Page 38

E xchanging a pleading glance with Honoria, who quickly occupied Victor’s parents, Juliana chastised herself for being late. She had spent too much time with her hair, the hot rod Miss Price used to add curls to her typically straight locks taking forever to heat between the applications.

She’d had every intention of alerting Victor about Adalyn and Nash’s arrival. To prepare him for the shock of seeing her again.

Victor blinked rapidly, no doubt trying to make sense of things. His gaze darted toward her, and Juliana winced at the pain reflected in his eyes.

Victor’s gaze returned to Adalyn, who was whispering something to her husband. “How long?”

Would she ever be the center of an event where it didn’t crumble to dust around her?

She shook her head, unsure if he meant how long had Adalyn and Nash been in England, or how long had she known about it.

Words rushed out even as her throat tightened.

“I wanted to tell you. But Drake didn’t want to ruin your evening out.

Earlier today, I came to your apartments, but Tierney said you had been up all night and left word not to be disturbed. ”

“When did they arrive?”

“Late yesterday afternoon. They came to see Charlotte. Her marriage. To meet Simon. They didn’t know about...us.”

Why wouldn’t he look at her? “Victor, can you forgive me?”

In slow motion, he turned toward her as if reluctant to tear his gaze away from the woman he once loved. Still loved? “Forgive you? For what? Did you bring them here? To remind me of what I lost? Hurt me?”

She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. “No. Of course not. I would never do anything to deliberately hurt you.”

“Then let’s not discuss it further and do our best to get through this evening.”

His words landed with a clunk in her heart.

Instead of a joyful celebration of their impending union, the evening had devolved into something Victor merely wanted to get through .

Why must the ton insist on saving face and acting if everything was right when clearly it couldn’t be more wrong ?

She would never understand them, never fit in.

Having worked some magic on Victor’s mother, Honoria squeezed Juliana’s hand. “More guests are arriving. We should take our places.”

Victor’s father, who had been speaking with Drake, met her eyes, and the understanding within them nearly brought her to tears. “Take heart, my dear.” He bowed over her hand, then moved aside.

Lady Cartwright was not so gracious, the emptiness in her eyes matching her hollow words of congratulations. “Good luck to you both.”

Victor’s narrowed gaze slid toward his mother. As she moved before him, he whispered one word, “Sheep,” which had her scurrying off.

Victor clearly noticed Juliana’s confusion. “I’ll explain later. For now, ignore her. My father will keep her in hand.”

Early arrivals worked their way through the receiving line and Adalyn grew closer. Juliana’s heart drummed hard against her ribcage. Adalyn smiled and gave Juliana’s hands a squeeze. “I wish you every happiness, Juliana.”

A dull buzzing sounded in her ears, muffling the voices around her. She fought the tunnel of darkness encroaching on her vision. Had she even managed a ‘ Thank you’ ?

Adalyn stepped aside to greet Victor, and although Nash had moved before her, Juliana’s attention remained on her betrothed and Adalyn.

“Mr. Pratt.” In the same manner as Adalyn did with her, she took Victor’s hands in hers. “I’m thrilled you have found someone to share your life with. I wish you every possible happiness.”

Victor stared down at his hands entwined with Adalyn’s, his expression blank. What was he thinking? A tiny smile formed as his gaze rose to Adalyn’s face. “Thank you, Lady Nash. I’m a lucky man to have found Miss Merrick.”

Juliana blinked, and the infernal buzzing in her ears lessened.

“Miss Merrick?” Nash’s dark eyes bore into her. “You’ve only to say the word, and we shall make our excuses.”

“No, Lord Nash. I am quite well. But thank you.” She would get through the evening. For Victor.

But she couldn’t help but notice Victor’s gaze following Adalyn as she moved from the receiving line into the ballroom. And it stung.

“Pratt. May I offer my congratulations?”

Victor muttered a curt, “Thank you,” and even shook Nash’s hand.

She continued to greet the never-ending line of guests. How many people had Honoria invited? Friendly faces, faces she had never seen before, all blurred together. Each person wished her joy and happiness, notes of sincerity ringing in some and doubt in others.

She cast a glance at Victor as he greeted Lady Miranda, and although he smiled, no sparkle danced in his eyes.

“Well, this must be a turn of events for you.” The masculine voice pulled Juliana’s attention back to Lord Felix standing before her.

Shaking his head, he clucked his tongue in a tsk - tsk.

“Shame having your intended’s former lover show up at your engagement ball.

