A Scandalous Charade (15 page)

When she blushed, Luke rubbed his brow roughly. Damn it! How was it possible?

So he breathed a sigh of relief when she quietly stated, “I don’t want to be made a fool of, Luke.” Then her eyes dropped to her clasped hands. “If there’s something between you and this Lady Masten then…”

God forbid! He shuddered at the thought. “I hardly know my sister-in-law.” That, at least, was true. He also preferred not to think about her. “She’s nothing for you to worry about, princess.” Then he sat next to Juliet, feeling relief wash over him, and covered her hands with his. “Trust me.”

She glanced wryly at him. “I’m not blind to Lady Ridgemont’s obsession with you. Or Baronesa Sandoval before her, and countless others I could name but…Luke, I don’t wish to follow in their footsteps.”

What did she want from him? What was she asking for? Some sort of promise or commitment? He frowned at her. “Juliet, I’m confused. One moment you’re kissing me and I know you enjoy my touch. And the next you’re berating me for my past, which pre-dates my involvement with you, I might add.”

She knocked his hands away and stood up, avoiding his eyes the entire time. “I’ve been gone for too long, Luke. I should get back before someone notices.”

“Juliet.” His frown deepened at her evasive tactics. Really, that didn’t seem like her. She faced things head on, never shied away.

But when she quickly started back toward the stone steps, Luke chased after her and easily snared her waist in his hands. She turned in his arms and finally looked up at him. “Let me go.” Her voice was soft but determined.

“What do you want from me, Juliet?”

“I—I don’t know, Luke. I just don’t want to end up like the others. I don’t want to be made a fool of.”

He’d never intended to make a fool out of anyone. Besides, Juliet was more clever than most. More enchanting too. His hand softly caressed her jaw. “I would never hurt you, princess. I won’t make a fool of you. I promise.”

Luke had barely managed to get one small kiss planted on Juliet’s cheek before she slipped from his grasp and escaped back inside the Astwick ballroom. He stared after her vanishing form with a heavy heart. Over the last few weeks, she’d come to mean so much to him, and he hated this—whatever this was.

Then he noticed the red tip of a cheroot glow in the darkened shadows of the terrace. For a moment his heart sped up, wondering if someone had seen them. Wondering if someone had seen Juliet’s face. He couldn’t allow his princess’ reputation besmirched—especially as he’d just promised not to make a fool out of her.

But then the smoker moved out of the shadows and started down the stone steps toward him—Haywood. Thank Lucifer! Luke had never been so relieved to see the young baron.

Luke frowned. Will couldn’t possibly still want to marry Juliet. Two less suited people didn’t exist. “There’s no point in being melodramatic, Will.”

“You truly are a bastard, you know?” Haywood now stood one step above Luke and looked down on him with a barely concealed contempt.

“You’re certainly not the first to think so.” In fact, unless he was mistaken, the lady in question thought the very same thing about him at the moment. But Luke would be damned if he was going to be chastised by a penniless whelp that made just as many problems for himself as he’d inherited. “Anyway, Haywood, I had nothing to do with her desire not to marry you. Susan Clarke is a much better prospect. I’m sure you see that now.”

Will’s scowl darkened. “Susan’s not even speaking to me now. All because of that acid-tongued witch of yours.”

Ah, so there’d been a lovers’ spat? He wasn’t sure how Juliet was involved, but that certainly explained Will’s nasty mood. Luke slapped a hand on his friend’s back. “Come on. Let’s get of here, Will. We’ll go to the Blue Crow, and—”

“You do realize she’s in love with you?”

“Miss Clarke?” Luke chuckled in surprise. “I hardly think so. I barely know the chit. Besides she only seems to have eyes for you. I’m sure tomorrow morning everything will blow over.”

“Lady Juliet,” Will growled, and it didn’t seem that he had any intention of moving from where he’d planted his feet on the steps.

Juliet in love with him? Luke nearly choked. That was so far from the truth, he didn’t even know where to begin. How did Will ever get such a featherbrained idea? Juliet didn’t believe in love, just like he didn’t. That was just one of the many reasons she was so perfect. Besides she was too smart for such a senseless emotion. “I’m certain you’re mistaken. She and I enjoy each other’s company, nothing more. I assure you.”

