True Love's Deception

by Marie Higgins

  Maddie stepped closer to him. “Maybe too much.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Juliana informed me tonight she was very interested in Mr. Fielding and wanted to get to know him better.”

  Andrew’s heartbeat stilled for a few Earth-shattering moments. When an ache began in his chest, he decided to breathe, letting out a slow breath. “She said those very words?”

  “Andrew.” Maddie placed her hand on his arm and squeezed. “I know there is no love between you two. As I told you the other day, I know my stepsister. She cannot love. She is now acting like most of the married couples in London, and plans to take a lover.”

  He scowled. “Why do you tell me this?”

  “Because I think you should find another woman to find comfort tonight, as well.”

  “Pray, Maddie, are you offering?” He arched a brow.

  Her eyelids lowered and she tilted her head, her lips beckoning to be kissed. “Yes. I’m offering my soul to you.”

  Andrew swallowed the lump in his throat. How could he get out of this one now?

  When the dance ended, he took her back to her friends and went in search for another dance partner. His chest ached, but he refused to feel like a wounded animal. By all that was holy, two could play at Juliana’s game.

  Although he didn’t remember the names of most of the people he’d been introduced to, he searched for the faces he remembered. Three women who looked to be approximately his age stood in a group. He might as well go over and ask one to dance.

  He bowed at the first woman to look at him. He smiled. “May I have this dance, Lady...um...”

  The woman’s eyes widened and her face paled slightly. Within seconds she seemed to have regained her composure because she offered a hesitant smile.

  “I am Lady Madison.”

  He nodded. “Ah, yes, I remember.”

  She chuckled. “I seriously doubt that, Mr. Lawrence. I remember my coming out ball. I didn’t recall a soul.”

  As he escorted her to the dance floor, visions erupted in his head of him and the girl slightly taller as they learned to dance. Why would he think of that now? But as he danced with Lady Madison, the visions did not go away. In fact, the more he thought about the memories, the more he was convinced the girl in his mind was his sister.

  Sister? He never had a sister.

  His dance partner cocked her head. “Mr. Lawrence? Have we met before?”

  “Not that I recall. I have spent most of my life in Scotland.”

  “Indeed? Why do you not have the Scottish burr to your accent?”

  His heart dropped in fear. Should he prove to her that he really did? “Lady Madison, I am not in Scotland any longer, and because I try not to stand out, I speak as the rest of you do. However...” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “When I get upset, I spout the language perfectly.”

  She laughed, and something familiar sparked inside him. Why would he think she was familiar? He’d never met her before. Or had he? “Lady Madison? By chance have you been to Scotland?”

  “No, sir, I haven’t.”

  “You should, you know. It’s very beautiful there.”

  “Then perhaps I’ll convince my husband to take me.”

  “And when you do, please let me and my wife know so we can have you over for dinner.”

  She nodded. “I promise.”

  Me and my wife? What was he thinking? When he returned to Scotland with Juliana, he doubted he would have a marriage. Knowing his wife, she’d do all she could to get their marriage annulled. If he ever ran across Lady Madison in Scotland, she’d probably see him as a stable hand.

  His chest ached and he glanced across the room at Juliana again who now stood next to Gregg Fielding, sipping a glass of champagne. Why couldn’t Andrew stop wanting her? Why couldn’t he stop thinking of making her his wife in every aspect of the term?

  He silently vowed, Juliana would not get to know Mr. Fielding more personally and that thoughts of taking a lover tonight would be dismissed. He’d be the only man in her bed!

  JULIANA STOPPED ACCEPTING flutes of champagne after the room started spinning. Why she had consumed so much, she didn’t know. Unless it was to help her forget about her husband—um—about Andrew, she corrected.

  The more she saw Andrew move from one woman to another, the more she flirted with men who asked her to dance. Strange it didn’t make her feel any better knowing she played Andrew’s game. It made her feel worse. Her stomach literally rolled.

  Or perhaps the champagne was the cause.

  Nonetheless, she couldn’t get Andrew off her mind or make her heart stop aching. She couldn’t stop the need to rush across the room and take him in her arms and kiss him passionately. Even now she fought the urge. More handsome than she ever thought possible, he literally made her heart stop. None of the other men of noble birth could make her feel the same warming sensations.

  They never could.

  “Miss Juliana...um, I mean Mrs. Lawrence?”

  She turned to the man next to her. Lord Edward. She’d forgotten he’d come to her party. “Good evening, my lord.”

  “May I escort you out to the dance floor for the next song?”

  Inwardly, she grimaced. She really didn’t want to, but it was too rude to turn him down without a proper excuse. Right now she couldn’t think of one.

  “Well, I suppose...”

  “Excuse me, but this dance is taken.”

  The deep voice of Andrew startled her, and she whipped around to look at the man behind her. The quick movement caused her to tilt, but Andrew’s arms shot out and wrapped around her waist, keeping her from toppling to the ground.

  Andrew smiled. “I am relieved I can still make you swoon, my dove.”

  Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she righted herself. “Thank you. You are my hero, dear husband.”

  “As it should be.” He winked.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Lord Edward. “I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to dance with my husband.”

