by Joyce Alec
“Are you quite certain you are well, Juliet?” Mrs. Grey asked, quietly, putting one hand on Juliet’s arm. “You look a little overcome.”
Hearing a noise coming from behind her and fearing that the two perpetrators would soon be upon her, Juliet shook her head and, her book still in her hand, made her way to the proprietor. The purchase was quickly made, with the bill being sent to her father, although Mrs. Grey still watched her with a growing sense of concern.
“To Gunter’s, then?” Juliet asked brightly, turning to look at Mrs. Grey and, to her horror, noting a lady and a gentleman emerging from where Juliet herself had been standing only a few minutes before. “It sounds like an excellent idea, Mrs. Grey.” She did not wait for her companion to speak or to agree but rather hurried toward the door at once, leaving Mrs. Grey to follow after her in a state of great confusion.
Once outside, Juliet did not stop to even catch her breath but turned in the direction of Gunter’s and continued along her path with quick steps. Mrs. Grey caught up with her after only a few moments, but the hand on Juliet’s arm told her that she was not about to go any further without some sort of explanation.
“Something has occurred, has it not?” Mrs. Grey asked as Juliet turned to face her, her heart still pounding furiously. “What is it, Juliet?”
“We must keep walking,” Juliet replied tightly. “I will explain all, Mrs. Grey, but we must hurry on.”
For a moment, she feared that Mrs. Grey would refuse, but then her companion nodded and began to walk again, albeit at a slower pace.
“Well?” Mrs. Grey asked quietly. “Did someone say something to you, Juliet? If there was a gentleman within making some sort of inappropriate advances, then I do not think I can permit you to wander through a bookshop alone again.”
Juliet shook her head. “I would have much preferred it if it was something such as that, Mrs. Grey,” she said unsteadily, dread still burning through her. “I have overheard something that has greatly concerned me.”
Mrs. Grey’s eyes widened. “Indeed?”
“In the bookshop,” Juliet clarified. “There were two others present speaking in rather hushed tones. I did not mean to eavesdrop, of course, but I confess I did so without being aware of it.”
“That is not of any particular concern to me,” Mrs. Grey said firmly, clearly not at all bothered that Juliet had heard something not meant for her ears. “What was said?”
Feeling a little off balance, Juliet took a moment to catch her breath before she spoke, steadying herself inwardly. “I am sure that what was spoken of was to do with Lord Strickland,” she said slowly. “From what I heard, it seems as though they are quite intent on…injuring him rather severely.”
Mrs. Grey gasped, her steps slowing all the more. “Are you quite certain?”
“I am,” Juliet replied, swallowing hard. “The words were harsh and direct, with the lady appearing more than a little angry that the task had not yet been fulfilled.”
“The task?” Mrs. Grey asked as Juliet shuddered.
“The task of having Lord Strickland removed, whatever that means,” she said, her voice tremulous. “I could not say whether they meant to have him gone from London or…” She could not bring herself to finish, the horror of even the thought shaking her to her core.
“I see,” Mrs. Grey said softly, clearly not needing Juliet to explain any further. “Then we must, of course, speak to Lord Strickland about what you heard, Juliet.”
Juliet blinked, looking at her companion quickly. “Do you think that is best?”
“Of course it is,” Mrs. Grey replied practically. “He must know that there is a particular danger dancing around him and you, my dear Juliet, must be the one to inform him of it. Whether he believes you or not does not matter. You will have done your duty at least.”
Juliet nodded, Mrs. Grey’s words bringing a calmness to her heart. “Very well, Mrs. Grey,” she said quietly. “Although quite how to go about such a conversation, I have not the faintest idea.”
“You will manage,” Mrs. Grey replied confidently. “And let us hope that Lord Strickland takes your words with all seriousness else who knows what shall happen?”
4
“And have you danced with any young ladies of note?”
Duncan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “If you are asking me whether or not I have sought out Lady Juliet, then I can assure you that I have not,” he said firmly. “We have danced on occasion and I have enjoyed conversation with her certainly, but as yet, I do not have any intention of pursuing anything further.”
“And why would that be?” Lady Richmond asked as her husband chuckled quietly. “She is, as you have said, a refreshing change from the other young ladies of the ton.”
Duncan hesitated, not quite certain how to express his seeming inability to even consider what he might do as regarded Lady Juliet. These last few days, he had found himself thinking of her very often and realizing just how much he enjoyed being in her company, but he also noted the fact that she showed such little interest in his excessive wealth. However, doubts had begun to creep into his mind for, surely by now, she would have heard all about his fortune from other acquaintances. Was she, perhaps, pretending that she cared nothing about it in the hope that he might continue her acquaintance with her? Given the fact that Duncan had been surrounded with young ladies who wanted nothing more than to claim him as their own for the sake of his wealth, it was now proving difficult to think of Lady Juliet in any other light.
“You cannot explain, I see,” Lady Richmond said gently. “I will not press you, then. Although I shall say that I will be very glad to discuss any such matters with you should the time come.”
Relieved, Duncan gave her a quick smile. “You are most discerning, Lady Richmond.”
She laughed, turning away from both him and Lord Richmond. “And you are most complimentary, Lord Strickland.”
