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Rake & Romance

Page 13

by Suzanne G. Rogers


  The rapidly approaching pounding of horses’ hooves drew their attention. As they gazed out over the low hedge, Cody, Philip, and Augustus streaked past on horseback, with Cody in the lead.

  Juliet gave Stephanie an excited glance. “It seems the gentlemen are racing. Shall we watch?”

  “Oh, yes.” Stephanie scooped up her puppy. “If I can’t race alongside, watching is the next best thing.”

  Juliet retrieved Robin Hood and settled him in her arms. “There’s a break in the hedge just over here.”

  They hastened over to the opening, but the horses were almost out of sight. Stephanie craned her neck. “Wait…they’re coming back!”

  Indeed, the gentlemen had circled their mounts around and were speeding back the way they’d come. Divots of earth flew in the wake of the horses’ passage, and Juliet felt her pulse quicken with excitement. As the racers approached, Cody was several lengths ahead. He veered off to the side a little way so he could jump over a narrow gully. The jump scarcely slowed him down at all, and in fact Cody was still in the lead when he landed on the other side.

  “Well done,” she murmured.

  Once the gentlemen had reached whatever landmark had been agreed upon, the contest was over. Judging from the laughter echoing across the field, the trio had enjoyed the exercise. Juliet’s eyebrows rose when Cody began to demonstrate a riding maneuver.

  “What’s he doing?”

  “It’s a figure eight. Cody learned all sorts of riding and roping tricks from Mexican vaqueros. He’s really very good.”

  Although Juliet admired the man’s prowess, she felt crestfallen. Cody’s life in Texas was certainly packed with more excitement and adventure than he could ever hope to find with her. If she’d ever harbored a secret hope he might change his mind about leaving, she’d just been disabused of the notion.

  Just then, she heard Kitty calling her name. When Juliet and Stephanie returned to the side yard, her sister wore a strained expression.

  “There you are! A message from Grandmama was delivered just now. We’re to expect her for dinner.”

  “H-How lovely.” Despite Juliet’s response, a wave of panic swept over her. The last person she could expect to fool with a ruse would be Ivy Beaucroft. “This will be a perfect opportunity to tell her about my engagement.”

  Kitty’s eyes registered unspoken sympathy. “She’ll be terribly interested in all the details.”

  Undue interest from Ivy was exactly what Juliet feared most. “I imagine so.”

  “I’ve extended Grandmama invitations to dine before, but she’s never decided to come until now. I suspect she’s heard we have company.”

  “It’s my fault, I’m sure of it. I wrote her a letter before I left London and told her of my impending visit.”

  Stephanie lit up. “I’m to meet your grandmama? I’m so looking forward to it.”

  “Yes.” Juliet forced a smile to her lips. “It should be an exciting evening.”

  Although Ivy Beaucroft was in possession of no title, she sailed into the drawing room like a countess. Kitty and Juliet each bestowed a kiss on her cheek, which she received with pleasure. Augustus and Philip also greeted the older woman warmly, after which Kitty introduced the Gryphons.

  Ivy peered first at Stephanie. “You’re quite pretty for an American girl.”

  “Thank you, but actually I was born in England. Nevertheless, I rather consider myself a Texian.”

  Ivy’s eyes narrowed with disapproval. “Hmm. I suppose it can’t be helped.” Her attention turned to Cody. “Merciful heavens but you look remarkably like Lord Gryphon!” She glanced at Juliet. “You didn’t mention that in your letters.”

  “Actually, I hardly notice the resemblance any longer.” Juliet took a deep breath. “Mr. Gryphon and I are engaged.”

  “Oh?” Ivy’s eyebrows rose and she slid Juliet a severe glance. “I can’t wait to hear all about your courtship and what led up to your happy betrothal. I feel certain it will be a fascinating tale.”

  “Perhaps we’ll chat about it after dinner.”

  “The anticipation will be unbearable.”

  Cody bowed. “I hope my manners are more gentlemanly than those of my cousin, Mrs. Beaucroft.”

  “I trust they will be.” She cocked her head. “Your accent is muddy, but distinctly English.”

