SEDUCED AT MIDNIGHT

by Jacquie D'Alessandro

  "I see." Obviously her parents weren't concerned that Gideon would be in the house with their daughter during their absence. Of course nothing save death would keep Father from his club or Mother from her social rounds, and naturally they would consider a house filled with servants ample chaperone. Besides, Mother and Father wouldn't see Gideon as a threat to her innocence. No, they would view him merely as another person in their employ, no more noticeable or important than a lowly stable boy or footman, neither of whom would ever dare behave in an improper manner.

  "Have you found all the windows to be secure?" she asked.

  "I've so far found them all locked, except one." His darkly intense gaze pinned her. "In your bedchamber."

  The idea of him in her bedchamber momentarily unfocused her thoughts, rendering her unable to speak. Then she shook her head. "That is odd. They were secure last night, and I haven't opened them today. Perhaps one of the maids did so."

  "Perhaps," he said, although he didn't sound as if he believed it possible. "The window is locked now. See to it that it stays that way. And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to continue my duties."

  Without another word, he crossed the room and tested the windows. In order to prevent herself from trotting after him and asking if he required any assistance—which he clearly did not—she busied herself with scooping up, then petting Princess Buttercup.

  When Gideon finished his task, he said, "Everything's secure." He then made his way to the door. Before exiting the room, he turned and offered a brief nod. "Good afternoon, Lady Julianne, and you, too, Princess Buttercup." His gaze lingered on Julianne for several seconds. Then he said, "Don't worry. I'll be watching this evening. And I'll put a stop to any mischief making." Without another word he quit the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

  Julianne pulled in a deep breath. Her father had hired him. Gideon was here. In her home. He would return this evening. And be outside all night.

  Dear God, it worked. Her plan had worked.

  Unable to stop herself, she performed a quick twirl. She held Princess Buttercup out at arm's length and frowned at her beloved pet. "He would have kissed me again if you hadn't interrupted," she scolded softly.

  The tiny dog whined, then looked longingly toward the door. Julianne shook her head. "He's gone. But…he'll be back."

  Princess Buttercup wagged her tail and emitted a happy yip. Julianne pulled her pet close and dropped a kiss on the soft fur.

  "Oh, my, yes. I know exactly how you feel."

  Chapter 8

  "Do you suppose there are any ghosts in the room yet?" Julianne asked, her whisper breaking the unnerving silence. She peered through the dimness at her three guests. The meager glow from the single taper set in the center of the small round table around which they sat, in a circle so tight their knees bumped, was all that relieved the gloomy darkness of her private sitting room.

  The unsteady breath she'd expended to ask her question set the flame to flickering, casting unearthly shadows against the silk-covered walls. Rain splattered the windows, silver streaks blown horizontal by the howling wind that rattled the glass and whistled through the eaves. The entire atmosphere was entirely too spooky. And morbid—although morbid matched her mood quite well.

  How was she going to tell her friends about her father's decision, the one he'd informed her of only an hour ago? She could barely stand to think the words, let alone say them out loud. She had to tell them … but by God, she didn't want to.

  "I hate to be the one to have to point this out," Sarah said in a loud whisper, "but there are no such things as ghosts."

  No sooner had the words been spoken than lightning flashed, followed by a deafening boom of thunder.

  "Sounds as if someone or something disagrees with your assessment," Emily said, her voice ripe with amusement. "Certainly Lady Elaine didn't have much difficulty summoning her ghost lover Maxwell at a séance such as this."

  "Clearly Maxwell was a more cooperative sort of ghost than the elusive ghost we seek," Julianne murmured. Her gaze moved to the window, noting the inky darkness beyond the rain-streaked glass. Was Gideon out there yet? If not, he would be soon. She hated the thought of him outdoors in such a storm, yet the knowledge that he was so close set her heart to fluttering.

  But then another sort of flutter hit her: a nervous jitter in her midsection. What if things did not go as planned? What if Gideon were to discover Johnny during the young man's mission tonight? What if—?

  She cut off the litany of useless questions. All she could do was hope for the best and trust that Johnny was as resourceful as she believed. And as fleet of foot as she hoped.

