But when that deep-green gaze connected with hers, the spark had been positively electric. She had felt it all the way to the deepest part of her. She had felt it in her belly, in her breasts, in the place between her legs. She had felt it in the fingers clasped in his, felt it in herelbow, for heaven’s sake. And deeper too, in a place that was unfathomable and yet real—in her soul.
He had been muddied. Dressed in riding clothes. The most handsome man she had ever beheld. She had been terrified of making a cake of herself. Fearful she would dip into a curtsy and her ankle would give out, sending her tumbling in ignominy to her bottom. Or that she would get the hiccups. Or sneeze.
Instead, none of those things had happened. She had conducted herself with remarkable decorum. But she had known, right down to her marrow, that she had just met the man she was going to marry.
She had been young then. Too young. Not yet having made her presentation at court, she was relegated to visiting friends in the country while her father spent time with his varying mistresses and her mother lived abroad, their acrid union steeped in bitterness and betrayal.
Julianna had told herself she would grow out of the unwanted feelings she harbored for Shelbourne. That in time, her heart would no longer beat at the pace of a gallop when in his presence. That her palms would not sweat whenever she saw him. That her lips would not tingle with a wish for his kiss. She told herself she would find someone more suitable. A gentleman who returned her affections.
Yet, their paths had crossed on numerous occasions, and still, the love burning inside her never faded. If anything, it had grown. Like a perennial flower, returning season after season, larger and leafier than it had been the year before. Time passed.
And the love remained. There was nothing particularly splendid about it. Indeed, more often than not, the way she felt about Lord Shelbourne felt like an albatross. Painful as a bruise. No time more so than now, when she was swimming in the lake at one of his family’s country estates, wearing nothing but her chemise.
Her very wet, very transparent chemise.
And Shelbourne stood on the bank, her discarded garments in a heap at his feet.
“You may as well come out now, my lady,” he called, humor tingeing his deep voice. “I see you.”
She could not emerge from the lake, dripping and all but nude.
Not before Lord Shelbourne. Not before the man sheloved.
She wanted her friend Hellie’s handsome older brother to believe she was dignified and well-mannered. A lady in all aspects. Ladies did not go swimming in lakes in the midst of the day when they were supposed to be painting landscapes.
She did.
Very well. Julianna was not much of a lady.
Still, she could not bear for Lord Shelbourne to realize that. Her palms felt as if they were sweating, even beneath the cool water of the lake. She held her breath and then ducked beneath the surface, hoping she could hide herself and he would go away. Would it be too much to ask for?
He had to realize how humiliated she would be, having to exit the lake wearing nothing but her chemise. Before him. She never should have given in to her urges to swim. But Hellie had been otherwise occupied this afternoon, and Julianna had been in search of some distraction.
The cool waters of the lake surrounded her now, silken. She closed her eyes as her ears roared. Her chest was tight. Her lungs burned. She could not hold this position for much longer before she would have to seek air.
Suddenly, the decision was taken from her. Because he was there, shouting her name. She heard it from beneath the water, muffled and low. Saw his body, clad in riding clothes the same as he had been on the day she had first met him, swimming toward her through the water with the purpose of a fish.
He caught her and hauled her up, up, up, his arms around her waist. She burst above the surface, gasping for breath, water running down her face.
“Julianna, my God.” His hands were on her face, cupping her cheeks. “Say something.”
And that was when she realized what that unusual harshness in his tone was. Worry. He had been concerned. Forher.
Julianna’s heart leapt.
Stupid heart. This means nothing.
That was her common sense speaking. But hehadjumped into the lake, had he not? As she blinked the remnants of water from her eyes, she clung to his shoulders. Broad, strong shoulders. He had not hesitated in swimming to her, fully dressed. He had not bothered to shrug out of his jacket.
Was it possible…?
Had he thought he wassavingher?
The knowledge made her stupid heart grow larger. Thump harder. Love him more.
“Julianna?”
Her lashes fluttered, chasing the lake water. Giving her an unimpeded view of his stark masculine beauty. He was dripping, dark hair flattened to his head, and still, he was the most wonderful sight she had ever beheld. She thought then that if she had met him for the first time, here and now, she would have fallen in love with him, too. That first meeting had not been an aberration. She was meant for this man, and he was meant for her.
