The Rake's Redemption (8 page)

The portly gentleman, however, didn’t spare her a glance. He had eyes only for Sophia.

Sophia extended her hand and her delightful smile brought the dimple hovering beside her mouth. “Rodney, how good to see you again.”

Lord Rodney raised her gloved fingers to his lips, and then kept them imprisoned between his palms. “Sophia, you haven’t changed. You’re still as beautiful as you were twenty years ago … more so!”

Chuckling, Aunt Sophia raised her eyes to Juliana. “Rodney, I’d like you to meet my niece, Juliana Grenville.”

He glanced briefly at her. “Charmed,” he murmured vaguely before turning back to her aunt. “Why don’t you go dance with Juliana, Dominic, so Sophia and I can have a nice, long chat.”

“Heard that, you old dog!” interrupted Freddie’s voice. “This is my dance with Juliana.”

Shaking his head, a slow sensual smile moved across Dominic’s marvelous face. “You heard my uncle, Freddie.” Taking Juliana’s hand he placed it in the bend of his arm.

“It’s robbery, Dominic!” Freddie good-naturedly called after them.

Her heart was pounding in her throat, but she managed to return over her shoulder as Dominic led her away, “The next two dances are yours, Freddie!”

The musicians hidden away in the gallery above them began at that moment the first strains of the first set—a waltz. Dominic drew her into his arms, holding her lightly. For an instant the intimacy of their embrace sent a tingling sensation through her and she stiffened. But she remembered her plan to best the marquis and decided she would treat him like George or Freddie or any other young man. Of course, he was not any other young man, he was Dominic, and he had kissed her in the garden. Pleasant but vague fantasies danced in her head as she forced herself to relax. They swept and swirled around the room, Juliana’s feet barely touching the ground so expert was Dominic’s lead.

Dominic was conscious of her slender, softly rounded body within his embrace and the sweet-smelling masses of auburn curls tickling his chin. There had been that in her eyes when she had first glanced up and seen him and it struck a cord within him just as it had in the garden of the Blue Boar.

Long ago there had been a young man inside Dominic who could have responded to Juliana and the feelings she evoked. There had still been a ghost of that young man in him when he had met Will Grenville on the Peninsula.

They had been of an age, he and Will. Their paths had crossed many times, for Dominic’s spying activities for Wellington had kept him coming and going to camps the length and breadth of that battle-scarred piece of earth. Often at night he would sit over camp fires staring into the flames seeking answers to the questions that had driven him away from all he held dear. It was then that he had come to know Will, when men had talked of home. Dominic listened to tales of sweethearts, mothers, sisters, and wives. But Will Grenville had spun the most appealing of stories about his country estate and the child he had made his bride in the few weeks before he left for war. Will’s stories of the young wife with the spirit of a lion and the heart of a lamb had in some small way touched the hard core that was becoming Dominic’s soul. It was then that he had forged an image of her that he had tucked away, safe and clean, in his subconscious.

The years of corruption since those nights had been long, and the task of slowly destroying that part of himself that still cared about all that he had once held dear was nearly complete. The more unsavory his reputation became, the more every woman he wanted became his for the asking. And the one memory of his mother and his half brother that had scarred his soul burned brighter than ever.

But now he had met Juliana and come to know her. And to desire her in a way totally different than he had ever experienced. At the Blue Boar he had wanted nothing more than to cup her beautiful face in his hands and lower his mouth upon her softly yielding lips. And he realized he wanted that still. Of course, that would never happen again, now that he realized who she was. Perhaps, that was what had drawn him to her, he speculated. He had known, somehow, that here at last was the woman he always wanted. She had pushed all the horrible memories, the promises he’d made to stop the taint within himself far away. Vibrant and alive, she was more than the memory of the young girl who had embodied all he had once wished for himself; she was everything any man could hope for.

The shock he’d experienced realizing Juliana was Will Grenville’s bride—the very woman he had dreamed of—had jolted him to reality. He had withdrawn back behind the walls he had so carefully erected around himself long ago. He wouldn’t allow himself to think about what might have been. It was too late for such folly. He must not forget that Juliana could never be for him; one night, long ago, had robbed him of the future. The man he had become did not deserve any happiness. Any chances to forget the taint. It was his legacy. His and Jules.

