True Love's Deception

by Marie Higgins

  Dare she? After all, she wasn’t really married...but she did need to act like it since Andrew played his part well. Besides, what would it harm? Pearl was with them. It wouldn’t be indecent.

  Smiling, she slipped her hand around his elbow. “I would love to.”

  Over Gregg’s shoulder, Pearl glared at her. Juliana would hear an earful when they were alone. But it was nothing she couldn’t handle...unless Andrew found out.

  No. That would never happen. Most people knew she and Gregg had been childhood friends.

  Yet as she walked into the establishment and took a seat, curious gazes followed her. Once again, society judged her. Was it any wonder she hadn’t liked England as a child.

  After Gregg signaled to have their order taken—and Pearl who sat at the next table—Gregg turned his brilliant blue eyes on Juliana. He grinned. He had definitely turned into a charmer over the past several years. An accomplished flirt, to be sure.

  “So, Mr. Fielding, how is your family faring?”

  “Please, call me Gregg like we did when we were younger.”

  She nodded. “Then you must call me Juliana.”

  “I will.” He winked. “Did you hear my uncle died?”

  She nodded. “Yes, and I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “I thank you. Much has happened since then. Nicholas is married, and just recently, Ian was shackled in wedlock.”

  “Indeed?” She arched her eyebrows. “Shackled, you say?”

  “Yes, I fear it was a marriage he truly didn’t want. He rescued a girl from kidnappers, and her wealthy father pushed Ian into the marriage. I believe it was the money that Ian was after mostly.”

  Frowning, she shook her head. “So he is not in love with her?”

  “No. In fact, he doesn’t even live with his wife now. Ian has become an investigator of sorts, and expanding his livelihood—and a wife has no place in his life right now.”

  “How very sad.”

  Gregg leaned closer. “Are you going to tell me what prompted you to wed?” he asked.

  “Pardon me?” She chuckled. “What usually prompts people to wed?”

  He shrugged. “As in Ian’s situation, it was money.”

  She flipped her hand through the air. “That’s not true all the time.”

  “Then what is true?”

  Dropping her gaze, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She couldn’t give away her secret. She must play her part.

  “Really, Gregg.” She looked at him again. “Why must you question? Can you not comprehend the idea that I’m in love?”

  He tilted his head as if studying her. His mouth still stretched into a grin. “Forgive me, Juliana, but I cannot fathom you being in love. While growing up, that emotion was not in your vocabulary, so you told everyone.”

  “And can a person not change?” She tapped his hand. “You changed, in more than just your appearance. Your whole personality is different. I remembered a shy boy, afraid to speak out of turn.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “That boy is long gone. Good riddance, I say.”

  “So tell me what has changed you so drastically? I heard you didn’t follow in the footsteps of your older brother.”

  His humorous grin slowly left his face. He kept quiet while their server brought over their tea and left.

  He took a sip, then placed the cup on the plate. “What have you heard about my family, Juliana?”

  After taking a sip from her tea cup, she said, “I heard a young woman was betrothed to your ailing uncle...but married your older brother instead.”

  Gregg nodded. “Yes, after Uncle Grant’s death.”

  “Did your uncle’s death change you?”

  “No. It was the young woman who married my brother.”

  She blinked and widened her eyes. Gregg? In love with Nick’s wife? Ridiculous. Gregg would never betray his brother’s trust.

  Leaning forward, she pushed her manners aside and rested her elbows on the table. “You must tell me more. This tale is intriguing.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted. “This tale has a sad ending, I fear, because it nearly broke my heart.”

  She nodded. “Because she married your older brother instead of you?”

  “Yes.”

  Her heart ached for Gregg’s loss. Obviously, the man had been in love with this woman. Pain still etched in his sad eyes and across his frown. Hopefully she would never have to experience pain like this. But then if she didn’t do something about her feelings for Andrew, she might be the one with the broken heart someday.

  Chapter Seven

  Andrew rode the steed hard. The wind blew against his face, and the rhythm of the animal had become one with him. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and smiled.

