by Liana Lefey
Filled with determination, he’d gone to Oxford as ordered—with every intention of secretly keeping in contact with his love. He vowed to make her his mistress as soon as he was able to support her, and thus keep her forever close.
Before he could enact this plan, however, he’d learned the truth about Martha.
Inclement weather had forced him to overnight at the village inn during a return visit home. On entering the common room, he’d seen her: Martha of the golden hair and winsome smile—his Martha—laughing in the arms of his brother’s best friend.
He knew her family had been handsomely compensated for the trouble he’d caused with her. She could have married a man from one of the neighboring villages and lived honestly—God knew she’d received enough offers after her father had dowered her. But she’d declined.
He’d thought it was for love of him that she’d done so. But now he knew. Some women had a taste for the upper crust, William had told him when asked about her. Martha had betrayed him and proven little better than a whore. The worst part was that, even knowing what she was, Julius had still wanted and even loved her.
It had taken years to get over her, to blur those memories and seal his heart against the pain they bore. And now he found himself inflamed by the same kind of maddening want all over again. Only this time, the object of his desire was no mere cottager’s get, but a duke’s daughter, which meant…
Marriage.
It seemed a logical conclusion, provided she felt likewise about it. But if such was his goal, then he must be less reckless in his approach. This was no village light skirt. Kissing her chastely was one thing, what he was doing now was another. Pulling back, he reluctantly ended their kiss.
Her eyes were dark and smoky, her ripe, glistening lips parted. With manful effort, he resisted the temptation to taste of them again. She leaned toward him, clearly impassioned beyond reason.
“We must not,” he told her, his voice coming out all rough. “It would be an unforgivable breach of conduct on my part to take advantage of you in such a manner, my lady. I’m afraid I have let desire overrule good sense. Please forgive me.”
Her siren’s smile faded, and her cheeks darkened as she blinked with embarrassment.
Julius was grateful for the deep shadows that concealed his shame. “Lady Victoria, please believe me when I say I had no dishonorable intentions when I brought you here. I swear it by all that is holy. I have behaved impetuously and I regret any distress it has caused you.”
He swallowed, wanting to leave it at that, but his mouth simply refused. “That said, my rash act cannot be undone—and in all honesty I would not wish it so, no matter how improper it may seem. By my very words, I indeed prove myself no gentleman, for none would speak so to a lady, and well I know it. I, however, prefer the truth above propriety. I enjoyed kissing you immensely, and though it blacken me further in your eyes to say it, I deem that you did as well.”
Her jaw dropped in surprise, and what came out next was completely unvarnished. “First you apologize for kissing me, and then you accuse me of being a wanton for kissing you back?”
“You didn’t enjoy it, then?” he challenged.
The tops of her ears turned deep red, their color visible even in the moonlight. “Well, I—I’ve no means of comparison, of course, but it was certainly not—I mean it wasn’t—it was…”
Julius smiled. Unlike every other woman he’d met since Martha, this one hadn’t denied her desire. He liked her all the more for her unwitting honesty.
Upon seeing his grin, however, the lady stamped her foot, infuriated. “Oh, blast it all! This is not how it was supposed to happen!”
“And exactly how was ‘it’ supposed to have happened?” he asked, pinning her with a stern gaze.
Her chin rose defiantly. “How dare you accuse me of enjoying an illicit embrace?”
He laughed at her defensive maneuver. “I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m merely stating a fact. You enjoyed it as much as I. And don’t try to change the subject.”
“Even if I admit that I did enjoy it, it’s not proper for you to say so!”
“Ah, so it’s my acknowledging the fact that bothers you,” he countered. “Well, that’s good to know. Very well, I promise never to address the matter openly again.” He could almost see the scathing retort forming on the tip of her tongue. Before she could fling it at him and depart in a spectacular huff, however, he called a truce. “Please, I have no wish to anger you, Lady Victoria. Truly. I ask you to overlook my indelicacy and tolerate my bluntness a moment more.”
After a long moment’s deliberation, she finally nodded.
He folded his hands behind his back, as much to keep them from fidgeting as to keep them off her person. “Though we have only just met, I find I have a taste for your company—and your kisses,” he added, flashing her a quick grin. Her lips thinned, and he felt that perhaps it might be best to continue quickly. “Thus, I propose to ask your thoughts on the matter of courtship.”
A frantic look crept into her eyes. “Courtship? Wha—no! Papa would never agree to it!”
He frowned. Her reaction was completely bewildering. “Is it not his wish to see you marry well? Why else would you be here tonight, if not to find a husband?”
“I am only here tonight because Papa finally grew weary of my complaining about being left behind!” She turned and buried her face in her hands. “He would kill me if he knew where I was right now. This is an unmitigated disaster.”
A disaster? He’d anticipated a rather more flattering response. “Why should he have any objection to my suit? Our ranks are comparable, our families on friendly terms. Neither side can possibly object.”
