by Jo Beverley
“I don’t know if such a scheme will work.” Jeffrey smiled back at her even though he disagreed with her plan.
“Of course it will work!” she exclaimed in defense. A plan of her creation would not fail. “It’s obvious. Don’t you see they just need to be nudged in the right direction?”
“And you think jealousy is a tactic that will work on Lucien Sinclair?”
She arched an elegant brow at him and gave him a knowing look. “Jealousy works on every man, Jeffrey, no matter what his status or rank. Haven’t you learned that by now?”
He gave a low whistle. “You are a dangerous woman, Juliette Hamilton.” He shook his head in amazement, a helpless smile on his handsome face.
Ignoring his comment, she continued, “If Lucien thinks that you are seriously pursuing Colette, he will certainly want her enough to realize Faith Bromleigh is the most ridiculous choice for his bride.”
“How do you know I don’t seriously want to pursue Colette myself?” he challenged her.
Juliette scoffed at him with a laugh. “I would tell you that you are wasting your time. Colette is head over heels in love with Lucien Sinclair.”
“I don’t think she’s quite as far gone as you claim,” he said, his eyes not meeting her gaze. “She’s not immune to my charm, you know.”
Juliette observed him carefully. “No one is immune to your charm, darling Jeffrey. I cannot deny that. Except of course for myself, that is. I have the power to resist you, just as I can easily resist most of the male population.”
He rested his chin on his hand, flashing her a devastating smile. “Now why is that, Juliette?”
“For the reason that all of the men I’ve met border on complete stupidity, utter dullness, or total lecherousness. I’ve been unimpressed with them.” She amended agreeably, “Present company excepted.”
“Oh, I am honored to make your short list,” he gestured gallantly. “So then explain why you can resist me, since I am neither stupid or dull? Although I must admit to having some lecherous tendencies.” He gave her a sly wink.
Juliette laughed lightly at him. “Because, Jeffrey, you are not the type of man I wish to marry.”
“And what type would that be?”
“I’m not entirely sure,” Juliette answered thoughtfully. “Someone different and unconventional. Perhaps even dangerous. When I meet him, I’ll just know he’s the one.”
“You are dreaming of a romantic highwayman, Juliette.” He paused before adding, “I hope you find who you are looking for.”
Juliette was surprised with his sincere tone. Perhaps she did have the makings of a highwayman in her mind. “Well, thank you, but we’re not talking about me. This is about Colette.”
“And your plan is for me to court your sister to make my best friend jealous?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure he’s in love with her?”
She nodded with conviction. “Of course he is. Who wouldn’t be in love with her? But he’s afraid of her and that’s why he’d rather have the insipid Faith Bromleigh, because she’s safe. He will be doomed to a life of utter dreariness if he marries her! Am I wrong?”
Jeffrey shook his head. “No. I’ve tried to talk him out of this alliance with Faith Bromleigh from the beginning, but he’s determined to go through with it. Lucien wants to marry while his father is still alive to see it happen, and he wants a wife who won’t upset his tea cart.”
“That’s exactly what he doesn’t need and why it’s up to us to wake him up before it’s too late. If he thinks there is a serious contender for Colette’s hand, he might realize what he stands to lose.”
“How do you know Colette is in love with him?”
“A sister knows these things, so believe me when I say that she’s besotted with him.”
“Shouldn’t we let Colette in on this little plan of yours?”
“Heavens no! If she knew, she’d have no part in it! She must not suspect you are pretending with her, Jeffrey. Neither of them must ever suspect what we’re doing.”
“I love that this is now ‘our’ doing. How are you so sure what ‘we’re’ doing will work?”
“I just know.” Juliette watched Jeffrey’s face closely as he considered her words. She needed Jeffrey’s help. Her plan would not work without him.
“I have a feeling I may regret this, but I’ll do it.”
She leaned across the counter and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “You are a true friend.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he uttered, his smile rueful. “I just hope this crazy scheme of ours doesn’t come back to haunt me. What about your uncle?”
“He has lightened up on us somewhat since selling the shop.”
“So he’s given up on you and your sister snaring rich husbands, has he?”
“For now, anyway.” Juliette shrugged carelessly. “At least until he needs more money.”
“Well, I can only help you for a little while. I’ll be leaving for France before the summer is over.”
Curiosity got the best of her. “Why are you going to France? Have you a secret love hidden there?”
“Yes, more than one actually.” His rakish grin disappeared and he added, “I have some important business to attend to.”
Juliette’s light laughter bubbled forth at his explanation. “Business? What kind of business? Following a pretty actress or a young widow to Paris is not business, Jeffrey.”
He gave her a deep look. “It’s business and it is very private.”
She tried to imagine Jeffrey working at something important and could not quite do it. He enjoyed pleasure too much to take anything seriously. She highly suspected there was a woman involved. “You are not going to tell me, are you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Very well then, Mr. Mysterious. You may keep your little secrets to yourself. Just remember to uphold your part of the bargain.”
