“When the marquess was on his deathbed, he admitted everything to witnesses and claimed me as his heir,” Julian explained.
“No wonder everything seems so strange to you, my lord,” Lady Ariadne said. “But why do you want to partake in the Season?”
“For the same reason as you, my lady. I wish to find a wife. The man who sired me had three of them, all of them barren. I do not take my responsibilities lightly. I know I must provide an heir, so I will do so as soon as possible.”
“Will you tell your wife what you have shared with me?”
“I don’t know,” he said honestly. “If I do, I doubt any lady in Polite Society would have me.”
“Yet you told me,” she said softly. She reached and took his hand, squeezing it. “Thank you for sharing your story with me, my lord. Thank you for trusting me.”
Lady Ariadne released it, and Julian felt bereft.
“I will never tell a soul,” she promised him. “You can count on my discretion. And do not underestimate yourself. You are a very handsome man. You speak and carry yourself well. You hold a lofty title, and I assume you have a decent amount of wealth. You will have no trouble finding a bride on the Marriage Mart.”
Julian looked at the young woman before him. She had poise. Charm. Spirit. And she was quite beautiful, especially with her copper hair.
He wasn’t ready to speak openly to her yet, but he had already made up his mind.
Lady Ariadne was the one for him. No other would do as his marchioness.
“Mama is not so bad,” Lucy said. “She just has firm ideas of how things should be.”
“I think she was considering me as a future son-in-law at tea yesterday,” Lord Huntsberry said bluntly.
Heat rose in her cheeks. “I apologize, my lord. I fear Mama will be assessing every unwed man, seeing if he might serve as a potential husband for me. Have no fear, though. I understand you are not interested in marriage at this time.”
He cocked his head, studying her. “Why do you say that, Lady Lucy?”
She felt her face go hot. “Con told me you are not often in the company of others. That you have never called upon a young lady.”
The marquess nodded his head slowly. “Lord Dyer is correct. I have never chosen to woo another.” He paused. “I do worry about you, though, my lady.”
“Worry? About me?” she squeaked.
“You are a breath of fresh air,” he declared. “And very, very innocent. There are horrible gossips in the ton who would tear a lovely creature like you into shreds. And rakehells who might take advantage of your extreme innocence.”
She bit her lip. “Might you be one of those rakehells, Lord Huntsberry?”
“No,” he quickly assured her. “But you never want to be alone with one. That is a hard and fast rule.”
Lucy looked around. “But we are alone together now,” she pointed out.
“And we shouldn’t be. Because something like this might happen.”
Before she could ask what, Lord Huntsberry’s arms came about her.
And his mouth pressed softly against hers.
*Excerpt coming in 2025!
Eden needed fresh air and slipped out the door. She strolled the length of the courtyard.
Then the air about her changed, feeling charged, and she caught the scent of citrus. Turning, she saw Val standing in front of her.
“Go away, Your Grace.”
“What happened to speaking amiably, Eden?”
“Rudeness should be treated with rudeness,” she said crisply in her best governess voice. “You were extremely rude to Lord Arden. I told you he was leaving me and planned to dance with another.”
He took a step closer to her, their bodies almost touching. Her back was to the wall of the building, giving her no avenue of escape.
“Are you upset that I danced with Lord Arden, I believe he felt sorry for me standing there all alone.” She wet her lips. “I thought it extremely kind of him to ask me to partner with him. He’s a widower, you know.”
“I do know,” he said huskily. “And Arden is not known for dancing much at assemblies. He needs an heir, Eden.”
His words hung in the air, heat radiating from him.
She swallowed nervously. “That has nothing to do with me.” The words had sounded right in her head but came out weak and ineffectual.
Suddenly, Val placed his palms against the building, caging her. “You will not become Lady Arden,” he commanded, as if he owned her.
Her heart was beating wildly. “I have no desire … to become Lady Arden.”
“Good,” he said softly, his head dipping.
Then his lips were pressing against hers. Firm lips—and yet so soft in their touch.
Eden had not expected this kiss. It was an unforeseen kiss and took her totally by surprise.
*Excerpt coming in 2025!
*Excerpt coming in 2026!
*Excerpt coming in 2026!
*Excerpt coming in 2026!
*Excerpt coming in 2026!
*Excerpt coming in 2026!