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walked down the hall ahead
of the girls, Jane and Julianna close behind. The parlor had been warm and the
idea of fresh air appealed. But now, without the protection of her grandmother,
unease seemed to plague her steps.
    Turning the corner toward the
double doors that led out into the dimly lit garden, Julianna's discomfort
eased and she couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement in the pit of her
stomach. It had been a long while since she was able to act as young as she actually
was. Since the loss of her parents, she had often lost sight of her youth. But
Bennett and Jane, they certainly did know how to laugh and play.
    Stepping out into the garden at the
back of the modest home, Julianna savored the feel of the spring air as it
cooled her skin.
    Jane lifted her arms wide and spun
around. "Oh do you smell the lilac?"
    "Yes," Bennett answered.
"Why not go gather a few sprigs for the grandmothers."
    "Yes, indeed," Jane
replied, scurrying down a narrow path and disappearing behind a large boxwood.
    Alone with Bennett, Julianna felt
nervous and exposed. She crossed her arms over her chest. "She is so full
of life," Julianna commented, keeping her attention focused on the path.
    "She is," Bennett said,
stepping a little closer to her. So close she could smell the spice of his
cologne, feel the warmth of his body. "She's lucky that way. But you, my
sweet Miss Julianna, you seem very sad. Your blue eyes give much away."
    There was a tenderness in his voice
that sent a chill racing across her body. She slid him a glance. "I'm
well."
    "Whoever has burdened you with
such sorrow should be ashamed. For when I said you were a gem, I meant
it."
    He stepped in front of her, that
intense gaze coming to rest upon her face. She hugged herself tighter for he
leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. A kiss that set fire in her
belly, but not with want of him. But with longing for Jonathan.
    She pulled back. "Bennett,
please."
    "I'm sorry," he said.
"I'm too forward. But I want nothing more than to strip your misery away
and replace it with joy."
    Could she do it? Could she forget
Jonathan and start over? Looking at Bennett with his handsome face aglow in the
bright moonlight, she realized that it felt good to have a man look at her the
way he did. Felt more than good. It was something she could become accustomed
to quite quickly.
    "Thank you." She smiled
and he wrapped her fingers in the warm fold of his.
    "Be assured, dear Miss
Julianna, tis indeed my pleasure."

 
    Chapter Four

 
    "Where is Julianna?" Jonathan
glared at Constance. She sat on the yellow settee at Oak
Park, in Julianna's favorite spot, and smiled. A smile
that enflamed every nerve in his body. She held all the cards. She was in
control and damn it all, it set his blood to boiling.
    He tightened his jaw and his fists.
Damn her. Damn the staff. Damn the lot of them for feigning ignorance as to
Julianna’s whereabouts. He was beyond frustrated and if he didn’t need to know
where she was he would have easily vowed never to return to Oak
Park.
    "I told you, she's
vacationing. Has probably left England
by now."
    "Where? I need to know."
The frustration at having had to sit through teas and dinners was more than he
could bear. If he didn't get answers soon, he was just going to jump on his
horse and start looking for Julianna. He needed to see her. To tell her how
very angry he was with her. And yet, watching Constance
trying to replace Julianna infuriated him more.
    "Why do you need to know so
badly?" she asked, tilting her head in a vain attempt to appear charming.
He had fallen for that once, months ago. But the glamour had worn off and all
he saw before him now was a simpering brat who always got what she wanted. And
she wanted him. "Are you in love with her?"
    He pushed himself up from his chair
his hands shaking with upset. It was a simple question yet it bore so many
implications. "You ask too many questions and you do not answer
enough."
    "I'll tell you