Page 18 of The Duke’s Return (Dukes of the Compass Rose #2)

G enevieve watched Julian smile at her even as the shadows appeared in his eyes.

She felt as though the sun were setting rapidly before her. A light chill ran down her spine; she forced herself not to react.

Instead, she steeled herself against the strange feeling and she braced herself for whatever might come next at this event. Particularly, what might happen next with Julian.

What was he thinking about just then?

“Into battle we go,” he muttered, then led her forward.

The moment they stepped out of the maze, her husband was a new man. Or his original self. The transition happened so smoothly that she hadn’t realized there was another version of himself in the maze. But there he was now, smiling and charming and nodding to those who waved in their direction.

“Ah, Miss Alice beckons. I do believe she has someone new she would like us to meet,” he said airily and then guided her toward the table with drinks.

How it should amuse me that the perfect husband is one who abandons his wife. Is that the only way a man could be who he must?

Genevieve nodded along to the introductions as Miss Alice eagerly introduced her favorite aunt, a woman hardly a year older than herself. Lady Elena had come out the same year as Genevieve. It took a moment for them to recognize each other before they began to bond.

“I knew you two would like one another,” Miss Alice announced cheerfully.

“Of course, of course. After all, you are always right,” teased her aunt.

“Does that endear me enough to enjoy some champagne?”

Lady Elena’s lips curled into a grin. She gave a theatrical glance about before nodding. “Yes, but do slip slowly and don’t you dare tell your mother. She wouldn’t even have let you leave the nursery if your father hadn’t insisted on your coming out this year.”

Nodding eagerly, Miss Alice helped herself to a glass as Lady Elena focused back on Genevieve.

“I had heard you married, of course,” she said. “How fortunate for you, Your Grace. I always knew you would be wed before long.”

Julian interjected as he supplied them with fresh glasses of champagne. “It was a close fight, I can tell you. I fought off at least ten men just for a chance with my dear Genevieve. Fortunately, I have a quick smile.”

“Oh, is it the smile you think that won me?” Genevieve asked him lightly, taking a small sip. “Not your upper cross?”

He winked. “We’re with company, dear, I thought you wanted me to be appropriate.”

As Genevieve snorted up bubbles in surprise, the other two in their party laughed in good nature.

Miss Alice was a doll and just happy to be included.

As for Lady Elena, Genevieve could remember there had been some social disaster that she was tied to.

It had happened in the first part of the season, and then she was ushered away to the countryside to never return.

I cannot recall for the life of me what happened.

Was there a man included? A lord, perhaps?

Rings, and mayhap a horse… Something at the Serpentine?

But it hardly matters, and I wouldn’t dare ask her to bring it up.

It seems she is happy enough here, especially with her niece not much younger than herself for company.

Though London might consider her tainted, especially as she is on the shelf now and unmarried, but the country is different.

It seems as though she could use a friend, as could I.

“What a lovely pair you make,” Lady Elena remarked. “I was surprised to hear of the house being opened again. And I’m so very glad of it.”

Genevieve nodded. “As am I. You must call on me soon. Both of you, if you please.”

“We would be happy to welcome you any time we are home,” Julian added cheerfully while he took her empty glass from her.

She didn’t remember drinking it, nor the first one.

Or was this the first? Perhaps the third.

She gasped lightly when she felt a steadying hand on her back.

“However, if you don’t mind, I would love to show my wife to the refreshments. Until next time, my good friends?”

Lady Elena chuckled and lifted her glass to them. “Until next time, Your Graces.”

The moment they turned away from the two young women, Genevieve fanned herself. “It’s rather warm today. But I’m not that hungry.”

“Ah, but you are,” he reassured her.

“I am, am I?”

“I think you’ve drunk enough bubbles you’ll begin to float if we’re not careful,” Julian remarked breezily.

He glanced down at her with that impossibly dashing smile.

The one with a single dimple and the sparkling eyes.

Her stomach twisted in a dangerous way. “We had best find you something hearty to keep you down to earth. I can’t go losing my pretty wife now that I have you in hand. ”

He called me pretty.

