Emily Hendrickson (13 page)

“You wish them speedily gone?” he asked with a grin.

“Indeed.” She gave a pointed look at the space between them, thinking he would realize she needed to be elsewhere. She was mistaken. He stepped closer.

“I suspect we need a bit of practice. If you’ve not observed a newly married couple, I could help you.”

“I’ll manage, I fancy,” she said with a wary look at those broad shoulders she had buried her head against last night.

“Now, Juliet,” he said with far too much persuasion in his rich voice.

“What?” she whispered, yielding to her curiosity.

He didn’t bother to reply, but gathered her in his arms. “Now,” he instructed, “touch my face—gently stroking as though you liked me more than lemon biscuits.”

She repressed a grin, for he apparently observed her fondness for those sweets. “In the interest of keeping Marius at bay, I shall do as you say,” she said, a hint of her amusement in her voice.

“Now call me your love in the same accents you admire a pretty flower,” he persuaded.

“My love,” Juliet said with no pretense in the slightest. Her gaze met his, and she faltered in her touch. This was becoming a dangerous game. Those eyes of his did not tease. She melted at his gaze, utterly quivered at the feel of his arms about her, and her knees had the solidity of a bowl of blancmange.

To her surprise, Alexander kissed her gently on her forehead and quickly released her, striding across to the door. “That’s the ticket,” he said when he paused, one hand on the doorknob. In a moment he had gone, leaving Juliet to grope for a chair so she might cope with her tumbled feelings.

“As a lesson, that was most instructive,” she murmured to the kitchen cat, who had sneaked into the room, looking for a cozy place to nap. She scooped him up and stroked his fur. “Kitty, what am I to do now?”

“Meow,” was her only reply, and she supposed that was all she deserved for being such a fool.

* * * *

Alexander felt well satisfied for the moment, at any rate. Juliet was beautifully confused and on tenterhooks, which is where he hoped to keep her for a day or two.

Striding into the stables, he inspected his horses and then requested his carriage be brought around to the front of the house once the beasts were harnessed.

Leaving the grooms to get on with their job, he strolled beyond, looking about him with critical eyes. Things looked good here. His grandmother would be well pleased with the condition of the place. Which thought brought him to Juliet’s request. He doubted matters would work as she wished. Indeed, he had his own desires. If they did not succeed, then he would allow her to remain at the house, for she needed a retreat from her brother.

Had she considered that she had placed Alexander in a bind with her actions? How could he return to London and even think about marriage to another woman as long as Winterton and Taunton were about? Even if they did not move among the
ton,
they would likely kick up a dust should Alexander attempt to wed another.

He sighed with the complexities he had yet to work out. Juliet did not make things easy for him, yet he was never bored in her company and found her a constant delight.

First of all, Alexander paid a visit to an elderly man who lived on the edge of the property. Mr. Smythe had been there since Alexander could remember and knew everything there was to know about the area, Alexander felt certain. A few well-placed questions gave Alexander all the information he needed.

It was an easy matter to jog into Woodbury and locate the solicitor who had come to the village in order to complete the transfer of the Taunton property. He welcomed Alexander into his temporary quarters at the local inn with a knowledgeable smile. He obviously knew who Alexander was and where he stood in Society. That made everything simpler.

“I wish to buy the Taunton property,” Alexander declared once the greetings were over. “Upon studying the maps and boundaries, I find that on one side the two properties march together.”

“Indeed? In that case, it is most sensible.” The solicitor went on a bit about the condition of the property, something Alexander had already learned, but listened to with great patience.

“What is the asking price?” Alexander said at last with the air of one who is familiar with the value of land and who will not be diddled out of a farthing.

The solicitor gave a figure Alexander considered fair, and he suggested the solicitor inform Taunton of the sale. “If he accepts that amount, the deal is set. One thing,” Alexander said before leaving, “I do not wish him to know who buys the land.”

The solicitor considered the request, then nodded. “Very wise, my lord. It has been my lot to see a number of deals queered when a man unfamiliar with the value of land attempts to demand far more than it is worth.”

“Precisely,” Alexander agreed.

