TemptingJuliana (9 page)

“I do read newspapers and magazines, and not just to see the latest fashions. It was quite brilliant of him to figure out that giving people cowpox could keep them from getting smallpox.” She glanced toward the instruments again. “I don’t need a vaccination, do I?”

“Not if you were variolated. Smallpox variolation grants lifelong immunity. You’re lucky you lived through it, though.” Variolation usually caused only a mild case of smallpox, but about two patients in a hundred developed a severe case and died. Because those odds were much better than when one caught smallpox naturally—which carried a thirty percent risk of death—many well-informed upper-class parents did have their children variolated throughout most of the eighteenth century. But vaccination with cowpox was much safer.

Juliana looked relieved. “Were you variolated as a child?”

“No, but I was vaccinated while in the army. My commanding officer didn’t want his men dying of smallpox.” He set the basket on the table. “Can you enlighten me as to the nature of this unexpected call?”

“Try a Shrewsbury cake.” She waited while he chose one and took a bite. “I was wondering what you thought of Lady Amanda.”

He hadn’t thought of Lady Amanda even once since Saturday’s ball. “She’s lovely,” he said tactfully.

Juliana beamed. “I’m so glad you think so.”

She was much more interesting than Lady Amanda. “That was delicious,” he said, polishing off her cake.

“Have another.” She reached into the basket and put one into his hand. “Do you expect you might wish to marry Lady Amanda?”

He nearly choked but managed to cover it with a cough. “I’ve only danced with her once,” he pointed out.

“Quite true,” she admitted. “I expect you’ll want to court her for a while before making such a decision.”

He didn’t want to court her at all. But it wouldn’t be very seemly to say that out loud, so instead he said, “Yes, one doesn’t come to such a decision lightly.”

The
yes
was a mistake. Juliana’s lips curved in a delighted smile. “I’m so happy to hear that. I’ve been wondering, though…since you spend so much time here at the Institute, have you much practice at wooing ladies?”

“Practice?” What man needed practice at such a thing?

“I just thought that since you’ve been too busy to court many women, it might help if I give you a few lessons.”

Lessons?
“What sort of lessons?”

“Have another Shrewsbury cake, will you?” She shoved the basket toward him. “The lessons wouldn’t be very strenuous, I assure you. I’m thinking you could simply accompany me on a few occasions, such as to the theater. I could show you the proper seats to purchase and what sort of refreshments to fetch for Lady Amanda during the intermission. And if we went riding in Hyde
Park, I could point out the popular places and you could practice being gallant.”

James didn’t know whether to be insulted or amused, but either way he was going to refuse her offer. Certainly he didn’t need lessons in gallantry and wooing women.

He hadn’t taken a third cake, so she selected one for him. “The lessons won’t require too many outings,” she added soothingly. “After all, if plans with you fill my calendar, I won’t be available for the duke to pay court to me.”

The cake halfway to his mouth, he froze. She thought she was offering him a favor, but actually, the opposite was true. If he played along, he’d be saving her from wasting her time with Castleton. She and the duke were extremely ill-suited. Nothing between the two of them could possibly work out.

So therefore, by agreeing to her “lessons,”
he’d
be doing
her
a favor.

He did like helping people. It was very gallant.

“Fine,” he said. “When shall our first outing be?”

She actually clapped her hands. “How about tomorrow? Are you needed here at the Institute?”

“I have two doctors scheduled from ten o’clock to four, and another two from four o’clock to ten.”

“Excellent. We can visit the shops and select a few gifts for Lady Amanda.”

Shops? He hated visiting shops. “I thought we were going to the theater.”

“I have plans for tomorrow evening, so our lesson will have to be earlier. Shall we say after luncheon, at one o’clock?” She smiled sympathetically. “Worry not, James. We’ll be done in plenty of time for Parliament. Choosing a few appropriate gifts shouldn’t take very long at all.”

Before the duke left on Monday afternoon, he’d asked if he might pay Juliana another call on Tuesday. Two calls in two days! Since she already had plans with James at one o’clock, she’d suggested noon.

Which is how it happened that, on Tuesday, as the duke was leaving and James was arriving, they crossed paths.

“Castleton,” James said.

“Stafford,” the duke returned. And with a stiff little bow, he left.

As the butler closed the door behind him, Juliana turned to James. “Do you not like the duke?”

He shrugged. “I do not know him very well. But he seems a bit stuffy.”

She was about to disagree when Aunt Frances came down the stairs, her footfalls so light she seemed almost to be skipping. A piece of paper fluttered in one of her hands. “Juliana! You’ll never
believe
what arrived in the morning mail!”

“What is it, Auntie?”

“Another love letter from my secret admirer. Only”—as she reached the foyer, she paused for dramatic effect—“his name is no longer a secret.”

“Who is he?” Juliana crossed her fingers behind her back. “Is he anyone I know?”

“Oh, yes,” Frances said. “It’s Lord—” She cut off, finally noticing James.

Oblivious as always, Juliana thought.

Her aunt clutched the letter to her bosom, two rosy spots appearing on her cheeks. “Good afternoon, Lord Stafford.”

