My stomach lurched, and I took a step back. “Mr. Yeatman—”
“Hush, dear cousin. I will allow you until summer’s end to make your decision.”
Arrogant, despicable man! I balled my fists. “I do not need a moment to make that decision. I must adamantly decline.”
“Even if it means your elder sister is forced to marry the physician?” Mr. Yeatman’s upper lip curled with disgust as he said physician.
“Yes. He is a good man.”
“I will allow you to be convinced of that fact for now. He does have every appearance of goodwill, doesn’t he? He heals the ailing and ill, yes, but have you considered that he might also be capable of destruction?”
Mr. Yeatman did not know how much I had considered that possibility. I was not inclined to believe a single word my cousin said, but his declaration fed my buried fears about Luke’s character. I had gathered already that Mr. Yeatman had once been acquainted with Luke that day outside Mr. Tuttle-Kirk’s office. What had passed between them?
“I have come to know him well, and I see no indication of malice in his actions toward my family.”
Mr. Yeatman scoffed. “Well, of course he would accept the terms of the will. Marrying your sister could never be a difficult decision to make if it means that he will be master of an estate like this. There is nothing that could give him pause.”
“He is not as heartless as you think,” I said.
“That is your opinion.” Mr. Yeatman looked down at his cane, swinging it from one side of his foot to the other, clicking it on the floor each time. “It may change.”
I was through listening to Mr. Yeatman. I did not know why I felt the need to so strongly defend Luke’s character after all this time, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Dr. Pembroke has a heart much larger and more caring than your own. He is good and kind and honorable. He would do anything to protect those he loves, no matter the expense to himself. He is worthy of Brookhaven and he is worthy of my sister. That is my opinion of him, and it will never change.” There were more things I could have said, but I held my tongue. My own words surprised me. Had I truly become so much like Aunt Augusta, praising Luke to the wind?
Mr. Yeatman stared at me for a long moment before a slow smile pulled on the corners of his mouth, one that sent another shudder through me. “I believe I sense a forbidden attachment in the making.”
I scowled, wishing I had kept my mouth closed. Why could I not stop myself from speaking?
“Poor, poor, Lizzie.” Mr. Yeatman clicked his tongue, chuckling under his breath. “Does he return your feelings?”
My heart pounded, and my voice rose in defense. “I’m afraid you have missed my meaning. I have no attachment to him. He is intended for my sister.”
“That does not mean you are not pining for him.”
I set my jaw. “I am not.”
“Your eyes hide nothing from me, dear cousin. They are as transparent as the windows.” He gestured all around him, his laughter growing in volume. “Why not spare Juliana and yourself unwanted heartache? You have both endured so much loss already.” He gave me a pitiful look, one that pricked at my pride. “Marry the physician yourself, and allow me to have Brookhaven.”
I could hardly believe the brashness of his words. “This is not about me, nor is it about Juliana. Martha and Dr. Pembroke’s four sisters desire and deserve a comfortable living. Dr. Pembroke and Juliana will be engaged within weeks, and you will never see your day as master of Brookhaven.” I held my chin high.
Mr. Yeatman was silent for too long, his eyes glassed over with what appeared to be deep thought. “We shall see.” His trance seemed to break, and he winked at me before taking to swinging his cane again. “I will return next week for an update on the potential longevity of the courtship. If a proposal has not been made by then, I would venture to guess that Dr. Pembroke returns your feelings. What else would make him so reluctant?” Mr. Yeatman nodded before taking his leave.
I stared at him as he exited through the front door, my heart pounding against my chest.
Mr. Yeatman was entirely wrong. Wrong. I refused to give any credit to his claims that I cared for Luke as more than a friend, my future brother-in-law. My stomach gave its usual protest against the word brother. A deep ache started in my chest, weighing heavily on my shoulders. Was there any truth to it? If there wasn’t—then why was I feeling so hurt and confused? I shunned the whisperings in my heart for long enough to catch my breath.
