Juliet fought the tears welling in her eyes. She knew Olivia spoke the truth, but how could she marry such a man? She’d be destined for misery. Marring him would destroy all of her dreams of love. Any hope of happiness would be forever gone.
Olivia closed her eyes and drew in a breath. “We will all pay the price if you refuse. Louisa and Catherine too.” Olivia shook her head as if clearing her mind. “I know you wanted love, Juliet, but this situation…” her words trailed off.
“The countess and baroness are renowned gossips, and I would wager Lady Lambert is out for blood. At this very moment, the three of them are in the ballroom. Soon everyone in attendance will know what they saw,” Thorne finished speaking for his wife.
Olivia reached for Juliet’s hand and gave an encouraging squeeze. “Of course, we will support you regardless of the fallout.”
Juliet’s eyes welled with unshed tears as she considered her situation. Olivia and Thorne were right. She’d not marry at all if she did wed Cleburne. No one would ever believe a rogue such as he left her a maiden. Especially not with Lady Lambert spreading the salacious details of what she’d caught them doing.
Regardless of what happened now, Juliet would not find love, and if Catherine and Louisa paid the price for her mistake… Juliet would never forgive herself.
She pressed her eyes closed for a heartbeat and willed the moisture to subside before meeting Thorne’s gaze. “The countess locked Cleburne in the library. If he agrees, I will marry him.”
Olivia wrapped her arms around Juliet, then nodded to her husband.
Thorne clenched then unclenched his jaw before saying, “I will speak with him at once. He will stand by you, Juliet. I assure you he is not so bad as they make him out to be.” Thorne turned his attention to Olivia. “Stay here. I will return with Cleburne, and we will all go down together to announce their betrothal.”
Chapter 5
“What the devil.” Giles crossed his hands over his head to stop the onslaught of thwacks.
“Good, you’re awake,” Thorne growled, his tone dripping with anger.
Giles opened his eyes to find Thorne glaring at him. It came as no surprise, given what he had done. Still, the man could have woken him in a more civil way.
Did their years of friendship count for nothing?
Giles uncrossed his ankles but made no move to rise. “Tell me you’ve brought brandy?” he said. “I am far too sober.”
“I came to discuss Lady Juliet Gale.” Thorne kicked the sofa Giles was lounging on. “Get up.”
Giles blew out a slow breath as he met his friend’s angry gaze. “About that—”
Thorne fisted his hands at his sides as he said, “Lady Juliet is my wife’s dear friend. An innocent lady whose parents entrusted her to me, and I will defend her honor. You will either marry her or face my pistols at dawn.”
“Good God, man.” Giles sat up, his gaze holding Thorne’s. “You would shoot your oldest friend?”
“If needs must,” Thorne seethed. He shook his head. “Do tell me you have more honor than to ruin an innocent then refuse marriage.”
Pushing to his feet, Giles gave an amused grin. So much fuss over such a small chit.
“Keep grinning like that, and I will shoot you now.” Thorne took a menacing step.
Giles held out his hand, his palm facing Thorne. “There is no need for such overt violence,” he drawled as he smoothed his cravat. “What would your mother think? The dear girl could not abide fighting, let alone dueling.”
“In this case, she would understand.” Thorne lunged at Giles, but Giles rounded the sofa before Thorne could capture him. “I am only messing with you. Relax old chap. I’ll marry the girl.”
“Right you will,” Thorne said, his tone firm.
Just then, a knock sounded, and Thorne turned to the door. “Enter.”
Both men stood silently as a maid carried in a tray and placed it on a nearby table before backing from the room.
Thorne strolled to the table and took up the kettle. “It’s coffee to sober you up before we announce your betrothal.”
“I would rather be foxed,” Cleburne said as he accepted the cup. Though in truth, he had mixed feelings on that particular score. If he had not been sauced earlier, he likely would not be in this mess. All the same, it was easier to face such chaos when one had fortification.
He sipped his coffee, his mind replaying the last hours’ events.
Truth be told, he knew he should have released the lady the moment he realized she was not Kitty. But Juliet was so damn beautiful. Her lips so luscious, he could not ignore them. Then a taste was not nearly enough. He simply could not help but sample her, and once he did, all thoughts of Kitty fled his mind.
Bloody hell, he’d even forgotten their planned tryst. Such behavior was not above him, but the sloppiness of the situation, that was. He had always been careful not to get tangled up with innocent ladies, as well as to keep his assignations private.
What was it about the fair Juliet that caused him to lose all control? Regardless, she did not bear the blame for their discovery.
This was all his fault, and he would do the right and honorable thing. Thorne’s assessment of his character was correct—Thorne did posses honor—too much integrity to toss the poor girl to the wolves of the ton.
Thorne’s expression softened as he said, “Juliet is not only dear to Olivia, my sisters and I also have a care for her.”
“You well know why I have not wed. Now that the time is upon me, I shall endeavor to make a success of it.” Cleburne blew out a breath. “I will not lead my family to misery.”
“I have your word?” Thorne asked.
“As a gentleman,” Cleburne vowed.
Thorne nodded, then stood. “Very well, let us join the ladies so we can make the announcement before more damage can be wrought.”
Cleburne sat his cup aside, then rose and followed Thorne from the library.
Marriage to Juliet would not be such a burden. Indeed, if Thorne and Olivia valued the lady, Giles would come to as well, for he trusted their judgment. Leastwise, she was pleasant to look at, and he knew from their brief assignation that the two of them shared passion.
Regardless of what the future held, he could be assured that his bed would never be cold, and he would always have something beautiful to gaze upon. There were worst fates, he supposed.
He could be stuck with Kitty for a wife. Lord perish the thought.
Perhaps this was fate, and all would end well. Giles would do all in his power to make sure the two of them had a happy future. If the lady met him even partway, there’s would be a successful union.
By the time he and Thorne entered the office, Giles had convinced himself of the merits of taking Lady Juliet to wife. Rather than feeling as if he were being marched to his execution, he had hope for the future.
Juliet and Olivia were sipping wine near the fire. Both stood when Giles and Thorne stepped into the room. So the last required a bit of her own fortification. Finding himself quite amused, he gave a devilish grin as he once more wished for a tumbler full of brandy.
His gaze found Lady Juliet’s.
She blushed, her cheeks blossoming with rose pink as she met his gaze.