Lady Lovejoy bent her head closer to Juliet’s ear. “That’s Miss Stephanie Gryphon.”
“She’s very pretty.”
“I quite agree. Few young ladies could rival your sister in looks, but Miss Gryphon might come close.”
A particular young gentleman seated at one of the card tables drew Juliet’s notice. He resembled Lord Gryphon so completely, she believed it to be the viscount at first. But after she’d studied the man a few moments, his demeanor and facial expressions revealed him to be another person entirely.
“Lady Lovejoy, is that gentleman sitting over there Mr. Gryphon?”
The countess followed her glance. “Indeed, it is. The family resemblance between Mr. Cody Gryphon and Lord Gryphon is remarkable.”
Juliet nodded. “I could almost mistake one for the other.”
“The older gentleman seated directly across from young Mr. Gryphon is his father, Lord Horatio.” The countess patted her coiffure. “He’s a handsome devil as well.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Just between us, he was my beau many years ago. Truth be told, I still have a soft spot for the man.”
Juliet’s gaze was drawn once more to Cody. Her appreciation for his brooding good looks was immediately followed by a pang of guilt. Augustus was quite handsome, inside and out, and she hoped to make the earl her husband. Therefore, she had no business admiring another man—even from afar. She averted her eyes before anyone noticed her staring. It wouldn’t do for her to appear interested.
Since the billiards game had concluded, Lady Lovejoy seized her chance. “Excuse me, Miss Gryphon? I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine.”
“Why certainly!” Stephanie set her cue down and glided over.
The countess immediately ushered both girls from the room. “Miss Stephanie Gryphon, this is Miss Juliet Beaucroft.”
Juliet curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Stephanie dipped into a curtsy of her own. “Likewise.”
“I’ll leave you two young people to get better acquainted. I’m sure you have a great deal in common.” Lady Lovejoy hastened off.
Juliet inhaled fresh air to clear her lungs of smoke. “I’ll never understand how men stand the stench of cigars.”
“I enjoy it, actually.” Stephanie’s strange accent was somewhat jarring. “But then I’m more accustomed to the company of men than women. Where I come from, ladies are always in short supply.”
“Erm…Lady Lovejoy mentioned you’ve been living in Texas. Is that part of America?”
Stephanie shook her head. “Texas is a sovereign republic which borders the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, I think Texas is going to be annexed to the United States as the twenty-eighth state this year. It’s too bad, really. Texians are known to be independent.”
“Did I hear an I in Texian?”
“Yes, you did.” Stephanie giggled. “I think the I must stand for individualistic.”
Juliet gestured toward the dining room, which had been set up as a buffet. “Would you care for a glass of punch?”
“Why not?”
As they crossed the hall, Stephanie giggled. “The countess has been trying to get me away from the billiards table for a half hour. I could tell she disapproved.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but it’s rather unusual for a young lady to mix with gentlemen in such an unguarded fashion.”
“And I must rein myself in if I’m to catch a husband?” A sound of disgust. “I think I’d rather die than marry a man who won’t let me have fun. Besides which, my brother and father were watching over me. I could hardly besmirch my reputation under their vigilant supervision.”
As Juliet picked up a cut-crystal cup of cold punch, she stifled a smile. “I suppose not.”
She’d never heard a girl give her opinions so decidedly, but she found Stephanie’s rebellious streak somewhat refreshing. Even her gown was unusual. Although it was fashioned of snowy white silk, the beautiful dress made liberal use of insouciant cherry-red bows, as if it were thumbing its nose at convention. Juliet’s prejudice against the Texian began to slip away.
“Your gown is exceedingly fetching, Miss Gryphon.”
“Thank you. Almost as soon as we crossed the Atlantic, Papa insisted the three of us travel to Paris. He wanted me clothed in the latest fashions so I’d fit in with London society. I confess, however, behaving like a lady will be a challenge. I wasn’t raised around stuffy, proper aristocrats who can’t bear the idea of a woman shooting, riding astride, or playing billiards as well as they can.”
