Page 85 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

Juliana gave a subtle shake of her head. “If you mean about delaying our wedding trip, please don’t give it another thought. We can discuss it later.”

Goodness, but she was a quick thinker.

Gently, he placed his hand on top of hers and gave it a tiny squeeze as he mouthed the words,Thank you.

She slid her hand out from under his, and he resisted the urge to take it back. He couldn’t press her, but damn if he didn’t need to set things straight.

He scooped up another spoonful of soup, doing his best to sound nonchalant. “If I’m not mistaken, there is one more waltz after supper.”

Barely perceptible, she winced. Was she so angry, find him so reprehensible, she wished to avoid any contact with him whatsoever?

“You are correct. However, since it is the last dance of the evening, if you find yourself in need of a respite, only say the word.”

“I would never be too tired to dance with you, Juliana.” He prayed the sincerity of his words were evident.

After an hour, the interminably long supper drew to a close, and as the women departed for the ladies’ retiring room to refresh themselves, Victor waited for Juliana in the ballroom.

“Something is wrong, Pratt. Tell me what it is.” Burwood’s voice, although commanding, wasn’t harsh.

Victor glanced around, not exactly pleased they were alone as he’d hoped to evade the duke’s question using the excuse they could be overheard. “Something happened—although innocent—that upset Juliana.”

“Go on.”

“Lady Nash wished me well and kissed me. I promise you, it was in friendship only.”

“And yet, my wife tells me you held a tendre for the lady several years ago. Courted her, in fact. Is it possible your feelings remain the same?”

Victor shook his head. “I assure you, sir. Whatever affection I held for Lady Nash is in the past.”

“And where did this innocent kiss occur, might I ask? Surely, not in public?”

How could he tell Drake he had been waiting for Juliana? However, lying wouldn’t help his cause. “In the orangery, sir.”

The duke’s eyebrows hitched. “Quite a distance from the ballroom. And both Lady Nash and my sister came upon you there by accident?”

Although reared as a steward’s son and a groom, the man was shrewd. “Lady Nash followed me. As I told Juliana, Lady Nash wished to ensure everything between us was in the past.”

“And my sister? Was that by chance?”

Victor’s throat tightened. “No, sir. I asked her to meet me there.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

“Do I want to know why?”

Bitter and dry, a hollow chuckle rose in Victor’s throat and caught.Yes and no.Victor couldn’t tell the man his relationship with Juliana, although now very real to him, had started as a pretense. Burwood would have his head for using his sister. Victor formed his answer carefully. “Nothing improper. I wanted to tell her something—personal—in private.”

Rightness wrapped around Victor like a warm blanket. Only when faced with Adalyn again and realizing how shallow his love for her had been compared to what he felt for Juliana did he understand the depth of his feelings. What he felt for Juliana was more than growing affection. When he had least expected it, had love taken root?

Lips pressed together in a tight line, Drake appeared deep in thought—and those thoughts were unreadable on the man’s face.

Like a man waiting for a judge’s sentence, Victor sucked in a breath.

“I should object to you arranging a liaison with my sister, but considering your honesty and the fact that you are already betrothed, I will turn a blind eye. However, your problem remains. Could you not explain to Juliana?”

“Believe me, I tried. I’m ashamed to say she has reasons for doubting me.”

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