“Oh, yes, they can!” she shot back. “This is my first unchaperoned ball. If you propose courtship this soon, he’ll assume I’ve behaved improperly to elicit such attention—which, incidentally, I have.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Will you relax? I’m suggesting courtship, for heaven’s sake, not a midnight run to Scotland. People do this all the time. I’ll speak with my father and then he can speak with yours. Everything will be done properly. He will be delighted at the prospect, I’m sure.”
She took a step back, edging toward the door. “You’re wrong. I know my father. Please, I beg you to say nothing!”
In that moment, he realized her fear was genuine. Strange, Richmond hadn’t struck him as the sort. “You truly fear reprisal?”
“I fear that I shall never again be permitted to see the light of day, should he hear of this!”
“Are you already promised to another?” He was determined to get to the bottom of the matter.
“No.”
“Is it because I am a second son?”
“Good Lord, no!”
“Then tell me, what is there to prevent us from making a fine match?”
“Everything. I should never have come here with you,” she said, staring at him with something that looked very much like sadness. “It was a terrible mistake.”
Julius watched as she turned tail and ran, disappearing through the door in a blink. He could have stopped her, but that would likely only make matters worse. Better to let her calm down first. Her rapid footsteps echoed back down the hall, never slowing, never stopping, until at last he heard the far-off report of a slamming door.
The faint noise seemed to wrench at something in his gut. This wasn’t over. What they’d shared was extremely uncommon, and he wasn’t about to give it up so easily. But first, he needed to find out what was really going on.
He went to the gallery and looked down at the crowd. There she was, heading for Withington and her sister. He caught up with her just as she approached them. “Withy, darling!” trilled Victoria, unaware that he was right behind her. “You disappeared and left me all alone.”
“I thought you were with Lord Cavendish,” snapped her sister. Her mouth formed an O of surprise as she spied him.
Quickly, Julius held a finger to his lips
.
In front of him, Victoria sighed loudly and began picking at the lace on her sleeve. “Indeed, but I quickly grew weary of him. No offense, Withy, but your friend is deadly dull.”
“Victoria!” scolded Amelia, flicking him an anxious look.
He shook his head and again held a finger to his lips. He was enjoying this.
“I do apologize,” said Victoria with blatant insincerity, “but even you must admit that it is quite a challenge to conduct a proper conversation when the other person is only willing to talk about plants and flowers.”
“Victoria, I really think that—”
“Perhaps you should teach him how to hold a proper conversation with a lady, Withy,” Victoria went on, ignoring her. “I’m sure he would benefit from a lesson in charm from you.” She tossed her head, dislodging a white star of Jasminum sambac. The tiny flower fluttered to her feet.
Julius bit back a laugh as Withy’s eyes widened. It was time. He stepped forward, crushing the bloom beneath his foot before Lady Amelia could see it and wonder. “Dear me. Has someone been less than charming to you, Lady Victoria?”
With a yelp, Victoria swung about, her cheeks aflame. “How long have y—” She stopped and looked around at the others guiltily. “No, no of course not, my lord. I—I was merely commenting on the general rudeness of people in this day and age.”
He watched as Amelia’s smile turned sly. “Lord Cavendish, how lovely of you to join us. Victoria was just telling us that you enjoy botany. Do tell us all about it.” She patted the seat next to her. “Victoria, you may sit beside me here.”
He began to expound on the subject of tropical vines in great detail. He talked for a quarter of an hour before Victoria finally interrupted.
“Why are we sitting here talking about plants when I hear music?” She stood and, as good manners required, Withy rose with her. Immediately, she latched onto his arm. “Kind sir, pray tell me one more dance won’t ruin my reputation?”
“Wouldn’t you rather a new partner?” said Withington, his eyes gleaming with humor.
“Not at all!” she replied at once. “I long for no other partner but you, dear Marquess.” She towed him away with all haste.
Julius knew she had no real interest in Withington. He was nothing more than a sacrificial lamb, a means of escape.
“Reckless little fool!” muttered Amelia.
He looked at her, surprised to see that her face was full of wrath. Curiosity took hold. Since almost the moment they’d met, Victoria had talked about this woman, boasting of her fine qualities and beauty. An unmarried lady with a beautiful unwed sister would, in most circumstances, speak of her far less favorably and do everything in her power to keep a suitor as far away from her as possible. Victoria had seemed determined to do just the opposite. The question was why.
“My lady?”
Without a word, she took the arm he offered and they began to walk.
“Your sister seems quite fond of Withington,” he ventured.
“She is young and impetuous.”
Her flat, unfriendly response would have ended the conversation with any other man, but he needed information. “A quandary, to be sure, as you also seem…interested in the Marquess,” he prompted gently, hoping.
She stopped, and her hard blue gaze pierced him. “My only interest is in making certain he doesn’t take advantage of her youth and inexperience.”
He felt a flush rise to his cheeks. It seemed Victoria had reason to fear discovery not only by her father, but by her sister as well. “It is only a dance, my lady.”
“It is a good deal more than that, I assure you.”
“Oh? How so?”
“The evidence is irrefutable, my lord. I was taking the air outside by the garden entrance a short while ago when I saw them emerge from the maze. They had clearly been…” She stopped, and he saw that she was blushing.
