by Lauren Royal
No, but she’d been kissed. Juliana glared at her.
Corinna glared back, then smiled sweetly. “Alexandra’s happy, too.”
“That’s because she’s with child,” James said.
A little hush fell over their circle. Juliana swung to her older sister. “Is that true?”
“It is,” Tristan confirmed. Beaming, he slid an arm around his wife’s waist. “We’re both thrilled.”
James looked stricken. “My sincerest apologies. I didn’t realize you hadn’t told—”
He was drowned out by Corinna’s and Aunt Frances’s shrieks as they engulfed Tristan and Alexandra in a group hug.
Juliana took a step back. Corinna had been kissed, and Alexandra and Tristan were going to have a baby. She was happy for them. And for herself, for the whole family. She was pleased. Joyous. Jubilant. And something else. Something that made her fists clench at her sides.
“You’re jealous,” James said in her ear.
“I am not.” Dismayed, she turned to him. “I’m happy for my sister. And for me. I’ll have a niece or nephew to play with. How on earth did you know she was carrying a child?”
James shrugged. “I’m a physician.”
With a huff she spun back around, intending to join the family celebration.
He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Your turn will come,” he said.
“Who said I wanted a turn?”
He shrugged again and removed his hand.
With her head held high, she strutted off to congratulate the beaming couple.
James left the Chases alone to enjoy a private family moment. He needed a drink.
Watching the scene had left an odd mix of emotions swirling inside him. Seeing Hawkridge’s elation recalled his own happy memories, which recalled sad memories, all of which brought on a new and appalling realization.
He was jealous, too.
THIRTY-ONE
“YOU’RE FOXED,” Juliana told James later as they danced.
“Maybe.” His thumb made its way beneath the edge of her glove and tickled the sensitive skin on the underside of her wrist. “Or maybe not.”
“You are.” She laughed, suppressing a shiver. “You’ve had three cups of punch tonight already.”
“Four,” he corrected. “Small cups. In two hours. And how would you come to know that, anyway? Are you watching me, Juliana?”
“Of course not,” she said quickly, avoiding his eyes. Her gaze fell on his cravat, and she found herself picturing the golden skin she knew was behind it. And wondering what the rest of his chest might look like below it. Were men’s chests truly all ridged and muscled like the centaur statue’s had been? Or was that just artistic license?
It really wasn’t fair how—in contrast to ladies’ fashions—gentlemen’s attire left everything to the imagination.
“Hmm,” he said. A smug-sounding hmm. She looked up again to find him gazing at her in that way that made her fear he could read her mind. The pad of his thumb kept skimming her wrist.
It seemed liquor made him even more amorous than macaroons. Which was uncomfortable for Juliana, but also a good thing, because it meant Amanda would have an easier time getting herself compromised.
And poor, demure Amanda would need all the help she could get.
On the other side of the dance floor, Amanda was paired again with the duke, the both of them rigid as ever. In the two hours since Juliana suggested they dance together, she herself had danced with twelve other young men. Vivaciously and enthusiastically. But the duke hadn’t seemed to take any note.
It hadn’t helped that he’d spent more half of those two hours in the card room.
Between Juliana’s dozen dances, the duke had emerged and danced with her twice, but despite all her efforts to draw him out, she hadn’t gotten him any closer to kissing her.
Still gazing at James’s cravat, she tried to picture the duke’s skin in the open V of a shirt. She imagined it would be ivory instead of golden. But he probably never loosened his collar, anyway. He probably went to bed fully dressed, with his shirt fastened up to his chin, a cravat knotted in layers to cover it, and a waistcoat and tailcoat besides. Both fully buttoned.
It was heartbreaking, really. He truly needed a girl like her in his life. She resolved to remain patient, to keep working toward his happiness, no matter how long the process took. After all, it had taken an entire childhood of cold treatment to turn him into the man he was today. She shouldn’t be surprised if it took more than a few weeks of warmth to counteract that.
