A Scandalous Charade (Scandalous Series, BOOK 2), page 24
He ignored her. She would just refuse him, and he couldn’t let that happen. Instead, he sank to his haunches and looked the two orphans in the eyes, slightly swinging his picnic basket in front of them. “Can I interest anyone in a delightful luncheon of pheasant and berry tarts?”
Penny bounced on her toes while Peter looked covetously at the basket. Finally the boy glanced up at Juliet. “Can we, Miss Mitford?”
“May we?” she corrected the boy with a smile.
“May we, Miss Mitford?” he asked again.
Juliet sighed, glared at Luke, then nodded to Peter. “If that’s what you want.”
Penny squealed and threw herself onto Luke, nearly toppling him over. “Watch it, little one. You don’t want to smash the tarts.”
Juliet removed the child and the basket from Luke’s grasp and cocked her head to one side. “How kind of you to think of us, sir. We’ll let you know how the tarts are.” Then she started to usher the children down the corridor, with the apparent intent to leave him behind.
Luke hopped to his feet and chased after them, easily catching Juliet’s waist in his hands. He pulled her back against his chest, and whispered in her ear. “You can have all the tarts you want, princess. You’re my favorite dessert.” Then before she could respond without the children hearing her, he snatched the basket back from her hands and darted in front of the others, leading the way. “What’s it to be, Master Peter? The north lawn, the seashore, or the keep?”
“Th’ seashore?” the boy asked with surprise in his voice.
“Indeed,” Luke responded. “I’ll show you the path Masten and I used when we were your age. It is a wonderful place to hide from one’s governess—not that you should do so.”
***
Juliet scowled at Luke’s back the whole way out of the castle and then along an overgrown path that finally dumped them out onto a rocky shoreline. Honestly, what was he after? The man was so infuriating, and it was quite frustrating that Peter and Penny had taken to him so quickly. Both of them chatted away and giggled at every charming, little witticism that left Luke’s mouth.
They finally settled on some large, flat rocks that overlooked the sea. Even with a cloudless, grey sky, it was an imposing sight. Luke had spread a blanket out across the rock and had opened the basket before dropping down next to Juliet, trapping her hand in his. “Peter, why don’t you serve your sister and then help yourself?”
When the boy complied with his wishes, Luke focused his green eyes on Juliet. “There, now, isn’t this nicer than the schoolroom?”
She frowned in response, and snatched her hand back from his. “Manipulating young children with food? Is there any level you won’t sink to?”
He grinned at that, and leaned in close. So close she could smell his shaving lotion again. Her heart flipped in her chest. “Princess, there’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
“Except leave me alone?”
“Except that,” he agreed and placed his hand on her leg. “I won’t lose you again.”
“You don’t have me now,” she hissed under her breath.
“All in good time, Juliet.”
The children seemed to be focusing an inordinate amount of attention on them, so Juliet smiled tightly at the young pair. “How is the pheasant?”
The boy nodded, then turned his attention to Luke. “’re ye friends with Miss Mitford, Mr. Beckford?”
Luke grinned at the boy. “Call me Uncle Luke. And yes, Miss Mitford and I are old friends. You’re very fortunate to be placed in her hands. I’m awfully jealous of you.”
“Uncle Luke?” Penny asked with a giggle. “But ye’re not our’ uncle.”
Luke shrugged. “I might as well be, since Lord Masten has taken you to rear. Besides all people your age call me that. I understand you were great friends with Adam, Rachel, and Emma Benton. All three of them call me Uncle Luke.”
“That’s because you are their uncle,” Juliet mumbled to herself, but Luke heard her and he winked in response.
“They’re the only other children I know… Except for the Duke of Prestwick.”
Juliet was going to beat him senseless, but before she could come up with an appropriate jab, Penny giggled again. “Dukes cain’t be children.”
Luke grinned at the girl and shook his head. “Well, of course a duke can be a child. There’s not many dukes to begin with, but I assure you the Duke of Prestwick is a just a boy. Miss Mitford, how old would you say His Grace of Prestwick is? Ten? Eleven?”
