Page 61 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
“I did tell you from the start Mr. Archibald was handsome,” Emma said, her eyes crinkling.
“It’s not just that,” Juliana said, unable to see the humor at this time. “He is kind and considerate, and he supports my dream and has never once made me feel foolish over what I am fighting for.”
“What does he think about it all? What does hefeelfor you?”
Juliana hesitated. “I think he loves me. He has never said so, although he has told me that he cares for me. But he is hesitant in going forward, as he believes that perhaps my mother is right – that I would soon regret giving up my life for him.”
Emma nodded wisely. “I do have to ask – would you? Would you be fine with living a life without servants, without fine dresses, with having to cook and clean and be the only caregiver for your children?”
Juliana’s back stiffened. “I would actually enjoy looking after my children myself, I believe. As for everything else, I would have to learn. And you never know, Giles might provide me with enough dowry to hire a maid.”
She managed a small smile, but Emma bit her lip, obviously uncertain as to whether Giles would go that far.
“I’m not sure what Giles would think of it, although he does like Mr. Archibald, and he does understand what it means to marry for love,” Emma said slowly. “I cannot say for certain what he would think of you marrying outside of society, of likely moving away from Mayfair. He can hardly stand the thought of you walking around Mayfair without a man to look after your wellbeing. It is difficult to imagine the thought of you living a life that would put you in potentially more danger.”
Juliana hadn’t considered that aspect – but then, she would be with Matthew, and one thing she knew for certain was that he would always watch out for her. She just hoped that he didn’t allow any ridiculous notions into his head about what that meant.
CHAPTER22
Matthew stayed back as he watched the carriage continue up the drive to the large conservatory where this ball was being held. He couldn’t stop himself from comparing the glamorous event in front of him with the gatherings that were held within his family. He preferred the comfort and love that he was used to, of course, but would Juliana? He had no idea.
He watched her emerge from the carriage, saw her look back at him, watched her mother follow her gaze and scowl at him before they continued inside.
The duke emerged last and walked over to Matthew before he escorted his wife in.
“There is going to be a large crowd tonight, so I would prefer that you remained inside to keep an eye on Juliana. I don’t think they would allow anyone in who doesn’t belong here, but as you have said, we cannot be convinced that whoever took her before is not of society. I will speak to the host.”
Matthew nodded and followed in behind, knowing that Owen and a couple of his other men were also placed outside the doors of the venue. He was allowed in the front door but then directed to follow a different path into the ballroom where the dancing would be held. When he emerged, he found himself at the side of the room where a line of footmen stood, ready to answer the whims of all the nobility.
He was being treated as a servant. Which wasn’t surprising, yet still, it did nothing but deepen the chasm between him and Juliana. He did as the duke had asked, keeping an eye on her throughout the night, which of course wasn’t difficult as he couldn’t help but watch her, wherever she went. She circled through the crowd, greeting her many friends and acquaintances, spending a great deal of time with Lady Maria and of course her sister and the duchess. She danced quite a few times, and Matthew had to tamp down the anger that simmered in his belly at other men with their hands upon her. He saw Lord Hemingway in attendance, but the man avoided Juliana, which he supposed was a blessing for all.
He then saw Juliana speak to her mother before exiting through the wide entrance of the room farther into the building, and he guessed she was going to the lady’s room. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to shadow her there, but he also didn’t like the idea of her wandering the halls alone. He looked one way and then the other, trying to determine the quickest way to follow her, but it seemed that would take him through the crowd, which he knew would never be allowed. Instead, he had to keep to the outskirts of the room, and by the time he made it through the doors to follow her down, he had lost sight of her. He looked one way and then the other, trying to find which room she had entered.
He opened a couple of doors, once finding a couple in a tryst, another time finding a woman sitting alone who seemed none too pleased to see him. He muttered his apologies as he started to panic slightly that he couldn’t catch sight of Juliana. Finally, he thought he heard a voice down the hall – until he realized that it was actually a shout.
“Let me go, you lout!”
There was a grunt and Matthew rushed down the hall, turning the corner only to collide with a figure. A very familiar figure. He reached out his arms to catch Juliana in them before she fell, looking past her to see a gentleman leaning against the wall, holding his arms against his stomach.
“What happened?” he asked, torn between wanting to ensure Juliana’s well-being and going after the man – even if he was a peer.
“This is Lord Dennison. We seemed to have had amisunderstanding,” she said through gritted teeth. “Fortunately, I had enough knowledge of how to make it quite clear that I did not welcome his advances.”
“You have it all wrong,” the man huffed as he reached toward her in supplication.
“I assure you I do not,” she said, before tugging on Matthew’s arm to lead him away.
Matthew tamped down his innate need to shove his fist into the man’s face, knowing it be Juliana’s ruin if he did so.
He couldn’t, however, help the sick ball of tension that began to churn in his stomach. Juliana had been in danger – perhaps not the danger he had been worried about, but danger nonetheless. And he hadn’t been there in time to stop it, because he had been standing against the wall like a servant. How would it be any different if they were living in Holborn and he had to leave her alone when he went to work? He couldn’t spend every minute of his life looking after her to keep her safe. And nor could he afford for someone to watch her at all times.
He was caught between needing to track her every move and to leave her in the hands of someone else entirely, knowing that he was just going to make the inevitable all the worse.
He watched her return to the ballroom, so intent on tracking her that he didn’t notice anyone approaching him until he felt the tug on his elbow.
“Matthew.”
He whirled around to find Owen standing behind him, a look on his face that Matthew recognized well.