Juliet nearly spilled her punch. “You ride astride?” The question came out with a bit of a squeak at the end. “If Lady Lovejoy ever heard as much, she’d likely faint dead away!”
Stephanie laughed at her shocked expression. “You’re really quite proper, aren’t you? I imagine the countess hopes you’ll influence me for the better.”
“Perhaps we might influence one another just a little bit. After all, I do admire your confidence very much.”
“My brother, Cody, calls me arrogant, but he’s only teasing. Besides which, I’m only confident on the outside. Inside, I’m as eager to be liked as anyone else.”
“Your brother resembles Lord Gryphon a great deal.”
“I’m told he does, but I’ve never met our cousin. Cody used to play with Zachary when they were very young, but he doesn’t remember him with any particular fondness.” Stephanie took a sip of punch and wrinkled her nose. “Too sweet! This would taste so much better with a splash or two of gin.”
When Juliet gasped, Stephanie giggled. “I expect I’m not supposed to say things like that either.”
“As a general rule, a lady should never express too much fondness for spirits.”
“How very dull. Tell me, Miss Beaucroft, are you engaged?”
“No, not yet.”
“Surely you must have prospects?”
Nothing—not even her growing regard for Stephanie—could induce Juliet to mention Augustus’s name. Albeit unwittingly, before Kitty and Phillip’s wedding, Juliet had let slip information about the courtship that had nearly ruined both their families. After that, she’d vowed never to be indiscreet about personal matters again.
“None at the moment.” Juliet decided to change the subject. “Let’s circulate around the party and I’ll introduce you to everyone I know. You’ve come into the Season quite late, so you haven’t a moment to spare if you wish to find a husband.”
“It’s my father who’s keen on the idea, not I. Nevertheless, I’m quite willing to make a new friend…as long as he’s exceedingly handsome.”
The two girls shared a merry laugh.
Chapter Two
Misery
CODY GLANCED UP from his cards as his sister chatted with Lady Lovejoy and another young woman. He had only a frustratingly brief glimpse of the woman’s face as she turned around, but her profile was lovely. In addition, her dainty figure was pleasing to the eye—especially from the back—and her lustrous dark golden hair reminded him pleasantly of a Palomino pony.
He addressed the older gentleman seated to his left. “Lord Ferndale, are you acquainted with that girl chatting with my sister and the countess?”
The three other occupants of the table, including his father, watched the ladies as they strolled from the room. Although Lord Ferndale opened his mouth to reply, the gentleman to Cody’s right, Mr. Quincy, answered his question first.
“Miss Juliet Beaucroft.” He smirked. “She’s quite lovely, but you’re too late.”
“Too late?” Cody’s eyebrows rose. “What do you mean?”
“Rumor has it that Lord Elbourne is exceedingly fond of her. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes her an offer quite soon.”
Cody exchanged a surreptitious glance with his father. “Lord Elbourne, did you say?”
“Augustus Butler, the Earl of Elbourne and the future Marquess of Moregate.”
“Yes…I’ve heard the name.”
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Lord Ferndale put his cards down and picked up the stub of his cigar. “Although it seems a bit lopsided in terms of rank, the match is inevitable, I think. After Elbourne’s brother wed Miss Beaucroft’s sister, he and Miss Beaucroft have been thrown together a great deal.”
Lord Horatio frowned. “Miss Beaucroft seems a bit young to settle down, wouldn’t you say? Another handsome lad may turn her head yet.”
“He’d have to be exceptionally fortunate to woo her away from an earl.” Ferndale folded his cards and put them face down on the table. “Gentlemen, I propose we take a short break, if you don’t mind?”
“Of course.” Quincy reached for his snifter. “I could use another splash of cognac, and a chance to stretch my legs.”
Ferndale pushed his chair back. “Shall we say ten minutes?”
After the two men left, Cody gave his father a puzzled glance. “What’s this about Miss Beaucroft? I thought you and Lord Moregate had exchanged letters quite recently to confirm Stephanie’s engagement to Lord Elbourne?”