I started walking back to the drawing room but was stopped by a second knock on the front door. I waited nearby, praying that it wasn’t Luke standing behind it, although the odds were quite high that it was.
The baritone voice that greeted the butler set my palms sweating. After what Mr. Yeatman had said, I feared looking at Luke—looking into his eyes and realizing just how much of Mr. Yeatman’s suspicion was correct.
Luke came into view, meeting my gaze immediately. He held Juliana’s flowers at his side, a wrinkle of worry in his forehead. I gulped, putting on a smile that was meant to assure him I was all right.
I should have remembered just how perceptive he was.
“I saw Mr. Yeatman leaving,” he said, his mouth bowing with concern. “What was the purpose of his visit?”
“I am not entirely sure.” My legs still shook. “His words were a mixture of inquiry, threats, accusations, and a marriage proposal.”
“A proposal?” Luke’s eyes flashed. “He proposed to you?”
“Yes. He offered to marry me if I would make certain you did not marry Juliana. I don’t see how that would motivate me in the slightest.”
“So you could remain here at Brookhaven.” A muscle clenched along his jaw and he shook his head. “Did you refuse?”
“Of course.”
Luke breathed a sigh of relief, crossing his arms over his chest. “Please promise me that you will never accept his hand. He is not a good man. I would challenge him to a duel before seeing anyone I care for married to such a disreputable cad.”
My ears caught on his phrase anyone I care for.
He looked away, as if shy to have admitted it, even in such a subtle way. I banished the feelings that stirred in my chest. He cares for me because I am his friend, nothing more.
“I would rather marry a toad than Mr. Yeatman.” I had thought my mention of toads would make Luke smile, but he was still intensely serious as he regarded me.
“Good,” he said. “A toad would make a much better husband. Is there anything else Yeatman said?”
I resisted the warmth that inched up to the surface of my cheeks. I would never mention the accusations Mr. Yeatman had cast at me about Luke. I cleared my throat. “When I told him that you still planned to marry Juliana, he took it quite hard. He was curious as to why you have not yet proposed, and considers your hesitancy as hope for his inheritance.”
Luke looked away from my face, drawing a deep breath. “Did you explain to him why I have waited to make an official engagement?”
“I did not know exactly what to say. Is it that you wish to give Juliana time to come to know you better? To decide if she still feels it is right? I did not attempt to make that explanation, but I don’t think it would have appeased him.”
Luke rubbed one side of his face, his eyes glinting like steel. “No, I am certain it would not have. Mr. Yeatman would do anything to spite me. Taking Brookhaven would be his ultimate prize, if only for that reason.”
“How do you know Mr. Yeatman? Why does he hate you so much?”
Luke sighed. “We were neighbors in London before my father died and I moved back to Berkshire. He hid his nefarious endeavors well from society. He had many mistresses, pockets full of money that he conned or stole, and extensive debts from his gambling habits.”
None of that surprised me at all, aside from the fact that they had been neighbors.
“A young woman in town, whom I had been acquainted with since childhood, had recently come upon a large inheritance
of forty thousand pounds,” he continued. “Yeatman’s debts were extensive, as was his greed and ability to charm unsuspecting women. He began courting her, and I could not stand by while such an amiable young woman remained so oblivious to his true intentions and true character. I told her the truth about Mr. Yeatman, and she refused to marry him. Mr. Yeatman discovered my hand in it, and has hated me ever since.”
It was easy to imagine Mr. Yeatman being such a fortune hunter. He had once tried extensively to gain Aunt Augusta’s good favor after discovering that Brookhaven belonged fully to her, and was not entailed to anyone, hoping for a place in her will. She had been fooled at first, but had soon learned the truth. Aunt Augusta’s lack of trust in Mr. Yeatman had not been misplaced.
“I am glad you saved that young woman from such a terrible marriage.”
“I could not allow it to happen if I had the ability to stop it,” he said.
