A Scandalous Charade (Scandalous Series, BOOK 2), page 12
But then the smoker moved out of the shadows and started down the stone steps toward him—Haywood. Thank Lucifer! Luke had never been so relieved to see the young baron.
That relief was short lived.
“So are you planning on marrying her?” Will’s dark brow arched smugly.
“Who?” Luke feigned ignorance, as he slowly began to climb the steps toward his friend.
Will snorted and looked at him with a degree of displeasure. “I was at least going to give her my name.”
Luke frowned. Will couldn’t possibly still want to marry Juliet. Two less suited people didn’t exist. “There’s no point in being melodramatic, Will.”
“You truly are a bastard, you know?” Haywood now stood one step above Luke and looked down on him with a barely concealed contempt.
“You’re certainly not the first to think so.” In fact, unless he was mistaken, the lady in question thought the very same thing about him at the moment. But Luke would be damned if he was going to be chastised by a penniless whelp that made just as many problems for himself as he’d inherited. “Anyway, Haywood, I had nothing to do with her desire not to marry you. Susan Clarke is a much better prospect. I’m sure you see that now.”
Will’s scowl darkened. “Susan’s not even speaking to me now. All because of that acid-tongued witch of yours.”
Ah, so there’d been a lovers’ spat? He wasn’t sure how Juliet was involved, but that certainly explained Will’s nasty mood. Luke slapped a hand on his friend’s back. “Come on. Let’s get of here, Will. We’ll go to the Blue Crow, and—”
“You do realize she’s in love with you?”
“Miss Clarke?” Luke chuckled in surprise. “I hardly think so. I barely know the chit. Besides she only seems to have eyes for you. I’m sure tomorrow morning everything will blow over.”
“Lady Juliet,” Will growled, and it didn’t seem that he had any intention of moving from where he’d planted his feet on the steps.
Juliet in love with him? Luke nearly choked. That was so far from the truth, he didn’t even know where to begin. How did Will ever get such a featherbrained idea? Juliet didn’t believe in love, just like he didn’t. That was just one of the many reasons she was so perfect. Besides she was too smart for such a senseless emotion. “I’m certain you’re mistaken. She and I enjoy each other’s company, nothing more. I assure you.”
Will snorted. “Your assurances are worthless. I have a sister, Luke. And I know what a woman in love looks like. Clare was always a blithering idiot around that bastard, Daniel Bennett.”
“Juliet would not like to be compared to a blithering idiot.” Luke continued to grin. “Now, come on. Let’s go somewhere else. I detest Astwick’s constant scrutiny. I might as well have my damned brother hanging about.”
But Will paid him no attention and pressed on, “Her face lights up when you enter a room. She stares at you in awe. And she hangs on your every word. She’s an icy bitch to everyone but you. I just can’t believe I didn’t see it before now.”
Hangs on his every word? Hardly. She had a quick-witted retort for nearly everything he said. It was one of the things he adored about her. Will just wasn’t in his right mind. The quarrel with Miss Clarke must have taken its toll on the poor fellow. Perhaps he could distract his friend. “Well, I’m headed to the Blue Crow with or without you.”
Eleven
The best revenge takes the form of a dog
Georgie cried for one full day after Edmund left for India, and then sulked the next few as well. This came as a bit of surprise to Juliet, as Georgie was normally so composed—never one to show emotion of any sort, not even during those awful years with Teynham.
Juliet was miserable as well. Prestwick House wasn’t the same without Edmund racing, un-duke-like, from one room to the next. The absence of his childish laughter cast a pall over the entire residence, as if they were all in some sort of mourning.
It didn’t help matters that Juliet hadn’t heard from Luke since their encounter in the Astwick gardens. He’d just vanished from her life without a word. Perhaps she’d been too harsh that night. She might do things differently if she had the chance.
Then again, she meant the words she’d said to him that night. She hadn’t even realized she’d felt those things until they’d flown out of her mouth. It would be terribly easy, she now realized, to follow in Lady Ridgemont’s unfortunate footsteps and make a complete fool out of herself over him time and time again. And that, she most certainly didn’t want. How humiliating to be a laughingstock for the entire ton. She would not go down that path.