Dominic’s arms tightened almost painfully about her and Juliana looked up, nearly crying aloud at what she saw on his face. How could a notorious rake like the Marquis of Aubrey look so sad and lonely?

“Pardon me, Dominic. But the music has stopped you know,” said a crisp strong voice behind the marquis.

Juliana gazed around in surprise to discover the ballroom had fallen silent and that most of the dancers had already left the floor.

Dominic dropped his hands, stepping back from her. A tall, slightly graying, solemnly dressed gentleman with a distinctive military bearing stood beside him.

“I beg both an introduction and the next dance with your charming partner,” the stranger requested quietly.

Dominic seemed to hesitate for the space of a heartbeat before bowing over her hand.

“Juliana Grenville, may I present William Seymour, Lord Edgemont.”

Her curtsy was as natural as breathing, but she was giving the gentleman in front of her little thought, for she was still dazed by what she had seen in Dominic’s eyes.

“A pleasure.” Presenting his arm in a stiff, decorous manner, Lord Edgemont smiled charmingly. “May I have the honor of leading you out for the next dance?”

Juliana wished she and Dominic could be back in the garden at the Blue Boar, alone. For a moment the wall he had erected between them had fallen. She would have liked to explore the strange vulnerable being visible only momentarily, but he was gone.

Hardening her resolve, she remembered her plan. This man was not vulnerable, just another rake who knew women’s softness and played fast and loose with all of them, even herself.

“I would be delighted, sir,” Juliana answered, forcing herself to smile at Edgemont. Before she accepted his arm, she couldn’t resist another look up at Dominic, scanning the perfection of his features, seeking a glimpse of the man she had so briefly seen. He was gone.

“Thank you, my lord marquis.” She steeled her voice. “I enjoyed our waltz.”

For an instant she thought he would respond with nothing but a cool nod, but instead she saw the Dominic who had walked with her in Mrs. Forbes’s garden, as his wonderful smile transformed his face.

“I too, Juliana.”

Why did he play this game with her? First he was one man and then another. She wanted to stay with him, to talk to him, to touch him again. But there was nothing to do except place her hand upon Lord Edgemont’s sleeve and allow him to lead her away into the next set.

From the side of the ballroom Dominic watched as Edgemont led her through the patterns of the country dance.

“Didn’t take him long.” Dominic glanced around as Freddie’s strolled up, a half-empty champagne glass held loosely in his fingers. “Heard he was on the lookout for a wife. The late Lady Edgemont left a brood of five children in Dorset they say.”

“Shouldn’t listen to idle gossip, Freddie,” Dominic said absently watching Juliana grapevine, toe point, and cross to the music.

“Don’t. Just thought I’d warn you on the chance you’ve changed your opinion of dashing young widows.” Freddie searched Dominic’s face carefully. “Watched your dancing. Never saw you hold anyone so correct and careful. Never saw you treat any woman with consideration for their reputation before. You had a certain look I’ve never seen before. Except with Juliana.”

“I haven’t changed, Freddie.” Turning away from the dancers, he took the champagne glass, tossing the contents down his throat, and placed it back in Freddie’s hand. “Ah … the delectable Dora has just arrived. I mustn’t keep her waiting.”

Juliana glanced back to where she had last seen Dominic, but he was no longer there. Crossing to the next form, she turned to face her partner and over his shoulder she saw Dominic with Lady Dora Stanwood. The raven-haired beauty was laughing and nearly leaning against him, giving him every opportunity to view her indecently shallow bodice.

The look on Dominic’s face was one of sensual pleasure. There was nothing of the vulnerable man who had so deeply touched her heart as they danced. Juliana missed a step, but quickly regained it and her senses. Lonely and sad … the Marquis of Aubrey! Obviously it had all been the trick of candlelight. He was indeed the heartless flirt Freddie had described to her, and it would give her great pleasure to put him firmly in his place!