Dimly realizing she had assuredly enjoyed too much champagne, Genevieve let herself be led about. The bonnet on her head helped somewhat to keep the worst of the brightness from her gaze, but the sunlight was still bright, and she was rather light-headed.

“Careful, my dear,” Julian said when they started up the terrace steps to the shaded canopied where the tables of food resided. He sneaked his arm all the way around her waist and held her close to his side. “How light you are on your feet.”

“Too light,” she muttered to herself. “You shouldn’t have given me that other glass.”

Reaching the top of the stairs, they paused to glance around at their options. Three tables of food were set up in the shade. She could smell everything and how delicious it would be.

But it was hard to think about food when her husband leaned in close, so close that his nose brushed the side of her neck. Genevieve had to steady herself with a hand on the railing. She didn’t dare breathe as she felt his warm breath on her bare skin.

“You little liar,” he crooned gently. “You do love champagne, don’t you?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, telling herself he was being rude. Obnoxious. Obstinate. Cruel. Annoying. Anything but charming or darling or romantic. Anything that wouldn’t make her blush like this, to feel warmth flood every pore of her body from her head to her toes.

It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter. None of this matters. Get a hold of yourself, Genevieve! You are not a child any longer, caught in fancies.

She really shouldn’t have taken a single sip, she realized, having started to let her shields down. It took a moment for Genevieve to find something beyond her husband to cling to.

Her pride. Julian didn’t mean anything he said.

His smiles weren’t true. Just because his whispers alone could make her knees weak didn’t mean that he would pick her up should she fall.

Because he would leave again, and when that happened, she would not fall apart.

She could not be affected. She would have her life and her freedom and her peace.

Looking for the word to tell him this, Genevieve twisted her head to meet his. He moved back just enough to look her in the eye. Still, they were close, and she noted the way his gaze shifted from her nose to her lips and finally back up to her eyes.

They were standing much too near one another.

“Aha!” A loud voice made Genevieve jump as she jerked around to see what had happened. Feeling Julian’s hands tighten and then loosen at her waist, she found herself leaning in closer to him when she gazed at Mr. Kettering, the uncle to the current Lord of the house.

“Mr. Kettering.” Julian offered a polite nod as Genevieve grasped hold of her nerves.

It felt as though someone had pushed her off a cliff.

Her chest heaved and she struggled to catch her breath.

The way her husband rubbed light circles in the middle of her back wasn’t as helpful as he might suspect.

But fortunately, as she pulled herself together, the other man focused on Julian.

“I hear you have quite the bird collection.”

“Hm? Oh, yes. You should see the lot of them. I’ve purchased many over the years, even raised some of them from the egg.” The man was large with bulging eyes that stared blatantly at the duke. “Have you an interest in the avian species?”

“I believe in having an interest in everything, of course.”

“Ah. How fascinating. And you, Your Grace?”

She straightened up and swallowed. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about birds.”

“Then how fortunate you are I am here to educate you. Perhaps we should take a stroll up to visit. I’ve heard you have refined tastes, my lady, and I’d be more than happy to escort you over to see my newest parakeet.”

That doesn’t sound right.

“I’m not certain…” Genevieve turned toward her husband to see if he might help. Her head still felt light from the champagne, and she couldn’t quite think of the right words to politely dissuade the older gentleman who had yet to take his eyes off of her.

Before she had met his gaze, Julian was speaking.

“What a generous offer. Unfortunately, I’ve already promised my wife to ply her with some fantastic desserts, and I don’t believe in separating women from their little treasures.

A delightful offer, Mr. Kettering, one we shall surely take you up on another time.

Good day,” he added pleasantly and led her away at once.

“Thank you,” Genevieve mumbled. They stepped under the awning to see the first table. Only then did Julian drop his arm from her to grasp two plates. She patted her head before looking around. “I’ve never liked birds very much.”

“Perhaps he could help you change your mind.”

Her lips pursed. “Perhaps not.”

Julian glanced her way for a second, chuckling, and then redirected her attention back toward the table. “What shall we ply with you, my dear?”

