The Wagered Heart: Signet Regency Romance (InterMix) (19 page)

“You may be a number of things, but I’d wager simple and straightforward are not among them.”

She directed the full force of her shadowed gray gaze at him. “And if you solve this so-called mystery, what then?”

“I have the feeling another one would soon take its place.”

He saw a quick flash of surprise cross her face, before she gave a dismissive shrug. “Why bother solving one mystery to just go on to another? That seems as if it would soon pall.”

“It depends on the answer to the mystery. Some mysteries are endlessly fascinating.”

In response, her steps quickened.

They had reached the footbridge, where several other people where enjoying the view. The congestion forced her to stop.

Leaning down slightly so no one else would hear, he asked, “Why suddenly so skittish?”

She turned to him, her eyes glinting with a spark of anger. “I have never been skittish a day in my life, Your Grace.”

Her tart tone caused him to chuckle. “Forgive me, you may be correct. I have often been surprised at your lack of skittishness.”

He smiled into her searching gaze. She was the first to look away.

“In truth, I have been surprising myself of late.”

He caught the sigh in her words and frowned. Again, her enigmatic comment deepened the air of mystery about her.

They crossed the bridge and meandered up the path, through the pockets of crowds, back to the torch-encircled area.

“There you are!”

In unison, the duke and Julia turned to see Lord and Lady Farren converging onto the path. Lady Farren was looking at them with an avidly curious expression.

“We got separated from you in the crush on the bridge. I’m so glad we finally found you.”

“Yes, Miss Allard and I wondered where you newlyweds had gone. Shall we join the others? I believe the fireworks will be starting soon.”

Glancing down, he sent a reassuring smile to Julia. Her smile was tentative beneath the forced serenity of her expression as she preceded him to the grassy clearing. The Farrens followed beside her.

With his eyes on the alluring curve of her nape, he still felt the heat of her supple body pressed so intimately against his.

Taking a deep breath before he followed, he made sure the languid expression he wore like a mask was securely in place.

“T
 hank goodness Mama took to her room with a headache! I have been on tenterhooks to hear what happened when you went off with the duke last night,” Mariah stated as she nimbly stepped over a puddle.

She had arrived at the Farrens’ townhouse a short time earlier, with the suggestion that they walk to the North Parade. Julia had agreed with alacrity.

Earlier that morning, Caro had invited Julia to join her as she made calls and shopped, but Julia had declined. She wanted more than anything to speak to Mariah, and had a strong suspicion that her friend would arrive at the townhouse as soon as was polite.

Now, at Mariah’s comment, Julia looked over at her in alarm. “You do not think anyone noticed, do you? We left with Caro and Clive and returned with them—I was praying we were not conspicuous.”

“Not at all. But I know you. I could tell by the look on your face that something occurred. Tell me!”

“I don’t know how,” Julia said, lifting the hem of her twilight blue walking gown to avoid another puddle.

“What happened?” Mariah demanded, her voice rising slightly with her impatience.

Shaking her head at the memory of last night, Julia said, “I finally got up my nerve enough to flirt with him. I do not know what I was thinking—it all became so confusing. At first, I hoped that he would declare his desire for me so I could sneer and toss a cutting reply, leaving him to nurse his wounded pride.”

Mariah slowed her steps, gazing at Julia with keen interest. “Oh, how daring! But what did you do?”

“Nothing,” Julia said with a dejected sigh.

“Nothing? You went off with a notorious rake and nothing happened?” Mariah was clearly incredulous.

Slowing her steps as well, Julia spoke in a hesitant tone. “Well, almost nothing. He did kiss me, but not the way he did in London. This was unexpected and gentle. But before he kissed me, he asked me my given name.”

Mariah came to a complete halt, both brows rising. “That is certainly not how I expected the duke to behave.”

Julia nodded in dismal agreement. “I do not know what to think about what happened. He is not at all what I assumed him to be—blast him.”

“As much as it pains me to admit, after meeting him last night he is not what I expected either. He is so dashing and attentive. He does not at all seem like a libertine—although I know he is. So what now? Are you abandoning your plan to seek revenge?”

