Emily Hendrickson (19 page)

“How kind of you to visit us in our dear little honeymoon home,” Juliet gushed. “We have not been married so very long, I suppose, but it seems as though dearest Alexander has been mine forever.”

Alexander looked down, utterly bemused as Juliet bestowed a beaming smile on him, meeting his gaze with twinkling eyes. “We are unfashionably in love, I know, but the moment we met we knew we were destined to spend the rest of our lives together. He is such a romantic, Miss Shelford. Perhaps you guessed that of him?”

“No,” Camilla said baldly. “I would not have thought Lord Hawkswood to be a romantic.” She shifted uneasily.

“We both adore music, you see, and play sonatas together,” Juliet bubbled. “Alexander reads me poetry, as well. And he is such enormous comfort to me when it storms. I vow, a thunderstorm isn’t half as bad when I am nestled in Alexander’s arms.”

Alexander wondered how she managed to blush so convincingly, then decided the blush was not pretense. It was not easy for Juliet to portray this role; she was far more private in her personal life, scarcely revealing anything to others. He patted her hand in appreciation.

“But you must be exhausted traveling all the way from London,” Juliet said prettily while implying both women looked like hags. “I insist you have a rest in your rooms before dinner. It will do you a world of good. There is something about country air that quite revives one.”

Juliet summoned Mrs. Bassett, who had already had the sense to prepare rooms for the new guests. With majestic calm, Mrs. Shelford, followed by an angry Camilla, sailed from the drawing room in Mrs. Bassett’s wake.

The other men stated an intention to saunter off to the village inn to sample the home brewed and abruptly left.

Mrs. Ogleby and Mrs. Tackley rose to clasp Juliet’s hands, their faces alive with curiosity.

“Dear girl,” Mrs. Ogleby began, then recalled to whom she was speaking. “My lady, if there is anything at all we might do for you, do not hesitate to let us know.”

Mrs. Tackley nodded a firm agreement to this offer and drew a confused Mrs. Ogleby with her from the room, leaving Juliet alone with Alexander.

When he was certain all had gone, Alexander picked up Juliet in his arms and swung her about in a circle. “My dearest girl, you were magnificent!” He bussed her on the cheek, chuckling at the memory of Camilla’s face when Juliet, his beautiful, talented Juliet, waltzed into the room and into his arms.

“Well, I do think she is an odious creature
,
” Juliet said, her cheeks tinted peach and her eyes a flashing amber. “Mrs. Bassett informed me as to what had been going on. I gather Miss Shelford could be heard from one end of the house to the other. She insisted you could
not
be married. If she but knew,” Juliet ended, looking lost and sad for a moment.

“Juliet,” Alexander began, knowing that sometime he would have to explain to her precisely what their future would be. He was cut off by a tug on his hand and her excited little giggle.

“Come with me to my room—oh, dear, that does sound compromising, doesn’t it?—I want to show you what I brought home,” Juliet said, looking more cheerful.

Alexander gave up for the moment, deciding the time was not right for a serious discussion with his wife. He followed Juliet up the stairs, hoping Camilla would poke her beautiful yellow head out to see him enter his wife’s room.

Juliet pulled him inside, shut the door, then pointed out a chair. “Now sit.”

He did as commanded and accepted the little parcel she gave him with a quick frown. Upon opening, he was amazed to discover an incredible gold and lapis lazuli snuff box. “I don’t know what to say, Juliet,” he murmured without his usual aplomb. “This is overwhelming.”

“Good—that means you are truly pleased and impressed. Now close your eyes. I have something to show you.” Juliet paused until he obeyed, then went behind a screen where Pansy waited with the leaf green satin gown. It didn’t take long for Juliet to remove her simple muslin and replace it with the elegant satin. She signaled for Pansy to go away, waited until the maid had left, then slowly went around the screen to face Alexander.

“Open your eyes now, my lord,” Juliet whispered. She swallowed, hoping Alexander would see her and perhaps fall a little in love with her.

“A green satin gown, my dear?” Alexander said, utterly astonished. Then he knew a disappointment because he had planned to buy her just such a gown, perhaps a trifle more elegant, but clinging to her slender form just as this one did, with her looking beautiful and his. Then he caught sight of her face and rose to his feet at once.

