A Scandalous Charade (29 page)

Luke reached for the door handle behind her, pressing himself against her, his wicked eyes twinkling. “Don’t unpack, princess. When I finish with Robert, you and I will start for London and—”

“No!” she almost wailed. Going back to London would be a death sentence if her uncle found her. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Luke furrowed his brow and studied her face, which she was sure looked panicked. “What sort of trouble are you in, Juliet?”

“Why?” she shot back without thinking. “Are you going to help me? You’d actually have to stick around and that’s so unlike you.”

When he said nothing, but continued to stare down at her, Juliet scoffed and pushed him away. “I didn’t think so. Just don’t tell them who I am, Luke. Promise me.” She couldn’t risk Lord Masten throwing her out on her ear. She didn’t have anywhere else to hide, at least no place as safe as Gosling Park.

After a moment, Luke clasped her hand and pulled her against him, concern etched in his brow. “I’m not going anywhere, Juliet. And of course, I’ll help you. Anything you need. Just tell me what’s going on.”

No, thank you. She’d already learned that lesson well. “I’m handling the situation myself, Luke. You say you know me, but I know you too, and I don’t want your help. Just promise me you won’t say a word about who I am.”

Again he stared at her, for what seemed forever, before he responded with a nod. “If that’s what you want, princess.”

It wasn’t until that moment that Juliet realized what she really wanted was for him to save her. To be her hero, so she wouldn’t have to do this alone. But that wasn’t Luke. It never had been. She nodded her answer. “It is.”

“As you wish,” he answered quietly. “I promise not to tell anyone who you really are, Juliet. But you and I will have a long talk, once I finish up with Robert.”

Then he was gone.

~ 22 ~

Juliet went through the schoolroom in a daze. She and Penny had started looking around the old room that Juliet was certain hadn’t been used since Caroline was a child. Not that it wasn’t clean—it was—but the room seemed lonely, if such a thing made sense.

She was surprised when Lady Masten floated into the room wearing a flowing jonquil day dress. The countess truly was one of the most beautiful women Juliet had ever seen and she remembered the conversation Mr. Bennett and his brother had had about the woman—and Luke. Lady Masten’s presence immediately grabbed Penny’s attention, and the little girl rushed again into the countess’ awaiting arms.

Juliet smiled at the scene, admiring Lady Masten for taking the orphans into her home.  She and Georgie had supported various charities, which generally consisted of Juliet simply donating money to one cause or another. But Lady Masten had taken two street urchins from Covent Garden to raise and give them a better life. Apparently, she was as lovely inside as she was out.

Soon, Penny had convinced Juliet and the countess to squeeze into a child-sized table and chairs with her for a tea party. Both women were happy to comply, and the little girl filled the time relaying Lady Masten with stories from the journey to Dorset.

“An’ then Petey thot ‘e saw a ‘ighwayman followin’ us, bu’—”

Juliet cleared her throat loudly, and with raised brows she met Penny’s big brown eyes. Whenever the girl was excited, her accent got worse. Penny looked away bashfully and frowned as she tried to concentrate. “Sorry, Miss Mitford. He thought he saw a highwayman following us,” Penny was careful to enunciate.

Penny took a sip of tea, holding her pinkie out, just like Juliet had taught her. Lady Masten took notice of the little girl’s manners and turned her deep, blue eyes on Juliet. “However did Lady Staveley find you?”

She felt her throat start to close in on her and Juliet forced a smile to her face, though she was certain it looked pained. “M—my cousin works for Lady Staveley, and she knew I’d just left my last post.” It was the story she and Caroline had agreed upon, but lying to Lady Masten made Juliet squirm uncomfortably.

The countess smiled. “Really? Where were you before?”

Juliet took a long sip of tea. Then she sighed before continuing with the tale they had concocted. “Essex, my lady.”

She hated being untruthful and was relieved with Penny announced proudly, “In London, Miss Mitford took us to the Staveleys'. I an’ Petey got to play with Adam and Rachel and Emma.”

The little girl frowned at that. She did not particularly care for her studies, but Caroline Staveley had explained to her that it was her duty if she was going to live with the Mastens.

Then out of nowhere, the schoolroom door flew open and Peter ran in excitedly as if the devil was chasing him, a broad smile covered his face. This was surprising, as the boy was fairly quiet and rarely spoke. Juliet watched as he hugged his sister wildly and words just exploded from his mouth, “Pen, Lord Masten let me touch one of ‘is ‘orses. Star Dancer. An’ she’s gonna ‘ave a baby, an’ Lord Masten said I could name it.”

Penny scrunched up her face. “I want to name a ‘orse.”

Juliet cleared her throat, and the little girl scowled. “I want to name a horse,” she clarified.

Lady Masten stood and stroked the girl’s hair. “Perhaps his lordship will let you name the next foal, Penny.” Then she turned her attention back to the excited boy. “I’m so glad that you enjoyed yourself, Peter.”

“Oh, my lady, Star Dancer is—” he screwed up his face trying to get the words just right— “an Anglo-Arabian. And Lord Masten says she’s my kin’red spiri’, wha’ever tha’ is.”

