The Rake's Redemption(27)

Then his gaze lifted across the entire width of the ballroom.  Involuntarily Juliana followed that gaze and saw Dominic glowering at  them from his position at the windows.

She felt confused by Jules's attentions, as if in some unknown way she  was being disloyal to Dominic. But he was a decided comfort, and it was  reassuring to have such an eligible party take her up in such a  particular way. She knew, deep in her heart, that Jules had no romantic  feeling for her, but she refused to believe he was using her as an  instrument of revenge. She felt she could trust her judgment at least  that far. Edgemont seemed to have disappeared for the rest of the  evening, but Freddie, mercifully, appeared to lead her in for the  Pignotti's recital. She understood Lord Atwood's preference for the card  room when the piercing high notes caused goose bumps to raise on her  arm.

She turned to Freddie to share her amusement and found he was lost in  rapt admiration of the singer. Shaking her head slightly, there was no  accounting for taste, she scanned the music room. Her eyes caught and  held Dominic's and for a moment they shared that odd sense of  understanding.

Then she noticed Lord Monmouth beckon to him. All of her pleasure in the evening disappeared through the doorway with him.



Juliana opened her eyes to the sound of rain against her window. It was  early for there were no sounds of household activity and no one had as  yet knocked at her door with morning chocolate. Not wishing to go back  to sleep, she sat up, plumping her pillows and settling against them.

Between the gap of her window curtains she could see the trees bent with  the wind, sending raindrops swirling through the air. It was a dreadful  day, a day to sit in front of a cozy fire with someone.

She couldn't help herself today, any more than she could any morning for  the past week, from thinking of Dominic. She imagined several  delightful scenes where Dominic came begging her forgiveness before  sweeping her up in his arms, declaring that he loved her and raining his  marvelous kisses about her person. These were childish daydreams, she  knew. It was better that he had stayed away, for it had given her time  to come to grips with the love she felt for him.

Sitting up, she pushed back the bedcovers. She hadn't decided what her  best course was to be yet, but she would simply stop thinking about him  and keep herself very, very busy about the house.

That afternoon Juliana interrupted a heated conversation between her aunt and Lord Rodney in the parlor.

"Oh dear," Juliana said, embarrassed. "I didn't mean to intrude, I thought you'd be in the morning room as usual."

"Don't be absurd," Aunt Sophia smiled. "Rodney and I are only having a small discussion, aren't we dear?"

Lord Rodney looked into his teacup as if wishing it to be the devil. He  suddenly stood with a determined look on his face. Juliana was surprised  to discover that he was actually getting thinner.

"No, we were not having a small discussion. We were having our first disagreement. And it concerns you, Juliana."

"Me!" She glanced at her aunt who was gazing at Rodney's purposeful stance, a curious smile hovering about her mouth.

"How masterful, dear, I'm quite impressed."

"Damn it, Sophia! I mean it. You are coming to Culter Towers with Dominic and me. Their graces are eager to meet you."

Again Juliana looked from her aunt, calmly sitting on the couch, to Lord  Rodney, who had begun to pace about the room. She sank down next to  Sophia trying to interpret the meaning of this strange pronouncement.                       
       
           



       

"Of course, you must go, Aunt Sophia. How exciting for you!"

Her aunt looked at her in surprise. "I can't possible leave you here alone. How could you even think it?"

Smiling complacently, Rodney rocked back on his heels. "No need for  worry, my dear. I have the solution, Juliana shall come with us."

"What an excellent idea," Sophia said eagerly, casting an adoring look at his lordship.

"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly … " She stopped when two pairs of determined  eyes stared at her. Then she attempted to go on. "I am honored, of  course, to meet the Duke and Duchess of Culter, but  …  George  …  I  couldn't possibly leave before George even arrives in town."

As if on cue the parlor doors were flung open.

"Master George!" Smithers announced loudly.

"Cut line, Smithers," her brother said, grinning. "They know who I am."

