But not in a bad way.
“Very well. I’ll find a way to break out of the prison I’ve been placed in by my well-meaning sisters and their husbands,” she said. “And I will meet you in the park across the way tomorrow afternoon.”
He nodded. “With that decided, it would probably be best if I left you,” he said, and slipped from her arms. She couldn’t help but stare as he rewrapped that beautiful naked body back into some semblance of propriety.
She also couldn’t help but lament that this part of their bargain was over.
“I suppose I we won’t, er…we won’t be doing this again,” she said, folding her arms as if she could protect the heart this man was beginning to touch.
He faced her with a look of surprise. “Of course we will. We have entered a bargain now, and that includes pleasure in trade for my assistance. I won’t let you wiggle out of it.”
“You’ll be back?” she gasped, hating how much that meant to her.
He grinned as he backed up to her window and unlatched it with one hand behind himself. “My dear Miss Shelley. I promised you so much more than what I gave tonight in exchange for your help. We arenotfinished. And I will see you in just a few short hours.”
Then he was gone, ducking out of the window with frightening ease. She rushed to look, unmindful of her own nudity. But he was nowhere to be seen in the inky dark of the night.
And she was left confused, concerned and wanting so much more. She couldn’t wait to see what more entailed.
Chapter 18
When Juliana stepped into the breakfast room the next morning, her sisters were at the table, but not their husbands. Both leapt up at the same time, making twin sounds of relief and joy to see her.
For a moment, Juliana felt guilt at what she was about to do and say. But she pushed it aside. She was doing all this to help protect those she loved. She wasn’t wrong to wish to do so.
“You look very pretty this morning,” Thomasina said as she rushed to embrace Juliana. “You’ve a glow to you.”
Juliana swallowed back a gasp and forced a smile. “I-I must have slept well.”
A lie, of course. She’d spent half the night with Ellis and the other half staring at her ceiling, both reliving those powerful, passionate moments and planning for their next move together as partners. If she had a glow, it was from the excitement of those experiences.
“I’m glad you could,” Anne said with a smile as she poured her tea and motioned to the sideboard. “I tossed and turned, wondering if you would remain angry with us.”
“Anne,” Juliana breathed, and in this, at least, she could be honest. “Idoknow that you, Thomasina, Rook and Harcourt all have my best interest at heart. You believe you are protecting me. And I appreciate it even if I might not have always agreed with the methods. Just as you didn’t agree with mine.” She moved to the sideboard and half-heartedly put a few items on her plate before she joined her sisters at the table.
“I’m happy you do know that,” Thomasina said. “I realize things have…changed. For all of us, really. And that adjustment isn’t easy. We’re all finding our new place in the world.”
Juliana flinched. Her new place in their world was alone. After an entire life with her sisters at her side, sharing a face and a connection more powerful than anything else…
Well, that was gone now. Her face wasn’t the same anymore. And their connections with their husbands had eclipsed the triplet bond. Juliana was left out in the cold. Her only glimpse into that world a few stolen moments in Ellis Maitland’s arms. Moments that would be over soon enough.
“You look far away,” Anne said, reaching out to cover her hand.
Juliana forced another smile. The time had come to tell her lies and hopefully gain her freedom. “I suppose I do. After I went up to my room last night, I spent a good deal of time thinking about our…our situation. You are right that I’ve struggled to find my place now that it is clear I am no longer needed to soothe your wounds.”
Thomasina shook her head. “We willalwaysneed you, Juliana.”
Juliana smiled, but she knew it was a sad expression. “But not like before. My life will diverge from both of yours now. You two will eventually have children, probably. You’ll take on your roles as wives and mothers, and I—” She choked on the words and it was not pretended. “I will be Father’s secretary.”
“We’re going to work that out,” Anne insisted, and the fierce determination on her sometimes reckless sister’s face warmed Juliana’s heart.
“I thank you for trying. But the best thing I can do for myself is to accept this. Stop fighting.”
“What?” Thomasina breathed.
Juliana worried her lip. “My desperation did cause trouble. I shouldn’t have tried to insert myself in the investigation Rook and Harcourt are conducting. I’ve only made it more difficult for you all. I wanted to tell you that I’ve given that up. I’ve decided to simply enjoy this time Father is allowing me to stay here. I’m sure he’ll call me back within a week, if not sooner. I should revel in the remainder of my freedom with all of you.”
“Do you mean it?” Thomasina asked, face lit up with relief.
