A Scandalous Charade (18 page)

“You look like a storm cloud, Luke,” came Caroline’s soft voice from behind him.

He scowled as his sister placed her hand lightly on his arm. All he needed was Caroline to meddle in his life to make him completely miserable. “I warn you, my temper is not in check, Caro. Tread lightly.”

Caroline grinned at that, and Luke had a sinking feeling that despite his best efforts she knew everything that was going on. “You’re fortunate I’m even speaking to you after that little puppy incident. Poor Staveley has been sneezing left and right, and yet he refuses to let Adam give the little fellow up, since he adores him so. You are truly vindictive.”

Staveley and the puppy were the last things on Luke’s mind, as he kept his eyes glued to Juliet.

“Besides,” Caroline continued softly, “I don’t know why you’d be angry with me anyway, darling. I’ve been trying to help you.”

He snapped his head in his sister’s direction. No man ever wanted Caroline’s help, and he was no different. Just the idea made him shudder. “Oh, and just what have you been up to?”

“Well,” Caroline replied airily, “since you were tired of playing Juliet’s escort, I found you a replacement. No need to thank me. Alexander was more than willing to take your place. I mean, just because you broke the bargain with Juliet doesn’t mean she should be left unprotected, and—”

Luke’s eyes flew back across the ballroom where it appeared Kelfield had towed Juliet even closer to him, if that was possible. The duke’s hand splayed possessively across her back and his legs were completely hidden in her skirts. The lecherous bastard! Luke’s his face grew hot, and his jaw clenched. “Kelfield?” he bit out angrily. “You’ve thrown her into the arms of that blackguard?”

“Blackguard?” she echoed with a giggle. “Please! Alexander is simply charming. Besides, I don’t know why you’re overly concerned about it. Juliet seems happy and you’re off the hook. Isn’t that what you wanted, darling?”

As if on cue, he could hear his princess’ melodic laugh over the sea of people, and his insides shook with rage. What made things worse was the fact that he knew, in the pit of his stomach, that Caroline was somehow using Kelfield to manipulate him—and yet he was still powerless to do anything about it. “You think thrusting her into Kelfield’s path is keeping her safe? That lecher wouldn’t think twice about compromising her.”

Caroline frowned slightly at that. “Watch yourself, Lucas, I seem to recall that you seduced and ruined a girl much younger than Juliet, and then left Robert to find a solution to the problem.”

Luke narrowed his eyes on his sister. How dare she throw that at him? This wasn’t even remotely the same situation. In the first place, Lydia wasn’t at all what she seemed, and never in a million years would he have thought that his morally upstanding brother would have married the little tart in his stead. And secondly, in this case he was the one trying to protect Juliet from lecherous bastards, himself included. “You don’t know the first thing about it, Caroline. And my temper is getting worse, so I suggest you go find someone else to pester.”

The agonizing waltz had finally come to an end, much to Luke’s relief. But then his lungs seized when he realized Kelfield was leading Juliet out on to the balcony. He would kill the bastard with his bare hands. Without another word to his sister, he stormed off after the disappearing pair, his heart pounding viciously in his chest.

A cool, spring breeze blew lightly across the balcony and assaulted Luke when he first stepped outside. But the crisp air did nothing to dampen his temper as his eyes fell on Kelfield, his arm draped lazily over Juliet’s shoulders, whispering something in her ear.

Juliet was staring up at the duke with her big, innocent eyes. Awe-struck, it appeared. Luke felt the last shards of his temper snap. “Kelfield!” he barked, stalking toward the pair.

The wicked duke raised his head and one black eye brow arched upward. “Ah, Beckford. I was just asking after you.”

“Were you, indeed?” Luke replied. His eyes landed on Juliet, though she avoided his gaze altogether.

She attempted to wiggle out of Kelfield’s hold and finally the duke released her, though his gaze settled on Juliet’s low-cut bodice. She was nearly spilling out of the bloody dress. Truly, what had Caroline been thinking to put Juliet in this cur’s clutches?

Then Juliet smiled up at Kelfield, which made every muscle in Luke’s body tense. “Alexander,” she began softly, “would you mind giving me a moment with Mr. Beckford?”

