Page 53 of The New Earl’s Convenient Wife

Her heart soaring like a butterfly in a sunbeam, Juliana enjoyed the dance as never before, and the next, a waltz, even more. Rafe whirled her around the room, holding her scandalously close and murmuring outrageously naughty suggestions in her ear as to how they might utilize the couch in the anteroom, the table in the refreshment room, or the benches on the moonlit terrace outside the ballroom.

‘Seriously, though, you enchant me, you know that, my Mouse? My naiad and nymph. I can’t imagine how I managed before I brought you into my life.’

Smiling, she reveled in the feel of his arms surrounding her. She felt valued and cherished as never before, almost fizzy with wine and happiness. When the waltz ended, he led her into the refreshment room, refusing to let any of the other guests waylay him, responding to greetings and invitations to tarry with a smile and a shake of his head. Reaching the table full of delicacies, he filled a plate for her and whisked her into a quiet corner, where he fed her tidbits, promising later, when they were finally alone, he would pay homage to her in other, more intimate ways.

But he was an earl, and he did have social duties, which inevitably made their claim on him. Ceding when one of his Parliamentary sponsors begged him to attend him, he walked her back to Claire, before, with a wry grin, going off with Hart to some consultation.

‘We got a few dances, anyway,’ Claire observed as the men walked away.

‘Shall we have any others?’

‘Probably. But in the meantime, we should punish them for their desertion by dancing with every gentleman who asks us.’

Juliana imagined Claire would have no lack of partners, but was surprised to discover she was sought-after as well. The positive effect of having the friendship of a Duchess and an earl who seemed to dote on you.

Did he dote on her? Was he finally, finally about to cross the line from friendship into love?

Had his attentions tonight not been ardent enough, whether or not he ever voiced feelings she yearned for him to express? Putting a halt on her fervent imagining, she told herself not to hope for anything more.

Feeling suddenly fatigued, she refused her next partner and made her way to the chairs at the edge of the ballroom, where after the next dance, Claire joined her.

As they chatted, a group of late-arriving guests entered the ballroom, one of them a tall, graceful lady who was one of most beautiful women Juliana had ever seen. Curious, she leaned over to ask Claire who it was.

‘The Countess of Altorn. She married a duke’s heir somewhat older than herself. Now that she’s delivered him an heir and a spare, they usually go their separate ways, I’m told.’

A chill settled in the pit of Juliana’s stomach. ‘Th-that’s the Countess of Alcorn?’ she stuttered.

‘Yes. Have you met her?’

From Claire’s disinterested tone, Juliana surmised that Hart’s wife was not aware of Rafe’s previous attachment. ‘Not yet,’ she said faintly.

At that moment, Juliana spied Rafe walking back into the room. Before she could signal to him, the group around the beautiful newcomer laughed, drawing his attention.

He stopped short in mid-stride, freezing in place.

As he stood staring at Lady Altorn, the shock on his face turned to an expression of such anguish, Juliana felt as if she’d been punched in the stomach.

Nausea welling up, she stood abruptly. ‘Suddenly I feel so warm! No, don’t get up. I must… I must get some air!’

Stumbling in her haste, Juliana wove her way past the mingling guests until she reached the doors leading on to the terrace. Bursting outside, she searched for the stairs into the garden, running down them not a moment too soon before she found a shadowed spot behind some shrubbery and leaned over, retching.