Chapter Five

The Bannerman ballroom was already filled by the time Graham descended the staircase, his eyes sweeping the room for Juliet. This was one of the events on the list Lady Hester had given him.

He spotted her almost immediately. Within a circle of Lady Hester, two other ladies, and several gentlemen, she turned to regard him as his name was called. This time she didn’t pretend she hadn’t seen him. In fact, his heart lifted when she offered him a slight nod. Not as fine as a smile, but more than he’d gotten from her thus far.

Like a piece of metal to a magnet, he made his way to her, circling the room, his eyes never leaving hers. He practically lost his breath just watching her. She wore a pale peach gown, the neckline low enough to tantalize, but not too low to cause criticism from the matrons watching all the young ladies from their perches near the French doors.

Her golden brown hair had been swept up from her face, to cascade down her back in a riot of curls. A simple gold heart necklace surrounded her neck, the heart resting on her warm skin close to where her breasts joined. He licked his lips, remembering the pert brown nipples begging for his attention, as he’d sucked and teased, the one time he’d made love to her.

He also remembered how she threw her head back when he’d suckled hard, and panted underneath him when he slid into her moist warmth and performed the dance of lovers. She was all fire and passion, and he loved every minute of it.

He broke into a sweat.

Bloody hell, if he didn’t rein in these thoughts he would not be able to finish walking up to her without calling inappropriate attention to himself.

“Good evening, ladies,” he bowed in the direction of the women chatting with Juliet. They all made their curtsies. “Gentlemen,” he nodded in the men’s direction, trying very hard not to scowl at them.

Looking directly at Juliet, he said, “May I request a dance, my lady?”

For a moment, he thought she would refuse, but then she raised her arm and he caught the card dangling from her wrist. He wrote his name alongside a cotillion, annoyed to see all three waltzes, including the supper waltz, had been taken.

Rather than move on, he decided to stay right where he was. He wrote his name on the cards of the other ladies present, and joined in the conversation, which was mostly ton gossip, which he abhorred. Trying not to look conspicuous, he watched Juliet, almost certain his presence in the group disquieted her. Either that or she was coming down with an ague.

Her face was flushed, and she seemed to have trouble breathing. She let out a deep sigh and smiled when the orchestra started up a country reel and Mr. Edmond led her to the dance floor. He hated watching her dance with the man, but it would be even more difficult when she went into the arms of another man for a waltz.

He bowed to Miss Emily and offered his arm. They ended up in the line of dancers far down from Edmond and Juliet, which was probably a good thing. He would most likely make a cake of himself trying to dance the intricate steps with Miss Emily, and watch Juliet at the same time.

Although he could not hear a word Miss Emily said over the noise of the music and other conversation, nevertheless, he nodded politely, and acquiesced with a slight dip of his head when she viewed him with a questioning look. Hopefully, he hadn’t agreed to something to later cause trouble. He did get a glance at Juliet and her partner, and she seemed to be having much too good of a time.

Once the dance ended, he decided it was best if he did not subject himself to any more visions of Juliet dancing with other men. So as not to break someone’s nose, he left to join those gathered in the card room until time for the rest of his dances.

He settled in, and accepted a glass of brandy from a footman. Mr. Ambrose, to his right dealt the cards. “Say, Hertford, aren’t you friends with the Duke of Reading?”

“Yes. He acted as my guardian when my parents died. Why?”

“Heard he collapsed at Tattersall’s two days ago. Word has it he suffered apoplexy. Hasn’t turned up his toes, but supposedly he can’t do much of anything.”

Graham’s muscles tightened. The duke had suffered apoplexy? He should visit the man. He’d been so tied into knots with Juliet, just about everything else had gone by the wayside.

Also, he wanted to see how Amy was getting on. She should have had the babe by now, and as far as Graham knew, the plan was for her to recover at her aunt’s home, and then Lord and Lady Agneaux would escort her back to England.

