True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (2 page)

She withdrew the letter and scanned it once more, the words already branded in her mind. Gritting her teeth, she tore away from the tree and ran into the thicket, heading anywhere her feet took her. Low hanging branches brushed against her hair, pulling strands out of the tight bun she’d coiled this morning. She didn’t care.

On several occasions, she’d pleaded with her father to let her choose the man she wanted to marry, secretly knowing this would never happen. Apparently, he’d allowed his meddlesome wife, Constance, to sway his love for Juliana. Why else would he force her to marry?

She took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back. Before her father and stepmother ruined her life, Juliana had to take control. If only she could lie to her father and say she was already married. She’d tell him it had been a
hasty
marriage, and let him think what he would from that.

She sighed and kicked some dirt loose from a stump. Unfortunately, her father would demand proof. He’d either have to see the husband in question or the marriage certificate. Knowing her father, he’d want both.

What were the chances she could forge the certificate? Wilbur mentioned once that his cousin was underhanded and had a criminal mind. Would he do something like this for a fee?

And what about the man who would pose as her husband?

Moving forward, she dragged her feet in the dirt as she unscrambled the ideas in her mind.
A mock wedding?
It could happen. Especially if Wilbur’s friend could fake a clergyman’s signature...and if they could find a man she could pay to do the deed. He’d have to be the kind who could be bought and had a sordid past.

What other choice did she have? She’d have to enlist Wilbur and his corrupt friends to assist her.

Stress lifted from her chest. She grinned and stuffed the letter back in her skirt. Suddenly, all around her, nature’s afternoon sounds became clearer. Birds sang a happier tune as a gentle wind fluttered through the trees. Bees buzzed in unison around honeycombs and flowers. Even the water from the nearby pond splashed with merriment.

She scrunched her forehead.
Water splashing by
itself
?
Not likely.

Stepping toward the sound, she tried not to make too much noise even as the fallen leaves and twigs crunched beneath her feet as she made her way to the pond. As she inched closer, a form emerged from the water. She feasted her eyes on a man’s bare back and head.

Juliana caught her breath, stepped behind a tree and peeked around the large trunk. Who was he, and did he know he trespassed on private grounds?

Built broader than any man she’d ever seen, his shoulders appeared as if they’d been sculpted by the Gods themselves; hard, yet smooth. He pushed back his dark brown, wet hair, flipping the long length across his head. The bulk landed on his shoulders as water dripped down his bare back.

Was he dangerous? Perhaps he was from one of the neighboring estates and didn’t know where the boundaries were. Nevertheless, Juliana must tell him he was on private land.

She gazed across his muscular back to his lean waist. She pressed her lips together to keep from making a sound. Never had she seen so much skin on a man. This was so improper, but heaven help her, she couldn’t stop staring!

Nevertheless, Juliana must tell him he was on private land whether it was proper or not. Of course, she rarely followed society’s rules, especially when
Grandmama
wasn’t nearby.

Juliana took a deep breath, lifted her shoulders and walked around the tree. The man cupped his hands in the water and splashed his face. Her nervous heart skipped a beat.

She cleared her throat and he jerked toward her. The view from where she stood was better than from behind the tree. His muscles were more pronounced.

She sucked in a quick breath.
Oh my.
Very handsome, if she dared admit.

With wide eyes, he sank lower in the water, but not as low as she would have liked. Still, too much of his skin showed, making her highly conscious of his physique. She could
not
let him see him how unnerved he made her feel. She was above displaying that much emotion in front of others.

“Forgive me for intruding upon your bath,” she began in an unsteady voice, “but did you know you are trespassing?”

He wiped the moisture coating his face.
“Nay.”

“Do you know where you are, then?” She arched a brow.
 

His gaze moved over her slowly.
“
Och
.
I’m standing by a pool of water, refreshing
m’self
on this
verra
hot day.”

Heat rose up her neck to her cheeks. She really shouldn’t have interrupted his bath.
But still…
He couldn’t be here. She hated to admit it, but she really enjoyed his smooth, Scottish accent. “As it is, this is private land.”

He shrugged. “Ye must forgive me if I sound confused, but I’m no’
trespassin
’.”

“Since I’ve never set eyes on you until now, I beg to differ.”

“This is the Wentworth estate, and I’m a stable hand.”

“You, sir, are not. I have met everyone who works here.”

“Aye, Miss. I’ve just started employment, I have.”

Twisting her hands against her stomach, she nodded. Her breathing calmed only slightly. “Ah, then that would be the reason I’ve never seen you before.”

“And who are ye?” He rubbed his eyes. “Besides a vision the good Lord has seen to bless me eyes with today?”

Juliana throat dried. He was definitely flirting, but she wouldn’t allow herself to be affected.

She straightened her shoulders. “I’m Lady Wentworth’s granddaughter, Miss Juliana Beaumont.”

