by Joyce Alec
“Lord Strickland, it would be wise to allow Lady Juliet to assist you in some small way,” Mrs. Grey said gently. “She was, as she has told you, the one to overhear this particular conversation and, whilst it might seem difficult to her at present to know whether or not she could identify the voices again, it may be that, in helping you resolve this matter, she will be able to do so, thus saving you a good deal of difficulty.”
There was not an immediate agreement from Lord Strickland but rather a clearing of his throat and a small, jerky nod that did not state anything particular. The flame that had lit itself in Juliet’s heart began to grow all the hotter, making her brow furrow deeply.
“If you believe that I am asking such a thing in order to pursue you in some sort of ridiculous fashion, then I can assure you I am not at all inclined toward you,” she stated loudly, her words sharp and filled with anger. “I fear that your reluctance to accept my help is due only to your concern that I, like many other young ladies, seek to force myself into your affections. Is that not so?” Holding her head high, she arched one eyebrow and saw him turn his head away, realizing that she had been correct in her assumptions. “Then might I take this opportunity, Lord Strickland, to state quite clearly that I care nothing for your fortune, for your great wealth, and for all that such a thing might mean to a young lady of quality. I have no great desire to wed a gentleman with a vast fortune, for I have already determined that I shall be quite content with a husband who is able to provide for us both comfortably, but without a great deal of excess.”
Lord Strickland lifted his head and tilted it to the left, eyeing her as though she were a creature of interest that he had never seen before, as if she were a brightly colored bird that he wanted to study a little longer. Juliet’s blush rose in her cheeks, but she did not look away from him, keeping her gaze steady and holding her tongue before she said anything more.
“Is that so, Lady Juliet?” Lord Strickland murmured, disbelief flickering in his eyes and an edge of mockery in his words. “Then you are one of the most unusual young ladies I believe I have ever met, for what else must one seek in a husband if not a decent fortune and excellent title?”
Juliet’s hand curled into a fist, finding Lord Strickland, in this moment, to be most dislikeable. “I think, Lord Strickland, that a gentleman’s character speaks more of him than what he possesses,” she replied tightly.
Lord Strickland’s slightly sardonic smile began to fade as he kept her gaze, only for him to then drop his head back into his hands and let out a small groan.
“Very well, Lady Juliet, very well,” he said, abruptly rising to his feet and looking down at her with evident superiority. “That is not to say that I entirely trust your motivations, but I suppose that I must use whatever assistance I can gain in this situation.” He bowed stiffly, first to Mrs. Grey and then to her. “I thank you for speaking with me. I should take my leave now as I am sure you will have a good many other gentlemen seeking to call upon you this afternoon.”
Juliet was forced to rise to her feet in haste, looking at Mrs. Grey, who was watching Lord Strickland with a sharp eye, her lips flattened and her brows low over her eyes. It appeared that she, too, was just as displeased with his response to Juliet as she was, although she was much too polite to say so.
“Good afternoon, Lord Strickland,” Juliet said, keeping her tone even and calm as she curtsied. “I do hope you have an enjoyable evening, whatever it is you are doing.”
“I am to attend Lord Courthaven’s soiree,” he said with a quick look toward her. “And you will be in attendance also, I believe.”
“Perhaps we might speak to Lord Richmond then,” Mrs. Grey added as Juliet felt anger flare up within her cheeks at his manner, finding that he appeared to believe himself to be quite superior to her, as though he was quite certain that what he thought of her was entirely true. “Good afternoon, Lord Strickland.”
Bowing at the waist, Lord Strickland turned on his heel and took his leave, quitting the room at once. Juliet flung herself back into her chair, sighing heavily as she shook her head, both relieved and frustrated with the meeting.
“Lord Strickland took your words with all seriousness at least,” Mrs. Grey said, sitting down and reaching for the teapot. “On that account, you must be glad.”
“I am,” Juliet replied begrudgingly. “It is only that I wish he would not consider me to be just as every other young lady of his acquaintance seems to be.”
