He stared at her for a long hard moment, then said, “It would probably be best if I sent you a note. This...” He clenched his jaw and glanced away, and in that moment, Juliette’s happiness crumbled in response to the obvious regret he attempted to hide. “We cannot keep letting this happen.”
“Of course not.” Her words were marred by irritation and unrelenting sarcasm. “Why on earth would we allow ourselves to succumb to mutual desire?”
“Because there is much you do not know,” he said with equal amounts of aggravation. “You think I choose to save you from marrying me on account of some silly, pointless reason, no doubt. But I tell you my reasons are real and noble and only intended to keep you safe.” He was breathing fast, his hair falling over his forehead in distraught disarray. “If I were someone else, someone better and someone purer, I would ask for your hand in a heartbeat. But to trap you in a union you are bound to regret would be heartless.”
“How can you possibly know I would regret it, Florian, and how am I to make an informed decision with regard to my future when you refuse to disclose all the facts?” Reaching out, she placed her hand on his arm. “Confide in me. Please.”
His chest rose and fell with agitated movements. “Once I do, there is no taking it back. It could change your impression of me forever, and for that reason, I cannot allow myself to do it.”
“Not even if I promise not to judge you?”
He winced and she dropped her hand. “You cannot do so, Juliette. It isn’t possible.”
Watching all hope slip away between her fingers, she made one last attempt to grasp it. “Of course it is. My affection for you would not allow for anything else.”
His eyes met hers with vast degrees of heartache and, worst of all, pity. “If only I could believe that.” He bowed before her even as her heart was breaking. “Good evening, my lady.”
He was gone before she could wish him a safe journey, the sound of his footsteps fading into the background until only silence remained. She’d gathered her courage and risked both her heart and her pride by telling him how she felt. In return, he’d spurned her for reasons she could not begin to comprehend. All she knew was that it hurt, more than anything else ever had.
Chapter 20
Juliette paced back and forth in the parlor while Gabriella looked on. She was agitated for numerous reasons, the least important one being Florian’s response to her declaration of affection and his subsequent departure from London.
“She should have arrived an hour ago,” she said in reference to Vivien, who still remained absent. “It is unlike her to break an appointment like this without sending word.”
“Calm yourself, Juliette, or you will wear a hole in the carpet.” Gabriella poured some tea into Juliette’s recently emptied cup. “Come sit with me for a while. I am sure there must be a reasonable explanation.”
Like the possibility of Vivien succumbing to any number of accidents on her way over. “Perhaps we should send someone to inquire about her?” Juliette dropped down onto her chair and reached for her tea. It was remarkably soothing.
Gabriella frowned. “You are not the sort to expect the worst without cause, making me wonder if there might not be some other reason for this mood you’re in. Especially since I feel it began last night after you returned from the ladies’ retiring room at the theater.”
Blast her sister-in-law’s observational skills. “I banged my toes on a door by accident if you’ll recall.” At least that was the explanation she’d given for the peevishness she’d exuded upon returning to the Huntley box.
“Because it could not possibly have had anything to do with a run-in with Florian. Could it?”
Stripped of all ability to speak, Juliette simply gaped at Gabriella.
Eventually, the duchess took pity. “I saw him arguing with someone in one of the opposite boxes and when he left, so did you. Meeting him in the hallway would have been inevitable, whether you intended to do so or not.”
“Did Raphe notice?” She didn’t want her brother to figure out what she’d been up to. If he did, he might encourage a courtship that Florian, at least, would be very opposed to.
“I think you would have known by now if he did. But, you were gone for a very long time, so I do feel I ought to address the issue, delicate as it may be.” She watched Juliette with careful consideration before asking, “Did he take liberties with you?”
Giving the carpet her full attention, Juliette shook her head.
“Very well. Allow me to rephrase that. Did you give him leave to do anything that might be construed as scandalous or ruinous?” Juliette’s gaze snapped onto Gabriella’s, conveying everything her sister-in-law needed to know. “I see.”
“Not that it matters. The wretched man does not want me, and since there were no witnesses, no harm was truly done.” Except to her heart which remained in ruins.
Gabriella stared at her for a moment and then, to her amazement, she laughed. “I am sorry, Juliette, for I know this is no laughing matter, but either Florian is completely ignorant of his own feelings or determined to ignore them.” All traces of humor vanished as she turned completely serious. “Either way, he has been dishonest, for which I shall have to chastise him later. It is obvious to everyone with an ounce of common sense that he is mad about you.”
“Perhaps, but not in the way I want him to be.”
“In every way, I assure you.” Gabriella reached for Juliette’s hand. “I have known him most of my life, Juliette, and I have never see him look at another woman the way he looks at you. Rest assured, his feelings for you run deep, which may be why he is so determined to resist your charms. If he is like most men I know, he is likely terrified of the impact you’re having on his otherwise orderly life.”
It was possible, though Juliette was reluctant to let herself hope. She’d experienced too much disappointment lately to start asking for more.
“Ladies,” Pierson said upon entering the room and distracting them from the subject at hand. “The Dowager Duchess of Tremaine has come to call. Shall I tell her that you are at home?”
