Deceived

by Jess Michaels

  “Evan—” she whispered.

  “I care for you, Josie,” he interrupted.

  She hesitated. Cared for her. Not loved her as she did him, but perhaps that would be foolishly asking for too much. Caring for her was very good, more than she had ever hoped to ask for.

  “You do?”

  He nodded. “Indeed, I do. So I am asking you again if you would be my wife.”

  Every word that had come out of his mouth had been said with such passion, such honesty. But she still hesitated. Because she wasn’t sure. Because the future he offered her was so wonderful and terrifying at once.

  He tugged her a little closer so that she was pressed against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat and it was fast, like he was nervous.

  “You know it is the right thing to do,” he said, his voice low and rough. “And not because of honor, but because we both want to do a lot more of what we did last night. Because we both know it could be a happy life.”

  She swallowed. How could she deny him when everything he said was just putting words to her greatest hopes?

  “But—but I hate you,” she whispered.

  He smiled. “Do you now?”

  “Yes.”

  He leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. “Yes you hate me or yes you’ll marry me?”

  Now it was her turn to smile even though she was shaking. “To both,” she said.

  He said nothing, he declared no more. He simply dipped his head and kissed her. She lifted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, opening for him as he tasted her, surrendering herself and her future to his care. For now. And for always.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “And so we are engaged!” Evan felt Josie’s hand tighten on his bicep as the words left his mouth.

  For a moment, the gathered group of his family, her mother and Miss Gray all stared at him, then her, then him again. Josie continued to smile, but he saw the paleness of her skin increase, the light in her eyes begin to fade.

  But then the surprise passed and his mother rose from her seat slowly. “How wonderful!” she burst out as she crossed the room and embraced Josie. “But what a surprise!”

  The entire room became a hubbub of happy activity, with felicitations exchanged and everyone talking at once. Over the throng, he heard Josie’s mother admit, “I fear I knew. After all, we did ride over here together.”

  The mothers began to laugh and their heads immediately went together, likely chatting about the wedding plans soon to come. Evan’s attention went to Gabriel. He watched as his brother approached Josie and said something softly to her. She smiled, but the nervousness was still in her gaze. Then Gabriel moved to him. Their eyes locked, but Gabriel said nothing, only shook his hand slowly.

  Perhaps his brother would have talked to him then, would have brought up the concerns that were bright in his eyes, but before he could, Evan’s attention was brought elsewhere. Quietly, Josie slipped from the parlor through the terrace door.

  His stomach sank. Being the center of attention had never been a good thing for his future bride. It was clearly hard for her to accept it even now.

  He moved to intercept her, to follow her, but before he got three steps away from his brother, there was a soft hand on his forearm. He glanced down to find Mrs. Westfall standing at his side.

  “We didn’t have time to speak privately once you and Josie gave me your news and we flitted straight here,” she said. “Your mother and brother are now talking and it seems Josie has gone outside, so perhaps we could take a moment?”

  Evan glanced again toward the terrace. He knew Josie was outside, and he guessed she was not out there because she was happy or comfortable, but he didn’t know how to refuse her mother’s request without seeming rude.

  “Of course,” he said, motioning toward the other side of the parlor where they would have a bit of privacy. “Come.”

  She followed where he led and smiled up at him. “I have always liked you, my lord.”

  “Evan,” he said. “Just Evan now that we are to be family.”

  Her smile faltered a little. “That is what I must ask you about. Your relationship with my daughter has come on very, er, quickly.”

  He pursed his lips. “Yes,” he agreed slowly.

  “She has not always had a very easy time,” her mother said, a shadow crossing her face. “Perhaps I should have done more, helped her, intervened when she was being mistreated.”

  “We both have our regrets on that score,” he said softly.

  Mrs. Westfall’s eyes went wide. “Do you?”

  He nodded. “I may have inadvertently contributed to Josie’s pain,” he explained. “And though she has forgiven me, I find it harder to forgive myself.”

  “Is that why you stood up for her at the ball last night?”

  Evan stiffened. The ball last night seemed a hundred years away now, as did his defense of Josie against the cruelty of those around her. “Yes.”

  “I am glad she has found a champion. But I admit I still have concerns.”

  “Concerns?” he repeated. He was truly surprised about that. He would have thought Josie’s mother would be over the moon at her daughter’s engagement. After all, she had been pushing Josie to find a husband for years.

  He found himself suddenly happy Mrs. Westfall’s earlier attempts had met with failure.

  “It is hard, I think, for Josie to trust those around her.” Mrs. Westfall shook her head. “With good reason.”

  “Yes.” Evan frowned as he thought of his ulterior motives when he first pursued Josie. What would she think if she knew his initial reason for approach was information regarding Claire, even though he had claimed otherwise?

  “I’m sorry, I’m being silly, I’m sure. I only mean to say that I hope you will take care of my daughter. That you will be mindful of her emotions.”

  “I will, Mrs. Westfall. I assure you I will do all I can to take the best care of her.”

  His future mother-in-law looked at him, stared at him, and he felt her sizing him up. He wasn’t certain of what she decided upon, though, for she hid her reactions well. In the end, she just smiled.