Thankfully, the rest of her projects were coming along nicely. Aunt Frances and Lord Malmsey had kissed. Lord Cavanaugh had danced three times with Lady Stafford, and they’d probably kissed as well. And Amanda and James would be kissing soon.
Every woman in London would be kissed tonight except for Juliana.
Unless…
Maneuvering the last few steps of the dance to end up by Amanda and the duke, she curtsied to James and then turned to them. “Shall we exchange partners?”
The duke looked so startled at her forwardness, she nearly lost her nerve. But she’d never been one to just stand by and let things happen—or in this case, not happen—so when the musicians resumed playing, she got the duke into position, steeled herself, and began surreptitiously inching him toward a potted palm.
At least she tried to be surreptitious. Unfortunately, the tune wasn’t a waltz but a minuet—which meant the dancers moved back and forth rather than progressing in a particular direction.
“I’m supposed to lead, my dear,” the duke gently chided. “Why are you taking larger steps towards the right than the left?”
She decided not to play coy. The duke never seemed to take a hint, so she’d best come out and say it. “I’m hoping to get you alone behind that potted palm.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m hoping for a kiss.”
He blinked. “Before marriage?”
She mentally rolled her eyes. “Yes, before marriage.” And though she’d never expected to quote Aunt Frances regarding intimate matters, she found herself adding, “It’s no great sin, you know.”
“Perhaps not, my dear, but it also wouldn’t be proper.”
Her heart sank. “Don’t you want to kiss me?” she asked. “You’re courting me. You’ve sent me flowers three times. I thought you were falling in love with me.”
The instant the words left her mouth she wished she could stuff them back in.
Until he said, “Oh, but I am.”
Oh, but I am!
Her heart soared. The duke was falling in love with her! She’d swear she could hear birds singing. Or perhaps they were angels. Either way, it meant everything was marvelous! She and the duke would be married—just as soon as she finished falling in love with him. She’d be a duchess! People would call her your grace!
It was more than enough to make up for having to wait for her wedding day to be kissed.
As the dance ended, the clock struck midnight. Finally. After thanking the duke rather profusely, she hurried to meet Amanda.
“It’s midnight.”
“I know.” Amanda looked paler than normal. Paler than the duke. Paler than Juliana suddenly felt.
Juliana didn’t know how a person could feel pale, but somehow, despite her recent elation, she did. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
“I cannot marry Lord Malmsey.”
Of course she couldn’t. That would be a disaster for everyone involved. Especially dear Aunt Frances.
“You’re going to have to kiss Lord Stafford,” Juliana warned. The thought made her stomach turn. But only because she was about to be the only unkissed girl in England.
“Right.” Amanda rolled her head about her neck, as if loosening up.
“And you’re going to have to get close to him.”
“I know.” She was breathing deeply, in through her nose, out through her mouth.
Juliana’s hands gripped both of A
manda’s shoulders. She looked her friend dead in the eye and spoke very clearly. “A chaste, hands-off kiss won’t be enough to guarantee a compromise.”
The girl’s fists clenched in determination. “I can do it.”
With a decisive nod, Juliana let go and stepped back. Amanda was ready.
“All right, then. I’ll bring Lord Stafford to the library. Remember to take off your gloves. And make your voice a little breathy.”
Amanda marched off to do as she was told. Juliana watched her go, thinking she looked more like a soldier going into battle than a young woman about to get herself engaged to a rich, handsome, earl.
Juliana felt paler than ever.
But it was too late to call off the plan. If they delayed the compromise much longer, it might not happen at all. And it wouldn’t be fair to deprive Amanda, James, Lord Malmsey, and Aunt Frances of their happiness just to save Juliana from a little distress.