“You can hardly begrudge him that,” Mrs. Grey replied calmly as she beckoned for Juliet to hand her the teacup so that she might refill it. “Consider what his situation must be like at present. Many gentlemen would find themselves greatly pleased with such attentions, seeking even to take advantage of their situation. However, Lord Strickland has not done so, it seems. Instead, he has tried his best to behave with all propriety.”
Juliet tossed her head. “I will not permit that as an excuse for his own lack of good manners,” she said firmly, making Mrs. Grey laugh. “He spoke very harshly to me, Mrs. Grey.”
“But he has agreed to your assistance, has he not?” Mrs. Grey pointed out, and Juliet sighed and nodded, her anger beginning to dissipate. “In time, he will come to see that you are not the sort of young lady he believes you to be.”
“Well, I do believe that he should be more gracious for my assistance, rather than accepting it begrudgingly,” Juliet muttered, taking a sip of her tea and finding it to be quite satisfactory. Lord Strickland’s pompous demeanor was most disconcerting. After all, she had already warned him. She had done her duty. After another deep breath, she felt a little more herself.
Still, she feared that if she did not continue to help him, then the worst might occur. And if something dire did happen to him, she would feel a great burden of guilt. She had to assist him, even if he did not like the idea. “I do appreciate your willingness to permit me to be involved in such a way, Mrs. Grey,” she finished as the older lady smiled back at her. “I am quite certain that Father would not approve, however, should he come to know of it.”
Mrs. Grey’s smile grew and her eyes twinkled, as though she had some great intention behind all of this, making Juliet’s brows flicker into a frown for a moment.
“I am sure it will all come about right in the end,” Mrs. Grey answered mysteriously. “And you will certainly have made an impression upon Lord Strickland, Juliet.”
Juliet’s frown deepened. “I have already made it quite clear that I have no particular interest in him, Mrs. Grey,” she said slowly, praying that her companion did not think that Lord Strickland would suit her. “Surely you cannot think—”
Another scratch at the door came and Juliet found her question cut short, with the butler announcing that she had another gentleman caller. Pushing aside her frustration about Lord Strickland, Juliet forced a gentle smile to her face and rose to her feet, ready to greet her guest. For the time being, at least, she was going to have to play the part of an eligible young lady of the ton, unburdened by any other thoughts and glad to converse with whatever gentleman came to call.
And then I shall see Lord Strickland again this evening, she reminded herself as Lord Rivers came into the room, bowing toward her. Let us hope that he is in better spirits than this afternoon. This thought brought a warm smile to her face which served only to delight Lord Rivers, who beamed at her in return. Juliet gestured for him to sit down and sent for a fresh tea tray, preparing herself for what might feel like a very long afternoon indeed.
6
Walking into the drawing room, Duncan took a deep breath and forced his hands to uncurl, aware that his nails had been pressing hard into his palms. This was nothing more than another soiree, he told himself, trying to find a calmness that had eluded him ever since he had left Lady Juliet’s presence. The revelation of what she had overheard had come as something of a shock for he had never once expected to hear such a thing. The incident that had occurred a few days ago, the night he had narrowly missed be
ing struck, now came to him in a fresh light. It was not a mere accident, it had not been something that he had only just narrowly avoided. It had been deliberate, determined, and sure. Whoever was responsible had wanted to injure him severely and they had almost succeeded.
“Good evening, Lord Strickland.”
Jerking slightly with the surprise of being pulled from his own thoughts and addressed in a loud manner, Duncan quickly covered his reaction and bowed toward his host. After a few minutes of genial conversation, he was directed to join the rest of the guests, who were spread out through the house, it seemed. The library, the drawing room, and the music room were open to them all. Lord Courthaven owned one of the best townhouses in all of London and was not shy in showing off all that he possessed.
“I thank you,” Duncan murmured, before turning to make his way toward the waiting footman, taking a brandy from his tray and then meandering across the room in the hope of finding someone to converse with. Someone who would not press their daughter upon him or make mention of their eligible sister.