Alexander? Luke’s hands twitched. He hadn’t known he could become more enraged, but when Juliet called the scoundrel by his first name, Luke thought he might strangle the life out of the lout right there on the Hollingsworth balcony. No doubt men across London would thank him for his troubles.

Apparently, the duke noticed the murderous look in his eyes, for he stared at Luke, as if assessing his demeanor or, perhaps, chances of survival. Finally, Kelfield’s lips quirked up into an amused smile. “Not at all, my dear. There’s someone I need to speak to anyway. But don’t keep me waiting long, love. I’m not a very patient man.”

After a regal bow in Juliet’s direction, Kelfield made his exit back into the ballroom, leaving Luke and Juliet staring at each other.

He was so furious, he didn’t know what to say or where to begin. So it was lucky that she started.

“I was under the impression that our paths wouldn’t cross anymore, Luke.”

He refused to be baited. “Just what do you think you’re doing out here with him?” Luke hissed and pointed toward the door Kelfield had just walked through.

Juliet turned her back on him and leaned against a stone pillar, looking out on the darkened night. “Getting a breath of fresh air and Alexander was kind enough to accompany me.”

“I’ll just bet he was.” Luke quickly closed the gap between them and unconsciously reached out to stroke her neck, which was the wrong thing to do. The spark that was between them had not diminished one bit, and as he touched her soft skin, all his resolve to keep his distance from her washed away. “Princess, you shouldn’t associate with depraved blackguards like Kelfield.”

She turned from her spot and stared up at him, the moonlight reflecting in her dark eyes. “I suppose I should only associate with depraved blackguards like you?”

His thoughts precisely.

When he lowered his head to capture her mouth, she melted against him. Luke wrapped his arms around her, molding her body to his. After his tongue danced across her lips, she opened for him and he surged inside, tasting her, devouring her.

“I’m not any good for you, Juliet,” he whispered as he gazed down at her, finally catching his breath. “If you were smart, you’d run the other way.”

When Juliet peered up into his eyes and smiled, he felt it all the way down to his toes. “I must not be very smart.” Then she slid her arms up his chest and wrapped them around his neck, pulling his lips back to meet hers.

He was instantly lost to her. His hands inched up her ribcage until her breasts filled his palms. She felt heavenly and he couldn’t help himself from rubbing his thumbs across her peaked nipples. He needed to taste her, to have her naked beneath him.

But the Hollingsworths’ balcony was the exact wrong place to do this—unless they wanted to be discovered and forced into a marriage that neither of them wanted. Besides, he wanted to make this first time special for her, something she’d always remember fondly.

Luke managed to pull himself away from her. She was breathing heavily and her heavenly breasts were rising and falling at a rate that made it difficult for him to maintain his composure. “I’ve tried to be noble, Juliet, but it’s just not in me. If I can’t have you, I think I will burst.” He then shifted uncomfortably, to keep that part of him that was aching to burst from her view.

She blushed very prettily as her eyes dropped demurely. Demurely. Juliet was never demure. That must mean she was weakening. Luke stepped forward, and took her hand in his, raising it to his lips. “Please, princess, let me have you,” he whispered. “Let me make love to you.”

Juliet’s eyes slowly rose to meet his and she swallowed. Apparently unable to speak, she simply nodded.

Relief washed over him and he stroked the nape of her neck with the pad of his thumb, feeling her heartbeat race at his touch. “I’ll be in the Prestwick courtyard in an hour. Meet me there, princess.”

***

It was the most reckless thing she’d ever contemplated, but as she stared into the depths of his tempting, green eyes, Juliet could not refuse him. In fact, she had no desire to refuse him whatsoever. She wanted this. She wanted him. The last week had made her certain of that. She slowly realized that she was grinning like a fool, so she nodded her head in agreement.

An assignation with Luke Beckford. How would she get home within the hour? She’d have to find Georgie and plead a headache, wait for the coach, and rush home.

Then with absolutely no warning at all, Luke leapt over the side of the balcony into the hedges below. Juliet’s heart lodged in her throat and she raced to the edge of the balcony, staring into the darkened bushes, hoping for a sign of the man she loved. “Lucas! Are you all right?”

The bushes were shaking and she heard him chuckling beneath her. Chuckling? He’d taken five years off her life when he’d gone over the edge. And he was chuckling? “Have you quite lost your mind?” she demanded.

