True Love's Deception

by Marie Higgins

  She gasped.

  “The truth is,” he continued, “it will be just as hard for me to be polite as it will be for you.”

  She nodded. “We agree, then.”

  “I will always know what you think of me.”

  “Just as I will never forget what you have just told me.” She relaxed in her seat and stared out the window as heaviness settled into her chest. She had serious doubts that she could endure this trip and remain sane.

  ANDREW DRUMMED HIS fingers on the leather seat beside him. The jarring motion of the coach wasn’t as noticeable as before. Either that or Juliana’s constant etiquette lessons were actually interesting. Actually, it was the way her beauty took him totally unaware. Every time he picked up on a lesson she was teaching, her face glowed and her eyes twinkled like gems. After she had removed her bonnet, he’d noticed the black net holding her reddish-blonde waves to the back of her head made her look more refined. He itched to take off the netting and curl a ringlet around his finger just to feel the texture.

  And her lips! God in heaven hadn’t shown him a more perfect pair. When she talked, she held him mesmerized. Quickly, he blinked and snapped to attention. Kissing her was something he wouldn’t do. Not yet. How could he shower affections on such a beautiful creature when she had the tongue of a dragon—and the attitude that went with it? Nevertheless, he couldn’t stop remembering she was really his wife, whether she knew it or not, and he wanted to kiss her. But more than that, he wanted her to respect him, which he highly doubted would happen any time soon. Because of those things, he would refrain from wanting to taste her sweet lips.

  “No more lessons.” He shook his head. “I’m ready, I promise.”

  She sighed. “Yes. I do believe you are.”

  She switched her attention toward the window. He glanced out, also, but scenery failed to hold his interest. Even as sharp as her tongue was at times, he still enjoyed looking at her, yet he couldn’t decipher why. He wasn’t a shallow man. It took more than beauty to turn his head. Perhaps it was her bold personality and wanting to know why she did what she did. What would make a woman like Juliana want to lie to her family?

  As he watched her closely, she glanced his way then fleetingly diverted her gaze back to the window. Shifting in her seat, she appeared uncomfortable, but when a light pink colored her cheeks, he realized the reason for her duress. Apparently, he had not lost his touch of unnerving her.

  “Miss Juliana—or can I call you Juliana now?”

  She jumped and switched her gaze to him. Evidently, his voice even startled her.

  “Yes, I suppose you can call me Juliana since I’m supposed to be your wife. Calling me Miss might cause suspicion. Although in public, you call me Mrs. Lawrence.”

  “So, Juliana, tell me about your family.”

  “What would you like to know?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Everything. Mostly, why you’re here and your family is in England?”

  “When my mother was alive, we lived here in Scotland until I was four. After she died, my father wanted to move back to be closer to his friends and family. One year later, Father met Constance and they married. Constance was a widow with a small child, and they seemed to think I needed a sister.”

  “How did you feel about that?” he asked.

  “I abhorred the idea. I didn’t want to share my life with her, and I especially didn’t want to share my father. He thought Madeline was such a precious baby, and he could not help but give all his attention to her.”

  “Is that when you decided to return to Scotland?”

  “No, not until later. I was still quite young, but as the years passed, I realized my father and Constance scolded me much too often. My little sister told lies, and they believed her. So miserable was I, in fact, I’d contemplated running away to live with a wealthy family who had recently lost their only son. At the time, I felt they needed me more than my own family did. Their name is Lawrence—which is why I love the name so much. Anyway, when I was fifteen, my maternal grandmother fell ill and she asked my father if I could stay with her for a spell. I was thrilled beyond reason.”

  When Juliana clasped her hands and smiled, her eyes danced with merriment. Andrew couldn’t stop the grin sneaking across his mouth. She really couldn’t help it. She was adorable.

  “While staying with my grandmother,” she continued, “she sent me to the finest schools, and I finally felt I belonged somewhere. My grandmother and I convinced my father to let me remain. Each year my grandmother’s health declined, and I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible before she died. Of course, back then we didn’t know how long I’d actually stay here.”

  Andrew leaned back in his seat and ran his fingers through his hair. “How do you feel about your family now that you are away from them?”

  She shrugged. “I do miss my father, but I haven’t allowed myself to love my stepmother and her spoiled daughter. Since I was eighteen, Constance has been sending threats my way. She wants to arrange my marriage, which I won’t allow. Because she knows this, she has convinced my father to withhold my inheritance or give it away.”

  “May I inquire to your age now?”

  “I’m in my second and twentieth year. I was to get my inheritance when I turned twenty-three, or married. Whichever came first.”

  He nodded. “How long before you are twenty-three?”

  “Eight months.”

  “That’s the reason you hired me to masquerade as your husband.”

  “Precisely. They want me married now. None will be the wiser after we leave that awful place and return to Scotland.”

  “And what about your stepsister? How old is she now?”

  “She’s in her sixteenth year.” Juliana laughed, which brightened her face. “My father thinks she is too young to be without a guardian. He must have forgotten I was that age when I came to live with my grandmother.”

