True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (18 page)

Casually, he leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. He’d admit
,
he enjoyed seeing her upset. Her eyes flashed with emotion, her cheeks reddened with color, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and quench her anger with his kisses. Something was definitely wrong with him. Why couldn’t he get past his desire for her?

“I beg to differ, my dear.”

She stopped and glared. “Why?”

“Because if they knew me, they would have referred to me as Andrew
Dean
.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but the door opened. Quickly, she straightened and turned toward the intruder. Her father stood inside the doorway, his brow creased with worry.

“Have I interrupted something?” he asked hesitantly.

Juliana smiled and hurried over to him, hooking her hands on his arm. “Of course not, Father. Andrew and I were just discussing things.”

Clifford grinned and stroked his daughter’s pink cheek.
“Splendid, because I need to talk with the both of you before our guests arrive.”

“What is it?” she asked.

He walked in and closed the door, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of papers.
“Your inheritance, my dear.”

She gasped and brought her hand to her chest. “Indeed?”

“Yes. These are the legal documents for you. All of the money I had promised is here.” He kissed her forehead. “I am very proud of you, and I am happy to hand this over tonight.”

“Oh, Father.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you so much.”

Andrew smiled. Perhaps Juliana would be in better spirits now. Then again, she was still very upset with him.

Clifford pulled away and cupped his daughter’s face. “Now, I think you and your husband should come along and greet our guests. Your mother and I will stay for only a few hours before we have to be on our way. We need to arrive in Calais to catch the ship going to Paris.”

“Yes, of course.” She glanced at Andrew. “Come along, dear.”

Obediently, Andrew nodded. As he followed behind the very beautiful woman, thinking of ways to change her
mind
about him. Why was she always on guard and ready to treat him like the scraps tossed out for the dogs? Couldn’t he just accept the fact that she thought of him as her servant?

Problem was
,
he wanted to be more. He had the privilege of seeing her passionate side, and he wanted her to be that fiery woman all the time.

 
Tonight he’d figure out a way to soften her heart.

* * * *

Juliana had to stop this nonsense. It was utterly illogical to be attracted to the stable hand—even one that riled her temper every other minute. Perhaps she enjoyed arguing with him. Heat flared in his eyes when he gazed at her. It didn’t matter what she yelled at him for, he had always looked at her with the same yearning expression. What woman could resist that?

Definitely not her.

The first hour of her party Andrew stood next to her in the receiving line as she and her parents greeted the guests. Her father had promised to keep her birthday party a small affair, but it seemed he’d invited half of London. How many of these people had witnessed the scene in town between her and Andrew? How many had heard about it by now?

Inwardly, she groaned. No wonder they had all arrived with wide, mocking grins. They probably wanted to embarrass her more.

Andrew, on the other hand, seemed to take everything in stride. How could he look so calm when her nerves were as jittery as a bull in a glass room?

As Juliana studied him, she realized he fit well in this type of function. He looked resplendent in dark colors. His charm endeared him to her father’s friends, which made her heart pitter-patter faster. If she didn’t know his true station in life, she would have thought he had been born and raised part of the gentry. She really couldn’t have found a better man to portray her husband. He had done a remarkable job, more than she thought possible. The only problem was…she wished she didn’t feel so attracted to him. She didn’t need to experience the fluttering sensations in her chest whenever he smiled at her. And why couldn’t she forget all the steamy kisses they shared?

Finally, her parents said goodbye and departed. Juliana felt at ease with the way her plans were unfolding. Now, if she could only keep the truth from
Maddie
, everything would be perfect.

The dancing started, and Andrew claimed her for the first dance, which was only right since he was supposed to be her husband. He danced as if he’d known how to do this all of his life. Respect for him grew as he made her proud to be in his arms.

They didn’t talk much at first. Of course, her tongue felt swollen twice its size, and the lump of emotion in her throat kept her from saying anything. His dreamy gaze stared into hers as he moved her around the dance floor. Why did his eyes have to sparkle with desire?

She really needed to finish the conversation they’d started before her father had interrupted them. Maybe Andrew was correct and she worried over nothing. But keeping the information from her wasn’t right either.

“I want to thank you,” he whispered.

“For what?”
Her voice squeaked, and she wished she had better control.

“For teaching me how to dance.
I fear I would have made you into a laughing spectacle by stepping on your toes.”

She smiled. “You dance wonderfully, Andrew.”

He tightened his arm around her just a little more. “I think we dance perfect together. Don’t you agree?”

His gaze turned darker, and her breathing quickened. Curse his hide, he did it again. But she must be strong and not allow him to affect her.