Lady Masten bent down and dropped a kiss on Penny’s head. “Remember what I told you, Penny. Be nice to your brother, Peter has taken good care of you, you little imp.”

Soundly chastised, Penny nodded sullenly and whispered under her breath, “I still wanna name a ‘orse.”

After smiling at the children one last time, Lady Masten started for the door. Then she stopped and looked back at Juliet. “Miss Mitford, may I have a word with you?”

“Of course,” Juliet rose from her seat at the little table and crossed the room to the countess’ side. “Yes, my lady?”

Lady Masten smiled warmly. “I am hosting a dinner party tomorrow night, and I’ve found that my numbers are slightly off. Could I convince you to join us?”

A dinner party? Juliet felt the smile fall from her face. The last thing she wanted to do was see people. She was supposed to be in hiding. “I don’t know, my lady.”

“Oh, please say yes. I’ve yet to meet any of my neighbors and I’m so hoping for a success. You may take an extra day off next week. Really, Miss Mitford, it would mean so much to me.”

What was the harm? Juliet didn’t know anyone in Dorset. And it was just one little dinner party. She sighed and then nodded her head. “If you really want me to come.”

The smile left Lady Masten’s face. She took a deep breath and pursed her lips.  “My brother-in-law… Well, Mr. Beckford can be very persuasive with his attentions. I just want you to keep your guard up and be careful around him.”

Good heavens! Juliet nearly choked, but it turned into a surprised laugh. “Oh, Lady Masten, don’t worry about me. I know Mr. —I know all about Mr. Beckford. Remember, my cousin works for Lady Staveley.”

The countess seemed to look relieved at that. She squeezed Juliet’s hand and then departed the schoolroom.

***

Luke swirled whiskey around in his glass. He was tired of watching Robert swoon all over Lydia. He took another drink. Where was Juliet? He’d convinced his brother that the new governess should be invited to dine with the family, as she was more than just a mere servant. Honestly, he was surprised at how quickly his brother had been agreeable to the suggestion. It seemed that prolonged interaction with Lydia made Robert agreeable to almost anything. The fool had turned soft.

Just as he was starting to think that she wouldn’t show, Juliet quietly entered the drawing room and stood near the entrance. Even dressed in a drab grey gown with her hair pulled tightly away from her face, she took his breath away.  Dear God, he loved her. He’d been able to think of little else most of the day. She caught his eye, and then looked away and smiled at his brother.

“It would be my pleasure.” And it would. He could hardly wait to touch her again. Luke crossed the room and offered her his arm. “Miss Mitford.”

Juliet scowled up at him, but she took his arm anyway. “What are you doing?” she whispered through clenched teeth.

“Following my brother’s orders. What else?” He raised one eye brow, as he waited for her to challenge him. God, how he’d missed her. There was no one like her in the world.

With Juliet on his arm, Luke followed Robert and Lydia into Gosling’s large dining room. He held out her chair and winked at her when she slid into her seat. Then he sat himself across from her so he could look into those delicious brown eyes over dinner.  “So, Miss Mitford,” he began, as he ran his eyes across her lovely form, “how long have you been a governess?”

She shot daggers at him with her eyes, and he resisted the urge to grin. If she wanted to play this little game, he was more than willing to participate.

Robert was frowning at him, so Luke suppressed his grin and focused on his food for a while. Talk had turned to the dinner party that Lydia was hosting the next night, and his sister-in-law informed them that Miss Mitford had agreed to help round out her numbers.  Luke couldn’t hide his smile any longer.  Tomorrow night would be an event not to miss. How was Juliet, his regal princess, going to convince a group of country gentry that she was a mere governess?

By the time desert, an apple torte, was served, Luke had held his tongue as long as he was able. Juliet had avoided his gaze most of the night, looking either at one of their companions or her food, and he was tired of being ignored. The only way to get her to look at him was to talk to her directly. He cleared his throat. “Miss Mitford, where do you hail from?”

Her stoic façade nearly faltered, but she managed to shake her head.  “Not really, Mr. Beckford. I have a sister living in America, and a brother in India. Everyone else is g—gone.”

He was a cad. She was clearly fighting back tears. Why had he pressed her? Oh, yes, because she was ignoring him so handily.  He tried to apologize with a smile. “I see… Well, anyway, I’m certain you’ll enjoy your time here.”

“Indeed,” Juliet’s voice sounded hollow and she stared down at her desert.

***

As soon as dinner was through, Juliet excused herself and started back for her small room. She needed to put as much distance between herself and Luke as was possible. The bastard. Why had he tortured her so at dinner?

She was storming up the stairs when she heard him call her name. “Juliet, wait!”

She turned around and stomped back down the stone stairs, stopping on the step above him. The she raised her hand and slapped his face. Hard. The sound echod off the walls. “How dare you!” she hissed.

But he didn’t step away or touch his reddened cheek. Instead, he took her hand in his and pulled her into him, kissing the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so merciless.”