  Lord Edward swept his hand toward the dance floor. “As you wish.”

  When Andrew pulled her to the middle of the room, he took her hand and brought it to his mouth, brushing his lips across her knuckles. Tingles shot up her arm and warmed her skin.

  “I have missed you immensely,” he said.

  She arched a brow. “Indeed? It certainly didn’t look like it. You have been kept busy this evening. Many women have had the privilege to entertain you in my absence.”

  He brought her into his arms and moved to the rhythm of the tune. “We can remedy that, you know. I assure you, I prefer your company over all the others.”

  Her heart skipped with excitement. He always knew the right things to say. Then again, perhaps the champagne affected her more than she wanted.

  “You have a strange way of showing it, dear husband.”

  His grin disappeared and his eyes darkened with desire. “Say the word, my dove, and I’ll happily take you away from here. Paradise awaits us, and I want to show you the way—only the way a husband can show his wife.”

  Her breath caught in her throat, making it next to impossible to swallow. She knew what he wanted, and curse his hide, she wanted it just as much.

  Juliana’s steps faltered and she stumbled against him. He held her close for several moments—his chest against hers as his heartbeat hammered against her bosom. His warm breath fanned her cheeks, her mouth, and she licked her suddenly dry lips. A smile claimed his face as he righted her.

  “My dear, I think you may have had too much to drink tonight.”

  She giggled. “I think you may be right.”

  “Shall I take you outside for some fresh air, then?”

  “Will it help?”

  He winked. “In more ways than you can imagine.”

  She nodded and let him lead her through the doors spilling out on the back terrace. Her father’s servants had lit the lanterns in the yard well, and a few peop
le strolled on the red-stone footpaths throughout the gardens.

  Keeping her hold on his elbow, she allowed him to walk her through the gardens and back toward the shadowed hedges. The further away from the manor, the closer Andrew pulled her against him until his arm had slipped around her waist. Warmth from his body meshed with hers, and her heartbeat escalated.

  All evening, she had hoped to be alone with him, yet it was wrong. This attraction she had for him went against everything and might ruin her future plans. Yet right now, she didn’t want to think of that. She wanted to be in his arms, being kissed to distraction.

  And yes, more than anything, she wanted him to show her paradise.

  Chapter Ten

  Andrew grinned. Juliana was being quite accommodating. He wanted to think it had nothing to do with the champagne she had consumed this evening and that it was his charm she couldn’t resist. Nevertheless, he almost had her where he wanted her. Next step would be to lure her to the bedroom and finally consummate the marriage.

  A fitting birthday present.

  He tightened his arm around her and she laid her head on his chest as they wandered behind the hedges, out of the public eye and into their own little private world. “How are you feeling, my dove?”

  Juliana’s chest rose and fell in a quick rhythm, which made his fingers itch to caress the creamy skin above her neckline to feel her heartbeat.

  “Um...sleepy.”

  He chuckled. “Then I shall try my hardest to keep you awake.”

  Tilting her head, her gaze met with his. She smiled. “And how do you presume to do that?”

  He dropped his voice, deep and sedated. “Any way I can.”

  Her footsteps slowed. His heart hammered every beat until he had her standing in front of him and securely in his embrace. Her head tipped back as she looked into his eyes, her lips parted and inviting.

  Everything was set. The moonlight as their backdrop, the soft coo of a night bird...and away from everyone else. Best of all, he had a willing partner—at least she acted as if she would not protest.

  “Andrew?”

  “Yes?”

  “Have I told you lately what a remarkable job you’re doing?”

  He grinned. “Not lately.”

  “Well, you have. I know now that you were the perfect man for the job.”

  His hopes slipped. Job. Was that all he meant to her? Her employee? But, of course. What else would she think since she didn’t know the truth? He wanted her as a wife and nothing less. Determination to make her his wife tonight surged through him. He would not surrender unless it was in her arms.

  Rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip, he grinned. “Why do you say that, my dove? What makes me so perfect?”

  “There are a number of things. Your ability to hob-knob with my father’s friends is notable. You speak like them and have their impressive manner. I am also pleased with how quickly you learn.”

  He shrugged. “I suppose I have hidden talent.”

  She chuckled. “It’s not hidden any longer.”

  “Only to you.” He stroked her cheek.

  “And only because I’m paying you well.”

  Inwardly, he scowled. Why did she have to say it that way? If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was purposely trying to ruin the moment.

  Maybe she was.

  Yet, if she didn’t want to be here in his arms, she could pull away at any moment. She wasn’t. Her dreamy eyes were enchanting, and her voice seductive. Every indication made him think that she indeed wanted to be kissed. He wouldn’t just kiss her. Money was not the reason he stayed with her now.

  “I do not want to discuss money.” He lowered his mouth. “There are far more important things than conversing at this particular moment.”

  Her gaze dropped to his lips. “Converse? Why, Andrew. If I didn’t know better, I would think you wanted to stray from verbal communication.”

  “You are a mind reader, my dove. The only way to communicate now is with my mouth and hands,” he muttered as he brought his mouth down and swept his lips over hers in a soft caress.

