True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (10 page)

Juliana gritted her teeth. By the tone of voice her sister used, it warned her of
Maddie’s
suspicion. Of course her sister would act this way. Juliana was being polite.
Quick, Juliana. Think of an explanation.

“You know,” Juliana said, taking hold of her sister’s hand.
Maddie’s
eyes widened again, so Juliana continued. “We have really never been able to get to know each other. Not like true sisters. I think we should put the past behind us and start anew.”

Maddie
arched an eyebrow. “Indeed?” She cocked her head. “Who are you, really? Where is the sister I remember from my childhood?”

Juliana laughed. “She has disappeared. I have changed,
Maddie
.”

Her sister’s lips twitched as if she was holding back a grin. “Are you trying to tell me your marriage to Andrew has changed you? Perhaps
love
is what has changed you?”

Juliana shrugged.
“Perhaps.”
She withdrew the gown and held it against her body. She frowned. “I do not think this choice is suitable for tonight. The bodice is daringly low cut.”

Maddie
giggled then smacked her hand over her mouth. Juliana gave her a quizzical stare.

Her sister shrugged. “Forgive me, Juliana, but we are among family tonight, so what should it matter? Besides, I think Andrew would approve of your choice of dress for this evening.”

Inwardly, Juliana panicked. That’s what she feared. Andrew would definitely approve...and she couldn’t have that. She couldn’t let him touch her ever again. She was too weak around him. Weak was
not
a word in her vocabulary. Weak was not part of Juliana Beaumont’s persona, either. Yet it seemed every time he held her in his arms, her body melted.

Juliana flipped her hand. “As it is, I would still feel uncomfortable wearing such a dress.” She hung the gown back in the closet and chose another that wasn’t so daring.

“Did you know,”
Maddie
said, “Mother will not allow me to wear anything that shows even a hint of my shoulders? She thinks I’m too young.”

Juliana stared back at her.
“Too young?
I think not. You are the perfect age. Of course, you don’t want to display too much. You don’t want to have a reputation like some girls I know.”

Maddie
laughed. “Yes, but our parents are so strict. If they had their way, they would turn me into a spinster or a nun, I just know it.”

Juliana laughed lightly, finally feeling back to normal.
“Oh no,
Maddie
.
You’ll never be a nun.” She paused as a wild idea took root inside her mind. “In fact, I have a plan. For my birthday ball, we are going to dress you in a very beautiful gown. The young men will not be able to take their eyes off you.”

“Indeed? Do you mean it?”

“Yes. I have nothing better to do.”

“But I don’t own anything remotely lovely or eye-catching.”

“Then we’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

“Oh, thank you, Juliana.”
Maddie
cheered as she gave her sister a hug, something that had never happened before. But what was more surprising was that Juliana returned the hug, and enjoyed the close feeling.

Chapter Five

Andrew sipped his wine as he glanced around the dinner table. His
darling
wife sat immediately to his left. Across the table, Juliana’s very curious sister, Madeline, drummed her fingers on the table as she stared out the window. Prettier than he’d expected, he dared not concentrate too much on the young beauty, and he hesitated in talking to her on a personal level. Her eyes were too quizzical...as if she knew what role he played in Juliana’s game of deceit.

He continued his charm, hoping to gain the family’s trust and respect. After all, he really was their son-in-law.

Although he played a role, he still wanted to feel like he belonged with their class of people. Even if he blamed the wealthy for killing his family, he still wished to be accepted. The longer he visited with the Beaumont family, the more that hunger grew within him, to where he wouldn’t be satisfied any other way.

He rested his gaze on Juliana. This evening she had a sparkle in her eyes, and when she looked at him, the warmth from her stare nearly melted his heart. Holding her and having her stare at him so tenderly not too long ago had been his undoing. Her passion was like sweet nectar to his needs, and he craved more.

There was no doubt she had enjoyed their brief moments on her bed before Madeline barged in. He would get Juliana alone tonight and urge her to tell him what she hadn’t done earlier. He was certain she fought her feelings for him, but he’d charm her into talking. Lifting his glass to his mouth, he hid the grin sneaking across his face as anticipation grew inside him.

He hadn’t really been paying attention to the conversation, as his own thoughts kept him entertained, but when concern laced Clifford’s voice, Andrew focused on his father-in-law. Worry etched its ugly mark in the older man’s face with lines across his forehead. Clifford’s hand was clasped with Constance’s as he discussed an upcoming trip to Paris.

The more Andrew listened, he understood Juliana’s stepmother had some kind of heart ailment, and the doctors couldn’t find a cure. This woman would die if they couldn’t find a doctor to help her.

He swung his attention back to Juliana. Although she hadn’t spoken of her stepmother in a high regard, Andrew could see the news hadn’t set well with his so-called wife. Juliana thinned her lips as she rested her gaze on the half-eaten plate of food in front of her. He knew her well enough to know she had a sorrowful heart, but was probably trying to fight the denial inside of her.