Once he was quit of the inn, he strolled along the village walks, glancing into the shop windows, trying to picture Juliet living out her life in such a little place as Woodbury. He fancied she would do well enough. From what he had seen of her, she appeared to be a woman who could be content wherever she might settle.

“Lord Hawkswood,” Mrs. Ogleby cried in fluting tones. “How is our dear Juliet today?” she inquired archly.

Alexander guessed that the older lady was inclined to believe he had appeared on the scene to attempt a reconciliation with his pretty wife.

“She seemed in good spirits this morning. Although I believe she finds the visit from her stepbrother a bit trying. You know how elder brothers can be, I feel sure.”

“I know how my boys tease their younger sisters,” Mrs. Ogleby declared. “I shall have a party, and perhaps that will cheer her. We are very gay here, you know. Perhaps not like London. But in our own way we have a most pleasant time of it. Tell your good wife that Mr. Ogleby and I would be pleased for your company on Friday next.”

“I shall accept on her behalf, as well as my own,” Alexander said with a tip of his hat. He bid her good day with the feeling that Mrs. Ogleby would do very well by Juliet—and himself, as well.

* * * *

Juliet, when informed of the treat in store for her, gave Alexander a confused look. “A party? I ought to have had everyone here first, especially the Tackleys.”

“In time. Allow the locals to entertain us, for we are supposed to be newly married. Soon enough you may invite them all here.”

“Perhaps we could interest Mr. Taunton in the eldest Tackley girl,” Juliet ventured. “She would keep him on a tight string, for she is as strong-willed as her mother. Of course he has been on his best behavior since he arrived—not as he behaved while at Winterton Hall.”

“And are you not strong-willed?” Alexander said, leaning back against his chair in the drawing room, observing Juliet while she mended linen.

“Well, I know what Lord Taunton is, you see. She doesn’t. Not that it makes things right, but we are such different creatures. She has money he wants, and he has a title her parents covet. I fancy her father would give control of the money in Lucy’s capable hands were he to receive a hint as to Lord Taunton’s true nature—in the event he did not see it for himself.”

“I suppose you think I ought to dabble in this bit of matchmaking?”

“Only if you wish. On the other hand, it would bring the Tauntons back into Woodbury and that might not be desirable,” she concluded with a frown.

“Why not let nature take its course?” Alexander countered. “You never know about these things.”

“True.” But she didn’t sound convinced.

“I offered on the Taunton property,” Alexander found himself confiding.

“Indeed?” Juliet said with a quick smile. “I
am
pleased. I shan’t say anything until it is a certain thing. If I’ve taken Lord Taunton’s measure, he’d demand more money if he thought
you
wanted the land.”

Alexander once again decided that while Juliet might be young and a woman to boot, she was no fool. He also found it was pleasant to discuss matters with her. He’d had not such a confidant before, and it was an agreeable change.

* * * *

The party given by the Oglebys was a delight. Mrs. Ogleby had strung fairy lights in the rear garden, giving the place a festive air. The dinner was all that it should be, with Marius looking confused much of the time because the eldest Ogleby girl was flirting with him and he wasn’t accustomed to such attention from a proper young lady.

“I told you we ought to let nature take its course,” Alexander whispered to Juliet when she took note of the pair as well as where Lucy Tackley flirted with Lord Taunton in an ever so genteel manner. He appeared as bewildered as Marius at such regard from a young lady of means.

“Indeed, I confess you were right,” she whispered back. She gave him a warm smile not missed by her hostess.

Rather than remain with the gentlemen and port, Alexander pushed back his chair, took Juliet’s hand, then made a courtly bow to Mrs. Ogleby, saying, “You have created such a charming setting in the garden that my wife and I wish to enjoy it a little.”

“But of course you do,” she gushed. “I remember how it was when Ogleby and I were first wed.” She made little shooing motions with her hands, then joined Mrs. Tackley, who had been watching her Lucy chat with Lord Taunton.

Juliet strolled along the Ogleby garden paths, her hand most properly placed on Alexander’s arm. She could feel him very close to her side, and it made her nervous as well as slightly apprehensive.

“Now
what are you thinking?” he demanded to know in a soft undertone. “I declare you are the most vexing creature alive, for I never can guess what will tease you next.”

