“You didn’t do it, did you, Tony?”
To keep from answering her, he kissed her again, this time taking it deeper, letting some of the desperation he was feeling feed into the kiss.
Juliet responded, clutching his coat in her hands.
Her mouth, hot and moist against his, caused his heart to beat faster. He wanted her, wanted to be inside her, to feel her wrap around him. He moved his hands up to cup her small breasts.
“Well, isn’t this nice?”
Simon Bartleby sat on a horse at the foot of the steps. Juliet gasped and tried to move away from Tony, but he wouldn’t release her. Bartleby would need to get used to seeing Juliet with him.
“If I’d have known you preferred less gentlemanlike behavior, Miss Juliet, I would have been happy to accommodate you,” Bartleby sneered.
“Just follow my lead,” Tony whispered to Juliet. “Mr. Bartleby, you are the first to know. Miss Juliet has done me the very great honor of agreeing to become my wife.”
Juliet began to speak, but Tony touched a finger to her mouth to silence her. He kissed her firmly on the lips.
“Rather sudden, isn’t it?” Bartleby said suspiciously.
“We’ve known each other for years, Mr. Bartleby,” Juliet said.
Despite Juliet’s composed tone, Tony saw the anger burning in her eyes. Doubt curled through his belly. He had assumed by the way she’d responded to him that she felt something genuine for him. It had never occurred to him that he might be the only one with deeper feelings.
“Congratulations to you both,” Bartleby said curtly, then tipped his hat and rode off into the woods.
Juliet waited until the man was out of sight. Then she punched Tony squarely in the chest. “What were you thinking?”
“What did you want me to do? I had my hands all over you!”
“But an engagement? It will be all over the village by tomorrow.”
“We’ll tell the family tonight at dinner. No one is going to be surprised. We’ve been spending a great deal of time together.” He pulled her back into his arms. “Would it be so bad? Marriage to me?”
She played with the buttons on his waistcoat. “You live in London and I hate London.”
Here was the opening he was waiting for, but thanks to the vicar’s gossip of a wife, he couldn’t take it. “What if I were to get a house here?”
She looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “You’d do that?”
“I’m tired of Town. I came home to look for a place of my own. I want some of the happiness my brother has with Anne.” Tony cradled her face in his hands. “Say yes. Please.”
There were still questions in her eyes. Questions he thought she might be afraid to ask. Such as whether he loved her. He could. He was almost certain he was close to being in love with her. He just wasn’t ready to tell her yet.
He had no idea what she felt, other than passion.
Tony kissed her deeply, his tongue tangling with hers, his hands running over her body. “Be my wife, Jules,” he whispered against her mouth before kissing her again.
He was like a starving man where she was concerned. “If we are engaged, we can do the things pictured in your naughty books.” He trailed his lips down the length of her neck, breathing her in.
Juliet pushed him back and stared at him in shock. “Is that all you’re thinking about?”
“You started it when you tried to hide them in my room.” Tony raised his eyebrow as a not-so-delicate curse slipped past Juliet’s lips.
“Sophia threatened to tell Anne about the books!”
“Once we’re engaged it will not matter.” Tony traced a finger along the edge of her dress. She trembled beneath his hand.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said. “But do not blame me if you come to regret it.”
“This must be the oddest engagement ever,” Tony said.
“Can you imagine what the marriage will be like?”
Chapter Ten
A
s they walked back to the Lodge, Juliet’s thoughts churned in her head like a whirlpool.
Tony had proposed to protect her reputation, but he’d seemed serious about it. He’d seduced her into a yes with his kisses and cajoling. He’d never denied anything about the gossip. He’d sidetracked her news with kisses, and very effectively too.
Oh, dear Lord. What had she done?
One kiss and she was a mindless puddle at his feet, incapable of stringing a sentence together. She wasn’t sure she liked the fact that he could do that to her so easily.
Juliet had no doubt Tony cared for her. They’d been friends even before they’d become family. Surely that was enough with which to start a marriage.
But would marriage ruin their camaraderie? Would this passion they felt for each other ruin their friendship? Would they lose the ability to talk to each other and become like so many other couples she’d seen in Town?
Relationships like Anne and Nathaniel’s were the exception rather than the rule.
Passion was a bright flame that dimmed over time. Wasn’t that why men took mistresses—to experience the hot fire of passion before going home to a tepid wife and duty?
It would kill her to become just a duty to fulfill. She’d rather be a spinster.
Juliet’s dashed curiosity was going to get her into deep trouble. The thought of being able to put her hands on Tony’s body made her tingle in places she didn’t know could tingle.
“You’re quiet.”
His voice was hesitant, but he still gripped her hand in his, as if he couldn’t let her go. She looked at their joined hands. His swallowed her smaller one. He made her feel safe. He made her feel pretty. But was this enough to build a marriage on?
“I’m just thinking about how to tell the family.”
And so the lies and half truths began. She closed her eyes for a few moments. How could they be husband and wife if they couldn’t be honest with each other? “Tony, are you sure this is what you want? To marry me?” She forced the words out.
Tony looked down at her. “Are you changing your mind?”
