Emily Hendrickson (12 page)

He released her just a little, and looking into his eyes, she thought perhaps he had been just as affected by their kiss as she. “Alexander,” she began.

“Hush, do not say anything now. Try to sleep if you can.” He shifted on her pillows, making himself more comfortable.

She placed her head contentedly against his chest, listening to the even beat of his heart, and did as he suggested.

Outside, the lightning faded to the distant horizon, taking the thunder with it, the rumbles ebbing to faint growls. Within the house peace came and eventually, sleep to everyone, even Alexander.

* * * *

In the morning Juliet awakened feeling as though something was missing. Then she recalled the storm. And she recalled Alexander as well, all he had done for her.

What was she to do now? How could she think of any other man,
ever,
after all he had done for her? Once they were compelled to part, she would retreat to a hideaway, raise flowers, and have a cat. No other man could possibly compare to Alexander, nor did she want a substitute.

Pansy entered the room, set a pitcher of hot water on the stand, then crossed to gaze out of the window. “ ‘Tis a fine morning, my lady.”

“Indeed,” Juliet responded, looking at the morning sun beaming in the window, hearing the sound of birds outside. “How different it is this morning after the storm.”

“Ye managed?”

“I managed, Pansy,” Juliet said with a sigh, wondering how last night would change things, for change them it must.

She dressed and went downstairs with a cautious step. Her stepbrother greeted her when she entered the breakfast room.

“I suppose you sniveled in your bed last night? You always were afraid of storms as I recall.”

“I have Alexander now, Marius. I’m not afraid anymore.”

He gave her a searching look, but said nothing else as Lord Taunton entered the room, oblivious to any tension between Marius and Juliet.

Alexander followed on his heels and crossed to where Juliet had seated herself, content with a cup of tea before her.

“All right?” he queried softly.

She gave him a gentle nod. “Fine.” She searched his face for a clue to his feelings and was none the wiser.

“You must have more than that,” he said after a glance at her teacup.

“Whatever you say, my lord,” Juliet said with a giggle, smiling up at him.

Marius gave the pair of them a thoughtful look, then took himself off, claiming he wanted to check his horse.

Chapter 7

The sky had cleared beautifully following the storm, and a soft, gentle breeze stirred the many-hued flowers in Juliet’s garden. She studied the aquilegia, deciding to cut the tops back to new growth, dead-heading all blooms. Otherwise, she would have little plants springing up everywhere next spring from the abundant seed. Juliet preferred an orderly arrangement of plants. She liked flowers to grow precisely where she wanted them.

Then she sank down on a convenient stone bench when she realized next spring she would most likely not be here. It did not make any difference what she did, for the house would probably sit vacant in the coming year. Once Marius and Lord Taunton went on their way, she and Alexander could devise a means of separation, and that would be that.

Unless she could persuade him to permit her to remain here. Of course, that might make things a bit difficult for him when he returned to the city, particularly if he wished to marry and Marius or Lord Taunton made claims regarding his supposed marriage to Juliet.

“Surely, it cannot be that bad?” Alexander said quietly. “Actually, those flowers look rather nice there. Or do you have something else in mind?” He studied the effect of the various colored perennials Juliet had planted in the flower bed, his head tilted to one side.

“It does not make a farthing of difference,” she said with a sigh. “I shan’t be here next year to see them in bloom. I’ll do what must be done, but not make plans. Unless
...
” She gave him an appraising look.

“Unless what?” he queried, looking a trifle uneasy as he sat down beside her on the cold stone.

“Unless you would permit me to remain on here after Marius and Lord Taunton have gone and we have made our arrangements,” she said frankly.

“What arrangements?” he asked, clearly puzzled.

“Well, I do not know why you look at me like that,” she cried softly, unsure as to how far their voices might carry in the morning air. “You must know that you will go your way and I shall go mine.”

“And where will you go?” he inquired in a rather odd voice.

