Not wanting to draw undue attention to their conversation, he did not look long, but in that momentary glance he managed to catch the worried crease between her eyebrows before she gained control over her features. Once more she was the perfect-looking young woman she wanted the ton to see, no trace of concern upon her face. But he had seen it, and it tugged at his midsection.
For a fleeting moment Lucius wondered in a temporary fit of anger why the Dowager Duchess had seated them beside each other. He did not want to have any feelings toward this woman. She had ripped apart his life seven years prior. He had no reason to trust she would not do it again if given a chance. He had worked through his anger and attained a neutrality that was quickly slipping away. It was being replaced with warm feelings he did not wish to have toward Lady Julianna Montgomery. But against his better judgment he found himself inquiring in a barely audible voice, “What is it, Julianna? What has troubled you about what is going on in the earl’s house? Is it Odelia?”
At his question, her eyes flew toward his face, then flickered ever so briefly to Fletcher, then back to the viscount.
“Or is it Fletcher?” The viscount, ever aware, had caught the tell-tale glance and exerted a supreme effort of will to prevent his own eyes from straying toward the young baron to see what could have his aunt so concerned.
Despite her resistance, gratified by his pursuit of what her concerns might be, Julianna didn’t know how to proceed. He was hardly an appropriate confidante. But she longed to share her worries with someone. Even just to talk it through and get another perspective would be of benefit. But confide in Lord Ackerley? It was no doubt the farthest thing from appropriate. Julianna shook her head in denial.
“My lady,” the viscount began with an almost wheedling tone to his voice. “You can trust me to keep your secrets.”
“My lord,” she began with repressive tones and a stern look, maintaining the use of formalities. “This is hardly a subject for me to discuss with you, nor is this the place for such a conversation.”
She was blind to the fact that she had revealed much in that statement. Lucius realized he was correct; she was worried about something. Stubborn and determined, he persisted.
“Then ride with me in the park tomorrow. In my phaeton, we can be public and private all at once. Perfectly appropriate and above reproach.” Luc’s tone was all that was reasonable.
Julianna gave a cross between a laugh and a sigh. “You are incorrigible, my lord. How can I go for a ride with you in this private but public manner? I must watch over Odelia.”
Not to be dissuaded, the viscount persisted. “Surely, as such a popular young lady, Odelia shall also be going riding? It would appear that the young baron would be delighted to escort her if the idea was placed in his mind ever so correctly.”
Julianna could no longer resist, but she refused to drop the formalities. “Very well, my lord. If you can arrange it that you both arrive at the same time, she and I can be ready to accompany you.”
“Julianna, it will be fun. I pray you, do not sound as though I have just convinced you to visit the guillotine,” he chided with a twinkle in his eye. “I shall ensure the baron is on his best behavior and is punctual as well.”
Unsure of the viscount in this mood, Julianna offered a rather benign smile before turning to address Lord Westfield, across from her, determined to resist the nearly irresistible but nonsensical pull exerted by Lucius. Besides, it was impolite to monopolize one dinner companion while ignoring others.
Feeling dismissed ever so politely, Luc turned to speak with the lady to his right feeling he had accomplished all he could manage for now. He would try again before the ladies left the gentlemen to their port.
Sure enough, before the end of the meal, as one course was being changed to the other, Luc again tried to engage Julianna in conversation. As polite as always, Julianna did converse with him, but resisted any efforts to be drawn into anything overly personal or confide any secrets. But she did not take back her promise to ride with him the next day, and with that he had to be content.
After the ladies excused themselves, leaving to take tea in another room while the gentlemen drank their port, Luc engaged Mr. Landon in conversation.
“I noticed you speaking with young Lady Odelia. She seems to be a charming young woman.” Luc tried to be nonchalant but it did not prevent the young baron’s nervous reaction.
“Yes, Lord Ackerley, she is quite charming,” Mr. Landon managed to stammer in obvious distress. “I have no intentions in that direction, my lord, if that is your concern.”
