“Did you have a good day, my lady?” Juliet asked, avoiding the answer Lady Woodley demanded.
Lady Woodley slipped her hand away. “It was fine,” she said, her tone strained.
Juliet frowned. Gabriel might not be good at reading emotional situations such as this, but she was. She could all but feel the pain coming from her hostess and it wasn’t all from the conversation about Juliet’s safety. There was something else going on here. That feeling, coupled with her father’s sudden decision to spend the evening with friends, made her wonder…had the two quarreled? Were they fighting the feelings that were so obvious between them?
“May I ask you something?” Juliet said, her voice shaking.
Lady Woodley cast her a side glance, and their eyes met. In that moment, it felt like they understood each other perfectly. Lady Woodley paled slightly and nodded. “Yes.”
“I would be a fool not to notice how close you and my father are becoming,” Juliet began, taking a care with each and every word so she would not offend. “And you obviously shared more than a mere passing friendship when you were younger.”
Lady Woodley bent her head. “Is it so apparent?”
Juliet nodded. “I wondered what that relationship was. And what broke it apart.” Lady Woodley’s lips pursed, and for a long time she was silent. Juliet leaned closer. “My lady, I would never dare to pry into your private past except that this is my father we are talking about.”
“I am not debating whether or not I should tell you. I’m trying to determine how to say these words that suddenly choke me.”
“Know that I have come to care deeply for you and for…for your family.” Those intrusive thoughts of Gabriel began again and she shoved them aside. “I could not judge you. I only ask to understand.”
“Your grandfather worked for my father,” Lady Woodley said softly. “You knew that already. Like you, I had no brothers or sisters and was a lonely child. Your father was just a few years older than me, so we would play together. He was so bright, so vastly gifted that my father even offered to allow him to study with my tutors, so we shared a schoolroom as well. We were very good friends for a very long time. And then…then we weren’t.”
Lady Woodley caught her breath and Juliet stared. She could almost see this beautiful woman as a girl. She could easily picture the moment when very good friends had changed to something more.
“You realized you cared for him,” Juliet offered, trying to smooth what was clearly difficult.
Lady Woodley jerked out a nod. “And he for me. There was little to it. A few intense conversations, one stolen kiss, but we were so young and we couldn’t hide our affection. Our fathers determined the truth swiftly. And it could not stand.”
Juliet frowned. “Because of the disparity of your positions.”
“Yes.” Lady Woodley’s whisper barely carried. “Oh, it wasn’t cruel, particularly. My father liked yours very much, so he wasn’t brutal about it. But I was his only child, his only tool in the political landscape that is the marriage mart. I was meant to marry someone of great importance, to link two influential families. So he sent your father away.”
“It must have been awful for him. He has never spoken of it.”
“The parting was difficult for us both,” Lady Woodley said softly. “But I wouldn’t say awful. After all, my father paid for all Jed’s education and encouraged him in all things except for me. I was introduced to Society and eventually my marriage to Lord Woodley was arranged.”
“Were you unhappy?” Juliet asked.
“Oh Lord, no!” Lady Woodley smiled. “Although our situation was arranged, I quickly grew to care for my husband. And eventually to love him deeply. He was…flawed…but he was also so loving and I could not in good conscience wish that things had been different. I bore him five wonderful children and we had a very happy life together.” She took Juliet’s hand. “And your father met your mother and I know he adored her. He loves you. Our paths were separated by circumstance, but it was not an evil act or one that didn’t lead to marvelous things for us both.”
Juliet bent her head. “But then you were brought back together.”
Lady Woodley nodded. “By my illness, by you, my sweet girl. I will admit what you have already said, that your father and I have certainly become close since your arrival here. Sometimes it is as if no time has passed.” Her voice became wistful and Juliet blushed.
“And what are your…what are your intentions?” she asked, feeling foolish at such a question.
Lady Woodley laughed gently. “Are you making certain I am of an honorable heart?” she teased.
Juliet joined her smile, though this topic was a difficult one and one she felt she had to pursue. “I could never doubt your honor, my lady. I hope you know that.”
The seriousness returned to the dowager’s face and she squeezed Juliet’s hand gently. “You are a good daughter. The fact is that seeing your father after all these years is…it brings me back to another time, another place, another…me. I don’t know the future, Juliet. It is complicated by a great many things. But know that I don’t want to hurt Jed. Nor do I wish to be hurt myself.”
“No,” Juliet whispered. “I suppose no one does.”
Her mind took her once again to Gabriel and the dangerous game she had begun to play with him. There were no more promises between the two of them than there seemed to be with Lady Woodley and her father. And yet she couldn’t stay away from Gabriel. He drew her in.
“There is a ball tomorrow at the Duke and Duchess of Hartholm’s here in London,” Lady Woodley said, and her voice was stronger now, as if discussing Society matters were easier than matters of the heart. “I have accepted on our behalf.”
Juliet swallowed hard as anxiety stirred in her chest. Another ball. Another few hours on display, being judged and offered up as a prize for what? Some lesser nobleman? A widower with children to raise who had little care for a dowry? A man who would settle for her?