Will snorted. “Your assurances are worthless. I have a sister, Luke. And I know what a woman in love looks like. Clare was always a blithering idiot around that bastard, Daniel Bennett.”

“Juliet would not like to be compared to a blithering idiot.” Luke continued to grin. “Now, come on. Let’s go somewhere else. I detest Astwick’s constant scrutiny. I might as well have my damned brother hanging about.”

But Will paid him no attention and pressed on, “Her face lights up when you enter a room. She stares at you in awe. And she hangs on your every word. She’s an icy bitch to everyone but you. I just can’t believe I didn’t see it before now.”

Hangs on his every word? Hardly. She had a quick-witted retort for nearly everything he said. It was one of the things he adored about her. Will just wasn’t in his right mind. The quarrel with Miss Clarke must have taken its toll on the poor fellow. Perhaps he could distract his friend. “Well, I’m headed to the Blue Crow with or without you.”

~ 11 ~

Georgie cried for one full day after Edmund left for India, and then sulked the next few as well. This came as a bit of surprise to Juliet, as Georgie was normally so composed—never one to show emotion of any sort, not even during those awful years with Teynham.

Juliet was miserable as well. Prestwick House wasn’t the same without Edmund racing, un-duke-like, from one room to the next. The absence of his childish laughter cast a pall over the entire residence, as if they were all in some sort of mourning.

It didn’t help matters that Juliet hadn’t heard from Luke since their encounter in the Astwick gardens. He’d just vanished from her life without a word. Perhaps she’d been too harsh that night. She might do things differently if she had the chance.

Then again, she meant the words she’d said to him that night. She hadn’t even realized she’d felt those things until they’d flown out of her mouth. It would be terribly easy, she now realized, to follow in Lady Ridgemont’s unfortunate footsteps and make a complete fool out of herself over him time and time again. And that, she most certainly didn’t want. How humiliating to be a laughingstock for the entire ton. She would not go down that path.

So perhaps it was for the best that he’d simply disappeared. She only wished that her heart would stop aching during the day, and that he’d stop visiting her dreams at night. That things could go back to the way they were before Luke had blazed his way into her life.

Juliet was relieved when Caroline Staveley paid a surprise social call at Prestwick House. The viscountess was as lively as she was lovely, and brought with her a feeling of cheerfulness. “Darling!” Caroline gushed as she entered the blue parlor and kissed both of Georgie’s cheeks. Then she turned her attention to Juliet with a wide smile. “And aren’t you lovely, Juliet.”

“Thank you.” Juliet found herself smiling in return. It was hard to mope when Caroline was around. She was like a whirlwind of energy and excitement.

“You haven’t, by chance, spoken with Lucas have you?”

Juliet only slightly winced at the name and shook her head. “Not for several days.”

Caroline dramatically flounced onto the settee next to Juliet and frowned. “When I see him, I will strangle the life right out of the blackguard. Last week he promised Adam that he’d take him riding, but I haven’t laid eyes on him since the Astwick Soiree.”

Caroline hadn’t seen him since then either? Certainly nothing had happened to him! Juliet frowned at the sudden thought and her chest compressed.

But Caroline caught her look and softened her expression. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time he’s gone off for a while without telling anyone.” Then she turned her pretty, hazel eyes on Georgie across the room. “Darling, I desperately need your help. My ball is in less than a fortnight, and all my wonderful plans have gone up in smoke—no pun intended.”

Georgie fought back a smile. “The fire breathers?”

“Precisely.” Caroline playfully pouted. “Staveley has forbidden it. Which is quite disheartening, as he never forbids anything. So, now I don’t know what to do.”

“Have you considered having just a simple affair this time?” Georgie asked with a twinkle in her blue eyes.

“A simple affair!” Caroline sputtered and turned to Juliet, her mouth agape. “You’d think she just met me.” Then Caroline refocused on her friend and shook her head. “Georgina, how could you even suggest such a thing? Perhaps Kelfield still has the direction of those acrobats he used to support. I don’t think Staveley would have a problem with them. Do you?”