  “I was born in Gloucester, and spent the first seven years of my life in England. I expect my manner of speech has softened since then.”

  A flicker of approval finally graced Ivy’s features. “As it so happens, I was also born in Gloucester.”

  While Cody chatted with Ivy about their mutual birthplace, Stephanie sidled over to Juliet. “Your grandmama is quite severe. I don’t think she likes me at all.”

  “It only seems that way. Once you’re on her right side, she’s a wonderful ally.”

  Stephanie giggled. “My brother is trying to win her over already.”

  Although Juliet doubted Cody’s attentions to her grandmother would last long, when dinner was announced, he was quick to offer her his arm. “Would you do me the honor, Mrs. Beaucroft?”

  A whisper of a smile lit the woman’s lips as she gave him a nod. “Indeed, your manners are far superior to those of Lord Gryphon. Now that I look at you, I believe you may be infinitely more handsome.”

  Juliet exchanged a surreptitious, bewildered glance with Kitty. Their grandmother wasn’t easily swayed, but Cody appeared to have made a positive impression on her. Juliet couldn’t imagine why he would make such an effort with the irascible woman, unless he enjoyed tackling enormous challenges.

  To his credit, Cody continued to be attentive to her grandmother throughout the meal, asking her opinion on various topics of conversation. In turn, Ivy told him amusing anecdotes about his grandfather, Lord Harkencester, whom she met in her first London Season.

  “You oughtn’t repeat this to anyone, Mr. Gryphon, but I rather fancied your grandfather over all the other gentlemen I’d met that Season. I would have encouraged him too, but for Mr. Beaucroft. My father was set on our marriage, you see, and I hadn’t any choice in the matter. How is Lord Harkencester getting on?”

  “Tolerably well, Mrs. Beaucroft. The next time I see him, I’ll let him know you asked about his health.”

  “That would be lovely.” Ivy’s smile grew misty. “He might remember me better as the former Miss Ivy Landry. You favor him a bit, around the eyes.”

  Juliet was amazed. Cody had tamed her grandmother just as easily as he’d put his horse through his paces that afternoon. Perhaps Ivy was so charmed, she wouldn’t ask any awkward questions about her engagement.

  At the end of the meal, Kitty rose. “Ladies, shall we go through and leave the gentlemen to their conversation?”

  En route to the drawing room, Ivy cleared her throat. “Juliet, perhaps you will show me where I can freshen up?”

  Her heart sank at the news she would not escape interrogation after all. “Why, of course, Grandmama.” She gave Kitty a meaningful glance. “We’ll join you and Stephanie in a moment.”

  “Take your time. I’d like to confer with Stephanie on what sort of activities and excursions we should plan, now that the gentlemen are here.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Charades

  ONCE KITTY AND STEPHANIE had disappeared into the drawing room, Ivy jerked her head toward the library. “Come along, dear. I need to have a word with you.”

  With the door closed, the older woman folded her arms across her chest and fixed Juliet with her shrewd gaze. “First Kitty, and now you? It seems both my granddaughters regularly practice deceit as a means to an end.” As Juliet opened her mouth to respond, Ivy lifted a quelling finger. “And don’t bother to dissemble, my girl. I know full well you aren’t really engaged to Mr. Gryphon.”

  “I wouldn’t have you think otherwise, I assure you, but I must ask you to keep my secret for now.”

  “But of course! Why else do I exist except to lend credence to your ruse?


  A sigh. “Please, allow me to explain.”

  “I’m giddy at the prospect of enlightenment.”

  Juliet explained the series of events leading up to the engagement and the aftermath.

  “I meant to unwind everything after Stephanie accepted Augustus’s proposal, but now there’s to be another slight delay. Since she’s already fallen in love with him, however, it shouldn’t be much longer.”

  “So this nonsense is just for Miss Gryphon’s benefit?”

  “I had my own selfish reasons, Grandmama. Because everyone expected Augustus and me to wed, had I not entered into another engagement quickly, I would have been seen as thrown over and somehow tainted. If you view things in that light, you’ll see Cody’s sacrifice is quite gallant.”

  “Gallant?” Ivy snorted. “The lad wants to see his sister wed to an earl.”

