by Jenna Jaxon
“Yes, he did ask me as soon as I informed him I had married.” Juliet smiled and raised her chin. “I told him our own house had to undergo renovations, and in light of Duncan’s absence, we moved here temporarily.”
“Well done, Lady Juliet.” His admiration for her grew. “What an excellent excuse to explain your, or our, presence here.”
She wrinkled her forehead and her shoulders slumped. “Not so clever, really. My brother and I moved into our Aunt Phoebe’s house while Dunham House underwent refurbishing several years ago. That’s what gave me the idea.” Juliet shuddered. “Unfortunately, my aunt still resided in the house when we stayed there.”
“Do you know why he is trying to perpetrate this fraud on you, my lady?”
“No. I don’t know. Even if such a marriage took place in France, in England it is invalid. I made that perfectly clear to Philippe.”
“Are you sure, Lady Juliet?” He had little knowledge of the laws concerning such things, but it made no sense to go to the trouble and expense of a marriage by proxy if it did not bind the parties by law.
“Yes, my brother explained it to me. The Hardwicke Act made such marriages invalid in England. The proxy ceremony in France, on the other hand, would bind Philippe to me until he returned to England for it to be performed legally.” She turned back to gaze out the window. “By the time my brother sent the proxy to France I didn’t even want to marry Philippe, but I feared telling Duncan. Vicious rumors about me had besieged us for months and he wanted to make the marriage work for my sake.”
“Rumors about you, my lady?”
She hung her head. “Surely you heard them. The ton could talk of nothing else last year.”
“I am but lately come from the colonies. We hear very little of London society’s scandals there.” He should not distress her more. “If you would rather not speak of it—”
“No. I don’t mind. Everyone else knows.” She sighed and returned to the sofa. She sat in a rose-colored companion chair and motioned for him to take a seat opposite her. “Over a year and a half ago, Earl Ferrers shot and killed a man. He was arrested and charged with murder. Our family name is the same as his title, although we are connected only through marriage. The earl pled insanity, although it did not save him, despite several genuinely mad family members.”
She stared at him intently then continued. “Several rumors surfaced that I had inherited the Ferrers insanity. My brother called out the man who started them and killed him in a duel. He…” She swallowed hard. “He killed two men for my honor and dueled with others as well. Duncan also suffered horrible allegations.” She shifted in her seat and tried to smile. “So you see, the Ferrers family was hardly a bargain in the marriage mart last year. My brother thought he was acting in my best interest, sending the proxy for our marriage.”
“Did you not wish to marry the viscount?”
She tensed and avoided his eyes. “At that point, no, I didn’t. We had quarreled bitterly just before he left London.” Her voice softened until he had to lean toward her to hear. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she turned her head away. “And he was not always kind.”
Amiable stood it for about five seconds. “My dear.” He rose, gathered her into his arms, and settled her head against his chest again. “I demand the right of a temporary husband to comfort you,” he murmured in her ear. “Stay still with your head just there.”
He slowly stroked the bright hair that had escaped her cap. The blond curls cascaded down over her shoulders, so like the riotous copper beauty of Katarina’s hair. He stiffened at the thought. He must remember his original purpose.
“My lady, can you tell me where I may find Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam? I beg pardon, the Marchioness of Dalbury? I received a letter from her in April and though my sisters informed me she had married Lord Dalbury, I would like to speak with her if I may.”
“You know Kat?” Juliet squealed and stepped away from him. The genuine smile that lit her entire face transformed her from a harried, fearful woman to one of the loveliest he had ever seen.
“Indeed, I have known Lady Katarina for some years now,” he said, enchanted by the change in her. “In Virginia. I was a captain in her father’s regiment for the past five years.”
“She is wonderfully forthright, is she not, Captain Dawson? I have loved her since I met her, which seems an age ago, though really only about three months. I met her on her wedding day, when she married my brother, Duncan.”
His heart lurched, but he set his features to betray nothing save slight interest by his raised eyebrow. He steeled himself for an onslaught of the retelling of Katarina’s marriage, so puzzling given the letter she had sent in March accepting his suit.