  "Are you here, ghost criminal of Mayfair?" Carolyn called softly. "If so, can you give us a sign?"

  Four gazes flitted about the room, but no sign manifested itself.

  Julianne frowned. That would have been a perfect opportunity for Johnny to play his part. Perhaps he had been detained by the foul weather.

  "It seems quite clear our ghost isn't going to join us," Emily said, heaving a sigh that nearly blew out the candle.

  "Perhaps he's off robbing another unsuspecting household of its jewels," said Sarah. "Hopefully no one will be killed the next time he strikes."

  "Oh, I wonder who will be next?" Emily asked, her eyes wide.

  "My parents are attending Lord and Lady Keene's musicale this evening," said Julianne. "Lady Keene's jewel collection is magnificent."

  "Yes," agreed Emily, "most of it reportedly gifts from her numerous lovers."

  "You shouldn't repeat gossip," Carolyn scolded, the playful wagging of her finger taking the sting from her reprimand.

  "I never repeat gossip." Emily's devilish smile flashed. "Which is why you must listen carefully the first time I tell you."

  After their laughter died down, Sarah said, "If you recall from the book, Lady Elaine summoned Maxwell to her by goading his jealous nature. Perhaps we'd have better success if we did the same." Clearly she was getting into the spirit of the séance despite her nonbelief in ghosts.

  "Since I fear none of us possess jewels to better Lady Keene's collection, it will be difficult to incite the ghost's jealousy," said Carolyn.

  "Who wants to bother with a ghost criminal when summoning a ghost lover would be so much more entertaining?" asked Julianne. "What could we do to incite his jealousy?"

  "Describe all the marvelous gentlemen who constantly fawn over us, professing their undying adoration," suggested Emily.

  "And who, precisely, might that be?" Julianne asked.

  Emily looked toward the ceiling. "You of all people should hardly need to ask, Julianne, based on the number of suitors vying for your hand."

  "None of whom have professed undying adoration for anything other than my father's money. I don't matter in the least."

  "Well, I could name Matthew as one who adores me," Sarah said, "but I doubt that would incite much jealousy."

  "The same for me with Daniel," Carolyn added.

  Sarah's gaze grew thoughtful behind her spectacles, and she tapped her chin. "I wonder if Matthew would be jealous if another man were to—"

  "Kiss you?" Emily interjected. "Oh, he'd turn green as a lawn in springtime."

  "Most likely," Sarah said, not looking displeased at the notion. "Not that I'd ever allow another man to kiss me. Or that another man would ever want to."

  "Logan Jennsen wanted to," Carolyn reminded her in a teasing tone. "He was quite smitten with you before your marriage."

  "We were friends, nothing more," Sarah said primly. Then she raised her brows at her sister. "He was quite smitten with you before your marriage as well."

  "Perhaps a bit," Carolyn acknowledged. A small smile played around the corners of her mouth. "I'd already suspected my heart belonged to Daniel, but I knew for certain after Logan kissed me."

  Julianne's brows shot upward at Carolyn's unexpected words. From the corner of her eye she noted that Emily's jaw dropped.

  "Logan Jen
nsen kissed you?" Emily's voice cracked on the word kissed.

  "And Daniel didn't pound him to dust?" Julianne asked. "Or worse?"

  Carolyn chuckled. "Unbeknownst to me at the time, they exchanged … words over the incident."

  Emily, who appeared absolutely thunderstruck, looked at Sarah. "You don't seem surprised by this revelation."

  "Carolyn told me when it happened."

  "Yes, and you immediately told your husband," Carolyn said, shooting her sister a mock frown.

  "Well, of course I did," Sarah said in her most prim tone. "I knew Matthew would immediately tell Daniel, and Daniel needed to know." Laughter danced in Sarah's eyes. "He was most seriously displeased."

  "I'm certain he was," said Julianne. "What sort of words did Daniel and Mr. Jennsen exchange?"

  Carolyn shrugged. "Daniel's never said, and I've never asked."

  "How could you not ask?" Julianne wondered. "I'd positively burn with curiosity."