The door to the upstairs opened and Colette entered the shop. After exchanging a complicit glance, Juliette and Jeffrey immediately stood up straighter and guiltily assumed an air of feigned innocence.
“Good afternoon, Colette.” Jeffrey grinned at her broadly.
“Good afternoon,” she greeted them as she came closer. Juliette noted an enigmatic look on her sister’s face. Luckily Colette seemed too distracted to notice their sudden jump in posture and awkward expressions.
Colette announced, “You’ll never guess whom I just met.”
“Who?” Juliette and Jeffrey asked in unison.
Unable to keep the news to herself, Colette did not encourage them to name any possible contenders. She blurted out, “Lucien Sinclair’s mother!”
“You’re jesting!” Juliette cried. Of course she, like everyone else, had heard the scandalous stories of Lenora Sinclair, but had believed that the woman lived on the continent somewhere with her lover, the count of something or other.
Jeffrey responded more calmly than one would expect at hearing the news of his best friend’s mother. “I was aware that she had been in contact with Lucien recently, but I did not know she had arrived so soon.”
Colette began, “She surprised him and simply showed up unannounced at his door as I was about to leave. I was introduced to her just a short while ago.”
“Why were you at Devon House?” Jeffrey asked. Juliette did not miss how his blue eyes narrowed at the idea of Colette at Lucien’s house.
“I was reading to Lucien’s father and working in their library.” There was a defensive tone to Colette’s words that surprised Juliette. Her sister’s sensitivity to any mention of her and Lucien Sinclair was quite obvious.
“What was she like? Lucien’s mother, that is?” Juliette asked.
“She is beautiful, and I could definitely see a resemblance between them. I only stayed a short time because it was very tense between them. Lucien did not seem happy to see her.”
“Do you blame him?” Jeffrey questioned.
“Not in the least,” C
olette responded. Her fine brows narrowed. “I actually felt sad for the two of them.”
“I wonder what caused her to return after all this time,” Juliette ruminated aloud. “Do you have any idea why she came back?”
Colette shook her head. “No, nor am I sure how Lord Stancliff will react to seeing her. If Lucien was not overjoyed, I doubt his father will be happy when he sees her. He’s so frail, I worry about him.” Colette paused and glanced between Jeffrey and Juliette, suddenly sensing something between them. “And what have you two been up to while I was gone this afternoon?”
“Oh, the usual,” Juliette answered carelessly. “We’ve been giving away kisses to anyone who buys a book. I kissed the male costumers and Jeffrey kissed the females. You wouldn’t believe how many books we’ve sold!”
Jeffrey held up his hands in mock seriousness. “But I only kissed the pretty ones, I swear.”
Colette shook her head in exasperation. “I don’t know what to do with the pair of you.”
“Well, I have no idea what you should do with your rapscallion of a sister,” Jeffrey began good-naturedly ribbing Juliette, “but I, on the other hand, am another matter altogether. I propose you join me at the theater tomorrow evening.”
Colette’s startled expression at Jeffrey’s invitation turned to one of seriousness as she considered his request. She glanced briefly at Juliette and then said, “Yes, Jeffrey, I would love to go with you.”
“Wonderful.” A warm smile spread across his face. “I shall come by with my carriage to pick you up then, around seven.”
“Thank you.”
Looking for all the world like the cat that ate the canary, Juliette grinned at her sister.
Chapter Twenty-One
Still Waters Run Deep
Lucien stifled another yawn as Lord Bromleigh droned on about the type of trees he had recently planted on his estate in Sussex. Lord Bromleigh had told this exact same story two nights ago, and Lucien still could not fathom what the man was talking about. He had been invited to dine with the Bromleighs for the second time that week and he was having difficulty keeping his eyes open. Good Lord, but the man was an utter bore.
Faith nodded eagerly as her father continued his dull discourse on the advantages and disadvantages of maples and oaks. “Yes, Papa. The trees will be lovely and I shall greatly enjoy the shade they will provide.”
Lucien’s intended bride was seated across from him and had worn another dull and serious gown of an indeterminate shade of taupe. The odd thought that once they were married he might suggest that she visit a more flattering dressmaker crossed his mind. She might actually be pretty in a light shade of blue or pink, to bring out some color in her face.
But then again, it did not really matter what Faith looked like.
What mattered most now was banishing Colette Hamilton from his mind. He had not seen her since his mother returned to Devon House, but she continued to haunt his thoughts every waking moment. Lucien had no need to be haunted by a woman. He had had quite enough of that in his life, thank you. The sooner he married Faith Bromleigh, the better off he would be. A peaceful coexistence would suit him best. He could not bear a tumultuous marriage like his parents had.
Nor could he explain the strange reconnection the pair was experiencing now.
The change in his father since his mother’s return had astounded Lucien. It seemed as though the man suddenly became ten years younger. His speech had improved dramatically and he was attempting to walk. In spite of Lucien’s fears, Lenora’s return seemed to have had a healing influence on Simon. Now his mother and father were inseparable, closeted in his room for hours at a time, talking and crying. Lucien supposed they had a great deal to discuss, but unlike his father, he was not so ready to forgive his mother.