“You are quiet,” Lady Woodley said. “Are you opposed to attending the ball?”
Juliet sat up straighter. “Oh, I do appreciate your help and your care. Please don’t think that I don’t. It is only that I don’t want you to be disappointed in the outcome of your plans, Lady Woodley. I do not think that I could ever catch a duke or an earl, no matter how pretty the gown you dress me in.”
Lady Woodley arched a brow. “Perhaps you will not, but I don’t go into a ball with any of those expectations. Whatever happens during your time with us, I could not be disappointed in the outcome. Or in you, my dear. I promise you that.”
Juliet didn’t quite believe Lady Woodley, but the words did ease her tension slightly. “A duke and duchess, though…”
Lady Woodley smiled. “This duke and duchess are not the stuffy and judgmental middle aged fops you may imagine. Lord and Lady Hartholm were married in scandal and are one of the most talked about love matches in Society. Plus, the duchess is beautiful, a sight to be seen, and one of the kindest women I have ever had the pleasure to encounter. Now, will you attend?”
There was no way to refuse. Juliet knew that. So she nodded. “Of course, my lady,” she croaked out. “I look forward to it.”
And though that wasn’t exactly true, the happy expression on Lady Woodley’s face was almost worth this new lie she’d told. But as her hostess began to chat of gowns and how the maid would fashion her hair, Juliet couldn’t help but think of Gabriel once more. He had been at the last ball she attended and it had led to this unexpected arrangement between them.
Would he be at this event as well? And if he was, what would happen between them?
Chapter Twelve
Gabriel stood in his brother Edward’s parlor, clutching the drink he had not yet sipped. Edward, Evan and Audrey’s husband Jude were just feet away from him, chatting and smiling, but it felt like they were worlds apart. Of course that isolation was nothing new. It had existed for a long time.
Then there was Jude. Although only a brother by marriage, he had been treated as more for most of their lives. And yet Jude had admitted he helped, albeit inadvertently, the man who had taken Claire. It had taken months for Gabriel to be able to get past that.
And then there was Evan. Gabriel had interfered in his brother’s relationship with his new bride, Josie. Gabriel had nearly cost Evan the love of his life all for the hope he would find new information about Claire. Guilt still wracked him for that involvement. And yet if he had to do it all again, he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t do things just the same.
All these relationships, strained thanks to Claire’s disappearance. His entire life, turned on its head because his twin was gone.
“You look very serious,” Jude said, turning his gaze on Gabriel.
Gabriel flinched. “Do I? That isn’t that out of the ordinary, is it?”
Edward smiled, but his eyes did not reflect any pleasure when he said, “No, not at all. You are always somber these days.”
“Why should I not be?” Gabriel asked, setting the untouched drink aside. “I have duties to perform.”
The smiles on the faces of all the men faltered. Evan was the first to shake his head as he said, “Yes, we all know your duty, Gabriel. And how goes the search for Claire?”
He paced away as his thoughts took him someplace else. Yes, he thought of all he knew, all the pieces to the puzzle that he had and all the ones he was missing. But he also thought of Juliet, leaning over his desk, the scent of her hanging in the air. He thought of her lips upturned, her body welcoming him, soothing him. Making him forget his troubles for the first time in years.
“Gabriel?” Edward pressed.
He blinked the thoughts away. “It’s all the same dead ends and roadblocks. Claire hasn’t written to me in months. So unless any of you have new information, there is nothing to say.”
“No,” Evan said, shaking his head. “Josie has also had no word from her in a long time. We hoped she might write something after our wedding, but she is silent.”
Gabriel swallowed. He prayed that silence was by his sister’s choosing and not because she was—
He cut the thought off. “I suppose this will be one more Christmas where Mama looks at her empty chair, then. I did so want to provide her with the gift of her daughter.”
Edward’s head bent. “Yes, I am sure we all would have accepted that as our only gift this year. But at least Mama will be distracted somewhat from her loss, what with Miss Gray and her father staying with her.”
“How is that going?” Jude asked.
Gabriel pursed his lips. They could all so easily change the subject, after all. Claire was not their twin, so her loss was not felt so keenly. Or perhaps it was. After all, every man in the room had the same emptiness in their eyes when the subject was discussed that he did. Only they all had their wives to comfort them and Gabriel had…
Well, he had Juliet recently. But he could hardly compare the sweetness of her touch to what his brothers shared with their spouses. Could he?
“We all know the quality of Miss Gray’s character. And Mama certainly speaks highly of her dealings in Society so far,” Edward answered. “But I think Gabriel has spent more time with them since the arrival last week.”
“Mama is very happy to have her here,” Gabriel agreed, then looked at each man before he carefully chose his next words. “However, I think she may be happier to have the company of Mr. Gray.”
He expected surprise from the other men, but they all nodded as if this was no news to them.
“Mary mentioned that she saw a connection there,” Edward said. “And I think Audrey and Josie have both commented on the same, have they not?”
Jude and Evan inclined their heads in agreement, but Gabriel couldn’t fully read their reactions.
“What do you all think of that development?” he asked.
