Page 78 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

“Well, Nash wanted to include me because he knew I had a personal stake wanting to see Davies brought down after how he treated you. I didn’t do much other than give a signal when all the players were in place.”

“It sounds like you’ve made amends with him.”

Victor wanted to laugh, but in some respects, perhaps he had. “I’m trying. And he had a point that Davies had done more harm to Lady Charlotte, so Nash wanted some retribution.”

“Did he mention something about his investments?”

Victor nodded. “He did, and I would like to ask him if any part of what he said was true. It sounds like an incredible opportunity. But”—he twirled her on the dance floor—“let’s not talk about setting traps or dull boring things like investments. Not when I have you in my arms at last.”

Juliana’s cheeks pinked just as he’d hoped. “If you wish.”

“Good. Because right now, I only want to concentrate on you. In fact, I have something important to tell you. Why don’t you meet me in the orangery later?”

Her blush deepened. “When?”

“Who is your next set with?”

“I believe Lord Montgomery.”

Victor breathed a sigh of relief her next partner wasn’t Davies or Middlebury. “Finish the set with him, then wait a few minutes. I’ll exit the ballroom first so as not to arouse suspicion.”

With Juliana’s agreement, Victor focused on the waltz and the feel of Juliana in his arms. His hand pressed against her waist, his other clasping hers in a gentle caress. Even through their gloves and the fabric of her gown, heat traveled from hisfingers up his arms, spreading through him to find a resting place in his chest. Like basking under the sun on a warm summer day, comforting warmth reassured him and validated the affection he’d begun to acknowledge for his intended.

He would tell her as much. That their attachment, first a pretense to repair her reputation and dissuade his mother from throwing unmarried women in his path, had—over the course of time—become real.

And as for Adalyn, he would assure Juliana that his past infatuation had faded into oblivion. He wanted to have her alone when he told her. To have the freedom to express the emotions they both felt. Excitement bubbled in his veins as he imagined Juliana’s joy, her kiss, her whispered her name on his lips.

Juliana.

Juliana.

Juliana.

“Victor? Victor?”

Juliana’s confused gaze coupled with the repeat of his name snapped him out of his lovely daydream, only then noticing the music had stopped.

Curious gazes turned toward them. Smiles and muted laughter followed.

Victor couldn’t contain his grin, and he bowed over Juliana’s hand, then placed a soft kiss on it, before whispering, “Orangery. After the next set.”

He couldn’t wait.

CHAPTER 22

As much as Juliana liked Lord Montgomery, she struggled to comprehend what he was saying. Something about an invention he—or was it Bea?—was working on.

Ever since her waltz with Victor, her mind was a muddled mess. Those piercing blue eyes of Victor’s scattered her wits to the four winds. Coupled with his suggestion to meet him in the orangery, his whispered words a promise of something deliciously provocative, they rendered her utterly useless on the dance floor.

Luckily, Lord Montgomery didn’t mind. Each time she stepped on his foot, he laughed and said she reminded him of Bea. Juliana took that as a compliment.

He smiled warmly as she managed through the steps of the country dance. Keeping his voice low, he said, “My wife tells me there are plans afoot to ferret out the perpetrator of that odious gossip sheet.”

She did her best to hold up her end of the conversation and whispered her reply. “That’s true. I’m so glad Lady Montgomery has joined The League. She was the one who narrowed down our suspects.”

“Sheisbrilliant. If anyone can help catch that scoundrel, it’s Bea. If you want my opinion, my money is on Middlebury.”

“My brother encountered him last evening atThe Knave of Heartsand enticed him with a bit of false gossip about the king.”

---