"George!" Juliana and Sophia chorused at once, before both rushed forward to fall about his neck.

"Good God, you're both strangling me," he laughed merrily, placing loud  kisses on both their cheeks before untangling himself to make a formal  bow to Rodney.

"Your servant, sir. I am George Vane."

Gliding over to his lordship, Aunt Sophia placed a light hand on his  arm. "George, dear, I'd like you to meet Lord Rodney Crawford. My  betrothed."

George's mouth dropped open but he quickly recovered. "Aunt Sophia, I don't know what to say."

"Wish me happy." Laughing, Sophia flung out her arms and George gathered  her in a warm embrace. She looked at Juliana, whose evident confusion  delighted her.

"So that's what this is all about. I should have guessed. Aunt Sophia, I'm so happy for you."

George stood back measuring Lord Rodney for just an instant before extending one hand to him. "Sir, you are a fortunate man."

Juliana, charmed by the proud look on Lord Rodney's face, was gratified  to hear him answer, "I know I am, my boy. Can't quite believe my good  fortune myself!"

"Please, you will both put me to the blush," laughed Sophia, steering  George to the master wing chair facing the fireplace. "I'm sure you need  something to wash the dust from your throat. Juliana, will you ring for  Bella. We all could use some tea."

"I'm sure George would like some brandy," Juliana retorted. She crossed  to the bellpull and tugged, sending the silent message to the kitchens  that Bella was summoned. As she passed George's chair, she leaned down  to drop a kiss upon his rich auburn curls.

He caught her hand, bringing it to his lips, a twinkle in his eyes. "Ah,  how I've missed my beautiful sister. I trust I've not lost you to  cupid's arrow just yet, have I?"

Carefully avoiding Aunt Sophia's eyes, Juliana smiled slowly. "Of course not, my dear, you are still stuck with me."

"So, George, you know about the pl  …  huh!" sputtered Rodney as Sophia trod heavily upon his foot.

"Sorry, my dear, I was reaching for my shawl," Sophia said serenely,  placing it about her shoulders. "Yes, George, we are enjoying the  Season. But we plan to be away for a few weeks at Culter Towers visiting  Rodney's parents, the duke and duchess. We hope you and Juliana will  join us."

Before her brother could respond, Juliana laughed lightly, placing her  hands lovingly upon his shoulders. "George has only just arrived, Aunt  Sophia. We don't want to rush him away from town before he can sample  its pleasures."

Twining his fingers through hers, George looked up at her. "Actually, Juliana, you're right. Wouldn't mind cards at White's."

"White's! Delighted for you to be my guest … " Rodney glanced warily at  Sophia's slipper moving dangerously close to his boot again. "Let's take  in White's. If you're not too tired from your journey."

Sophia sprang up. "How delightful for you, George. You know how you love your cards."

Before Juliana quite realized what was happening, Aunt Sophia was  maneuvering both men from the parlor. "Yes, you mustn't miss this  opportunity, George. Juliana and I shall stay at home this evening and  have a light supper." Peeking back into the parlor, Sophia's face  glowed. "You see, Juliana," she whispered. "The plan is working."

After seeing Aunt Sophia settled in her room with a light supper,  Juliana wandered through the downstairs rooms, absentmindedly touching a  few treasured pieces: the Sevres vase her mother had received as a  betrothal gift, the ormolu clock her grandfather supposedly won in a  wager over a horse race, the Faberge egg an adventuring great-uncle had  brought back from his travels. She stopped in front of the Reynolds  portrait of her father hung prominently over the parlor fireplace.                       
       
           



       

"Well Papa," she whispered to the laughing man whose hand rested on his  favorite hound, "I've brought George here at last. Maybe he'll learn to  enjoy life a little more while we're here  …  maybe we all will."

She turned and lit the candle at the fireside chair, then settled into  it. Lord Rodney had taken George to White's for the evening, and she had  sent a messenger declining Edgemont's card party, so for once, she  faced a quiet evening alone.