True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (7 page)

Oh good heavens!
He wore a man’s dressing robe, opened at the throat. His legs from the calves down were bare. What had she been thinking?

He scanned her attire, his eyes widening. “Juliana? What are you doing here at this time of night?”

Her breathing grew irregular. Why didn’t he excuse himself to get dressed? But of course she stood before him in her wrapper, so she didn’t have room to criticize.

Andrew glanced up the hall. “Is something wrong?”

She couldn’t breathe. Yet she was breathing much too fast as it was.
Must be the tightness in her chest making her feel this way.
“I—I—” She swallowed to moisten her dry throat. “I must speak with you.”

Voices floated from down the hall, and she swung her head in that direction.
I’m going to get caught in my nightclothes!
Without another thought, she pushed past Andrew and closed the door behind her.

His forehead creased. “Where is Pearl?”

“The same place I should be—asleep in bed,” she grumbled.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“No, I’m not. I’m very nervous about tomorrow. We should arrive at Father’s estate some time tomorrow afternoon if there are no complications along the journey.”

He
nodded,
the worried lines etching his face disappeared. “You’re wondering what is going to happen when we see your father, correct?”

“Yes.”

“So what would you like me to do about it, Juliana?”

“Promise me something.” She stepped closer and placed her hand lightly on his arm. “Promise you won’t tell my family about our arrangement.”

He glanced at her hand. When his gaze lifted, his eyes appeared darker than before. A lazy smile touched his mouth. A knot formed in her throat, and her heartbeat quickened.

“Why would I tell?” he asked in a low voice.

“Well, for one, I know you don’t like me very much and I hope you’ll not try to punish me because of your feelings for me. And of course, if you are trying to get more money somehow...”

His brows drew together and he blinked several times. “What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you tell me you used to take money from wealthy people and always wanted more?”

His face relaxed and he chuckled. “Your father will pay more?”

“Andrew, please.” She stepped closer and clutched the front of his robe. “Please don’t do this to me.” She held her breath, hoping he would stick to their arrangement and not try to blackmail her. So far, his expression didn’t look vindictive at all. The laugh lines in his face had vanished, and he became serious as his gaze moved over her.

He placed his palms over the tops of her hands, flattening them against his chest. “I promise not to tell your family, Juliana. I will let them know you are indeed, my wife.”

“Do you give your solemn oath...on your parents’ grave?”

“I don’t know where they’re buried, but if I did, I’d swear to you upon their graves.”

Relief flooded through her and she released a heavy sigh. She dropped her stare from his eyes and focused on his throat. A tan darkened his skin, proving he’d worked most of his days in the hot sun. Underneath her palms, his muscles flexed, reminding her how well formed he really was.

Oh, my!
What had she been doing? Touching him while he was wearing his robe? According to the soft expression on his face, he appeared as if he didn’t mind the improper way in which they stood so closely, either.

“Juliana? Is that the reason you have been so unreasonable and on edge?”

His soft, calming voice held her hypnotized. Either that or it was his warm eyes. She’d heard his words, but didn’t quite understand them. “What?”

His lips twitched, but he didn’t laugh. “Have you been worried I would back out on our bargain?”

She nodded slowly. Suddenly, the room felt smaller as they stood so closer. “That was the reason. I thought my father’s money might tempt you to confess our deal.”

“Don’t worry any longer, my dove. You’re paying me more than I ever expected. I promised you something, and I never break my promises.”

Why was he saying the words she wanted to hear? Even the tone of his voice made her senseless, giving her the urge to cuddle next to him and stay there for the rest of her life.

He caressed her cheek then he took a lock of her hair that rested on her shoulder. Again, her throat turned dry, and her heart thundered in a fierce rhythm. What was he doing to her?

“The only way your father could sway me is if he were a woman.
More beautiful, in fact, than the one standing before me now.”
His gaze lowered to her mouth.

He did it again.
Did he know how he affected her? If he kept this up, she’d be under his control. Right now, that was not a good idea. Nor would it ever be.

“You know,” he said, moving closer, “you should not look at a man like that. He might get the impression you are expecting a kiss.”

She hitched a breath, her heart pounding too hard for her to breathe normally. “I’m...” She swallowed. “Forgive me?”

He slipped his other hand around her waist. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he whispered.

His warm breath fanned her face, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off his lips, even
through
her half-closed lids.

“Juliana? I think we should practice looking married so your family doesn’t get suspicious.” His mouth descended toward hers. “Would you like that? Should we practice acting as if we’re happily married and in love?”

Instead of answering verbally, she closed her eyes and leaned forward, tilting her head, offering him what she hoped he asked for.