Edward shrugged. “Mama has been alone so many years and she is certainly wise enough to choose the company she keeps. I’ve only met Mr. Gray in passing, but he seems a decent sort.”
“Again, you know them all better than we do,” Evan said. “Gabriel, what are your thoughts on Jed Gray?”
Gabriel folded his arms. “He is a man of great intelligence.”
“The highest of praise from the genius among us,” Jude teased gently.
Unable to keep a smile from his face for his brother-in-law, Gabriel continued, “Beyond that, he appears to be a kind man.”
“Juliet adores him and I think we all trust her judgment,” Evan supplied.
“Indeed, I do.”
There must have been something in Gabriel’s tone as he said those words, for the others in the room all looked up from their drinks and turned their faces toward him in surprise. Immediately, he turned away.
“We have nothing to fear from Mr. Gray, I don’t think,” he rushed to add as he felt their stares burn into him. “Unless his position bothers anyone.”
Jude was the first to answer. “Since your very connected sister married me, the mere man of affairs for Edward, I certainly can make no comment on the topic of position.”
Gabriel turned back. “Nor would we have it any other way.”
Evan shrugged. “Position means little to me. Mama’s happiness is far more important.”
Edward nodded. “I agree. After all, Mary comes from a rather lowly family with the worst father in history and I couldn’t love or appreciate her more. And my first wife came from descendants of kings and she was a harpy from hell. So position is the least of my concerns.”
“Then we are agreed that no one will intervene on this budding relationship between Mama and Mr. Gray?” Evan said.
The group as a whole nodded. But then Edward moved forward. “I don’t think it is worth discussing. What I do think is worth discussing is the look on your face when Miss Gray was mentioned, Gabriel. Is there something you would like to tell the rest of us?”
For a brief and powerful moment, Gabriel wished he could speak to his brothers about what was happening between him and Juliet. He wished he could pour out all the tangled thoughts and get their assistance in sorting them.
But to speak those words would mean facing the emotions, airing them out for too many to see. He didn’t want to feel them, let alone analyze them.
“Miss Gray has been a great help to Mama,” he said with a dismissive shrug. “And it seems Mama is determined to match make for the young lady. I certainly wish her well.”
Evan’s brow wrinkled. “Do you.”
It wasn’t a question, but Gabriel ignored that part, just as he ignored the sting in his chest at the idea that somehow Juliet would find a gentleman thanks to his mother’s interference.
“Of course,” he said, his voice cracking. “But now we must gather the ladies, mustn’t we? Mama and Mr. Gray and Juliet—Miss Gray—are waiting for us at Lord and Lady Hartholm’s, and I’m sure Miss Gray will be happy to see familiar faces there.”
Edward hesitated, his expression taut as if he had more to say. Then he shook his head. “Of course, you are correct. We should go. Let me go up and see what is taking the ladies so long and I’ll be back shortly.”
Edward left the room and Evan and Jude began to talk quietly, which gave Gabriel a moment to breathe. He moved to the window where he stared with unseeing eyes out at the darkness on the street.
He was in too far over his head when it came to Juliet. He knew that. How could he not when he was constantly drowned by thoughts of her, memories of the pleasures they had shared? He should break it off, of course. Walk away and let her find happiness. Go back to focusing on Claire.
But he couldn’t. So he would just have to find a way forward and appreciate these fleetin
g moments with Juliet while he still had them.
Juliet entered the huge ballroom and took a shuddering breath. She hardly heard the footman announce Lady Woodley, and her father, and finally her. All she could do was look around at the opulence and finery and feel out of place. Whatever Lady Woodley said about the Duke and Duchess of Hartholm, this glittering ballroom seemed just like any other in the empire: uninviting and terrifying.
“Miss Gray!”
She turned at the calling of her name and watched as Gemma Flynn hurried across the ballroom. She had met Mrs. Flynn at Audrey’s wedding several months before. The sister of Edward’s wife Mary, she was married to the once-notorious Crispin Flynn, but she had been nothing but utterly kind and charming to Juliet. Tonight, the beautiful redhead was wearing a stunning blue silk gown that seemed to whisper with every step.
“Good evening, Lady Woodley,” Mrs. Flynn said as she smiled at their small party. “And Miss Gray, this must be your father.”
“Jed Gray,” he said, extending a hand, which Gemma shook with surprising strength.
“So pleased to meet you, sir,” she gushed. “I have heard wonderful things about you. And we all do adore your daughter, you know.”
Mr. Gray laughed. “How could you not?”
Gemma’s smile broadened. “It is wonderful to hear that from a father. Not all daughters are so blessed.” She turned her attention to Juliet. “My, you look stunning.”
Juliet looked down at herself. She did feel very pretty, in truth. The gown Lady Woodley had designed for her was of the finest silk and the pale pink color was far more flattering than she ever would have imagined. The bodice had been hand stitched in a beautiful braided pattern, though Juliet couldn’t help but be uncomfortable with how low the neckline was.
Lady Woodley’s personal maid had come to fix her hair as well, and had twisted and smoothed and plumped it until Juliet hardly recognized herself. She was so accustomed to pulling her curly locks into a simple chignon that this elaborate style belonged on another person.
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