  Andrew shook his head. “That’s not too young. I was ten when I was left to fend for myself.” After he said the words, he scolded himself. The ache he’d held in his heart all this time awakened. Curse his sensitive side. Hadn’t he buried that part of his life when he was younger?

  She gasped. “Indeed? Where are your parents?”

  “I cannot remember much about my parents, but after they passed away, I lived with my grandfather and uncle. I was probably seven or eight when my parents died. I cannot recall. I just know what my grandfather told me.”

  The sparkle disappeared from her eyes. He didn’t need her pity. He’d rather see her eyes looking like gems again.

  Her forehead creased. “Did your grandfather and uncle die, too? Is that why you were left alone at such a young age?”

  “My grandfather died, but I never knew what happened to my uncle. They were thieves. They stole from the rich, and tried to teach me to do the same.”

  She scooted forward and her skirt rubbed his trouser legs. She didn’t seem to notice...so he wouldn’t bring it to her attention. He enjoyed the way she hung on his every word. “When Gramps was alive,” he continued, “we were separated all the time because the law was after us.”

  “How did you survive?” she asked.

  “The only thing I knew how to do was steal, but I never did have the talent—or the heart—especially after Gramps died.”

  “Why wasn’t your heart in it?”

  “Gramps always told me rich people had killed my family.” Andrew shrugged. “In a way, I guess the wealthy killed Gramps, too.” He ran his fingers through his hair again.

  Her eyes were wide and curious. “Do you still rob people for their money?”

  He laughed. “No. I wasn’t any good at it. Besides, I like working with horses a lot more than stealing.”

  A gush of air came from her mouth. “You have led a rather wild life, haven’t you?”

  The mischievous side of him emerged and made him want to tease. He touched her hand. “Those were the good moments of my life. I don’t dare tell you ab
out the less than proper things I have done. I don’t want to be responsible for burning your ears.” And if he did tell her the truth about his past, she for certain wouldn’t want his help. Keeping the truth hidden was easier. Safer.

  Juliana hitched a breath and her mouth parted. A pink tint filled her cheeks before she slowly relaxed in her seat. “Thank you for not going into details.” Her voice trembled.

  He almost laughed from satisfaction. She was a good little performer, but he could still see how he affected her. It was good to know he could unsettle her like this. It might prove to his advantage one day soon.

  Chapter Three

  “I should.” Juliana scowled. “No, perhaps I shouldn’t.”

  She glanced at the bedroom door of the inn, willing it to open just as a magic force would push her across the floor, out to the hall, and in front of Andrew’s room. But no matter how long she stalled, there was no unforeseen force going to move her.

  They’d traveled for many miles, and once the sun set, they found an inn to stay at until morning. Each mile closer to her father’s estate made her more nervous.

  Wiping her moist palms against her wrapper, she growled and walked to the window. As she parted the dingy curtain, her gaze dropped down onto the street. Darkness covered the land, and the half-moon didn’t light the road very well. A few carriages parked out front, their drivers waiting atop for the occupants.

  Although not the best inn in town, it would do. Then again, nothing so far on this trip had satisfied her. Andrew’s company gnawed on her already frayed nerves. Not that he’d been mean or degrading. On the contrary, most of the time they conversed on a solid level, almost as if she had been talking to a man who’d been born and raised a true gentleman.

  That could be the problem. He wasn’t a gentleman, but a stable hand. She’d really sunk low this time and ignored everything she’d ever been taught. Traipsing across Scotland in the company of a man, pretending he was her husband was not only scandalous, it was a criminal act since they had a faux clergyman forge the marriage certificate.

  Nobody could know about her deceitful ways, and she’d move heaven and earth to make certain that never happened. But what worried her more was the man portraying her husband. What he’d told her about his past disturbed her a great deal. Would he try and steal from her? Although he may not pick her pockets, there were other ways of stealing money.

  Blackmail, for one.

  She glanced at the door again. No matter what, she needed to talk to Andrew. Grasping the sides of her wrapper, she groaned. Did she dare go to his room wearing her nightclothes? But she couldn’t put it off another moment. If she expected to get any sleep tonight, this must be done.

  With her heart thumping in a wild rhythm, she opened the door and took the few steps across the hall to Andrew’s room. Breathing deeply for courage, she rapped softly. Hurried footsteps from behind the door padded across the floor then the knob turned. Within seconds, Andrew came into view.

  Oh good heavens! He wore a man’s dressing robe, opened at the throat. His legs from the calves down were bare. What had she been thinking?

  He scanned her attire, his eyes widening. “Juliana? What are you doing here at this time of night?”

  Her breathing grew irregular. Why didn’t he excuse himself to get dressed? But of course she stood before him in her wrapper, so she didn’t have room to criticize.

  Andrew glanced up the hall. “Is something wrong?”

  She couldn’t breathe. Yet she was breathing much too fast as it was. Must be the tightness in her chest making her feel this way. “I—I—” She swallowed to moisten her dry throat. “I must speak with you.”

  Voices floated from down the hall, and she swung her head in that direction. I’m going to get caught in my nightclothes! Without another thought, she pushed past Andrew and closed the door behind her.