“Nine,” Juliet answered between clenched teeth.
“There you are. Nine,” Luke repeated. “And a very spirited nine at that. I must say, he’s one of my most favorite children. Of course, I’m partial to the boy, as I am desperately in love with his sister.”
Juliet’s heart stopped beating. She was certain of it. Luke in love with her? She didn’t believe it. Not that it mattered now. Even if it was true, it was too late. Too much had happened.
“’is sister?” Penny asked and scooted closer to Luke, her eyes as wide as saucers. “Is she pretty, like a fairy princess?”
Luke beamed at the girl. “Exactly like a fairy princess. In fact, Miss Penny, that’s what I’ve always called her.”
Juliet couldn’t sit and listen to this. She stood up and brushed out her skirts. “Mr. Beckford, when you’ve all finished your luncheon, please return the children to the schoolroom.”
Then she turned on her heel and started back up the path to the castle. “Juliet!” Luke called after her, disappointment laced in his voice. But she kept going, refusing to look back at him. It wouldn’t take much time in his company for her to completely lose herself to him again, and she couldn’t allow that.
She made her way back into the schoolroom and slumped down in a chair by one of the windows. Lady Masten had said Luke was only staying a few days. Juliet prayed she could last until he left.
“You’d best watch out for Mr. Beckford,” came a voice from the other side of the room. Juliet spun her head to find Kistler leaning against one of the book cases, with an elitist frown on his slender face.
She was quite capable of taking care of herself, and she was getting fairly tired of everyone she met warning her about Luke. She knew exactly who he was, and didn’t need anyone’s help, thank you, very much. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied frostily. “In the meantime, Kistler, pray excuse yourself from my schoolroom.”
The valet’s eyes grew wide at that, but he nodded his head curtly and let himself out.
***
Juliet cringed as she entered Gosling Park’s drawing room. She had chosen a blue dress that was so dark it was almost black. It was still serviceable, but was by far the nicest dress she had brought with her to Dorset. She quietly made her way to one corner of the spacious room and hoped to blend into the woodwork. Why had Lady Masten insisted on her attendance at this dinner?
Including the earl and countess, there were five couples in attendance. Sir Phillip Cressley, the aging magistrate and his middle-aged wife stood on opposite ends of the room, ignoring each other. Lady Cressley, who wore a flamboyant orange and purple gown flirted shamelessly with both Luke and a dour looking Lord Edgecroft, who was apparently the Mastens’ closest neighbor. Meanwhile, the spindly and angular Lady Edgecroft chatted amiably with Lord and Lady Masten and Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan, a pleasant couple from Lulworth. And in the far corner of the room, Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace, the vicar and his wife quietly watched the goings on.
For a while, Juliet felt certain that she had indeed managed to make herself invisible, until Lady Edgecroft turned her pointed nose in her direction. “And you!” the lady remarked loudly. “Just where do I know you from?”
Juliet had never seen the woman in her life. At least she didn’t think she had. She shook her head in confusion. But the lady edged closer to her, and Juliet wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
“I’ve seen you somewhere before! I’m certain of it.”
Before Juliet could respond, Luke extricated himself from Lady Cressley and came to her rescue. “Oh, my dear Lady Edgecroft, I believe Miss Mitford just has one of those faces, you know?”
“One of those faces?” Lady Edgecroft repeated with a frown.
“You know,” Luke drawled charmingly as he reached Juliet’s side, “she could be a prissy duke’s daughter, or a wealthy heiress embroiled in some adventure, or a shy governess looking after a couple charges. Miss Mitford looks like she could be anybody. Though, I think of her as a diamond hiding among paste imitations.”
Blast him! Was it necessary to say all of that? Juliet sent him an irritated glance and then turned her attention back to Lady Edgecroft. “I’m sure I would remember if we’d met before, my lady.” Then she slowly made her way to other side of the room.