After several hands, where he lost more than he won, he excused himself from the game and returned to the ballroom. Lady Juliet was just then returning from a dance with Lord Bennington. He joined her as Bennington left. Since none of the men had hurried to her side, he had her alone for a few minutes. If two people could be alone in a gathering of this size.

“I would like to take you driving some afternoon.” He held his breath, waiting for her stinging refusal.

“Why, Graham?” She looked genuinely confused. “I’ve told you I have no interest in resuming our—relationship. We had our little tête-à-tête, and now that is over.”

He studied her for a moment. “No, my dear. It was not merely a tête-à-tête. If you recall, I wanted to speak with your father immediately, and you told me to wait.”

“Eight months?”

He ran his finger around the inside of his cravat. “As I explained, something came up that I could not avoid.”

“Yet you have still not told me what it was that took you away all that time. You were at your estate, then?”

He hesitated, which Juliet did not miss, because she gave him a smirk and looked away. “Ah, I see.”

Blast, this being unable to tell her the truth was trying. Well, there was nothing to be done for it. He would have to earn her trust back inch by inch. No matter how long it took, he would have her in his arms again. In his bed. In his life.

“Lady Juliet, I believe this is our dance.” Mr. Davis bowed to her and extended his arm.

Without saying a word to him, she moved toward the dance floor. But not before he saw the pain and disappointment in her eyes.

***

Juliet turned toward Mr. Davis and dipped a curtsey. He took her hands in his and they began the dance. Fortunately, she’d performed these steps so many times she did not need full concentration. Instead, she dwelt on Graham. The man she’d taken months to eliminate from her mind, and heart.

If he had so easily abandoned her, why did he seem determined at this late date to take up where they’d left off? Despite his cavalier words, he certainly did not expect marriage. They had passed that point months ago. Had he sincerely wanted her for his wife, he would have found a way to see her, or visit with Papa. No, he most likely thought she was a woman of easy virtue who would engage in an affair with him.

The thought sickened her. She had to strengthen her resolve to avoid him, and concentrate instead, on the other gentlemen who wished to pay her court. Until she was safely married, Marigold could not encourage suitors, and it was not fair to her sister for Juliet to hold out.

***

Two days later, Juliet and Marigold stepped from their carriage, dressed in printed muslin afternoon gowns, with matching bonnets and parasols. Juliet had thought a picnic by the lake on the Blackmore property only ten miles, or so, outside of London would be just the thing to encourage some of the gentlemen who had been inviting her on carriage rides, sending flowers, and filling her dance card.

Since Papa’s eyes had glazed over at the idea of attending a picnic, she and Marigold had arrived with Lady Osborne as their chaperone for the day, and happily joined the group under the cluster of shade trees. Benches and chairs had been set out for the guests, along with a table of lemonade and other drinks to partake before the luncheon would start.

It was doubtful Graham would attend this event. It had to have been a mere coincidence that everywhere she’d gone so far, he’d been there. So many parties, balls, and other occasions were held each day that the chances of them running into each other was slight, unless planned.

Many of the men she’d been flirting with asked each evening where she would be the next day, but Graham never asked. He merely showed up. Strange, that.

She twirled her parasol and flirted with Mr. Davis and Mr. Edmond. Both had sent her flowers that morning, and both would be considered acceptable husbands. Neither had a title, as the second and third sons of earls. However, titles did not impress her, and the men were both handsome and wealthy in their own right. She could certainly do worse.

Except each of them had stolen a kiss, and she was disappointed that she’d felt nothing. In fact, Mr. Edmond’s kiss was simply boring. Not at all like the excitement she’d felt when . . .

Her twirling parasol and wandering thoughts both stopped abruptly as Graham came into view. For heaven’s sake, how did he manage to turn up at this event, too? His grin as he spotted her and headed in her direction only annoyed her further. She would never be able to put him from her mind, and concentrate on finding a husband, if he kept showing up and distracting her.

The man was a nuisance.

“Good afternoon, Lady Juliet.” Graham bowed and regarded her with a slight grin. Oh, if she weren’t so flustered at his presence, she would love to remove that arrogant smirk from his handsome face. Her hand itched to do just that. But she would never let him know she cared one whit about him being here.

