“I’m not exactly sure what I think, but here’s what I know. Drake has always chosen everything from his financial investments to his dance partners with great care, and the fact he’s dancing with you means either he’s dancing with you because you’re his wife and he’s obligated to, which I doubt, or because he trusts you, whether he realizes it or not.”
Juliet glanced around the room. Caroline made no sense. Of course Drake trusted her. He wouldn’t leave his three daughters with just anyone, for goodness’ sake. Even Mrs. Jenkins, as unsuitable as she was, was someone he’d known and trusted to some degree. Perhaps that was the real reason he hadn’t found a replacement for her sooner.
“Is something troubling you, Juliet?” Drake asked, scaring the wits out of her.
She fidgeted with the fur on the edge of her glove.“Did Emma go home?” she asked, feigning normalcy.
“Yes.” He extended his hand to her. “Care to dance again?”
Her eyes widened. “Of course.” She placed her hand in his, and let him lead her out to the floor.
Heart threatening to beat out of her chest, Juliet blocked out everything else in the room. She locked eyes with her husband and let herself get lost in the boneless sensation overtaking her as he danced her around the floor making time cease to matter.
Chapter 16
Patrick’s gaze held Juliet’s almost as firmly as his hands physically held her as he moved her around the floor. Everything around them faded. The people, the music, even the room itself seemed to disappear. The only thing that existed was the two of them, and he didn’t want the moment to ever end.
But eventually it must.
He pulled his wife close one final time, then with measured skill he’d gone to great lengths to master, he leaned her backward in a low sweep that signaled the grand finishing of their dance.
He smiled down at her.
She remained motionless, staring back up at him.
He waited just a moment longer then brought her back to standing position. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Yes,” she whispered, looking around the room.
“They’re gone,” he said, then forced a cough to cover up the surprise in his voice. He offered Juliet his arm and reached his free hand into the pocket that held his watch. Just what time was it? And more importantly, when had everyone left them alone?
“Has everyone left?” Juliet asked quietly, her hand tightening.
He dropped his watch back into his pocket, forgotten; and reached his right hand across his chest to cover Juliet’s tight grip on his arm. “I don’t think they actually left. They’re all Lord Watson’s cousins so I imagine they’re all still here, just asleep in the guest wing.”
“Just so,” Lord Watson agreed, walking down the hall toward them. He carried with him a lit five candle candelabra. “You two are welcome to stay, too.”
Patrick’s face heated. It must be quite late if Watson was offering them a place to stay. He glanced at Juliet. She was standing unusually close to him. Best to take her home and spare her any discomfort. Of course Caroline was her friend, but Juliet’s earlier confession about her past with Watson might make her feel uncomfortable in his home. He squeezed Juliet’s hand. Perhaps if she knew of Caroline’s long ago, unrequited tendre she’d not feel so out of place. If he didn’t think it would embarrass Caroline, he’d tell Juliet. He started. Why did he care so much? He knew why he didn’t wish to say something to embarrass Caroline, he considered her a good friend. But why was he trying to make Juliet feel more at ease?
“What’ll it be, Drakely?” Watson asked.
Patrick cleared his throat. “I thank you for your generous offer, but I think we’ll go home tonight,Watson.”
The baron gave a curt nod, led them down the hall, and waited with them while Cruxley brought the carriage ‘round.
“You’re more than welcome to stay,” Watson offered again. He looked to Juliet and flashed her a friendly smile. “I promise not to bore you with endless science talk, Juliet.”
Patrick couldn’t explain why, but he stiffened at Watson’s informal tone and use of Juliet’s Christian name. “We are quite certain, Watson,” he said somewhat coldly.
Juliet’s grey eyes skewered him, and he ignored her. “Thank you,” she murmured as Patrick handed her into the carriage.
After having a quick word with Cruxley in which he threatened the man’s job, and perhaps said a thing or two to allude to the man’s life in general, Patrick climbed up into the carriage and sat next to Juliet, her pretty green gown be damned.