“Consider it done.” Amelia stood before the door. “I shall scream if anyone attempts to get past me.”
“You can’t remain here alone, Amelia,” Margaret argued. “It isn’t safe for you, either.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong. Lord Strathland finds me highly annoying. If he dares to come close, I’ll start chattering on about colors of ribbons. Believe me when I say he’ll run to the other side of the room.”
Amelia beamed at the thought, and Margaret took her arm. “I think I should stay here with you.”
Grateful for her sisters’ interference, Juliette turned the knob and entered the conservatory. Paul was already standing on the opposite side of the room, and she turned the key in the lock.
“I heard that Strathland was bothering you. If you wish it, I’ll beat the bastard unconscious.” He moved closer, but his gaze remained on the door.
“He threatened my sisters if I didn’t dance with him.” She rubbed her arms as if that could rid her of his memory.
“And I heard Margaret say he was threatening you.”
“He was talking about me, yes.” After she’d given him the cut direct, he’d begun spreading rumors about her. It had been particularly evident when the men who had previously asked her to dance had suddenly found reasons why they no longer wished to be her partner.
“It’s time to end that.” His voice was merciless, as if he were contemplating a fight. “He and I will be having words.”
She swallowed hard, and her skin went frigid with fear. “Be careful, Paul.”
He stared at the doorway for a long moment. “He needs to understand that you’ll ne’er belong to him.” Turning back to her, he added, “The question is whether you’re wanting to belong to me.”
She didn’t answer yet. Although she understood that being alone with him would start enough rumors, causing others to believe that he’d compromised her, she had not yet made a decision.
“You’re still afraid of me, are you no’?”
Juliette nodded, her mouth dry. “A little. But I know you would never hurt me.” She was more afraid of herself and the way he made her feel when she was around him.
He stood before her and lifted a pin from her hair. A lock of hair fell against her jaw. “No, I wouldna harm you, lass.”
He pulled another pin and tucked it in the pocket of his waistcoat.
“Paul, what are you doing?” The touch of his hands against her face made her grow warm, though he did nothing except free a few locks of hair.
His dark blue eyes drank in her features. “Perhaps Strathland thinks to compromise you with words.”
She understood, then, what his intentions were. “And you’re planning to compromise me in truth, is that it?” Her heartbeat quickened, but he caught her wrist, shaking his head.
“No. But I could make it look as if I did.” With his hands, he loosened more of her hair, drawing it down about her face. “If Strathland’s starting any rumors about you, our betrothal announcement will put them to rest. That is, if you’ll have me as your husband.”
His hands rested against her cheeks, and she held them to her skin, watching him. The ice around her heart had cracked apart. She didn’t deserve a man like Paul, someone so patient.
“What is your answer?” he asked quietly.
“I’ve thought a great deal about your proposal,” she murmured. He withdrew his hands from her face, taking her palms in his. His thumbs grazed the edge of her knuckles, offering comfort. “I will wed you,” she said softly. “But if there ever comes a time when you regret it, I promise to set you free. If you find another woman to love…” She paused, gathering her thoughts.
Another woman to share your bed and give you children…
“I’ll do nothing to stand in your way,” she finished. “We could annul it, or I’ll grant you a divorce, if need be—”
He cut off her words with his mouth. The kiss was meant to silence her, and his lips brushed upon hers as if to take away her words of protest.
She cared so much for Paul, but every time he touched her, she lost command of herself. Even now, her skin warmed with anticipation, and she found herself leaning in. His strong arms embraced her, while her breasts tightened against her gown.
When he drew back, his eyes were heated. “I won’t find another woman to love, Juliette.”
He reached for a fallen strand of hair and twisted it, replacing the hairpin. There was a mirror hanging on one wall, and he guided her toward it. “You’ll have to help me with this hair, lass. I’m no’ verra good at this.”