“My lord,” she mumbled in her best bored manner, and dipped her head.

Why did the man have to look so good? And why after Mr. Edmond and Mr. Davis had held her attention for a good part of an hour, she now could not concentrate on anything they said?

“’Tis a lovely day for a picnic, is it not?”

Confounded it, and blast, since the sun shone brightly for the first time in days, she would be forced to agree with him, or else look like a fool. “Yes, my lord. A lovely day, indeed.”

She turned to Mr. Davis. “I understand there is a charming path through the wooded area on the south side of the estate. I would love to see it.”

Mr. Davis fell all over himself answering that he would love to escort her there. Thinking she had solved the problem of Graham, she smiled and took his arm. Except both Mr. Edmond and Graham agreed a walk in the woods was the very thing, and they would join them as well. They proceeded to follow behind them, like baby ducks trailing their mother.

She sighed, reconciled to having Graham addle her thoughts. It had been ridiculous to think they would not want to join them, but at least he was behind her.

Watching her walk.

She groaned, remembering Graham telling her last Season the view of her walking ahead of him was a wonderful sight, indeed. She blushed at the memory and tried very hard to keep her hips steady.

A heavy hand landed on Mr. Davis’s shoulder. “I say, Davis, was that you I saw at Tattersall’s last week?” Graham’s comment effectively stopped her and Mr. Davis as the man considered if he had been at Tattersall’s. He turned slightly toward Graham to answer him, dropping her arm from where she held his. Graham stepped up, took hold of her arm, and moved them forward. “Probably not. Must have been someone who looked like you,” he tossed over his shoulder.

Looking thoroughly confused, Mr. Davis opened his mouth to speak, and then shut it a couple of times, looking much like a fish. Shaking his head, he fell in alongside Mr. Edmond, behind Graham and Juliet as the walk continued.

Juliet hissed from the side of her mouth “That was not well done. And that same line is getting old. How many times do you intend to waylay my partners with the ridiculous question about Tattersalls?”

“As many times as it takes to make sure you do not encourage other gentlemen when you belong to me.”

She gritted her teeth. “Oh, your arrogance is unparalleled. I do not belong to you. And I specifically inquired if Mr. Davis would escort me on a walk. I did not invite you, nor do I wish to be partnered with you.”

Graham leaned in. “Hush, sweeting. You don’t want the other gentlemen to think you rude.”

To her absolute horror, he winked at her.

***

Graham loved when Juliet was rattled. It meant he was winning. Had she been indifferent to his comments and nearness, he’d be worried. After his maneuvering to get her next to him, her face was flushed, and her chest heaving, but he was sure this time in anger. Most likely she wanted more than anything to smack him over the head with her parasol. Too much a lady.

The four wandered the path in silence until Mr. Edmond began to point out different trees and flora. Unfortunately, he must have considered himself somewhat of an expert because he used all the Latin terms, which no one else seemed to understand. His comments were met with a whole lot of, ‘ah,’ and ‘indeed,’ as well as nodding of heads.

Graham needed to get Juliet alone to make any headway with her. Convincing her he was serious about marriage, and had no intention of disappearing ever again, would not be possible with a crowd around them.

“Look, a creek!” Juliet pointed to a small brook running through the area. “Oh, I would so like to walk across it.” She turned to him, probably forgetting she was trying to ignore him.

“So, we shall.” He steered her in the direction of the swiftly moving water.

“I say, old man, I don’t think we should try to cross. The water looks rather menacing for a young lady.” Mr. Edmond viewed the creek with furrowed brows.

“Oh, I shall be fine, Mr. Edmond. My sisters and I walked across brooks many times. There is a certain knack to it, you know.” She released his arm, and studied the water. Slowly she followed the water’s edge, going several yards downstream, the men trailing behind. “There! See, there are stones almost in a row right across the water.”