So perhaps it was for the best that he’d simply disappeared. She only wished that her heart would stop aching during the day, and that he’d stop visiting her dreams at night. That things could go back to the way they were before Luke had blazed his way into her life.
Juliet was relieved when Caroline Staveley paid a surprise social call at Prestwick House. The viscountess was as lively as she was lovely, and brought with her a feeling of cheerfulness. “Darling!” Caroline gushed as she entered the blue parlor and kissed both of Georgie’s cheeks. Then she turned her attention to Juliet with a wide smile. “And aren’t you lovely, Juliet.”
“Thank you.” Juliet found herself smiling in return. It was hard to mope when Caroline was around. She was like a whirlwind of energy and excitement.
“You haven’t, by chance, spoken with Lucas have you?”
Juliet only slightly winced at the name and shook her head. “Not for several days.”
Caroline dramatically flounced onto the settee next to Juliet and frowned. “When I see him, I will strangle the life right out of the blackguard. Last week he promised Adam that he’d take him riding, but I haven’t laid eyes on him since the Astwick Soiree.”
Caroline hadn’t seen him since then either? Certainly nothing had happened to him! Juliet frowned at the sudden thought and her chest compressed.
But Caroline caught her look and softened her expression. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time he’s gone off for a while without telling anyone.” Then she turned her pretty, hazel eyes on Georgie across the room. “Darling, I desperately need your help. My ball is in less than a fortnight, and all my wonderful plans have gone up in smoke—no pun intended.”
Georgie fought back a smile. “The fire breathers?”
“Precisely.” Caroline playfully pouted. “Staveley has forbidden it. Which is quite disheartening, as he never forbids anything. So, now I don’t know what to do.”
“Have you considered having just a simple affair this time?” Georgie asked with a twinkle in her blue eyes.
“A simple affair!” Caroline sputtered and turned to Juliet, her mouth agape. “You’d think she just met me.” Then Caroline refocused on her friend and shook her head. “Georgina, how could you even suggest such a thing? Perhaps Kelfield still has the direction of those acrobats he used to support. I don’t think Staveley would have a problem with them. Do you?”
Georgie actually giggled. “That depends, Caro, will they be wearing clothes? I don’t believe they did at the duke’s.”
Both of Caroline’s brows rose delightedly. “I’m daring, but not that daring. Honestly, darling, I’m running out of time, and I have so much riding on this event.”
Soon all three of them were spinning one outlandish idea after another for the upcoming Staveley Ball. When Juliet suggested that she only admit guests who came dressed as mythical gods and goddesses, Caroline shuddered. “Hordes of Bacchuses and Venuses I don’t need—especially since Masten will be in attendance.”
The name of Luke’s humorless and rigid brother captured Juliet’s immediate attention. “Masten?” she asked sweetly.
Caroline heaved a sigh. “Yes, my oldest brother is a bit stodgy. He and my sister-in-law have been…estranged for the last little while, and I plan to bring them together at my ball.”
Georgie smirked and continued to explain the situation to Juliet. “Though, neither Masten nor his wife know the other will be in attendance—or surely neither of them would show up.”
“True, true,” Caroline conceded. “And the last thing I need is scantily-clad men hovering over my brother’s wife. It would be enough to give him an apoplexy.”
Juliet giggled at the ridiculousness of the suggestion.
But Caroline looked quite serious. “Honestly, darling, I’m not jesting. He could expire on the spot. Not quite the splash I’m looking to make.”
After a while, Georgie was finally successful in convincing Caroline to forgo her usual creative flourish with this particular ball and to be just a bit more conservative. Then Caroline somehow extracted promises from both Georgie and Juliet to help her with the final preparations for the event. Juliet welcomed the distraction, especially as she admired Caroline Staveley’s cheerful disposition, determined spirit, and wicked tongue.
***
Luke was in an awful mood. He had been for days.
