A Midwinter's Scandal - A Novella Duet

by Erin Knightley

  A dandified shopkeeper glided over to them, his chin lifted to accommodate the ridiculously fussy cravat tied at his neck. “Right this way, if you please. Have you a color in mind?”

  He led them past displays of fabric cascading from the ceiling, and around several bolts arranged like spokes on a circular table.

  She hadn’t given it a second thought, and she certainly didn’t have need for anything right now. “Er, blue?” she said as they skirted around a woman browsing through a selection of crystal beads.

  The lady glanced up at their approach, and a half second later her eyes widened almost comically. She obviously recognized them, though she was only vaguely familiar to Juliette.

  Sebastian must have noticed the woman’s reaction because he smiled over at Juliette like a fawning suitor and leaned the slightest bit toward her. “And green, to match your eyes.”

  It was all she could do not to laugh out loud. Quite frankly, she was surprised he even knew the color. He didn’t seem the sort to gaze lovingly into another’s eyes.

  With a flourish the shopkeeper gestured toward the huge display of ribbons. “Voila! I believe you’ll find our selection to be quite exceptional. Once you’ve decided on what you’d like, simply let me know.”

  “Thank you,” she said dutifully. He stepped aside to allow them a bit of privacy, but not so much distance that he couldn’t keep an eye on his merchandise.

  Sebastian clasped his hands behind his back and walked the length of the display before pausing in front of several widths of apple green. “I feel as though I should suggest one, but I haven’t the slightest idea what one even does with a ribbon.”

  “I’d be surprised if you did,” she said with a wry grin. He wasn’t exactly the sort to know the difference between satin and chiffon. Lifting the widest one, she held it to the high waist of her gown. “These are best for adding a bit of color to a frock. The thinner ones make nice trim for bonnets and nosegays.”

  “Well, well,” a droll voice chimed in, “two encounters in as many days. Such a happy coincidence.”

  Mr. Harvey. Juliette suppressed a groan as she turned to face him. “Indeed. Good afternoon once again, Mr. Harvey.”

  Sebastian stepped closer to her, almost protectively, and nodded curtly. “Harvey.”

  The younger man looked as keen as a cat preparing to pounce on its supper. “Lord Haverstan. I haven’t seen you since . . . hmm, I’m not sure exactly, but I’m almost certain it was before the wedding that wasn’t.”

  Despite the fact that she expected just such a response from him, Juliette ground her teeth. The man had a talent for going for the most tender of subjects. She started to respond, but this time it was Sebastian who squeezed her elbow.

  “It was the Langley ball, though you might not remember,” he said, his tone one of mild boredom. “You were deep in your cups by the time I arrived, lamenting your losses at the races that day.”

  Harvey’s eyes narrowed perceptibly as he lifted his chin. “Ah yes, the Langley ball. What an exceptional memory you have, Haverstan. I wouldn’t have guessed.”

  “I doubt there’s much you would guess about me.”

  The words were so mildly spoken, it took a moment for Juliette to recognize it for the slight it was. Harvey seemed to take a moment as well, but even then it was only a tightening of his jaw that betrayed his annoyance.

  He turned his attention to Juliette and raised a single eyebrow. “I’m surprised you didn’t mention your reconciled relationship when we chatted yesterday. Such joyous news should be shared.”

  Smiling with as much innocence as she could muster, she said, “With your near-legendary knowledge of the comings and goings of the ton, Mr. Harvey, I suppose I assumed you already knew.”

  He preened a bit, curving a hand around the brass knob of his walking stick. “Yes, well, I only know as much as people wish to share with me, my lady. And please, let me be the first to tell you how very happy I am that you have set aside your differences.”

  Happy for a bit of fodder for the gossip mill, perhaps. Juliette repressed the desire to roll her eyes. “Thank you, and good day to you, sir.”

  After nodding to Sebastian, Harvey made a beeline for the front door. Probably heading straight to his club to spread the news. For once, the man played right into their plans. It was strange, wanting to be gossiped about. She’d spent her life up until this moment avoiding exactly that.

