Page 71 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

“What is she doing here?”

Victor followed his mother’s horrified expression, his heart banging hard against his ribcage.

He blinked, clearing his vision.

Surely, it was his imagination.

Yet, there, she stood, next to the dark-haired man Victor had loathed for two years.

Adalyn.

CHAPTER 20

Exchanging a pleading glance with Honoria, who quickly occupied Victor’s parents, Juliana chastised herself for being late. She had spent too much time with her hair, the hot rod Miss Price used to add curls to her typically straight locks taking forever to heat between the applications.

She’d had every intention of alerting Victor about Adalyn and Nash’s arrival. To prepare him for the shock of seeing her again.

Victor blinked rapidly, no doubt trying to make sense of things. His gaze darted toward her, and Juliana winced at the pain reflected in his eyes.

Victor’s gaze returned to Adalyn, who was whispering something to her husband. “How long?”

Would she ever be the center of an event where it didn’t crumble to dust around her? She shook her head, unsure if he meant how long had Adalyn and Nash been in England, or how long had she known about it. Words rushed out even as her throat tightened. “I wanted to tell you. But Drake didn’t want to ruin your evening out. Earlier today, I came to your apartments, but Tierney said you had been up all night and left word not to be disturbed.”

“When did they arrive?”

“Late yesterday afternoon. They came to see Charlotte. Her marriage. To meet Simon. They didn’t know about...us.”

Why wouldn’t he look at her? “Victor, can you forgive me?”

In slow motion, he turned toward her as if reluctant to tear his gaze away from the woman he once loved. Still loved? “Forgive you? For what? Did you bring them here? To remind me of what I lost? Hurt me?”

She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. “No. Of course not. I would never do anything to deliberately hurt you.”

“Then let’s not discuss it further and do our best to get through this evening.”

His words landed with aclunkin her heart. Instead of a joyful celebration of their impending union, the evening had devolved into something Victor merely wanted toget through. Why must thetoninsist on saving face and acting if everything was right when clearly it couldn’t be morewrong? She would never understand them, never fit in.

Having worked some magic on Victor’s mother, Honoria squeezed Juliana’s hand. “More guests are arriving. We should take our places.”

Victor’s father, who had been speaking with Drake, met her eyes, and the understanding within them nearly brought her to tears. “Take heart, my dear.” He bowed over her hand, then moved aside.

Lady Cartwright was not so gracious, the emptiness in her eyes matching her hollow words of congratulations. “Good luck to you both.”

Victor’s narrowed gaze slid toward his mother. As she moved before him, he whispered one word, “Sheep,” which had her scurrying off.

Victor clearly noticed Juliana’s confusion. “I’ll explain later. For now, ignore her. My father will keep her in hand.”

Early arrivals worked their way through the receiving line and Adalyn grew closer. Juliana’s heart drummed hard against her ribcage. Adalyn smiled and gave Juliana’s hands a squeeze. “I wish you every happiness, Juliana.”

A dull buzzing sounded in her ears, muffling the voices around her. She fought the tunnel of darkness encroaching on her vision. Had she even managed a ‘Thank you’?

Adalyn stepped aside to greet Victor, and although Nash had moved before her, Juliana’s attention remained on her betrothed and Adalyn.

“Mr. Pratt.” In the same manner as Adalyn did with her, she took Victor’s hands in hers. “I’m thrilled you have found someone to share your life with. I wish you every possible happiness.”

Victor stared down at his hands entwined with Adalyn’s, his expression blank. What was he thinking? A tiny smile formed as his gaze rose to Adalyn’s face. “Thank you, Lady Nash. I’m a lucky man to have found Miss Merrick.”

Juliana blinked, and the infernal buzzing in her ears lessened.

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