Page 66 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Victor choked on his drink. “I beg your pardon?”

“It’s a simple question. Yes or no. You’re about to commit your lifetime to a woman. Do you love her?”

“His Grace has already questioned me about this matter, and I’ve been as honest as I can be.”

“Humor me. Your answer will stay between us.”

Victor considered giving him the same answer he gave to Drake. That he liked her, esteemed her, but those words spoken several weeks ago now seemed inadequate. Why was that? He answered as truthfully as he could. “Ihonestly ...don’t know.”

Simon grinned. “A fair answer. Truthful. Which means there is hope.” Fingers turning the glass of amber liquid, he peered into it. “I understand you were enamored with another woman some years ago. Might you still be harboring past feelings that are preventing you from embracing what is waiting in the present?”

Victor opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again, but the outraged objection didn’t come. And here he’d thought Simon Beckham more a man of joviality and frivolity. But the weight of his question stung.

Simon’s gaze darted up and over Victor’s shoulder. Victor turned, seeing Drake and the captain returning. Both men took a seat at the table.

“Gentlemen,” Drake said. “Allow me to introduce my cousin. Miles Grey.”

CHAPTER 19

JUNE 25, 1830

After a fitful night’s sleep, Juliana forced herself out of bed late the next morning. Birdsong and the sweet smell of late-blooming wisteria drifted in from the open window.

Juliana stretched and rubbed her eyes.

Miss Price cast a smile over her shoulder as she poured fresh water into the washbasin. “Good morning, miss. Did you sleep well? Excited about the ball this evening?”

Before Juliana could answer, Miss Price, always the chatterbox, continued, “Silly question. Of course you are! Now, don’t be a slugabed. Let’s get you washed and dressed.”

For once grateful for the maid’s ramblings, Juliana responded and smiled at—what she hoped were—the appropriate times. Truth be told, she hardly comprehended a word Miss Price said. Scenarios which had flitted in and out of her mind most of the night persisted even more vividly once she was fully awake.

How would Victor react upon seeing Adalyn again?

Should she have accepted Nash’s offer to refrain from attending?

No. Convinced she had made the right decision, she prepared herself to face the consequences.

Even though Victor had no chance of winning Adalyn, Juliana dreaded witnessing the affection on his face for a woman who was not her. To know he would never gaze at her with such love and devotion would break her heart.

Unlike her father, Juliana didn’t want to be the second choice—no matter how much she loved Victor. And make no mistake, she’d come to accept she loved Victor with her whole heart.

Where did that leave her? Marrying another man who would be her second choice?

Why must love be so—so messy?!

As Miss Price brushed and tugged Juliana’s hair into submission and chattered on, one word snagged Juliana’s attention.

“Cousin? What did you say?”

Hairbrush still clutched in one fist, Miss Price propped her hands on her hips and stared at Juliana in the mirror’s reflection. “Are you not listening, miss? Well, I suppose that’s your right and all with it being such an exciting day. But I was telling you what I heard from Mr. Dawson.”

“About Mr. Dawson’s cousin?” Juliana asked, trying to piece together the fragments.

Miss Price huffed. “No, miss. His Grace’s cousin. Dawson said His Grace is thrilled, but Mr. Dawson said it’s all a little scandalous.”

Juliana chuckled. “Dawson seems to have a lot of opinions. What is scandalous about a cousin?”

Although only the two of them were in the room, Miss Price leaned forward and whispered, “Mr. Grey was born on the wrong side of the blanket.”

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