True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (16 page)

Her stepsister didn’t deserve him.
Maddie
did.

Using the pad of her thumb, she rubbed his skin at his wrist. “The secret is out, Andrew. I know about you and Juliana.”

Telling this one little white
lie
wouldn’t hurt. In doing so, she might discover what was really going on between her stepsister and the man
Maddie
wanted more than any man she’d ever met.

Andrew’s eyes widened at first,
then
his brows creased with uncertainty. “What are you talking about? What secret?”

“I know your marriage isn’t one of love. You can tell me the truth. Think of me as your friend, Andrew. I care very deeply for you.”

Heaving a sigh, he raked his fingers through his hair. “
Maddie
, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

“
Shh
...” She pressed her finger to his lips, wishing she could kiss him soon. Desperately, she wanted to feel his strong arms around her, holding her intimately. “You don’t have to deny it any longer. There’s no way you can possibly love my sister.”

He shook his head. “You are mistaken.”

Inwardly, she boiled with anger. Why was he being stubborn? Couldn’t he just confide in her? How else was she going to get him to fall in love with her? He didn’t really love Juliana. Nobody could really love that woman. She was too cold-hearted.

Not
Maddie
. She would give her heart to Andrew and treat him like a king. If only he’d let her.

“Please, Andrew. Let me show you—”

From up the slope near the house, Juliana’s voice rang through the yard, calling Andrew’s name.
Maddie
gnashed her teeth and silently cursed. Next time she wouldn’t be interrupted. Next time she’d get Andrew to confess his secret—and in doing so, he might confess his love for her, too.

She withdrew and took a step back.

Andrew waved to Juliana.
“Over here, darling.”

Maddie
seethed. This man needed
her
love, not the pretend love of her sister. For a couple of years,
Maddie
had been searching for the perfect man to give her heart—and soul—to. She’d found him now, and she didn’t know how, but she’d get past the issue of his marriage to her sister.

Pasting on a smile,
Maddie
turned to welcome her sister into their conversation. As Juliana hurried down the hillside, her strawberry-blonde curls bounced in rhythm around her head.
Maddie
had always wished she had her sister’s hair color. When Juliana reached Andrew’s side, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes twinkled.

“I’m so happy I found you.” Juliana clung to his arm and rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head and the kiss landed on his lips instead.

Maddie
grimaced. Why did he do that in front of her? Hopefully, she hadn’t frightened him with all the talk of love. If she had, she’d change his mind. She’d make him so he wasn’t afraid of her any longer.

The kiss was simple, and Juliana stepped back.
Maddie
waited for Juliana to reprimand him again like she had in Town, but bright pink blotches highlighted Juliana’s cheeks. Andrew’s smile widened. He looked relieved, too.

“What has gotten you in such a good mood?”
Maddie
asked her sister.

Juliana met
Maddie’s
stare. “My birthday gown just arrived.”

“Oh, splendid.
That means mine has arrived also.”

Juliana stepped to her and clasped her hands. “Indeed, it has, and you’ll be so thrilled to see what I ordered you.”

Andrew chuckled. “Why don’t the two of you see to your gowns?” He kissed Juliana’s cheek. “I shall be up momentarily.”

“As you wish.”
Juliana slipped her arm around
Maddie’s
and pulled her next to her as she walked toward the house.

Maddie
glanced over her shoulder at Andrew whose expression was still pleasant, yet had a surprised element to it. His eyes were wider than before, just as his smile.

Her heart skipped a beat. If only he’d smile that way at
her.

Turning back toward the house, she made a vow that she would change his mind. Soon, Andrew would look at her with love in his eyes.

* * * *

When the women were far enough away, Andrew let out a gush of pent-up air.
What was that about?
Why was Juliana acting so sweet? A mere dress wouldn’t have been able to make her
that
happy. It was as if this afternoon had never taken place.

Well, if she could forget about it, he definitely would.

Although he shouldn’t complain.
He enjoyed the kiss they shared in front of
Maddie
. He supposed the kiss was all for show. So then why did Juliana blush? And why did her eyes light up like stars? And why was he noticing? That woman definitely distracted him in the worst way...not to mention her stepsister.

He sighed again.
Maddie
.
What was he going to do about that sister? Her curious mind was getting the best of her, and he feared one of these days, she’d figure out Juliana’s farce.

He turned away from the fence and walked past the stable. Remembering the missive
Maddie
had given him earlier, he reached in his pocket to retrieve it. Strange that he would get a letter. Nobody knew he was here. Nobody knew him anyway, unless they recognized him as being a stable boy.

Fear made his heartbeat still for a mere second as his throat gripped with panic. What were the odds? Yet, he’d never worked for anyone in England.
Only Scotland.

He pulled the paper open and scanned the scribbled writing.

You’re in over your head, boy. Go back home before someone gets hurt. It just might be you...