Juliet turned her frank gaze on him. “What must I do, Captain Dawson? Philippe will return with those detestable papers and try to force me to accept our marriage. I am only a woman alone here. As I told Philippe, Duncan sailed to Italy only yesterday and is not expected to return until December.”
His stomach plummeted into his shoes. “The marquess has just sailed for Italy? And the marchioness?”
“Of course she sailed with him. He is taking her to study fencing with a Signore Fucile. Kat is apparently quite a good swordsman, or swordswoman.” Juliet frowned and shook her head. “I’d never heard of such a thing.”
“That I can vouch for, Lady Juliet. I fenced with Lady Katarina at least once or twice a week for the past few years. Whenever the regiment returned to Virginia. Don’t say I told you this but she’s better than some of the men in her father’s regiment.” Perhaps all was well, despite the misgivings her letter had given him. “Then I have no hope of seeing her?”
“Not until almost Christmas I believe, Captain. Kat will be all right. I think she and Duncan are starting to get along better.”
“Better?” His question came out sharper than he’d intended.
“Than when they first married, yes. But come.” Juliet stood abruptly. “I will explain more in the carriage.”
“The carriage?”
“Yes, Captain Dawson. I will press you into the role of knight in shining armor once more and beg you to escort my maid, Glynis, and me to my friend Lady Honoria Claypool’s home. I am to stay with her for several days until my Aunt Phoebe arrives in town. Then I will remove to her townhouse until Duncan returns.” Juliet wrinkled her nose. “My aunt is so difficult. Although I do suppose everyone has some such relative, don’t you think? Glynis,” she called to a girl standing unobtrusively in a corner.
“Glynis, please get my light shawl.” Juliet rescued her cap then stuffed her hair underneath it helter-skelter. “Get your things, too. This gentleman will take us to Lady Honoria’s.”
“Yes, my lady.” The girl curtsied then rushed out of the room. Juliet looked expectantly at Amiable.
Although taken aback by her unexpected request, Amiable summoned his manners and bowed to the young woman. “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to escort you, Lady Juliet.”
The girl returned and draped a golden silk shawl around her mistress’s shoulders. “The carriage is ready, Captain Dawson,” Juliet said, raising her chin.
“Of course, my lady.” He offered his arm and, when Juliet took it, pressed her hand into the crook of his elbow. A thrill chased down his arm and he shook off the strange sensation as they moved down the hallway and out the front door, the maid following behind.
Juliet disappeared into the ornate carriage with the team of matched grays. Her dark pink gown flared over her beautifully rounded hips. A flash of white stockings, clocked with tiny rosebuds above her ankles, made him swallow hard.
He had held that loveliness in his arms for a considerable amount of time this morning. He willed the image away and assisted Glynis to sit beside her mistress. Ten years in the army had taught him caution, so he surveyed the surroundings before he joined them. Danger lurked somewhere. Whether inside or outside the carriage, however, had yet to be determ
ined.
Chapter 3
Love at first sight. Juliet believed it did occur. That had to be the explanation for this sudden breathless feeling, didn’t it? Simple gratitude for his help in getting rid of Philippe would not cause this peculiar sensation deep in the pit of her stomach, this overwhelming desire to remain in his company, would it?
A knight in shining armor indeed. So protective. That might be the most compelling reason for her tender feelings toward the captain. He made her feel safe—even safer than Duncan did, since he had married. She loved Katarina without question, but her brother’s first allegiance now lay with his wife. The woman Captain Dawson had come to Dunham House to see.
Her heart flip-flopped painfully in her chest. He’d sounded so wistful when he’d realized he had missed her sister-in-law. That tone had boded more than simple acquaintance could account for, she would stake her life on it. Katarina, thank goodness, was beyond him now. So perhaps she could help him forget her.
