For You (6 page)

****

Drew concentrated on the feel of Julia and Mellicent’s hands resting lightly on either arm. Their support kept him grounded. He’d given many a presentation in his day—often at the last minute with little preparation—but he’d never faced anything like this. He knew his industry inside and out. He could lead a discussion on the spur of the moment, no problem.

Negotiating a nineteenth-century ballroom was another matter altogether. Nerves punched his insides ’til he thought he’d puke.

He choked back a laugh. That would go over well.

He looked toward Julia. She had to be nervous as hell, but you’d never know it. She appeared as cool as the ice queen several of Payne’s friends had laughingly called her when she had her back turned. Further proof his alter ego had been an asshole. First impressions of Payne’s friends made it clear he’d never have hung out with any of them. Jerks to the last man. He’d much preferred the husbands of the few women with whom Julia claimed friendship.

Lord Payne had undergone a transformation as far as the
ton
was concerned. He heard the whispers as they strolled past packs of ladies who stopped talking to giggle and stare the second he or Julia were noticed. Payne’s friends quickly turned cool when he scowled at their crude jokes about his wife.

Shit. His wife. When had he started thinking of Julia as his wife? Yeah, he was acting the part of her husband—to everyone but her. But up to now, he’d kept it all straight in his head by thinking of her more as a coworker and friend than a lover.

Because they weren’t. Lovers, that was. Not for lack of interest on his part. But she’d been through enough the past few months. She didn’t need him making a move on her. Maybe, given enough time…

“Take me around to the other side of the dance floor, dear Payne,” Mellicent commanded. “I see Lady Oakleigh sitting with the Dowager Duchess of Harringdon. I have not spoken to them in ages.”

They threaded their way through the crowds and left Mellicent happily chatting away with several ladies close to her own age. Without her presence to balance him, he felt Julia’s curves pressed against his side in the crush of people more keenly. They pressed so closely together, he couldn’t fail to hear her gasp, even over the music and hum of the party. He gazed into her face and noticed the color had fled her cheeks, and her lips were pressed together in one of the tightest smiles he’d ever seen.

“What is it?” Was she going to faint? Had she finally succumbed to the lack of oxygen caused by a dress tied so tightly around her midsection, he’d swear he could wrap his hands around her waist?

She glanced up at him. “It’s nothing.”

He wasn’t convinced but remained silent hoping she’d confess if he didn’t press. He didn’t have long to wait.

“I suppose I should warn you, though I will not be able to guide you overmuch. There are some relationships to which a wife is not privy.”

Oh, no. This didn’t sound good. “But you hear more than people think, I’d guess.”

She dipped her head in agreement. “I believe we are about to be approached by one of Payne’s mistresses.”

Definitely not good. “Now? With you next to me? How do you know?”

“Yes, now. As I’m not supposed to know of her existence, what harm is there in speaking with me? Lady Bolden is generally discreet in her dalliances. Being a widow, she’s not held to the same standards as an untried young lady. She also is of a higher social status, and therefore, I am expected to greet her happily.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Drew frowned. Something wasn’t adding up. “If she’s so discreet, how do you know she was sleeping with your husband?” He scanned those faces surrounding him. They’d managed to find a slightly out of the way spot, so were unlikely to be overheard. Julia had steered them to relative safety without him noticing. He had to admire her forethought. She was amazing.

“She’s wearing my necklace.” Julia’s hand fluttered briefly to her bare neck, then touched one of the dangling diamond earrings she wore.

He followed her gaze to a woman maneuvering through the crowds toward them. She was gorgeous. He had to give Payne that. But she was too overt about it. She had none of Julia’s elegance. Her dress was the Regency equivalent of a see-through top and those low-slung miniskirts that showed off a girl’s g-string. Even at this distance, he could see the brilliant necklace covering breasts that were pushed practically up to her chin. The distinctive pattern of the diamonds matched Julia’s earrings. There was no doubt they were a set. “Shit,” he cursed under his breath. Fury caused his hands to tremble and heat to suffuse his face. “That bastard. Did he even consider that people might notice?”

