The Infamous Bride (5 page)

Hero, who had been watching Miranda and obviously drawing her own conclusions as to the nature of the offense to Juliet, said softly, "You must admit it is hardly flattering to be used as a means of revenge."

She glared at them both in frustration, although the only sign she allowed to show was the rapid waving of the fan she held beneath her chin. "I did nothing of the sort."

"No?"

"He is not a true friend to Pendrake. If he were, he would let me speak to him." She remembered, now that she had vented her fury at the odious man, what he had divulged about the gossip surrounding Pendrake. "You will never guess what he knew about Pendrake's engagement."

"What?" There was a wary look in her sister's eye, but Juliet paid it no mind.

"It is a tragedy that must be righted at once. He does not love her." She added triumphantly, "Pendrake is marrying just out of family obligation."

"Juliet — " Hero began warningly.

"Just as Arthur almost did, Hero." She had no interest in hearing her most cautious, careful, boring sister lecture her on not letting emotion run away with her reason.

"You cannot know that." Both her sisters evinced identical expressions of astonishment.

But she was certain despite their doubt. "I feel it in my heart. He truly wanted to ask me, but his horrid family is forcing him to go against his desire. Isn't it terrible? We must do something."

Miranda pulled her own fan out and began nervously tapping it against her chin as she glanced about the room to see that no one else had heard the pronouncement. "There is nothing to be done. He is already engaged, Juliet. Surely you would not want him to cause a scandal by crying off."

Juliet didn't like the thought of a scandal. But if it were just a little one.... "Valentine and Emily survived their scandal. I'm certain Pendrake and I — "

Her eldest sister's expression was at its most severe. Apparently even Miranda's penchant for happy endings did not warrant averting this tragedy. The fan at her chin made a tiny clicking noise with each emphatic tap as she spoke, "They are happy in the country with their children, fortunately for the pair of them."

"Exactly. James and Edward are wonderful babies. I doubt Valentine and Emily miss London at all." Juliet had seen this incomprehensible happiness demonstrated by her brother and his wife whenever she went home to Anderlin for a visit, so she knew she spoke the truth even if she couldn't fathom how anyone could fail to be bored bloodless in the countryside.

Miranda continued her lecture relentlessly. "However, I would not want to be Emily and have to endure the snubs she must face whenever she comes to town. Would you truly want to be put in that position?"

Again, Juliet put the unpleasant thought from her quickly. "That is because she not only broke her engagement, but she eloped with Valentine before she had properly informed the marquis. And I suppose many hold it against her that she affianced herself to the marquis when he was such an evil man. Pendrake is not evil."

"Neither is Elizabeth Forsdyke."

There was that. If Pendrake were to follow his heart and marry Juliet, there would be no way to avoid harming Elizabeth. "I shall find someone else to marry her. She would not want a man who does not want her. No self-respecting woman would want that."

Hero raised an eyebrow at that. "Isn't that what you want, Juliet?"

The words stung, but she rejected them immediately. "He never said he did not want me."

"No. But he has made his decision. And his decision was to marry Elizabeth Forsdyke, not you."

Juliet wanted to curl up in a little ball and cry. It was so unfair. Miranda always looked for the happy ending — for everyone else. "What about my happiness? What about Pendrake's happiness? Doesn't that matter?"

"Of course it matters, you goose. But your situation is nothing like Emily's or Hero's. Pendrake was free to make his choice without hindrance. Valentine swore an oath not to marry Emily. And Arthur did not think himself worthy of Hero or he would have asked her no matter what his grandmother had arranged."

Juliet looked at Hero, who was blushing but not denying such an odd statement. How could Arthur have considered himself unworthy of plain, shy Hero? She sucked in a breath in excitement. "Perhaps that is why Pendrake allowed his family to browbeat him so?" It would explain much if that were so. Poor boy. He did not believe himself worthy of her.

"He cannot be allowed such a noble sacrifice."

Juliet's heart melted at the thought. Somehow he must be shown that she wanted a man who truly loved her, as he did. "I must let him know that I am not of the same mind."