“Good afternoon, Lady Frances.”

“Who is your admirer, Auntie? Lord Stafford will keep your secret.”

James nodded. “My lips are sealed.”

Frances hesitated a moment more, but it was obvious she was dying to tell. She leaned closer to Juliana. “It’s Lord Malmsey,” she whispered, her lips curving in a thrilled smile that made her look ten years younger.

“Aunt Frances, how wonderful!”

“Isn’t it, though?” Clearly Frances didn’t mind Lord Malmsey’s age or appearance. In fact, judging by her expression, one would think she’d been pining after the man for years. “I’m so glad you made plans to visit the shops this afternoon. I must order a few new dresses, and at least one must be ready by Saturday. Lord Malmsey indicated in his letter that he will be attending Lady Partridge’s ball.”

James cleared his throat.

“Yes?” Juliana asked.

“I thought we were going to quickly choose a gift?”

“Several gifts,” she corrected. “You’ll want an assortment so that you can give one to Lady Amanda every few days over the next two weeks.”

“Several?” He didn’t look happy. “What happens after two weeks?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” He’d indicated he needed a while to court Amanda before proposing marriage, but a fortnight would have to do. With Amanda’s wedding approaching, they simply hadn’t any more time. Juliana had high hopes he’d win Amanda’s affections by then, and vice versa, because the three of them needed time to plot Amanda’s public compromise before she was married to Lord Malmsey.

He still didn’t look happy, though, and Juliana liked the people around her to be happy. “You won’t mind if Aunt Frances orders a few dresses, will you? It shouldn’t
take long, and she’ll be coming along in any case, to chaperone.” Regardless of the fact that this outing with James wasn’t romantic in any sense, it wouldn’t do for the two of them to gad about town together unescorted.

Before James formulated an answer, a knock came at the door. The butler opened it. On the other side stood a footman in Neville livery with young Emily. And Herman, of course.

The pink parasol Emily was twirling clashed horribly with the olive green reptile. “Is it time to leave, Lady Juliana?”

James took a step back. “Don’t tell me
she’s
coming, too.”

“I’m giving her lessons as well,” Juliana explained. “In being more ladylike. An outing like this can be very instructional.”

In the gray light of the rainy day, he looked pale. “Surely she won’t be bringing that snake.”

Emily stopped twirling. “If Herman doesn’t go, I don’t go.”

“That’s fine by me,” James said.

He seemed unhappy again, so Juliana laid a hand on his arm. “James, do you not like children?”

He glanced down at her hand, and she snatched it away, appalled at herself. Her hand was gloved, and his arm was sleeved, but it still wasn’t proper to be touching him.

And the look on his face was worrisome. Although she and Amanda had never discussed children, she was sure Amanda wanted some. Every woman did.

“Of course I like children,” he said. “I vaccinate children every day at the Institute.”

“Of course,” she echoed, relieved. She should have realized that. “Amanda is good with children,” she told him, remembering how well Amanda had handled Emily that day she’d bled. Motioning for him to follow, she stepped farther away from the little girl. “I know you’re worried that some patrons of the shops might be upset by Emily’s snake,” she said quietly. “But that’s the whole idea, don’t you see? She needs to learn that it’s not ladylike to carry a snake, and the only way that will happen is by demonstration. Once she’s convinced that
Herman upsets people, she’ll realize she should leave him at home.”

“I see,” he said tightly.

They headed outside to where James’s carriage was waiting. It was splendid—all polished rosewood and rich green velvet—and the pair of matched bays drawing it looked to be prime horseflesh. Juliana meant to sit beside Aunt Frances, but somehow she ended up beside James instead. Aunt Frances sat opposite James, with Emily catercorner from him. When he squished himself into the corner, as far away from Juliana as possible, she supposed that was to make sure he wouldn’t touch her inadvertently.

But then he kept touching her anyway.

During the drive to Pall Mall, he touched her three times on the arm, in the bare area between where her short puffed sleeve ended and her short white glove began. The touches were all accidental and innocent, of course, but the little jolt she felt every time was…well, not bothersome exactly, but disquieting. Or exciting in an odd sort of way.

Of course, she wasn’t used to being touched by men. All those deaths in the family had kept her and Corinna from socializing for so long, she was certain she was the oldest unkissed woman in all of England.

Except for Amanda. And maybe Aunt Frances.

In any case, she had to assume she’d feel this way if she were touched by any man. Most especially if she were touched by the duke. In fact, she was certain the duke’s touches would be even
more
exciting because, after all, he was the ideal man for her. But despite two social calls in two days, the duke hadn’t touched her since they’d danced at the ball last Saturday night. And that had been over her clothes while they were both wearing gloves, which was quite different.

He hadn’t touched her bare skin. He hadn’t even kissed her gloved hand. He respected her too much to do any such thing.

He was as proper and reserved as Amanda, but certainly he wasn’t stuffy.

Aunt Frances was so anxious to order her dresses, Juliana decided they should do that first. Mrs. Huntley
sighed when she saw Emily and her snake again, but after all, Juliana and Amanda had ordered a
lot
of dresses, and no shopkeeper with half a brain would turn away that sort of business. So she pressed her thin lips together and pulled out her measuring tape.