Duncan smiled to himself and watched her walk away, turning his head to catch Lord Richmond doing the very same—save for the fact that he was watching the lady with a clear and obvious affection.
Duncan sighed.
“That is it, you see,” he said plainly. “You care for Lady Richmond very deeply. She cares for you. I have spent many hours wishing for something akin to what you share with your wife, but it has always felt very far out of reach, given my circumstances.”
Lord Richmond’s brows rose, perhaps a little surprised at the openness with which Duncan had spoken, but Duncan did not regret saying such words. Instead, he merely shrugged and shook his head to himself, blowing out a long breath as the conversations around them continued to flow.
“And you do not think you could find such a thing with Lady Juliet?” Lord Richmond asked after a moment or two, appearing a little confused. “She is quite lovely in every sense, with a sweet and gentle character.” Seeing Duncan’s sharp look, he grinned broadly. “My wife has been making gentle enquiries,” he said, by way of explanation. “She is quite set on the lady.”
“I see,” Duncan replied with a small smile. “Whilst I admit that I might very well be able to have a relationship with a young lady such as Lady Juliet, I am beginning to worry that she is just the same as every other.”
Lord Richmond frowned. “In what way?”
Trying to find the words to express his thoughts, Duncan paused for a moment, thinking quickly. “It will have been told to her by now that I am a gentleman of some means,” he said carefully. “What if her lack of interest in my wealth now comes from a desire to make herself all the more desirable to me?”
“That would make her very deceitful, certainly,” Lord Richmond responded at once, “but the only way to make certain of such a thing would be to remain a little longer in her company. Perhaps show a little more interest than you are at present.” His broad smile made Duncan wince, irritated that his friend knew him so well. “I think that you have been considering her for some time, Strickland, even if you do not wish to admit it.�
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Duncan made to answer but then his gaze snagged on someone of interest. They were not looking at either Duncan or Lord Richmond and certainly did not show any intent of coming toward them. But regardless, their presence at the ball made a deep frown form across Duncan’s forehead, his brows knotting together as a grimace pulled at his lips.
“Good gracious!” Lord Richmond exclaimed, giving a half-turn in the direction Duncan was now looking. “Whatever have you seen that would make you frown so?” A grin split his features as he leaned closer. “Is it that you have seen Lady Juliet being led from the dance floor with another gentleman?”
Duncan’s frown did not lift even for a moment.
“It is Lady Ridgedale,” he said slowly as the smile instantly fell from Lord Richmond’s face. “I am surprised to see her here. I thought her mourning period would not yet be over.”
Lord Richmond glanced toward the lady, the same dark look appearing on his own features. “I knew she had returned to London, but I did not think she would so quickly reintroduce herself to society,” he said with a shake of his head. “That being said, given what I know of Lady Ridgedale, I do not think that the lady would have waited for any longer than was required of her before doing so.”
Duncan snorted with disdain, thinking that he would prefer to remain as far from the lady as possible. “Lord Ridgedale did not choose his bride well.”
“He did not,” Lord Richmond agreed starkly. “But he would not be the first to have his heart captured by a beautiful face and an apparently welcoming heart.”
“To the point that he did not listen to any of the whispers that ran through society about her?” Duncan asked, a hard line forming around his mouth. “The number of times I have had to…” He did not finish his sentence, shaking his head with the memories of the unfortunate lady before turning his gaze away from her. “You know what her character is like.”
“I do indeed,” Lord Richmond muttered. “A grasping, cruel creature who seeks only her own good.”
Duncan bit his tongue not to say more, recalling the many times that Lady Ridgedale had attempted to make her way into his favors. The idea, he presumed, had been that she might become his mistress and, in doing so, would gain some financial freedom of her own. Her husband, he knew, had not at all been inclined to purchase his wife fripperies or jewelry or any such thing and Lady Ridgedale had chafed against his seeming lack of desire to spend his wealth. Of course, Duncan had made it quite plain that he was not the sort of gentleman who toyed with other men’s wives and although Lady Ridgedale had used all of her charms against him, he had remained entirely disinterested.
Then had come the anger.
“She dislikes me intensely, I am sure,” Duncan commented quietly. “She must be back in London in the hope of securing another husband.”
Lord Richmond shook his head. “From what I understand, I believe she has enough wealth to keep her in good standing,” he said, surprising Duncan. “Lord Ridgeland kept his wealth far from his wife whilst he lived but left her a significant portion in his will.” One shoulder lifted in a half-shrug. “That is what I have heard, of course. It may not be true.”
“Regardless,” Duncan remarked, turning away from the lady entirely. “I have no desire to remain anywhere near her. Might we take a—oh.”
His embarrassment at turning so swiftly and almost walking directly into another young lady’s path was multiplied all the more when he realized that the young lady in question was none other than Lady Juliet. Covering his embarrassment with a quick bow, he straightened and tried to smile.
“Good evening, Lady Juliet, Mrs. Grey,” he said quickly. “Do forgive my haste.” He made no explanation as to why he had been behaving so and, instead, waited for them to speak.
Thankfully, Lady Juliet did not appear to be at all embarrassed over his evident mistake.