“Um, I don’t think you should try walking on those stones. Maybe find an easier place to cross?” Although he had agreed, mostly to gain her favor, Graham was beginning to think this was not such a good idea, after all.

“Don’t be silly.” She waved her parasol in the air. “I have this to balance me.”

Bloody hell, did she see herself as a circus performer? “Ah, no.”

She turned to him, her face flushed. “You cannot tell me what to do, Lord Hertford.” Despite referring to him by his title was the proper thing to do with Edmond and Davis present, it still stung to hear her address him so formally.

Juliet stepped on the first stone and Graham grabbed her hand. She tried to shake it off, but he held firm, until she tugged. “Stop, I can do this.” She took two more steps and turned to smile at them just as her foot slipped. Wobbling back and forth, parasol waving in the air, she yelped and fell face first into the water.

“Lady Juliet!” all three men shouted. While the other two dimwits just stared at her, their mouths agape, Graham grabbed her by the arms and pulled her up. She gasped and began to sputter and cough.

He bent her over his arm at the waist and patted her back as she continued to drag in breaths, cough, and sputter. “Stay calm, you will be all right.”

After a few minutes her breathing slowly evened out.

Graham swung her into his arms and strode from the creek, with other two men continuing to stare at them open-mouthed. Idiots.

“What…what are you doing?” She still found it hard to speak without coughing.

“I’m taking you home. You are soaked to the skin, and even though it is sunny, you cannot stay here in the air.”

“Fine.” She coughed again. “But there is no need to carry me.”

He starred at her, his lips tight. He never should have allowed her to do such a foolish thing. “You can’t even talk without coughing, how are you going to walk back to the carriages?”

Cough. “I can manage.”

Graham snorted and continued, with the two useless men following them. He shifted her to get a better grip. “Put your arms around my neck.”

She shook her head. “My lord,” she coughed, “you do not need,’’ she coughed again, “to hold me like this. And please move your hands.”

“I cannot move my hands without dropping you.”

“Graham, my skirts are dragging, and my legs are showing!” She choked as she tried to wiggle, most likely to have him put her down. “If we arrive back at the picnic like this, I will be ruined.” A long string of coughs followed her lengthy speech.

He shifted her body, pulling her against his chest. “Fix them.”

“For heaven’s sake, just put me down.” She fumbled with the skirts, and got them to cover her legs. “There is no need to carry me.”

“Your shoes are wet. If I allow you to walk, you will slip and slide all over the grass.”

A few more coughs. “It is not your responsibility to allow me to do anything. I am not your concern.”

“Yes, you were once my concern, you are now, and always will be.”

She huffed and crossed her arms over her breasts, making it almost impossible to carry her. “I told you to put your arms around my neck or I will drop you.”

“There is no need to carry—“

There was only one way to shut her up. He lowered his head, and his mouth covered hers. At first she resisted his kiss, then her lips softened, and rather than walk into a tree with his attention taken up with Juliet’s warm, moist mouth, he came to a stop.

Her arms finally encircled his neck.

“Ah, Lord Hertford, I don’t think it is quite proper to be kissing Lady Juliet in the open like this,” Mr. Davis said from behind them.

Graham pulled his mouth away from hers, immediately regretting the loss of her sweetness. “Bugger off, Davis, and run ahead and ask for my phaeton to be brought around. And take that other idiot with you.”

Davis and Edmond looked affronted, but did as he bid and hurried ahead.

“I beg of you, Graham, for the sake of my reputation, can you please put me down? You can hold my arm so I can walk, but this is inappropriate. It’s bad enough Mr. Davis and Mr. Edmond witnessed this, but there are many of the worst gossips in the ton down there.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

Realizing what she said was true, he released her legs so her feet hit the ground. He put his arm out, and she took it. When her wet slippers started to slip on the damp grass, he placed his arm around her waist.

At her glare, he said, “Don’t try to dissuade me from holding you Juliet. If you fall again you could hurt yourself.”

Dripping wet and clinging to him, she nodded briefly as they made their way over the hill toward the gathering.