“Or a good guesser.”
“You are getting better and better at this,” he acknowledged, nodding his head in her direction. “You are looking at me in such a way that it would be easy for me to believe I am the only man you care for here tonight.” He couldn’t help focusing on those amber eyes. They had become intense, especially as they kept flicking down to his lips. “If you ever do marry, Julia, the man you care for will be lucky indeed, to be looked at in such a way.”
“I will never marry. I have told you that.”
“You have not told me exactly why though,” he said in realization, tilting his head to the side as he watched her. There was something vulnerable in her look now. She tilted her gaze down to his chest, as if she was masking her face from him. “You do not need to hide from me. You can trust me with such secrets. After all, I am trusting you with a great secret.”
He thought of Esther again, and how she hid at home.
What are we going to do, Esther?
His thoughts were torn away when Julia began to speak again.
“Another time, perhaps,” she said softly. When her eyes returned to meet his, he smiled a little more, loving that look.
Yes, if she ever does change her mind and marry, the man indeed will be a lucky one.
“You are too good at this look, Edward,” she said, her voice barely audible at all. She seemed to tremble in his hold, in a good way.
“I am glad to make you truly smile, Julia, even if it is just for a short while.”
He was so consumed by their conversation, that it took him a minute to realize the music was coming to an end. He parted from her, bowing to her as she curtsied, then he led her off the floor. Three steps later, he could hear ladies whispering as they pointed toward the two of them with their fans.
That dance will make us the talk of the assembly after how we were staring at one another.
He was just beginning to think this deception could really work after all when a shadow passed in front of them. It was great and hulking, blocking out some of the candlelight. Beside him, Edward felt Julia stiffen before he could ask what was wrong. Looking forward, he met a pair of cold blue eyes, glaring straight at him.
“Ah, Lord Gillet,” Edward said with a purposefully cheerful voice, despite the glare and despite Julia’s suddenly rigid posture. “How interesting to see you again. What can I do for you?”