A shudder rolled through me as I recalled Mr. Yeatman’s offer to marry me. I hated being in his company for minutes at a time—I couldn’t imagine spending a lifetime with him. “He plans to come again in a week to inquire after your progress with Juliana,” I said. “It would be wise to make your engagement official before then.” Something stabbed at my chest, a deep abiding ache that I feared would never go away.
Luke nodded, and my own hesitancy seemed to be reflected in his eyes. “You are right.”
“Are you prepared to execute the plan we spoke about?”
Luke smiled, and I was relieved that he was no longer so serious. “I have the flowers.” He held up the little white roses, wrapped in paper and bound with a ribbon.
“Perfect. Juliana is waiting in the drawing room.”
He followed me down the hall, and I employed all my concentration not to wish those flowers were for me.
Chapter 16
I entered the drawing room, leaving Luke behind in the entry hall to be introduced by a footman. We had decided that his solitary entrance with the flowers would be more impactful.
The early afternoon light coming from the window illuminated Juliana’s face, making her appear more angelic than ever. Isabel had dressed her in a comfortable morning dress. Her eyes faced the sun, bringing forward the bright blue color. How had Luke not noticed? Would he be able to perform well with our plan today? I twisted my fingers around as I sat down in a chair near the sofa. Martha sat in the far corner by the writing desk, and by the split in the pages of her book, I could see she had made significant progress since the day before.
I took note of Juliana’s placid expression, hoping to have it shift once Luke made his entrance with the roses.
Perfectly on time, the footman opened the door, making way for Luke. He held the white roses in front of him. I met his gaze briefly as he stepped into the room, giving him an encouraging smile, hoping he would mirror the expression. His mouth lifted, the smile reaching all the way to his eyes.
Good, very good.
I tapped my foot, watching as his attention shifted to Juliana. The smile slackened, becoming unnatural once again.
“Good afternoon, Juliana.” He walked forward. “Miss Elizabeth, Miss Martha.”
Juliana offered a similarly unnatural smile in greeting. “I trust your ride here was comfortable.”
“Indeed.” He moved to the sofa, laying the flowers down beside her. “These are for you,” he said. “I know how much you like roses.”
I cringed when I looked up at his face. He had forgotten to smile again. He was watching her expectantly, his eyebrows far too serious. I almost nudged him, but thought better of it.
“Oh, how lovely, thank you.” Juliana scooped the roses up, bringing the buds to her nose. She inhaled—a tight, clogged sound. “Oh, dear.” She sniffed. “My sense of smell is quite dormant at the moment. But I am certain they smell just as beautiful as they look.”
“You look beautiful,” Luke said, his voice far too abrupt.
I cringed.
Juliana touched her hair, shifting with discomfort. “That is very kind of you to say, but I have hardly left the house in days.” She gave a quiet laugh. “I cannot imagine the state of my appearance.”
Luke glanced at me before flicking his gaze back to Juliana. “What is the most beautiful thing in the world in your opinion?”
She seemed surprised by his question, but cast her eyes upward in thought. “A monarch butterfly.”
Luke gave a soft smile, one that melted my heart, even though it wasn’t directed at me. “Then imagine that you look as beautiful as a monarch butterfly. Perhaps then your imagination will be close to fully comprehending the state of your appearance.”
Very imaginative.
He was more skilled than I had thought. By the expression on Luke’s face, I could only guess that he was being genuine. My stomach twisted with unwelcome feelings that I pushed away. No, I was not jealous. I was glad that he meant the compliment, for I did not want him deceiving Juliana. I wanted him to fall in love with her too. Didn’t I? I clasped my hands together in my lap, giving Luke a minuscule nod of approval.
Juliana’s reaction was not what I had hoped it would be. She appeared even more uncomfortable than before. If I were not her sister, I might not have noticed a difference between her discomfort and her painted smile, but I could see straight through her facade.
“You are too kind.” The centers of Juliana’s cheeks had turned pink, and she shared a glance with me. It took great effort for me to appear oblivious to Luke’s sudden change in behavior.
