TemptingJuliana Read Online Free PDF

on.
    Which was why she wanted to hug Alexandra when she said, “No. That makes you compassionate, giving, hopeful. Kind and unselfish and vulnerable.” Her perfect, responsible, married sister gifted her with a quiet smile. “It makes you lovable, Juliana. That’s what it makes you the most.”
    She did hug her sister then, and her aunt, too, her heart not broken now but aching with warmth and affection instead. Yet all the while she was wondering: If I’m so lovable, why can’t I find a husband to love?

Chapter Four
    “This pink is pretty,” Emily said Monday at Grafton House, a draper’s shop in New Bond Street.
    “It is,” Juliana agreed, watching a snooty woman give the girl and her ever-present snake a wide berth. “But silk isn’t sturdy enough for babies. And pink won’t do—the Governors want white, so all the clothes will suit both girls and boys.” She fingered a length of thick white wool.
    Emily cocked her golden head. “Will the babies not be overly warm in frocks made of that?”
    “I am considering this for the blankets. We’ll buy linsey for the frocks.”
    “I’ll look for linsey, then,” Emily said and walked away.
    Juliana nodded absently, deciding the wool would do fine. She was about to ask the price when she heard a little shriek, followed by a familiar voice. “Gracious me, Miss Neville! Are you still carrying that varmint everywhere?”
    Juliana turned, surprised to see another Berkeley Square neighbor, Lady Amanda Wolverston.
    Young Emily looked much more affronted than surprised, however. “Herman is not a varmint,” she protested, returning to slip her hand into Juliana’s. “He’s a pet.”
    “Not a very proper one,” Lady Amanda said.
    Although she agreed, Juliana squeezed Emily’s hand. Amanda could sometimes be a bit too proper. Still, since she and Amanda had grown up as neighbors, Juliana considered her a friend.
    “I’m so glad you’ve come to town,” she told her with a smile. “I’ve invited my sisters to a little sewing party on Wednesday afternoon, to make some clothing for the Foundling Hospital babies. I do hope you’ll join us.” Her tall blond friend was slouching—a habitual posture for her. But she seemed to be slouching even more than normal, and she looked uncommonly pale. Juliana blinked and peered up at her wan face. “Where have you been hiding all Season?”
    “In the countryside. My father is still excavating the Roman ruins he found on the estate.” Amanda gestured toward a chair in a corner of the shop, where her aunt sat primly. “Aunt Mabel accompanied me, though she didn’t want to come to town this year at all.”
    A slight, pinch-faced woman in a baggy gown, the poor lady was as pink-cheeked as Amanda was pale. She seemed to be wheezing a little. “You know she’s always suffered from asthma,” Juliana said sympathetically, vaguely musing that Amanda must have inherited her fashion sense—or rather, lack thereof—from her aunt. “The London air doesn’t agree with her. However did you convince her to come?”
    “Father convinced her. Or rather, he ordered her.” Amanda’s gaze slid to Emily and back, wordlessly telling Juliana she had something to confide.
    Dying to hear the news, Juliana squeezed the little girl’s hand again. “Could you do me an important favor, sweetheart, and see if you can find that linsey?”
    “All right,” Emily said, happily wandering off.
    “Well?” Juliana asked when Emily was out of earshot.
    Amanda’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Father has arranged my marriage. He sent me and Aunt Mabel to put together a trousseau, which is why I’m here at Grafton Hou—”
    “He’s arranged your marriage?” Juliana interrupted. “To whom?”
    Amanda closed her blue-gray eyes for a moment,releasing a slow breath before she reopened them. “Lord Malmsey,” she said despondently.
    “Lord Malmsey ?”
    The man was shorter than Amanda, quiet, mild-mannered, and meek. But the predominant