Unfortunately, he was not to have what he desired.
“How wonderful to see you, Lord Strickland.”
Duncan groaned inwardly, forced to greet Lady Montague. She had long been acquainted with Duncan and had attempted to foist first her eldest daughter upon him and, now that she was wed, was trying to do the same with her second.
“Good evening, Lady Montague,” he said with not even a hint of enthusiasm in his voice. “And how do you fare this evening?”
“Very well, very well indeed,” Lady Montague said, beckoning to someone who stood behind Duncan. “I do hope you remember my daughter, Miss Winters?” She smiled brightly up at him as the young lady came to join her mother with another young lady in tow. “And her friend, Miss Johnson.” This last introduction was said with much less fervor, with Lady Montague clearly displeased that her daughter had chosen to bring her friend into Duncan’s company.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Duncan replied, having met both young ladies before. “Good evening, Miss Winters, Miss Johnson. I do hope you are both enjoying the evening.”
Both girls blushed and looked at each other, a giggle escaping from Miss Winters’ lips as she darted her gaze up toward him.
“I am so very glad you recall our acquaintance, Lord Strickland,” she said, practically cooing at him as she spoke. “I have only just returned to London with Mama and have been very much looking forward to greeting you again.”
I cannot say the same, Duncan thought to himself, clearing his throat gently and trying to find something to say. He had no eagerness to encourage the young lady and certainly did not want to say anything that might give her the impression that he, too, had been hopeful of acquainting himself with her again.
“I am sure that there are a good many gentlemen who would be eager to reacquaint themselves with you, Miss Winters,” he said, seeing the spark fade from her eyes. “And you also, Miss Johnson.”
“You are too kind, Lord Strickland,” Miss Johnson giggled, her cheeks still warm. “We must hope that you are one of those gentlemen.”
Irritation rose in Duncan’s chest, but before he could say anything, someone drew near to him, catching his attention—and it was with relief that Duncan bowed toward her.
“Ah, good evening, Lady Juliet,” he said as the three other ladies turned toward her with equal expressions of frustration and disappointment. “I had hoped to see you this evening.”
Those words seemed to have a great and terrible effect upon the young ladies, as well as upon Lady Montague. They all turned toward him with wide eyes, and he was certain he heard a gasp come from one of them. Lady Juliet, on the other hand, remained quite serene, smiling at him gently although it did not quite reach her eyes.
“Good evening, Lord Strickland,” she said, before greeting the ladies in turn. “I do hope that you have all been enjoying this wonderful evening. Does not Lord Courthaven have the most wonderful townhouse?”
There were murmurs of agreement but nothing that could constitute a conversation. In fact, it did not surprise Duncan at all when Lady Montague took her leave of them both, dragging her daughter and Miss Johnson along with her.
Lady Juliet watched them depart with a look of surprise forming slowly across her face, her eyes widening gently and her eyebrows lifting. “Did I say something wrong?” she asked as Mrs. Grey, who had been staying a few steps away, moved a little closer although she did not seem to find any need to speak or interrupt her charge. “I did not mean to drive them away.” Her eyes turned to his. “It is only that I thought you might be struggling to converse with someone such as Lady Montague, given her reputation.”
Duncan gave her a half-smile. “You know of her reputation, then?”
Lady Juliet laughed and, much to his surprise, Duncan found himself smiling, the sound ringing through the air around him and seeming to warm it. “Yes, indeed,” she said brightly. “For it is well known amongst the ton that she has done all she can to encourage both her daughters to wed as best they can. I am sure,” she continued with a wry smile, “that you have been one of the gentlemen she has sought out?”
“I have been, yes,” Duncan replied with a chuckle. “Lady Montague first attempted to encourage me toward her eldest daughter, although I made it very clear indeed that I was not at all interested in continuing an acquaintance with her.”