Luke now stood beneath her in the moonlight, with one arm outstretched and the other on his hip in a very thespian pose. “‘What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the sun!’”

Shakespeare? Romeo and Juliet?

Juliet rolled her eyes heavenward. The man had lost his mind or he was deeply in his cups. Now that she thought of it, he did taste a bit like whiskey when he’d kissed her. Best not focus on that kiss or she’d never get to Prestwick House in time. “Really, Luke, quoting the Bard? I would expect something a bit more original from a seducer of your reputation.”

He grinned up at her with a boyish charm that melted her heart. “Sorry, princess. I couldn’t resist. How many times does one have one’s own personal Juliet up on a balcony?”

He really was very charismatic.

Juliet tried to suppress a smile, but failed miserably. Instead, she leaned over the balcony again and blew him a kiss. “One hour. Prestwick courtyard.”

Luke bowed elegantly with a devilish twinkle in his eye. “I’m your humble servant, my lady.” Then he disappeared into the darkness of the Hollingsworth gardens.

Juliet gulped and steadied her shoulders. Prestwick courtyard. One hour. She didn’t have much time.

***

Caroline watched as Juliet floated back in from the balcony with an enormous smile plastered on her face. Her plan had gone simply as—well, as planned. Turning to Alexander on her right, she grinned appreciatively. “Darling, you are a genius.”

Alexander pierced her with his silvery gaze. “And you, my dear, are a truly evil woman. I almost feel sorry for Beckford. Quite unfair what you did to him.”

Perhaps, but Caroline refused to feel any guilt over it at all. Luke needed help and she’d supplied it. She leaned closer to Alexander and tapped his chest with her fan. “What we did, darling. You played your role marvelously. How can I ever repay you?”

The duke looked back toward the balcony doors and grimaced. “By never doing that to me. As long as you keep your end of the deal and forgo foisting any more nice young girls upon me, I’ll consider us even.” Then he grinned down at her wolfishly. “I much prefer foisting them upon myself, and that they not be so nice.”

Caroline nodded her acceptance, though she knew her mind would search for a loophole to their agreement later—when she had more time. After all, Alexander would be much happier if he could just find he one for him. But…Well, she’d have to focus on that at another time. For the moment, her scoundrel of a brother was her top priority—being a blood relation and all that.

~13 ~

Juliet was glad that she was in a hurry. She was so focused on her goal that she didn’t have time to contemplate the decision she’d made about Luke. Surprisingly, she persuaded Georgie to remain at the Hollingsworth’s while she went home alone. It was easier than she’d expected, most likely aided by the fact that the Duke of Kelfield was not accompanying her. It took nearly half an hour for the duke’s coach to be brought around, and Juliet was on pins and needles the entire time, worried about what Luke would do or think if she were late.

But she wasn’t late.

After making her way past an unusually nosy Crawford and pretending to retire for the evening, Juliet snuck back into the courtyard. At first she didn’t see Luke, and she started to wonder if he’d changed his mind or had been delayed by something unforeseen. But then she spotted him in the shadows of the hedgerow—his snowy white cravat reflecting in the soft moonlight and the end of his cheroot a smoldering red.

She tried to calm her racing heart. Had she thought this through clearly? Really, what was she doing here at night with him? But the answer to that question echoed in her soul. She loved Luke Beckford, perhaps foolishly, but she loved him just the same. “Good evening,” she greeted him softly.

Luke stepped out from the shadows and dropped the cheroot to the ground. Juliet’s breath caught in her throat—the playful rogue from beneath the balcony was gone, replaced by a man with hungry eyes that held her gaze. He said nothing to her, but closed the gap between them and hauled her into his arms, ravishing her mouth.

All thoughts left Juliet’s mind. She could only feel—the way Luke stroked her back with his expert hands; the solid strength of his arms and chest; the way her body reacted to his, wanting much more than he’d given her thus far.

He raised his head and framed her face in his hands. “What is your desire, princess? Do you want to safely remain here? Or come with me? My coach is waiting on the other side of that gate.” He gestured toward the back of the courtyard with his head.

As if she wouldn’t go with him. She’d been waiting for this for too long. “Where are we going?”