“Sit over there, Emily,” Juliana instructed, waving her toward where two chairs sat against a wall. “And James, you sit beside her. When you visit the shops with a lady, you must wait patiently until she is finished.”

“I’ll wait outside,” he said.

“You shouldn’t do that if you wish to please Lady Amanda. A man should appear interested in a lady’s purchases.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, heading toward the door.

“It’s raining out there,” she reminded him.

“I won’t melt.”

True to his word, James didn’t melt. It took so long to order Aunt Frances’s dresses that it had stopped raining by the time the ladies joined him outside. And he certainly didn’t look melted—in fact, he looked a little stiff.

Well, even if it wasn’t raining, it still was quite cold.

“Where to now?” he asked dourly.

“I believe you should send Lady Amanda some flowers.” Juliana indicated a florist’s shop across the street, and they all started toward it.

“What sort?” he asked, sounding resigned.

“Red roses,” Emily suggested beside him. “My mother loved red roses.”

“Red roses it is, then.” He crossed to Juliana’s other side and took her left arm. When she glanced up at him, startled, he said, “A gentleman should escort a lady across the street.”

“Excellent,” she said, pleased with his progress. “That is very gallant. But I don’t think red roses would be appropriate. They symbolize love, and it’s a little too soon for that. You wouldn’t want to appear too forward. Pink or yellow would be perfect.”

James’s arm felt tense beneath hers, and she was aware of their contact all the way into the shop. She guessed Amanda would find that awareness very plea
surable, which would help James persuade her to marry him.

When they entered, a woman shrieked and ran past them out the door. Three other patrons left directly, muttering to one another.

The florist was a tall, thin man with a long, narrow nose and eyes that looked hard as he glared at Emily. “Take that snake outside, young lady.”

Emily stroked Herman. “Snakes don’t eat flowers, Mr. Flower-Man. Only frogs and mice.”

Aunt Frances took Emily outside, and James ordered an arrangement of two dozen pink roses. Quickly.

Back outdoors, the people walking along Pall Mall were giving Emily and Herman a wide berth, and there was a lot of “Well!” and “I never!” to be heard.

“She should have left that snake at home,” James said.

“She will next time, I’m sure.” Juliana offered him her left arm again, thinking some more practice in escorting ladies might be appropriate.

“Where are we going now?” Emily asked beside him.

He crossed to Juliana’s other side and took her right arm instead.

Juliana thought he seemed a little impatient. “Harding, Howell, and Company,” she decided. Down the street just a bit, Harding, Howell & Company was a big department store that took up all the floors of an old mansion that used to be called Schomberg House. Perhaps James would be happier if they could find the rest of Amanda’s presents all in one place. “You don’t enjoy shops very much, do you?” she asked as they started walking toward it.

“I’m a man,” he said.

She’d noticed. She’d walked arm in arm with women before, but it had never felt like this. The tingly sensation rather stole one’s breath. Amanda was going to love it.

Aunt Frances and Emily walked in front of them, the two of them getting more and more ahead. People were crossing the street to avoid them. “We should catch up to them,” Juliana said.

James didn’t change his pace. “I believe a gentleman
should walk leisurely with a lady, to accommodate her shorter stride.”

“That is considerate,” she allowed. “You really are quite an apt pupil, James.”

Amanda was going to fall in love with him for certain.

“I’m famished,” Emily announced the moment they stepped through Harding, Howell & Company’s grand mahogany double doors. “May we visit Mr. Cosway’s Breakfast Room?”

“It’s not breakfast time,” James said, “and, in fact, it’s past luncheon.”

Juliana laughed. “Mr. Cosway’s Breakfast Room serves refreshments all day long.” Located on the floor above, the restaurant offered wines, teas, coffee, and sweetmeats. “Have you never been here before, James?”

“I’m a man,” he said.

The department store
was
patronized mostly by women. Juliana hadn’t ever noticed that before, but she did now. Especially because a good number of the women were emitting little squeals and hiding behind the delicate pieces of furniture that were for sale.

Emily started up the wide staircase with Herman and Aunt Frances. When Juliana went to follow them, James held her back. “She really should leave that snake at home,” he said once Emily was far enough ahead of them to be out of earshot.

Juliana was getting a bit tired of hearing that. “Are you hungry?” she asked.

“I’m a man,” he said, and she laughed.

He really
was
quite a man.

Upstairs, Mr. Cosway’s Breakfast Room had a glorious view over St. James’s Park to Westminster and the Surrey hills beyond. Aunt Frances and Emily were already seated across from each other at a table for four. Juliana slid into the chair beside Aunt Frances, but James just stood there, more frozen than the ice cream in the restaurant’s glass display case.

And that’s when Juliana realized he didn’t want to sit beside Emily. Or walk beside Emily. Or have anything to do with Emily at all—at least not while she was holding a snake.

Though it wasn’t very kind or ladylike, Juliana couldn’t help herself. A little smile quirked on her lips. A tiny giggle escaped. And finally—inevitably—she burst out laughing.