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

by Marie Higgins

  Grumbling, he stepped to the door. After straightening his shoulders, he opened it.

  “Oh, Laddie,” Pearl wailed. “Me mistress has disappeared!”

  Juliana took a deep breath and walked into view. Pearl’s poor face was as white as death. “No, Pearl. I’m here.”

  “Oh, Lassie.” Her maid let out a sob and rushed to Juliana. “Thank the good Lord ye’r all right.”

  Juliana hugged her maid. “Forgive me for worrying you. I had to speak with Mr. Dean and discuss some important matters before our meeting with Father tomorrow.”

  Pearl’s expression turned quickly from relief to confusion as she glanced over Juliana’s nightdress, then gave a once over to Andrew. The maid’s cheeks turned a brilliant red and her mouth pursed.

  Juliana quickly continued, “But we have concluded our business, and I was on my way to bed.” She walked past Pearl and Andrew toward the door. “Good night, Mr. Dean,” she mumbled without looking at him.

  “Good night to you, Juliana.”

  She hurried to her room on shaky limbs and as soon as she reached her bed, she flung herself on the mattress. What had she done? And why had she enjoyed it so much?

  * * * *

  Well, I’ll be. Andrew stared at the window of the coach. Juliana, the ice Queen, had a soft side to her personality after all.

  Of course this bit of information he could have done without. Although they were married, he wasn’t ready to confess that to her so soon. But after the tender and very exciting kiss they shared last night, he re-thought their situation.

  Juliana sat with a stiff back as her focus stayed on something out the window. She sucked in a quick breath and brought her hand to her throat. He looked out the window. As they entered the estate, he leaned forward to see more. Manicured and green, the grounds were most impressive, and spring flowers were in full blossom. As the vehicle traveled up the marbled drive, the house came into view. Two stories—just as the others neighboring the estate, but this looked a little different. The place held more meaning for Andrew. Probably because Juliana’s family lived here.

  Juliana drew in a ragged breath, pulling his attention to her. With clasped hands she toyed with her thumbnails. The pad of each thumb rubbed across the other. She continued this process, then brought one to her mouth and ran her nail over her bottom lip.

  Obviously nervous, he couldn’t help but grin at her. With her forehead creased and her mouth turned down in a frown, his heart tugged. The insufferable woman looked adorable and made him want to pull her into his arms and hold her and kiss her to distraction.

  He wished he didn’t feel this way about her so soon in their marriage. For now his role as husband was just a job...something to give him the money he deserved. Did it matter that she’d kissed him like a wife should kiss her husband? Shaking away the thought, he realized it was too soon to think about that.

  Juliana looked at him and he smiled. Her face flamed and she swung her gaze back to the window. Could she be thinking about last night’s kiss, as well?

  Once again, she met his gaze. “What are you staring at? Have I grown two heads?”

  He chuckled. “I’m studying that adorable nervous habit you have.” He glanced at her bottom lip as she rubbed her thumbnail across it again. “But you need not worry. Everything will work out splendidly.”

  Dropping her hands, she took a deep breath then released it slowly. “It must go as planned. I cannot have them seeing through my deceit. If that happens, they will force me to move back to England and will arrange my marriage.” She shuddered. “And I don’t want my life ruined like that.”

  Inwardly, Andrew cringed. Telling her now about their real marriage definitely wasn’t a good idea. He took her hand, lifted it to his mouth, and brushed his lips across her fingers in a small caress. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away.

  “Don’t worry, Juliana. I won’t disappoint you.”

  Before the coach stopped, a small smile appeared on her face, but once the coach had come to a rest, she quickly pulled her hand away and gathered up her skirts to make a departure.

  “Mrs. Lawrence? Allow me,” he replied with as much charm as he could muster.

  When Wilbur opened the door, Andrew hopped down. He turned to Juliana and offered his assistance. Her limb shook as she slipped her hand in his and climbed out, locking her stare with his. Her eyes were wide, her face ashen.