  Juliet was taken aback. “I had the impression you liked Cody!”

  “I do like him—despite the fact his eyes are too wicked by half.”

  “Indeed they are.” Juliet couldn’t suppress a tiny smile.

  “And what will people assume when your supposed engagement to Mr. Gryphon is broken? You’ll be seen as tainted then, too.”

  “I-I’m afraid I really didn’t think past the emergency.” Juliet averted her eyes. “I may have to give up on the notion of matrimony. Now that I know how it feels to be drawn to someone, I couldn’t settle for anything less.”

  “I assume you’re referring to Mr. Gryphon?”

  Juliet nodded. “The moment I saw him, I knew what had attracted Kitty and Philip to one another. If I can’t have that in a marriage, I’d rather be a spinster.”

  “Then marry Mr. Gryphon.” Ivy chuckled. “He’s absolutely charming.”

  A shake of the head. “He’s vowed to return to Texas after Stephanie is wed.”

  “You’re a pretty girl, Juliet. Change his mind for him.”

  “That’s not possible. He despises me.”

  An expression of incredulity came over Ivy’s face. “Have you lost your senses? Between you and Kitty, I’d always assumed you held a modicum more intelligence! If Mr. Gryphon despises you, I’m a peahen.”

  When Juliet peered at her, uncomprehending, Ivy made a sound of impatience. “Why do you suppose he’s spent the evening flattering me? It certainly wasn’t for my good looks.”

  “I don’t know, to be honest.”

  “He wished to please you, Juliet. It may have been unconscious on his part, but he could have had no other motivation than that.”

  “There’s another explanation. He and I are both trying to act as if we’re in love so Stephanie’s fears will be assuaged. Ingratiating himself with you would seem to serve that end.”

  “Twist logic into a knot if you like, but the lad cares for you. If you care for him, you’ll find a way.”

  “I’m not the heroine of a romance novel, Grandmama, and there will be no happy ending for Mr. Gryphon and me.”

  Ivy’s lips pressed together into a line. “I, for one, refuse to believe it.”

  While Philip and Augustus chatted in the drawing room about issues regarding management of Grovebrook, Cody nursed his brandy. Although he found the conversation interesting, and occasionally offered a suggestion or observation based on his work on his father’s ranch, he couldn’t help but think about Juliet’s attire that evening. Her crisp blue-and-white striped gown, although demure in all other respects, featured a lace-edged square neckline that displayed her creamy décolleté to its best advantage. In addition, the shade of blue she wore brought out the cerulean in her eyes and made him want to lose himself in their depths.

  When would he have time alone with her, so he could properly tender his apology? Too many people were present that evening to discuss such a personal matter. Might she be interested in riding with him tomorrow morning before breakfast? Cody gnashed his teeth; at any mention of riding, his sister would want to come along. No, he’d have to enlist Augustus’s help. No doubt the man would be eager to cooperate so he could have time alone with Stephanie.

  At a lull in the conversation, Cody broached the topic.

  “Lord Elbourne, would it be too much of an imposition if I asked you to monopolize my sister for a short period of time tomorrow? It’s rather important I have a word in private with Juliet, and the two girls seem to be inseparable.”

  “It’s no hardship at all, I assure you.” Augustus frowned as he considered the matter. “I could ask Stephanie to sit for me after breakfast. I’ve been itching to sketch her likeness, and it’s likely to take hours.”

  A broad smile spread over Cody’s lips. “That would be perfect.”

  As Juliet and Ivy entered the drawing room, Kitty glanced up from her conversation with Stephanie. “Hello! We’ve just been discussing possible outings. Juliet, what would you say to going out on the water during your visit? There is a lake nearby with rowboats.”

  “I’d love it.”

  “On some other day we can ride to the vineyard to see how they press grapes,” Kitty said.

  “Exploring the shops in Grovebrook would be fun.” Stephanie wrinkled her nose. “But perhaps that’s an activity best left to the ladies.”

  “All those things sound marvelous.” Juliet smiled. “It’s too bad sheep shearing season is past or we could have watched the creatures lose their fleeces.”

