Authors: Jess Michaels
Deceived (30 page)
Her father smiled. “A bit of tea would be lovely.”
Lady Woodley cast him a quick glance and then poured before she swiftly added two sugars and a dash of milk to the brew. Juliet drew back. That was exactly how her father took his tea, twice a day for the last twenty-five years of her life and probably the entire span of his own.
Her father took the cup from Lady Woodley’s suddenly shaking hand and took a small sip. “Perfect,” he said softly.
Lady Woodley blushed, actually
blushed
and Juliet’s hand tightened on her chair arm.
“Thank you for having us here today,” Juliet said, trying to cut the tension a bit, if only for own sake. “You are looking very well.”
“Thanks to you,” Lady Woodley said, shifting her attention to Juliet and gifting her with one of those warm and motherly smiles that Juliet had come to crave since the first moment she had entered Lady Woodley’s chamber. “Jed…Mr. Gray, you do know what a revelation your daughter is? What a gift?”
Juliet blushed as her father puffed up with pride. “It is always what I’ve said, my lady.”
“Oh, you two,” Juliet said with a shake of her head. “I did nothing out of the ordinary, Lady Woodley. I simply treated you and prayed that what I did would help. You fought the battle and should take the credit for your recovery.”
The marchioness arched a fine brow. “You take too little credit, not that I would expect otherwise. You are such a modest young woman and never ask for attention. But you are owed it, my dear, so I hope you will accept, once again, my most sincere gratitude.”
Juliet tilted her head. There was no use having an argument with the lady. “I do, of course.”
“I would like to repay you,” Lady Woodley continued.
Juliet smoothed her hands on her dress reflexively. “I assure you that your son has paid all my fees in full and then some. You owe me nothing else.”
“But I do,” Lady Woodley said softly. “Juliet, I have come to see you not just as the healer who was called in to assist me, but as a friend. Even a daughter.”
Juliet swallowed hard, blinking at the tears that leapt to her eyes even as she heard her father suck in a sharp breath through his teeth. “That means so much to me, my lady. More than you shall ever know.”
Lady Woodley reached out and covered Juliet’s hand with her own. “I have asked you and your father here today to make a proposition to you.”
Juliet worried the inside of her cheek for a moment. “What sort of proposition?”
Lady Woodley’s gaze slid to her father. “I would like to invite your daughter to accompany me to London for the upcoming holiday season. And because I know that you would not like to be separated from her for very long, you would be welcome to join us, as well.”
Juliet shook her head. “I-I don’t understand.”
Lady Woodley smiled. “I would like you and your father to come and stay in my London home until the end of January. You will celebrate the Christmas holiday with our family and be my personal guest at some gatherings in the city. I would provide you with some new gowns, as well.”
Juliet pushed from the settee and took a few steps away. Shock hit her in waves. She liked Lady Woodley so very much, but she had never thought that she was seen as a charity case by the woman.
“You do not look happy with this invitation,” Lady Woodley said, rising to move toward her. “What is wrong?”
Juliet measured her tone carefully. “My lady, I could not possibly take your charity-”
Lady Woodley’s eyes went wide. “You misunderstand me, Juliet. I don’t see this as charity in the slightest. I
like
you, my dear and I want to give you a reward for your kindness and your assistance to me.”
Juliet shook her head. The idea of going to London, of parading around in the titled elite and being displayed made her very skin crawl. Aside from which, if she was staying with Lady Woodley in her home over the holidays, she would certainly be put in the path of Gabriel more than once.
A traitorous part of her soared at that thought and then she pushed the reaction away. She didn’t want that. And she knew he likely wanted it even less.
“I couldn’t intrude, then,” she began.
Lady Woodley let out a soft sound of frustration and turned her attention back to Juliet’s father. “Jed-Mr. Gray, you must help me to persuade your dearest daughter that this is a good course of action for you both!”
Juliet narrowed her gaze at her father, hoping to send him the strong message that he should take her side. But she found a thoughtful look on his face as he examined first her and then Lady Woodley.
“Juliet, you should consider this offer,” he finally said slowly. “You work so hard on the behalf of all those in the village, and you take such good care of me. I like the idea of you having time to yourself, a pleasure just for you.”
Juliet watched him closely. He was still casting side glances at Lady Woodley and she realized that while he was speaking the truth about wanting her to be happy, he was also incapable of hiding how much this renewed acquaintance with his old ‘friend’ meant to him.
Could she deny him his chance to spend more time with Lady Woodley if it meant so much to him?
She sighed. “I-I just don’t know.”
Lady Woodley’s smile was triumphant, as if she knew she had already won. “Then allow me to know for both of us! I have already arranged for the seamstress in the village to measure you this afternoon in order to make several gowns for you.”
“Evelyn Wilcox?” Juliet asked, blinking in surprise.
“That is the one. She made my new daughter-in-law Josie’s wedding dress for her ceremony with Evan just a few months ago and did wonderful work. She will have the gowns sent to London by the time you arrive.”
Juliet gasped. “I feel as though you are sweeping me away.”
Lady Woodley laughed and then reached out to grasp both of Juliet’s hands. “Then allow me to sweep you, my dear! I want to do this, please let me!”
Juliet explored the lady’s face, saw the earnestness there. Then she glanced at her father and saw the flicker of hope in his stare, not just for her, but for himself.
She sighed. “I-oh, very well. You are impossible to refuse.”
Lady Woodley nodded once before she drew Juliet in for an unexpected but warm hug. “My children tell me that constantly! Oh, I am so pleased that you will do this. Now you must hurry. Miss Wilcox expects you almost directly. And I will send all the details along to you before Gabriel and I leave for London tomorrow.”
Juliet stiffened at the mention of his name. A reminder of what she would be walking into when she joined Lady Woodley. But then, he would be staying at his own home. And perhaps he would simply be too busy to call overly much.
She would just have to hope that would be true. Otherwise, it could be a very long visit, indeed.
The Wicked Woodleys
Forbidden
(Book 1)
Deceived
(Book 2)
The Notorious Flynns
The Other Duke
(Book 1)
The Scoundrel’s Lover
(Book 2)
The Widow Wager
(Book 3)
No Gentleman for Georgina
(Book 4)
A Marquis for Mary
(Book 5)
The Ladies Book of Pleasures
The Pleasure Wars Series
Mistress Matchmaker Series
Albright Sisters Series
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Jess Michaels writes erotic historical romance from her home in Tucson, AZ. She has three assistants: One cat that blocks the screen, one that is very judgmental and her husband that does all the heavy lifting. She has written
over
50 books, enjoys long walks in the desert and once wrestled a bear over a piece of pie. One of these things is a lie.
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