Page 17

Juliana had caught a glimpse of the sketches Victor made the day before. Even if most of the sketch was a mere outline, he had captured her eyes in great detail. “The blue, then.” She would play to what she hoped was her advantage.

Hardly able to eat at breakfast, Juliana wrung her hands in her lap as Miss Price arranged Juliana’s hair in a becoming style. Her stomach fluttered and flipped in anticipation of spending more time with Victor.

Her logical mind reminded her it was only for a portrait, but her heart argued back that Victor had danced with her during her disastrous come-out ball.

Hope clung desperately to a thin thread between the two.

Perhaps spending more time together would allow Victor to come to know her. ..like her...maybe love her.

She sighed. Hope was such a fragile thing, more delicate than gossamer waiting to be blown to pieces by the first strong wind.

Once dressed, she tried in vain to occupy her mind before Victor’s arrival, eventually wandering into Drake’s vast library. Not nearly as large as the one at Hartridge House in Dorset, the room still occupied one quarter of the second floor with floor-to-ceiling shelves of books.

Peace settled over Juliana, the aroma of fine leather of the books’ bindings reminding her of saddles and riding.

Might that be a reason both Drake and Juliana loved books as well?

Murmurs from a far corner of the room drew her attention, and she blushed at the sight of Drake and Honoria in an embrace.

She backed up, hoping to make a hasty exit and accidentally knocked into a table, sending a vase to the floor and the couple splitting apart.

Drake turned, and he gave her a sheepish grin. “Juliana. We didn’t see you there.”

An errant lock of his hair stood at attention, and Honoria reached up to smooth it down.

A smile tugged at Juliana’s lips. Catching her brother and Honoria stealing a kiss had become a common sight both in their London residence and Drake’s country seat.

“Obviously. I’ve come for a book as I understood that’s what libraries were for, but it appears they may also be useful for other pursuits. ”

Drake chuckled. Her brother had become bolder since becoming a duke, and he was clearly proud of his amorous advances toward his wife.

However, even the shadows couldn’t conceal the blush rising to Honoria’s cheeks. “Allow me to select something for you.”

The tangy scent of orange wafted in Juliana’s direction as Honoria breezed past, examining the books. “Ah. I think this one.” She plucked one off the shelf and handed it to Juliana.

Sense And Sensibility . Juliana pursed her lips. “What’s it about?”

“Two sisters whose dastardly half-brother has left them and their mother nearly penniless upon their mutual father’s death.”

Juliana’s gaze shot to Drake. “That sounds dreadful. Too bad they didn’t have you for a brother.”

Honoria’s lovesick expression as she gazed at Drake gave Juliana pause. “Something tells me this is a romantic tale.”

“Read it and find out.” Mischief glimmered in Honoria’s eyes.

Book in hand, Juliana left Honoria and Drake, closing the door behind her to give them privacy to continue their amorous activity.

She settled into a comfortable chair in her room and began to read, quickly captivated by the story and the sisters.

Although she liked them both, Juliana found them to be quite different and gravitated more toward Elinor’s clear thinking and contained emotions.

She turned the book over, considering the title.

“Ah,” she said aloud. Elinor was the sense while Marianne was all emotion and sensibility . “Clever,” Juliana whispered.

Immersed in the story, Juliana startled when the clock chimed half-past one. Wasn’t Victor supposed to call at one? She set the book aside, mentally ticking off the number of things that might have delayed Victor’s arrival.

Was he injured? Ill? Did something of greater importance pull him away?

Had he arrived and no one had alerted her? It seemed unlikely.

After one last look in the mirror to check her hair, Juliana proceeded downstairs toward the drawing room.

The door to Drake’s study opened, and he and Victor stepped out.

Upon seeing her, the men exchanged a look.

Tiny hairs on the back of Juliana’s neck tingled.

Something had transpired between her brother and Victor. But what?

