Emily Hendrickson (9 page)

Alexander wandered off to the house, knowing full well that the chap was far too timid to do anything untoward while Alexander was in residence. He didn’t know why he felt so fiercely possessive regarding Juliet, but he did. Perhaps it was because he knew there was likely but one conclusion to this farce, regardless of Juliet’s talk of going on the stage or any other proffered solution.

He settled on a chair, prepared to wait for Juliet to come back to the house, as he suspected she would before long. They needed to discuss what was to be done regarding the possibility of Taunton’s appearance in the little village. There would be slight chance that Taunton would not see Juliet.

What the likelihood might be of convincing Taunton that there was a marriage was something else. Alexander would have to persuade Juliet that drastic measures might be necessary.

He found he was proven right about Juliet within twenty minutes.

“There you are; I have been searching for you,” she said brightly when she paused in the doorway. She glanced back in the hall, gave an order to Mrs. Bassett, then walked close to where Alexander sat. “We had best find someplace to talk where we cannot easily be overheard,” she murmured.

“Whatever you think,” Alexander replied, rising swiftly from his chair. “This room is obviously not good—the library, perhaps?”

“The maid is cleaning the windows. Perhaps upstairs? My bedroom?” she asked casually while blushing a delightful pink.

For an answer, he took her arm to guide her to where the stairs curved upward. The entry was devoid of activity, and chances were they could reach Juliet’s room without detection if they hurried. He led a brisk pace up the steps, then along the hall to her room. It was empty.

“Mr. Taunton’s death presents complications,” Juliet began once the door was safely shut behind them. “If there is any money involved, I feel sure that Robert Taunton will be here as soon as may be.”

“No doubt you have the right of it,” Alexander replied slowly. “Can you convince him you have married in such a rush, without your brother’s permission, or your father’s for that matter?”

“With Papa in Russia, that is a moot point, but surely he would think a viscount preferable to a mere baron?” Juliet said with a decided twinkle in her eyes. “Besides, I am one and twenty, so I am my own mistress, so to speak. Marius had thought to see me wed before then, and he missed.”

“You had a birthday after you came here?”

She looked self-conscious and nodded. “Indeed, it was the day after you arrived. We never have made much of birthdays, particularly after Mama died. With Papa gone, it was just Miss Pritchard and I to eat a piece of cake. Since she is not here, it scarcely seemed worth mentioning. Indeed, I quite forgot about it.”

“I see.” Alexander took a turn about the room, not believing that last bit. He’d not known birthday parties or the like, but he thought a pretty little thing such as Juliet should have had more than her governess and a cake. And that she would forget the date also seemed unlikely. Women were always more sentimental about such things, he’d found.

“I shall do my best to convince Lord Taunton, you may be sure,” she continued. “Although
...
I do not know what he could do about it even if he doesn’t believe me. He can scarcely cart me off like a lost parcel, or could he?” Juliet’s eyes looked worried, and Alexander crossed to give her a comforting pat on her shoulder.

“You appear to have satisfied everyone so far. Indeed, there are moments—such as over the dinner table—that I am almost persuaded myself.” He grinned down at her earnest face, then added, “I find I must go to Salisbury, and the sooner I go the better. I shall return shortly, you may rest certain on that score.”

“Contrary to what you may think, I am resigned to your company, for I see it is necessary now.” Juliet avoided meeting his gaze, crossing over to the window seat, where she settled before looking at him.

Alexander gave her a most thoughtful stare, then went through to his bedroom to prepare for a fast drive to Salisbury. He wished he had his stallion here, but the lack of a speedy horse could not be helped. His curricle would have to do for the trip. He made certain he had enough money and the letter of credit Mr. Small had given him should it prove desirable, then he soon ran down the stairs and out to the stables. Within thirty minutes he was gone.

Juliet watched the dust slowly settle back to the lane after the curricle had disappeared. The tension slowly ebbed from her shoulders, and she relaxed against the window surround to contemplate what was to be done.