His voice held a note of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She wished she knew how he felt, but getting him to admit his feelings would mean she would have to admit her own. And she had no idea yet what her feelings even were.
Juliet liked Tony a great deal. She was probably well on her way to being in love with him, but if she admitted it now, Tony would have more power over her. Already she was lost the moment he touched her.
Juliet pulled her hand away from his. She couldn’t think properly if he were touching her. “Tony, what if this is a mistake? I couldn’t endure it if our friendship was hurt in any way.”
He stared at her, searching for the right words. “Maybe being friends is what makes this such an easy decision. For me. I knew it was time to marry—”
“I don’t want it to be something you feel you have to do because you’re of a certain age.” Her voice was harsh.
Tony winced. “You misunderstand. I only meant that I longed for what Nathaniel and Anne have. Perhaps it was our friendship that started me thinking about marriage. I always knew that I wanted to be a part of your family. I’ve always admired how close you are to your sisters. I’ve wanted to be a part of that closeness. Not even Nathaniel and Anne had this when they started.”
“They loved each other.”
“Who’s to say that love won’t grow the closer we become? Our beginning was different from theirs. We have a relationship already. In my mind, our engagement was inevitable. Look how well we have worked together at the Williams farm. Can you not imagine what it will be like when we have our own home?”
Inevitable.
Tony thought their marriage inevitable. Juliet wanted so badly to have him admit his feelings for her, but she was terrified of the answer. It was too soon. “I suppose we should announce our engagement before dinner.”
“That’s as good a time as any. It will give the gossips something else to chat about.”
She groaned. “Wait until Mrs. Dullwood hears this.”
Tony laughed. “The vicar’s wife?”
“Anne is always warning me not to give people nicknames. One of these days, I’m going to embarrass myself and call her by that name to her face.”
“I’m sure she deserves it.”
“But after the other rumor—”
Tony placed a finger gently on her lips. “Let’s not bring up that unpleasantness. It will work itself out; trust me.”
He wouldn’t meet her eyes. A feeling that something wasn’t quite right ran through her, but she nodded her head and let him pull her along toward the Lodge. “Mr. Bartleby wasn’t very happy.”
“He knows what he lost.”
“You mean my dowry. I never thought the man had any real feelings for me.”
“The man would have hurt you,” he said tightly.
Pain lanced through her. Maybe being truthful was overrated. Still, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “So you proposed to protect me from him?”
“Yes . . . no, damn it. No.” He struggled for words. “Remember the bruises on your arms? He is one of those men who takes pleasure in hurting women.” He looked away from her. “I was going to talk to Nathaniel about it tonight. There was no way he would have allowed the match if he knew the kind of man Bartleby is.”
“I had planned on mentioning it to Anne but hadn’t found the right moment to do so.”
“Now you won’t have to worry about it. I won’t allow the man anywhere near you. I’ll tell Nathaniel when we return to the house,” Tony continued. “The sooner we get the family on our side, the easier it will be to dispel any gossip.”
“Heaven forbid that there be more gossip about us.”
“If you don’t want to marry me, just say so, Juliet.” There was a tone in his voice that pulled at her, almost as if she had hurt him.
“I’m sorry, Tony. I just didn’t think it would happen like this. Frankly, I didn’t think I’d ever marry.”
“Why would you think that?”
She laughed. “Outside of your attentions and those of Mr. Bartleby, there have been no other gentlemen interested in me, here or in Town. There certainly isn’t a line of suitors waiting to call upon me.”
“So your only concern is that you don’t think you’re worthy of my notice?” He chuckled. “Sweetheart, I’ve not been able to stay away since I arrived.”
Juliet’s heart skipped a beat.
“I attended those balls to play cards with investors. It was my job to keep them engaged and interested in investing in the business plans Nathaniel, Ian, and I came up with. The only joy I found at those events was my one waltz with you. Feeling you in my arms.”
Juliet tripped over a tree root. She knew her mouth was hanging open at his confession.
“But I’m happy to show you how much I desire you. Only you, Jules.”
Juliet’s pulse raced. He wanted her. Too bad her clothing hid a multitude of inadequacies. He’d soon see for himself how truly unattractive she was, and she’d be left alone in a tight ball of pain.
Dinner had been torture, the announcement worse. Tony didn’t know why everyone had been so surprised that he’d proposed to Jules. True, she was a great deal too good for him, but Anne was too good for Nathaniel. What was the difference?
All he knew was that this engagement was tenuous at best and he needed to make certain Juliet couldn’t wiggle out of it once the truth was revealed. And it would be revealed sooner rather than later.
Tony’s conversation with Nathaniel had been strained. Anne had informed Nathaniel of the gossip the vicar’s wife had delivered. He had so many questions. Was Tony still gambling? Was it true?
The only thing that held Tony together through the entire conversation was the fact that Juliet had believed him. Her faith in him, though unwarranted, gave him hope that he could resolve the difficulty.
After enduring the lecture about the dangers of gambling, the announcement that he wanted to marry Juliet had been easy. He had been honest with Nathaniel about that. He was blunt about Bartleby and the bruises he’d left on her arms. Once that was said, Nathaniel’s consent had been readily offered.