You wouldn’t have had that problem had you considered my offer. ”

“Is there a problem, Miss Merrick?” A man as tall as a giant stood behind Lord Felix.

Sheer shock transformed Lord Felix’s face, his eyes widening and jaw dropping as he turned toward the man. “Where did you come from, and what are you doing here?”

Ignoring Lord Felix and with a grace Juliana didn’t expect from a man his size, he bowed before her. “Miles Grey, Miss Merrick. His Grace was kind enough to invite me. I had the pleasure of meeting your betrothed last evening.” He slid a glance toward Victor. “Permit me to say he’s a lucky man.”

Imposing as Drake’s cousin was—and Juliana would have words with her brother regarding his neglect in preparing her for the sheer enormity of the man—gentleness shone in his eyes. Eyes, Juliana was quick to note, that reminded her exactly of her brother’s.

Lord Felix continued to gape at Mr. Grey. “Why on earth would the duke invite you to his sister’s engagement ball?”

Miles quirked a brow. “Perhaps, because unlike so many of your ilk, His Grace sees value in a man beyond his birthright or occupation. Or perhaps it’s simply because he’s a decent sort. What I’m wondering is why he invited you , Davies?”

Next to her, Victor covered a laugh with a cough, which drew a scowl from Lord Felix. “Take care which skirt you chase, Pratt. I hear Lord Nash is an exceptional shot.”

Without a further word, Lord Felix moved into the ballroom.

By some miracle, Juliana managed greeting the remainder of the guests, even Lydia, whose icy words of felicitation could have kept the ratafia chilled all evening.

However, neither Lydia’s cold reception nor Lord Felix’s insults, or even Lord Middlebury’s fascination with her décolletage stung as much as Victor’s distance.

Although he remained by Juliana’s side, from the moment he laid eyes on Adalyn again, it was as if a barrier had dropped firmly into place between them.

Soft music welcomed them as they finally made their way into the ballroom. Golden candlelight lit and warmed the room, reflecting off the crystal bobs of the chandeliers and polished silver wall sconces.

Faces of the guests turned toward them. Some wore genuine smiles, while others, such as Anne Weatherby—who had confided she had practically given up hope in finding a match—appeared perhaps a bit less sincere.

Scattered among the guests of Juliana’s personal acquaintance, others she had not met prior to that evening watched in what she could only think of as curiosity or indifference.

Lords and ladies of Drake’s and Honoria’s acquaintance, powerful men Drake had either allied with or argued against in Parliament with names she would never remember, filled the room.

So many more people than had attended her failed come-out ball only months before, the crowd boded even greater disaster and embarrassment should the evening not go well.

Victor squeezed her hand resting on his arm, the first sign of affection since Adalyn’s appearance, and even through his glove, Juliana took courage in the warmth of his touch.

“Chin up, Juliana. All will be well.”

Oh, how she wanted to believe him.

Victor finally regained his footing after the shock of seeing Adalyn again—there at the betrothal ball in his and Juliana’s honor, no less. He had a million questions flooding his mind.

Of course she had come with Nash because of Lady Charlotte’s marriage. For one fleeting moment, Victor had wondered if Adalyn had come because of him—to stop his marriage to Juliana. To profess her love for him and admit her foolishness in marrying Nash. He’d fantasized about it for years.

Yet even before he saw Nash’s dark head rising in the crowd behind Adalyn, a sharp realization crept into him.

Shocking though it admittedly was, seeing Adalyn again failed to stir the feelings he’d been coddling and watering like a dying plant he was desperate to keep alive.

Instead, a numbness, like being out in the cold too long without his gloves or hat, replaced the longing ache he’d nurtured for years.

Still as beautiful, as interesting and different as she had been, Adalyn hadn’t changed. He had—or perhaps his feelings had. Rather than a dream he couldn’t have, his heart had turned to a very real woman. One whose kisses sent sparks up his skin and ignited a fire in his soul.

But Adalyn’s arrival hadn’t only shifted something in him. Juliana’s demeanor had changed as well. Had she decided to cry off? Would he forever pine for a woman who didn’t want him?

Was he destined to lose women to rogues?

Jealousy had coiled like a serpent in his chest, ready to strike when Davies ogled Juliana’s enticing bosom.

Middlebury had also directed his attention to Juliana’s low-cut gown, and Victor had the urge to plant both men a facer.

If only the duke hadn’t felt it necessary to invite the two odious men.