Georgie actually giggled. “That depends, Caro, will they be wearing clothes? I don’t believe they did at the duke’s.”

Both of Caroline’s brows rose delightedly. “I’m daring, but not that daring. Honestly, darling, I’m running out of time, and I have so much riding on this event.”

Soon all three of them were spinning one outlandish idea after another for the upcoming Staveley Ball. When Juliet suggested that she only admit guests who came dressed as mythical gods and goddesses, Caroline shuddered. “Hordes of Bacchuses and Venuses I don’t need—especially since Masten will be in attendance.”

The name of Luke’s humorless and rigid brother captured Juliet’s immediate attention. “Masten?” she asked sweetly.

Caroline heaved a sigh. “Yes, my oldest brother is a bit stodgy. He and my sister-in-law have been…estranged for the last little while, and I plan to bring them together at my ball.”

Georgie smirked and continued to explain the situation to Juliet. “Though, neither Masten nor his wife know the other will be in attendance—or surely neither of them would show up.”

“True, true,” Caroline conceded. “And the last thing I need is scantily-clad men hovering over my brother’s wife. It would be enough to give him an apoplexy.”

Juliet giggled at the ridiculousness of the suggestion.

But Caroline looked quite serious. “Honestly, darling, I’m not jesting. He could expire on the spot. Not quite the splash I’m looking to make.”

After a while, Georgie was finally successful in convincing Caroline to forgo her usual creative flourish with this particular ball and to be just a bit more conservative. Then Caroline somehow extracted promises from both Georgie and Juliet to help her with the final preparations for the event. Juliet welcomed the distraction, especially as she admired Caroline Staveley’s cheerful disposition, determined spirit, and wicked tongue.

***

Luke was in an awful mood. He had been for days.

Somehow he had forgotten that he hated traveling with Haywood until it was too late. His friend had a terrible habit of heavily imbibing at night and then wailing and moaning the whole next day in the coach, all the while looking rather green about the gills. After a day’s worth of travel to Sussex, a couple of days spent at his friend’s small country estate, and a day of travel returning to London, Luke decided he could go a fortnight without seeing Will.

But a sennight earlier it had seemed like such a good idea to make the trip to Haywood’s stables. Will desperately needed money and Luke had need of a filly. Although Rachel had demanded a horse from the Masten stables, he figured his niece wouldn’t know the difference. Besides, if he could go a fortnight without seeing Haywood, he could go forever without seeing his brother. And the Haywood stables were perfectly fine. Even Robert had his eye on one of Will’s stallions.

Being on the road and away from the distractions of Town, Luke found that he had plenty of time to think. And his mind remained solely focused on Juliet. The longer he dwelled on her, the more it became clear that Will was right. As bizarre as it was, she had somehow fallen in love with him.

Damn her!

What was she thinking to fall prey to such a nonsensical emotion? He would have sworn that Juliet was too clever to do such a featherbrained thing, but the evidence proved otherwise. All this talk of not wanting to be made a fool, her willingness to deceive Georgie, and the girl had absolutely no defenses up against him. But for God’s sake! No one loved him. Everyone knew how foolish that was.

 But there was nothing to be done about it, except he knew he had to give her up. Though the thought tore at his soul, he didn’t have a choice. If they continued down the path they were on, he’d end up hurting her for sure. He cared too much for her to do that. He’d promised Edmund he wouldn’t hurt her. He’d promised Caroline. Hell, he’d even promised Juliet.

Going on without her would be painful, but it would be worse to see pain reflected in her eyes. Why did she have to go and fall in love with him? He’d sulked the entire way from Sussex to London like a spoiled child who’d been denied his favorite play thing.

And speaking of spoiled children…

Upon arriving back in London, Luke sent Rachel’s new filly over to Staveley’s stables—where he was certain the horse would be loved and doted upon by his niece. But at the moment he had a more pressing problem—one that had just finished chewing on his new Hessians.

Picking up a beagle puppy for Adam in Sussex had seemed like the thing to do. When Luke had first laid eyes on the little pup, he’d thought the cuddly creature was adorable.