***
After a moment of idle chitchat with Lady Edgecroft, Luke excused himself and followed Juliet to the corner she was now hiding in. When he reached her, she glared up at him. He couldn’t help but smile. She was always so radiant when she was annoyed. “What was all of that about?” she demanded.
Luke shrugged and edged closer to her, running his hand along her arm. “You’re welcome for coming to your rescue.”
“I already told you I don’t want your help.” She looked away from him and Luke’s eyes dropped to her very prim bodice.
The dowdy dress didn’t display her heavenly body at all. He quite enjoyed the fact that he was the only man in the room to know the delights that this awful dress hid from everyone else’s view. She was stunning and he was the only one who knew it. “Princess,” he whispered, “I’ll never—”
“Lord Masten,” Juliet smiled as his brother suddenly joined them.
Robert nodded at her and then met Luke’s eyes. “Miss Mitford, would you mind terribly giving me a moment alone with my brother?”
“Not at all.” She sounded thankful, and then crossed the room to where Lydia and Mrs. Vaughan were chatting quietly.
Robert narrowed his eyes. “Lucas, tell me I don’t have to ask you to refrain yourself from seducing a member of my staff.”
Luke looked from his brother to Juliet across the room and finally again back to Robert. “What kind of man do you think I am?”
“I think I’ll save us both the embarrassment of actually answering that,” he responded curtly.
Luke scowled and then turned his attention back to his princess. “Let me put your mind at ease, Robert. I have no intention of seducing Miss Mitford.” But enjoying the pleasure of Juliet St. Claire was something he was determined to have again, and often.
Before Robert could question him further, the doors to the drawing room flew open and Peter and Penny raced inside. There was an audible gasp from the crowd at the pair’s sudden appearance. The children were panting heavily and trying to catch their breath. Penny’s brown hair had fallen out of her braid, and hung about her face—making her look like a wild vagrant. Peter’s little cheeks were red from exertion. When the children saw that the room full of adults stared at them in shock, they both stopped in their tracks.
Lydia rushed toward the children and placed a comforting hand on each of their faces. “What are you doing here, my darlings? You should be up with Mrs. Norris.”
Peter looked at all the anxious faces, focused on him and his sister, and froze right up. But Penny excitedly took the countess’ arm and squeezed tightly. “We went down to the stables, like Lord Masten said we could. And, Lady Masten, the baby, the—” she squished up her face, obviously trying to get the words right— “foal. We saw it get born. It just fell—”
“Thank you, Penny,” Lydia loudly cut the child off, blushing to her roots. “I’m sure his lordship would love to hear all about it—tomorrow.” She stood up tall and began to usher the children from the room. “Let me take you back up to Mrs. Norris.”
But Juliet stepped forward. “Allow me, my lady.”
Not missing a beat, Luke crossed the room and offered Juliet his arm. “I’ll escort you, Miss Mitford. Gosling can be a bit confusing to navigate and I’d hate for you to find yourself lost in this maze of a house.”
Grudgingly, Juliet took his proffered arm and then the two of them steered the children back through the drawing room doors. Once they were in the corridor, she turned angrily and stared at him. “Will you just go away?”
“Absolutely not,” he answered airily and began to lead the children to the back staircase. “I adore you, Juliet, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She followed them, seething the whole way—he could tell because she sighed loudly with every other breath she took, while he chatted to Peter and Penny about the birth of the foal. But that was fine with Luke. He knew she was only fighting him because she still cared for him and didn’t want to be hurt again. That was perfectly understandable. If it took the rest of his life, he’d convince her she was safe with him. That her heart was safe with him.
After they’d deposited the orphans in the care of Mrs. Norris, he took her hand in his and started down a side passageway that was rarely used. She still hadn’t uttered a word, and Luke chanced a glance at her. Juliet’s pretty heart-shaped face was turning red, so he stopped in his tracks. Her brown eyes flashed with anger up at him.
“Juliet,” he spoke softly and gently stroked her cheek.
“Why can you never do as I ask?”
