Page 72 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

“Miss Merrick?” Nash’s dark eyes bore into her. “You’ve only to say the word, and we shall make our excuses.”

“No, Lord Nash. I am quite well. But thank you.” She wouldget throughthe evening. For Victor.

But she couldn’t help but notice Victor’s gaze following Adalyn as she moved from the receiving line into the ballroom. And it stung.

“Pratt. May I offer my congratulations?”

Victor muttered a curt, “Thank you,” and even shook Nash’s hand.

She continued to greet the never-ending line of guests. How many people had Honoria invited? Friendly faces, faces she had never seen before, all blurred together. Each person wished herjoy and happiness, notes of sincerity ringing in some and doubt in others.

She cast a glance at Victor as he greeted Lady Miranda, and although he smiled, no sparkle danced in his eyes.

“Well, this must be a turn of events for you.” The masculine voice pulled Juliana’s attention back to Lord Felix standing before her. Shaking his head, he clucked his tongue in atsk-tsk.“Shame having your intended’s former lover show up at your engagement ball. You wouldn’t have had that problem had you considered my offer.”

“Is there a problem, Miss Merrick?” A man as tall as a giant stood behind Lord Felix.

Sheer shock transformed Lord Felix’s face, his eyes widening and jaw dropping as he turned toward the man. “Where did you come from, and what are you doing here?”

Ignoring Lord Felix and with a grace Juliana didn’t expect from a man his size, he bowed before her. “Miles Grey, Miss Merrick. His Grace was kind enough to invite me. I had the pleasure of meeting your betrothed last evening.” He slid a glance toward Victor. “Permit me to say he’s a lucky man.”

Imposing as Drake’s cousin was—and Juliana would have words with her brother regarding his neglect in preparing her for the sheer enormity of the man—gentleness shone in his eyes. Eyes, Juliana was quick to note, that reminded her exactly of her brother’s.

Lord Felix continued to gape at Mr. Grey. “Why on earth would the duke inviteyouto his sister’s engagement ball?”

Miles quirked a brow. “Perhaps, because unlike so many of your ilk, His Grace sees value in a man beyond his birthright or occupation. Or perhaps it’s simply because he’s a decent sort. What I’m wondering is why he invitedyou, Davies?”

Next to her, Victor covered a laugh with a cough, which drew a scowl from Lord Felix. “Take care which skirt you chase, Pratt. I hear Lord Nash is an exceptional shot.”

Without a further word, Lord Felix moved into the ballroom.

By some miracle, Juliana managed greeting the remainder of the guests, even Lydia, whose icy words of felicitation could have kept the ratafia chilled all evening.

However, neither Lydia’s cold reception nor Lord Felix’s insults, or even Lord Middlebury’s fascination with her décolletage stung as much as Victor’s distance. Although he remained by Juliana’s side, from the moment he laid eyes on Adalyn again, it was as if a barrier had dropped firmly into place between them.

Soft music welcomed them as they finally made their way into the ballroom. Golden candlelight lit and warmed the room, reflecting off the crystal bobs of the chandeliers and polished silver wall sconces.

Faces of the guests turned toward them. Some wore genuine smiles, while others, such as Anne Weatherby—who had confided she had practically given up hope in finding a match—appeared perhaps a bit less sincere.

Scattered among the guests of Juliana’s personal acquaintance, others she had not met prior to that evening watched in what she could only think of as curiosity or indifference. Lords and ladies of Drake’s and Honoria’s acquaintance, powerful men Drake had either allied with or argued against in Parliament with names she would never remember, filled the room.

So many more people than had attended her failed come-out ball only months before, the crowd boded even greater disaster and embarrassment should the evening not go well.

Victor squeezed her hand resting on his arm, the first sign of affection since Adalyn’s appearance, and even through his glove, Juliana took courage in the warmth of his touch.

“Chin up, Juliana. All will be well.”

Oh, how she wanted to believe him.

Victor finally regainedhis footing after the shock of seeing Adalyn again—there at the betrothal ball in his and Juliana’s honor, no less. He had a million questions flooding his mind.

Of course she had come with Nash because of Lady Charlotte’s marriage. For one fleeting moment, Victor had wondered if Adalyn had come because of him—to stop his marriage to Juliana. To profess her love for him and admit her foolishness in marrying Nash. He’d fantasized about it for years.

Yet even before he saw Nash’s dark head rising in the crowd behind Adalyn, a sharp realization crept into him. Shocking though it admittedly was, seeing Adalyn again failed to stir the feelings he’d been coddling and watering like a dying plant he was desperate to keep alive. Instead, a numbness, like being out in the cold too long without his gloves or hat, replaced the longing ache he’d nurtured for years.

Still as beautiful, as interesting anddifferentas she had been, Adalyn hadn’t changed. He had—or perhaps his feelings had. Rather than a dream he couldn’t have, his heart had turned to a very real woman. One whose kisses sent sparks up his skin and ignited a fire in his soul.

But Adalyn’s arrival hadn’t only shifted something in him. Juliana’s demeanor had changed as well. Had she decided to cry off? Would he forever pine for a woman who didn’t want him?

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