Page 50 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

A tear escaped, trickling down her cheek, and Victor brushed it away with his thumb.

“Now, where shall we go to show the world we will stand up against gossipmongers? I’ve borrowed my father’s phaeton,which sits three comfortably. Would you like to go to Gunter’s for ices?”

Wary about facing condemning stares from people in theton, Juliana hesitated, but Victor’s gentle touch gave her courage. She could face anything with him by her side. “That would be lovely.”

“Perhaps His Grace could accompany us as chaperone. A duke’s presence should silence some of the wagging tongues.”

Juliana shook her head. “He’s left for Lords, and I hate to ask Honoria. My mother, perhaps?”

“If you wish. However, no disrespect to your mother, but I hoped for someone with a little more power.”

He had a point. They needed someone strong who could deflect any barbs thrown their way. Immediately, one person came to mind. “I know someone! I’ll ask my mother if she will allow me to accompany you alone temporarily.”

“Who is it?” Victor’s lips tipped up playfully. “The sparkle in your eyes I spoke of earlier is there. You’re up to something.”

“You’ll have to wait. It’s a surprise.”

Giving her hand a squeeze, he rose. “Very well, go ask your mother. Wear your loveliest bonnet and put on a smile while I have the phaeton brought around.”

When Juliana told her mother her idea for a chaperone, her mother hugged her and agreed it was a marvelous choice. “I trust Victor to be a gentleman, and you don’t have far to go.”

Victor waited outside for Juliana and took her hand to assist her into the vehicle. Climbing next to her, Victor took the reins from the groom. “Where to?”

Juliana could hardly restrain her smile. “Aunt Kitty’s.”

Victor snapped the ribbons, laughing all the way as they rode down the street.

The Countess of Gryffin.Victor’s admiration for Juliana grew along with his laugh. His pretend fiancée was not only lovely, she was clever. “We could have walked.” He turned toward her and winked.

She wagged a finger at him, her blue eyes dancing merrily. “Ah, you forget we are going to Gunter’s. You and I could manage the walk there easily. However, Aunt Kitty could not.”

Although plenty of room remained between him and Juliana to adhere to propriety, the phaeton’s bench seat wasn’t overly large. Yet, the fact that Lady Gryffin’s small frame would fit next to them easily was somehow disappointing. The thought dipped in and out of Victor’s mind like a darting bird, unsure whether to land or make haste in an escape.

Before he had time to examine it further, he pulled the phaeton up to Lady Gryffin’s stately townhouse. After handing the reins to a groom, Victor assisted Juliana down from the vehicle and to the countess’s door.

The butler peered down his nose at them. “Who shall I say is calling?”

Didn’t the butler recognize Juliana? Victor glanced at her, his gaze catching the uptick in the corner of her mouth.

Victor held out a calling card. “Please tell the countess that Mr. Victor Pratt and Miss Juliana Merrick request the pleasure of her company.”

With a blink, the butler took the card and opened the door wider. “Please wait here. I shall see if my lady is receiving.”

After they stepped inside and the butler departed, Juliana whispered, “He knows very well who I am. It’s a game he likes to play. He even questions Drake as if he’s never seen him before.Brilliant idea handing him your card. I think it threw him off entirely.”

Down the hall, the countess’s voice rose. “Well, show them in, you fool!”

When the butler returned, his haughty manner remained, not appearing the least bit chagrined by his mistress’s chastisement. “Follow me.”

After leading them to a parlor, the butler bowed and took his leave. The countess’s gnarled hand gripped her cane as she rose. “Juliana. Come give your Aunt Kitty a kiss on the cheek.” She nodded toward Victor. “Mr. Pratt. We’ve met before, have we not?”

“Yes, my lady.” Victor bowed. “Briefly at Burwood’s house party last summer.”

“Of course. Of course. My eyes are weak, but I never forget a handsome face.” She reseated herself on the sofa and patted the cushion next to it. “What brings you both here? Is it that regrettable report in that ragThe Muckraker?”

As Juliana settled next to the countess, Victor took the lead, seating himself in a chair across from the ladies. “Partly. Although there is no truth to the accusation that Miss Merrick posed inappropriately, she has accepted my offer of marriage.”

“Hmm.” The countess studied him, her eyes sharper than she’d indicated. “An honorable young man. Although Juliana is not my niece by blood, her happiness is paramount to me. Do I make myself clear, young man?”

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