Such a handsome man, and so well made. Almost as tall as Duncan but more slender than her brother, though not to the point of thinness. The captain’s taut bearing, obviously a product of his military training, spoke candidly of his decisive nature and explained his powerful physique. When she’d leaned against him, his chest had been firm, not soft, his arms corded with muscles, unmistakable even through his coat. Dark blonde- hair pulled back in a bag and those intense blue eyes. Soon he’d be with her in the carriage. Yes, Captain Amiable Dawson cut a fine figure. The man would make any woman a wonderful husband.
The object of her affection entered the carriage and sat opposite her.
Just looking at him, so close to her, her heartbeat fluttered, her mouth went dry, and all manner of little chills raced down her arms. This must be love.
“Does the coachman have the direction, Lady Juliet?”
“Yes. He knows I am to go to Lady Honoria’s home in Beaumont Crescent.”
“Very well.” Smiling, Captain Dawson rapped on the trap and the carriage started. “You said you will stay some days with your friend?”
The curve of his sensuous lips caused her heart to pound unmercifully. “Until my aunt arrives from Northumberland. Perhaps a week or so.” Could she invite him to call on her at Honoria’s? Would that be too forward? Perhaps not. Especially, after the ordeal they had suffered together this morning. Lord, what might Philippe have done if Captain Dawson hadn’t appeared? Ice needled through her veins.
“Is something wrong, Lady Juliet?” Amiable leaned forward.
“No, Captain Dawson. Yes. I just thought, what if Philippe finds out where I have gone and follows me to Lady Honoria’s home? What am I to do?”
Amiable gently squeezed her hand.
Her heart swelled and she wanted to melt into the springs of the carriage. Such a kind man, and so concerned for her.
“I know you are frightened of him, my lady. Still, all will be well. Your friend’s family will rebuff him if he puts in an appearance there.”
“What if he brings papers that convince the Claypools I am his wife?” Her chest tightened. If St. Cyr could produce documents showing a legal marriage, the Claypools would have no choice but to turn her over to him. She blinked back tears. Suddenly, she could not breathe.
He pulled her across the carriage and sat her beside him, his arm around her shoulders. “The proxy marriage is null in this country and any other certificates of marriage he brings would be forgeries, would they not, my lady?” He soothed her with his low-pitched voice. “You can insist the Claypools take them to an attorney for authentication.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “But what if he has been clever about it? What if they can’t tell they are forgeries? He seemed so determined this morning, I believe he would do anything to—” The scenario unfolded before her with frightening clarity. Great sobs overtook her. “I just wish my brother were here.”
“My dear, please do not distress yourself so.” He steered her head to his shoulder.
She struggled to get herself under control, all the while reveling in the feel of his strong arm around her, the clean scent of his clothes, and his fainter but still comforting male smell.
He stroked her hair where her cap had been knocked askew. Her face had grown hot with crying. She must look the very devil. She attempted to sit up, to repair herself in some way.
He would have none of it and pressed her to stillness against his chest.
Happy to feel this closeness to him, she nestled there quite readily. “I feel so safe with you, Captain Dawson. Is that not strange?”
“I suppose it is, my lady, as we have only known each other for about an hour. Of course,” he said, and chuckled, “we were married for at least half that time.”
Juliet smiled at that, and a trembling seized her stomach. She’d never experienced such a thing before. She never wanted to part from him. “I begin to fear I will not be safe at the Claypool’s. I find I truly do not wish to go there, Captain Dawson. If Philippe finds me I am afraid he will manage to take me away with him, and I would rather die than have to be married to him.”
He tilted her face and looked into it. “Is there somewhere else I can take you, Lady Juliet? Some place you will feel safe?”
She’d feel safe anywhere with Amiable Dawson at her side. Unfortunately, she did not have that luxury. Rather the question was, where could she go and be truly safe from Philippe?
“I would like to leave London, Captain Dawson.” Juliet hoped that didn’t sound too rash. “I’m certain Philippe will try to find me wherever I am in the city. If I leave and he is unaware of it, then I may be safe until my brother returns.”