  His forehead creased. “Where is Pearl?”

  “The same place I should be—asleep in bed,” she grumbled.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “No, I’m not. I’m very nervous about tomorrow. We should arrive at Father’s estate some time tomorrow afternoon if there are no complications along the journey.”

  He nodded, the worried lines etching his face disappeared. “You’re wondering what is going to happen when we see your father, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “So what would you like me to do about it, Juliana?”

  “Promise me something.” She stepped closer and placed her hand lightly on his arm. “Promise you won’t tell my family about our arrangement.”

  He glanced at her hand. When his gaze lifted, his eyes appeared darker than before. A lazy smile touched his mouth. A knot formed in her throat, and her heartbeat quickened.

  “Why would I tell?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Well, for one, I know you don’t like me very much and I hope you’ll not try to punish me because of your feelings for me. And of course, if you are trying to get more money somehow...”

  His brows drew together and he blinked several times. “What are you talking about?”

  “Didn’t you tell me you used to take money from wealthy people and always wanted more?”

  His face relaxed and he chuckled. “Your father will pay more?”

  “Andrew, please.” She stepped closer and clutched the front of his robe. “Please don’t do this to me.” She held her breath, hoping he would stick to their arrangement and not try to blackmail her. So far, his expression didn’t look vindictive at all. The laugh lines in his face had vanished, and he became serious as his gaze moved over her.

  He placed his palms over the tops of her hands, flattening them against his chest. “I promise not to tell your family, Juliana. I will let them know you are indeed, my wife.”

  “Do you give your solemn oath...on your parents’ grave?”

  “I don’t know where they’re buried, but if I did, I’d swear to you upon their graves.”

  Relief flooded through her and she released a heavy sigh. She dropped her stare from his eyes and focused on his throat. A tan darkened his skin, proving he’d worked most of his days in the hot sun. Underneath her palms, his muscles flexed, reminding her how well formed he really was.

  Oh, my! What had she been doing? Touching him while he was wearing his robe? According to the soft expression on his face, he appeared as if he didn’t mind the improper way in which they stood so closely, either.

  “Juliana? Is that the reason you have been so unreasonable and on edge?”

  His soft, calming voice held her hypnotized. Either that or it was his warm eyes. She’d heard his words, but didn’t quite understand them. “What?”

  His lips twitched, but he didn’t laugh. “Have you been worried I would back out on our bargain?”

  She nodded slowly. Suddenly, the room felt smaller as they stood so close. “That was the reason. I thought my father’s money might tempt you to confess our deal.”

  “Don’t worry any longer, my dove. You’re paying me more than I ever expected. I promised you something, and I never break my promises.”

  Why was he saying the words she wanted to hear? Even the tone of his voice made her senseless, giving her the urge to cuddle next to him and stay there for the rest of her life.

  He caressed her cheek then he took a lock of her hair that rested on her shoulder. Again, her throat turned dry, and her heart thundered in a fierce rhythm. What was he doing to her?

  “The only way your father could sway me is if he were a woman. More beautiful, in fact, than the one standing before me now.” His gaze lowered to her mouth.

  He did it again. Did he know how he affected her? If he kept this up, she’d be under his control. Right now, that was not a good idea. Nor would it ever be.

  “You know,” he said, moving closer, “you should not look at a man like that. He might get the impression you are expecting a kiss.”

  She hitched a breath, her heart pounding too hard fo
r her to breathe normally. “I’m...” She swallowed. “Forgive me?”

  He slipped his other hand around her waist. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he whispered.

  His warm breath fanned her face, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off his lips, even through her half-closed lids.

  “Juliana? I think we should practice looking married so your family doesn’t get suspicious.” His mouth descended toward hers. “Would you like that? Should we practice acting as if we’re happily married and in love?”

  Instead of answering verbally, she closed her eyes and leaned forward, tilting her head, offering him what she hoped he asked for.

  When his mouth covered hers, tingles spread throughout her. She followed his lead, and as he rubbed his lips across hers in a gentle manner, she copied. His arm tightened around her, and the hand that had been caressing her hair, cupped her face as he deepened the kiss. Shock over the intimacy of their kiss rocked through her and she sighed in surrender, sliding her hands up and hooking them around his neck. Not many men had taken the liberties to kiss her, but she dared admit his kiss made her mind fuzzy, and she wanted nothing more but to think of him.

  A groan escaped him as his mouth moved all over, it seemed, from her mouth to her neck, then back to her lips. His ragged breathing matched her perfectly. She loved it. But she knew she shouldn’t.

  Soon, the room started spinning, and her head knocked with the quick rhythm of her heart, almost sounding like someone rapping their knuckles on wood.

  His wonderful kisses stopped and he held her shoulders. “Juliana. Someone is knocking on my door.”

  “Huh?” Dazed, she glanced around the room, sounds becoming clearer as her vision focused.

  “Mr. Dean?” the voice behind the door called. “Me mistress is missin’.” A knock sounded again.

  Pearl! Oh dear! Juliana placed her hands on her heated cheeks. “It’s my maid,” she whispered.

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