  The earl shook his head, his eyes still watching Harvey’s retreating form. “And that is how a rumor is born.” Turning back to Juliette, Sebastian allowed his lips to tip up at the edges in a rather rakish grin. “Our mission is accomplished.”

  Which should have been a good thing.

  Though she readily returned his smile, disappointment wisped through her like a cold breeze. With their goal accomplished, her excuse for spending time with him was no longer valid. “Yes, I suppose it is. Shall we return to my uncle’s?”

  “In a moment.”

  Without another word, he lifted a hand to flag down the sales clerk.

  The man scurried over, obviously anxious to make a sale. “Yes?”

  “A length of the green velvet, please.” Offering her the barest hint of a wink, he added, “It’s sadly wanting when compared to the lady’s eyes, but lovely nonetheless.”

  He was teasing, she knew, but that didn’t stop her heart from giving a little flip. She had no way of knowing how long it would take to determine the identity of the person who had wronged them, but in that moment, she was crossing her fingers that it would be a long time yet.

  Despite the frosty air and snow-patched pavement, the walk home went by entirely too fast, and before she knew it they were standing in front of her uncle’s stately townhome. She suppressed a sigh and smiled up at him. “Day one has been a resounding success, to be sure. When shall our next appearance be?”

  “Good question. Perhaps I should call tomorrow afternoon. Although that may be too soon.” He pursed his lips, mulling it over.

  “No! I think tomorrow is perfect.” She tried not to look overly eager as she added, “Wouldn’t want the gossip to lose momentum.”

  “Hmm, I—”

  The door whooshed open, stopping Sebastian midsentence. Her second-eldest cousin, Michael, stood glaring at them like a high court judge.

  “What the devil is going on here?” he demanded, his wide brow drawn into an angry V. “Both of you, inside, now.”

  Juliette bit her lip, dismay coursing through her veins. Ready or not, the real deception was about to begin.

  ***

  As Michael Pickford led them into the drawing room, tense and radiating fury, Sebastian silently followed behind, carefully watching the other man’s every move and expression. At the moment, Pickford was near the top of his list of possible suspects. The man had access to Juliette’s handwriting, a hostility toward Sebastian, and a distinct lack of other prospects, given his “spare” status.

  “Sit,” he said brusquely, stabbing his finger toward the couches. His coloring was a dull echo of Juliette’s vivid gold and green palette. His eyes were a muted hazel, his hair an uninspired blond that could more accurately be termed beige.

  Playing along, Sebastian waited until Juliette lowered herself onto the stiff gold cushions before settling beside her. She held up a hand and said, “Michael, let me—”

  “Explain?” her cousin said, his eyebrows raised. “No, there is no need to listen to an explanation. I don’t care what your reasons were for taking off like that, but you will not do so again.”

  “Michael—”

  “No, Juliette. Your lack of rational thought on this issue more or less forfeits your right to an opinion.” He turned his gaze on Sebastian. “You, sir, have caused more than enough upheaval in my family. You are no longer welcome, though I am astonished to have to actually say as much.”

  Pickford was doing an admirable job of appearing suitably outraged at Sebastian’s presence, but Sebastian wasn’t convince
d. There was a little too much indignation, coupled with an uncharacteristic bluster that was best left to fusty old men and morally outraged spinsters.

  “I understand your distress, Pickford, but I’ve no intention of causing any upheaval. Juliette and I have decided to begin anew, this time without our parents’ expectations defining the union.”

  Twin slashes of color stained Pickford’s cheeks as he glared back at Sebastian. “Have you no concept of the depth of scandal you caused last summer? I will not allow such a thing to plague Juliette a second time. Now leave, sir, before I have you removed.”

  Sebastian raised an eyebrow. Quite a strong statement from such a young pup. The man couldn’t be a day over three-and-twenty. Instead of arguing, Sebastian came to his feet. A tactical retreat seemed the best course for now. “As you wish. You may relay to Lord Pickford that I shall call formally tomorrow so we may discuss the issue like gentlemen.”