Somehow he had forgotten that he hated traveling with Haywood until it was too late. His friend had a terrible habit of heavily imbibing at night and then wailing and moaning the whole next day in the coach, all the while looking rather green about the gills. After a day’s worth of travel to Sussex, a couple of days spent at his friend’s small country estate, and a day of travel returning to London, Luke decided he could go a fortnight without seeing Will.
But a sennight earlier it had seemed like such a good idea to make the trip to Haywood’s stables. Will desperately needed money and Luke had need of a filly. Although Rachel had demanded a horse from the Masten stables, he figured his niece wouldn’t know the difference. Besides, if he could go a fortnight without seeing Haywood, he could go forever without seeing his brother. And the Haywood stables were perfectly fine. Even Robert had his eye on one of Will’s stallions.
Being on the road and away from the distractions of Town, Luke found that he had plenty of time to think. And his mind remained solely focused on Juliet. The longer he dwelled on her, the more it became clear that Will was right. As bizarre as it was, she had somehow fallen in love with him.
Damn her!
What was she thinking to fall prey to such a nonsensical emotion? He would have sworn that Juliet was too clever to do such a featherbrained thing, but the evidence proved otherwise. All this talk of not wanting to be made a fool, her willingness to deceive Georgie, and the girl had absolutely no defenses up against him. But for God’s sake! No one loved him. Everyone knew how foolish that was.
But there was nothing to be done about it, except he knew he had to give her up. Though the thought tore at his soul, he didn’t have a choice. If they continued down the path they were on, he’d end up hurting her for sure. He cared too much for her to do that. He’d promised Edmund he wouldn’t hurt her. He’d promised Caroline. Hell, he’d even promised Juliet.
Going on without her would be painful, but it would be worse to see pain reflected in her eyes. Why did she have to go and fall in love with him? He’d sulked the entire way from Sussex to London like a spoiled child who’d been denied his favorite play thing.
And speaking of spoiled children…
Upon arriving back in London, Luke sent Rachel’s new filly over to Staveley’s stables—where he was certain the horse would be loved and doted upon by his niece. But at the moment he had a more pressing problem—one that had just finished chewing on his new Hessians.
Picking up a beagle puppy for Adam in Sussex had seemed like the thing to do. When Luke had first laid eyes on the little pup, he’d thought the cuddly creature was adorable.
It didn’t take him long to change his mind.
The puppy, which Luke had since dubbed Demon Dog, had already destroyed one cane, an old pair of boots, and had relieved himself on Luke’s favorite midnight blue jacket. He needed to deposit the little fleabag on Staveley’s doorstep—sooner rather than later—and never look back.
The trick was going to be placing the puppy in Adam’s awaiting arms before Caroline discovered what he was about. And he thought he had a good plan. He’d hidden Demon Dog in a small hatbox and was soon standing before his sister’s Curzon Street home.
Merton, a decrepit old fellow who looked like he’d been born about the time William the Conqueror had first stepped foot in England, opened the grand front door. A frown settled on the old butler’s face when he recognized Luke. “Her ladyship is not in at the moment, sir.” Then the old butler actually tried to shut the door on him.
Like hell! Luke was not returning to his rooms in Piccadilly with this little yipping, drooling, boot-chewing, demon of a dog. He pushed against the large door and Merton nearly stumbled backward. “I’m here to see my nephew, Merton. No need to announce me, I know the way.”
Then Luke brushed past him, down the corridor, and up two flights of stairs to the schoolroom—his little hat box lightly growling the whole way. The schoolroom was brightly colored in yellows and greens, with a long, child-sized table in the middle. Standing in the doorway, Luke surveyed the cheery room. Little Emma sat at one end of the table, staring intently at a primer. Rachel stood near a row of windows, working on a watercolor of some sort. Adam sat quietly, reading an old book that looked nautical in nature.
Luke cleared his throat, and immediately three sets of eyes leapt to him. “Uncle Luke!” the children all squealed in unison. Then his nieces and nephew abandoned their work and raced across the room, flinging their arms around his legs and waist.