Luke shook his head. “I could not be as kind as you. Miss Elizabeth has spoken much of your kindness. I look forward to the privilege of coming to know you better.” He stared down at her, looking deeply into her eyes. Was he taking note all the things he saw within them?
As humble as she was, Juliana did not easily accept praise. Luke seemed to have a confident hold on the reins of the situation, changing the subject with ease rather than awaiting a response from Juliana.
He touched her forehead. “Your temperature is normal. Are you feeling well enough to venture outside? I thought you might enjoy…” His voice trailed off. His gaze slid to me and back to Juliana as he cleared his throat. “I thought you might enjoy a leisurely walk. I believe it will be beneficial to your lungs to breathe a bit of fresh air.”
I suppressed my smile, feeling the sudden urge to laugh. He had known I would not approve of him suggesting yet another walk. Unimaginative, perhaps, but certainly thoughtful. A walk was all Juliana had the endurance for at the moment. I caught the twitch of Luke’s grin as he turned his gaze away from me and back to Juliana.
“That sounds delightful.” She stood and took Luke’s arm, filling her lungs with a deep breath. Her pale lips and cheeks had regained some color over the last day, and I was confident her full recovery was not far behind. Martha opted to stay inside and read, so I was the designated chaperone.
On the walk outside, Luke glanced over his shoulder on multiple occasions, as if to seek my approval over his actions and words. From the moment Juliana breathed the fresh air, she seemed to be much improved. She even laughed, albeit quietly, on occasion. I could not hear every word Luke said to her, but he seemed to be succeeding in keeping the conversation focused on Juliana, as she was speaking far more than he was. I kicked the grass as I walked, eventually looking down and trying not to eavesdrop on the conversation.
They stopped by the rose bush where I had instructed Luke to cut the flowers. He looked back at me, appearing much more comfortable than he had before. His smile was still struggling to remain on his face, but any attempt was better than the stoic expression he had put on before.
There was one thing he had yet to do, and I reminded him, tapping my finger against my hand with raised eyebrows.
His gaze jumped to Juliana’s left hand, dangling at her side. She had released his arm in order to touch the rose petals, but had lowered it in favor of trying to smell them instead.
Luke shifted a step closer to Jul
iana. The seriousness of his expression caused a laugh to bubble in my chest. I bit my lip.
He was too far away for me to hear his words, but he uttered something short before stealing her hand in one swift motion. She looked up, her eyes round with surprise. From my perspective, there was nothing romantic about the gesture at all. He had taken her hand in the concise, methodical fashion of a physician, and the way he held it appeared firm, as if he were testing the stability of her bones instead of being affectionate.
I winced for her sake and dipped my chin, shushing the giggle that spilled out without permission. By the time I looked up again, Luke had already released Juliana’s hand, and was standing with stiff posture—a pose that would surely have inspired praise from Aunt Augusta—and Juliana had taken to staring intently at the roses, as if she did not know what else to do. The awkwardness carried on for at least a minute before I could not bear it any longer.
I sighed. It seemed a rescue was in order.
“Doctor, do you think the heat of the sun is a bit too much for Juliana to bear in her current state? She might do well inside with Isabel’s fanning and a glass of cold water.”
Luke turned fast, as if eager to have something else to focus on. He regarded Juliana. “Are you feeling unwell?”
“I must confess I am tired.” Juliana wiped her forehead. “Eliza may be right.”
“Let us go back to the house then.” Luke extended his arm to her, which she took carefully. When Juliana was back inside and on her bed, her stiffness lessened. Her eyelids drooped as she thanked Luke, and by the time we exited the room, they were completely closed.
In the hallway, Luke turned toward me, his eyebrows drawing together and his mouth twisting in a grimace. The laugh I had been hiding came bursting out, and I leaned against the bannister at the top of the staircase for support.
“I would not call that a success,” Luke said, a deep chuckle following the words. He put his forehead in his hands.
An Unwelcome Suitor (Entangled Inheritance Book 4) Page 14