Miranda's voice was firm. "No, Juliet. You must not interfere. He did not offer for you, and that is all there is to it."

Hero added softly, with a puzzled expression, "It is not as if you do not have a dozen more suitors willing to lay themselves at your feet if you but give them the word."

"But they do not treat me like he did."

"When did you first feel this?" Hero prodded, "I have not seen you treat him any differently than the other men who pay you court. How many times have you said to choose one man among all your suitors would be impossible — as well as condemn you to a lifetime of boredom?"

When had she known he was different? She could not say. "I had not wanted to make it obvious until he spoke."

"Why would you not tell us?" Miranda was watching her closely, with the penetrating look only an older sister could give.

Juliet looked away. She did not want to admit that she had not understood until tonight how much Pendrake meant to her. "These matters are tender, as you both know." She could see that that argument swayed her sisters to begin to believe her. "You would have merely teased me that I would yet break another heart."

"I am sorry," Hero said quietly in sympathy. "I had not realized you held any more affection for Lord Pendrake than you felt for the others who called upon you."

"Well, I did not like to announce it in case he did not return my feelings." She quickly brushed aside the thought that he had professed himself several times and she had only teased him for it. "And I have never encouraged any of those men who come around," she protested. "I just seem to be the kind of woman who men like to call upon."

Miranda looked across the ballroom. "With the exception of Mr. Hopkins, apparently. One man you have failed to charm."

"He must be a rock," Hero teased.

Juliet glanced over to see that the American was in earnest conversation with his sister. He chanced to glance her way, and their gazes caught for a moment. She felt a distinct chill down her spine.

She shifted her attention back to her sisters, dismissing the thought of Mr. Hopkins. "He is a man, and it would be easy enough to turn his head." She didn't know why it was true, but she knew it was. Men enjoyed her company, and she enjoyed theirs as long as there was no demand beyond a playful flirtation. He would be no different once she found a way past his stony facade.

Sadly, as she mentally reviewed the men who had courted her, she realized that there had been none of the richer, soul-deep communication her sisters shared with their husbands. She craved that connection. Somehow, though, she had believed she was not clever or good enough to deserve a love so deep.

Now, in retrospect, she knew that she and Pendrake had shared that communion of souls. Not in words, of course, but in the silences between them. And thanks to people like Mr. Hopkins, who thought only of practical matters, that connection could be lost forever. It fell to her to counter those who would counsel a man to take a wife as practical as a button that actually fastened, up to her to convince her true love that they were meant to be.

"I believe turning Mr. Hopkins's heart soft would be beyond even your formidable charms," Miranda said with a soft laugh.

Juliet frowned at her sister. Who cared about Mr. Hopkins when Pendrake might be lost to her forever? She thought again of the rude American who had dared to chide her. "I could have him at my feet inside a month if I wished it."

Hero glanced over at the Hopkinses, brother and sister, where they stood, heads together in a heated conversation. "Then I suppose we are all fortunate that you do not wish it."

Juliet would have made a scathing retort except that Lucius Fairmount approached her for the next dance. Within a moment, she was swept away into the midst of the other dancers.

The rest of the evening passed miserably. Although she danced every dance that she wished to and was brought in to supper by a handsome and entertaining young gentleman, Juliet had no more opportunity to speak to Pendrake.

Catching sight of a knot of young women who glanced at her and giggled, Juliet determined that she would behave more circumspectly until she had won back her true love. No doubt the gossip involved her time in the alcove with Mr. Hopkins. It was unfortunate that she had to suffer for what had been a fruitless attempt to communicate with Pendrake.

She shrugged the thought away. The gossip would pass quickly if she gave no more fuel to it. And she had no reason to speak to Mr. Hopkins ever again. He had made it plain he would not help her win Pendrake back even if it meant his friend would be forced to marry a woman he did not love and live in a cold and unhappy home forevermore.