  If this were only real.

  He blinked his eyes open and shook his head. Perhaps pretending to be part of the gentry had been the wrong choice. Now that he had tasted a bit of the good life, he may never want to return to the stables again.

  Slowing his horse to a trot, he imagined what it would be like. He’d want to own a house similar to Juliana’s father’s, of course, and have a beautiful wife on his arm and several children at their mother’s skirts. He would raise horses and have the stud farm he had always dreamed about.

  In a split instance, a scene flashed through his mind of a small lad riding a horse through the acres of land, just as Andrew was doing now. He closed his eyes again and saw it clearer. An older man rode not far behind him. The lad’s father, perhaps? The face was unclear, and try as he might, Andrew couldn’t see the man, but the elder’s smile stretched tight across his lips.

  A warm, peaceful feeling crept over Andrew. Did he know this man? Was it the father he’d never remembered who had died when Andrew was so young? Yet why had he been thinking this way lately? He’d never had thoughts about his past before. Why now?

  Kicking his horse into a run, he wiped away the confusing memory. He needed to focus on something else. Dredging up the past was not a very good idea. Instead, he should create ways for him and Juliana to be alone together. He wanted to taste the sweet nectar of her lips again, and hold her intimately in his arms. More than ever, he wanted to be her husband as he should be!

  A sound from afar pulled him away from his thoughts again, and he jerked the reins and brought the horse to a stop. He looked around the patch of trees, knowing they hadn’t just called his name, but someone had. He searched the glade on the other side of him and spotted a woman in a yellow dress riding sidesaddle, coming toward him. She raised a hand and waved frantically.

  Maddie.

  Urging his horse toward the girl, he waited for her to reach him. The closer she came, the more he could see this wouldn’t be a social visit. Instead, her mouth was pulled tight and her forehead creased.

  “Andrew,” she said breathless. “I’m so relieved I found you.”

  He grabbed hold of her reins to keep her horse still. “Maddie, what’s amiss?”

  “You have to come quick. It’s Juliana.”

  Fear gripped his throat. “What’s happened?”

  “She’s with Mr. Fielding having tea at the Shoppe. It’s scandalous, I tell you. He has a reputation for seducing married women.”

  Pain, like a knife cutting through his skin, shot through his chest and made it hard to breathe. Ice ran through his veins. All this time Juliana lectured him to make certain he acted accordingly, and now she was the one causing dishonor to their marriage.

  “Lead the way,” he said between stiff lips as he kicked his heels into the animal’s belly.

  Time seemed to stand still as he rode hell-bent into town. Thoughts swam through his head as he imagined Juliana batting her eyes at another man, playfully touching his hand, or even smiling at him in that hypnotic way of hers. The devil take her! How could she do this to him when he’d played his part so well of her perfect husband?

  The closer he came, the more his heartbeat pounded against his ribs. Cotton dryness grew in his
throat, and if his teeth didn’t break for gritting them so tight, he’d be amazed.

  Maddie slowed her mare and pointed to the building not far ahead. As he neared, the front doors of the establishment opened and out walked Juliana with her arm hooked over the elbow of a well-dressed man. Bile rose in Andrew’s throat and he clenched his jaw. The man strolling beside Juliana said something that made her laugh. Pain sliced through Andrew’s chest.

  He jerked his horse to a stop and jumped off. The quick movement startled Juliana and the stranger. She gasped and placed her hand to her throat.

  “Andrew?” Her eyes widened.

  “The one and only, my dear.” He marched up to her and glared. “What do you think you’re doing here...with another man?”

  JULIANA’S HEART DROPPED and fear surged through her body. She glanced from the arched curious brow of Gregg to the stern expression on Andrew’s face. She gulped a hard swallow. “Andrew, would you please lower your voice.” She stepped closer and placed her hand on his arm, but he jerked it away.

  “Will you kindly explain what you’re doing having tea with a man who has a reputation for seducing married women?”

