The Rake's Redemption(26)

"You are well informed." Dominic's smile was not pleasant. "But I must  confess, I have not yet sunk to your depths. Although tonight I made a  damn good start!"

All emotion drained from Dominic's face and Jules found he could not  meet those eyes, although he could not escape his brother's words.

"Tonight I discovered I am nearly as despicable as you. You see, it does run in the family, after all."





Chapter 8





Juliana pirouetted once in front of the glass, her mauve-figured silk  empire gown swirling delicately over the tips of mauve kid slippers.  Anticipation colored her cheeks. Tonight's musicale at Lady Atwood's  would surely command Dominic's presence. After two days of trying to  avoid him, it had been particularly vexing to realize he was nowhere she  was. Then at Marcham's Ball, when he had devoted all his attentions to  Dora Stanwood, she had been forced to recognize that she meant nothing  more than any other woman to him.

The gossips had been quick to whisper of his latest flirt and Lady  Grenville had pursed her thin lips, arched her eyebrows, and clucked  "Just so", so often than Juliana had retired early with a headache.

Although she admitted to herself that she had fallen in love with  Dominic, she was determined not to give herself away. After all, she had  Edgemont and Freddie; even Jules had been paying her marked attention.  She would enjoy the Season as best she could while trying to untangle  her feelings for Dominic.

A soft knock at her door announced Aunt Sophia, who poked her head in.  "Juliana, my dear, you look delightful. But we must hurry. Rodney says  the crowds are gathering across the square already to gape. And our  coachman will have some to negotiate all this traffic."

"Coming, Aunt." Juliana threw the dove gray cape edged in ermine over  her shoulders and pulled on mauve elbow-length kid gloves as they  descended the staircase.

On their arrival, Rodney escorted Sophia and Juliana, one on each arm,  along the length of the Atwood's mirrored ballroom, opened this evening  to accommodate the crowd.

"Tout le monde est ici," Lady Atwood fluttered affectedly. "So sorry I  was called away from the door before you arrived, but Casper is  decidedly absent. The Pignotti's voice does not appeal to him so he's  taken the Duke of Clarence, Mortimer D'Espry, and Lord Monmouth to the  library for cards."

Rodney seemed to brighten momentarily, but Aunt Sophia sent him a speaking glance and he subsided.

"Ah well," he muttered. "I've always enjoyed the Pignotti, I suppose."

Freddie crossed the floor, took Lady Atwood's hand and lifted it  elegantly to his lips for a fleeting kiss. "Charming, as always," he  drawled, evoking a muffled giggle from Juliana. He turned and made her  an elegant leg.                       
       
           



       

"Don't try your airs with me, Freddie Liscombe," Juliana hissed.

"You dampen all pretensions, my dear." He turned her away from the  others and then in a conspiratorial whisper he continued, "Come with me  to the dining room. The lobster pastries are nearly all gone and the  footman frowned at me when I went back the last time."

"How many have you had, Freddie?" Juliana questioned merrily.

"Only six. If you're with me, we can pretend you want some."

"But I do, Freddie!" she protested. Being with Freddie was like being  with George, she could relax and enjoy all the company around her. When  they entered the dining room, she caught sight of the dark visage of  Jules and immediately her hand tightened on Freddie's arm. Perhaps if  she knew the source of the anger between Jules and his brother she might  understand Dominic.

"I promise I won't eat them all, Juliana," Freddie declared, obviously  thinking her sudden grip on his arm was her attempt to stop him from  reaching for another lobster pastry.

"No need for concern, Freddie. I've quite lost my taste for them. However, a glass of orangeade would be delightful."

With a quick bow, Freddie wove his way through the crush, but not before  he had filched another pastry. Juliana smiled at his retreating back  and continued to smile, although it was a bit strained, when Edgemont  suddenly stepped in front of her. He appeared quite anxious.

