Some time later, Sophia sighed, leaning back in her chair. "That was truly wonderful. I shall miss Mrs. Forbes's tea. I do hope she will share that secret with me."
Juliana laid down her napkin, feeling much stronger after eating, ready to again take charge. "Recipes will wait, Aunt Sophia. First we must inquire from Benjamin about our coach."
"I've already spoken to him," Dominic stated, causing Juliana's eyes to widen in surprise. Her first assumption had been correct. The man was overbearing! If he sensed her surprise at his presumption, it did not seem to bother him in the slightest, for he continued in the same casual voice. "A new pole is needed. The wheelwright told Benjamin it will take at least two days to repair. But I would be happy to send to London for one of my own coaches. It could be here by tomorrow morning."
A faint clucking from Sophia indicated her dismay, but Juliana lifted her chin, returning the marquis's level look. "Thank you, my lord. But we would not think of inconveniencing you. Aunt Sophia and I shall be quite comfortable here until our coach is repaired."
"Whatever will you do to amuse yourselves for two days?" Freddie asked in frank bewilderment.
"We shall walk in the lovely gardens I saw below my bedroom window, copy Mrs. Forbes's excellent recipes, perhaps, even picnic in the woods. It shall be quite pleasant!" Juliana declared, glaring at the marquis, defying him to disagree.
A smile played at the corners of Dominic's lips. Juliana was not in the usual fashion of women of his acquaintance. That in itself was an enticement. "Indeed, Juliana, that sounds most intriguing. So much so, that I believe Freddie and I will break our journey here for a day or two."
At his words Juliana's face became a delight, the long-lashed slanting eyes widened and her luscious, full lower lip fell open slightly.
Freddie directed an astonished look at him, which he blandly returned. "But Timmings only packed three fresh neck cloths! Told you it wasn't a good idea to send Pringle and Timmings ahead to London from Carstair's hunting box." He gestured toward Dominic. "Of course, you as creator of the Aubrey Nonpareil haven't a problem. But I need Timmings's touch to accomplish a respectable fold."
Sophia smiled complacently. "Nonsense, Freddie. Your cravat is all we could ask for. Besides, our lady's maid has gone ahead of us, too. So we can be quite comfortable and informal here."
"Sophia is right, Freddie. And if need be, I'll teach you my trick for the Waterfall," Dominic offered lazily.
Freddie's response was ludicrously serious. "Is that so, Dom? Why now after all the times I've asked before?"
"Because it pleases me now. As it pleases me to stay here with this charming company. After all, there is nothing pressing to attend to in London." It was true. The endless soirees, gaming halls, and bagnios in which he sought surcease were not of the least importance.
Juliana was a dazzler, and she intrigued him. She appeared to know nothing about him, so for these few days he would allow himself the pleasure of her company. No doubt, by then he would have his answer. She was either an exceptional actress who was playing her cards just right to interest him, or she would reveal herself to be as boring as all the other women of his acquaintance. Then he would be eager for London. But not just yet.
His eyes encountered Sophia's for a fleeting instant, just long enough for him to catch the glimmer of her amused smile. She rose from the table, picking out the folds of her gown. "That will be quite pleasant, Dominic. Now, I believe I shall begin in the kitchen with Mrs. Forbes. She spoke of gathering herbs that I might take to London with me." She turned to her niece. "There is a stone bench in the center of the garden. You should rest there in the sun this morning, love, but be sure to take your sunshade."
Doing his best to engage Juliana's attention, Freddie hovered beside her. "I would be most happy … "
"To assist Sophia in gathering herbs," finished Dominic, a man famed for his sword play.
Freddie shot him a withering look, which had no affect whatsoever. Dominic sat draped back in his chair, his long legs stretched in front of him.
With a nearly inaudible sigh, Freddie offered Sophia his arm and swept her out of the room, casting a last exasperated look at Dominic before shutting the parlor door with a bit more force than absolutely necessary.
