“Her love for my uncle would never permit that, which is a pity. Only five years of her life were spent with him by her side and...” She dropped her voice. “Once, after a bit too much wine before bed, she told me they used to have intimacy and... great passion.” She coughed lightly before saying, “I have a feeling that marriage to the right sort of man could be a wonderful experience.”
Juliette knew from the satisfied looks on Amelia’s and Gabriella’s faces whenever they saw their husbands that there had to be some substance to Vivien’s point. “I suppose that might be true, but even if it is, what would you have me do? Marry someone on a whim in the hope of it all working out?”
“Of course not. But surely there must be someone you find attractive?”
“I can’t think of anyone.” Oh what a terrible lie that was.
Vivien gave her a dubious look. “Really?”
“In any case I would want more than physical attraction alone. I would want a husband who takes an interest in me, someone with whom I can talk at great length without either of us getting bored.” Her thoughts turned to Florian and it took some effort to ignore them. “From what I understand, most peers marry for convenience and spend their lives apart. In which case, why bother at all?”
Rather than ponder that question as Juliette had expected, Vivien chuckled. “I believe most of them put in the effort so they can have children.”
Which was certainly a compelling argument. Especially if Amelia’s numerous insinuations were anything to go by. Juliette wasn’t quite sure why her sister placed so much weight onthatparticular aspect of marriage since she refused to go into detail, insisting Juliette would have to discover the joy of it for herself.
A gentleman to whom Juliette had been previously introduced approached as if conjured by their conversation. Although she failed to recall the man’s name, she knew him to be a peer. “Lady Juliette,” he said by way of greeting. “I hope—”
“Allow me to present my dear friend, Miss Vivien Saunders,” Juliette cut in. She knew it was rude to interrupt, but he was rude too for not acknowledging her friend.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Saunders. I am Lord Portham, the Earl of Fitzhewitt’s heir.” He addressed Vivien with the typical civility innate to his breed, but showed no overwhelming interest otherwise.
Vivien, on the other hand, beamed. The whole display bothered Juliette because, in her opinion, her friend was just as deserving of this man’s attention as she was. The only difference was that Juliette could ensure a connection to a duke. That was all she was—a stepping-stone to more prestige.
Lord Portham turned to her again. “As I was about to say,” he stated, deliberately pointing out Juliette’s earlier faux pas in cutting him off, “I hope to secure the next dance with you, my lady.”
“Thank you, but I have already engaged in several dances and wish to rest my feet for the remainder of the evening. Miss Saunders, however, is quite available.” And more than willing to take her place considering the hopefulness pouring from her eyes. “I suggest you invite her to dance with you instead.”
And just as Juliette had known it would, the man’s innate civility ensured he would do as she suggested without any hint of disagreeability. Waiting until the pair was out on the dance floor, Juliette turned toward the terrace door. It would be a half hour before her friend returned, during which she would enjoy a much-needed breath of fresh air.
A cool breeze caressed her the moment she stepped out onto the terrace, provoking a sigh of pure pleasure. Lord, it was good to get out of the stifling heat and away from the chatter of voices. Out here silence reigned, soothing her senses and instilling calm. She moved forward, toward a group of ladies and gentlemen who were all engrossed in conversation. Passing them, she descended the steps leading down into the garden.
Torches punctured the darkness down there, the intimate illumination beckoning her to approach. So she did, even though it was starting to drizzle. But to go back inside seemed absurd. Out here amidst dormant flowers and trees she could finally breathe, forget Raphe’s insistence she hunt down a husband and Florian’s infuriating logic.
She’d thought of him repeatedly since the committee meeting a few days earlier and the deep underlying pain he’d revealed when he’d shared the truth about his emotions and his ability to hide them. Except where she was concerned. That thought had bounced around in her head ever since. The possibilities it posed had intruded upon her dreams when she slept, leaving her hot and breathless each morning when she awoke.
A rich fragrance of lilies infused the air as she started along a path leading off to the right. It was neatly paved with large stone slabs that allowed for a quiet tread, which was probably why, when turning the corner of the house, the person coming toward her failed to hear her approach. She collided with the individual at full walking speed and would have fallen backward if a hand hadn’t found its way round her to keep her upright.
“Oomph!” The air was pushed from her lungs and for a quick moment she panicked. Her hands came up, grabbing the other person by the shoulders to steady herself even further. And then she froze, because her brain finally caught up with her actions, alerting her to the fact that she wasclingingto a particularly sturdy man.
“My lady.”
Oh God!
The man she was holding on to was not the stranger she’d hoped to walk away from without too much humiliation. It was Florian, his voice a strained murmur that brushed the curve of her neck. She shivered in response to it and her awareness increased tenfold. His hand was still at her back, the fingers splayed and pressing into her flesh while his chest made full contact with her breasts. In short, they were for all intents and purposes wrapped in a rather scandalous embrace. Neither one of them moved.
Juliette wasn’t sure why Florian failed to release her. Perhaps he was too shocked to do so, his limbs frozen in place, rendering him immobile. For her own part, she could not understand why she did not simply jump back or push him aside orsomething, except for the utterly unreasonable reason that she wished to savor this moment for just a little while longer. It allowed her to explore certain aspects of the man that distance would not permit. Like the way his hair gently tickled her brow, how the spicy scent of him lured her closer and the strength with which he held her, letting her know she was safe in his arms.
What a deliciously alarming thoughtthatwas.
A strangled sound left his throat and she finally shifted, which prompted him to ease her away from him slowly. “My apologies.” His level voice conveyed no hint of what he was thinking. “I hope you are unharmed.”
“Yes. Of course. It is in factIwho ought to begyourforgiveness.” When he raised an eyebrow, she explained, “Had I not been walking as fast as I was, there’s a good chance we wouldn’t have collided.”
“What a pity that would have been.”
His comment set her back, not because of what it implied but because of the manner in which it was spoken. He sounded amused, which was very different from how he’d been when they’d last spoken.
“Since we did collide, as you put it, perhaps you would care to take a turn of the garden with me?” He offered his arm.