"My dear Juliana, I must speak to you immediately concerning something  of the gravest import." "Edgemont, this is such a sad crush. Certainly  not the place to discuss anything of import," she soothed, eager to  avoid any lengthy discussion with this determined suitor. "You may call  on me tomorrow."

His face flushed a deep crimson and his military stance became even more  rigid. "Madam, it cannot wait until tomorrow. I must speak to you now."  Juliana lifted her chin to deliver a set-down, when over his shoulder  she saw Dominic, his golden head haloed by candlelight, his wonderful  face radiating mirth, and clinging to his blue velvet covered arm was  Dora Stanwood.

"My dear Juliana," Edgemont reiterated. "If you would but give me a few  moments of your time. Allow me to remove you from this shocking  squeeze."

Yes, away from the sight of Dominic gazing down into Dora's lovely face.  Away from the look in Dora's eyes. Is that how I look when I'm gazing  at Dominic  …  my eyes full of longing and desire.

So she did not protest when Edgemont placed her hand on his sleeve and  purposefully moved through the throng. Not until it became suddenly much  quieter did she quickly remove her hand and glance around. A latch  clicked shut behind her and she twirled to face Edgemont, who was  smiling, leaning against the door. They were in a small dimly lit  antechamber.

To her horror he fell to his knees, his hand groping toward her. She  stepped back, but he did not stop, instead he inched forward on his  knees.

"Lord Edgemont, please," she pleaded, backing slowly away from his awkward pursuit.

Finally she reached a small settee and fell into its depths. Edgemont's advance brought his hand to her knee.

"My dearest, dearest," he murmured. "Surely my regard for you has not escaped your notice."

She twitched her knees away. Pressing her palms to suddenly heated  cheeks, she shook her head. "My lord! Please rise from that position.  I … "

"I know it must seem unbelievable that I could be on my knees to anyone,  but, Juliana  …  may I dare  …  I wished to show you my great regard … "

"No, my lord … "

"I wished to follow the correct form," he continued without pause. "Always, I do things the correct way."

Juliana's horror had turned to a lively sense of the ridiculous. Perhaps  it was just as well to let the man finish, for it seemed nothing she  could say would stop him.

"And I am reliably informed," he droned on, "that bending the knee is the proper position for a proposal of marriage."

The door swung wide and Juliana looked up with concern. The interruption  should stop Edgemont, but she hated to have him caught by anyone like  this. Framed in the doorway, blotting out the hallway beyond, stood  Dominic.

Juliana's sense of the ridiculous fled. Mortified beyond words, she  could only sit, stunned while Edgemont rose to his feet protesting this  invasion of privacy.

Dominic turned slightly. "You see, my dear," he said clearly, "even  people of the first respectability use these chambers for a  …  respite  from the crowd. Unfortunately," his lips curled into a sneer, "this one  is already occupied."                       
       
           



       

Dora peeped around the corner and dimpled coyly. "It appears we may have interrupted a conversation of import."

"Ah, Juliana, there you are." Jules entered the room and extended his hand. "Your aunt sent me to fetch you."

He pulled her to her feet and escorted her past a sputtering Edgemont to  the doorway, where briefly she met Dominic's icy blue stare.

"I'm sure you all will excuse us," the Comte purred softly.

Gratefully, Juliana allowed Jules to lead her back into the lights and  noise of the Atwood musicale, still wondering at his timely appearance.

"I am sorry I did not arrive sooner, but Lady Sefton waylaid me."

Her eyes flew to his face. "But how did you know I needed rescuing?"

"Your thoughts were obviously elsewhere or you never would have allowed  Edgemont to maneuver you into that tiny antechamber. Which, of course,  is for the sole purpose of clandestine meetings."

"No wonder Dominic was bringing Dora there," she fumed aloud.

He led her to a choice seat near Aunt Sophia. "Yes, one never knows what  truly motivates my younger brother. You, of all people, should realize  that." He smiled enigmatically into her stunned face.