She frowned at the horrible thought. No. She had no more use for the American. His sister, however, might be willing to advance the cause of true love.

In the carriage, as they traveled home, Juliet looked to where Miranda sat, swallowed by the shadows. "We must have Miss Hopkins to tea tomorrow."

Her sister did not answer her immediately, and when she did, it was in a voice heavy with worry. "Whatever for? The girl is only here for a husband. We have no eligible men left in our family now that Valentine and Arthur are married."

Hero interjected with sleepy amusement, "Perhaps she means to give away those suitors she no longer wants to the American."

"What is so odd about my wishing to invite a young woman to tea?"

"You have never done it before. I suppose that is what makes me question you."

Juliet blew out an impatient breath. "Only because I have not found any who might be congenial before."

"And you find Miss Hopkins congenial?" Miranda's voice held a tinge of astonishment. "You did not spend above five minutes in her company tonight."

"It was enough time, I assure you." The girl was a breath of fresh air, if the truth must be told. She was not so versed in the etiquette required of a young woman and therefore had not been judgmental of the way Juliet bent the rules of social nicety. "I find her delightful."

"Are you certain it is not her brother you wish to invite?" Miranda asked.

"It could not be Mr. Hopkins," Hero said with a laugh. "After all, he is an American barbarian. Juliet would not want to deal with him again if she could help it."

"I certainly would not." Juliet's sentiments were heartfelt. If she never saw Mr. Hopkins again, she would not be sorry. "However, despite her odious brother, she herself is quite charming." And she would no doubt be less shy about revealing the source of the gossip that had Pendrake at its center.

"I imagine that Mrs. Hopkins would be delighted to receive an invitation from us. I confess I am curious to hear about the northern part of America. Simon's mother has not traveled from the southern region, although she professes a desire to do so once her daughter is older. I will invite Miss Hopkins."

"Excellent. Thank you." Juliet sat up against the plush of the carriage seat, buoyed by excitement despite her evening of music and dance.

Miranda added, "But Juliet, I expect you to be kind to her, since we are inviting her at your express whim."

"I shall treat her like a sister."

"Oh, dear, then she will run away and never visit us again." Hero laughed. Miranda joined her.

Juliet did not find her sister's joke at all amusing. She consoled herself with the thought that tomorrow she would be able to enlist help to win Pendrake back.

Unfortunately, Miss Hopkins declined the invitation to tea. And the invitation to ride that was sent the next day. A supper set up especially to entice her into the household also garnered only her regrets. Juliet began to think that fate might be against her this time.

* * * * *

"Why can I not go?"

"Because your mother does not wish it."

Susannah was furious. "Mama is being quite unreasonable. I found the duchess and her sisters to be quite amusing. Especially the youngest of them, Miss Juliet."

"No doubt you did," R.J. said dryly. "I advise you to be grateful not to have to compete with Miss Fenster for eligible beaux."

"I do not mind." Susannah looked at him solemnly. "You know that I do not wish to marry an English lord."

He touched her cheek briefly in sympathy. "I suspected as much. But your mother has her heart set on it, so I do not think you will escape your fate."

"Do not joke with me." She brushed his hand away impatiently, and he was forcibly reminded that she was no longer a child. "I have no intention to marry here. I want to live in Boston, not London. Mother does not understand." She looked at him searchingly and then sighed. "But I think you do."

"I can understand." He could even remember when he had been as young as she and had thought there might be some way to break from the future so carefully planned for him. "However, withstanding Annabel is a feat I do not think we can perform, even together."

"R.J. — " She hesitated and then shook her head.

He had the sense that she might fly away at any moment.

He asked in sympathy, "Is there not one young lord who meets your standards?"

She met his gaze with her own, and he was uncomfortably aware of the force of her objection. "Not one."

"Is there someone at home who has your heart?" He wished the question back. He did not want to know.

Fortunately, she shook her head. "No."

Wisely, he refrained from reminding her again that no matter how strong her will, against her mother she was not likely to prevail. He said lightly, "I think you search as diligently as I."