“I do not know. That is why I asked if I might remain here. I love the house, and everyone in Woodbury has been so kind to me. Even Mrs. Tackley is agreeable, and I suspect she can be rather patronizing if she pleases.” Juliet gave him a hopeful look, then continued. “I could work new covers for the dining room chairs, and the linens would all be mended or replaced. Mrs. Bassett and I have devised a scheme to redo the morning room, bit by bit. There is a great deal I might do to improve the property for you—if you would allow me to remain.”

“You do not wish to marry?” Alexander inquired with a sharp look at Juliet’s troubled face.

She turned away from him to gaze off into the near distance, uncertain how to reply to that searching question. Once she had thought to remain single all her life. Now, after finding such comfort in Alexander’s arms, she was not so positive about the benefits of single blessedness.

“Juliet? Have you altered your opinion of marriage?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I can see where there are distinct advantages.”

“Particularly during storms?” he asked gently.

“That,” she conceded, “and the ability of a gentleman to cope with unsavory characters. For example, you are quite splendid with Marius. I confess I should not have had the success with him that you did.”

“You have never been in love, of course,” Alexander suggested.

Caught off guard, Juliet agreed with him before she thought better of it. “But then,” she added, “I have met very few gentlemen. I do not consider Lord Taunton eligible in any way— even with his inheritance, which Marius seems to think will change Taunton’s life. Most likely it will make him more welcome at the gaming tables for a time.”

“You have a rather jaundiced view of life for a young woman.”

“Perhaps. Rather say I am a realist. I cannot afford to build on air dreams.
That
is why I must ask, no, beg you to allow me to remain here when the others have gone.”

“I will give it some thought, Juliet,” he said, then was silent for a few minutes before asking, “Are you so eager to be rid of me, then?”

“Of course not,” she denied. “You have probably been kinder to me than anyone in the world save Miss Pritchard, and she was paid to be so. Although in fairness, I would guess it is part of her nature to be kind. She was forever finding lost dogs and cats, caring for injured birds and that sort of thing. But you, my lord, have nothing to gain by showing me kindness, and I do appreciate it, believe me.”

“You suspect no ulterior motive in my behavior?” he probed.

“None in the least,” she said, giving him a. direct look. “For what could it be? I have but a modest dowry that Marius must release to me. He has told me often enough that I am barely passable in looks. And as to deportment, I fear I am sadly lacking in manners.”

She reached out to pat Alexander’s arm, then withdrew her hand with haste. “I never imagined you to be so sympathetic and of such admirable character. I must admit you have totally revised my estimation of a rake’s integrity.”

“I suppose you realize that not all
...
ah, rakes are the same?” he said with what sounded suspiciously like laughter in his voice.

Juliet gave him a cross look, then said, “I gather one cannot place everyone in the same mold, as much as one might like to, that is. I may have lived a restricted life, but I am not stupid, my lord.”

“I never for a minute thought you were,” he replied with a hint of a smile. “Aggravating, perhaps, but never stupid.”

She sighed, bent over to tug a weed from the flower bed, then looked at him, her eyes troubled again. “I imagine I have given you nothing but aggravation since you arrived to seek your own refuge. Poor man. I am sorry.”

“Never say that!” he said, laughing outright at her words. “To tell the truth, I have not enjoyed myself so well in a long time.”

She gave a gusty sigh of relief at his words. “Well, that is a blessing, at any rate.”

At that precise moment Marius rounded the far corner of the flower garden, and once he’d caught sight of them, they were both trapped.

“Oh, dear,” Juliet murmured. “He looks up to his old tricks.”

Before Alexander might question what those tricks were apt to be, Marius was upon them.

“Very dull life you two lead here, staring at some silly plants,” he said, a faint sneer in his voice.

“We were talking, if you must know,” Juliet was stung to reply.

“And other things,” Alexander added, giving Marius a knowing look with a raise of his brow.

Marius frowned, something he seemed to have done a great deal since arriving, and said, “Well, city life is the life for me, thank you very much.”

“We are not
keeping
you here, I trust,” Juliet said, much tried with her stepbrother and his stupid remarks.

“Taunton still has a few details to iron out,” Marius said.