“Oh, Mariah, I am so confused. I do not know what to do—everything seems so different now. Am I just to pretend nothing happened—that I have not been hurt? Should I just ignore my pride?”

“I sympathize with your plight,” Mariah said as they turned onto Duke Street. “It is too bad we cannot duel for our honor like gentlemen. I have always wanted to learn to fence properly.”

“I know. The wooden swords we played with as children just weren’t the same.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I think I am going to avoid the duke and give myself time to think. This is much trickier business than I had thought it would be. I have the feeling that he knows what I’m doing and finds it amusing.” She did not tell her friend that in the sober afternoon light, free of the twilight romance of last eve, she had the suspicion that she had a lucky escape last night.

There was a moment in the alcove when revenge had been far from her mind. When he had held her so closely, she had felt as if she were melting against him. She blushed now at the way she had shamelessly put her arms around his neck and leaned against his tall body.

When they had returned to join the other guests within the torch-lit circle, Julia refused to look at the duke. But during the noisy, colorful fireworks display, she had not been able to resist seeking him out. It had caused an odd, breathless feeling in her chest the instant her gaze clashed with his disturbingly intense eyes.

Shaking her head to free herself from the memory, she continued to walk with Mariah toward the North Parade. She had not been there before, and Caro had told her how popular a spot it was for walking and meeting friends. Caro also claimed a superb view of the River Avon could be gained from the walkway that edged the parade.

How different her life looked on this unexpectedly fine day, she mused. She had lived for twenty-four years, her life no more or less difficult than anyone else’s—and suddenly, everything she knew of herself was now a mass of confused sensations.

They walked in silence for a while before Mariah said hesitantly, “Maybe Caro, being newly married, is wisest after all—it could be foolish to tamper with the affections of a man. Especially a man like the Duke of Kelbourne. I would hate to see you get hurt worse than you have been already.”

Julia knew that Mariah was correct, yet, there had been something so unexpected, so startling about those brief moments by the alcove, the scene kept repeating over and over in her mind.

They arrived at the graveled walkway that bordered the vast lawn of the North Parade, where it seemed half the citizens of Bath were congregating or promenading.

“Come, Mariah, let us put my foolishness aside and enjoy this beautiful afternoon.” She could not face discussing the duke any further.

“You are never foolish, but I will not quiz you anymore about the dreadful duke.” Mariah’s smile showed gentle understanding.

They had not been strolling on the parade for very long, when Julia espied Caro and Clive standing with several other people. The duke was among them.

Mariah had seen them as well. “We cannot pretend we do not see them.”

Feeling her heart instantly skip a beat, then begin to gallop, Julia swallowed and nodded. “No, I suppose not.”

Slowly, they approached the group. Julia saw that besides the duke, Caro, and Clive, there was also the duke’s sister, Lady Fallbrook, and his friend, Lord Mattonly. Clive and Lord Mattonly seemed to be engaged in an animated conversation.

Julia and Mariah were almost upon the little group when Caro turned and saw them. A welcoming smile spread across her face.

“Look who has joined us!” she announced with pleasure as Julia and Mariah made their curtsies. “You are just in time; we have been having a very lively discussion on one of your pet subjects, Julia.” She turned back to Clive. “My dear husband, you will have no luck with our Julia if you broach this topic with her.
She
believes everyone who has the
desire should learn to read. She is always teaching some youngster how to write his name and make out his letters.”

Unable to look at the duke, Julia sent a smile to Lady Fallbrook and Lord Mattonly. However, before any greetings could be exchanged, Lord Farren turned his gimlet gaze to Julia.

“That so? Not wise, dear cousin. Before you know it, we shall have the lower orders thinking themselves ladies and gentlemen because they can read. Not wise at all.”

Although quite relieved that she was saved from having to look at the duke for the moment, she was taken aback by this unexpected pronouncement.