  Panic twisted his heart. If her family noticed her duress...

  He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her brow then slid his lips tenderly to her ear and whispered, “You had better appear as if you at least tolerate me, instead of a frightened kitten. Your family will never believe we are married if you keep looking the way you are now.”

  When he pulled away, she smiled up at him, her sour expression had vanished.

  Footsteps crunched on the path behind him, and before another word was spoken between them, a deep voice called Juliana’s name. She turned toward the tall and slender man who had his arms opened wide. A delightful squeal came from her as she sighed and launched into her father’s embrace.

  The older man picked her up and swung her once. Andrew grinned. Juliana resembled her father perfectly, except for the color of hair. The man’s thick red hair had streaks of silver, but his eyes were just like his daughter’s.

  She touched the dimple in her father’s left cheek and laughed. “Oh, Father, it has been much too long.” She stepped back, clasping her hands in his. “I cannot believe how much I have missed you.”

  “Not as much as I have missed you, my dear.” His gaze moved off her to meet Andrew.

  Andrew waited for Juliana to make the introductions. She stepped next to him and took his hand, pulling him closer to her parent. “Father? I want you to meet my husband. This is Andrew Dean Lawrence. As I told you in my letter, Andrew is a distant relative of the Lawrence’s here in Kent.”

  She already had a story for him? But of course. Their hasty marriage couldn’t look out of the ordinary.

  Andrew put forth his right hand and smiled. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, sir.”

  The older man’s stern expression caught Andrew off guard. He held a breath, hoping the man couldn’t see through the deceit.

  Juliana’s father looked at her with arched brows. “I still don’t know if I’ve forgiven you for marrying without my consent.”

  She hitched a breath and brought her hand to her mouth.

  The older man’s expression remained stiff for a few awkward moments then a smile broke out on his face. “But I’m most certain you’ll be able to convince me otherwise.” He turned to Andrew. “Please call me Clifford.” Juliana’s father gave him a hearty handshake. “It’s certainly a privilege to meet anyone related to the Lawrence family.”

  Juliana’s heavy sigh made Andrew smile wider. Stepping into character, he squared his shoulders and recalled everything she had told him about her family. “Mr. Beaumont—Clifford—I must tell you that although your daughter has bragged constantly about you since our marriage, she hasn’t done you justice. It’s nice to know that I have married into a warm and amiable family.”

  Clifford chuckled as he released Andrew’s hand. “My boy, you not only resemble the Lawrence family by your looks, you also have their charm.”

  Truly? This was certainly good to know.

  Clifford’s attention returned to his daughter. “You may relax now, my dear daughter. I approve of your husband. But the real question is, does he treat you well?”

  When Juliana met Andrew’s gaze, her enchanting turquoise eyes weakened his heart. She slipped her arm around Andrew’s arm and cuddled close. He held in a pleasurable sigh.

  She smiled into his face, her eyes twinkling. “Andrew is the most wonderful man in the world. I’m so fortunate to have found him. He treats me like a queen.”

  Her words made Andrew want to kiss her. But he couldn’t do that in front of her father. So instead, Andrew tightened his arms around her sho
ulders.

  Clifford laughed. “Before you two get caught up in each other, let’s hurry into the house so that the rest of the family can meet Andrew.”

  Andrew shook out of the stupor her warm expression had just put him under. He couldn’t understand the unsettled rhythm of his heart. He had to remember that she didn’t know they were married. For the moment, he had to resist showing too much affection.

  He refused to release his arm from around her shoulders as they followed Clifford into the house. Then again, she didn’t act like she wanted to pull away either. Her cheeks held a pink tint, and her eyes wouldn’t meet his gaze. She enjoyed it, too, he was certain.

  The coziness between them was nice...too nice. Andrew could get used to this if he let himself.

  Chapter Four

  Juliana breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Her father approved...but more importantly, he believed her. Andrew had given such a wonderful performance she was overjoyed with pleasure. Yet they still had to pass one more test.