“You are quite beautiful, my dear—as is the dress. Dare I add you would look quite beautiful no matter you had nothing on as someone else I know said once?” He walked around her, admiring the cut, the low neckline that revealed just so much of that perfectly proportioned bosom.

“You do like it, do you not?” Juliet said softly. “I wished to please you, and the mantua-maker had this one ready. I think it might be just the thing to wear to dinner, perhaps?” She gave him a cautious smile.

“With that gown, your diamond betrothal ring, that look of having just been kissed on your lips, I cannot see how Camilla will refuse to accept our marriage as bona fide.”

“What if she insists upon seeing the marriage lines?” Juliet queried hesitantly. “My stupid stepbrother never asked, but I suspect Miss Shelford is a different matter altogether.” Juliet ignored the business about looking well-kissed. Those were just so many words.

“Should she be so rude, I shall put her in her place, you may be assured. No one is going to hurt you while I am around.” Alexander sounded very much the Viscount Hawkswood.

It was scarcely a lover-like declaration, but it sounded rather good to a worried Juliet.

“Thank you, Alexander. I shall keep up my part, you may rest assured. That odious woman, stalking you as though you were prime game,” Juliet said indignantly.

“To her, I
am
prime game,” Alexander replied. “Now I had best dress for dinner, acquire a little elegance to match yours. And do not think I’ve forgotten the kiss.”

Juliet stood stock-still while he went through to his room. Life was not going to be easy the next few days, but she’d cope, especially if Alexander kissed her from time to time.

Chapter 11

When Alexander joined Juliet prior to dinner, she had to admit they made a fine pair. He looked splendid in a green vest that picked up the color of her gown; his elegant dark gray coat and breeches offered a pleasing contrast.

She fumbled with the clasp of her pearls, grimacing when it proved obstinate.

Glancing up at him, she said, “How splendid you look, my lord. Some of your London attire?”

“Yes,” he murmured in agreement, then walked to her side. “Allow me. Where is your maid?”

“I suggested she assist Mrs. Bassett with the extra work our latest guests have brought. Miss Shelford does
not
realize this is a small household. Even with the extra footman and two maids someone like her makes things difficult; calling for a bath, demanding tea, insisting upon fresh flowers in her room.”

“I’ll ask Randall to help as well. He’ll not wish to be bested by Pansy, you know.”

Juliet stiffened slightly as Alexander’s hands brushed her neck while he fastened the necklace. “I had no idea they were competitive,” she managed to say in a somewhat strangled voice
.

Alexander turned her about to study the effect of the pearls with the green satin and shook his head. “I would rather you wear mother’s emeralds, but they are in the London vault.”

“But I feel better wearing my own jewelry,” she countered. “As it is, I worry about this diamond every time I put it on. It is very grand.”

“Camilla Shelford would think it very odd were you not to have a fine diamond and excellent pearls. She’ll likely make some remark about the family emeralds, so be prepared with one of your clever answers.” He stood looking down at Juliet, a peculiar expression on his face.

“I am sorry if the remark about reading poetry bothered you,” Juliet said, wondering if that had annoyed him. “My father used to read poetry to Mother, and I always thought it so admirable.” Juliet looked off into space, adding, “Mother would sit in the arbor, working at her embroidery, while Papa read. I can’t recall the poems, but I do remember a few lines. ‘Paradise is sweeter there than the flowers and roses here; here’s a glimpse, and then away. There ‘twill be forever day; where thou ever in heaven’s spring shall with saints and angels sing.’ I don’t know who wrote it, but it seemed to be a favorite of Mother’s.”

“My nurse was apt to read me stuff like, ‘How doth the little busy bee improve each shining hour, and gather honey all the day from every opening flower’—I believe with the hope I might ultimately give a good account of myself.”

Juliet chuckled. “So did mine, along with ‘Be you to others kind and true, as you’d have others be to you.’ “

“It might be rather clever of me to fetch a book of poetry and read to you while you sew seated in the arbor.”

“We do not have an arbor, Alexander,” she reminded him.

“I’ll have Lumpkin build one,” he said, laughing at her disbelieving look. “I’m partial to Herrick, myself—’Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still a-flying
.
’ “ The look he gave Juliet was positively impish.