Julia’s eyes widened.

“Sorry. I’m just—” He placed his hand on top of hers which rested on his forearm. “You deserve so much better. I find it hard to believe anyone would treat you that way. I mean, if you were mine,
really mine
, I’d count myself lucky, and there’s no way I’d risk losing you for an easy piece of a…” He cleared his throat. He had to stop letting his mouth run off on him when he was talking to her.

She blushed and tilted her head away.

“Lord Payne,” a feminine voice purred his name.

He swung away from the alluring sight of Julia all flustered and faced Payne’s former mistress. The woman was in for a rude awakening. “Lady Bolden, so nice to see you.”

“Such a pleasure. I can’t tell you how happy I was to learn of your return.” She rapped her fan against his knuckles where they covered Julia’s hand and pouted. “I have just arrived in London, which is why I only discovered the happy news this evening shortly before coming here.” She brought her hand up to her neck, bringing his, and Julia’s, gaze to the diamonds around her throat.

He kept his face impassive. “We have had so many friends to inform of my return, I’m afraid we have relied heavily on gossip to spread the news to all our other acquaintances.”

Lady Bolden’s smile turned brittle. “Ah, I see. You can tell me all about your harrowing experiences during the waltz.”

He raised one eyebrow and looked down his nose at her. “A waltz? I’m afraid I am not fully recovered from my ordeal and will not be dancing much this evening. Except with my wife, of course.” He lifted Julia’s hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss upon her knuckles.

Lady Bolden’s eyes fairly bugged out of their sockets. “I see the rumors flying about the ballroom tonight have some basis in reality. Your experience has changed you. For the worse.” She swung around and stomped off in a huff.

“That went well.” Drew snorted.

****

Julia watched Lady Bolden storm away. She couldn’t believe her ears. Drew had given the most sought after widow in London the cold shoulder. The wrong thing to do to convince everyone he was the real Payne, but she couldn’t deny the flutter in her heart or hide the smile on her face.

Payne would have laughed at her discomfort and flaunted his mistress in her face. Drew hadn’t even seemed to notice the ample showing of décolletage Lady Bolden had on display.

He squeezed her hand and led her in a circle around the room, greeting people casually along the way as if he knew everyone he addressed. Payne wouldn’t have acknowledged half the people, whether known to him or not. He couldn’t be bothered with those he had no use for.

Drew treated even the servants with respect, nodding and giving a pleasant, “Thank you,” as he procured two glasses of champagne for them.

She took a delicate sip of the chilled liquid when they paused near the doors to the terrace. They were closed against the cool night, but a draft kept the over-warm air of the crowded ballroom at bay.

He pulled at his cravat, something he’d done repeatedly throughout the night, and let out his breath in a gush. “That’s better. It’s hot as an oven in here.”

She placed a hand over his to get him to release his collar. “We’ll stay but a few more hours. You may untie your cravat the moment we are out of sight within our carriage. Until then, please refrain from disrobing in public.”

He grinned and pulled her closer to his side than was seemly. “You’re just dying to get me naked, I see.”

She gasped. Heat flooded her face. “I meant no such thing. I—”

Drew laughed. “Sorry, sorry. I couldn’t resist. Modern humor.”

She flipped open her fan, waving it before her face in an attempt to hide a bit of the blush that had surely turned her face a brilliant shade of red. For a moment, she’d thought him capable of reading her mind, for thoughts of him naked had indeed entered her head.

The strains of her favorite waltz drifted through the room. She hummed along to the music to distract herself.

“Would you care to dance?”

She turned to Drew in surprise. “I thought you didn’t know how?”

He gestured to the swirling couples on the floor. “Most of your dances, no. The waltz? Surprisingly, yes. My friend, Chuck, had all the groomsmen learn for his wedding. A surprise for his bride. I never thought I’d do it again.”

