TemptingJuliana by Unknown Page B

girl.”
    The older woman raised a hand to pat her modestly covered bosom. “He signed it”—her voice dropped conspiratorially— “Your Secret Admirer.”
    “Oh, Aunt Frances! That’s so romantic!” Juliana sneaked a glance out the window, wondering how much longer she could distract her. “Whoever he is, he musthave been at Lady Hammersmithe’s ball Saturday night and seen you in that beautiful brown dress.”
    Frances looked doubtful. “I’ve worn that dress dozens of times.”
    “Well, then, we must order you new ones, don’t you think? Before next Saturday’s ball.”
    Though she hadn’t bought a new dress all Season—or for that matter, all decade—Frances nodded. “I suppose we must.”
    Juliana toyed with the handle of her basket, finding it harder and harder not to grin. To her vast relief, the carriage drew to a stop before a small, neat building with a sign that said NEW HOPE INSTITUTE .
    The neighborhood hadn’t improved, but her aunt no longer seemed to care. When a footman lowered the steps, she practically floated down to the street. Carrying the basket, Juliana climbed out after her, and Emily and Herman followed.
    The door to the Institute opened, and a woman came out and down the steps, holding two children by the hand. The three of them were clothed rather poorly, but Aunt Frances didn’t seem to notice. “What color dresses shall we order?” she asked Juliana.
    “Pastels will look best with your golden-brown hair.”
    On the Institute’s steps, Emily turned and frowned. “Her hair isn’t brown.”
    Juliana smiled. “It will be after I summon Madame Bellefleur to dye it.”
    They all went inside. The reception area was noisy but looked very new and clean, especially compared to the people waiting there on the chairs. “A snake!” a boy exclaimed, and several children ran over to cluster around Emily and Herman.
    A young woman with an air of authority walked out from behind a counter. She was dressed a little better than the patients, which wasn’t saying much. “Twenty-three!” she called.
    A mother stood up with a baby and followed her through a door into the back.
    When the young woman returned to the counter and began adding some rather scary-looking supplies to thejumble already on the shelves, Juliana went over to her. She handed Juliana a worn square of paper with a big black “36” written on it. “You’re number thirty-six,” she said very slowly and clearly, as though Juliana couldn’t read it for herself. “Please be seated. I will call you when it’s your turn.”
    Juliana put the paper in her basket. “I wish to have a word with Lord Stafford, if I may.”
    “Lord Stafford?” The woman blinked. “Oh, you mean Dr. Trevor. He isn’t here, milady.”
    Drat! Juliana hadn’t even considered the possibility. “Do you know when he’s expected?”
    “I’m sorry, milady, but I don’t. Only one doctor volunteered for today, so he should be here to vaccinate the other half of the patients. But his note said only that he’d be delayed—”
    Just then the door opened, and in walked James, his coat and cravat draped over one arm. Even though he was scandalously undressed, Juliana couldn’t have been more delighted. “Lord Stafford!” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad to see you!”
    He looked shocked—and maybe pleased. “I’m glad to see you, too.”
    She hadn’t meant it like that. “I thought you’d be here, but you weren’t.”
    “I was examining my Aunt Bedelia. She’s been suffering with imaginary chest pains.”
    “The poor, sweet lady.” She paused, just realizing what he’d said. “Imaginary?”
    “Aunt Bedelia is the healthiest woman I know. Except possibly Aunt Aurelia.” Unfastening the top button of his shirt, he cleared his throat. “What can I do for you this fine afternoon?”
    Frances suddenly turned to her. “I was wondering that myself. Why are we here, Juliana?”
    The woman could be oblivious at times, but Juliana had