Something indescribable surfaced from the depths of his blue eyes. It lingered for a second before it was once again gone. He inclined his head. “Yes. I like playing with you.”
“Then you are in luck,” she told him lightly while moving away and adding some distance, “for I am more than happy to continue playing until I win.”
Florian grinned, his expression relaxing with humor. “Then I encourage you to do your best!”
She laughed, loving the banter and the sport while savoring the chance she’d been given to see him like this. Unwilling to let it end, Juliette picked up the shuttlecock and aimed it straight at him.
His battledore connected with it with a thwack and it shot back toward her. It continued back and forth, forcing them both to run left and right until she, catching him slightly off guard, managed to send it past his reach.
He shook his head and met her gaze. “Minx,” he muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. And then, before she was fully prepared, he launched another attack.
They played until Juliette was gasping for breath and he insisted they stop. “I said I was happy to play until I win,” she complained.
He cut her a stupefied look. “Are you saying I should have allowed you to do so?”
“Of course not.” She was having some trouble speaking on account of her ragged breathing. “I am merely saying that I do not need to rest.”
Coming toward her, he took the battledore from her hand and offered his arm. “As your physician, I highly recommend a fair amount of exercise. I do, however, also ask that you do not push yourself to the point of collapse.”
With happy reluctance—strange concept that—she looped her arm with his and allowed him to escort her up to the terrace where Raphe and Gabriella sat waiting. Keeping a slow pace, Florian said, “You played well. With practice, you may become quite proficient.”
“I could say the same about you.” She nudged his shoulder a bit with her own in a friendly way that made him turn to her with amusement. She smiled in response. “Thank you for playing with me. It was fun.”
“You are welcome, my lady. And I agree. Itwasfun.”
They reached the steps and started up. A thought occurred to Juliette and she decided to voice it. “Is it not time for you to dispense with the formalities? You have known me for almost a year and have seen me at my worst. Would it not be possible for you to simply call me Juliette?”
“I am not certain that would be wise.” His voice was tighter than it had been all afternoon.
“Why?” She was genuinely confused.
He slowed their pace even further so they were almost standing still, then quietly murmured, “Because doing so would place us on equal footing.”
She blinked, astounded by what he’d just said. “But you will be duke. Your position as Redding’s heir is already superior to my own.”
“Only when it comes to social etiquette, but that is not the only aspect I must consider.”
She turned her head and stared at him blankly. “I do not understand.”
Unhooking his arm from hers, he clasped his hands behind his back and met her gaze with quiet solemnity. “The point is there are other facets at play, facets that make me unworthy of such familiarity.”
Overcome by surprise, she laughed. “Surely you jest.” When he remained completely grave, all humor died on her lips. She shook her head with incomprehension. “I grew up in the slums while you were raised by a viscount. All I have done is accept the wealth bestowed upon me by my brother while you have earned the respect of your peers by applying yourself to a noble profession. And now you will soon be a duke, and still you claim that you are not worthy of foregoing the honorific where I am concerned? It makes no sense, Florian. Least of all when I am forever addressing you by your middle name.”
“Everyone does so. It is the only way to avoid confusing me with my brother.”
She could only stare at him. “What if I insist on being simply Juliette?”
“I would advise against it.”
“Why?”
He didn’t respond immediately, but when he did, his voice was low and measured. “Because it would suggest a level of intimacy that I’m not completely ready for at the moment.” He bowed before her, no doubt oblivious to the shiver his words evoked. “Thank you once again for a pleasant afternoon. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow for the next committee meeting.”
Leaving her side, Florian went to bid farewell to Gabriella and Raphe as he handed over the battledores and shuttlecock. Raphe escorted him out and Juliette watched their retreating forms until they were out of view, then claimed a vacant chair beside Gabriella. “Well that was enjoyable,” she said with as much joviality as possible. “I did not expect him to be such a skillful player.”
Gabriella smiled while pouring a fresh glass of lemonade for Juliette. “He has certainly taken a liking to you.”
Juliette sighed and stretched out her legs. Lord, it was good to relax for a bit. “I don’t know what makes you think so, when he has given no indication of such a thing.”