It annoyed Genevieve just how well he played the doting husband. She fell quiet, nodding along silently while he filled their plates. It was strange behavior on both their parts but she thought it for the best, even as he led her to a small table in a corner of the terrace with their food.

“Eat some food to fill your stomach,” he instructed. “You’re not going to be ill on the ride home.”

“Are you certain of that?”

He playfully rolled his eyes before taking off, muttering something about drinks. It left her alone at the small round table for two, with both platters of food. Setting down her cucumber sandwich, Genevieve wondered if she should wait for him.

The drinks table was a little further, but she could still watch as he skirted the food tables to fetch them some lemonades. He managed to get one ready before Miss Alice was there to speak to him.

Smiling fondly, Genevieve watched the two of them speak for a minute.

Julian did speak well with her. Not flirtatiously so, but clearly like an elder brother.

It intrigued her to watch him as he’d not had any siblings.

But she knew his countless cousins and how he must have been raised with so many of them.

He’s never even met my three sisters, not for more than a second.

Someone waved at her and she paused to wave back, grateful when no one came to sit beside her. A moment alone was needed. She’d talked to so many people already, too many to remember. And then being with Julian could be… It could be overwhelming.

She fanned herself for a moment. Then she fixed her bonnet. Looking back up to see if he was making his return, she paused.

Because Julian wasn’t walking back in her direction.

Rather, he was still a partial profile as he grinned and leaned forward, speaking to a woman that was not Miss Alice.

The young woman had left and now her husband waved his hand low with his remark while he made the other woman laugh.

A beautiful woman, Genevieve had to note, properly small and soft.

Just watching them made her cheeks flush.

She didn’t like watching her husband flirt with someone prettier than her. But even as she felt anger well within her, she forced it down.

Because it didn’t matter.

An act. It’s all an act. It doesn’t matter. It’s not as though I thought he changed. He won’t change. Particularly there is the fact he doesn’t wish to change. The man is nothing more than a rake.

Thinking otherwise would only get herself hurt, she reminded herself. The man wasn’t the sort to settle for one woman. Even whilst married.

We’re just playing a part. It’s all a performance.

As Genevieve ate her food, picking at the bites and slowly filling her belly so the champagne didn’t keep her so light-headed, she repeated these words to herself over and over. She would not fall victim to a rake. Especially not her husband.

Such words played in her mind over and over even when he returned with two glasses of lemonade. “The ice is melting, so hurry,” he murmured.

She was proud of herself for not complaining then. He could have returned to her sooner. But she wasn’t going to care about anything he did if she could help it.

“Thank you,” she muttered and drank. As he took his seat to eat as well, she made sure to focus her attention elsewhere on watching the crowd.

It was easier to ignore him so long as she told herself repeatedly that he didn’t factor into her life beyond twenty-eight days.

There was an end to all of this. That day would arrive before she knew it, she just had to get there and endure a few weeks of being publicly married to a scoundrel and a rake.

Still, it wasn’t easy to not react.

When they were done eating, Julian helped her up with a hand and promptly spun her in a circle. The motion was so surprising, so playful, that a laugh escaped her lips before she knew what was happening. Then she landed in front of him with a hand on his arm.

“There she is,” he murmured. “I was looking for that smile.”

“That’s why you spun me?”

Julian corrected her with a wink. “Twirled. And I wanted to make sure you were feeling more grounded. More champagne?”

“I don’t think so, not anymore, thank you.

” But she was feeling a little light-headed again with him staring right into her soul.

Genevieve noted her hand still on his arm and hastily put that away.

Feeling the gaze of others on them, she supposed this moment was for everyone else.

Not for her. “We should rejoin the party.”

“Right, my dear.” Julian gave a slight frown at her like something wrong had just happened. Like he could tell she didn’t believe him. “Shall we?”

“Please.”

Away they went, following the waving hands that beckoned them toward a fountain. Lady Kettering introduced them to more people, names that Genevieve struggled to remember.

But the one thing she was determined not to forget was the lie that was her husband’s comforting hand at her side.