Shrugging lightly, she said, “We shall have to disagree on this matter. Miss Thorncroft and I have helped some of the young people in our village learn to read. John Willingham, who came to us a few years ago, now has a good position at the local mercantile because he can write down orders. His employer is very pleased with him.”

Everyone was attending her, but Julia was most keenly aware of the duke’s eyes upon her. After casting him a quick glance, she lifted her chin in defiance at his surprised expression. She did not give a fig if he thought badly of her for her views, she thought with a hint of disappointment.

The others shifted their interested gazes to Lord Farren, waiting for his rebuttal. He cleared his voice once or twice before replying.

“Well,” Clive began in a doubtful tone, “I’m sure there are exceptions, but all in all it’s bad business teaching the masses to read. However, I expect a sheltered young lady like you would not be able to see the larger ramifications. Eh, what, Your Grace?” he stated, looking to the duke to confirm this wisdom.

The duke, who had been leaning casually on his
silver-handled walking stick, shifted his weight before answering. “I happen to concur with Miss Allard on this subject, Farren. I have always believed, as did my father, that to be able to read is important, at whatever station in life people find themselves. A man who reads is a better worker, for one thing. Moreover, to be able to read edifying material for oneself can only add to the sense of personal dignity.”

“Indeed, my brother has always supported and promoted education in his village,” Lady Fallbrook put in with a proud smile directed toward her brother.

Julia stared up at the duke, flummoxed that he held an opinion so near to her own on such a controversial subject. It was the last thing she expected to hear him say, and she did not know what to do with this information.

Although she was prepared to admit to herself that she did not think as badly of the duke as she had before last night, this new knowledge did not meld with her opinion of him as completely selfish.

“You certainly have a point, Your Grace. I shall be giving the matter some more thought,” Clive stated, attempting to retreat from his previous stance with some dignity.

Julia continued to look at the duke, her luminous gray eyes revealing more of her confusion than she would have liked.

“Well, now that we have had a good dose of intellectual conversation, shall we take a turn along the river’s edge?”

It was apparent that Lady Fallbrook’s question was meant for the group, and with general agreement, they all turned toward the River Avon. After sending Julia what could only be interpreted as an encouraging smile, Mariah moved to Caro’s side.

A gentle breeze whipped frothy caps on the choppy waves, and although Julia kept her eyes on
the river, she was aware that the duke had moved to her side.

Julia was also aware that the others were already a few steps ahead, but she made no move to catch up. She felt the heat of a blush rise to her cheeks as she recalled how close he held her last eve.

“I confess, Miss Allard, your opinion on the subject of education surprises me. I thought fashionable young ladies occupied themselves with the pianoforte and needlework.” His laconic tone held a hint of amusement.

“And I thought dukes only occupied themselves with gambling and the fit of their coats.” The smile she sent him belied her arch tone.

“Perhaps we both are wrong in certain assumptions we hold.”

Something in the seriousness of his deep voice stilled her smile, and she found it difficult to pull her gaze from his dark eyes.

“Mayhap,” she found herself whispering back.

A jolt of instinctive panic shot through her body. This would not do! She could not let one, and surely lone, positive attribute color what she knew to be true. Just because he agreed with her on a subject dear to her heart did not detract from how dissolute and immoral she knew him to be. No, this one good aspect of his character could not change her opinion. Yet, alarm fluttered through her heart, for she suddenly realized that she was finding it increasingly difficult to hold on to her hatred of him.

This would not do, she thought again, giving herself a mental shake. She reminded herself that he was everything she disliked in a man—arrogant, insufferable, and selfish.

Pulling her gaze from his, she struggled for a light tone. “I must confess that you have found me out, Your Grace. I care for little else but playing the
pianoforte, and I enjoy the more artistic aspects of embroidery.” She hoped this would dispel the sudden feeling of intimacy that had tethered her to him in the last few minutes.

Cutting a sideways glance, she saw his dark brows draw together as he sent her a slanting glance.

“Doing it a bit too brown, Miss Allard. A little late in the day to try to appear the shallow miss. I know better. Although, I have no idea why you would desire to give me a distorted impression of your character.”