  “Good.”

  Quickly she changed the subject and began chatting with him about wedding plans. But even as she spoke, his mind wandered to Josie on the terrace and if he would truly be able to keep his promise to protect her. From the world. And from himself.

  Josie leaned on the top of the terrace wall with her forearms, staring out at the garden below. The warm breeze stirred her hair, the birds chirped happily around her, and yet she felt very disconnected from all she saw.

  Her thoughts were just so tangled.

  Back inside, everyone was talking about her wedding to Evan. But she had felt every second of their hesitation after the announcement of their betrothal. Perhaps none of them could believe a girl like her could catch a man like him. Perhaps even though they liked her well enough, they were trying to hide their shock, their feelings that she didn’t deserve him.

  And if his family felt that way, she could only imagine the whisperings around London when word reached there.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you…”

  Josie turned at the feminine voice from behind her. The person who had intruded upon her reverie was Lady Woodley’s healer, Miss Gray. As the other woman shut the parlor door behind her, she smiled.

  Josie returned the expression. The young lady was truly lovely, with dark red hair that was bound up properly, though the curls were undeniable and a few bounced around her face. She was pale and porcelain and slender, almost the exact opposite of Josie. Exactly what men liked in a woman.

  And once again she wondered if Evan had ever noticed his mother’s healer, even though he had earlier claimed he hadn’t.

  “Hello, Miss Gray,” Josie said. “You didn’t interrupt, I was just…just…”

  “Getting some air?” the other woman offered helpfully.

  Josie nodded. “Yes. That was it, exactly.
And what about you?”

  Miss Gray came to stand beside Josie. “I would claim I needed air as well, but I have the sense you would see through that assertion. In truth, I’m afraid I don’t belong inside.”

  Josie wrinkled her brow. “Really? You seem like the sort of lady who would belong in any room she stumbled into.”

  “Me? Heavens no. I’m just the healer. Now, Lady Woodley is wonderfully kind and welcoming, of course, but I’m little better than a servant. If I wasn’t always here, I doubt I would be involved in such family affairs.”

  Josie laughed. “You are always here because they like you—they know you are the reason Lady Woodley lives.”

  Miss Gray pursed her lips. “But Lady Woodley is much improved. I am always here because—” She broke off. “No.”

  Josie leaned forward, her own feelings softened, at least for the moment, by her curiosity. “Why?”

  Miss Gray looked over her shoulder, as if making sure they weren’t being watched. “I’m here because Gabriel is…oh, he is the most frustrating man and he insists I keep returning.”

  Josie’s eyes went wide. She had not expected that answer, but perhaps she should have. Evan had been rather distracted of late, which probably did leave his younger brother to keep up the household. And Gabriel was well known for his meticulous nature, after all.

  “Does he?”

  Miss Gray scowled. “Yes, he is always checking my work and wanting me to do things differently.”

  “All the Woodley men are terrible bothers, I assure you.”

  Miss Gray stared at her. “You include your fiancé in that statement?”

  “Especially my fiancé,” Josie laughed, though referring to Evan that way for the first time gave her a thrill. She shook her head. “What is your first name?”

  “Juliet,” Miss Gray offered.

  “Josie,” Josie returned. “And since we each seem to be tormented by Woodleys, I think we should be friends.”

  “I would like that.”

  Josie let out a long sigh before she spoke again. “Perhaps I shouldn’t be so hard on the Woodley men. You know, Gabriel is actually a very decent fellow.”

  Juliet did not confirm or deny her own feelings on that subject. “And what of your fiancé?”

  Josie stared out at the garden again. “More than decent. He is wonderful.”

  “Then why are you standing outside on the terrace with such a sad look in your eyes?” the healer asked softly.

  Josie flitted her gaze toward her new friend. “Did I look sad?”

  “You do,” Juliet said.

  “You said you didn’t belong inside,” Josie said slowly. “I’m not certain I do either. I mean, look at Evan. He’s devilishly handsome and he’s very popular in the right crowds in London. I fear they are all looking at me and wondering why in the world he would choose me.”

  Juliet tilted her head and examined Josie closely. She shifted under the scrutiny and prayed Miss Gray wasn’t asking the same question.

  “Do you really not know?” she asked instead. “You can’t see the way he looks at you?”

  Josie’s lips parted. “The way he looks at me?”

  Juliet nodded as she said, “Oh yes. I noticed it at Lady Audrey’s wedding when you first arrived the shire, and every time I have been in the room with you two I have noted the same. He is obviously very attracted to you. Do you really doubt that?”

  Josie sighed as she thought of the way Evan touched her, kissed her and reassured her of her beauty. When he said it, she actually believed that it was true.

  “I suppose I do know sometimes,” she admitted with a blush. “But is it so obvious? Everyone else seemed shocked.”

  Juliet laughed softly. “I think it’s harder for those close to us to see the change in people. I speak a great deal with Lady Woodley and she has told me you have been a friend to the family for a great many years. Especially to Claire. That is how they labeled you, so to see you take on a new role probably does surprise them. But if it helps, I didn’t see it as an unpleasant surprise.”

