“Hmmm....” Juliette considered the way he spoke. “As much as I appreciate politeness, I think blatant honesty has its merits as well.” Heavens, now she was flirting with him!
“An interesting notion.” He leaned forward slightly, just enough for her to catch a flicker of intrigue in his eyes. “So then, if I were to launch into an in-depth explanation of a surgical procedure I plan on conducting tomorrow, would you honestly tell me to change the subject and spare you the boredom?”
“No. Probably not.”
His eyes held hers until she was forced to look away for fear of revealing the blush she could feel creeping over her skin, in spite of the darkness. He huffed out a breath and leaned back. “I must confess I’m disappointed to hear it.”
“Why?” When he looked at her again, she said, “Did it ever occur to you that I might find such conversation appealing?”
His lips parted and she allowed herself a moment to savor his astonishment.
The door opened behind them and voices filled the air. A group of people spilled out onto the terrace with Florian’s brother, Mr. Lowell, bringing up the rear. He came toward them at a brisk pace, inclining his head to acknowledge her presence.
“Lady Juliette,” he said and reached for her hand. Kissing the air above her knuckles, he straightened himself and smiled. “I see my brother is keeping excellent company this evening.”
“Thank you, Lowell. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” She’d gotten to know the well-renowned rake through Amelia and Coventry, with whom he maintained a tight friendship.
“Oh, indeed, the pleasure is all mine,” Lowell said, at which point it sounded as though Florian might have muttered something beneath his breath. Whether or not that was true, Lowell glanced his way. “Supper is about to be served.” He returned his attention to Juliette and smiled broadly while offering her his arm. “Shall we go in together?”
Florian scowled at his brother. His jaw tightened, allowing shadows to play across the contours of his cheekbones. A second passed and then he gave a tight nod. “By all means. After you.”
Juliette linked her arm with Lowell’s and allowed him to guide her back into the sparkling light. He was just as handsome as Florian and definitely more charismatic. And yet, he didn’t provoke the slightest emotion in her whereas Florian... his absence by her side made her feel slightly empty inside.
It didn’t make any sense.
Chapter 3
A tingly sensation assailed Juliette when Florian took his seat beside her. Especially when he leaned to his left and their shoulders brushed against each other. Destabilized, she sucked in a breath and tried to force her bouncing heart into a steadier rhythm. He was just her physician; for her to respond to him in any other capacity than as his patient and possibly his acquaintance was beyond illogical.
“Is it just me, or does Lady Gilbrecht appear to be courting Mr. Haywood?” Lowell whispered close to her ear, prompting Juliette to choke on the spoonful of soup she’d just taken.
Florian leaned closer and patted her back. “Have some wine,” he suggested.
She drank half a glass, thanked Florian for his help and turned to Lowell. “I didn’t realize a lady could court a gentleman.”
Lowell gave her a look—the sort that seemed to sympathize with her naïveté. “She’s a widow and he’s a rake. Of course she can, and is, if those batting eyelashes are any indication.”
“But, they’re in public,” Juliette muttered, a little appalled by the thought of such blatant flirtation going on around them.
Lowell grinned. “That won’t stop a seduction if the couple’s determined enough. I’m sure there are several feet toeing their way up various legs underneath all these tables.” He lowered his voice. “Or hands straying to places they shouldn’t be straying.”
Having just taken another spoonful of soup, Juliette coughed again, and Florian patted her back, handing her the wine. He leaned past her and spoke to his brother. “What are you telling her, Henry?”
“Nothing too outrageous,” Lowell replied.
“Judging from her shocked reaction, I very much doubt that.” Florian patted Juliette’s back once more for good measure. “I must apologize for my brother, my lady. I believe he has an unfortunate inclination for impropriety.”
At Juliette’s left, she heard Lowell say, “There’s something to be said for knowing how to have a bit of fun, Florian. You needn’t be so stuffy all the time.”
“Have some more wine,” Florian said.
“There’s no need,” Juliette told him. Her throat had cleared and she was able to breathe again without choking. “Really, I am not as delicate as most people think.”
Florian knitted his brow. “I wasn’t suggesting you were, but there are subjects one does not discuss with an innocent young lady such as yourself. Lowell crossed a line, I believe.”
Juliette knew he was right and yet she didn’t want his domineering righteousness to win over his brother’s easygoing joie de vivre. Because it was like two opposing forces, each needing the other for the sake of creating perfect harmony. “It was a joke. You could try it one day,” she said, not knowing where on earth her words were coming from.
His frown deepened and he removed his gaze from hers, seemingly concentrating on the soup before him. “Jokes aren’t really my forte.”