  Her stepmother, Constance.

  That controlling woman might be harder to fool, although Juliana hoped not.

  When she, Andrew and her father walked into the house and stepped into the parlor, Constance rose from the sofa. The older woman had lost a lot of weight and looked almost frail. Instead of the skeptical expression Juliana expected to see, her stepmother’s eyes were wide as she gazed over Andrew. Within moments she looked at Juliana and smiled, stretching her hands toward Juliana’s.

  “Oh, look at you. What a beautiful woman you have blossomed into.”

  Hesitantly, Juliana slipped her hands into her stepmother’s. The older woman squeezed them then leaned into Juliana and kissed her cheek.

  Juliana scrunched her forehead. That wasn’t what she’d expected either. Since she’d gone against her father’s wishes—and especially Constance’s—Juliana expected scolding and lectures, but so far both her father and stepmother were showing her a completely different side of them.

  “Darling, why don’t you introduce me to your handsome husband.” Constance smiled as she glanced at Andrew.

  Warily, Juliana made the introductions again, and as before, Andrew’s charm won over another person. Juliana breathed another sigh of relief. But her relief was brought to a halt when the click of heeled shoes echoed on the marbled floor in the hallway.

  She turned her attention to the sound just in time to see her stepsister, Madeline, enter the parlor.

  Madeline’s hair had grown longer since Juliana saw her last. Her stepsister’s blonde tresses cascaded over her shoulders, the sides pulled away from her face and tied with a ribbon that matched her rose-colored gown. Short sleeves fluffed around Madeline’s shoulders as the girl ran her hands down the fitted bodice and tight waist. Juliana wasn’t surprised to see Madeline had budded into a real beauty.

  Madeline’s gaze skimmed over Juliana then jumped to Andrew, where it stayed. The girl’s smile widened with each step closer. Juliana scowled and bunched her hands into fists. Obviously, Andrew had captured Madeline’s interest. Then again, why wouldn’t it? Andrew was a very attractive man.

  Juliana glanced at her pretend husband as he conversed with her father and stepmother. When Andrew folded his arms, his muscles strained against the sleeves of his jacket. Hopefully, her family wouldn’t question why he was so large and looked built for hard labor.

  She swallowed, bringing moisture back to her suddenly dry throat. The ends of his dark brown hair swept his collar slightly. Sideburns were well groomed, and the rest of his face was shaven clean, which was the style of men in England. She closed her eyes and shook away the warm tingles prickling her skin. Of course...remembering the kiss they shared last night didn’t help one bit.

  “Juliana, it’s good to see you again.”

  Madeline’s voice brought Juliana out of her thoughts and she blinked her eyes and met her stepsister’s gaze. The girl stood next to Juliana, her lips pulled into a wide stretch.

  Juliana pasted on a fake smile just like she’d always done when greeting her sister in front of their parents. “Madeline, you are almost all grown up now. The years have been extremely kind.”

  Andrew stepped away from her father and stood next to Juliana. “Andrew, this is my step-sister, Madeline O’Neil.”

  Maddie’s smile grew and the light in her eyes brightened as she shook Andrew’s hand. Anger built inside Juliana. The flirt! Juliana gritted her teeth. Why that little hussy was flirting with her husband. Um...pretend husband, she corrected.

  Andrew didn’t treat Madeline any different than he had Constance, but Juliana’s young sister hung on his every word and batted her lashes. Juliana needed to give her sister a good talking to. How dare that girl flirt with the man who was supposed to be Juliana’s husband?

  Then again, they had always competed when they were younger. Perhaps Madeline was only continuing with tradition.

  Well, Juliana would put a stop to it and fast. She slid up next to Andrew and slipped her arm around his elbow. His gaze met her and his eyes sparkled. His grin widened and he patted her hand then let it rest on hers.

  Very cozy. Too cozy. In fact, she could get used to this if she wasn’t careful.