  "I thought it more prudent to simply let the matter be forgotten. If I asked questions, then Daniel might ask for details, and it's really best I don't give them. Especially as he's considering a business venture with Logan."

  "Ah," said Emily, folding her arms across her chest, her expression smug. "So Mr. Jennsen proved himself a repulsive kisser. I cannot say I'm the least bit surprised."

  "On the contrary," said Carolyn, shaking her head. "He is an excellent kisser." Even in the dim light Julianne thought she detected a blush suffuse her friend's cheeks. "As I said, if my heart hadn't already belonged to Daniel … well, let's just say that Logan most definitely knows how to kiss a woman. And that is the sort of information that's best shared only with one's most cherished friends."

  Emily's brow nearly furrowed into a knot. "What, precisely, do you mean by excellent?"

  "I mean that any woman he chooses to kiss will most definitely enjoy the experience. And perhaps even be spoiled for anyone who might come after."

  Emily made a disparaging sound and gave a dismissive flick of her wrist. "I find that very difficult to believe. Indeed, I'm shocked you didn't feel the need for a good scrubbing after being touched by that uncouth colonial. After all, how 'excellent' could he possibly be? For that matter, how 'excellent' could any man be?"

  "Extremely excellent," said Sarah.

  "Marvelously excellent," replied Carolyn at the same time.

  "Extraordinarily excellent," said Julianne in unison with her two friends. And immediately found herself the recipient of three startled looks.

  Heat rushed into Julianne's face, and Emily's eyes narrowed. "And where exactly are you getting your extraordinarily excellent information from? Don't tell me Logan Jennsen kissed you as well?"

  "Heavens, no," Julianne said, but the nervousness in her voice lent doubt to her words, even though they were truthful.

  "But someone has kissed you," Emily persisted. "I can tell. It's written all over your face."

  "I … well…" Oh, dear. Why hadn't she simply pressed her lips together to keep from speaking? Both Sarah and Carolyn sat on the edge of their seats, clearly eager to hear what she had to say. And Emily's expression made it clear she'd never allow the subject to drop until Julianne answered. Julianne debated lying, but her friends knew her well enough to detect an outright falsehood.

  She drew a bracing breath, then said in a rush, "Yes, I've been kissed."

  "When?" asked Sarah.

  Carolyn leaned forward. "Where?"

  "By whom?" demanded Emily.

  The eager questions fired at her like pistol shots, ripping gaping wounds in her conscience. She hated to prevaricate with her dearest friends, but she simply couldn't tell them the truth. At least not the entire truth.

  After swallowing to moisten her suddenly dry throat, Julianne said, "It was, um, some time ago." True, if one considered last night some time ago. It certainly felt as if ages had passed since Gideon had kissed her. "As for where… the garden. And by whom… someone I shall never forget."

  "Which means you must recall his name," Emily said, waving her hand in an impatient gesture for Julianne to continue.

  Indeed. She feared blurting out Gideon every time she opened her mouth, as he so completely filled her mind. "Of course. But since the gentleman and I are fated to different futures, I'd prefer not to reveal it."

  Carolyn and Sarah looked disappointed, but Emily appeared positively crestfallen by her refusal. And annoyed.

  "Well, isn't this a fine stew," Emily said, her lips compressed in clear irritation. "You've all experienced these wonderful kisses, the sort described in detail in The Ghost of Devonshire Manor. Except me. And you"—with her beautiful face pulled into a pout, Emily stabbed a finger at Julianne—"won't even tell us who your extraordinarily excellent kisser was. I'm feeling very left out. And infuriatingly unkissed."

  Carolyn laid her hand over Emily's. "Someday, very soon, I'm sure, you'll experience a wonderful kiss."

  "When you least expect it, some daring, wonderful kisser will sweep you right off your feet," Julianne added.

  Emily's lips twitched. "You make him sound like a broom."

  "Which rhymes with groom," Sarah said with a grin. "He'll kiss you, sweep you off your feet, and we'll be attending a wedding."

  "Humph." Emily flounced back in her chair. Then a mischievous gleam lit her eyes. "Perhaps I'll kiss him and be the one doing the sweeping."