Besides, she’d feel much better soon. There’d be a huge scandal following Amanda’s compromise, which would make her overbearing father come running to London. He would demand that his daughter wed the culprit. It would all be over quickly. And then Amanda would be happily married. To James. She’d move into his grand, antiquity-filled house, and she’d go all tingly when he touched her, and…
And Juliana would feel better.
But right now she was feeling a little sick.
She found James standing in a group of men, sipping another drink while Lord Occlestone grumbled about unnecessary “reforms” that had been introduced in Parliament. She’d been planning to feign a troubled expression, but given her current mood, she didn’t need to. She tapped James on the shoulder.
He turned and looked down at her. “Juliana.”
She pulled him away from the group. “What an unpleasant man. His face suits his personality, don’t you think? His nose is square just like a pig’s.“
“I’ve often thought that myself,” James said, a tipsy smile curving his lips.
Excellent. She wanted him tipsy and amorous. “Lady Amanda is feeling ill.”
“I was just dancing with her. She looked fine.”
“Well, she’s feeling ill now. She went to the library to lie down. Will you come and have a look at her?”
“Of course,” he said, suddenly looking sober and concerned.
She led him to the library, where Amanda was draped elegantly on the sofa, emitting little moans of “pain.” She’d followed Juliana’s instructions exactly. Her gloves were on the desk, and the room was romantically lit, not too dark and not too light.
James set his drink and his own gloves beside Amanda’s, then knelt by the sofa. “Lady Amanda, where does it hurt?”
“It’s my heart,” Amanda said breathily, laying a graceful bare hand on the skin exposed by her neckline. She was a surprisingly good actress. James didn’t stand a chance.
“You’re a mite young for heart trouble,” he told her.
“But it aches,” she insisted, implying it ached for him. “Won’t you listen to it at least?”
“If you wish.” He rose to his feet.
“You cannot listen from there.” With a sultry pout, Amanda patted her chest and leaned toward him. Faith, she was practically falling off the sofa. “You need to press your ear to my heart.”
“No, I don’t.” He walked over to the writing desk. “I can hear it better through a tube.”
“Are you sure?” Amanda asked.
“I’m positive.” He opened a couple of drawers, then found a piece of paper and rolled it up. “This won’t work as well as my new stethoscope, but it should be better than listening without it.”
Juliana was flabbergasted. James seemed completely oblivious to Amanda’s shameless antics. Was he the thickest fellow who ever lived?
Crossing back to Amanda, he placed one end of the paper tube on her chest and lowered his ear to the other. Except for Amanda’s breathy sighs, the room was silent for a moment.
“A little fast,” he reported at last. “But strong and steady.”
Apparently at a loss, Amanda looked toward Juliana.
“Maybe Lady Amanda has a rash,” she said. “James, I think you should loosen her clothes and have a look.”
He eyed Amanda’s bare arms and low décolletage in an altogether clinical manner. “I see no evidence of a rash.” He smiled at his patient, but it was a kind smile, not romantic in the least. “This ball is quite a crush. If you’ve no symptoms to report other than a vague ache in your chest, perhaps sitting quietly for a few minutes might help.”
Juliana didn’t know what to think. Amanda was doing everything right, yet James appeared unmoved.
Then she suddenly realized why. “Please stay with her while she sits quietly, James. I’m going to fetch Lady Billingsgate.”
She didn’t, of course—there was no point in fetching Lady Billingsgate until James and her friend got into a compromising position. Which clearly wasn’t going to happen with her in the room. Of course James wasn’t going to kiss Amanda while another girl watched! Juliana, not he, was the one acting thick.
She went out quietly, leaving the door slightly cracked so she could listen.
“I’m sure you’ll feel better in no time,” she heard James say.
“I’d feel better if you’d sit beside me.”
“I cannot imagine how that could help,” James said. But apparently he did sit down, because the next thing he said was, “There. Do you feel better?”
“No, not yet,” Amanda said and paused. And then she added, “Why don’t you kiss me to make me feel better?”