Drake’s tight smile only added to her concern. “Juliana. Good. I was going to send Frampton for you. Mr. Pratt, if you would kindly go to the drawing room to set up, I’d like a word with my sister regarding what we discussed.”

What was going on? Had Drake changed his mind about commissioning Victor for their portraits? No. Drake had told Victor to set up. Something else troubled her brother. Juliana’s attention jerked toward Victor, whose smile seemed warmer than her brother’s, thank goodness.

“Miss Merrick.” Victor bowed and left.

“Juliana, come inside.”

Her attention fixed on Victor’s retreating back, Juliana startled at Drake’s words. She followed him in and took a seat in front of his desk. “Is something wrong? What was Victor doing in here with you?”

Drake fell back against his chair, emitting an audible sigh. He suddenly looked older than his thirty years, as if a weight too heavy to be borne had been placed upon his shoulders. “Mr. Pratt has requested my permission to court you.”

She blinked, giving her head a tiny shake to clear it. “What?” She choked out the question, unsure she’d heard him correctly. Why didn’t Drake look pleased?

“To be a suitor, Juliana. To call upon you in more than the capacity of an artist.”

“What did you say?” Joy should have galloped in her heart over Drake’s announcement. However, his solemn expression bridled it in. She held her breath, caution keeping tight rein on her hopes.

“I gave it.”

She frowned, jerking her head to clear it once more.

He held up a hand. “On the condition of your approval.”

His answer did nothing to clear her confusion. Clearly, Drake knew she liked Victor. “Why wouldn’t I approve?”

Drake lowered his gaze to some papers on his desk, fingering them aimlessly. “You should have a say in your suitors. I wouldn’t want to foist anyone unacceptable on you.”

“You’re withholding something. Don’t you like Victor? Do you not think he’s suitable?”

The man with a dukedom thrust upon him disappeared, and the brother she dearly loved reemerged. “I like him very much, Juliana. And, as heir to a viscountcy, he’s more than suitable. But my greatest wish is for you to be as happy as Honoria and I are. To find a man who loves you above all else.”

Oh. What Drake spoke of was the same dream Juliana bore in her heart. To be loved. Cherished. “And you don’t think Victor is that man?” Therein lay the heart of the matter. She stifled the derisive chuckle at her horrible pun.

Drake’s serious amber eyes locked with hers. “I don’t know. The answer is as honest as I can give you. Time will tell. He’s a good man, and he expressed desire to...” Drake became distant, as if searching for the right words.

“Yes?” Even to her own ears, the word sounded pitifully close to begging.

“I believe he holds genuine affection for you.”

Genuine affection? “What aren’t you saying?”

For a moment, he hesitated, then waved it off.

“Nothing. I’m simply tired. Kitty kept us awake all night again.

I think Honoria has finally agreed to allow the nurse to perform the duties we pay her for.

” He smiled weakly. “Now, go. Victor and I also discussed two ideas for your portrait, and he’s eager to begin.

I told him I’d also leave that up to you, although I did make my preference known. ”

She rose, and Drake stopped her as if finally remembering why he called her into his study in the first place.

“Juliana. Victor requested to speak with you privately regarding his request. I will give you ten minutes alone with him in the drawing room before Mother arrives.”

Still believing Drake held something important back, Juliana pondered why Victor wished to speak with her privately.

Could it be a declaration of love? Surely not.

They hardly knew each other, even though Juliana’s affections raced dangerously close toward that precipice.

Was it worth risking her heart to have Victor court her?

To free-fall head-first in love with Victor Pratt if he didn’t return her love?

Was genuine affection enough, and more importantly, could she accept it might be all Victor offered?

As the saying went: nothing ventured, nothing gained.

“Not to worry, brother. We shall remain the required six feet apart.”

Drake’s tight-lipped smile returned, and he nodded.

On her way out, Juliana closed the door behind her, praying that she wasn’t making a huge mistake.