“Did you not say he is unlikely to return until almost Christmas?” Amiable frowned. “That is above six months, my lady. Do you have other kinfolk you might stay with for such a long time?”
Her mother’s family in Northumberland would love to have her return. With her aunts and cousins underfoot, however, there would be no way to woo Captain Dawson. Although the long carriage ride to Barwick could be used to her advantage for them to become acquainted. As far as her safety from Philippe was concerned, Northumberland might prove a poor choice. As he would expect a woman alone to go to family, she needed a different place to hide. “Guinevere’s Keep.”
“I beg pardon?” Amiable cocked his head and gave her a charming frown.
“My father’s estate. He acquired it on my tenth birthday and allowed me to name it. At the time I adored Sir Thomas Malory’s Arthurian romances and so it became Guinevere’s Keep.” It had always been her favorite estate to visit. “Very romantic, don’t you think? And how apropos it seems, for my knight in shining armor will be taking me there.”
“Where is this keep, my lady?”
“It’s not an actual castle.” Juliet giggled, nerves breaking through her bravado. “More of a manor house. Near Wigton in Cumberland. Not far from Carlisle.”
“Carlisle?” His eyebrows rose and his whole body stiffened. “Lady Juliet, the place you speak of is more than a week’s journey from London.” He leaned into the corner of the carriage, arms crossed. “Indeed, you forget, my lady, I am in actuality a stranger to you.”
His lowered tone sent a shiver through her. He was right. She didn’t know him. “I beg your pardon, Captain Dawson.” She dropped her gaze to the floor, her heart beating in odd spurts. “I did not mean to presume so much. I had not thought how long the journey would take, only that it is a place I would feel safe.” She whispered, “As I feel safe with you, despite our brief acquaintance.”
She kept her gaze trained on the black leather upholstery, hands clasped tightly on her lap. The carriage rolled on toward Honoria’s. A wonderful thought, to pursue a courtship with Captain Dawson, the most dashing man she had ever met. Pity he had seemed disinclined to flout the boundaries of convention. Apparently even a knight rescuing a fair damsel would not be above society’s reproach. Such a great pity she could not tempt hi
m to accompany her. Days together in the carriage might have encouraged a tender feeling in him for her, one she would return in full.
“You have family at the estate?” He no longer held his shoulders straight with such military precision. Encouraging if not exactly optimistic. He still eyed her warily.
“No. I would not want to go where I had family, for they would be the places Philippe would expect me to go. However, to go to one of my brother’s minor estates, an estate the viscount could have no knowledge of, would confound his search, I’m sure. I believe I will be safe there until my brother’s return.”
“The prospect of such a journey alone would likely deter the man.” The captain’s brooding stare and the almost imperceptible shake of his head persuaded her that he had been deterred as well.
“You have been kindness itself this morning, Captain Dawson.” She smiled and put every ounce of charm into her words. “I cannot thank you enough for your help with Philippe.”
“I am only glad I could be of assistance, my lady.” At last, he relaxed into the seat. “You will now go to your friend’s home after all?”
“Oh, no, Captain Dawson. I will go to Cumberland.”
“Without an escort?” Tension snapped back into his tall frame. “For eight days on the road? My lady…”
Juliet straightened her skirts, refusing to meet his eyes. “I am sorry to so discomfit you, Captain. Yet I fear I must do as I think right in this matter. One unguarded moment, and I could end up married to Philippe for life.” After the cruelties he had shown her at the French Ambassador’s house party, she would rather throw herself from the roof of Dunham House. She had set her course, with or without the captain. “Glynis and I will leave today, as soon as we have taken you—oh I beg your pardon, but I don’t know where you live.”
“My father’s house in Kensington Gardens. Number twenty-three.” His lips twitched.
She knocked on the trap door and changed their direction immediately. She did not wish to worry this kind, valiant man, but she had made her mind up and she doubted she could convince him to accompany her. She chided herself for even having such a foolish notion. A passing fancy only, brought on, perhaps, by the stress of the situation this morning. After all, she had just met this man. She knew absolutely nothing about him or his family.