Page 79 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Lord Montgomery cocked a brow. “Oh? Any fallacious reports about our monarch could backfire with dire consequences for the one reporting such falsehoods.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “Although I can’t say I would be brokenhearted to see that churl brought to his knees. But what about your brother?”

“He promised he couched the rumor as just that—speculation, and if necessary, he will deny it. Drake said sometimes it’s good to be a duke.”

Lord Montgomery gave a hearty laugh. “If he has any doubts, please relay to His Grace how much I like him.” He gave her a wink. “And it’s good to have two dukes as friends. If there is anything I can do to assist in your endeavors to catch this rat, you have only to ask.”

Once the dance ended and Lord Montgomery returned her to the side of the ballroom, Juliana glanced around for Victor. She gave a little shudder when her gaze landed on Lord Felix and he raised a glass of champagne in salute. Scanning further, Juliana found Victor stationed near the entrance, talking to Mr. Ludlow. When he peered over and caught her eye, her heart beat against her ribcage with giddy anticipation, only to increase both in speed and intensity when Victor slipped from the ballroom.

She heeded his instructions and waited five minutes, then carefully, so as not to attract attention, wove her way toward the doorway. What should have been simple—and would have been had she not been one of the main parties being honored—proved to be a challenge.

People stopped to wish her joy again. Several gentlemen asked if she still had availability on her dance card. Five more minutes passed.

Almost there.I’m coming, Victor.

With the ballroom’s doorway inches away, she jerked back when Lord Felix’s body appeared from the hallway and blocked her exit.

Hadn’t he been by the refreshment table?

“In a hurry, Miss Merrick?”

“As a matter of fact, I am, sir. If you would kindly move.”

He stood steadfast.

She tried to go around him, but as she stepped to the side, he did as well.

“I say, Davies, let the lady pass,” Mr. Grey’s commanding voice distracted Lord Felix enough for Juliana to skirt past him and escape into the hallway.

Modulated anger echoed behind her from Lord Felix’s protests. But she didn’t care. A rendezvous with Victor awaited!

Victor breathedin the fresh scent of lush foliage and citrus mixed with the pungent aroma of fresh earth in the pots and plant beds. The orangery boasted multiple orange trees, of course, but also lemon and pomegranate trees, along with succulents and fragrant flowers in colorful varieties, literally bursting with life. Faint illumination from the waxing crescent moon and flickering candles bounced off strategically placed mirrors used to reflect the light toward the growing plants. Branches of the trees and plants created eerie shadows in the dim lighting.

Memory of his egregious slip when he’d kissed Juliana crashed back in tumultuous waves. Perhaps the orangery hadn’t been the best choice to confess his feelings. Would she doubt his sincerity, thinking he only used her as a substitute for Adalyn?

He’d only just arrived, and she promised to wait a few minutes. Perhaps if he left immediately, he would chance upon her and direct her to another place?

Soft footfalls against the tile flooring and the rustle of leaves surprised him. Was she so eager to meet him she had not waited as he instructed? Taking a deep breath, he turned to greet her. At the flash of dark-blue fabric, the genuine smile tugging his lips vanished, and his eyes narrowed in confusion. Had someone else followed him, or had another couple stolen away for a secluded interlude?

“Mr. Pratt? Victor?” The feminine voice, although not Juliana’s, was uncomfortably familiar.

Adalyn stepped from the lush foliage, and he breathed a small sigh of relief. At least it wasn’t Lydia. Adalyn’s smile, though genuine, seemed tentative, and Victor’s momentary relief dissipated.

Tension, like a taut bow, stretched between them.

“Lady Nash. Or do you go by Mrs. Talbot?”

“Adalyn will be just fine. We’re still friends, I hope.”

Friends. The word sent him back to that awful night when, on the verge of proposing, Adalyn had quickly stopped him. Prepared to risk scandal for her, he’d never felt so crushed.

But at that moment, as he met her gaze directly, none of the anguish, none of the rejection he’d felt that night surfaced. No ache of longing squeezed his chest. He admired her, liked her. But he didn’t love her any longer.

Did he ever know her well enough to truly love her?

He rather thought not.

“Of course we’re friends.”

“Forgive me for following you. I wished to speak with you in private.”

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