinner party was rapidly approaching. William had repeatedly asked her what he could do to help, but she assured him she had everything under control. There was one thing that she finally broached with him.

"William", she got his attention over breakfast.

"Yes? "

"There is one little thing I was wondering if you would do for me at the dinner."

"And what would that be?"

"Well...I was thinking that maybe you could, well perhaps..."

"What is it Julia?"

"Could you play the piano, just a little?" Ever since she had found out at their wedding dinner that he could play piano, and quite well at that she had waited for him to do it again but he had showed no interest in pursuing it even though she had a lovely piano that had belonged to her mother sitting right there in their parlor.

"Oh, Julia. I don't think that's such a good idea. I haven't played in years and my right hand is still very stiff from that knife wound."

"Well, if you really don't want to," she said with a pout.

He hated when she made that face. And he hated not doing something that she asked him to do. But he really didn't feel like practicing , and his hand did ache a lot. He flexed his fingers then said,"Maybe. If I feel I can do it properly. But don't depend on it. And I don't expect to be practicing like some school boy. We'll just have to see. " Then he sighed, feeling totally defeated.

Julia went to his chair and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, thank you, William."

"Remember, it's not definite," he said with a weary smile.

"Yes, of course." She was pretty sure he would come through though.