“Such as how soon he can lay his hands on the money, I’ll be bound. Has he discovered a buyer for the property as yet?” Juliet wanted to know, figuring that if Lord Taunton severed all ties with Woodbury, he’d never return.

Alexander rose from the bench, placing a cautioning hand on Juliet’s shoulder as he did. At Marius’s questioning look, Alexander said to Juliet, “Sorry, my love, lost my balance for a moment there.” Then to Marius, he said, “Rumor has it that one of the local people wishes to buy that bit of property.”

“I hope so,” Juliet said fervently, wondering what it was that Alexander cautioned her about. “An absentee landlord is never a good prospect, or so I’ve been told,” she amended when she recalled Lord Hawkswood’s vast number of estates. Undoubtedly, he would be the best of landlords.

“Depends on the sort of chap the landlord is, my dearest,” Alexander replied in the silkiest of tones.

Juliet decided she did not like to be called “love” and “dearest” in that fashion. If she were truly his love, it would be a different matter entirely. And that brought her far too close to the subject she preferred to ignore, namely her feelings for Alexander Barr, Lord Hawkswood.

She rose in a flurry of skirts, mumbling something indistinct about a matter in the house that needed her attention.

“I’ll join you, my dear. There is a little problem we need to solve first, you may recall.” He touched her arm lightly, guiding her along in such a way she knew she’d not escape him.

“Indeed,” she agreed loud enough so Marius could hear. Alexander had yet to give her permission to remain at the house once he departed.

As soon as Marius was beyond hearing, Juliet resumed her attack. “I do believe it would be to your advantage to have someone in residence here. And I do not mean the housekeeper. She’d not have your interests at heart as I might,” Juliet let slip, then hoped he hadn’t caught her last words.

They had entered the house while she spoke, and Alexander pulled her into the library, shut the door, and proceeded to stare at her in a perplexing manner that quite put her on her guard. “What are you thinking?” she wondered aloud, backing away from him.

“Why you would have my interests at heart more than my housekeeper who is paid to keep my property in order?” He folded his arms before him, looking as though he was prepared to wait forever for her answer.

Juliet thought wildly. She hadn’t expected him to put her on the spot like this. What could she tell him? One thing she couldn’t admit was that she had tumbled into love with the dratted man, no matter how wonderful and caring he might be. She would undoubtedly be the last person on earth he would wish to wed.

“Well,” she temporized, “I am your friend.”

“Indeed, you are. Is that all?” He advanced on her with the stealth of a stalking cat.

“All I wish to say at the moment,” she declared rashly, continuing to back away from him. What could he do? Shake the truth out of her? She’d always found it difficult to lie, even more so to him.

“Now we are coming to the heart of the matter. Do not worry so; I’ll not press you for more—at the moment. But, my dear Juliet, unless you wish your stepbrother to renew his suspicions, we are going to have to behave more as a newly married couple might.” He came to a halt before her when Juliet backed herself against the wall.

“I have never been around a newly married couple,” Juliet declared. “I haven’t a clue how they might act.” She wondered if she might edge sideways and found she couldn’t because he moved ever so slightly when she did. She would not evade him easily.

“But I have,” he said with a smile.

Juliet wasn’t sure she trusted that smile. Not that she didn’t believe Alexander would behave with propriety, given the circumstances. It was the circumstances that bothered her.

“We must touch each other more often, and certainly not pull a hand away as though burned as you did while we were talking in the garden,” Alexander declared.

“You noticed. I did not think you would,” Juliet said dejectedly. If he thought she was going to hang on him, he was sadly mistaken, and so she told him.

“Not hang on me, my dear girl. Touch. Smile into my eyes. Exchange whispered words of love, that sort of thing. When two people are in love, they hate to be apart, long to be in each other’s arms, and in general wish the rest of the world to be gone.”

“Well, I can heartily agree with that last emotion,” Juliet said, attempting a smile and finding she still could manage it. That she also agreed with him on the other points was something she would keep to herself. She missed Alexander the moment he left her, and when she had awakened alone in her bed this morning, she ached for his arms to hold her close once again. Pity violent storms were not that common.