“Because, princess, you don’t really want what you’re asking of me.”
“How dare you! I know very well what I want. I want you to leave Gosling Park and forget you ever saw me, that you ever knew me.”
He tilted her chin up with his fingers and shook his head. “Then you’re asking me to wither away and die.”
She simply gaped up at him.
“I know you still love me, Juliet. Let me back in.” He touched her chest, right above her heart with his fingers. “I love you with all my heart.”
Her eyes started to tear up and she sucked in a breath. “Heavens, Luke. Must you always make things so difficult? Why did you have to go and say that?”
He chuckled and slid his hand down to her waist, settling her firmly against him. “Because it’s true. Juliet, I am so terribly sorry that I hurt you. It was never my intent. I swear to you. I just needed time to sort through my thoughts.”
“And you’ve done that now?”
He felt his mouth quirk up into a smile. “Aye. Let me love you.”
“I—” Her bottom lip trembled. “I want to believe you.”
But it was going to take time. He could see that. She had been through so much, and time was something he had plenty of. “I’ll prove it to you, princess. No matter how long it takes.”
His eyes dropped to her lips when she licked them, and he lowered his head, slowly claiming her mouth. He felt light-headed, finally having her back in his arms, where she belonged.
She sighed and ran her hands up his chest, settling them behind his neck. Luke wrapped his arms more tightly around her. It was the first time he’d felt right since he’d taken her on his yacht.
“Luke,” she whispered sometime later and he dragged his mouth from her neck.
“Hmm?”
She swallowed and slid her arms from him. “They’ll be wondering where we are.”
Grudgingly, he led her back to the drawing room.
Luke wasn’t quite sure how he managed to get through dinner. Lydia had sat him next to Juliet, which would have been wonderful, except that Robert was on her other side. How he wanted to touch her and whisper naughty things in her ear; but he couldn’t so much as let his gaze linger on her, without catching Robert’s attention. Damn his brother for being so irritatingly perceptive. Instead he’d had to converse with Mrs. Vaughan, a young matron who had been childhood friends with Caroline, for most of the night. The entire event was dreadfully painful in a torturous sort of way. He willed the hours away, until he could have Juliet to himself.
When the women left the men to their port, Juliet quietly excused herself from the group. She had much to think about, and socializing with the unrefined Dorset gentry was not something she would have wanted to do as Juliet St. Claire, and certainly didn’t relish in her role as Miss Mitford. Besides, she desperately needed time alone.
What was she doing? How could she open herself up to Luke again? Honestly, how could she continue to be that foolish? Just as she entered her small room, those questions vanished. In only his shirt sleeves and trousers, Luke leaned against her window, with his arms folded across his chest. He truly was a Greek God.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, though she knew her reluctance came through in her voice. She’d wanted time to think, but Luke’s appearance in her room made that possibility quite unlikely. And she so needed to get her thoughts in order. “Shouldn’t you be enjoying your port?”
“I’d much rather enjoy you,” he responded with a rakish grin.
She shut the door behind her and met his eyes. How could she be so determined and strong with everyone else, but always so weak-willed with him? The devilish twinkle in his eyes was capable of melting her resolve unlike anything she’d ever known. “You know you shouldn’t be here?” Then she walked toward the room’s small mirror hanging on the wall and started to remove her hairpins.
Before she knew it, Luke’s hands rested on her shoulders and he whispered in her ear, “I have something that belongs to you.”
Juliet looked over her shoulder at him, and frowned when he removed two sapphire hairpins from his pocket. She recognized them immediately from that night. “What are you doing with those?” She turned around to face him.
Luke shrugged with a charming smile. “They were all I had to remember you by.” Then he placed them in her palm and removed the remaining pins in her hair, releasing her tight bun.
She blinked up at him and shook her head in bewilderment. “Kelfield said you didn’t believe in foolish romanticism.”
His handsome face turned, momentarily, to stone. “Princess, when I’m envisioning you naked beneath me, the last name I want to hear is Kelfield.”