  Josie smiled. Juliet had such a soothing way about her; she couldn’t help but be reassured by her words.

  “Thank you for listening to me,” she said. “I know I sound a fool—”

  Juliet shook her head. “Not in the slightest. I think most of us question our place every now and then, don’t we?”

  The terrace doors opened behind them and both women looked back to see who had joined them. Josie’s heart leapt as she saw Evan step out onto the terrace, his eyes searching for her. When they settled on her, his gaze grew heavy-lidded, sensual.

  Juliet patted her hand. “You know, I think I should check on Lady Woodley. This excitement will have to be monitored.”

  “Thank you again for your kind ear and support.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Juliet said as she moved toward the house with a slight incline of her head for Evan. “My lord.”

  Once she had gone inside, Evan moved toward Josie slowly. “You have made a new friend.”

  She nodded. “I think I have. Juliet Gray is a very nice person, I can see why your mother likes her so much.”

  Evan reached out and suddenly his hand covered hers on the stone surface along the top of the low terrace wall. “If she helped you, then I like her too.”

  “Helped me?” Josie repeated, though her mouth went dry as he smoothed his hand back and forth against hers. The rhythmic touch was hypnotic and erotic at once.

  “You slipped away from the crowd and I saw the look on your face. I would have come sooner to check on you, but I was detained by well-wishers.”

  Josie shifted and broke her gaze from his. “Am I so transparent?”

  “Only to me, I suppose,” he said. “You left because you were uncomfortable.”

  She almost denied his claim, almost shoved her emotions deep down inside where he wouldn’t see them. But then she thought of what Juliet had said about him caring for her. She knew that to be true. It wasn’t love. But it was something.

  “I was a little,” she admitted. “But now you are here and I find myself less so.”

  He smiled at that admission, and the hand covering hers lifted to touch her cheek instead. The desire she’d seen in his gaze when he first entered the terrace flared again and her body responded in kind.

  “My mother tells me that Audrey and Jude have already departed London for their wedding trip and it is too far for them to come. But she believes Mary and Edward could join us by the weekend if the news is sent today,” Evan said softly. “Once they arrive, we could marry any time after I obtain the special license.”

  Her heart leapt. “So soon?”

  He nodded.

  “But we don’t have to rush,” she said, trying to quell the returning anxiety that gripped her. “After all, no one knows the truth about why we were engaged so hastily.”

  His eyebrows lifted slightly. “No one but us,” he corrected. “We know the truth.”

  She frowned. “Are you overcome by honor again, Evan?”

  He barked out a laugh that made her jump in surprise. “God no,” he said when he regained his composure. “The opposite, actually. You see, Josie, I don’t think I could wait any longer to have you in my arms again. In my bed again. I want to be with you, so my reasons for hasty marriage are actually quite the opposite of honorable.”

  Her lips parted at that unexpected admission. Unexpected and entirely erotic as she thought about all the pleasure they would soon share.

  “When we are married,” she whispered, “There will be nothing hidden. Nothing denied.”

  “Nothing at all,” he agreed, his voice almost a purr.

  She leaned in closer and tilted her face toward his. “Then I utterly approve of this speedy union, my lord.”

  “Excellent,” he chuckled before he slipped his fingers along her cheeks, tilted her face higher and pressed his lips to hers.

  She expected the kiss to be passionate, as it had been when she
agreed to be his bride, but Evan surprised her. His lips were gentle against hers, coaxing even though she freely gave. When his tongue finally slid out to trace the crease of her lips, she opened hungrily, but he did not devour. He seduced slowly and with finesse. And her knees shook at the idea that this was what he could do to her just as easily as sweep her off her feet.

  She lifted her hands to grip his biceps as she lost herself in him for this moment in time. The love in her swelled and she found herself wishing it would never end. If they had passion, she had to hope that one day they might have more. And that once their wedding came and went, they would continue to grow the bond that had started in such wonderful and unexpected ways.

  By the time Josie and her mother left, it was late. The house was beginning to grow quiet as Evan walked down the long, twisting hallways that led to the office Edward often used to handle estate business when he was here. Tonight Evan intended to use it to write a few letters to obtain his special license and inform people, including his staff in London, about his engagement.

  As he opened the door to the room, he was surprised to find it not dark and quiet, but lit by a roaring fire, all the lamps blazing. When he entered the room, Gabriel rose from a chair beside the window.

  “I thought you might come here,” Gabriel said.

  Evan barely stifled a sigh at the determined look on his brother’s face. There seemed to be no escaping it.

  “Good evening,” he said as he stepped inside and shut the door behind himself. “I wondered where you’d gone. You were there for after-supper drinks with Josie and her mother and then you seemed to just vanish.”

  His brother’s gaze darted away and Evan frowned. Gabriel was normally so direct, sometimes even to his detriment.

  “What is it?” he pressed as he moved closer.

  Gabriel shook his head. “I was simply ensuring Miss Gray was taken home in a carriage. The woman wanted to walk home by moonlight, can you imagine? Why, it’s almost two miles to her father’s home. I had to argue with her for fifteen minutes before she would agree. She can truly be the most frustrating person.”