“Yes, but Moregate may not have convinced Lord Elbourne to agree to the match yet. I’ve no doubt he’ll manage—despite any tender feelings the fellow may or may not harbor for Miss Beaucroft.”
“Seems horribly unfair to Stephanie if the earl’s in love with someone else. Perhaps you should reconsider? After all, there’s always next Season for her to catch a husband.”
“I promised your mother to have your sister marry an aristocrat, and I mean to keep my word.”
“Yes, I know, but—”
“A union between Stephanie and the future Marquess of Moregate is the best chance for us to fulfill her wishes. In this case, the sentiments of the parties involved don’t matter a whit.”
Cody sighed. “Marriage is a messy business. I plan to avoid it.”
“All the more reason to see your sister well settled, lad, and I expect you to do what you can to facilitate the process. Moregate is motivated to bring this marriage about, and the time to act is now.”
Juliet played the part of hostess, introducing Stephanie to her acquaintances—both male and female. Since the girl was vivacious and charming, the task wasn’t particularly difficult. In fact, Juliet found she was having a far better time than she’d anticipated.
At length, Stephanie’s brother joined them. Again, Juliet was struck by his uncanny resemblance to his cousin, whose handsome visage and trim figure had made him the object of much female admiration…until his poor character had ruined his reputation. Cody’s good looks were sure to set many pulses racing…as she could personally attest.
“Miss Beaucroft, have you met my brother, Cody?” Stephanie gave him a proud smile. “Cody, this is my newest, dearest friend, Miss Juliet Beaucroft.”
“What a beautiful name.” The man fixed Juliet with his dark brown eyes. “‘Heaven is here, where Juliet lives.’” He sketched a graceful bow.
His accent was vastly different than his sister’s, she noticed, and his quote brought a smile to her lips. Texians, it seemed, were not so far removed from society as to be wholly uneducated. “I see you know Shakespeare.”
“Not personally, but I understand the man is reputed to be verbose. Are you acquainted with him?”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “We’re intimate companions. He borrowed my name for his play, you see. The foolish author was going to call it Romeo and Gertrude, but I convinced him otherwise.”
“Another burning mystery solved! The world is in your debt. Romeo and Gertrude simply doesn’t have the same ring.”
Stephanie shook her head. “You two are terribly silly, I must say. Cody, have any pretty ladies caught your eye tonight? Papa is sure to demand a full report.”
“You know better than to ask.”
Juliet’s curiosity was aroused by the evasion, but Stephanie satisfied it almost immediately. “My brother is determined to return to Texas as soon as I’m settled, Miss Beaucroft.”
“I own property there.” He shrugged. “I left England when I was seven. Having spent most of my life in Texas, I’ve developed an affinity for wide open spaces.”
“But your roots are English.” Juliet smiled. “Perhaps your affection for England will reemerge, if you give it a chance.”
Stephanie laughed. “That’s exactly what I said! Perhaps between the two of us, we may yet change my brother’s mind.”
Although Juliet murmured an affirmative reply, she wasn’t so sure she wished to change Cody’s mind at all. Everything about the man, from his graceful movements to his witty conversation, appealed to her far too much for her liking. For the remainder of the evening, she tried to curb the physical sensations he aroused whenever he was near her. As attractive as he might be, his heart belonged to Texas and her heart belonged to Augustus…if the earl would finally bend his knee to propose.
After Juliet was ready for bed that night, she took a piece of stationery and wrote her future signature—Lady Elbourne—with a quill. She practiced various ways of making the looping L, from very simple to quite fancy. Kitty had become Lady Phillip Butler, which looked lovely on her correspondence, but once Juliet married Augustus, she’d outrank her sister. That wasn’t why she wished to marry Augustus, she reminded herself, but it was a droll thought, particularly since Kitty had always come first in everything else.
Unbidden, Cody Gryphon’s dangerously handsome face flashed into her mind’s eye. He’d been flirting with her earlier, but perhaps that was his unbridled manner with every pretty girl. Nevertheless, if she hadn’t already denied having a suitor to Stephanie, she would have mentioned her upcoming engagement to warn him off. Oh, well, it couldn’t be too much longer before Augustus made it official, and then everyone would know she was off the market. She couldn’t wait to write Kitty the news and see her reaction! Surely Christmas wouldn’t be too soon for a wedding, would it? How lovely family get-togethers would be going forward, especially once children began to arrive. As she imagined it all, Juliet sighed with happiness. She was truly blessed.