“No, no, rest assured, I have none either. I just saw you two talking,” soothed Luc with reassurance. “Just making conversation,” he laughed as he jovially slapped the other man on the back.
Still unsure but gratified at the attention of the older, more sophisticated viscount, the young baron relaxed incrementally. “Well, if you’re just making conversation, my lord, then I’ll admit to you she is a funny little thing. Great fun to talk with since you don’t have to actually do much talking, but she doesn’t giggle as much as her friend Lady Abigail, so it isn’t nearly as irritating.” Mr. Landon grinned at this statement. “And, even more importantly, she doesn’t seem to be nearly as desperate to find a husband as many of the other young debs seem to be. Maybe she’s just better at hiding it.” The baron paused for a moment to worry about that possibility.
“No, you are probably right. She is quite young, and there are not the usual reasons in her case that other young ladies face with a need to marry in their first Season. As the earl’s only daughter, no doubt she does not face any pressure to make up her mind quickly. She seems like a sensible enough chit to want to see more of the ton before she ties herself up.” The viscount eyed up the younger gentleman before him to see how he was taking his opinion.
Kenneth Landon wasn’t the very brightest student ever to have graduated from Eton, but he was far from slow. He recognized the wisdom behind what the viscount was saying but realized there had to be a reason for this conversation. Since as far as he could recall he had never had any discussion with Lord Ackerley before, other than the briefest of greetings as they crossed paths on occasion, he had reason to be suspicious.
He eyed the viscount with curiosity. “I still find myself wondering why we are discussing this,” Landon said with a questioning lift to his tone. “If you aren’t after the younger Montgomery lady, perhaps it’s the older one. But with what I’ve heard whispered about your past, why would you even look in that direction?” Landon thought rather highly of Lady Julianna, but he had heard that she had broken her engagement with this very lord. It was difficult for him to fathom any continued interest from the viscount.
“Never you mind any whispers about Lady Julianna,” Luc started with a vehemence that surprised even him. Forcing his tone into a more reasonable frame, he continued with the truth. “To be honest, I do want to take Lady Julianna to the park in my phaeton, but she refused my invitation as she feels she has an obligation to remain at Lady Odelia’s side at all times.” His frustration still shone slightly through his voice.
After a moment of thinking about the viscount’s statement, light finally dawned on the young baron. “I get it — you want me to entertain the young Lady Montgomery so that the aunt is free to be with you.”
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Luc smiled at the younger gentleman. “What a great idea. Maybe you should take her for a ride around the park tomorrow afternoon.”
Mr. Landon smiled at the viscount in the utmost good nature. “I certainly have no objection to extending the invitation. But you must understand, she’s a terribly popular young lady and she may already be engaged.”
Luc had to be satisfied with that. “If you would be so kind as to let me know how it goes before the end of the evening, it would be most appreciated.” He was disgusted to find himself close to growling at the affable young baron.
Luc was relieved when the Duke, who was standing i
n as host while his grandmother was with the ladies, stood to signal it was time to join the women. Contrary to all logic, he wanted to see Julianna again. He found it almost distressful how eager he felt. It made no sense whatsoever considering their history, especially when one considered the vast number of eligible young ladies available this Season. Coupled with her resistance to his attempts at informality, it really was ridiculous for him to pursue the acquaintance any further. And yet he found himself drawn to her warm presence as soon as he entered the room.
As soon as the gentlemen entered the room, Julianna felt an odd tingle creeping up her spine. She knew it was because of him. Why did he have to have this effect on her, she demanded of herself for what felt like the umpteenth time. It was quite odd when one gave it thought, which of course, she did as she struggled to display no reaction, keeping her attention glued to the best of her ability upon whatever the Duchess of Westerley was saying. It took a supreme amount of effort since Julianna was rarely ever interested in what her cousin’s wife had to say at the best of times, let alone when she was struggling to remain indifferent to a handsome viscount.