Finding himself alone with Juliana, a situation no chaperon in London would have allowed for an instant, especially given his reputation, Dominic was surprised to see her square her shoulders and look straight into his eyes. She looked proud, resentful, and begrudgingly grateful. She looked like a ruffled kitten.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, my lord, for your assistance yesterday," she said properly.
"It was my pleasure." He deliberately kept his face and voice utterly innocent, but still a rush of color stained her lovely cheeks. He thought perhaps she recalled how she had snuggled against him, apparently enjoying being carried so intimately by a stranger.
Nodding, she stood and moved quickly away from the table, but in one fluid motion he was in front of her. He could not allow her to leave him so quickly. Smiling, he took her hand leading her through the door, down the hall, and out into the sunlight before she quite realized what was happening.
Mrs. Forbes's garden was one of the loveliest spots Juliana had ever seen. Pink, white, and yellow roses climbed the low rosy brick wall of the courtyard. A burst of blue and white asters bordered the kitchen garden, so the scent of flowering trees, roses, and herbs mingled warmly.
Goodness, Juliana, what are you doing! she scolded herself and hastily withdrew her fingers from his firm grasp where she had allowed them to rest. She seated herself on the cool stone bench, clasped her hands in her lap, and raised her eyes calmly to his face. "Thank you, my lord marquis."
He gave her another slow-Juliana blushed to even think it-beckoning smile. "Will you object to my sitting with you for a moment?" he asked. She moved slightly to make room when he sat crowding the bench. He half turned toward her. "I trust you are feeling no more ill effects from your accident."
"No, indeed! Last night Mrs. Forbes sent me a sleeping draught so that when I awoke this morning I felt as good as new." She looked solemnly back into his arresting face and tried not to let it affect her pulse. "And, of course, Aunt Sophia's first bowl of gruel always has amazing restorative properties … for one lives in mortal fear of the second."
Cornflower blue eyes lit with amusement. He reached toward her. Unable to help herself, Juliana stiffened, but he appeared not to notice as he plucked a rose from the bush directly behind her right shoulder.
The marquis smiled with luxurious charm, placing the pink rose, drops of dew still clinging to its petals, or her lap. "I prefer to deliver my flowers in person." His deep, rich voice made her feel decidedly warm.
"It is very lovely. Thank you," she murmured, raising the bloom to her lips. She had no idea why she should find it so difficult to behave normally around this man. After all, she was no green miss. She had been married!
Suddenly, from behind a clump of berry bushes, a tiny birdlike woman carrying an enormous garden basket appeared. The marquis rose to his feet giving the woman a smile that was, no doubt, famous throughout England. Although it had not been directed at Juliana, she felt its tug. Where was the arrogant, overbearing marquis? At the moment he looked very much like a sweet, slightly mischievous boy whom she wanted to hug. The woman with the garden basket obviously did not share her feelings.
She gave a crack of laughter. "Don't try your tricks with me, young lord. Won't work." Her mouth curved into a grin, causing her brown face to crease into a network of tiny lines. "Although you are bonny. More so than most."
Bowing deeply, the marquis took her thin, heavily veined fingers to his lips. "You are a joy, Mrs. Forbes. May I present Juliana, Sophia's niece."
Juliana had guessed that this woman could be none other than the redoubtable Mrs. Forbes. The vivid, dark brown eyes that surveyed her face were full of a lively intelligence. "Glad to meet you, young lady. I see my herb drink helped you."
"Very much! Thank you. I am most sorry for any inconvenience we have caused you."
"Nonsense," replied Mrs. Forbes in a practical spirit. "Good to have you young people here. Sophia's in the kitchen brewing up a sleeping draught now. Lord Liscombe is with her. That's why I came out here looking for these." She held out a palm full of garlic bulbs. "That young lord shows too many late nights and too many bottles of brandy. I have just the potion for him."