“She is wed now, I think?” Lady Juliet asked, and Duncan nodded. “And I must now presume, therefore, that she is pushing her second daughter toward you?”
“Indeed,” Duncan replied with a shake of his head. “I am grateful to you for coming to join our conversation. I am afraid I was already floundering.”
Lady Juliet laughed softly and Duncan’s smile remained quite fixed in place, making him realize that he had perhaps misjudged Lady Juliet from the first. This afternoon’s conversation had ended badly, even though he had felt quite justified in his lack of willingness to engage her support any further. Now, however, he felt a little awkward given that she had come to aid him in such a fashion.
“I should apologize, Lady Juliet, for speaking to you in what I believe was a somewhat insulting manner earlier this afternoon,” he said slowly. “I have been uncertain of your motives and yet, even when you told me the truth of them, even when you made it quite plain that you were doing all you could to help me with a very difficult matter, I remained reluctant. I apologize for that.”
One shoulder lifted, her blue eyes glinting with gold. “Then might I surmise that you believe my intentions are not to pursue you in the hopes that you might court me?” she asked bluntly. “Or is there still that suspicion within you?”
“I will be honest with you and state that it has not entirely left me as yet,” he said truthfully. “But in time, I hope it will dissipate completely, perhaps once our acquaintance grows.”
“I hope that also,” she replied calmly with a small smile. “Although, I must let you know that I do not feel the need to persuade you that I am true of heart. You can either accept me for my willingness to help, or you can turn me away. It will not make a difference to me either way. I feel no need to prove myself to you.”
Duncan was surprised by her forwardness, and he watched as Mrs. Grey’s eyes widened in astonishment and disapproval at Lady Juliet’s words. He could not hold back a smirk. Her willingness to speak her mind made him respect Lady Juliet all the more.
Lady Juliet continued, “Now, if you will excuse me, I think I shall take a small turn to the library. I have heard that there are some excellent books in our host’s library, and I should like to see them for myself.” She bobbed a quick curtsy and made to leave but Duncan held out a hand, surprising them both at his action.
He took a breath, wondering at what he had done and why he had done so. With a quick smile, he spread his hands. “Perhaps I might join you, Lady Juliet?” he said as Mrs. Grey smiled on in approval. “The library may not be of particular interest to me, but I am su
re that your company will save me from any further conversations with others such as Lady Montague.”
Lady Juliet did not immediately accept him, as he had expected. Instead, she looked back at him steadily for a few moments, clearly thinking about what he had suggested. Mrs. Grey said nothing, although, from the way she bit her lip, Duncan was quite certain that she would have encouraged her charge to accept him, should she be willing to speak.
“Very well, Lord Strickland.” Lady Juliet’s voice was soft, her touch on his arm very gentle indeed, although from her expression, she still appeared a little uncertain. Quite as to why, Duncan did not know, although he was glad that she had accepted him. Together, they walked from the drawing room and toward the library, following the footmen who stood to attention at various points along the hallway in case a guest should need them. Mrs. Grey came only a step or two after them, making certain to remain close by for the sake of propriety.
“You are reluctant to be seen in my company, Lady Juliet?” Duncan found himself asking as they made their way into the library.
Her smile was brittle. “Not reluctant, I assure you,” she replied tightly. “But rather I find myself praying that such attentions will not be noticed by the ton, Lord Strickland.”
“Oh?”
Again, her eyes met his only to dart away. “It is well known that you are a gentleman who does not seek out any particular company. You have shown no interest in any young lady of your acquaintance. Whilst we must be in each other’s company in order to make certain of your safety, I think we must also be wise in just how often the ton sees us in such a fashion. Otherwise suggestions will be made, and rumors will run wild. I do not wish for such a thing.”
It was as though she had struck him hard across the face, although Duncan could not help but chuckle to himself. He had been so very afraid that she was the one determined to be in his company, eager to push herself into his affections and attentions in any way she could, only for him now to realize that she had no such desire whatsoever. In fact, it sounded as though she disliked even the idea of such a thing.