“I think we dance as well together as anyone, I suppose.”

She looked away, hoping it would break the spell he tried to put her under. Across the room, she spotted Gregg Fielding. Thankfully, he had come even though Andrew had made a spectacle out of them the day before. Apparently, Gregg was used to gossip and didn’t let it bother him. So why couldn’t she do the same?

“I see you’re looking at Mr. Fielding,” Andrew muttered.

She snapped her attention back to Andrew and arched her brow. “Please tell me we’re not going to discuss
that
again.”

“On the contrary, I will be polite.”

She took a deep breath and let it out. “Andrew, if you’d just let me introduce you, you’d see that Gregg is my friend and nothing more.”

“Another time perhaps.
Right now I see him as my adversary.”

“But he’s not.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

Finally, the dance ended, and Juliana breathed a sigh of relief. Andrew remained the gentleman and walked her back to her sister. She tried to smile her best in front of
Maddie
. She didn’t need that girl curious. Especially after she’d witnessed what happened in town yesterday.

When another tune began, Andrew asked
Maddie
to dance.
Maddie’s
eyes lit up and she smiled wide. Juliana seethed. It was hard not to jump to conclusions since she knew her sister well. Obviously,
Maddie
was infatuated.

Juliana kept her gaze on them as they strolled onto the dance floor, and she blocked out everything else around her until someone tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up into the smiling eyes of Gregg Fielding.

“May I have this dance?” He bowed.

“You certainly may.” She slipped her hand into his and he led her to the dance floor.

Immediately, Andrew’s head snapped her way, his gaze practically shooting fire toward Gregg. She lifted her chin in challenge, and focused on the man she danced with.
Two could play at that game, Andrew Dean!

“So, Mr. Fielding...”

“Yes, my dear
Mrs. Lawrence.
”

She rolled her eyes. “You do not have to call me that. Please call me by my given name.”

“Only if you show me the same kindness.”

She nodded.
“So, Gregg.
Why do you have the sordid reputation of seducing only married women?”

He tilted back his head and laughed. From the corner of her eyes, Andrew’s head turned her way once more.

“What brought that on?” Gregg asked.

She shrugged. “I have heard this rumor. I’m a married woman, and I’m dancing with you. Should I be worried?”

“Not in the least, my dear. I only set my sights on married women when they have become bored with their husbands.”

“And how do you know I am not?”

He shook his head. “Because you are just recently
married,
and you do not have the look of someone with a wandering eye.”

“Pray, what is that look, Gregg?”

His fingers tightened around hers in a soft caress. “You cannot keep from watching your husband as he dances with your sister. That, my dear, is a sign you are smitten.”

Juliana didn’t answer. She couldn’t. How could she argue the fact anyway? Gregg was correct. She was smitten. This definitely complicated her plans.

* * * *

How was Andrew supposed to enjoy himself when his
wife
carried on with other men? Her flirty manner even surprised
Maddie
, and she commented on it several times during the evening, which didn’t help his nerves at all.

He drank more glasses of champagne than usual, but every time Juliana went on the dance floor with another man, his companion was the drink...and
Maddie
.

Constantly, that woman hung on his arm, reminding him what her sister continued to do to him. To free himself of the nagging relative, he searched to find other women to dance with. Unfortunately,
Maddie
remained his ever-faithful and devoted servant. Why couldn’t Juliana be so kind?

During one dance,
Maddie
could not take her eyes off him. It surprised him to see how beautiful she looked tonight—certainly different from the girlish appearance she had since he’d first met her. She wore a dress more daring than he’d ever seen on her. Bearing her shoulders, the pink silk material fit around her bosom so perfectly it squeezed her breasts, giving him an eyeful to be sure! Her hair draped in ringlets around her back and shoulders as pink ribbons weaved throughout.

“Andrew? Have I told you how incredibly handsome you look tonight?”

He smiled. “Thank you,
Maddie
. You are looking lovelier than ever. The men will be flocked around you all evening long.”

She giggled. “Will you be my knight and fight them off for me?”

“Fight them off? Why, my sweet
Maddie
? Isn’t it the fondest wish of all girls your age to have beaus swarm around them?”

Frowning, she stepped closer. “Andrew, I am not a girl.”

Although she did have a woman’s figure, he reminded himself that she was indeed in her sixteenth year. He nodded. “I stand corrected. You are on the verge of womanhood.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’ll admit I wore this for you.”

Inwardly he groaned. “Madeline, you shouldn’t say such things. I am your brother-in-law and happily married.”