“Good evening, Lord Strickland. Good evening, Lord Richmond,” she said, curtsying quickly. “I am sorry if I have prevented you from making your escape from something.” Her eyes twinkled with good humor and, despite himself, Duncan found himself smiling. “I shall not stand in your way any longer, however.” Making a small sidestep, she gestured for him to move past her, but Duncan shook his head, as Lord Richmond chuckled.
“It is quite all right,” Lord Richmond said promptly. “It was only that we thought to go in search of another brandy, so you have not interrupted us at all.”
The next few minutes were spent in general conversation, with Duncan fully aware of the glances that Lord Richmond was sending toward him in a most regular fashion. It was quite clear that he expected him to ask Lady Juliet if she wished to dance and yet the obvious way in which he was doing it made Duncan rather embarrassed.
“Lady Juliet,” he found himself saying, suddenly desperate to do so simply in order to stop Lord Richmond from behaving in such an overt fashion. “I do hope you have some remaining dances on your card? I would very much like to peruse it, if I may?”
Lady Juliet smiled and handed it to him without another word, although Duncan was rather surprised to see that most of the dances were taken. In fact, the only two remaining were the quadrille, which was due to happen within the next few minutes, and the country dance. Sighing inwardly, he wrote his name in both spaces, knowing that it would be foolish not to do so. Two dances would not be noticed by anyone, given that other gentlemen were doing the very same. Lord Jennings, he noticed, had written his name down for both the supper dance and the cotillion, making him wonder if the gentleman had a penchant for the lady. After all, the supper dance meant that he would spend a little more time in Lady Juliet’s company, making certain to sit with her once the dance was at an end. A twinge of jealousy spread through Duncan’s heart although he dismissed it quickly enough. There was no need to feel such things when it came to Lady Juliet. He would be satisfied with the quadrille and the country dance.
“I thank you,” Lady Juliet murmured, taking a small step closer to him as Mrs. Grey quickly began to engage Lord Richmond in conversation. “However, Lord Strickland, there is something I must ask you. Something that you will, I am sure, think is both unusual and very forward.”
Taken aback by both her words and her secretive tone, Duncan cleared his throat and gave her a small smile. “But of course, Lady Juliet,” he said, as though such a request was to be expected and hiding his very great confusion. “Whatever it is you wish to ask, I will be happy to listen.”
“I thank you,” she replied with such a look of relief spreading across her face that Duncan immediately began to wonder what it could be that she wanted to discuss with him. “I will also assure you that Mrs. Grey is fully aware of what I am to ask and is in agreement with it.” Taking a moment, she looked to her companion and then back to him, her face now flushed as she continued to speak. “I must ask you, Lord Strickland, if you would be willing to call upon me at your earliest convenience.” Her face flushed all the more as words began to trip over each other in their eagerness to be spoken. “It is not at all because I wish you to show me some sort of attention, nor is it in any way a manipulation to force you into my company, but rather because there is something of the greatest importance that I must share with you.”
Duncan did not quite know how to respond. From the color in the lady’s cheeks and the way her gaze continued to dart from one place to the next, he could tell that she felt very awkward indeed but, to his mind, he could not be sure that she spoke the truth.
“I am certain that you will think me very improper and rather rude, Lord Strickland,” Lady Juliet continued, her eyes now fastening themselves to his as though through sheer effort she might be able to convince him. “I know this request does appear to be for my benefit, but I assure you that it is not.” For a moment, her eyes left his and turned to the right and then to the left, as though afraid someone would overhear her.
“Then speak of it now,” he said with a small frown. “Why could you not speak of it now to me, Lady Julie
t?”
She shook her head, closing her eyes. “I cannot,” she breathed, opening her eyes and looking at him steadily. “It is too dangerous.”
The word shot through him with sudden force, making his frown deepen as he watched her, seeing the concern in her eyes and wondering if there was any possibility that she was telling the truth. The usual doubts rose in his mind, making him believe that, most likely, she was just as every other young lady of his acquaintance and was doing whatever she could to manipulate him into showing regard for her, even with the outward appearance of being entirely disinterested in his wealth. Yet there was something in her voice and expression that spoke of warning and a true concern for him that he could not simply turn away from.
“Mrs. Grey,” Lady Juliet said, turning quickly to her companion and, in doing so, interrupting the conversation between her and Lord Richmond. “Pray forgive the interruption but I must ask you to express to Lord Strickland the urgency behind my request.”
Mrs. Grey lifted her chin and looked sternly back at Duncan, making him feel as though he were a young boy being chastised by a governess.
“Lady Juliet is doing all she can to protect you, Lord Strickland,” Mrs. Grey said firmly. “I am well aware that you might suspect ulterior motivations in her request, but I can assure you it is not so. I give you my word, such as it is, that there is a true desire to help you, although as yet, of course, you are entirely unaware of your need for it.”
Duncan blinked in surprise and cleared his throat, finding himself a little more convinced by Mrs. Grey’s demeanor than he had expected.
“Very well, Lady Juliet,” he said slowly, aware of Lord Richmond’s curious expression. “I will call upon you tomorrow, if I may?”