Juliette.
He reached for the handle and pushed the door open, drawn to her in a way he couldn’t begin to explain. All he knew was that she was there, a welcome reprieve from all his responsibilities and the chance he needed to simply get away and take a moment for himself.
Chapter 2
Juliette heard him coming before he reached her side, the slow tread of approaching footsteps clicking against the stone tiles. Inhaling deeply, she turned toward him, ready to take her leave if it was an unwelcome intruder. But it wasn’t. It was the very same man who’d prompted her to flee the ballroom.
Florian, the new heir to the Duke of Redding.
Steeling herself, she waited for her nerves to respond in the same riotous way they had earlier and was thankful to find them completely calm and collected.
“My lord,” she said by way of greeting, then pushed out a breath and shrugged one shoulder. “Forgive me, but I’ve no clue about how to address you.”
He gazed down at her with all the solemnity in the world. “Florian will do. I have no title yet.”
“I see.” He came to stand beside her, his hip leaning firmly against the balustrade in a way that highlighted the length of his legs. Juliette forced her gaze away from that part of his body and looked him in the eye. “How did it all come about? If you don’t mind my asking, that is.”
A pause followed and she felt his stare, the unflinching mask of gravity he wore, not revealing a single thought. And then the edge of his mouth twitched and he moved so he could look out across the garden. “My mother’s brother has no children, so with no one to inherit, he asked the king to elevate him to duke. As a favor.”
“And this made it possible for him to name his successor?”
“Precisely.” He glanced her way. “A Special Remainder has been put in place to allow for it.”
She nodded, considered him a moment and finally asked, “Then why the glum expression?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps because of the burdens attached to it, the plural estates I shall have to manage and the attendance expected of me in Parliament. Or maybe it’s because becoming duke means the loss of my uncle.”
Juliette’s heart stuttered a little in response to the fierceness with which he spoke. “I’m sorry,” she said, not knowing how else to respond.
She’d never expected Florian to offer a glimpse of his heart. The idea of him mourning anyone had never entered her head. He just didn’t seem like the sort who would be too bothered, one way or the other, which of course was a very harsh judgment of character on her part. Fleetingly, she thought about reaching out, of offering some means of comfort if only with the touch of her hand. But then she decided against it, aware of the impropriety and the fact he would likely demand to know what on earth she was doing.
“It is what it is,” he said as if speaking to himself more than to her. His features eased a little on a slow exhalation and his eyes seemed to focus more fully on her face. “You look more”—he hesitated as if searching for the right word—“at home amidst thetonthan when I last saw you.”
“Really?”
“There’s no doubt you’ve adjusted to your new way of life. It suits you.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Is that a compliment?”
“Perhaps.”
“And here I was, convinced you couldn’t be charming.”
His lips moved ever so slightly, but he did not smile. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, my lady. I merely made an observation.”
“And consequently ruined the moment,” she said with a sigh that was meant to convey exasperation.
He tilted his head, regarding her as though she belonged on display in some strange museum for rare artifacts. “You also seem bolder.” His eyes pinned her in place, and she suddenly felt it again, that fluttery pulse and shortness of breath. “In fact, I dare say you’re quite transformed from the girl I met last Season. You’ve bloomed, Lady Juliette.” The barest hint of a smile did tug at his lips just then and she found herself transfixed. “I’m sure you have your fair share of admirers already.”
Of all the conversations she’d ever expected to have with this man, this was certainly not one of them. In fact, to her dismay, it almost felt as though he was flirting with her, which couldn’t possibly be true. Could it?
Swallowing, she tried to ignore the twisting of her stomach and the weakening of her knees. “The Earl of Yates has shown some interest,” she said and immediately wondered if that was actually true since he hadn’t really suggested a courtship.
“He would make an excellent match.” A shadow crossed Florian’s face, concealing his features.
“I disagree,” Juliette said without thinking. She caught herself, but it was too late. The comment was already out there. “I mean... he’s a likeable man, enjoyable company and—”
“Always polite.”
