A Michaelmas Wager by Emily Murdoch

Author:Emily Murdoch
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance, historical romance, regency, regency romance, jane austen, sweet romance, historical regency, romance 1800s, sweet regency romance, sweet and clean romance

CHAPTER SIX

“Are you quite sure that you know what you are doing?”

Juliana looked up to see the disapproving and slightly concerned expression on her cousin’s face, and she sighed. “I am going to a charitable dinner with a gentleman – a dinner, moreover, hosted by one of the finest ladies of society whom all know and admire. What else do I need to know?”

“That ‘gentleman’ of which you speak is no such thing, and you know it!” Audrey threw a cushion down onto the bed, and stared at Juliana who was placing two different coloured earbobs by her lobes, trying to decide which to wear. “Rufus Lovell is simply not the sort of man that you want to become . . . well, attached to!”

Deciding on the pearls, Juliana gently placed them on her ears, gazed at her reflection quickly in the looking glass, and turned resolutely to her companion. “Audrey, this is not your decision to make. And anyway, I have already made it. I cannot simply withdraw my agreement to attend now, that would be most unjust.”

Audrey looked astounded at her friend, and had to jump up when Juliana slipped through the door to descend the stairs.

“I don’t think you’ve thought this through at all, and you’re making a big – oh, Mr Lovell. You are early.”

Juliana smiled gently as her cousin tried to pretend she had not been galloping down the stairs three at a time, and she returned Mr Lovell’s bow with a courtesy. “My cousin, Lady Audrey, was just talking about you,” she said, smile widening.

Mr Lovell returned the smile, and his eyes sparkled as he said, “Goodness, Lady Audrey, you flatter me with your notice.”

Juliana could hear the muffled irritation of her cousin behind her, but she couldn’t stop looking at Rufus – Mr Lovell. She had never noticed his height before, but as he stood in the drawing room he seemed to dwarf her. The sharp line of his jaw seemed to make his smile even broader, and the way that the bright June light soared through the window and through his hair . . .

“ – or we shall be late.”

Juliana blinked. There was a silence in the room that she had not noticed before, and both Audrey and Mr Lovell were staring at her. This was clearly the moment for her to speak, but she had not been attending to the conversation.

“I beg your pardon,” she said with an apologetic smile. “I did not hear – I missed that last . . . ”

Her voice trailed off as she looked into Mr Lovell’s smile. It was broad, and it was sincere, and it was for her. What was happening, and why did she feel so hot? July it may be tomorrow, but this was no heat of the day, surely?

“Come now, Miss Honeyfield, or we shall be late.” Mr Lovell held out an arm, and Juliana took it gratefully.

“And I shall see you this evening,” added Audrey. “I shall stay up, if necessary.

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