FUN? SHE CALLED IT fun? Life-changing. World-shattering. Mind-splitting. He might call it any of those things. But fun didn’t quite make the cut.
It had been two and a half days that he had managed to stay away from her, and it was two and a half days of pure agony. No fun in sight. The ball that loomed ahead of him in an hour’s time was the most dreaded of all. Of course Juliet would be there. And he would go. Now he had a duty.
She had done next to nothing to him, not even kissed him, and he had known that there would be no holding back if he saw her again. When. It wasn’t a question of if. He was her bloody guardian. What the hell had her father, Lord Chesterson, been thinking?
Ryker needed a drink. But he had quit that over a year ago. He had to admit he had spent some time traveling. Or what else did he have to show for himself?
Maybe he could fence with someone to release this pent up fire in his muscles that wouldn’t stop its conflagratory demise. He had kept up his training, regardless of which country he was in. No, if he tried to fence someone now, he would probably do some irreparable damage.
He wasn’t ready for that.
What was he ready for? Perhaps he had better read that bloody letter. Maybe ol’ Chesterson could speak from the grave. Ryker found the letter atop his nightstand, split the seal, and read.
Ryker, my dear boy,
You’ve always been one ready to face the truth. Ready to face the challenges of life. Ready to learn. That readiness has the makings of a great man.
I trust you with my daughter’s life. Every part of her. I know you will do what’s right.
I’m proud of you.
Lord Chesterson
Ryker dropped his head into his hands. How could this man trust him with his daughter? He had no idea what Ryker had done the last six years.
Lord Chesterson had been a loving father, and Juliet had been his sweet, happy child. He remembered those days fondly. Little Juliet with her blonde braids flying out behind her as she chased the wind. The two of them fishing together at the pond.
He could never relive that happy time in his life. He could never be a child again. Before all the pain.
Then he thought of Juliet now, a woman with a plan for her life. Perhaps in a year’s time he could take her as his mistress. If she didn’t want a husband, like she said…But that didn’t sit right with him. He had his honor. She was a gently bred lady. He would never–could never–treat her like that.
And what would happen if he got her with child? Then what would he do? Then he would have little Juliets running around to take care of.
The thoughts didn’t have time to steep. It was the hour of the ball. Ryker had his carriage pick up Juliet and her chaperone, and was to meet them there.
It was a mad crush when he arrived, but it took no less than thirteen seconds to find the shining joy that was Juliet. She had a youthful glow, a shy confidence, and a sometimes awkward moment with her lemonade. Like she was having now, as he approached her.
“Lady Juliet,” he took her hand and kissed the air above it. But he didn’t miss the tremble of her fingers.
Her long delicate fingers. The ones that had pressed down into his shoulders and caused no shortage of blood pumping to his groin.
“May I have this dance?”
Her face glowed even brighter at the request, and he swung her onto the dance floor into a waltz.
“So you think you love me, do you?”
A flush swept up Juliet’s neck, as she nodded slowly.
“Why do you think that is?”
She pulled a hand away from his shoulder, and lightly tapped his chest. “I know this.”
“So you say.”
She shook her head. “I know you. People don’t change that much. Yes, you’ve been through tremendous pain. More than my own. I can’t imagine. But I know your heart. You are caring. You are protective. You are loyal. And I will always feel this way about you, even knowing how you feel about me.”
“And how do I feel about you?”
That lovely red blush washed her cheeks again. “You love me,” she said hoarsely.
“And how do you know that?”
She leaned in and whispered, “I wasn’t able to seduce you.”
“Normally one would argue the opposite based on that evidence.”
“Don’t be silly, Ryker. You know it’s the truth. You are a good man. My father was an excellent judge of character, and he picked you to be my guardian. He was proud of you. I just know it. And your father would be too.”
The waltz ended and Ryker led Juliet back to her chaperone. Rather than release her hand, he dipped his head to the tipsy chaperone and said, “I’ll see her home.”
Without another word, Ryker led them to his carriage and lifted her up onto the seat.
“Where are we going, Ryker?”
“Home.”