Florian frowned. He didn’t like Henry’s comment because it suggested interest. Which could only mean... He steeled himself, careful not to reveal the sudden possessiveness darting through him while aiming for a nonchalant tone. “I will confess that she is pleasing to the eye but that is not sufficient when contemplating a permanent attachment.”
Henry’s eyebrows shot up. “Indeed, I wasn’t even suggesting such a possibility. How intriguing that you would do so yourself.” He leaned forward and Florian cursed himself for not guarding his words better. “So, you find her attractive and yet you indicate that there needs to be more to marriage than physical attributes. Could it be that you also hope for a love match?”
“No.” Sufficiently annoyed, Florian stood and crossed to the window to look out into the street. He flexed his fingers and aimed to regain some measure of control of the discussion that had gotten quite out of hand. “If I were seeking a bride, Henry, which I can assure you I am not, Lady Juliette would not be a candidate on my list. She is too young at heart, her nature too gentle and unassuming for a man such as myself. She would be incredibly unhappy if she were my wife while I—”
“Yes?”
I would destroy her.
“It does not signify since this is nothing more than a hypothetical notion.” And yet, speaking the words, voicing his thoughts, made the idea of actually courting her real. As impossible a concept as it had always been, it filled Florian with a deep sense of loss for what could never be. She was perfect in spite of her past, while he was tarnished in spite of his deeds. And that was without considering the potential ramifications of Bartholomew’s eventual return. No. To pursue her would be selfish on his part.
“Well, it could be more.” Henry’s gaze was solemnly pinned to Florian’s. “I have seen the way she looks at you when you talk.”
Florian fought the urge to ask his brother to elaborate on that point and failed abysmally. “What do you mean?”
“She admires you.”
“Ah. Well.” Nothing new there. She’d admitted as much last night.
“Recently, however, something about her has changed. I noted it at the Brighton Ball.”
Florian stared at Henry, who was looking most pleased with himself, and finally asked, “And what is that?”
Henry stood and faced Florian. He chuckled. “For a man who insists on having no interest, you do seem to be getting rather worked up about it.”
Gritting his teeth, Florian shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and prayed for patience. “Let’s just say you’ve heightened my curiosity.”
Henry laughed outright in response to that acerbic comment and turned for the door. He paused there and met Florian’s gaze. “She glows when she is in your presence, Florian. I have never seen another lady do that.”
With a parting nod, he exited the room, leaving Florian utterly stupefied. He stared at the doorway through which his brother had departed and tried to come to terms with what he’d just told him. Although last night’s encounter made him believe Lady Juliette responded to him just as easily as he responded to her, hearing Henry confirm it made it an indisputable certainty. Joy surged through his veins like rays of sunshine spilling between a pair of gray storm clouds.
He realized how much he looked forward to seeing her again, to hearing her opinions and sparring with her. She had in very short time become the person he missed the most when they weren’t together. Which gave him all the more reason to avoid her. Especially with the threatening note he’d received.
With that unpleasant thought in mind, Florian went to collect his things so he could head to the hospital. There was work to be done and he could not afford to let himself be distracted by anyone.
Trailing her fingers across several rolls of silk, Juliette relished the slippery feel of the fabric and all the vibrant colors in which it existed. On the other side of the room, her sister studied a cream-colored muslin.
“What do you think?” Amelia asked after getting one of the shop assistants to help her cut a few yards. The piece was now laid out on the counter along with a good selection of trimming. “Which of these would you choose?”
Juliette picked up a narrow piece of ivory lace ribbon and held it against the fabric. “This will be pretty.”
With only three weeks left until her due date, Amelia was putting in an order for a christening gown. Being out and about in her condition was impossible without receiving a great deal of frowns that were often followed by whispered comments, but Amelia detested the idea of staying in bed or remaining at home. She wanted to be active, and since Florian had welcomed this idea with the assurance that women in most cultures outside the western world made no extreme alterations to their lives when expecting, Amelia had decided that neither would she.
“I agree,” Amelia said in reference to Juliette’s choice.
The dressmaker proceeded to cut the trim while Juliette watched. An idea came to mind and she bit her lip, wondering whether or not to ask the woman for help. Considering how many people relied on the hospital, she decided she had to at least try. “I was wondering,” she began, then cleared her throat and raised her voice. “I’m hosting a fund-raiser in a couple of days to help the sick people of London. Would you by any chance be willing to donate an item for the auction?”
The dressmaker reached for a roll of fabric and paused. She considered a moment while Juliette held her breath. Finally, she smiled. “I have a gown in the back that one of my seamstresses made when I tested her skills for employment. You’re welcome to have it as long as you say where it came from.”
“Of course.” Juliette thanked the woman profusely and left the shop with a new thrill of excitement. She would visit other businesses after seeing Amelia safely home and hopefully procure additional items of interest to the fund-raiser attendees.
“I know you have lots of energy, Julie, but can you please walk a bit slower?” Amelia asked as they headed toward Coventry House.
“Oh! Of course.” Juliette deliberately slowed her pace and glanced at her sister. “How are you feeling?”
“I am more than ready to deliver this baby. My back has been aching for weeks at this point and there is something troubling about not being able to reach my feet.”
Juliette smiled. “It will be wonderful to meet your son or daughter.”