  She threw a warning glare at her stepsister and gave her a fake smile. It looked as if Juliana would have to watch her back...and Andrew’s, especially with Madeline around. That girl could not be trusted.

  Finally Juliana made excuses to the family about needing to retire to her room to rest. The strain of the morning made her very exhausted and she feared she’d fall asleep standing. When she finally walked into her room and closed her door, she leaned against the wall and smiled. Everything had gone well. So much better than she’d expected. Andrew was wonderful, and he took her breath away every time she looked at him.

  Frowning, she scolded herself for the hundredth time. That was a weakness she must control. She could not be attracted to the stable hand. But she hadn’t thought of him that way today. Andrew had treated her with such care and kindness, which made her heartbeat skip with excitement. He was so amazing with her family and that, too, softened her emotions.

  The worst part about all of this was she had enjoyed it. She took pleasure in the way he tried to comfort her in the coach. She liked the way he’d kept his arm around her while they sat in the parlor as the family got to know him. She enjoyed how Andrew had made her feel special, and she hated herself for feeling this way with him.

  Although she was happy with him for pulling off their little deception, she really needed to tell him to stop acting so lovey-dovey in front of everyone. Most of her father’s friends didn’t show their wives affection so openly, and so Andrew could back off without causing any suspicions to anyone. Her father and stepmother showed their love for each other in front of their daughters, but out in public they did not. So, neither should Andrew.

  Both Juliana and Andrew’s luggage were taken upstairs. Instead of having her own room like she usually did when coming home to visit, she and Andrew were put in the west wing of the manor. They were each given a different room, but the rooms were joined with a single door. She was grateful she didn’t have to share his bed.

  Yawning, she walked to her bed and sat on the edge. There was enough time for a nap before dinner, and she planned to use the time catching up on her sleep. She rang for Pearl to help her undress down to her shift then her maid hurried out.

  Juliana frowned. The poor older woman probably thought the worst...especially after seeing Juliana with Andrew alone in his room at the inn. But it didn’t matter now. All Juliana concentrated on was trying to impress her father and keep up the façade until he handed over her inheritance.

  She lay on the bed and closed her eyes, but they sprang open and she stared at the ceiling. Exhaustion weakened her limbs, but her mind was too alert for rest. Juliana cursed Andrew for making her like this. When she closed her eyes again, images of him in his room at the inn, passed through her head.

  A soft kn
ock came on the door, startling her. But it wasn’t the door that opened into the hallway. It was the door leading into Andrew’s room. Climbing out of bed, she quickly pulled a wrapper around her shift.

  “Yes?”

  “Juliana?” Andrew’s voice whispered. “Are you indisposed?”

  “Of course. I’m taking a nap.”

  When the door opened in spite of what she said, she gasped and clutched the wrapper higher around her neck. Andrew walked through the doorway, grinning from ear-to-ear. He didn’t even seem bothered that she was in her underclothes.

  “Andrew!” She stepped back. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all, my dear. We need to talk and since this is the only way we can do it privately, you’ll just have to allow me into your room once in a while.”

  Inwardly, she growled. Unfortunately, he was correct. Meeting in private was the only way. “Very well. What is it that you wish to speak with me about?”

  He moved to a heavily cushioned chair by her bed and flopped down. “How did I do today? If you have any complaints, I would like to hear them now.” He grinned.

  She couldn’t stop the smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. He already knew he’d done a remarkable acting job. “I was very pleased.” She walked to her bed and sat on the edge, facing him. “The only thing I need to discuss with you is...um...” How could she politely tell him to quit being so cuddly and loving?

  “Yes?” he urged.

  “Well, most married couples do not show their affection so openly. In fact, you rarely see married couples even touch, except of course, if they are dancing.” She hesitated, but only briefly. “You are doing everything so well, and I am very pleased that my family accepts you, but...but...”

  He leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees while his fingers dangled. “But you don’t want me touching you so personal in public, right?”

  She sighed. “Precisely.”

  “Only behind closed doors, like the other married couples.”