As the conversation progressed, Andrew received the impression Juliana did indeed know about her stepmother’s illness. It could very well be possible she worried about Constance’s health. Juliana may get upset at him later, but he was going to pry.

Andrew returned his attention to Constance and nodded. “Juliana had mentioned how ill you have been of late. She’s been most concerned about your health.”

All eyes rested on him, now wide with uncertainty. Constance’s brow furrowed. “Indeed? Juliana was concerned?”

He met Juliana’s stare and reached next to him to squeeze her clutched hands resting in her lap. He switched his attention back to Constance.
“Very much so.
I continue to assure her everything will be all right when you and Clifford sail to Paris to seek the doctor who can help.”

Across from him, Madeline gasped and dropped her fork to her plate. He surveyed the others again, who still stared at him with wide eyes as if in shock.

Constance looked at Juliana and blinked slowly. “You...you were worried about me?”

Juliana dug her nails into Andrew’s palm, but he pretended not to notice. He’d get an earful when they were alone. But he looked forward to seeing fire dance in her eyes again, which would only challenge him further.

Juliana gave her stepmother a smile. “Well, of course. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

His darling wife was a good actress—but this he knew.
Time to see how far she would take it.

He turned to Constance and patted her hand. “Juliana was so worried that some nights she would
lay
in my arms until she wept all of her tears.”

Liquid gathered in the older woman’s eyes as she stared at Juliana. “You...cried for me?”

Juliana shifted in her chair and rested her hand on Andrew’s thigh. He gritted his teeth. It looked as if she found a different source to dig her nails into.

She nodded. “But of course. I don’t think I could bear having another mother taken from me,” she answered softly.

As soon as the words came out, her claws retracted. She sucked in a quick breath, and blinked slowly. Confusion crossed her brow, and she switched her attention to Andrew. If he wasn’t mistaken, she looked shocked at what she’d just said. Could the truth about her feelings have been hidden deep in her heart all this time?

“
Ohhhh
!”
Constance sobbed in her hands.

Clifford had tears building in his eyes also. He wrapped his arms around his wife while she cried on his shoulder. He gave Juliana a smile. “Sweetheart, Constance will be all right. We have heard many good things about this physician in Paris. We are confident he can find a cure when we visit him soon.”

Constance pulled away and shook her head. “But we cannot go see him now, Clifford. We can’t possibly leave Madeline here by herself. It’s just not done.”

Maddie
pouted, folded her arms, and glared at her parents. “I’m old enough to stay by myself.”

“No, dear.”
Clifford narrowed his gaze at his daughter. “We have been through this before, and we are not relenting.”

“What’s wrong with Juliana and
myself
?” Andrew heard himself saying.
Where did that come from?
But the truth was
,
he wasn’t looking forward to going back to Scotland and being a stable hand once again. He enjoyed living like a well-bred gentleman—enjoyed it almost too much.

Juliana swung her head to look at him.
Ah-ha, there’s the fire in her eyes.

“What?” Clifford asked.

Andrew shrugged. “Why can’t Juliana and I keep an eye on Madeline while you’re gone?”

He sneaked a peek in
Maddie’s
direction. The girl’s expression had changed dramatically. Pink darkened her cheeks, and her eyes gleamed with stars.

Clifford chuckled. “I suppose the idea never crossed my mind, but now that I ponder on it...” He squeezed Constance’s hand. “What do you think, my dear?”

The older woman looked at Juliana. “Is it all right with you?”

Juliana held her breath—her uncertainty was obvious through her stiff body. Her wide gaze darted around the table at everyone. Andrew wanted to laugh, but refrained.

“I—I suppose so. But we really need to return to Scotland soon.
Grandmama
isn’t doing well.”

Andrew patted Juliana’s leg. “But darling, I’m certain one of the servants will send us a missive if her health declines. And if that happens, we can always take Madeline with us.”

Across the table from him,
Maddie
clapped.
“Splendid idea.”

Clifford raised his glass of wine. “Then it’s settled. We’ll sail to Paris as soon as we can after Juliana’s birthday ball.”

Constance raised her glass, but her hand shook. She gave Juliana a happy, but weak smile.

After Clifford finished his glass, he pushed away from the table and stood. “It looks like I need to get Constance to bed. We don’t want to wear her out before the party.”

Andrew stood and helped his father-in-law, then bent and kissed Constance on the hand. “I’m happy I was able to visit with you for a little while tonight. You get some rest.”

The older woman patted his cheek. “You are such a charming man, Andrew. We are certainly fortunate to have you in the family.”

Andrew looked over his shoulder and silently communicated for Juliana to play along. Taking a deep breath, she stood and walked to Constance.

“Goodnight...Mother.” Juliana leaned down and kissed the older woman’s cheek.

Tears streamed down Constance’s face as she smiled at Juliana. Clifford picked his wife up and carried her out of the room.

Madeline moved next to Juliana and touched her arm. “Thank you. Mother has been waiting a long time for you to call her that
.
I think you have helped her heart more than any doctor could.”