  "I'd wager that whomever you finally set your sights on won't stand a chance against you," Sarah said, laughing.

  "Yes, perhaps we'd best warn the poor man," teased Carolyn.

  "At least give him a head start," joined in Julianne. Then she sobered. "Speaking of weddings … I don't want to cast a pall on our evening, but I suppose there's no point in delaying telling you…" Her voice trailed off, and she stared into the candlelight for several seconds, desperately wishing she didn't have to say the rest, that it was all just a bad dream from which she would soon awaken. "Shortly before you arrived, my father told me he has decided upon a husband for me. It's the Duke of Eastling."

  Emily gasped. "Are you betrothed?" The word sounded like an obscenity, and as far as Julianne was concerned, it was.

  "Not officially yet, but according to Father I will be by next week. He and Mother plan to make the official announcement during their ball." With a heavy heart she told them about the duke's wish for the carriage to take place before his planned returned to Cornwall.

  For several long seconds only silence met her announcement. Then Sarah reached out and clasped her hands. Emily and Carolyn did so as well, and Julianne found herself clinging to her friends like a lifeline.

  "Have you had an opportunity to spend any time with the duke?" Sarah asked, her eyes filled with concern.

  A bitter sound escaped Julianne. "Not very much, but that will be remedied within a fortnight. I'll be spending the rest of my life with him." She lowered her chin and stared at the table. "With a man I barely know, and to whom I'm not the least bit attracted. A man who will take me away to Cornwall." Tears stung the backs of her eyes. "A man who cares nothing for me."

  "Well, I simply wouldn't do it," Sarah said, her expression as fierce as her voice. "I would refuse to marry him. Surely there is someone else. Someone you could care for. Someone who cares for you."

  Julianne offered her loyal friend a sad smile. "It doesn't matter, as the duke is the man Father has chosen."

  "The choice should be yours," Sarah insisted.

  "We weren't born into the peerage," Carolyn said to her sister. "Our circumstances regarding marriage were vastly different than Julianne's. Our father was a physician, not an earl."

  "And Julianne is a woman, not chattel to be bartered away to the highest bidder."

  "'Tis the way of the peerage, I'm afraid," said Emily. "You've only been part of this life a short time, Sarah. Very few marriages are love matches. If one is very, very fortunate, love eventually grows."

  "And if it doesn't?"

  "Thus the prevalence o
f infidelity in society."

  Sarah shook her head, and her glasses slid downward. "Well, that is simply unacceptable. And my earlier statement stands. I just wouldn't do it. I couldn't do it. I couldn't possibly share the intimacies of marriage with someone I didn't love. Someone who didn't care for me."

  Carolyn put her arm around Julianne's shoulder and shot her sister a frown. "You're not helping, Sarah. How could the duke, or any man for that matter, not adore our Julianne?"

  "He'd be an utter fool not to," Sarah agreed. "But what of her feelings for him? Or rather her lack of feelings?" Before anyone could answer, Sarah turned to Emily. "What about you? Do you harbor any hopes of making a love match?"

  For several seconds Emily looked down and fiddled with the pale blue trim of her muslin gown. Then she raised her chin. "It has always been my dearest hope, but I fear I'm in a situation similar to Julianne's. My father has lately suffered some … financial setbacks. Although he hasn't yet said anything, I suspect he'll be looking for a wealthy man for me. A very wealthy man."

  "And if you don't happen to love this very wealthy man?" Sarah asked.

  "Love has nothing to do with it," Julianne and Emily responded in unison. "At least so far as our fathers are concerned," Julianne added, unable to hide the despondency in her voice. "Which makes me very glad I experienced that wonderful kiss," she continued softly. "Indeed, I was sorely tempted to steal more than a kiss."

  "I don't blame you one bit," Sarah said. "Lady Elaine was expected to marry another, but with Maxwell she shared kisses and so much more—"

  "Again, that is not helping." Carolyn skewered her sister with another frown.

  Sarah cleared her throat, as if swallowing the rest of what she'd intended to say, then settled her concerned gaze on Julianne. "Is there anything we can do? Having married for love, I don't see how anyone could contemplate doing otherwise."