After hours of pretending to Aunt Sophia, to Lord Rodney, who curiously enough remained firmly attached to her aunt’s side, to Lord Edgemont, to Freddie, and to everyone else that she had never spent a happier evening in her life, Juliana had a raging headache. She watched without pleasure as Dora Stanwood demonstrated to the
ton
that Dominic was hers. He did not seem to be objecting. In fact, he was positively encouraging her advances. No doubt that was the way of notorious rakes.

Forcing herself to look away from where Dominic, his golden head bent, concentrated on something Dora was saying, she tried to focus on Edgemont, who had kindly produced a glass of lemon squash for her. He was the perfect man. A titled widower with children and a home to care for. Just what she had come to town to find. He certainly seemed smitten with her, dancing every dance allowed and taking her down to dinner. He was charming and handsome in a dignified, soldierly way. He had been speaking to her for the last few minutes and she had not the vaguest notion as to what they were discussing. Why didn’t he just go away and leave her alone for a few minutes? Would this evening never end?

Late that night, mercifully alone at last, Juliana sat before her mirror in a light shift while she carefully pulled at the narrow turquoise ribbons still threaded through her curls.

Without knocking, Sophia opened the bedchamber door and entered, closing it behind her.

A small half smile curved her mouth as she came forward to the dressing table and sat on the small rosewood chair beside the mirror.

Juliana watched her out of the corner of her eye while continuing to tug at her ribbons. “You certainly look pleased with yourself. I must say I don’t blame you. Lord Rodney is charming.”

“Yes, he is, my dear. In fact, I have quite made up my mind to marry him this time.”

Juliana dropped her hairbrush, and several crystal bottles adorning her dressing table rocked precariously and then tumbled over.

Sophia laughed. “The expression on your face, love, reminds me of young Ben’s when Dominic gave him the gold coin for attending to his horses.”

“Are you sure, Aunt Sophia?” Juliana leaned back in her chair.

“Of course, I’m sure. Rodney obviously needs me. If he doesn’t call a halt soon, his corset won’t even be able to contain him.”

“Aunt Sophia!”

Her aunt nodded solemnly. “I heard it creak when he sat down. He tried to cover it with a cough but failed.” Her lips became a firm line and there was a certain glow in her usually calm eyes, which Juliana knew from past experience did not bode well for Lord Rodney.

“Within six months of my care he will have no need of his corset. Then he will have some semblance of his old looks back. He was once nearly as devastating as Dominic. In fact, I fancied myself in love with Rodney until dear Cornelius arrived in town and literally swept me off my feet.”

“Uncle Corny!” Juliana squelched a nearly overwhelming desire to laugh. Uncle Cornelius had looked less like a romantic hero than anyone she had ever seen. Just a bare inch or two taller than her aunt, he had had a slight physique, thin hair, and nearly colorless eyes. Juliana had loved him dearly, but she could hardly credit Aunt Sophia choosing him over someone as dazzling as Dominic.

Her aunt obviously saw the disbelief on her face. “I know it is difficult for you to understand, dear. But sometimes there is a certain attraction between two people that has nothing to do with their looks or their station.”

“Remember, I’ve been in love and married myself,” Juliana reminded her gently.

“For exactly eighteen days to a boy who was like a brother to you.”

Juliana felt heat rise in her chest. Not only did she possess her father’s red hair, but also his temper.

“I assure you that we did not live as brother and sister for the short time we were together! I have very special memories of our marriage,” she replied in as angry a voice as she had ever used to her beloved aunt.

“Do you plan to live on those memories for the rest of your life? Because quite frankly they make for rather unsatisfactory bedfellows,” Sophia said with a sternness that stung Juliana into replying even more sharply.

“I have said I would find a husband, haven’t I?”

“Oh, yes … your lonely widower.” Aunt Sophia continued to observe her closely, her voice softening. “Edgemont, perhaps. But he would never replace Will, would he? You would do your duty, of course, but you would never give him any part of yourself that you gave Will.”

Juliana wanted to look away from her aunt’s knowing eyes, but her pride wouldn’t allow it.

“No one can ever replace Will, Aunt Sophia. I promised his father I would never forget him. It is the least I can do since I failed them both by not producing an heir.”

“If that is so, what do you intend to do about the Marquis of Aubrey?”

Juliana did look away then, straightening the crystal bottles and ribbons strewn across her dressing table.