Page 58 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
She just wasn’t sure how her mother would react.
Juliana looked up at her now from her place on the settee in the drawing room. She would have preferred to be putting the finishing touches on the pamphlet that would be going to print tomorrow, but she could never risk her mother seeing the publication. Instead, she was mutilating the needlework in front of her. She had started the work attempting a sun and cloud but it was currently looking more like potatoes and gravy.
“How lovely that Lord Hemingway is taking you for a ride today,” her mother said, beaming at her.
“Yes,” Juliana said, knowing better than to tell her mother her true purpose, for her mother would only try to dissuade her.
“He is such a gentleman,” her mother continued. “And from such a good family.”
“He is from our family,” Juliana said wryly, and her mother tsked at her.
“That is not what I mean,” she said. “His father was your father’s cousin. That is not so very close. And his mother is the most wonderful woman I have met.”
“Itislovely that the two of you were able to remain such good friends over the years,” Juliana said truthfully, leaving out the last bit – that it was lovely, despite that their husbands, who were relatives, were neither faithful nor kind to their wives.
“How marvelous it will be to have the family truly together,” her mother continued dreamily.
Juliana had to stifle her words, grateful when the knock sounded on the door and Jameson stood within the entrance.
“Lord Hemingway has arrived,” he said, to which the dowager duchess nodded.
“Thank you, Jameson,” she said before turning to Juliana. “It is probably best you are leaving the house, for we would not want a repeat of yesterday with Lord Hemingway here. It was embarrassment enough that Lady Bennington and Lady Maria had to see such a spectacle. Well, off you go. You do look lovely today, Juliana. Be sure to take your white bonnet with the yellow ribbon. Is Abigail prepared?”
“Yes, she is ready with the bonnet,” Juliana said, leaning in and surprising her mother by placing a kiss on her cheek. She knew what she was about to do would upset her mother, and while it was necessary, she did feel sorry for distressing her. “I shall see you soon.”
Juliana started down the front stairs on Lord Hemingway’s arm, somewhat jolted in surprise when she saw Matthew waiting on his horse to the side of the drive. He said nothing, instead simply nodding at her, and she swallowed. Of course he was here. Giles would have been sure that he was nearby for a ride in the park. It seemed that Giles didn’t think much of Lord Hemingway’s ability to protect her, either.
Lord Hemingway helped her up into his phaeton and she sat on the seat, knowing that going out with him would cause the gossips to assume that their union was all but settled. She didn’t know where else to tell him of what she was feeling, however, for otherwise their mothers would be present and that would be the ultimate disaster.
The phaeton set into motion with Matthew trotting behind them on his horse, and Juliana had an inexplicable urge to jump out of the carriage and climb up behind him and ride away with him.
Which, of course, she would never do. But she couldn’t help considering it.
Juliana had to time this just right. She allowed Lord Hemingway to speak about everything and nothing as they left Piccadilly and entered the park. There, they made pleasantries and waved to people they knew as all watched them with interest.
Lord Hemingway eventually pulled the phaeton over to the side of the path near the bank of the Serpentine and Juliana had a feeling something was coming – something she needed to stop before it went too far.
“Lady Juliana,” Lord Hemingway said, clearing his throat as though he had something important to say. “I have quite enjoyed the time we have spent together.”
“As have I,” Juliana said as quickly as she could, before he was able to say anymore. “I am most grateful for the attention you have paid me, and you must know that you are a very kind man, who will make a wonderful husband one day.”
“I am glad you think so,” he said before she could continue. “For—
“But not to me,” Juliana said in a rush. “I know that this is the height of rudeness, I do, and I am so sorry, Lord Hemingway, but I cannot marry you.”
He looked at her blankly, the only sign he was still alive the few times he blinked. Finally, he managed, “I thought we were courting.”
“We were,” she said, placing her gloved hand on his, wishing she could make this right but uncertain how exactly to do so. “I wish things were different, but I have come to realize that I need to marry for love, and I think we are both aware that while we get on well, we simply do not have that love for one another.”
“It will grow… through marriage,” he insisted, but Juliana was shaking her head.
“I am very sorry, Lord Hemingway,” she said. “Perhaps we should return now.”
He was stone-faced as he turned from her and called tersely to his driver to take them back to Warwick House. Juliana looked behind her, seeking comfort in Matthew’s presence. There he was, thank goodness, strong and solid on his horse, and she caught his gaze and held it for longer than was necessary, but she just couldn’t seem to look away.
Everything would be fine, she told herself. For she loved that man, and he would take care of her. It was one certainty that she did not doubt.
CHAPTER21