Andrew sucked in a breath and read it again. None of this made sense. He turned the paper over. It did have
his
name on it...or the name Juliana had given him to use. He must show this to Juliana, as soon as possible. Maybe she’d have a clue to what it was about. But then, they couldn’t leave until after she got her inheritance. She needed that money to save her grandmother’s estate, so they must stay a little longer.

Frustrated, he marched toward the house. He couldn’t let Juliana know. He didn’t want to upset her anymore than he usually did. It looked as if he would keep low and try not to make too many friends while he was here since it was obvious somebody didn’t want him to. So be it. There were other things that could keep him entertained. If Juliana didn’t, he knew her sister would, although he’d need to explain to
Maddie
he was a married man.

As he hurried up to the house, his head swam in confusion. Why couldn’t he put aside his feelings for Juliana? It was obvious she detested him and couldn’t stop thinking of him as the stable hand. Why couldn’t she think of him like her sister did? He
did
deserve to be treated with respect. He deserved to have the love of a woman who could fill his days with joy and his nights with passion.

Although Juliana denied having any feelings for him, he could tell she did. Perhaps it was the idea of breaking her defenses that made him not give up. He’d experienced her passionate kisses, and he wanted more. He’d gotten a taste of her sweetness, and he’d do anything to have her treat him that way forever.

When he reached the house, Constance and Clifford were in the ballroom giving instructions to the decorators who were putting together Juliana’s party. The older woman’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Clifford’s grin widened as he watched his wife. Andrew’s heart melted. Obviously, this couple was in love. Oh, to be in their shoes for only a day.

But he didn’t think that would ever happen—especially if Juliana found out about their marriage. It would ruin him for certain.

He paused to enjoy the moment as he listened to the instructions given. Constance knew what she wanted, and he pictured it in his head. Yes, the room would be beautiful for Juliana. It would please her greatly.

There’d be a buffet and dancing...

Sucking in his breath, he froze.
Dancing!
He didn’t know how to dance! He must speak to Juliana immediately. They had no time to waste. She had to teach him before tomorrow tonight, and he hoped he was an astute pupil just as he’d been so far with her teachings.

Bounding up the stairs, he hurried toward Juliana’s room. From down the hall, the echoes of giggles floated through the air. He grinned. Hopefully, Juliana and her sister were getting better acquainted. It might help with
Maddie’s
curious nature.

Reaching the room, he knocked. Pearl opened the door.

“Good afternoon,
laddie
,” she said with a stern voice.

“Could you let my wife know I need a moment of her time as soon as possible? When she is finished with her sister, could you have her come to my room?”

“As you wish.”

He ran his fingers through his hair as he walked to his room. Why hadn’t they thought of this before now? Could he learn to dance before tomorrow? He knew it took most gentlemen several months.

He rushed inside and sat on the bed. After a few seconds, he stood and paced the floor. Restless, he wracked his brain. Had he ever been taught to dance?
Probably not.
Why would a boy of his station need to know how to dance?

A soft knock came upon the door, and he hurried and opened the portal. Juliana stood with her hands clasped against her middle, still wearing the frock he’d seen her in by the stables.

Her smile wavered. “You need to speak with me?”

“Yes. Please come in.”

He pulled her inside and closed the door. Unclasping her hands, he held them in his. “We have a problem.”

Her eyes widened. “What is it?”

“I do not know how to dance.”

She blinked a few times, then her expression fell and she scowled. “Drat. I’d thought I’d taught you everything in the coach. I never thought about dancing.”

“Do we have enough time for you to teach me now?”

Heaving a sigh, she nodded. “Let’s pray you are a quick learner.”

A half hour later, she’d located a music box and had started instructing him in his bedchambers. He enjoyed holding her, although it wasn’t exactly the way he’d like. But nonetheless, it was nice to have her be polite and courteous to him. Even when he stepped on her toes, she laughed, which eased him greatly.

“Now Andrew, we must become serious. After all, if you are to portray a gentleman, you must act like one, and dancing is something all gentlemen know how to do.”

“Yes, Mother,” he muttered.

She chuckled,
then
sobered as she slid back into the role as instructor. Happiness burst in his chest knowing she had just as much fun as he had. So then what had happened this afternoon at the Tea Shoppe? And why did she act as if it had never happened?

As she taught him a certain dance step, something in his memory broke through and confused him greatly. Was it a memory from his past? Why else would he feel like he’d done this before?

He pictured himself as a young lad, perhaps in his seventh or eight year, standing in dance position with a girl a whole head taller than he. The girl’s face wasn’t clear, but the raspy voice of the dance instructor made his nerves bristle. Strange, but he could see the older woman’s face perfectly. Her white hair had been wound so tight on the back of her head it practically made her eyes bug out. And her nose had a witch’s wart on the right side.