Blowing out a gush of air, he nodded. “Tis a pleasure tae make
yer
acquaintance, Juliana.”

“That’s
Miss
Juliana to you, sir.”

“
Me
deepest apologies, Miss Juliana, for no’
knowin
’ who
ya
were.” He glanced into the water then looked back at her. “I’d come closer and offer ye the proper
greetin
’, but because of this situation—”

“No.” She held up a hand as heat spread through her face again, hoping she didn’t sound too rude. “I will forgo the formalities right now.”

He smiled. “Thank
ye
for
understandin
’.” He tilted his head slightly. “Is it permissible tae bathe in this pond?”

“I’m not certain.” She chuckled. “I don’t know the activities of my grandmother’s servants.” She took a step back. “Once again, please forgive me for intruding upon your privacy.”

“I hope tae see ye about the estate.”

“That you probably will.
Good day.” She clutched her skirt and hustled into the woods, her cheeks still burning.

Men! Was it any wonder she didn’t want them in her life? And what an arrogant, bold man he was.
And what muscles…
But she knew very well muscular men usually didn’t have an ounce of sense, and rarely no brains at all. She would never become attracted to someone like him anyway—or attracted to any man, for that matter. Look at the results when her mother had married and tried to produce heirs.

A horrid death.

Putting that memory behind her, Juliana hurried to the estate and ran into the house, breathless.
“Pearl?
Wilbur?”

The rotund maid scampered out of a room holding a dusting rag, her graying brown curls bouncing in rhythm to her quick steps. “What is it, lass?”

Juliana grabbed Pearl’s hands, knocking the rag to the floor. “We have no time to lose. Pack my things, immediately.”

“But, why?”

“We will be leaving for England...as soon as Wilbur finds me a man.”

The maid’s eyes widened, her face growing pale. “
What
?”

“I have no doubt Wilbur will find me a man before we leave.”

Tears misted in the Scottish woman’s eyes and she blinked. “Do ye know what
yer
sayin
’, lass? Do ye know what this means?”

“Yes. I know it’s not proper, and if anyone discovers my treachery I will become an outcast to society.”

“
Ohhh
, the Lord will surely strike
ye
down this time, Miss Juliana. Ye can only push Him so far...”

Juliana squeezed Pearl’s fingers. “Nobody will know but us...and the man I hire to pose as my husband, of course. The Lord won’t strike me down, I assure you. I’ve done worse things in my life than this.”
At least I hope I have.

Pearl uttered some Scottish curse under her breath—words Juliana had heard before but didn’t quite understand.

“I have no choice. Don’t you see?” Juliana shrugged. “I cannot let
Grandmama’s
estate fall into the hands of men like Mr. Melville. If lying to get my inheritance is the only way, then I’ll do it. I need Wilbur’s help, though.”

The middle-aged maid nodded. “
Don‘cha
worry, lass, Wilbur loves
ya
like his own daughter, he does, and he’ll find ye a man if that’s what ye want.”

Scuffling of boots on the marbled floor drew her attention down the hallway. Wilbur skidded to a halt beside her, his frail body teetering as he regained his balance. “Ye called, Mistress?”

“Yes. I need your help...and the help of your devious cousin.” She arched a brow, hoping he’d get the hint.

He hitched a breath and his jaw dropped, leaving a big gape in his mouth.

“Wilbur, we don’t have much time,” she continued. “I need you to help me find a man who will masquerade as my husband. And I need your cousin to forge the marriage document.”

He glanced at Pearl with wide eyes. “Is she in her right mind?”

“That she is, Wilbur.”

He met Juliana’s gaze.
“Aye.
Then I’ll find
ye
someone.”

He turned to leave, but she grasped his jacket sleeve. “I think I know where you’ll be looking, but please don’t get someone too...um...appalling. I must present him to my father looking like a gentleman in order for everyone to believe.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “I
would’na
be doing that to me favorite lass.” He tapped his knuckles under her chin and winked. “I’ll find someone worthy of
ye
; someone I won’t have to worry about
hurtin
’ ye in any way.”

She offered an unsettled smile. “Thank you, Wilbur.”

He hurried out the side door as fast as his lanky legs would carry him.

Juliana scampered up to her room with Pearl close on her heels. Pointing to the things Juliana wanted packed, she gave orders until she was out of breath. Her heartbeat hammered in a frantic rhythm as she wrung her hands against her stomach.

This had to work. She couldn’t fail.

“Pearl?”

“Yes,
me
dear.”

“
Grandmama
cannot know what I’m doing. Her heart will stop working for certain.”

The round-faced woman looked up at her and smiled.
“Aye, dear.
Wilbur and I will keep it a secret.”

Juliana let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose I can be grateful
Grandmama
doesn’t like my father and refuses to speak to him. If Father ever let on about my marriage...”