Page 18

I n the duke’s drawing room, Victor placed the blank canvas on the easel and laid out his tools: pencils shaved to a fine point, his palette, some paint, and brushes, his mind circling the conversation with the duke.

The man’s sharp mind had surely noticed the omission in Victor’s explanation, but the success of his proposal hinged upon certain particulars being kept between himself and Juliana alone. He only had to convince her.

She could flatly refuse him.

Rustle of skirts and the sensual scent of jasmine mixed with ginger—surprising for ladies of society—announced Juliana’s arrival.

As he turned to greet her, the smile tugging his lips spread naturally upon seeing her. She looked lovely and fresh in her pale-blue muslin. Both wariness and interest shone in her face.

“Miss Merrick.” He bowed. “I trust your brother has relayed my request?”

“He has. But he said you wished to speak with me privately.” She glanced at the clock on the mantle. “We have ten minutes before my mother arrives.”

Victor cleared his throat. “Miss Merrick—Juliana. I believe a courtship between us would be most advantageous.”

Her brow furrowed. “Advantageous?”

The argument he’d rehearsed on his ride to the duke’s that afternoon suddenly sounded cold and calculating. Not the words a lady wished to hear when a gentleman requested to court her. Yet, he had no desire to lead Juliana astray. He needed to be upfront and honest.

“After Lord Felix announced his intention to court you in order to repair your standing in society, I began to see the wisdom in his words.” He held up a hand at Juliana’s widened eyes.

“Hear me out, please. As much as I dislike Davies, the idea he proposed does have merit. However, Lord Felix is not the best man for the task. I don’t trust him. ”

“And you are? The best man, that is?” The vulnerability in her voice gave Victor pause.

He questioned his approach again. He’d hoped being honest would reduce the chances of the one possible drawback in his plan—hurting her.

And yet, it appeared he’d done just that.

Damn. If only they had more time before her mother would arrive.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the best man, but I do believe I’m a better choice than Davies. ”

She moved in slow motion toward the settee, her body falling against the soft cushions, her eyes growing unfocused. “So, this is not to be a true courtship. Not because you have—affection for me?”

Her pained expression made his stomach knot.

Oh, he had botched things up. He sat beside her and took her hand, wishing he could call back his clumsy words and start over.

“I like you very much, Miss Merrick—Juliana. You deserve to be treated with respect and accepted by the ton , and I believe I can help accomplish that. In their eyes, it would be a true courtship, and although I may not be your choice of a suitor, I am respected.” At least more than Davies.

Her lovely blue eyes became alert and snapped to his. “Does my brother know?”

Victor shook his head. “But he might suspect something is amiss. He asked about my feelings toward you. The way he studied my face, he clearly expected to see...” Victor failed to manage the word.

Juliana squeezed his hand, as if comforting him when he should have been comforting her. “I understand, Victor. However, I must ask. Are you doing this solely as a kindness toward me, or do you hope to gain something from our pretend association as well?”

At Juliana’s keen perception, his shallow proposal gained depth, becoming weightier and teasing a promise of something much more than a pretense. He would enjoy spending time with Juliana’s sharp mind and kind heart. Might their association turn into something more lasting?

But reading more into his attachment with Adalyn had been his downfall. He had no desire to do that to Juliana nor tread that path again himself.

“Very astute, Juliana. It’s only fair I be completely honest with you.

My mother has been pressing me to court Miss Lydia Whyte.

I have called on Miss Whyte in the past, and no doubt both she and my mother expected an understanding to have developed between us.

But Miss Whyte is not supportive of my passion for art.

For that and many other reasons, we simply do not suit.

I want to concentrate on my painting, on the great privilege your brother has bestowed on me to craft your family’s portraits.

Courting you would allow me that freedom and, at the same time, assure my mother I am actively seeking a bride. ”

As honest as he wanted to be, he had no intention of telling Juliana that defying his mother played a considerable part in his choice to court her specifically.

He darted a glance toward the clock on the mantle. Two more minutes at best remained before Juliana’s mother arrived.

Juliana cast her gaze to their clasped hands, her brow wrinkling as the edges of her teeth caught the plush curve of her bottom lip.

He needed to give her more. To soften the cold, businesslike proposal. “As I said, I like you very much. And who is to say that as we become better acquainted, a true affection between us will not form? Is it not worth trying?”

