“Unfortunately that is not enough,” Juliette said. When Florian gave her a curious look, she explained. “Miss Saunders’s greatest hope is to marry and start a family of her own. She longs for children to love, but with her limited funds and lack of status, most gentlemen ignore her. They’re either too high in the instep or too poor to marry for anything other than convenience.”
“It is the driving force behind most marriages,” Florian said. “Choosing a spouse who’s your friend or whom you might actually love is a luxury few can enjoy. There’s no doubt in my mind that you and your sister-in-law are the envy of many young debutantes, Duchess. Your fortune cannot be denied.”
“Perhaps,” Gabriella agreed. “But what about you, Florian? If you were to marry, would it be for convenience or because you’d found the woman you cannot live without?”
Juliette didn’t dare look at her sister-in-law or at Florian. She couldn’t believe Gabriella had just asked such a forward question. And although part of her wanted to know the answer, another part dreaded hearing what he had to say.
“If I chose to marry, and I say this hypothetically, I would want my wife to share my interests.”
“And would you make an effort to enjoy hers?” Gabriella asked while Juliette shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Naturally.” He paused before saying, “I would enter the union expecting to spend the rest of my life with her, so it seems only reasonable for us to support each other, to engage in conversation and keep each other company. I would like for her to be my friend before all else, because I believe it to be a strong foundation from which love is likely to grow.”
“I do believe you’re more romantic than most people give you credit for,” Gabriella said.
Florian didn’t answer right away and Juliette finally hazarded a look in his direction, only to find his gaze riveted on her. “Perhaps,” he murmured.
Feeling hotter than when she’d been playing battledore, Juliette snatched up her glass of lemonade and took a quick sip.
Gabriella chuckled as if completely oblivious to the impact Florian’s response was having. “I’m sure you’ll find the right woman, Florian. Maybe you already have.”
Choking on her lemonade, Juliette sputtered ever so slightly and took another sip while wishing she could go back in time to when Vivien left so she could go with her. But since that wasn’t possible, she was stuck with hoping this conversation would soon be over so things could return to some sort of normal.
“Are you all right?” Florian asked, forcing Juliette to address him.
She nodded. “Mmm-hmm...” She coughed again. “The lemonade went down the wrong way, that’s all.”
“Well,” Gabriella said when Juliette regained her composure. She glanced at Juliette and then at Florian. “The weather is lovely and there is scarcely a breeze. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, Florian, perhaps you’d like to play a game of battledore with Juliette?”
Snapping to attention, Juliette threw a look of warning at Gabriella before saying, “That’s really not necessary. I’ve already played a few rounds with you and Vivien and I’m sure Florian is terribly busy. Too busy to waste time on sport.”
“On the contrary, I have time to spare.”
Juliette gaped at him. “You do?”
He nodded. “I wasn’t sure how long my visit here would take, so I made arrangements.”
Befuddled, she wasn’t sure how to respond, except to say, “I see.”
“And besides, I haven’t been getting nearly enough exercise lately. The exertion a game of battledore provides will do me good.”
“Then it’s settled,” Gabriella said before Juliette could ruin her matchmaking plans. Which was obviously what this was. And since it didn’t take much to see that, Juliette knew Florian must have realized it too, making her wonder all the more about his reason for choosing to stay.
He proved to be an excellent opponent. His skill and agility were impressive. Gripping the battledore, Juliette raced after the shuttlecock, almost falling over the hem of her gown in the process while stretching her arm out to send the feathery projectile straight toward Florian.
He caught it with ease and tossed it back with sharp precision. Juliette whacked it through the air, forcing him to chase it this time. Concentration showed on his brow as he studied the angle of the shuttlecock’s descent and prepared to hit it straight back in her direction. He did so soon enough, and this time, Juliette lost her footing in her pursuit of it. She stumbled and went down onto her knees in the grass. From the terrace came laughter, not just from Gabriella but from Raphe, who’d come to keep his wife company.
“Well done, Juliette!” Gabriella shouted with as much encouragement as was possible under the circumstances.
Juliette blew out a breath and prepared to rise when an outstretched hand filled her vision. “Allow me to help you up.”
Florian’s hand was completely bare, which wasn’t surprising considering the nature of their activity. With hers equally so, however, the thought of placing her palm in his sent a dart of heat shooting straight down her middle. Her pulse leapt and for a second she thought of denying him the courtesy. And yet, the secret thrill of surrendering to her own desire for increased contact was too great to be denied. Here was the perfect excuse for her to revel in it discreetly and without anyone thinking much of it.
So she reached up slowly and savored that moment when her hand connected with his, the warmth of his skin pressing firmly against her own and the feel of his fingers wrapping tightly around hers. There was a pause during which he simply held on, and then, with a flinch, as if reminded of what he was meant to do, he pulled her up and released her as if she were a gemstone he’d just been caught stealing.
“Would you like to continue playing?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, her answer coming as naturally as it would have if he’d asked her if the grass was green. “Would you?”