As the duke’s wife droned on about her brilliant children and their accomplishments, Julianna wondered with terrible uncertainty why Lucius could be taking an interest in her concerns. Was he searching for a way to hurt her in an attempt at seeking revenge for the social wrong she had done to him those many years ago? Surely he couldn’t still care. She hadn’t even been sure if he had cared back then. Cared about her, Julianna, that is. Of course he had cared about the embarrassment of the broken engagement. But all the shame had been piled upon her; he had faced no consequences whatsoever. So really he had no reason to seek revenge.
But why had he remained single all these years? He would have had his pick of any eligible young lady, with his fortune and his title, especially after his father died and he came into his full inheritance. Many young ladies are willing to overlook a tendency toward infidelity, she thought with a hint of scorn, feeling her face take on a waspish look before the duchess recalled her to the conversation.
“Would you not agree, Julianna?” Gretchen, the duke’s wife, asked with condescension dripping from each word.
Proving her good breeding was ever present, Julianna’s distraction did not prevent her from replying. “Of course, your grace, the roses on your estate have always been the most beautiful I have ever seen. I am delighted you have continued to care for them so diligently since my grandmother moved to the dower house.”
The duchess could not help being surprised by how effortlessly Julianna deflected any comment thrown at her, and she felt a degree of respect being born in her heart for her husband’s cousin. In more sincere tones than she had ever used toward Julianna in the past, the duchess invited, “You should come see me at one of my ‘at homes’ while we are in London, Julianna. We will not be in Town for too long, but it would be pleasant to get to know each other a bit better. Since each of our families have spent so much time at our estates over the past several years, we have not really gotten to know each other. We should rectify that.”
Somewhat taken aback by the unprecedented invitation, Julianna smiled kindly at the duchess. “Thank you, your grace, for the invitation. I shall look forward to it,” she accepted graciously without actually making a commitment.
The duchess acknowledged her skillful evasion with a dip of her head while Julianna excused herself. Wry amusement shined in the duchess’ eyes, but Julianna kept her face impassive as she turned away.
Rising from her spot on the settee beside the duchess, Julianna attempted to search out Odelia while also avoiding making eye contact with the viscount. She was distracted by her awareness of his presence in the room. As she scanned the assembled guests she could see that, once again, her brother was engrossed in some sort of in-depth discussion, which ruled out him keeping an eye on either of his children.
Spotting Odelia in animated conversation with Kenneth Landon, Julianna couldn’t help but smile warmly at her beloved niece’s antics as she began to make her way through the milling guests toward the duo.
Guests were beginning to take their leave of the dowager duchess. Tonight’s invitation had been for dinner only, and many had engagements at various balls or other events also being held that evening. There was much movement as the milling guests circulated to say their goodbyes.
“Aunty Jules, Mr. Landon has just asked if I would accompany him around the park tomorrow afternoon. Please say I may. It shall be delightful. He has a lovely pair of horses he wishes to show me, and he promises to bring a phaeton,” Odelia enthused with excitement, obviously delighted by this prospect.
Julianna could not resist allowing her eyes to seek out the viscount who was by now not far away. Their eyes met for the briefest moment in acknowledgement. Julianna forced her attention back to her niece.
“How lovely,” she managed to reply with mustered up sincerity. Lucius had managed to orchestrate it somehow, and she found herself impressed with his managing ways. “Of course you may ride with Mr. Landon, provided he has a groom riding along and you make sure you are back within an hour. What time do you plan to come by?” she asked, turning to the young baron.
Kenneth almost quaked under the pressure of both Lady Julianna and Lord Ackerley looking at him with expectation. He began to stammer. “Would four o’clock be convenient, my lady?”
Lady Odelia clapped her hands with delight causing Julianna to smile her approval. “It would appear it is an excellent and convenient time, my lord,” she replied with a small tinkling laugh as she looked to Mr. Landon for confirmation before turning to Lord Ackerley.
