True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (26 page)

Other conversations around him tried to intrude on his thoughts about Juliana, but he tried to ignore them.
Until he heard a familiar name.
Someone had called out, “Mary Kate.”

Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind. Just as before, he was learning to dance with a girl older than him by a few years,
who
was also taller. Her face became clearer, as did their conversation.

“Mary Kate, stop stepping on my toes. If you will count out the steps like we were taught, you would get it right. I think you’re doing this to annoy me.”

He glanced over his shoulder at the woman whose name was being called, and searched for answers. He heard her name again,
then
a woman turned toward the person calling her name.
Lady Madison?
She was the one he’d danced with the other night, and the one that thought he had looked familiar.

How odd.

Lady Madison was greeted by Nicholas Fielding. They chatted for a moment, then turned and walked toward Andrew. His heart sank.
Do I know her?

“Mr. Lawrence,” the duke began, “I would like to introduce you to a good friend, Lady Madison.”

Andrew shook her hand and smiled. “Your Grace, Lady Madison and I have met previously.”

“It is good to see you again, Mr. Lawrence,” Mary Kate Madison said.

Nicholas squeezed Andrew’s shoulder. “Did you know she is also related to the Lawrence family here in London?”

Andrew sucked in a quick breath, and it was almost like someone had punched him in the stomach. He cleared his throat.
“Umm...no.
Lady Madison didn’t mention that the other night.”

She nodded. “Forgive me for bringing this up now, but you do look like the Lawrence family.
The men, anyway.”

Quickly, another memory flashed through his head. He was approximately the same age as the other memory, and he was in a closet with his hand on the doorknob, waiting. Footsteps were heard outside the closet, and he jumped out and roared. The girl in his memory shrieked and slugged him in the arm.

“Andrew Dean. You are in trouble now. I’m going to tell Mother.”

Nicholas and Mary Kate kept talking to Andrew. He felt his lips move, but didn’t hear a thing. His mind whirled in confusion, keeping him from thinking straight. Before he knew it, Mary Kate had walked away. The duke clapped his hand on Andrew’s shoulder, getting his attention. It was then when he noticed he and the duke stood alone. Andrew hadn’t even noticed when
Maddie
left his side.

“Mr. Lawrence,” Nicholas began, “
forgive
me for being open and blunt with you, but do you by chance recognize Lady Madison?”

Andrew blinked and swallowed the lump in his dry throat. “You know, Your Grace, it’s very odd, but whenever she is around, I do receive some confusing memories.”

Nicholas took a glass of champagne from the servant as he passed,
then
sipped it. “Indeed? What is in your memory?”

Andrew shrugged. “I do not remember much about my childhood, except that my parents died when I was very young. I was raised by my grandfather and uncle.” He glanced toward Lady Madison who stood beside the duchess. Mary Kate’s gaze was still directed at Andrew.

He looked back at the duke. “But in my memories, I recall being with a girl a few years older than me. Her name was Mary Kate.”

“Your sister, perhaps?”
Nicholas raised his brows.

“I don’t know. I don’t recall ever having a sister. But my memories are very confusing, because they tell me I do.”

Nicholas took another sip of his champagne. “Andrew? Do you remember anything about your parents?”

Andrew shook his head. “I was told they died in a house fire when I was seven or eight.”

“Mary Kate had a younger brother who was kidnapped when he was eight years old. Are you aware of this?”

“My wife told me briefly about the story.
Very sad, indeed.”

“Andrew, the reason I ask you is because...well...Lady Madison told me that when she first met you the other night, she thought she knew you. Tonight when she saw you walk in, she about swooned. She thinks you are her long lost brother.”

Eeriness moved throughout Andrew’s body, causing discomfort. He laughed, trying to get rid of the feeling. Shifting in his stance, he stuffed his hands in his coat pocket. “She thinks I’m the brother who was kidnapped?”

Nicholas nodded. “It happened seventeen years ago. Her brother would have been twenty-six now.”

Andrew’s laughter stopped. “I’m twenty-six.”

“The boy who was kidnapped was the Lawrence’s only son. His name was Andrew Dean Lawrence.”

Andrew’s head began spinning with the information. Could this all be just coincidental? Or could Andrew actually be the Lawrence’s long lost son?

“Andrew? Try to remember your parents. This may be the key to your past.”

Andrew rubbed his forehead as an ache grew. “I cannot. I have not thought of them in a very long time. I don’t remember what they look like.”

“If you want to know what Matthew Lawrence looks like, go study yourself in the mirror. You are an exact replica of the earl in his younger years.” Nicholas touched Andrew’s arm. “Mary Kate is not the only person who has asked me about this tonight. Several people have commented on your resemblance to Matthew.”