“I could say the same about you,” she returned. “Must you walk so close to me?”

“Indeed, I must. And it might be well for you to touch my cheek just so, perhaps lean against me as though you enjoyed the feel of me against you.”

“Good heavens,” Juliet replied in mock horror that was not as faked as he might think. She did manage to touch his cheek; after all, her hands were gloved. But as to leaning against him, well, it brought vivid memories of being held snugly in his arms, wrapped in his concern during the storm. She recalled the feel of his lean form against hers all too well, and if he couldn’t see her blush, it would be a miracle. She felt as though she could go up in flames any moment.

“How cozy,” Marius taunted from behind them.

“Go away, Marius,” Juliet demanded. “I wish to be alone with my husband.”

“I could almost believe you two are truly wed,” he said, a nasty insinuation in his voice.

“Oh, Lord Winterton,” the Ogleby girl cried, scurrying to catch up with him. “Are the lanterns not the prettiest things?”

Marius turned from Juliet to contemplate the sweet young thing, arrayed in virginal white and looking like a pretty comfit, and looked confused again.

“One never knows, does one?” Juliet murmured.

“Indeed, one does not,” Alexander agreed. He drew Juliet along the path until they were well away from Marius. Here he paused and looked back where a rosy tinted lantern shed its gay light upon Marius. “He still is not convinced. We shall have to try harder, my love.”

“Well, I do not know what we might do that we have not already done.”

“I have an idea or two up my sleeve.”

Juliet took one look at those gray eyes alive with mischief and did not inquire what those ideas might be. She felt it better if she didn’t know until it was too late to object, for he’d never change his mind anyway.

* * * *

They all went back to Hawkswood Manor in a bemused state: Lord Taunton and Marius because they were unused to pretty young innocents flinging themselves at their heads, Juliet because she had not the slightest clue what scheme Alexander hatched in his head, and Alexander because he hoped his scheme would work.

Once at the manor, Alexander permitted no opportunity for Marius to speak with Juliet. He mounted guard on her as though he suspected Marius of foul play. Which was true, in a way.

At last they all went up to their respective rooms, supposedly intent upon sleep.

Marius stood at the top of the stairs, watching Juliet and Alexander enter their rooms, hearing Pansy greet her mistress with pleasure. He grimaced and turned to enter his own room, but deep in thought.

“My lady,” Pansy said respectfully, not like her former familiar way. “I trust you had a pleasant evening?” she asked while she helped Juliet from her garments.

“Indeed, I did. Pansy, where is my nightgown? What have you there?” Juliet looked with alarm at the flimsy piece of muslin held by her maid. She was supposed to wear that scrap?

“Your other had a tear in it and needed a wash. This be an old one I found at the bottom of the drawer. Such a pretty thing it is, embroidered all over with rosebuds.”

Juliet hadn’t the heart to scold the maid, so she donned the trifle of muslin, thanking her stars there was no violent storm on the horizon tonight. Besides, Pansy looked so out-of-reason pleased. She bid the maid good night, then was about to crawl into bed when Alexander burst into her room. Juliet gave him an alarmed look and dived beneath the covers.

“What on earth is the matter?” she cried.

“Something in my eye,” Alexander mumbled, holding one hand over his eye and looking as though he was much in pain. “Sent Randall down for fresh water, but hoped you might take pity on me.”

Quite forgetting that she was not garbed in her usual sensible nightgown but a gossamer bit of muslin than offered about as much coverage as a cobweb, Juliet scrambled from her bed to hurry to Alexander’s side.

She absently took note of his fine brocade dressing gown while she attempted to see what might be in his eye when the door to the hall flew open and Marius stood there, looking rather wild-eyed.

“Aha!” he cried, sounding sillier than an old maid who thinks she has found an intruder under her bed.

Alexander put a protective arm about Juliet, shielding her with his robe, then demanded, “What do you want here, Marius? My
wife
and I are about to retire—as you can see.”

Marius stared at his stepsister as though he had never seen her before, then his shoulders slumped and he nodded. Without a word, he shut the door and could be heard walking down the hall to his room.