Florian pondered that thought. Her interest in medical texts, the fact that she’d read not only the one he’d lent her but sought out additional material on her own, pleased him immensely. “It is possible, considering how well you have been doing since moving to Mayfair.”
“The nourishment here is much improved from the flavorless broth we were able to afford before. Not that I am complaining,” she added with a hasty glance at Amelia and Raphe. “My siblings did their best to take care of us.”
There was no denying the regret with which she said that last part. Understanding its meaning, Florian quietly reassured her. “You were a child. It was their duty to do so while it was your duty to allow it.”
“I know.”
But it was clear she didn’t like it. “Now that you are older and your constitution has improved, you have the opportunity to do a great deal of good. Reading these books and educating yourself as much as possible on the subject you’ve chosen to get involved with is an excellent start.”
Her eyes lit with pleasure and he would not have been able to tear his own gaze away from hers if someone had offered a million pounds for him to do so.
“You told me I am worthy of admiration,” he said, “but so are you. The strides you are taking to help those in need are impressive.”
Surprise touched her features, producing a charming blush.
“Thank you. I’ve done what I can to make the fund-raiser tomorrow as successful as possible, but I still worry something might go wrong.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but I’m nervous.” She averted her gaze with obvious shyness—the sort that produced an inexplicable feeling of protectiveness in the center of his chest. “Making a success of it is so important to me. You’ve no idea how hard it was to convince some of the businesses I approached to offer up prizes. And none of the other gentlemen I spoke to were willing to offer dances or even a walk in the park. Some even laughed at the suggestion.”
“Relax, my lady. Take a deep breath. There is no doubt in my mind that this event of yours will be a triumph.” The urge to take her hand in his was tempting, but he fought against it. His attraction toward her was one thing, a basic male instinct she’d likely inspire in most men. This immediate need to reassure her and make her feel safe was something else however.Dangerous.
Chapter 12
After dinner, the gentlemen adjourned to the library for a drink while the ladies took tea in the parlor. Although the discussion that ensued was an interesting one regarding responsibility toward one’s tenants—a subject on which Florian would soon have to become an expert since he had no intention of leaving everything to his man of affairs like his uncle suggested—he could not seem to focus. Hazel eyes and blonde locks of hair occupied his mind to such a degree he was relieved when it was time to reconvene with the ladies in the music room.
Deliberately, Florian avoided crossing to where Lady Juliette was sitting. Doing so would only draw attention and prompt everyone to assume he had a deeper interest in her.
So he hung back and took a seat close to the door. It was the perfect spot really since it allowed him to watch her discreetly while enjoying the pleasing sound of the Duchess of Huntley’s singing. Her husband, Florian noted, watched his wife with unfeigned adoration. It was clear their union was a happy one and that they loved each other a great deal, a notion compelling Florian to give his attention to Lady Juliette once more.
She was talking to her sister and Coventry, her occasional smiles and muted laughter producing an ache in his heart, and he was chagrined and somewhat mortified by the realization that he wanted it all to himself.
Her eyes caught his and in the next instant she’d risen, coming toward him like Thisbe drawn toward Pyramus. They had been an impossible pair as well, both suffering tragic deaths because of their love. Which wasn’t very encouraging, as far as analogies went.
Florian stood and awaited her arrival.
“If you would rather sit alone, please say so and I shall not bother you further.” She shot a look at the two available chairs with a small round table between them.
“On the contrary.” He gestured toward one of the chairs. “Your company would be appreciated.”
Rather than sit, she remained where she was. She even took a small step closer, which caused a riot of nerves to assault his chest. “Would it be accurate to say we are friends?”
His heart thumped wildly in response to the sweetness with which she posed the question. “Of course.”
She nodded ever so faintly. “Good.” Lowering herself to her chair, she waited for him to sit as well. “I’m pleased to know we’re aligned.”
The twinkle in her eyes denoting humor prompted him to smile, which not only felt like a foreign stretching of unused muscles, but also caused the lady to stare. This in turn made him laugh, which was even more peculiar, but her expression was too amusing to cause any other reaction.
She suddenly laughed as well. “You should allow yourself to smile more, Florian.”
He tightened his features, returning them to their usual state of seriousness. “There is little for me to smile about, my lady. Pain shadows me wherever I go.”
“But surely you must find joy in easing the suffering of your patients, in saving lives and also in bringing new life into the world.”
“Of course I do, but the moment I allow such emotion to fill me, it is killed by the inevitable hand of death.” And by the reminder that he was an imposter.
“I am sorry. It never occurred to me that your profession would be so trying, that it would take so much away from you.”