  Without waiting for the insult to register, he turned and bowed to Juliette, whose eyes were bright despite the half-closed curtains. “Thank you for a lovely afternoon, my lady. I look forward to seeing you again.”

  Her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink, and he almost smiled. Well done on her part, looking properly flustered.

  Without sparing a glance for her cousin, Sebastian strode from the drawing room, down the stairs, and straight out the front door into the bracingly cold London air.

  Their plan had quite thoroughly been set into motion. The question was, how long before their culprit made a move?

  For all their sakes, Sebastian hoped like hell it was sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Six

  “I go on one little shopping excursion and apparently miss the biggest bit of gossip this city has seen since summer.” Georgiana set both hands on her hips and pinned Juliette with a look of pure determination. “What on earth has happened?”

  Juliette set down her ledgers and smiled up at her cousin. It wasn’t the practiced smile of so many months, but an honest-to-goodness grin born of excitement that she couldn’t quite squelch. After months of despair, hope was blooming in her chest like the first daffodil after the frost.

  Still, she had to be careful. Sebastian had sworn her to secrecy, and she had no intention of breaking her promise. Of course, she didn’t wish to lie to her cousin, either. She bit her lip. This wasn’t going to be easy.

  “You were there when I ran into Lord Haverstan. It was a . . . rekindling of sorts.”

  Dropping into the chair across from Juliette’s desk, Georgiana stared back at her as if she’d just announced her intention to join the army. “A rekindling? Jules, that man has singed you once already. You can’t possibly wish to rekindle anything with him, with the possible exception of anger.”

  Juliette leaned back in her chair, attempting to appear nonchalant. “We all make mistakes, Georgie. He has since re-evaluated his reasons for calling off the wedding and wishes to open the door to the relationship again.”

  “Well, close it,” she replied, widening her eyes to emphasize her point. “Lock it, for heaven’s sake. A man like that doesn’t deserve a second chance.”

  “Which is exactly what some people might say about Nathaniel,” Juliette replied mildly.

  Georgiana gasped in dismay. “That’s not the same thing at all! Nate showed poor judgment, but he was only hurting himself. Lord Haverstan hurt you.”

  Juliette’s heart squeezed at her cousin’s protective nature. She loved her for caring so much. “Yes, I know, but I honestly believe that he didn’t intend to. Just as Nathaniel didn’t intend to hurt your father so much. Besides, I’m the one who was most affected, therefore I should be the one that decides whether he should be forgiven or not.”

  “Now would be a good time to examine the ‘or not’ version of that determination,” Georgie said dryly, clearly not pleased but no longer quite so adamant.

  Standing, Juliette walked around the desk and held out a hand to her cousin. “Let’s not think on it any more. Come, show me what you found during your shopping excursion.”

  But before Georgiana could respond, the telltale thump of Uncle Gregory’s walking stick on the marble floors of the corridor announced his arrival home. Juliette looked to Georgiana, who cringed on her behalf.

  Shaking her head, her cousin said, “Looks like now is the time for a little conversation with Papa about the matter. Good luck, and do come see me when it’s over. I shall be waiting with tea and biscuits, just in case,” she added before giving Juliette’s hand a light squeeze and slipping out just as Uncle Gregory came into view. She paused long enough to kiss his cheek and wish him good day before disappearing down the corridor.

  Juliette straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and smiled. “Welcome home, Uncle. Do you have a moment to talk?”

  His return smile was warm and indulgent. “For you, my dear? But of course.”

  For a moment, the lie she was about to tell him stuck in her mouth like glue. The thought of being dishonest to her kind uncle was more than a little distressing. But it would only be a temporary lie, and the ruse would be over soon. And with any luck, well, it would all be worth it if she could convince Sebastian that they were a good match after all. Taking a deep breath, she dove in.

  ***

  “My niece informs me that the two of you have been seeing each other these last few days.”

  Sebastian nodded solemnly from his seat in front of Pickford’s great desk, which was flanked with enough greenery to look as though they were conducting the interview in the forest. The older man’s face was as grave as an undertaker, his eyebrows drawn together and his mouth sagging in an exaggerated frown.