Tony now stood with Jules in the drawing room. She was quiet, stiff with nerves. Her sisters were firing questions at them both, but Juliet was only nodding in reply. He could feel her distancing herself from him. He did not like it.
Propriety would dictate that he wait until after the wedding to make Juliet his. It would be the honorable thing to do. He had waited this long—but how could he wait any longer?
Tony was tired of waiting. He wanted to taste every inch of her smooth skin. Show her how pretty she was, how desirable. He was ready to end this damned virginity business for both of them.
“I, for one, am happy to see you settle down, Tony,” Lady Danford said. “I couldn’t have picked a better lady for you to have by your side. I’m glad you were smart enough to snap her up.”
“Thank you, Lady Danford,” Jules said. Her voice was soft and tremulous. Very out of character.
“You two must have fallen in love during all those trips to the Williams farm,” Sophia said.
“I’m happy for you,” Ian McDonald said. “But I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Sophia looked a bit shocked. “Why do you say that?”
“Didn’t you notice that while you ladies were in Town, the only time Tony would come to the balls was to dance with Miss Juliet? He would arrive, dance with his lady, and leave shortly after. I think there were wagers about it at White’s.”
Tony grimaced. Juliet was looking at him with those big dark eyes wide with hope. “It’s true.”
“I cannot say that it’s much of a surprise to me either. Juliet was always watching for your attendance. She’s held you in high regard for a long time,” Anne said.
“Anne, please!” Juliet protested.
Tony watched as the color crept into Juliet’s face. “High regard?” he teased.
“It wasn’t as if it was a secret,” Sophia said. “She followed us around like a puppy.”
“I was there as chaperone,” Juliet defended herself.
“You liked me even back then?” he asked.
“It was before I knew you well,” Juliet muttered.
Tony glanced at Ian, who was, in turn, watching Sophia when she wasn’t looking. The man was setting himself up for hurt. Sophia craved the attention that marrying into Society could give her.
Seeing Ian’s lost cause gave Tony hope. He had found what he wanted. He’d found a woman who made him want to be a better man. He squeezed Juliet’s hand.
She looked up at him and he smiled. She was truly the best thing to happen to him. Tonight he’d prove it to her.
“So, do you think Chelsworth lost the estate in a card game, Tony?” Nathaniel asked nonchalantly. Too nonchalantly.
Tony exchanged a glance with Ian and said, “It’s possible. He’s spent more time in Town than he has at his estate.”
“You and Ian have been making the rounds to the tenants. What are they saying?”
“Most are barely scraping by,” Tony said. “Bartleby is supposedly managing the estate, but he’s running it into the ground.”
“I’ve been looking into Mr. Bartleby’s background. It seems he’s been cast out of his own family for gambling and womanizing.” Ian looked at Juliet. “He’s ruined several young women on the way, and managed to avoid marrying them.”
Juliet shivered. “He threatened Penelope Williams and others in the neighborhood.”
“I’m just glad he didn’t get his hands on you,” Anne said. “I don’t know why we didn’t see this side of him.”
“He’s very smooth,” Juliet said. “I didn’t see it either until Penelope pointed it out.”
Tony caught a pointed look from Ian. He frowned, not understanding, but said nothing.
“Perhaps, you should check into the possibility of purchasing the estate from Chelsworth?” Ian said carefully.
Why hadn’t I thought of it? God bless Ian for helping me out of this predicament!
thought Tony
.
“I wouldn’t mind purchasing Horneswood. It would keep Jules close to her family.”
Juliet rewarded him with a smile. “Is it possible?”
“I won’t know until I ask. McDonald, perhaps you’d ride over with me in the morning. I hear Chelsworth is back in Beetham.” Tony strove to keep his voice even. Finally, he would get the opportunity to speak with Chelsworth.
“I’d be happy to,” Ian said, “but right now I’m in the mood to dance with the bride-to-be. Mrs. Matthews, would you play for us?”
Tony felt a tinge of jealousy as Ian led his fiancée away to waltz around the room.
“Come, Tony, surely you can dance with me as well,” Sophia said.
“Of course.” He took her into his arms for the waltz. “Are you happy for me?”
“I don’t know yet,” Sophia said. Of all the members of the family, she was the hardest to fool. Not that he had to fake his feelings for Jules.
“Why not?”
“It all seems so sudden, that’s all,” she said as he whirled her around to the music. “I knew you and Juliet were friends, but I thought it was more of a brotherly affection.”
Far from it, but he didn’t want to let on how much he had cared for Juliet.
“You do know about her penchant for naughty reading material, don’t you?” Sophia said. “It’s scandalous.”
“I didn’t know about it, but now I’m curious.” Sophia didn’t need to know that the books were actually now in his own room. “Is there something wrong with a woman wondering about that side of the relationship?”
“It’s better we don’t know, don’t you think? There’s less chance of disappointment that way.”
“Perhaps you should set higher expectations.”
Sophia blushed as she pulled out of his arms. “Don’t hurt my sister,” she said in a low, terse voice. “I will make your life a living hell if you do.”
Juliet watched as Tony danced with Sophia. How well they looked together.