  Juliana’s sigh tickled his cheek before she kissed him back. His heart soared. Eagerness to please this woman beyond her fondest dream overcame him and directed each movement.

  He stroked her neck and she broke the kiss to tilt back her head as a pleasurable sigh escaped her. He moved his mouth to her neck, spreading kisses all over her exposed skin. She moaned and held him to her chest.

  “Oh, Andrew.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, bringing his head closer to her neck.

  “Juliana,” he muttered before pulling back only enough to stare deep into her eyes. “Do you know what you do to me every time I kiss you?”

  Nodding slowly, she moved her hands against his chest. He gritted his teeth. Heat soared through his body, igniting his desire that much more.

  “I hope you feel the same thing I do,” she whispered.

  He closed his eyes and smiled, leaning his face into the crook of her neck. “If you feel so out of control it makes you dizzy, yet you don’t want it to end, then yes, I do,” he said with a tight voice.

  He prayed she was falling in love with him, because he knew that had been the emotion soaring inside of him lately. Bringing his mouth back to hers, Juliana hungrily met his kiss. Slowing the rhythm, he pecked at her lips as her body relaxed into his tight embrace.

  “Juliana?” he muttered against her mouth.

  “Uh?”

  “Do you think,” he kissed her again, “we would be missed by our guests if I took you upstairs to my room?”

  She smiled and tilted her head back. He continued to place kisses over her chin and neck.

  “Probably.”

  “Would it cause a scandal if we do disappear for a half hour or more?”

  “Probably.”

  “Would you object if I swept you away and took you to paradise tonight?”

  She took hold of his face and lifted it until his gaze met hers. The smile still graced her face as she caressed his lips with her fingers.

  “Not at all, Andrew. In fact, I encourage it.”

  His heartbeat thudded hard against his ribs. She finally said the words he wanted to hear. Could Maddie have been wrong when she informed him of Juliana’s plans to get to know Gregg better tonight? Or had Andrew been the man Juliana wanted all along?

  “Oh, Juliana,” he muttered as he pulled her close for another kiss. She allowed him a few more seconds of pleasure before pulling away.

  “But not now,” she whispered. “We really should return to our guests.”

  “Drat!”

  She chuckled. “But I do think we can hint they leave as soon as possible.”

  “Pray, how do we do this without raising eyebrows?”

  “We have our servants remove the food from the buffet table.”

  Throwing back his head, he laughed and gathered her close against him. “Oh, Juliana. You are a treasure.”

  She slipped her arms around his waist and kissed his chest. “I suggest we hurry before I lose my nerve.”

  He cupped her face and stared down into her warm eyes. “I won’t let you, my dove. I will do everything I can to keep you by my side for the whole evening.”

  “Promise?”

  “Definitely.”

  With his heart beating with renewed life, he escorted Juliana back to the party. He tried to keep his pace slow and calm, but the closer they came to the house, their footsteps picked up and they almost ran. By the time they made it to the door, they were laughing.

  Andrew couldn’t believe his dream was coming true. He would actually get to claim her and make her his wife this very night. Could the evening get any better?

  He hoped it did nothing but improve from here on out.

  “OH, LORD EDWARD. I cannot believe you were asking my sister about me. I thought for certain you were more interested in Juliana.” Maddie batted her lashes as she walked side-by-side with the very charming man
near her mother’s flower garden.

  Lord Edward led the way, heading away from the house lanterns, closer to the shadows.

  He chuckled. “Why would I be interested in your sister when she is married?” He stepped closer as his arm circled around her waist. “Besides, you are much more charming and beautiful than your sister.”

  Maddie giggled. “Why thank you, kind gentleman. I also think I have a better temperament.”

  “Very true. I remember as a child how unruly and misbehaved she was.”

  She laughed. “That is saying it nicely, Lord Edward.”

  Glancing back toward the house and skimming her gaze across the lawn, she searched for Andrew. He and Juliana had come out here not too long ago. But where were they now? Andrew must notice Maddie being led into the shadows by a mature man because Andrew would certainly come to her rescue then.

  She turned and met Edward’s heated gaze before it left her face and roamed over her body. Tingles of awareness pricked her skin. Although it was enjoyable to have a man like Edward stare at her so boldly, she really wanted Andrew to do that. She wanted Andrew to love her—and only her. She hoped the lie she told him earlier worked. Maddie was desperate and she didn’t want to lose Andrew.

  The further away from the lanterns they strolled, the more her heartbeat quickened. Where are you Andrew? “Do you think we should return to the party?”

  “Why? We haven’t done what we came out here to do, my dear.”

  She sucked in a quick breath. What was he talking about? Did he think she came out here to kiss him? If so, she would gladly get the deed over and done with so he could take her back.

  Smiling, she cocked her head. “Are you talking about stealing a kiss from me?”

  He laughed as he pulled her behind some hedges, out of the way of the house’s view. “That is a nice place to start.” Cupping her face, he bent his head and captured her mouth with his.

  She gasped from the suddenness of his actions. Although it wasn’t unpleasant, he still was not the man she wanted. However, the quicker she could kiss him, the quicker he would take her back to the party.