  She sucked in a breath and looked at Gregg again. This time his expression wasn’t curious, but humorous, instead. Oh, good heavens! His reputation was indeed true.

  Embarrassment flowed through her, but with it came anger. How dare Andrew make a scene! He should have had the decency to take her inside her coach and talk as civilized people.

  Over his shoulder, Maddie stood by her horse with her arms folded smartly across her bosom. A quizzical eyebrow lifted in a mocking salute of victory.

  Juliana seethed. What had Andrew been doing with her? Was Maddie the woman Andrew turned to when he couldn’t get the attention he craved from his wife? Or had this whole thing been another of her sister’s ploys to make Juliana look like an imbecile?

  Meeting Andrew’s glare with one of her own, Juliana placed her hands on her hips. “Do you presume to criticize me in front of a total stranger?”

  Andrew folded his arms across his chest and lifted his stubborn chin. “I do.” He took in a deep breath. “After all, you are my wife.”

  His sarcasm made her grimace, and heat rose to her cheeks. “Andrew?” she bit out. “May I introduce you to my childhood friend, Mr.—”

  “No, you may not.” Andrew stepped closer until he stood right in front of her.

  They were mere inches of touching chests. Heat radiated from his body and sent tingles through hers. She must be insane to be experiencing this while upset with him.

  He grasped her shoulders. “This is not the time for polite introductions. I need a word with my wife, if you don’t mind.”

  “I most certainly do!” She shrugged off his hold, mainly because his touch made her heartbeat hammer out of control.

  Gregg cleared his throat. “Juliana—”

  Andrew’s head swung toward Gregg as he pierced him with a glare. “That’s Mrs. Lawrence to you, sir.”

  Gregg straightened and mocked a bow to Andrew, then looked at Juliana. “I will take my leave now.” He turned on his heels and walked away.

  Juliana wanted to stop him, but knew it was best to not make a scene...although Andrew had been doing that very thing anyway, since a small crowd had gathered within the past several minutes. She balled her hands into fists and glared at her so-called husband. “We will finish this discussion in my coach.”

  “Oh no, we won’t.” He took her by the shoulders again and pulled her against his hard body. Warmth seeped from his skin and melded into hers. She didn’t know if it was from his anger or the disturbing awareness from being this close.

  “Andrew,” she gasped and held onto his shirt, which had been unbuttoned at the throat. The urge to press her lips against his neck at the opening hit her strong. She gritted her teeth and fought the desire building within her.

  Behind her, Pearl hitched a breath. But other than that, all sounds around Juliana faded. She concentrated on Andrew’s heated look and the quick rise and fall of his chest against hers. The movement invigorated her.

  His gaze dropped to her mouth and she licked her suddenly dry lips. Second by second, lines around his eyes and mouth faded as his eyes darkened with desire.

  “Curse you, Juliana. You are mine and I do not share,” he whispered then brought his lips closer.

  She closed her eyes and tilted her head, hoping for his kiss. When his mouth crushed against hers, she let out a deep sigh and clung to his commanding lips, answering with an urgent plea of her own. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her closer as his mouth took control.

  Hungrily, he kissed her, and passion flared inside of her like fireworks. On impulse, she pressed herself closer to his hard chest. A groan escaped his throat and he tightened his hold. She wound her arms around his neck, bringing her that much closer to him. How she wanted this. Needed this. With Andrew. Only he could make her forget everything. Only he could make her smile and her knees buckle from his intoxicating eyes.

  From behind Juliana, Pearl cleared her throat loudly, which brought back the noises surrounding them. Snickering chuckles echoed in the background now, mixed with wagon wheels running over the cobblestones. Reality hit Juliana like a runaway carriage. She was openly displaying affection in the middle of town! Something she would have chastised anyone for doing.

  What kind of wanton did that make her? The gossipmongers would have a grand time with this one.

  Groaning, she pulled away from Andrew who still tried to hold onto her. She forcefully broke their contact and stepped back, swiping a hand over her bosom and dress. Laughing gazes met with hers—people she didn’t even know rudely stared at her. Unjustly judging her, she was certain.

