Her heart pounded, her instincts pleading with her to give in. She had already been ruined once—what did it matter?
It matters to your sisters,her head warned. Her actions would reflect upon them. But for a single moment, she wanted to be with him.
“Amelia,” she whispered to her sister. “I need your help.”
Chapter Seven
Juliette kept close to Amelia’s side as her sister walked with her to the terrace. The young woman’s eyes sparkled with the gleam of an accomplice.
“What will happen if you’re discovered with him?” Amelia whispered. “Will you have to marry him?”
Juliette stopped walking and stared. Her sister appeared entirely too intrigued by that idea.
“Don’t even put that notion into your head. I won’t be marrying anyone.” Her face burned, and she questioned whether to turn back and abandon the idea entirely. If Amelia believed that this was a means of forcing her to wed, she shouldn’t go at all. With a sigh, she admitted, “I suppose you’re right. I could be discovered with him, and that wouldn’t be appropriate at all.”
“Don’t worry about a thing,” Amelia assured her. “I was only asking what would happen. I wouldneverlet anyone find the two of you together.” Her voice held a note of dismay, as if to reassure Juliette of her loyalty.
“Thank you,” she breathed. But Amelia’s words made her now question the wisdom of venturing into the garden. She walked with her sister out to the terrace, and at the far end of the walled garden, she saw Paul standing beside a yew tree.
“Why did he pretend to be a viscount’s heir?” Amelia asked. “Everyone is talking about him.”
“To be close to me.” She couldn’t believe that he’d taken such a risk. And yet, he’d done nothing to reveal his true identity. It had made her blush to see everyone staring at them, the hushed murmurs about the mysterious gentleman paying attention to her.
If they only knew the truth…
“Be careful,” Amelia pleaded. “Aunt Charlotte thinks I’ve taken you to the ladies’ retiring room. You can stay only a few minutes.”
“It will be all right.” The night was cool, and Juliette began to wish she had her pelisse. She could see no one else outside. “I will meet you at the ladies’ retiring room soon.”
Her sister waited while Juliette crossed the small garden, moving toward the yew tree, which grew against a stone wall. The sky was dark, except for the sliver of a crescent moon peeking out from behind a cloud.
“You took a grave risk tonight,” she whispered, as Paul drew her farther into the shadows. “What if you’d been discovered?”
“I’d have been tossed out on my ear,” he murmured, guiding her behind the yew tree until her back rested against the wall. “But it would have been worth it to see you.”
The small space closed in on her, making her nervous. She began to shiver in the frigid air, and he removed his coat, drawing it around her shoulders. Juliette could feel the lingering warmth of his body through the black fabric, and she murmured her thanks. “I don’t know why I agreed to meet you, Dr. Fraser.” The words spilled out, though they weren’t the truth. She’d been so unnerved by the sight of him with the other young miss that she’d needed to be near him.
“Use my name, Juliette.”
“Paul,” she whispered, pressing her hands against his chest, as if to gain distance.
“Look at me,” he commanded. His gloved hands covered hers, and his voice held her captive. “Don’t be afraid.”
She wasn’t afraid of him—only of the demons of her past. Tremulous memories spilled over, and though he did nothing more than hold her hands against his chest, she had to calm her beating heart.
A normal woman wouldn’t feel this way. She would welcome the attentions of the man she cared about, perhaps letting him steal another kiss.
Juliette wanted to be like other women again, enjoying a stolen moment. Just being near Paul put her senses on alert, evoking desires she’d all but forgotten.
“Why did you want to see me?” she asked, trying to hide her quaking voice.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to give back to you. Something I tried to give you, years ago.” Paul lowered one of his hands and reached into the pocket of his waistcoat. He withdrew a silver ring and held it up in the moonlight.
She stared at the band, remembering the snowy day he’d first asked her to wed him. It was the day Lord Strathland had first noticed her.
The dark fear bolted up inside, and she shook her head. “I can’t accept that, Paul.” The meaning of the ring was all too clear.
“It belongs to you. But I promised I would no’ press you for more than you’re willing to give.” He held it between his thumb and forefinger. “I wanted you to know that I still have it.”