  “We have. Our first meeting was by chance, but we have since discovered an unexpected pleasure in each other’s company.”

  The viscount’s brows further descended. “A fact best served to have been discovered before the wedding was called off. You must know that attempting to rekindle the relationship now is beyond the pale.”

  “With all due respect, I disagree. I’m extremely dismayed to learn of Lady Juliette’s distress these last few months. I felt I was doing her a kindness, preventing a marriage that neither one of us desired, but I see now that my logic was faulty. I hope to right any wrongs I have done to her.”

  “It’s too late for that. If you are any sort of gentleman, you must realize that.”

  Sebastian dipped his head in agreement. “Yes, I suppose I do. But I intend to see her happy, and I believe that reinstating the betrothal may do that. I want to be sure, however, which is why I’d like to spend time in her company. Rather, I wish for her to spend time in mine, to see if we really would suit as well as she believes we might.”

  Pickford blew out a breath, disapproval etched in his countenance. “I am strongly opposed to this nonsense. As far as I’m concerned, you revealed true character by breaking your word last year.

  “However,” he added reluctantly, “Juliette spoke at length of her pleasure with these new developments and insisted that she must be allowed to explore them. I strongly advised her against it, but she is quite determined.”

  Lifting his chin, Sebastian said, “As am I. I give you my word that she will not be hurt a second time.” Even as he said the words with a hearty dose of confidence, something niggled at his conscience. He had no intention of hurting her, but was it possible to guarantee such a thing?

  “Your word has little meaning to me now, but my niece will not be swayed. So allow me be clear,” the older man said, his forehead furrowed above his white brows. “If I feel you are taking advantage of the situation, I will not sit idly by. Let this serve as a warning, Haverstan.”

  As sternly as the words were spoken, it was difficult to be intimidated by the kindly older man. Still, Sebastian offered him a respectful nod. He came to his feet and set his hat back in place. “I appreciate your time and forbearance. I shall see myself out.”

  Juliette was waiting for him in the corridor, her tense f
eatures conveying her anxiety. “Well?”

  “Begrudging approval of our spending time together.”

  She fell into step beside him as they started for the front door. “Good. That’s good.”

  He cut an unconvinced glance her way. “You don’t sound so certain.”

  Grimacing, she sent him an apologetic smile. “To be honest, I feel like a proper heel for lying to him. He’s always been so good to me.”

  Nodding, Sebastian said, “I realize it can’t be easy for you. Was he angry with you?” Pickford hadn’t seemed angry, but he’d had some time to get used to the idea.

  “Not angry so much as exceptionally worried for me.” She visibly rallied, and offered him a brighter smile. “But it’s all for the best, in the end. He’ll forgive me when he knows our reasoning.”

  That remained to be seen. If it was indeed one of his sons that had caused this mess in the first place, Sebastian doubted that the old man would be grateful for the discovery. But he was smart enough to keep those thoughts to himself. The fact that the viscount’s sons were less than upstanding examples of honorable gentlemen was no concern of his.

  He ran his tongue over his teeth thoughtfully. He didn’t wish for Juliette to be hurt, of course. Not at all. But no matter how all of this played out, there was bound to be some upset to her emotions. Someone who knew her well enough to mimic her handwriting had betrayed her terribly. It was an unavoidable truth. Hopefully, knowing that truth would bring some peace for her as well.

  As much as he tried to convince himself of that, he knew it was trying to pin roses on manure. Exhaling, he turned to her and smiled warmly. “Shall we go see the Alexandria exhibit at the museum this afternoon? I imagine you’ll like the new section of hieroglyphics they procured. If I’m not mistaken, you were once quite taken with Egyptian culture.”

  She looked up at him in surprise. “You remember that?”

  Guilt flashed through him at her genuine reaction, which in turn surprised him. He’d never disliked the girl, even when he wished she wasn’t there. “Of course. I read your letters, even if I rarely wrote back.”