Blue eyes locked with his, and his heart lurched at the hope within them. “Very well. I agree.”

He prayed again he wasn’t making a mistake.

He had no desire to hurt the lovely young woman before him.

One broken heart between them was one too many.

With time running out, he explained how they must present themselves to be believable.

“And above all else, we must appear to be a couple enamored with each other.”

All things considered, he should have pulled away when Mrs. Merrick entered the room and caught Juliana’s hands entwined in his, but instead he smiled up at Juliana’s mother, no doubt looking like a small boy who had been caught pilfering biscuits from the kitchen.

The ruse was underway.

For the third time since Victor’s odd proposal, Juliana tried to ignore the aching of her bruised heart and concentrate on his question at hand.

And for the third time, she failed miserably. “I apologize again. What did you ask?”

“Which do you prefer?” Standing before her, he held the sketches up again.

One, a traditional pose, showed her seated demurely on a sofa, hands folded in her lap, expression serious—and somehow sad.

Elegant and sophisticated, the image matched that of the portraits lining the walls of both Pendrake Manor in London and Hartridge House in Dorset.

In the other, she stood next to a horse, one hand holding the bridle while the other stroked the horse’s muzzle. The corners of Juliana’s mouth in that sketch curled up, and her eyes held a wistful quality, as if dreaming of a great adventure.

Seated beside her, her mother sighed, reached over, and traced a finger over the smiling Juliana.

Juliana lifted her gaze to Victor’s. “Is this a trick question?”

His own lips tipped in a smile, not dissimilar to hers in the sketch. “Not at all. They are simply two different approaches. One formal, one informal. We could also do something of a compromise if you find these too?—”

“This one!” She pointed to the sketch with the horse. “The other doesn’t even look like me.” Her gaze jerked toward Victor, hoping she hadn’t offended him. “I mean, it does. You’re an exemplary artist, but?—”

He laughed. The rich, warm sound soothed her nerves. “I understand what you meant.”

Mother continued to stare at the sketch. “It’s as if you captured her spirit on paper, Mr. Pratt.”

“A high compliment, Mrs. Merrick. I also asked for His Grace’s opinion.”

The idea of Victor courting her—real or not—had overshadowed the fact that he was also there to perform a task. “Drake mentioned he had a preference, but he didn’t tell me which.”

“I’m pleased to report his preference aligns with yours, Miss Merrick.” Her stomach flipped at the genuine smile Victor gave her. “And mine. I’d hoped you would both choose something a little more avant-garde. However, I did wish to give you the option of choosing something?—”

“Boring?” The word popped out. Heat rising to her cheeks, Juliana held a hand over her mouth.

Victor’s soft chuckle brushed like a caress against her skin.

He had the most sensual voice. “I was going to say classic, but I think your description is much more apt.” He placed the sketches down.

“However, if we are to include your horse in the portrait, I doubt the drawing room will be the best place for us to begin. I know a spot not far from here, quieter and less crowded than Hyde or St. James Park. My equipment is easy enough to transport on horseback. We could ride there together.”

Juliana shot a concerned look toward her mother. “Is the location easily traversed by carriage? Mama doesn’t enjoy riding.”

Victor’s head swiveled toward her mother. “Of course, as your chaperone. Forgive me. I shouldn’t have presumed you rode, Mrs. Merrick.”

“An honest assumption, sir. Juliana’s father taught my son to ride, and Drake took to it as if he’d been born on horseback.”

“As has Juliana.” The admiration shining in Victor’s eyes when he turned toward her warmed Juliana’s heart.

A knowing smile graced her mother’s lips. “My son informed me, Mr. Pratt, that you have requested to court Juliana. From what I witnessed when I entered, she has agreed. If you can promise to maintain proper decorum, perhaps a footman might suffice as chaperone?”

“You have my word, madam, that nothing untoward will transpire between your daughter and me.”

Juliana had no doubt of the truth of Victor’s promise. After all, he had no true romantic feelings for her. She recalled his words. I like you very much . At best, they were merely friends.

Her mother gave a firm nod. “Good. I’ll have Cook pack a light refreshment as well. Juliana, why don’t you change into your riding habit while Mr. Pratt packs his equipment? Did you ride here, sir?”