When his mouth covered hers, tingles spread throughout her. She followed his lead, and as he rubbed his lips across hers in a gentle manner, she copied. His arm tightened around her, and the hand that had been caressing her hair, cupped her face as he deepened the kiss. Shock over the intimacy of their kiss rocked through her and she sighed in surrender, sliding her hands up and hooking them around his neck. Not many men had taken the liberties to kiss her, but she dared admit his kiss made her mind fuzzy, and she wanted nothing more but to think of him.

A groan escaped him as his mouth moved all
over,
it seemed, from her mouth to her neck, then back to her lips. His ragged breathing matched her perfectly. She loved it. But she knew she shouldn’t.

Soon, the room started spinning, and her head knocked with the quick rhythm of her heart, almost sounding like someone rapping their knuckles on wood.

His wonderful kisses stopped and he held her shoulders. “Juliana. Someone is knocking on my door.”

“Huh?” Dazed, she glanced around the room, sounds becoming clearer as her vision focused.

“Mr. Dean?” the voice behind the door called. “Me mistress is
missin
’.” A knock sounded again.

Pearl! Oh dear!
Juliana placed her hands on her heated cheeks. “It’s my maid,” she whispered.

Grumbling, he stepped to the door. After straightening his shoulders, he opened it.

“Oh,
Laddie
,” Pearl wailed. “Me mistress has disappeared!”

Juliana took a deep breath and walked into view. Pearl’s poor face was as white as death. “No, Pearl. I’m here.”

“Oh, Lassie.”
Her maid let out a sob and rushed to Juliana. “Thank the good Lord
ye’r
all right.”

Juliana hugged her maid. “Forgive me for worrying you. I had to speak with Mr. Dean and discuss some important matters before our meeting with Father tomorrow.”

Pearl’s expression turned quickly from relief to confusion as she glanced over Juliana’s nightdress, then gave a once over to Andrew. The maid’s cheeks turned a brilliant red and her mouth pursed.

Juliana quickly continued, “But we have concluded our business, and I was on my way to bed.” She walked past Pearl and Andrew toward the door. “Good night, Mr. Dean,” she mumbled without looking at him.

“Good night to you, Juliana.”

She hurried to her room on shaky limbs and as soon as she reached her bed, she flung herself on the mattress. What had she done? And why had she enjoyed it so much?

* * * *

Well, I’ll be.
Andrew stared at the window of the coach.
Juliana, the ice Queen, had a soft side to her personality after all.

Of course this bit of information he could have done without. Although they were married, he wasn’t ready to confess that to her so soon. But after the tender and very exciting kiss they shared last night, he re-thought their situation.

Juliana sat with a stiff back as her focus stayed on something out the window. She sucked in a quick breath and brought her hand to her throat. He looked out the window. As they entered the estate, he leaned forward to see more.
Manicured and green, the grounds were most impressive, and spring flowers were in full blossom. As the vehicle traveled up the marbled drive, the house came into view. Two stories—just as the others neighboring the estate, but this looked a little different. The place held more meaning for Andrew.
Probably because Juliana’s family lived here.

Juliana drew in a ragged breath, pulling his attention to her. With clasped hands she toyed with her thumbnails. The pad of each thumb rubbed across the other. She continued this process, then brought one to her mouth and ran her nail over her bottom lip.

Obviously nervous, he couldn’t help but grin at her. With her forehead creased and her mouth turned down in a frown, his heart tugged. The insufferable woman looked adorable and made him want to pull her into his arms and hold her and kiss her to distraction.

He wished he didn’t feel this way about her so soon in their
marriage.
For now his role as husband was just a job...something to give him the money he deserved. Did it matter that she’d kissed him like a wife should kiss her husband? Shaking away the thought, he realized it was too soon to think about
that.

Juliana looked at him and he smiled. Her face flamed and she swung her gaze back to the window. Could she be thinking about last night’s kiss, as well?

Once again, she met his gaze. “What are you staring at? Have I grown two heads?”

He chuckled. “I’m studying that adorable nervous habit you have.” He glanced at her bottom lip as she rubbed her thumbnail across it again. “But you need not worry. Everything will work out splendidly.”

Dropping her hands, she took a deep breath then released it slowly. “It must go as planned. I cannot have them seeing through my deceit. If that happens, they will force me to move back to England and will arrange my marriage.” She shuddered. “And I don’t want my life ruined like that.”

Inwardly, Andrew cringed. Telling her now about their real marriage definitely wasn’t a good idea. He took her hand, lifted it to his mouth, and brushed his lips across her fingers in a small caress. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away.

“Don’t worry, Juliana. I won’t disappoint you.”

Before the coach stopped, a small smile appeared on her face, but once the coach had come to a rest, she quickly pulled her hand away and gathered up her skirts to make a departure.

“Mrs. Lawrence? Allow me,” he replied with as much charm as he could muster.

When Wilbur opened the door, Andrew hopped down. He turned to Juliana and offered his assistance. Her limb shook as she slipped her hand in his and climbed out, locking her stare with his. Her eyes were wide, her face ashen.