has changed her mind. Then he could announce whatever he wished. With his vivid imagination and flamboyancy, he would no doubt invent a grand tale with which to fascinate the crowd.
She sauntered to the French doors and leaned on the frame, drawing in a deep breath of moist, tropical air. Above her, puffy clouds strolled across a cerulean sky as if they knew exactly where they were heading and were in no hurry to get there. Ah, her fortune for such direction and peace in her own life. God, where are You? Juliana had done everything right. She prayed, she read her Bible, she gave to the poor, helped the orphans and widows—just like God commanded. Yet problems and trials continued to plague her. What am I doing wrong? She stared heavenward, hoping for an answer, but only the croak of a frog and buzz of insects replied.
Mayhap she wasn’t doing enough. She needed to work harder, give more to the poor, help the orphans more , be a good example for her wayward brother, be kinder to the servants. Mayhap she needed to spend more time reading her Bible and praying. Then—maybe then—God would be pleased with her. Then He would shine His favor on her and all these trials would cease.
♥♥♥
Before he even laid eyes upon her, Alex knew Miss Juliana Dutton had stepped into his home. Like one coming out of a deep sleep or awaking from the darkest of nights to the breaking of dawn, the world around him came alive. The lanterns glowed brighter. The air was fresher, the scents sweeter. The mindless cackle of his guests drifted into the background. Even the orchestra began to harmonize. He stood on the landing above the massive foyer, peering down at her as she entered through the front doors, taking pause at the anger weaving through her features. She wore a lavender tabby gown fringed in black lace, a jeweled stomacher bedecked with pink ribbons, beruffled bell sleeves, and a low décolletage pressing against her creamy breasts. Golden hair spiraled in delicate layers atop her head, sparkling as much as the pearls woven betwixt the strands. She floated across the coral stone floor like a swan, ignoring calls of greeting thrown her way. She scanned the crowd, no doubt looking for her host, and from the looks of her tight mouth and sharp eyes, it wasn’t to give him a kind greeting but to chastise him for sending his man to escort her instead of picking her up himself.
Alex adjusted the silly wig atop his head. He couldn’t blame her. It was beyond incorrigible, but what else could he do? He mustn’t give her any opportunity to call off their betrothal, as he suspected she may attempt to do. A week’s time, no doubt, afforded her enough moments of lucidity in which to regain her senses. After the announcement, propriety would forbid her to reject his suit—at least until enough time had passed. And time was all he needed. Time with her. Toward what end, he had no idea, save to satisfy a yearning within him to know this fine lady. But now, how to avoid her for the next thirty minutes or until he could gather his guests for le grande declaration.
Chapter 10
When Juliana found that vainglorious cur, Munthrope, she would forget her manners and her station and tell him exactly what she thought of his lack of chivalry. Never in all her years had she been kept waiting for hours to be escorted to a ball—not by previous suitors, not even by her indifferent father. And then to find that the cretin wasn’t even in the coach but had sent one of his lackeys to escort her. If this was any indication of his skills as a cavalier, she should break her bargain with the man here and now. Which was precisely what she intended to do.
As soon as she found him.
Halting at the edge of the ballroom, she strained to hear his effeminate lilt, his shrill laughter at one of his own jokes. But nothing but the giddy tittering of the crowd and the melody of the orchestra resounded in the glittering room. Quite a good orchestra, she
She sauntered to the French doors and leaned on the frame, drawing in a deep breath of moist, tropical air. Above her, puffy clouds strolled across a cerulean sky as if they knew exactly where they were heading and were in no hurry to get there. Ah, her fortune for such direction and peace in her own life. God, where are You? Juliana had done everything right. She prayed, she read her Bible, she gave to the poor, helped the orphans and widows—just like God commanded. Yet problems and trials continued to plague her. What am I doing wrong? She stared heavenward, hoping for an answer, but only the croak of a frog and buzz of insects replied.
Mayhap she wasn’t doing enough. She needed to work harder, give more to the poor, help the orphans more , be a good example for her wayward brother, be kinder to the servants. Mayhap she needed to spend more time reading her Bible and praying. Then—maybe then—God would be pleased with her. Then He would shine His favor on her and all these trials would cease.
♥♥♥
Before he even laid eyes upon her, Alex knew Miss Juliana Dutton had stepped into his home. Like one coming out of a deep sleep or awaking from the darkest of nights to the breaking of dawn, the world around him came alive. The lanterns glowed brighter. The air was fresher, the scents sweeter. The mindless cackle of his guests drifted into the background. Even the orchestra began to harmonize. He stood on the landing above the massive foyer, peering down at her as she entered through the front doors, taking pause at the anger weaving through her features. She wore a lavender tabby gown fringed in black lace, a jeweled stomacher bedecked with pink ribbons, beruffled bell sleeves, and a low décolletage pressing against her creamy breasts. Golden hair spiraled in delicate layers atop her head, sparkling as much as the pearls woven betwixt the strands. She floated across the coral stone floor like a swan, ignoring calls of greeting thrown her way. She scanned the crowd, no doubt looking for her host, and from the looks of her tight mouth and sharp eyes, it wasn’t to give him a kind greeting but to chastise him for sending his man to escort her instead of picking her up himself.
Alex adjusted the silly wig atop his head. He couldn’t blame her. It was beyond incorrigible, but what else could he do? He mustn’t give her any opportunity to call off their betrothal, as he suspected she may attempt to do. A week’s time, no doubt, afforded her enough moments of lucidity in which to regain her senses. After the announcement, propriety would forbid her to reject his suit—at least until enough time had passed. And time was all he needed. Time with her. Toward what end, he had no idea, save to satisfy a yearning within him to know this fine lady. But now, how to avoid her for the next thirty minutes or until he could gather his guests for le grande declaration.
Chapter 10
When Juliana found that vainglorious cur, Munthrope, she would forget her manners and her station and tell him exactly what she thought of his lack of chivalry. Never in all her years had she been kept waiting for hours to be escorted to a ball—not by previous suitors, not even by her indifferent father. And then to find that the cretin wasn’t even in the coach but had sent one of his lackeys to escort her. If this was any indication of his skills as a cavalier, she should break her bargain with the man here and now. Which was precisely what she intended to do.
As soon as she found him.
Halting at the edge of the ballroom, she strained to hear his effeminate lilt, his shrill laughter at one of his own jokes. But nothing but the giddy tittering of the crowd and the melody of the orchestra resounded in the glittering room. Quite a good orchestra, she
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