It was as if a part of Juliette’s heart died in that moment, for he spoke with more conviction than she’d ever heard before—the sort that would brook no argument. “So then there is no hope for us at all?”
“No.”
“And you will give me no acceptable explanation.”
“Suffice it to say that you deserve better.”
Crossing her arms, Juliette clenched her jaw and glared at him. “You are insufferable. Do you know that?” When all he did was raise a brow, she went on, bolstered by the pain he’d caused by denying her the future she wanted. “How dare you decide such a thing without consulting me? I will be the judge of what I deserve, not you or the fear that prevents you from sharing the truth.” She was suddenly unbelievably furious. “If anyone ought to deserve better, it is you! You are educated, well-traveled, respected, and now a duke! For heaven’s sake, Florian. I am nothing more than a viscount’s grandchild, the daughter of a woman who abandoned her family and a man who killed himself for it. I may be the sister of a duke, but I have spent the majority of my life in the slums. Putting fine clothes on me and teaching me manners is never going to change any of that and yet you’re the one who worries I might be too good for you! Are you completely cracked in the head or have you lost your mental faculties by some other means?”
Florian was actually gaping at her now as if she’d just escaped Bedlam. Eventually, he closed his mouth, shook his head and said, “I know it seems unreasonable, but you must trust me in this. There are things you do not know about me that you would surely find distasteful.”
“Such as?” When he failed to respond she asked, “Are you a highway robber by night?”
He shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
She ignored his comment. “Have you committed a heinous crime?”
“Of course not. Juliette, this questioning will lead us nowhere.”
“It will allow me to ascertain the extent of your supposed unworthiness. So tell me, what is it?” An awful thought struck her. “Is it the French disease?”
He looked as though he might choke and promptly proceeded to cough. “How the devil would you know about something like that?” The question was swiftly followed with an apology for the expletive which Juliette waved away without much thought.
“Raphe mentioned it once or twice after hearing of someone who contracted it.” She felt oddly smug about having surprised the good surgeon so thoroughly he’d actually lost his composure. “If this is what ails you, your reluctance to marry begins to make sense.”
“I do not have syphilis,” he clipped. “Practically speaking, I am in perfect health.”
“Hmm...”
He stared at her. “You don’t believe me?”
“I might if you were to kiss me.”
Crossing his legs, Florian pulled his bag onto his lap and met her gaze. Undeniable heat loomed there, the fire stoked inside him by that simple statement as blatant as her own. It sparked and sizzled in the air between them until the carriage drew to an unfortunate stop, signaling their arrival.
“I will not kiss you,” he murmured as he opened the door and alit so he could help her down.
Juliette clasped the hand he offered and stepped down onto the pavement with a smile. “We shall see,” she told him slyly.
Whatever his demons might be, she suspected they weren’t as difficult to slay as he believed. All she had to do was find the obstacle in Florian’s way and destroy it.
Chapter 19
Picking up the nearby rattle, Juliette shook it gently above Peter’s face. The baby, snuggly nestled in her arms, chortled and waved his arms with amusement. It was two days since he’d been born and both he and his mother appeared to be thriving. As for Florian... Juliette tried to force all thought of him from her mind. She hadn’t seen him since the birth, deliberately allowing him the space she’d suspected he needed after their discussion.
Frankly, she still wasn’t sure what had possessed her to be so outspoken toward him, but it had been necessary. She’d wanted to clear the air and give voice to all her frustration. Bringing up the French disease had been a bit much, but her tongue had gotten away from her, and so, here they were.
She set the rattle aside and offered Peter her finger, which he happily clutched in his tiny hand. “He’s so strong.”
“And handsome,” Amelia said with a smile. Sitting beside her, she sipped her tea while watching her sister and her son form a bond. “I cannot wait to meetyourchildren one day.”
The honesty resonating from Amelia’s voice produced a lump in Juliette’s throat. Her eyes were suddenly stinging and she was having difficulty drawing breath. “If I will ever be so lucky.” She forced the maudlin mood aside since it had no place here in this room. Instead, she managed a smile while adding sincerity to her voice. “To marry a man who loves you and bear his children is truly a blessing.”
“Such a man exists for you as well, Juliette. You only have to open your heart to him and he will have no choice but to love you.”
A bitter bit of laughter stole past Juliette’s lips before she could stop it. “I would like to think so.”
Amelia reached for her son, pulling the baby into her arms so she could place a tender kiss upon his forehead. “Florian could be that man.” Her voice was quiet, crooning even and so contradictory to the point she raised.