“What a reception,” he chuckled. He’d never known the children to be so thrilled to see him before.
“We thought we’d never see you again,” little Emma wailed.
Why the devil not? He’d gone more than a week without seeing them before—many times in fact.
Rachel answered his unasked question. “Mama has been ranting that she was going to strangle you for leaving without a word to anyone. You were supposed to take Adam riding days ago.”
Luke suppressed a grin. He’d been hearing such threats from his sister since she was in leading strings. Caroline was nothing if not melodramatic. He shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, I had to make a trip to Dorset, didn’t I, my dear?” Dorset, Sussex. He was sure Rachel wouldn’t know the difference. He prayed Rachel wouldn’t know the difference.
His niece’s pretty face lit up and she started dancing on her tip toes. “Do you mean it, Uncle Luke?”
It was hard to be annoyed with her when she was so happy to see him. He nodded. “I had her delivered to your father’s stables this morning.”
Rachel pulled his head down toward her and planted a huge kiss on his cheek. “Oh, thank you, Uncle Luke. You’re the best.”
“Yes, yes. Just keep up your end of the bargain, sweetheart.” The hat box in his hand began to whimper and Luke coughed to cover up the sound. Then he dropped to his knees and ruffled Adam’s hair. “Speaking of bargains, Adam my boy, please tell me that you have been snake-free since our conversation on the subject.”
His nephew’s eyes grew wide with anticipation and he chanced a glance at the small hat box. “Uncle Luke, is that what I think it is?”
“Stay with me, Adam.” He winked at the boy. “You haven’t brought any more snakes into the house have you?”
Adam shook his head excitedly.
“And you’ve been nice to your sisters?”
Adam nodded his head so hard Luke thought it might fall off. So, he grinned and removed the top of the hat box. Demon Dog’s tiny, black nose twitched as he sniffed at the unfamiliar surroundings. His brown eyes looked from child to child and he wagged his little tail vigorously.
Adam snatched the beagle out of the box and cradled him against his chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Uncle Luke. You’re the best uncle in the whole world.”
Rachel quickly seconded that thought. Luke chuckled to himself. The title of best uncle really wasn’t that difficult to earn, as their Uncle Robert rarely, if ever, laid eyes on the children.
Before Luke could respond, little Emma threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I’m so glad Mama didn’t kill you.”
Guilt instantly flooded him. Rachel had blackmailed him for a horse, and he had bribed Adam with a dog, but he hadn’t brought a thing for poor, little Emma. He kissed one of her tiny rosy cheeks. “Emmie, is there something you want from Uncle Luke?”
She shook her head and smiled happily. “I just want you to visit more.”
Now he truly felt like a cad. He tapped her nose and winked at her. “Done, my little angel.”
He watched for a while as the three children gathered around Demon Dog, which Adam had promptly renamed Nelson. They giggled and squealed with delight as the puppy ran around the room, knocking over Rachel’s easel and crashing into a box of paints. They were delightful.
Perhaps domesticity wasn’t so bad.
Luke snorted at the thought and then pushed it away as quickly as it had entered his mind. He didn’t want domesticity; he just enjoyed watching it every now and then. He quietly left the children playing with the puppy, determined to go back to his rooms, fall across his bed, and sleep for a week.
Just as he approached the front door, Merton materialized at his side to open it for him. With a snort, Luke waived the old man off. He pulled open the door and his heart jumped to his throat. Emerging from a coach at the base of the steps was Caroline, Georgie, and Juliet.
Bloody hell!
He wasn’t prepared to see Juliet. Not yet. He needed more time to plan the perfect thing to say. He needed a good night’s rest, and he most certainly didn’t need an audience.
He knew his disappointment showed on his face, especially as Caroline angrily glared at him and sighed. Loudly. “Lucas, I don’t recall summoning you.”
His sister airily brushed past him into her entranceway, Georgie quick on her heels. Juliet followed the other women, though she held back a bit, meeting Luke’s eyes with a questioning look.
