Page 49 of Unmasking a Wicked Marquess
Cecily and the Duchess of Lantham had just arrived on their horses and surprisingly rode beside one another, though they were not in conversation.
“So, let me tell you about myself,” Jane declared happily to Juliet. “I am an excitable sort. My brother will surely tell you that. I am fond of the theatre and books, and though my mother has always insisted on me playing the piano, I do so dreadfully.” She laughed loudly at this idea. “You’d be better off hearing a cat screech than hearing me play.”
“I am sure your playing is better than mine,” Juliet said, laughing too. “Like you, I am fond of the theatre and books as well.”
“Truly? What are your favourites?”
Before Juliet knew what she was doing, she and Jane had fallen into a happy conversation. They compared their favourite plays and books, agreeing thatMuch Ado About Nothingwas their favourite, butHamletwas too long for their liking.
They helped one another with drinks and food, and by the end of the picnic, Juliet felt as if she had known Jane for years. She rather wondered what sort of friends they could have been throughout their childhood had their parents not argued together.
“It seems we are not the only ones who are bonding,” Jane whispered and pointed across the busy picnic once more. Juliet followed her gaze to see that their mothers were sitting side by side. They were still not talking to one another, but Cecily passed some lemonade to the duchess, who smiled her thanks.
“Is that bonding?” Juliet asked with a laugh. “Seems like icy coolness to me.”
“Well, at least it is better than all-out war, is it not?”
“Very true.” Juliet nodded. “It is a shame the animosity has to be there throughout our families.”
“I quite agree.” Jane nodded. “Did you know that dear Uncle Hugh never married after his betrothal with your aunt was broken off?”
“Did he not?” Juliet thought she had heard something about this, but she had never been certain of the rumour. “My aunt never married either.”
Jane looked abruptly sad. It was the first time her smile had fallen from her lips throughout their picnic.
“Then I am saddened indeed,” she whispered, for Juliet’s ears only. “A happy couple was broken up, it seems, by our fathers’ argument.”
Without thinking, Juliet’s eyes slid towards another at the picnic. She looked towards Edward but found him sitting beside Lady Clarissa, who was making him laugh loudly with some great tale. That envy curdled in her gut once again.
Chapter 15
“Where is she?” Edward muttered to himself as he walked alongside the racetrack. For three days now, he had barely found time to be alone with Juliet, but that was about to change. Now they had finally reached the races, he intended to use the cover of the busy racetrack to spend some time with her.
“My Lord? My Lord!” The voice was one he knew well.
Halting between the bookmakers and the punters who waved their betting slips in the air, eager to have their money, Edward looked back to see Lady Clarissa hurrying towards him, her usual smile in place. They had been friends for years, even as children, growing up practically like brother and sister.
“The next race has your horse in it,” she said with eagerness, flushed in the face as she stopped beside him. “Surely you are not going to miss this one.”
“No.” He laughed as she laid a hand on his arm. “Do not fear, I am simply …” He tried to fathom an excuse and nodded at the higher platforms and seating area. “I am trying to gain a better vantage point from which to watch the race. I hope you put your money on the right horse, My Lady.”
“You can be sure of it.” She saluted him playfully and hurried off again, heading towards the bookmaker where all the ladies from their party were gathering.
Edward turned their back on them. Heading towards the parade ring, he sought out the one face he had been missing all morning, the one face he had been longing to see.
There she stood. Juliet was beside the parade ring, her gloved hand on the edge of the white fencing, though her eyes were not turned towards the horses. No, she had been watchinghim.Edward smiled as he approached her, but it took a few seconds for her to return that smile. It almost looked difficult for her to smile at all. Sensing there was restraint in her and a pale pallor to her skin, fear suddenly coiled in his stomach.
“Are you well?” Edward asked, reaching for her and gently placing his hand over hers on the fence. He knew his father was checking on the horses in the stables, his mother was placing bets, and Juliet’s father was telling anyone who would hear him not to bet on the Duke of Lantham’s horse. At least for now, Edward was safe to be alone with Juliet. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said softly, but he did not believe her. He took her hand off the parade ring fence and held it tightly between his own.
“Come, let us find somewhere for you to sit down.”
“You taking care of me?” she asked with a startled smile.
“Strangely enough, I quite like the idea of being your protector.” He winked at her. “Come this way.”
“What of your horse?” She motioned to the horses in the ring and their family’s horse, which had just entered. The tall black steed, strong and muscular, with legs so vast they were twice as wide as some of the other entrants, paraded around the ring quite contentedly. His eyes were flicked forward, and he was primed, ready for the race.