  She dared to look at Andrew, who didn’t seem to be as embarrassed as she felt. Of course not. He had no clue how this would create a scandal. Augh!

  Andrew grinned. “Shall we now take this conversation back to your coach?”

  She growled and pushed him back a step. “No we may not. You’ve embarrassed me for the last time.” Grabbing her dress, she swung around and marched toward her vehicle with Pearl quick on her heels.

  He ruined things now. Because of her so-called husband’s actions, she would be a laughing stock at her own birthday party tomorrow evening.

  This was unforgivable.

  ANDREW LEANED AGAINST the wooden fence and watched Clifford’s prize-winning thoroughbreds. His chest ached. How long had he yearned to own such impressive animals for himself and live in a grand manor? As a young boy, he’d dreamed of this for many nights—many months even—before his uncle had put a stop to it. That uncaring man had squashed Andrew’s goals by telling him the upper class would never accept him no matter what he owned.

  He gritted his teeth. That was reason number one for killing that good for nothing gutter-rat. There were many more reasons.

  Andrew sighed and ran his fingers through his hair as he pushed his past sins in the corners of his mind to keep them hidden. He’d vowed to prove his uncle wrong. Although Andrew may never own horses or even a manor, he could pretend, and he’d play it to the hilt for as long as he could while he and Juliana were here. This may be his only chance to experience living in wealth.

  Then again, because of what happened earlier today in front of the Tea Shoppe, he was certain Juliana would insist they return to Scotland posthaste. But maybe not. After all, she hadn’t gotten her inheritance. But after that, he expected to hear from her.

  He really shouldn’t have created a scene in the middle of the street with all those onlookers milling about. Yet jealousy had ripped through him like a sharp knife and made him want to claim what was his. She was his wife! He knew it, but couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth yet.

  “Andrew?”

  The sweet voice of Madeline pulled him from his thoughts and he turned his head toward the manor. She had her dress lifted to her ankles as she hurried over the rolling green lawn. A ge
ntle wind teased the blonde curls around her ears as the bulk of her hair, pulled back with a ribbon, bounced in rhythm while she rushed across the grass. Her expression was cheerful, unlike it had been when she found him earlier to deliver the grueling news about Juliana and Mr. Fielding.

  “Hello, Maddie.”

  She stopped next to him and took in a deep breath. “I’ve looked everywhere for you.”

  Juliana’s stepsister appeared so innocent in her girlish pink dress. Her flushed face helped give her a younger look also.

  He chuckled. “I doubt you’ve looked everywhere. Besides, if you ever need me in the future, I’ll be here watching the horses.”

  She glanced at the thoroughbreds. “Why?”

  “Juliana didn’t tell you?”

  She shook her head, the thick braid holding her hair together rolled over her shoulder.

  “I’ve always wanted horses of my own to raise and breed.”

  Her eyes widened. “Indeed?”

  “Yes. I’ve had this desire since I was a lad.”

  She smiled and laid a hand on his arm. “Oh how wonderful. I’m certain you’ll make your dream come true.”

  His heart softened. If she only knew. He squeezed her hand. “What is it that you need from me?”

  She blinked and pulled away then glanced down at her other hand holding a letter. “This came for you not too long ago.”

  “What?” He took it from her. The handwriting wasn’t familiar at all. “Me? Are you certain?”

  “Yes.”

  It couldn’t be. Nobody knew him...except for what Juliana had told people.

  He met Maddie’s wide-eyed stare and smiled. “Thank you. I’ll read it when I reach my bedroom.” He folded it and stuffed it in the pocket of his trousers. Curiosity ate at him like a starving man, but he didn’t want to read it in front of her. Perhaps it was from Juliana and it contained private information.

  Maddie heaved a sigh and clasped her hands behind her, rocking back on her heels. “Are you ready for Juliana’s party tomorrow evening?”

  He nodded. “I’m excited about meeting all of her friends.”