Page 32 of Lucien's Gamble

She blushed, knowing everyone at the table had duly noted the intimate gesture. “I sense a scandalous side to you, my lord.”

He grinned. “Does that disturb you?”

“You know it doesn’t, or you wouldn’t indulge me with it.”

“'Tis one of the reasons why I like you so well, Julienne.” He took a deep breath. “There is something I wish to discuss with you, but now is not the appropriate time. Perhaps tomorrow I could take you for a drive in the park?”

Julienne knew exactly what he wished to discuss with her, and she knew what her answer would be. But first she had one more opportunity to spend time with Lucien. “I’m afraid I must decline. I have plans tomorrow.” She saw the troubled frown and sought to allay his concern. “But the following day would be lovely.”

He nodded. “Of course. I look forward to it.”

Hours later, Julienne returned to Montrose Hall, determined to spend the evening at home so she would be fresh and alert for her picnic with Lucien. She had so much to say to him, so many things she wanted him to know, before they said good-bye.

She ordered tea brought to her in the family parlor and made her way upstairs with the afternoon’s post. Julienne sorted through the pile halfheartedly, until she came to a missive that caught her eye.

Delicate pink parchment, scented of roses and bearing a rose seal, stood out from the others. Julienne opened it curiously.

“Good grief,” she breathed when she realized who the sender was. And then she tucked into the letter with gusto.

She’d jilted him!

Lucien stomped back down the steps of Montrose Hall in a fine temper. He still couldn’t believe it. He’d never been jilted in his life. “Something came up,” Julienne had written in her far-too-brief apology. If that “something” turned out to be Fontaine, there would be the devil to pay.

Returning to his phaeton, Lucien cursed at the sight of the massive picnic basket strapped to the back. He’d never in his life been on a picnic. His staff had been forced to run out and buy the things necessary to put one together, including the basket itself. Even with his foul mood, he wasn’t about to allow the fine feast Remington’s chef had put together go to waste. He’d visit his mother and take her out for the afternoon. She would enjoy the surprise.

It wasn’t long before Lucien was climbing the steps of his mother’s townhouse. Heading toward the pink parlor, he scowled when he heard his mother’s laughter inside.Damnation, she had guests.Perhaps she wouldn’t be available for a picnic either. The thought made his mood even more disagreeable. He opened the door and then stood frozen on the threshold.

“What the devil are you doing in my mother’s house?” he barked.

Three heads—his mother’s, the duke’s, and Julienne’s—swung toward him in surprise.

He was somewhat pacified by Julienne’s radiant smile. “I was invited, of course,” she replied.

His Grace stood. “Afternoon, son. Wasn’t expecting to see you until this evening at your club, but I’m pleased all the same.”

“I’m not,” grumbled Amanda. “Run along now, Lucien, and allow me to speak to Lady Julienne.”

Lucien crossed his arms and glowered. “If I leave, Julienne is coming with me. Today was my day with her, promised to me for a picnic.”

“You whine like a petulant child,” his mother scolded as she attempted to shoo him out of the room.

“You have no notion of the trouble that went into preparing that damn picnic,” he argued. “And now it’s sitting outside, on the back of my phaeton, getting cold.” He held out his hand. “Come along, Julienne.”

Amanda glared at her son. “She’s not going anywhere. She came to see me, and she’s been here only a few minutes.”

“She has no business being here. We had plans.”

Julienne rose from the settee with her customary grace, and Lucien’s eyes became riveted to her. The epitome of theton‘s esteemed social perfection, she was nevertheless completely at home in his mother’s parlor, and he adored her for that. Dressed in a scarlet riding habit, she was stunning, with her glorious hair piled atop her head and her lush lips curved in a placating smile. As she stepped closer, her scent enveloped him, and his entire body hardened, as it always did around her.

She reached out a hand and stroked his tense upper arm. “I’m sorry I ruined your plans for the day. Perhaps we can still go and take your parents with us.”

At the slight touch of her hand, he lost his control and gripped her elbows, pulling her closer. He bent over her, lowering his voice so he wouldn’t be overheard. “I wanted you all to myself. I looked forward to it.”

She laughed. “My maid is here. She would have come on the picnic, too.”

“I might have been able to tolerate her,” he muttered. “But my mother will hang on every word.”

“What could you possibly have to say that would shock your parents?”

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