That Lord Taunton would show in Woodbury she had little doubt. However, she had great confidence that she, together with Lord Hawkswood, could manage to convince the man that they were indeed wed. As to the details, she had meant to ask Alexander when and where they had been “married,” for she hadn’t a clue what to say to that question should anyone ask. When he returned from Salisbury, she would tax him with that little matter, and then perhaps she could rest easier.

But Alexander did not return to Woodbury that evening. Juliet wandered distractedly about the drawing room, plucking halfheartedly at the harp, picking out a melody on the clavichord. She requested dinner be delayed until Mrs. Bassett kindly suggested that it would be spoilt if she did not eat it. It was a lonely meal. She wondered what he might be about in that city and tried to picture him there, for she had paused in Salisbury on her flight for her freedom from Marius and Lord Taunton.

He would be at the finest inn, she suspected, dining well and enjoying fine wines. Perhaps he sought to replenish the cellar at Hawkswood Manor? Or maybe he had another reason? Like a woman? A sharp pang shot through her at the very notion of Alexander with another woman. She’d be beautiful, no doubt. He’d not tolerate mediocrity in anything. Why this idea should upset her so very much she chose not to examine too closely.

Then again, he may have encountered a friend or two and remained to enjoy their company. She and Alexander had been a trifle confined here, and she could understand his pleasure in other company. She resolved to do something about that.

* * * *

At Salisbury Alexander checked the list he had made, worriedly rubbing his chin as he considered what remained to be done. He ought to have thought to tell Juliet he would be gone overnight, but he was not accustomed to giving an account of his time to anyone, never mind that he had become used to her company. And truth to tell, he had hoped to complete his business in the town much more quickly than he had. It was frustrating to deal with strangers who did not know his tastes.

The ring had proven the most difficult. At last he had found a setting that pleased him, and a yellow diamond that had the proper brilliance and perfect cut. He felt it would complement Juliet’s unusual coloring. Otherwise, he had bought wines, a pretty fan he wanted as a belated birthday gift for her, and a few other necessities for himself.

He missed her. He turned in early, determined to pick up the ring as soon as it was ready, then head back to Woodbury at a goodly clip. Not that he would tell her he’d missed her. Oddly enough, he, who had the admiration of a good many women in Society, was unsure of precisely where he stood with his pretend wife.

* * * *

Juliet woke feeling that something was wrong. She stared up at the golden fabric over her head until she remembered. Alexander had not come home last evening. He had stayed in Salisbury for unknown reasons, and she had missed him dreadfully, going to bed at an early hour, right after her dinner. A dreary evening alone was not to be contemplated. Alexander was most amusing, and she had enjoyed their music making very much. His playing was improving, what with a bit of practice. Juliet had guessed he was not given to playing much while in London.

Pansy brought in chocolate and rolls, her thoughts plain on her face.

“Good morning,” Juliet offered. “I believe I’ll wear my yellow dress this morning.” Juliet hoped that Alexander was not as tired of her gowns as she was. But then none of the few men she had known had ever paid the least attention to what she wore, and there was little reason to think Alexander was otherwise.

“Indeed, my lady,” Pansy said with a sniff.

For the first time Juliet eyed her maid with less than charity.

“I understand there is a very capable young woman in Wood-bury who is aching to become a lady’s maid.”

Pansy’s head shot round, and she gave her mistress an uncertain look. “Indeed?” the maid replied carefully.

“Remember that, if you please, should you contemplate expressing any thoughts likely to be displeasing to me.”

Juliet dressed slowly, then allowed a very subdued Pansy to dress her hair, placing a wisp of a cap atop her chestnut curls when done.

Leaving her maid to consider what had been implied, Juliet went down to a lonely breakfast. Odd, how one could become accustomed to a voice, a face, a person.

Following her light meal, she settled herself with a piece of needlepoint until she realized that she was short a particular color. “Oh, bother,” she exclaimed, thinking she had best go to the village to see if she might find more of the same yarn.

It took but a few minutes to don a pretty little chip straw bonnet, tie its ribands under her chin, then take off in the direction of the village shop that sold practically everything one would want in basic necessities.

