“Thomas will be a father again while I shall become a mother of a child I delivered myself. I am still not completely used to the idea.”
“According to Gabriella, you will be the moment you hold your baby in your arms.”
They turned onto Picadilly and Amelia linked her arm with Juliette’s. “Do you not dream of experiencing the joy of motherhood one day?”
Juliette glanced at her. “Of course I do. I just don’t like themarry now or you’ll be doomedattitude everyone seems to embrace. It makes the whole experience unpleasant.”
“I know what you mean. It makes me all the more grateful for the swiftness with which I managed to marry the man of my dreams.” Amelia’s eyes glowed with contentment. “But Raphe has agreed not to pressure you into making a hasty match, so that should make the Season more enjoyable for you. I would think.”
“It has. Especially since I can concentrate my efforts on other matters without feeling as though I’m letting him down.” She glanced at her sister. “Did you receive the invitation I sent for the fund-raiser?”
“I did.”
“It’s been a lot of work setting it up, preparing gift baskets and ordering flowers for the tables. Perhaps it would have been better if I’d chosen to hold it next week instead, but with the hospital’s need for funds I rushed and... oh, I do hope it will be successful.”
“I’m sure it will be.” Amelia hesitated before asking, “Is Florian helping you organize it?”
“Not really. He’s been too busy setting up a clinic in St. Giles and treating patients. But you needn’t worry. Vivien has offered her assistance, and her experience with such things has proven invaluable. All we need are a few final touches before we’re completely ready.”
“So then, you don’t see much of Florian?”
Alerted by her sister’s interest, Juliette said, “Not more than one might expect under the circumstances.”
“Hmmm...”
“What?”
Amelia shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose I was starting to think you might be engaged in an odd sort of courtship with him.”
Juliette stopped walking. “You can’t be serious.” She tried to laugh in an effort to underscore the silliness of such a suggestion. “A courtship? Really?” And yet as she said it, she realized how much she wished her sister was right. Which froze her humor and filled her chest with a painful knot.
“It is not as ridiculous an idea as you are proposing,” Amelia said. “Not when your interaction with him has not been limited to work alone. Gabriella says you’ve waltzed with him on two separate occasions. She also insists that you look very comfortable in his company.”
“And? That doesn’t mean anything, Amelia.”
“When one considers the man in question, it ought to. He is not known for being the approachable sort, but rather intimidating. And yet, you have been seen in rapt conversation with him and—”
“I see Gabriella’s account wasn’t limited to my dancing alone.” When Amelia gave her a firm look, she waved one hand. “You put too much emphasis on minor details.”
“Really?” Amelia sounded dubious.
“Yes. Why must assumptions be made when a woman speaks with a man at great length? Florian is simply more fascinating than any other man I’ve met. You know how I like to learn new things. I always have. So why should my interest in him be surprising?”
“It probably wouldn’t be if you could talk about him without your cheeks turning pink.”
Juliette stared back at her sister for a long moment. Eventually, she recommenced walking while saying, “It is a hot day.” She cast a hesitant glance at Amelia and found her watching her with intense curiosity, which prompted her to add, “There is nothing more to it than that.” Except the skittish sensations Florian managed to evoke in her when he was near, the quickening pulse and the shivering skin.
“Are you certain about that?”
Not at all.
“Absolutely.”
“Hmm...” An expression that could mean any number of things. “I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?” Something else, Juliette hoped. She was suddenly eager to move on to a different topic.
“Maybe you, Raphe and Gabriella should come for dinner tomorrow evening.”
