After hours of pretending to Aunt Sophia, to Lord Rodney, who curiously enough remained firmly attached to her aunt's side, to Lord Edgemont, to Freddie, and to everyone else that she had never spent a happier evening in her life, Juliana had a raging headache. She watched without pleasure as Dora Stanwood demonstrated to the ton that Dominic was hers. He did not seem to be objecting. In fact, he was positively encouraging her advances. No doubt that was the way of notorious rakes.
Forcing herself to look away from where Dominic, his golden head bent, concentrated on something Dora was saying, she tried to focus on Edgemont, who had kindly produced a glass of lemon squash for her. He was the perfect man. A titled widower with children and a home to care for. Just what she had come to town to find. He certainly seemed smitten with her, dancing every dance allowed and taking her down to dinner. He was charming and handsome in a dignified, soldierly way. He had been speaking to her for the last few minutes and she had not the vaguest notion as to what they were discussing. Why didn't he just go away and leave her alone for a few minutes? Would this evening never end?
Late that night, mercifully alone at last, Juliana sat before her mirror in a light shift while she carefully pulled at the narrow turquoise ribbons still threaded through her curls.
Without knocking, Sophia opened the bedchamber door and entered, closing it behind her.
A small half smile curved her mouth as she came forward to the dressing table and sat on the small rosewood chair beside the mirror.
Juliana watched her out of the corner of her eye while continuing to tug at her ribbons. "You certainly look pleased with yourself. I must say I don't blame you. Lord Rodney is charming."
"Yes, he is, my dear. In fact, I have quite made up my mind to marry him this time."
Juliana dropped her hairbrush, and several crystal bottles adorning her dressing table rocked precariously and then tumbled over.
Sophia laughed. "The expression on your face, love, reminds me of young Ben's when Dominic gave him the gold coin for attending to his horses."
"Are you sure, Aunt Sophia?" Juliana leaned back in her chair.
"Of course, I'm sure. Rodney obviously needs me. If he doesn't call a halt soon, his corset won't even be able to contain him."
"Aunt Sophia!"
Her aunt nodded solemnly. "I heard it creak when he sat down. He tried to cover it with a cough but failed." Her lips became a firm line and there was a certain glow in her usually calm eyes, which Juliana knew from past experience did not bode well for Lord Rodney.
"Within six months of my care he will have no need of his corset. Then he will have some semblance of his old looks back. He was once nearly as devastating as Dominic. In fact, I fancied myself in love with Rodney until dear Cornelius arrived in town and literally swept me off my feet."
"Uncle Corny!" Juliana squelched a nearly overwhelming desire to laugh. Uncle Cornelius had looked less like a romantic hero than anyone she had ever seen. Just a bare inch or two taller than her aunt, he had had a slight physique, thin hair, and nearly colorless eyes. Juliana had loved him dearly, but she could hardly credit Aunt Sophia choosing him over someone as dazzling as Dominic.
Her aunt obviously saw the disbelief on her face. "I know it is difficult for you to understand, dear. But sometimes there is a certain attraction between two people that has nothing to do with their looks or their station."
"Remember, I've been in love and married myself," Juliana reminded her gently.
"For exactly eighteen days to a boy who was like a brother to you."
Juliana felt heat rise in her chest. Not only did she possess her father's red hair, but also his temper.
"I assure you that we did not live as brother and sister for the short time we were together! I have very special memories of our marriage," she replied in as angry a voice as she had ever used to her beloved aunt.
"Do you plan to live on those memories for the rest of your life? Because quite frankly they make for rather unsatisfactory bedfellows," Sophia said with a sternness that stung Juliana into replying even more sharply.
"I have said I would find a husband, haven't I?"
"Oh, yes … your lonely widower." Aunt Sophia continued to observe her closely, her voice softening. "Edgemont, perhaps. But he would never replace Will, would he? You would do your duty, of course, but you would never give him any part of yourself that you gave Will."
Juliana wanted to look away from her aunt's knowing eyes, but her pride wouldn't allow it.
"No one can ever replace Will, Aunt Sophia. I promised his father I would never forget him. It is the least I can do since I failed them both by not producing an heir."
"If that is so, what do you intend to do about the Marquis of Aubrey?"
Juliana did look away then, straightening the crystal bottles and ribbons strewn across her dressing table.
"Dominic has nothing to do with it." She shrugged. "I cannot imagine why you ask."
"Can't you? I'm not blind. He affects you. I saw it at the inn and again here in London. But never so clearly as when you danced tonight. There was a moment when you both looked so … vulnerable." Then Sophia had glimpsed it, too, that searing pain and loneliness on Dominic's face that made Juliana want to cradle him against her breasts to soothe away all the hurt. Lifting her chin, this time she did not flinch from her aunt's gaze.
"I am not vulnerable to the marquis. I will admit that I found him entertaining at the Blue Boar. And he was kind to us there, but obviously because he had nothing better to do. For you must agree that his behavior has changed since we arrived in London. In fact, I find his treatment despicable. Which only proves that he really is a conceited flirt and a rake. I refuse to let him get away with his shabby treatment of us. I plan to put him in his place!" Folding her hands in her lap, Sophia frowned. "You have surprised me, Juliana."
"I know it is an entirely unworthy goal I've set myself, but do not try to dissuade me, Aunt!"
"No, my dear, I would not think of trying. But my surprise stems from something quite different." Sophia rose, gathering her gown tightly around her. " I have seen you infatuated, as you were with Will from the time you were thirteen years old. I've seen you glowing with excitement the few weeks you spent together as man and wife. And I've seen you totally indifferent to suitor after suitor. But I have never, never seen you so passionate about anyone or anything as you are about Dominic." At the door Sophia turned back to her, her gray eyes wide and thoughtful. "I think, my darling, you should give serious thought to just where in your life Dominic's place is. And whether or not he has already a place in your heart."
Juliana sat stunned as the door closed behind her aunt until a fiery rage ignited within her. With a swipe of her arm she sent the hairbrush flying against the wall. "This time, Aunt Sophia, you are wrong! I won't forget Will! Not for Dominic! Not for anyone! I promised … "
Memories crowded into her mind: Will with his ebony curls and deep brown eyes, Will, whom she had loved. He had in his shy-boyish way stirred the only embers of passion she had ever known until now. It was a gentle warmth that memories of Will, his father, the Willows, and Wentworth Park brought. Only since she left Berkshire had she felt this restlessness, this yearning for something more.
Shaking her head, she peered at her reflection and lifted her left eyebrow while lowering her right, a trick which had always made Will and her family fall into fits of laughter. She needed to be reminded of those happy, carefree times. She smiled. "Just remember who you are, Juliana Vane Grenville. And what you set out to do. Place George firmly in the bosom of the ton. And find a nice comfortable widower so your brother can get on with his own life. Nothing has changed! Nothing!"
She opened her jewel box and took out the gold locket, carefully scanning Will's likeness. Yes, it was just as she recalled. For one sickening instant she had not been able to see him clearly in her mind. She must never allow that to happen, for she had given her word. Father had taught her well: the Vane word of honor was not given lightly.
Chapter 6
It was an unusually animated Rodney Crawford who hammered on the Vane town house door two days later. He was reluctantly joined by his amused nephew. A smile curled Dominic's mouth for he had never seen his uncle so excited. Not at a mill when his man was winning, not even at cards. Nothing that Dominic could remember had ever brought this particular look to his uncle's face.