She was delighted to find yarn to precisely match the snippet she’d brought with her. After exchanging pleasantries with the shopkeeper, she left to begin her walk back to Hawkswood Manor when she caught sight of a traveling coach entering the village. No coward she, she remained where she stood, waiting to see if the worst proved true.

The children of the village came tumbling forth from various cottages, agog at the sight of a grand traveling carriage with a crest on the door panels. Dogs barked, women paused in their activities, and the innkeeper came to the door of his establishment to see what all the fuss was about.

The coach drew to a halt, and when the door opened, Juliet was dismayed to see not Lord Taunton, but Marius! He stepped down, then said something to another person within. In moments Lord Taunton joined Marius to stand looking about the village with scornful gazes.

Juliet wished she had prudently ignored the lack of yarn, that she’d not paused to chat with the shopkeeper, and that she was at home in her garden. Marius, of all people, and with Alexander gone to Salisbury!

She might as well get the worst over with and greet Marius, thus perhaps securing an advantage over her stepbrother, at least for the nonce. Juliet courageously advanced.

“What a surprise, Marius. I scarcely expected to see you in Woodbury.” Her words had the effect of a quiet bomb.

He whirled about and stared openmouthed at his stepsister.

“I daresay when you journeyed with Lord Taunton to survey his inheritance, you didn’t think to see me.”

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, taking several threatening steps toward her before realizing a great many of the village inhabitants were his audience.

“Once you have located the Taunton home, perhaps you will wish to visit with me at mine?” she said with a demure smile, holding her small package before her like a shield.

“What do you mean—yours?” he inquired nastily. “We never owned any property in this godforsaken village.”

“I know,” she agreed sweetly while edging away from him and his friend. “My husband does. Ask anyone how to reach Hawkswood Manor when you are ready to see me,” Juliet said, then hurried off in the direction of her home without seeming to speed in the slightest.

Marius was so astounded at her last remark that he likely couldn’t have chased after her had he thought of it
.

As Juliet rounded the first of the turns in the lane, she heard Lord Taunton demanding to know what the devil was going on. Juliet grimly smiled as she considered how Marius would explain this to Lord Taunton.

Fairly running to the house, she dashed up the stairs to her room, and once safely there, tossed her small parcel on her bed, then followed it with her bonnet. “Drat! Double drat! and blast!” she cried. “Lord Taunton, I expected, but not Marius!”

Knowing that she had little time in which to prepare her welcome for the two most unwelcome guests, she informed Mrs. Bassett that it was most likely her stepbrother and his friend would be putting up at the house for a day or so.

“Do not give them the best chambers, or ones close to mine,” she instructed. “Ah, Marius snores dreadfully,” she temporized.

Mrs. Bassett, being nobody’s fool, rightly guessed her mistress did not welcome these guests and set about arranging two guest rooms to suit her ladyship. On one of her trips through the kitchen while carrying fresh linens, she paused to inform Cook to expect company.

“And let us hope that his lordship returns in time, for her ladyship looks almost frightened.”

Cook picked up an iron skillet and hefted it. “We shan’t allow any harm to our lady!”

“No, indeed,” Mrs. Bassett agreed and went on her way.

It was about two hours later that Juliet’s stepbrother and Lord Taunton appeared at the front door of Hawkswood Manor, having inspected the Taunton house. She composed her features, clasped her hands together, and instructed Mrs. Bassett to show the gentlemen to the drawing room.

“My lady, Lords Winterton and Taunton to see you.”

“What, Marius, taking Papa’s title already? I, for one, am not convinced he is departed from us forever.” Juliet stood by the fireplace, taking comfort from the proximity of the iron poker.

Not expecting his stepsister to challenge him on this, Marius looked taken aback. He quickly recovered. “Never mind that, Juliet. What are you doing here, and what is this nonsense about you being married? You are to wed Lord Taunton.”

“But I cannot,” Juliet replied in a sugar-coated voice. “I am already married, you see.” She held up her left hand to show him her simple gold band. “This is the ring that once belonged to the previous Lady Hawkswood.
I
wear it now.”