“Lord Waverly?”
Lucien was startled to discover that Lord Bromleigh had addressed him directly.
“Yes?”
He eyed Lucien sharply. “I asked if you would like to escort my daughter for a short walk in the garden?”
Ignoring the knot forming in the pit of his stomach, Lucien nodded at Lord Bromleigh’s question, and turned to Faith, whose face had turned a remarkable shade of pink. “Yes, I would love some fresh air, wouldn’t you, Lady Faith?”
With her eyes downcast, she merely lowered her head in acquiescence. Lucien dutifully escorted Faith Bromleigh from the formal dining room and out the French doors to the patio and garden beyond.
The awkward silence grew as they walked the neat flag-stone path; only the sounds of their shoes on the stone echoed around their ears. Lost in his own thoughts, Lucien was content to walk in wordlessness for as long as he could.
“Did you enjoy supper, Lord Waverly?” Faith asked.
Surprised by her attempt at conversation, he answered, “Yes. It was delicious.”
They continued walking slowly.
“My father said you wish to marry me.”
Now completely stunned by her, Lucien stood still and stared at the plain woman beside him. “Yes. Your father spoke the truth.”
“May I ask you a frank question?”
“Of course.” Wondering what the timid miss would ask him, he felt somewhat bemused by her. For the first time since he met her, she looked directly into his eyes, and he was taken aback by the intensity he saw within the pale blue depths.
“Why?” she asked.
“Why what?”
“Why do you wish to marry me?”
“Why do I wish to marry you?” he questioned her in return.
Faith gave him a look that bordered on exasperation. “I may be shy, Lord Waverly, but I assure you that I am not stupid. I am quite aware that I’m not the epitome of fashion or the wittiest or prettiest female out this Season. However, you are a most eligible bachelor and could have your choice of any of the beauties. So why would you care to marry me?”
For the first time they were alone together and actually having a conversation without either of her parents hovering over them. He had to admit he admired her candid approach, even though he would not have expected it of her. Perhaps there was more to her personality than he had given her credit for. “Since you wish to be forthright, let me ask you this question first, Lady Faith. Am I someone you would consider as a husband?”
She paused longer than he would have suspected, which irritated him. She should be jumping at the chance to marry him. She just said he was one of the most sought-after bachelors in London!
When she finally responded, her answer surprised him. “I’m not entirely certain. To all outward appearances we are quite different in our tastes and interests, and I’m not sure we have much in common. I have no idea what you would expect in a wife, nor if I could successfully fulfill the role of countess and eventually marchioness. I must admit, Lord Waverly, I harbor serious and grave doubts about whether we would suit each other as husband and wife.”
The longest speech he had ever heard from her almost knocked him off his feet. Was the girl refusing his suit before he had even asked for her hand? The very thought boggled his mind.
“Would you please kiss me, Lord Waverly?”
Certain that he had not heard correctly, Lucien asked, “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” she said softly. “Please don’t make me repeat myself.”
He could not conceal the incredulousness in his voice. “You wish for me to kiss you?”
“Yes.”
Lucien cleared his throat. “May I ask why?”
She gave him a funny little look, as if she had proven her point. “If you have to ask why, then it is evident that you have no desire to kiss me.”
At her words, Lucien suddenly leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, catching her somewhat off guard. He held her close for a moment, feeling the softness of her body. There was no rush of feeling, no overwhelming passion possessing his body. He was in complete and utter control. Oh yes, he would be quite safe with Faith Bromleigh. Not a doubt about it.
“Well,” she said matter-of-factly, biting her lip. “It’s just as I feared.”
Confused, Lucien stared at her. She did not seem the slightest bit flustered by his kiss.
“That was nice enough,” she continued, her expression serious, her brows drawn together. “But it had none of the magical feelings I would expect to have when kissing my future husband.”
Left speechless, Lucien was dumbfounded by this unassuming young woman. No, he had not felt that wild flood of desire when kissing Faith, nor had he expected to experience that with her. But he never imagined that she would not feel desire for him.
“I should have felt something. Don’t you agree?” she asked, tilting her head up to look at him.
“I suppose I do,” he admitted reluctantly.
She shook her head slightly. “No, there was nothing special in that kiss. Do you believe it is possible that such a feeling might grow to be there between us?”
“I don’t know,” he stated, feeling quite foolish. He had never been attracted to her, but never suspected that it especially mattered to her. Apparently it did.
“Lord Waverly, I am not a horse to be bought at auction,” Faith declared fervently. “I have feelings and thoughts of my own. Before we pursue this relationship any further, I believe we should be honest with each other.”
“Yes…” He waited to hear what she would say next, certain that it would not be something he wanted to hear.
“Perhaps we could give it a little more time?” she asked.
Not sure if he felt a sense of relief or disappointment at her suggestion, Lucien agreed with her. Maybe time could make things better between them. “Yes, I believe that might be a good idea.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Silence Is Golden