The Heart of a Duke(45)

He caught her hand and raised it to his lips, his eyes shining into hers. “My lovely fiancée, it has been too long. I had forgotten how beautiful you are, and how fortunate I am.” He pressed his lips to her gloved hand. “I am so glad you are here to remind me.”

It was disconcerting to see this mirror image of Daniel, yet with subtle differences. Like looking through an altered reflection of him.

Edmund was heavier set and thicker in the neck. His hair was the same rich dark brown, but worn slightly shorter, and he stared at her with Daniel’s beautiful, moss green eyes. His black jacket and waistcoat were pristine, no foppish pins marring his muslin cravat. He looked every inch the regal duke, and she found herself responding to the title, rather than the man. “Welcome home, Your Grace.”

He arched a brow. “Your Grace, is it? I have clearly been remiss in my affections if we have returned to formalities. Please, it is Edmund, and now you have something to remember.”

“Edmund.” She smiled, feeling the familiar jump in her pulse rate, and was glad of it.

He greeted her sister. “Emily, it is an honor to have you joining us and looking as lovely as always.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Emily replied, dropping into a curtsy.

“And where is your father? Ah, here is the earl now. Taunton, welcome to my humble estate.” Edmund dipped in another bow.

“Hmph,” her father grunted. “Nothing humble about you, Edmund. Never has been. I was admiring the odd statue on your front portico. It has two heads.”

Edmund looked pleased. “You had the honor of meeting Janus, the god of new beginnings. He usually stands sentry at doorways and gates. Two headed so he can look to the future and past. I carried him home from Rome in the hopes that he will keep an eye on mine.” His eyes strayed to Julia, his voice like a soft caress. “Particularly my future, as I have bright hopes for it.”

Her eyes widened. Wait until she told Daniel that.

She shook her head at the stray thought. Janus would have to look out for Daniel, for he was firmly in her past.

Her father looked wary. “I cannot boast to knowing much about Roman gods, but I cannot say I trust one with two heads. I like to meet a man eye-to-eye, and how am I suppose to do that if he has four of them?”

“Fair point, sir. I had not considered that, but will do so.” Edmund’s response was solemn, but Julia caught the slight twitch to his lips.

“While you contemplate the matter, I see the Belhams over there,” Emily intervened. “Why don’t we say hello to them. Father? You enjoy Lord Belham, don’t you?”

“I do, he has a fine stable. Should have one, considering he filled it with half of Tanner’s prime stock. Bought a mare I had my eye on,” he grumbled.

“All the more reason to speak to him. Perhaps you can persuade him to sell.” Emily glanced at Julia, sharing a discreet eye roll with her. “Your Grace.” She curtsied, looped her arm through their father’s, and led him away.

“I apologize for any aspersions my father cast on your new acquisition,” Julia said.

“No apologies needed. He gave me something to mull over when the vicar is droning on and I run out of daydreaming material.” He grinned. “Now then, I have been remiss as a host. We must get you some punch and catch up where we left off the last time we were together. As I said, it has been too long.”

And whose fault is that? Julia’s smile wavered as the annoying voice piped up.

Edmund lifted his arm, and she curled hers through it. The thick, masculine strength of it reminded her of another, and she bit her lip. She forced her attention to Edmund, who was speaking.

“You look worried. Don’t. I promise you, Janus will be fine. He is sculpted of granite, so his hide better withstand the elements as well as a few verbal slings, or I will have paid a fortune for a fake.”

He was charming and witty, her Beautiful Bedford. “Now that will be a true misfortune, for it would be twofold, being an attack on both your pride and your purse.”

Edmund laughed. “Too true.”

At the sound of his laughter, heads turned their way. Like Janus, everyone had too many eyes and they all were locked on her. Since her engagement, a hum of voices followed her, like a tune the orchestra played upon her entrance. It was always the same melody, with the same snippets of gossip. Thus Julia was able to ignore their audience.

At the refreshment table, sterling silver trays were loaded with crystal goblets, and in the center of the table sat an enormous crystal bowl of ruby-colored punch. Sundry fruits bobbed like buoys over its surface.

Edmund filled a glass, handing it to her. “Alas there is no liquor in it, but I am sure we will have no need of it this evening.” His eyes dipped to hers and lingered as he sipped.