At breakfast, Juliet ate quietly while her mother told her father all about the Ayscoghe soirée, from the array of refreshments to the guest list. Mr. Beaucroft made the proper responses here and there, but his attention was focused mainly on his food and his newspaper.
Finally, Mrs. Beaucroft’s gaze rested on Juliet. “I noticed you made some new friends last night.” She shuddered. “Mr. Gryphon certainly resembles that odious Lord Gryphon. I couldn’t get past it.”
At that, Mr. Beaucroft looked up. “Eh? What’s this about Lord Gryphon? Surely he wasn’t at the party. I’d heard the man isn’t received anywhere any longer.”
“No, Papa.” Juliet explained the relationship between Cody Gryphon and his cousin. “Admittedly, the two gentlemen look alike, but Mr. Gryphon lacks Lord Gryphon’s brittle and arrogant manner.”
Her mother scoffed. “Certainly he exhibited no brittleness toward you. I couldn’t help but notice you seemed to receive his attentions with pleasure.”
“He was merely amiable and courteous, Mama. There was nothing untoward in his behavior whatsoever.”
“Nevertheless, I’m glad Augustus wasn’t there to take offense.”
Mr. Beaucroft raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Furthermore, I can’t imagine any relatives of Lord Gryphon could possess good character. It would be better for you to eschew his company, Juliet.”
She frowned. “Since Lady Lovejoy asked me specifically to cultivate Miss Gryphon, I could scarcely treat her or her brother like pariahs.”
“That’s true, dearest.” Mrs. Beaucroft gave her husband a look of resignation. “A request from the countess is akin to a summons from Her Majesty.”
“Besides which, I enjoyed the company of the Gryphons very much. As soon as Augustus returns, we’ll all be great friends, I’m sure. No misunderstandings could possibly ensue thereafter.”
“I hope not.” Mr. Beaucroft scowled. “You must do nothing to jeopardize your relationship with Augustus.”
“I won’t, Papa. I’m honored that Lady Lovejoy asked me to help Miss Gryphon. It’s a shame the girl wasn’t in London for the entire Season, when I could have done so much more. As it is, she’ll likely have to wait until next year to meet someone eligible.”
Mrs. Beaucroft radiated satisfaction. “Next year she’ll be on her own, if a certain happy event takes place for you.”
Although Juliet felt a blush creep across her face, she couldn’t help but smile. “If that’s the case, I’ll use my lofty connections to secure her a husband as much as I’m able. Of course, we should take nothing for granted. I needn’t remind you, Augustus hasn’t yet proposed.”
“If you can’t take Augustus’s devotion for granted, neither can you claim water is wet. Everyone expects your announcement any day.” Mr. Beaucroft regarded Juliet fondly. “Your first Season has been quite successful, despite the handicap of your sister’s unusual courtship and marriage. I wouldn’t have predicted you would marry better than Kitty, but to have a countess in the family will be a triumph indeed.”
“And future marchioness. I’ve said nothing about it to my friends, of course, but I’m looking forward to doing so with great anticipation.” Mrs. Beaucroft gave an excited wiggle. “They’ll be pea green with envy!”
Her family’s happiness at her impending engagement gave Juliet untold satisfaction, but Augustus’s title meant less to her than his affection. Had he been a mere gentleman, and not an earl, she still would have been honored to be his bride. She vowed to do whatever she could to make his life rich and rewarding. Nothing less would be sufficient for such a decent man and a good friend.
Midmorning, Juliet and her mother met in the library to pore over the remaining social engagements of the Season. Specifically, Juliet was looking for opportunities to include Stephanie wherever possible.
“I’ll write a note inviting Miss Gryphon to go riding with me on Rotten Row tomorrow morning. We can talk about other outings then.”
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