Juliana faced George across the desk and, although he was now the head of the family, he was younger by three years so had for most of his life accepted orders from her.
Deliberately he sprawled, apparently very much at ease, his fine lawn shirt open at the throat, his legs stretched out before him, and stared into her determined face. "There's no need to go to London. Soon as I spread the word every eligible man in the county will be on the doorstep," he drawled.
"You shall not put me to the blush, George. I am already acquainted with all the eligible men in the county. There are none here who suit my needs."
"Indeed!" Her brother squinted at her, another deep crease forming across his high forehead. "Then there is someone in particular!"
"Yes, I do have someone in mind." Juliana paused, letting her words sink in slowly as George's face turned a rich ruby red. Oh, yes, it was more than time to implement the plan! "An older man, I think. A lonely widower with children who need a mother. Such a man would suit my purpose quite well I believe."
"Damn it, Ju!" he shouted, leaping to his feet. "That sounds like someone to suit Aunt Sophia!"
"Aunt Sophia has said she shall not remarry."
"I know," her brother answered without hesitation, "but you've said the same thing."
"I find that my feelings have undergone a change in the last six years. Someday you will wed and no longer need me. I would find someone who does."
"What about Sir Lionel? Been dangling after you forever. He needs you to run the Grange. Never seen a man who wanted more help," George answered swiftly.
Juliana took a deceptively casual turn about the elegant room. She was prepared to argue her point, having considered and rejected every possible man in the county in previous discussions with Aunt Sophia. She stopped to gaze at the forbidding portrait of her father over the mantel. He'd not have allowed that connection, but Sir Lionel was George's friend, so she must be careful.
"Yes, George. Lionel does need an estate manager. However, I do not feel I could be a good wife to a man who lisps."
"By Gad. You're right, Ju! Forgotten that." He squinted across the room at the Reynolds portrait of their mother on horseback. "How about Jonathan Long? No lisp there and a very pretty seat. In fact, I've heard you say Courtney Manor is the prettiest place you've seen bar Wentworth."
"A delightful boy, George, but two years my junior. Since his return from London, I find him very difficult to converse with. He can't seem to turn his head for the height of his shirt points."
"But Jonathan is in the height of fashion, he says. You're always wanting me to go to London and be part of the ton."
"I fear that shall be my fate instead, for I've considered all my acquaintances and no one seems to answer. Aunt Sophia assures me that a Season is the perfect solution. After all, her engagement to Uncle Corny was announced before her first Season ended. I'm quite determined that I will no longer be a burden to you. I must leave Wentworth Park and get on with my life, and Aunt Sophia says London is just the place to do so."
Moving quickly, George placed his slender hands on her shoulders, his face once again young and engaging in his eagerness. "Don't be a goose, Ju. You'll always be wanted here. Wentworth Park is as much your home as mine. No need to sacrifice yourself on the marriage mart. Parson's Mousetrap ain't for me. Like things just as they are. Plan to go on like this forever!"
Juliana laughed, reaching up to place a kiss on her brother's chin before moving away to the open French doors where a slight breeze ruffled the curtains. The afternoon air was light and soft with fluffy clouds that allowed the sun to warm the earth in pale golden streams. The lawns of Wentworth Park stretched before her as smooth as green velvet. The scent of flowering peach trees filled the air, and in the distance she could see Zeke, the gardener, lovingly bending over tender spring blooms.
How could she bear to leave this? All of her memories were tied to this one place: warm but vague memories of a sweet-faced mother, happy memories of a carefree childhood, tender memories of the sweet torment of Will's courtship. Those weeks of living for a glance of him, elation when he appeared and despair when he took his leave.
How young they had been! Perhaps too young to have married. But that brief month of their marriage before he left for the Peninsula was the dearest memory of all. She clung to it as she did this place.
Yet now, finally, it was time to let go. She and Aunt Sophia had talked long about George's future. He had been left the responsibility for the Park too soon and had taken his duty so seriously he had immersed himself in the running of the estate. He had learned quickly, so that now all the hours he spent worrying and fussing were only habit. Aunt Sophia was firmly convinced that the only way to draw George away from his devotion to the Park so that he could take his place in the ton was to lure him to London on the pretext of finding Juliana a husband. It was not in Juliana's nature to lie, but she was prepared to do so for her brother's sake.
Taking a short, strengthening breath of the fresh spring air, she turned to face George, forcing her mouth to curve in a smile. "It is hardly a sacrifice to place myself on the marriage mart and come away with a prize. I hope I have not become such an antidote that I cannot find a husband."
Her words brought a derisive snort from her brother before he grabbed her hand and pulled her laughingly across the room to a large gilt mirror hung over a highly polished cherry wood chest. He stood behind her, his fingers curling over her shoulders.
They were much alike, the same thick, vibrant auburn curls, slanting spring green eyes set over high cheekbones, but George was tall and lean, whereas she was small and softly rounded.
Their eyes met in the glass.
"When you were seventeen and married Will, all my friends were calf-eyed over you." Her brother's voice was low and gentle. "They still are. Every eligible man in the county has told me you're beautiful." Suddenly he grinned. "Don't get missish, Ju. You're no antidote and you know it."
She caught his grin, twining her fingers through his where they rested on her shoulders, confident now that her scheme would work just as she and Aunt Sophia had planned. "Please understand, George dear. I find that I want what other women want. A husband … and … and a family. Lady Grenville has made it abundantly clear that even though I am a widow, propriety demands I have a female chaperon, which is why Aunt Sophia has remained here."
George threw back his head in a hearty laugh. "Aunt Sophia, a chaperon! Why, she won't keep tabs on you at all."
"Yes, George, I know," Juliana interjected quickly. "That's why it's most important for you to come to London and lend me countenance. Your assessment of character would be a great help in weeding out potential suitors."
He looked puzzled for an instant, but then gave her again his charmingly rueful smile. "Perhaps I will. I must confess you've taken me by surprise, Ju. I thought you'd never get over your feelings for Will."
"Of course, I haven't gotten over them!" The words were out before she could stop them. Schooling her face to reflect nothing of her feelings, she continued with a wistful smile, "Will is always first in my heart. But I am still going to London to find a husband."
"Aunt Sophia, it went just as you said it would." Juliana burst through her aunt's bedroom door to stop in bewilderment at the piles of clothing strewn about. "Why, whatever are you doing? I thought you'd already packed."
"No need to keep these old things." Sophia waved her hand vaguely in the air. "I thought I'd leave them for the reverend to distribute. We'll be getting all new."
"All new?" Juliana asked quizzingly.
Her aunt crossed the room sprightly to envelop her in strong arms. "It will be such fun. I can't wait to see you in the latest fashions. You'll find everything we have is sadly outdated. I want you to cut quite a figure in the ton, as I did," she added dreamily.
Sophia was a pleasant-faced woman of undistinguished appearance until she smiled, and then, as a suitor had once said, "It was like a burst of sunshine," making her eyes sparkle a silvery gray and causing a small dimple to appear beside her mouth. That delightful smile played across her face now as she clasped Juliana's hands and danced around the room.