She frowned at him, then glanced at the clock. “Which serves to remind me that the hour flies now as well. If we are to greet our guests beforehand, we’d best go now. I sent a message earlier to the Tackleys’ asking Lucy—to make the numbers even—and she graciously agreed.”

“That ought to dampen Camilla’s fire. You forgot something,” Alexander said quietly.

“I do not think so,” she said, glancing in the looking glass to see if all was as it should be. The green satin glowed softly in the dim light.

“Your splendid performance is much appreciated. I can think of one way to show my gratitude.”

Juliet paused to look at him, her hand on the doorknob.

Instead of explaining, Alexander leaned down to give Juliet a very sweet kiss, the sort that a girl might build her dreams on when once abed.

“There now, with stars firmly in place in your amber eyes, you are ready to greet the odious Camilla and her even more repellent mother.” Alexander placed his hand over Juliet’s and opened the door. Her hand had ceased to obey her commands some minutes ago.

Camilla met them near the top of the stairs. Alexander observed her gaze dart to the slightly open door of Juliet’s room. There was little doubt in his mind that she had put two and two together and made six. He tucked Juliet’s hand in the crook of his arm and gave Camilla a pleased smile. “Lovely evening,” he drawled.

“It is going to rain, maybe thunder. I hate storms,” she retorted with an angry pout.

“So do I,” Juliet agreed fervently. “How comforting it is to have Alexander to take my mind off it all.”

He patted her hand and grinned at the thought of a thunderstorm. “I do not mind in the least. Quite happy to oblige, my dear.”

Juliet blushed a delightful ripe peach at his words, and Alexander barely kept himself from laughing.

Once in the drawing room with the others gathered about them, Camilla became a trifle more subdued. For one thing, Lucy Tackley proved to be extremely pretty and fresh. Her artless ways and shy, dimpled smiles could not but please the men, in particular, Lord Taunton. This gentleman now revealed vastly improved manners and had eyes for none but Lucy.

Juliet suspected that even if Camilla was not convinced the marriage was real, she knew better than to create another scene with unmarried gentlemen and an unknown young woman around. Camilla ignored Harry Riggs—oddly enough—probably because he knew her too well to be taken in by her artifice. Neither Marius nor Lord Taunton were acquainted with her, and she could try her wiles on them—provided Lucy didn’t attach Taunton—at the same time showing Alexander what he was missing. Camilla’s face was easy for another woman to read.

She did manage one barb. Juliet and Alexander played a short duet before dinner while the others sipped the fine wine Alexander had found in Salisbury. When the music ceased, Camilla drifted over to Juliet to study her.

“I am surprised you do not wear the Hawkswood emeralds, my dear,” she said in a cold, patronizing taunt.

Juliet, having been alerted by Alexander, smiled and said, “The emeralds are in London. This is our honeymoon house, you know. Pearls and diamonds are quite acceptable for a simple country setting.” She’d removed her gloves to play the harp, and now when she touched the pearls at her neck, the diamond in her ring flashed and sparkled in the fading daylight augmented by braces of candles. There was no comment from Juliet regarding the ostentatious display of rubies on Miss Shelford’s ample bosom.

“I do
not
believe you are married,” Camilla hissed for Juliet’s ears alone, although a note of doubt crept into her voice as she surveyed the magnificent diamond ring. “He belongs to me.”

“I doubt Alexander will ever
belong
to anyone. He is very much his own man. However, he shares his life with me—to the fullest degree, dear Miss Shelford.” Juliet bestowed a kindly smile on her enemy, then floated off to join Alexander.

“She struck, I suppose? Were her mother not a gossip who has the ears of every other gossip in Town, I’d tell those two to be out of here at first light. We must convince them. Are you game, Juliet?”

She glanced over to where Camilla graciously bestowed her charms on Marius and Harry since Lord Taunton danced attendance on Lucy Tackley. “Indeed, I am, sir.”

“Good girl. I knew you’d not fail me.”

Randall appeared in the doorway, looking like a very superior butler. “Dinner is served.”

Giving the valet an approving look, Juliet accepted Lord Taunton’s escort while Alexander led in Mrs. Shelford. Harry Riggs followed with an irate Camilla, while Marius chatted amiably with Lucy. The table was set with sparkling crystal and the best china, a pretty Wedgwood pattern.