She gripped his arm. Doubts plagued her. “Is this wise?”

His warmth seeped through her silken glove. The idea of being in his arms sent a rush of desire coursing through her limbs, weakening her resolve to stay out of the dancing this evening.

“Come on. If I screw it up, let me know and I’ll blame my injury.”

“If you’re certain.”

He led her onto the dance floor and twirled her into his arms. Within moments, she was able to relax and enjoy herself. He did indeed know the correct steps. He held her a trifle close, perhaps, but in the eyes of the
ton
they were married. She caught approving smiles from the dowager contingent who’d laid claim to a corner of the ballroom from which they smiled or frowned their opinions of the younger generation’s behavior. A strong word from any of them and her reputation would be made or destroyed in an instant.

Thank goodness they appeared pleased. Mellicent sat among them, the center of their conversation. Payne’s return had all the tongues wagging. Mellicent appeared happy—all must be going well.

“How am I doing?” Drew asked.

“Perfect,” she said in a dreamy voice. She kept her gaze trained over his shoulder, gauging the reactions of those around them. The thought of dancing so close while gazing into his brilliant blue eyes caused a yearning in her breast she had never felt before. Not even when she’d fallen for Payne’s false charm.

“Perfect, hmm?” He squeezed her waist, sending a spark of desire shooting up her spine. “I better not let that go to my head. I might start thinking you actually like me.”

“Of course I like you. You’re very likable.” She refused to look him in the eye as she spoke. Had she ever had such a conversation with Payne? They must have discussed their feelings at some point, even if his were entirely faked.

Drew released her hand to run a finger across her forehead. She looked up at him in surprise.

“Is that so bad?”

“Whatever are you talking about?” She had such a difficult time keeping her wits around this man.

“Liking me. Is it such a bad thing?”

Her confusion must have been evident on her face, because he continued. “I ask because you seem unhappy all of a sudden. I’m afraid I said something to upset you. That was not my intent. I much prefer your beautiful smile.”

He studied her face as if he wanted to see inside her mind. Wanted to look past the façade she showed to the outside world and find out what she was all about. Her heartbeat sped. What was a proper response? She had no idea. But she couldn’t let him think he’d made a blunder of some sort.

“You did nothing wrong. Please believe that.” She squeezed his shoulder where her hand rested. “I am unused to discussing such feelings with a man.”

“Other than your husband? Do you miss him?” He bit his lip as if holding something back. If she knew him at all, and she was beginning to think she did, it was likely a curse.

“Miss him?” She laughed, but sobered quickly. “I’m ashamed to confess that I do not miss him at all.” What must Drew think of a woman who admits to such a thing?

He nodded. “I’m glad. The more I get to know about him, and you, the more I realize you deserve so much more than that basta—um, man. I’m glad you know it too.”

No. He’d said nothing wrong. In fact, he said everything right. She simply didn’t know how to handle it.

Chapter Five

Drew held Julia’s hand as they climbed the stairs to their bedrooms. He was shocked she’d retained the contact longer than strictly necessary. She certainly didn’t need help to climb the stairs.

A fine tremble ran through her. She was on edge, and he had no idea why. He matched his pace to her slow ascension of the steps. He struggled to find something to ease the tension, but his tired mind refused to come up with anything suitable.

Mellicent had given a flimsy excuse of wanting to take a cup of tea in the library before heading to her own room, leaving him and Julia alone. His “mother” was doing a little matchmaking, he suspected. Hoping to convince him to see this charade out for his lifetime?

He had no idea if that was even possible. He’d been sent here with no warning, no explanation. Who’s to say he wouldn’t be sent home the same? Should he risk getting more involved in the lives of Payne’s family? If he were to disappear on them, the consequences could be worse than the dire straights Payne had left them in to begin with. It was vital he straighten out the finances as quickly as possible. Something needed to be arranged to see to their welfare in case of his death or disappearance. He had a meeting scheduled with Payne’s—his—solicitor for the morning.