As the viscount stepped toward her, she turned ever so slightly so they had a modicum of privacy in the busy room. “I am impressed, my lord. I cannot say how you managed it, but I reckon if the invitation is still open, I am available to go riding with you tomorrow afternoon at four.”
Grinning down into her smiling, upturned face Lucius Ackerley felt like a white knight from an old fairy tale, wanting to slay all his lady’s dragons. His smile turned rueful at his fancifulness as well as the danger he courted with this woman.
“Excellent, my lady. Of a certainty, the invitation remains open. I promise to be prompt,” he finished with a teasing smile.
“As shall I, my lord,” Julianna answered with a twinkle in her eye, anticipating their outing with a heady mixture of delight and trepidation.
Chapter Thirteen
It was a good moment for an interruption so Julianna was happy to see her brother approaching, for once not distracted by his political manoeuvrings. Or maybe he was, as Julianna was reminded by what he was about to say.
“Julianna, Odelia, are you two ready to go? I believe we are promised to the Roxboroughs’ later this evening. We really must be going as I have promised to meet up with someone there, and it is rather urgent that I speak with him. I have already said goodbye to the dowager duchess and I am going to go call for the carriage. Please be quick about your own goodbyes.” After those words he spun on his heel with barely a glance at either of the gentlemen, expecting that the ladies would respond to his bidding without question.
There was a moment of silence left in his wake in which Odelia looked crestfallen and Julianna appeared dazed as she blinked away her surprise. She quickly recovered. “Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure dining with you. If you will excuse us, Lady Odelia and I must pay our respects to our hostess before we depart.” With a pleasant smile, she gently but firmly pulled Odelia away as she smiled and waved to the gentlemen.
“I wonder what bee is in Papa’s bonnet this evening,” Odelia wondered to her aunt in a murmur as they made their way toward the dowager duchess.
“Mind your manners, my dear, he is your father,” Julianna rebuked mildly.
“I’m sorry, you are right. It’s just that he was so abrupt! Are these social events not supposed to be fun? They are not political meetings,” argued Odelia trying to express what
she considered to be a reasonable point of view.
“Dee, my darling, you are being just a wee bit naïve if you believe that. For this evening, let us shelve this discussion and enjoy ourselves, but we have a lot to talk about tomorrow.” Julianna gave herself a mental to-do list of what she would need to discuss with the younger woman. Odelia needed to understand how social activities, and by extension marriages, worked in their world, and how all of that was intertwined with the politics of the day.
They had arrived at the dowager duchess so no further discussion was possible. Both girls made elegant curtsies to their highborn relative and thanked her for a lovely evening before leaving swiftly to meet up with the Earl of Somerton.
“Fletcher has begged off. Said he had other things to do and did not want to dance attendance on anymore debutantes,” Hartford informed them as they climbed into the carriage with the assistance of the waiting groom.
“Did he say where he was going?” asked Julianna with a worried look and tone.
Her brother didn’t notice due to his own preoccupation. “No. Just said not to wait up for him and he would see us on the morrow.” He remained absorbed in his own thoughts while Julianna chewed her lip in consternation.
“That was quite lovely, wasn’t it, Aunty Jules? Great Grandmother sure knows how to throw a dinner party, doesn’t she? I am not normally partial to fish, but whatever her cook did with it this evening really could make me a convert,” Odelia enthused, ready to chatter and gossip about the pleasant evening.
With a smile of endearment, Julianna turned her attention to her niece bidding herself not to worry over much. Fletcher was practically an adult. “Yes, Dee, the dowager duchess certainly knows everything there is to know about entertaining. And hiring good staff, for that matter. I wonder if her cook would be willing to share the recipe with ours if you enjoyed it so much. I shall mention it when I send around our note of thanks.”
Sweet Surrender (Ladies of Mayfair Book 3) Page 11