Raking his fingers through his hair, Andrew met the duke’s gaze. “What about you? Do you honestly think I am this man’s son?”

Nicholas smiled. “Because I consider Matthew to be a close, personal friend and I know him well—I do think you could very well be his son.”

Chapter Fourteen

Madeline sipped her champagne as she watched Andrew and Juliana on the dance floor, again. When would it be her turn? He hadn’t danced with her since that first time, and she wanted to be back in his arms. She wanted to seduce him with her words so his heart would love her.

She sighed and frowned. How could she do that with Juliana looking so alluring?

“Andrew is one fortunate chap, do you not agree?”

She turned to Gregg who stood close to her with his lips near her ear. “Why do you say that?” she asked.

Without pulling away, he drew his finger over her cheek.
“Because he has two beautiful women who are in love with him.
Both are vying for his attention. That is one thing I’ve never had the privilege of feeling.”

She tilted her head and grinned. “Are you jealous, Mr. Fielding?”

His gaze drifted to her mouth. “The only person I have ever envied is my older brother.” He straightened and glanced toward Andrew and Juliana. “He’s in love with her, you know.” He nodded to the pair on the dance floor.

Maddie’s
heart twisted. It did look like Andrew was in love with Juliana.
Especially now.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She shook her head. “He doesn’t love her. He loves me. He’s just confused right now. For some reason, Juliana is pretending like she is sweet and caring, which I know firsthand she is not. Soon Andrew will discover this.”

“And I suppose you will be right there waiting with open arms for him when that happens.”

She smiled. “Yes. Of course I will.”

“May I remind you, my dear,” Gregg said, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her to his side, “that you will be my wife soon. I will not tolerate an affair going on behind my back. I will not allow you to shame my family.”

Cocking her head, she looked at him. “You are very humorous, dear Gregg. Do you really expect me to play the loving and obedient wife when you will still be seducing married women and widows?”

“What makes you think I am not going to change after we are wed?”

She laughed and placed her hand on his arm.
“Because you will be stuck in a loveless marriage, just as I.
You don’t want to marry me just as much as I don’t want to marry you. But unfortunately, you are the man who took my virginity, and so my meddling brother-in-law forced you to do the honorable thing. Gregg, neither of us wants this marriage, so neither of us will change.”

Silence lasted between them for a few moments while his gaze moved over her face. At first she thought she saw sadness in his eyes, but then the expression left and he grinned.

“You think you have me all figured out, don’t you?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Perhaps.
Perhaps not.”

She turned herself, fully facing him. “Gregg, do you expect me to act like a loving wife in all aspects of the word?”

“But of course, my dear. What husband wouldn’t want his wife to warm his bed at night?”

Her heart hammered quickly, and moisture gathered in her palms. She grasped her hands together to keep them from shaking. Images from the other night swam through her mind, reminding her how gentle and attentive he was. But she couldn’t let him know that. She had to get Gregg Fielding out of her mind and put Andrew back in.

She swallowed the dry lump in her throat. “Why would you want me when I’ll be thinking of another man the whole time?”

His eyes widened. “Is that what you were doing the other night?”

“Well certainly. Did you not tell me earlier that evening I should imagine Andrew? Did you not tell me you imagine your sister-in-law when you are with other women?”

He straightened and lifted his chin.
“Of course.”

“That’s exactly what I was doing.” So then why did her heart ache from his confession? Why did she suddenly want him to think of
her
and not his sister-in-law?

Rubbish! The champagne must be getting to her brain and turning it to mush.

She flipped her hand through the air. “So why do you act so shocked that I would do the same thing?”

“I suppose I’m not used to such a young girl who is as passionate. I suppose I’m still confused over your actions that night.” He leaned closer. “You knew things only experienced women know.”

Her heartbeat sped up a notch. Breathless, she tried to compose herself—tried to stop desire from coursing through her from the memory they had shared.

“Tell me, Madeline. How do you know so much if you were truly innocent?”

Panic seized her. She had to get out of here before he seduced her again. “I—I must find my sister.”

She turned to leave, but he grasped her elbow. “Not before you tell me what I want to know.” He lips breezed by her ear. “Tell me how you made me forget I was with a young girl and not an experienced woman.”

Sighing, she looked him in the eye. Out of all the people she knew, Gregg was the only one she could trust this information to. They had grown close. Not because they made love, but because they shared such similar lives.

“A year ago, I stayed with my friend for a fortnight while my parents were out of town visiting a doctor. My friend had an older brother. He was my tutor, but he did not take my virginity.”

Gregg’s eyes widened and his mouth hung open. “I have never heard of such a thing.”

“Well, I’m certain I’m not the only one it has happened to.”

“Why had you not reported this to your parents? They should have made
him
do the right thing by you.”