A shocked silence followed. Juliana was shocked, too. She’d never dreamed Amanda had it in her! But then the silence continued, and Juliana realized it wasn’t a shocked silence. It was the silence that resulted when two people were kissing instead of talking.
Amanda’s boldness had worked.
Well, of course it had worked. Hadn’t Juliana said it would?
But although she should be celebrating her plan’s success, she didn’t feel any better. In fact, she felt worse. She felt underhanded. She felt like she’d betrayed someone she’d come to think of as a friend.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” James finally said.
Juliana couldn’t figure out what he meant by that, exactly, but her despair lifted. She released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. He hadn’t kissed Amanda. Not yet, anyway. She sagged against the door in relief.
Or rather, she thumped against the door in relief. And then it opened, and she all but fell into the library.
James caught her by her shoulders and grinned. “I thought you were Lady Billingsgate.”
Of course he had. She’d said she was going to fetch Lady Billingsgate, after all. A mistake, she now realized, because of course James wouldn’t kiss Amanda while expecting their hostess to show up at any moment.
That was why he’d said it wouldn’t be a good idea.
But his hands felt warm on her shoulders, and she couldn’t be sorry she’d made the mistake. She didn’t want to trick James. She hadn’t wanted to from the first. She was furious with herself for allowing Amanda to talk her into it.
“I’ll fetch Lady Billingsgate,” he said, “while you sit with Lady Amanda.” And then he left, taking his warm hands with him.
Juliana made her way to the sofa and collapsed beside her friend.
Poor Amanda was shaking. “I did it,” she said. “I forced myself to do it. And it didn’t work!”
“I’m glad it didn’t work. It was unethical to begin with. We mustn’t try it again.” It had made her feel too guilty. In fact, she still felt guilty. She wondered if she’d ever be able to look at James again without feeling a pang of guilt.
“But why didn’t it work? I did everything you said, but he wouldn’t kiss me.”
That had been Juliana’s fault, but she wouldn’t admit it to Amanda. Besides, Amanda was equally to blame. If she had shown any w
armth towards him—him, not his antiquities—before tonight, he wouldn’t have been able to keep his hands off her, no matter who might see. After all, he’d wrapped his arms around Juliana in a museum crowded with people, and he wasn’t even courting her!
Carefully, she said, ”Maybe he wouldn’t kiss you because you haven’t allowed him to kiss you before.”
“He never tried before,” Amanda said. “He isn’t a particularly warm person.”
Juliana nearly dissolved into laughter. Not only was Amanda’s judgement false and absurd, but she could scarcely believe she was hearing her, of all people, complain someone else wasn’t warm.
Especially James. Why, James was the warmest fellow she knew. “You need to act more warmly towards him. You have to make him believe you want him.”
“I do want him. I cannot marry Lord Malmsey! And our wedding is only two weeks away! I must tell Lord Stafford about my engagement.”
“You cannot. He’s too honorable to compromise you on purpose.”
“Then how on earth am I to get him to compromise me at all?”
“You need to let him kiss you, and I don’t mean as part of a plot. One kiss will lead to another, and eventually you’ll be discovered. Society is a nosy lot, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“That sounds like a plot,” Amanda pointed out.
“It isn’t.” All right, maybe it was. But it wasn’t the same sort of plot as the one they’d tried tonight. Corinna had said that a kiss made all the difference. Once Amanda and James kissed, they’d both want to kiss some more, and the rest would happen naturally.
Surely there would be no reason to feel guilty about that.
“Lady Amanda!” Lady Billingsgate exclaimed, rushing in. “Are you unwell? Before Lord Stafford left, he told me you’d taken ill.”
So James had left. Juliana wouldn’t have to face him tonight after the way she’d betrayed their friendship. That was a relief, she thought as Amanda explained to Lady Billingsgate that she was quite recovered, thank you.
So why did it feel more like a disappointment?
THIRTY-TWO
RICHMOND MAIDS OF HONOUR