  “Why don’t you set aside a day for an outing at Drake Manor?” Ivy suggested. “I haven’t any sheep, but I might suggest a fruit-picking party. My blackberry and raspberry bushes are full to bursting this year, and I can tell you firsthand my cherries are exceptionally sweet and delicious.”

  Stephanie gasped. “I adore cherries!”

  “What a brilliant idea, Grandmama!” Kitty exclaimed. “And how kind of you to offer.”

  Juliet beamed. “Yes, it’s terribly kind. I’m sure the gentlemen would also enjoy a fruit-picking party very much.”

  “Tonight, however, we’re to have a little salon,” Kitty said. “Everyone must contribute something—be it a song, a reading, or the recitation of a poem.”

  “When I invited myself for dinner, I didn’t realize there were strings attached.” Ivy grimaced and poured herself a glass of sherry.

  To fill the time until the gentlemen arrived, Juliet sat down at the piano to play Mozart. As the soothing notes filled the room, however, she was reminded of some unfinished business. Although her visit at Constance Hall promised to yield all manner of delights, her duty to help Violet still weighed on her conscience. The longer she put it off, the more likely a planned outing would interfere. How was she to get away now?

  As Philip, Augustus, and Cody sauntered in a few minutes later, Juliet broke off.

  “Oh, please continue,” Cody said. “I love music.”

  “Since Kitty has planned a salon for this evening, I’m glad to hear it. Once everyone has made themselves comfortable, Stephanie will sing for us first, and I’ll accompany her on the piano.”

  Augustus brightened. “How splendid!”

  Stephanie gave a little moan. “I’m so dreadfully nervous.”

  “I don’t see why,” Cody said. “I’ve heard you sing before, and your voice is nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “Singing for you and Papa is different. Nevertheless, I refuse to shrink from a challenge.”

  Once the gentlemen were settled, Stephanie crossed over to the piano. Juliet gave her an encouraging smile and whispered, “Don’t forget, there are eight bars of music before you begin to sing.”

  “What if I forget the words?”

  “Come stand behind me so you can refer to the page if you get stuck.”

  As Juliet played “Sleeping, I Dreamed Love,” Stephanie sang. Her vocal performance was tentative at first, and her entire body trembled. By the time the Texian reached the chorus, however, she seemed to gain more confidence.

  After the song was done, Juliet applauded along with the rest. “Beautifully done.”

&
nbsp; “Now, since you were first, you get to choose who goes next,” Kitty said.

  Stephanie’s eyes danced. “Lord Elbourne, of course.”

  Augustus frowned as he contemplated the matter. “Hmm…I’ll play ‘Vive La Compagnie.’” He glanced at Philip and Cody. “If you chaps know the song, why don’t you sing along? You can get your contribution to the evening out of the way.”

  Even though Kitty made a sound of protest, Philip shot to his feet. “Capital idea.”

  Cody laughed as he rose. “I’d love to.”

  The rendition of the classic was rousing and enthusiastic, and even Ivy was entertained. Augustus called on Kitty afterward, who played a ballad on the piano. For her offering, Ivy read a passage about love from 1 Corinthians 13.

  Finally, Kitty stood. “Is there anyone who’d like to perform anything else?”

  “I would. I’ve a recitation.”

  Cody stood, moved to the front of the room, and paused for several seconds, as if to prepare himself. Then he performed Romeo’s first monologue from the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. As he delivered his lines beautifully, and with passion, Juliet felt as if she were holding her breath. Yet in the midst of her admiration for his acting ability was an undercurrent of annoyance. His choice of a passage with a clear connection to her would have been flattering had he truly been in love, but he wasn’t. Furthermore, his calculated attempts to endear himself to her grandmother all evening had been obvious, even to Ivy. Juliet wished to see his sister marry Augustus as much as he did, but didn’t he realize his efforts in that regard had crossed a line? She wouldn’t allow him to impose on her any further than he already had.

  Heartfelt and lengthy applause greeted the end of Cody’s soliloquy.

  Stephanie practically glowed with pride. “My brother was in the drama club at university. Isn’t he marvelous?”

  “Indeed, he is. I could almost believe his performance was real.” Juliet deliberately kept sarcasm from her response.

 

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