He had no doubts about Withy’s trustworthiness. Obviously, Lady Amelia had witnessed something—he would find out what, exactly, later—and had made an assumption. “You were spying on her.”
She flushed again, but her chin lifted defiantly. “I do not like to say it to a veritable stranger, but my sister is simply incapable of good judgment. Despite her apparent age, Victoria remains childlike. Her mind has never properly matured. That is why I keep such close watch over her.”
It was a load of horse manure if he’d ever heard one, but he chose to play along. “You act as her guardian, then,” he offered, hoping she would expound.
“Our mother would have wanted it,” she replied nobly. “Life is filled with disappointments. I would save Victoria from them if I could, but she seems resolved to turn her path into the wind, despite all of my efforts to the contrary. Still, I must do what I can. It is my duty to see to her safety.”
He stared at her profile, at the rigid determination written on her features, and the worry. Disappointments. He was beginning to understand. Despite her disparaging comments, this was not a matter of sisterly jealousy, as he’d first thought. Amelia really wanted to protect her sister.
But from what? What had happened to make her so cynical?
Later. Right now, the only thing that was important was that he had the key. Now it was time to see if he could turn the lock and open the door. “I do not like to speak ill of anyone, either, especially a friend. Therefore, I shall only say that, while I can assure you his affection for your sister is quite genuine at the present, Withington’s devotion is not likely to persist for very long.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean, exactly?”
Withy is going to be furious. “He has yet to meet the woman who can hold his heart for more than a short time. That said, as besotted with him as your sister appears, I fear she may suffer a broken heart at his hands.”
Amelia’s chin again lifted, her mouth firming into a grim line. When she spoke, her tone was about as warm as winter frost. “A bruised heart is one thing. The real question here is whether or not my sister is in danger of being debauched by your friend.”
Julius was barely able to conceal his astonishment. Victoria’s description of her sister as “direct” was a grave understatement. “I can hardly say, my lady.” Then, an idea struck him. “But I am afraid that his reputation is somewhat, well, less than sterling.” I take it back. Withy is going to kill me.
After a pregnant pause, she finally responded. “Pray tell me, my lord, since you know him so very well, what do you think I ought to do?”
It was just the opening he’d hoped for. “Though he appears, for the moment, to be enamored of her, I believe him to also be interested in you, my lady.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I have seen him in this state before, you understand,” he told her. “He finds you both appealing and is torn between the liking of one of you over the other.”
“And this is helpful how?”
“Not to seem rude, but you are older and wiser than your sister and fully aware of his nature. As such, you are unlikely to lose your head over him. If you were able to somehow distract him, encourage him to favor you over her…”
Her gaze took on a faraway look, and he could almost see her turning over the idea in her mind.
“But you cannot do it alone,” he mused aloud. “Someone must be there to occupy your sister. Why not let me help?”
One elegant blond brow lifted. “Forgive me for saying it, but I doubt you would be of much use in distracting her. You heard her complaining about you earlier, for which I must apologize. And yet there it is, another example of how she behaves like a recalcitrant child.”
“I am no fool, my lady,” he said with a half smile. “I realize your sister finds me old and uninteresting, but as long as I am present, I can at least see that Withington makes no gains in his pursuit of her.”
Her eyes took on a calculating gleam. “Your strategy has some merit. If she is kept busy running from you, she will have little time to encourage his affections. I mean no o
ffense, of course,” she added quickly. “As I said earlier, she is young and impetuous. Anyone else would see at once that you are the more worthy gentleman.”
“No offense taken, Lady Amelia.” He bowed. “My offer stands. If you wish my aid, I am at your service.”
She bit her lip. “My lord, I appreciate your generosity, but I cannot ask you to sacrifice yourself in such a manner. You have done nothing to warrant such punishment.”
“I must disagree, my lady,” he told her with vehemence. “This is entirely my fault. You see, I had only just been introduced to your sister earlier this evening when I was interrupted and called away. I left her in Withington’s care. I should have chosen a better companion for her, but I did not think I would be away so long or that the repercussions would be such as they are.”
She frowned for a moment, but then seemed to accept his story. “Very well. If such is your motivation, then I cannot but accept your offer of assistance and be grateful for your noble spirit. What do you suggest?”
He refrained from smiling. “Under the guise of desiring to court you, I shall speak with my father and then approach Richmond. You, in turn, must allow Withington to pursue your sister. I shall encourage him to speak to Richmond, as well—so that she might have the protection of an official courtship to stay any rumors.”
“Courtship?” she said with dismay. “But they only just met tonight. Do you think he can be persuaded?”
“I think he shall, for I will give him little other choice,” Julius replied, maintaining a stern expression as he nodded toward the ballroom floor, where Victoria was even now whispering something in Withy’s ear.
The color drained from Amelia’s cheeks as she followed his gaze.
In truth, Julius was hard put not to laugh. Amelia had only seen her sister brazenly pressed up against her dance partner, but he had seen Withy’s face. It was clear from the man’s expression that Victoria was trying her best to coerce him—no doubt into saving her from him—and that Withy wanted no part of it.
