TemptingJuliana Read Online Free PDF Page B

image in Juliana’s mind was that of a creased forehead beneath a receding hairline.
    “The man must be forty, at least!”
    “Forty-five,” Amanda corrected. Almost twice her age. She was a year older than Juliana, which made her all of twenty-three. “I met with him last evening—not that either of us had much to say to each other. We’re to be married four weeks from Saturday, in a private ceremony by special license.”
    The same day as the next Foundling Hospital intake, when Juliana had to have all the baby clothes ready. Amanda looked to be in the dismals, which was no wonder. “Can you not refuse to wed him?”
    She shook her head. “Father has made it clear that if I fail to go through with this wedding, he will disinherit me—which would leave me slim chances of ever wedding at all.”
    It was on the tip of Juliana’s tongue to argue the point, but she wasn’t one to lie—not outright, anyway—and Amanda was only stating the truth. In five Seasons, no one else had offered for her, and without her substantial inheritance, it was unlikely any man ever would.
    “I am miserable,” Amanda added unnecessarily.
    One thing Juliana was sure of: Griffin would never expect her to wed other than where her heart led her. For that, she supposed she should be grateful. “Have you told your father how you feel?”
    “Countless times. My protests fall on deaf ears. Nothing I can say will make him breach a contract. His honor, apparently, is more important to him than my happiness.”
    Lord Wolverston had always been rather emotionless and uncaring, but this went beyond that. It was downright cruel. “There is nothing at all honorable about putting his reputation before his own daughter. He should want to see you in love.”
    “He believes that when it comes to marriage, there are much more important matters to consider.”
    Juliana couldn’t disagree more—concerning her own marriage, at least. Her parents had wed for practical reasons, and her mother had never known true happiness. She did realize that much of society had other priorities for evaluating matches, but for her, love came first.
    Amanda slouched even more. “He’s pleased beyond belief to have an offer for my hand at all, let alone one from a baron. I suppose he’s right when he says I’m lucky Lord Malmsey is willing to marry me.”
    “Amanda!”
    “I’m a confirmed wallflower, Juliana.”
    Amanda did look rather plain, but Juliana had always assumed that was because her mother had died giving birth to her. Much like little Emily, she’d grown up without anyone to offer guidance. Her Aunt Mabel was certainly no help. Amanda wore dowdy clothes in all the wrong colors, her brows were too heavy, her blond hair was pulled back into an excruciatingly tight braided bun, and she never met anyone’s eyes—not even Juliana’s now. Her blue-gray gaze was focused in the vicinity of her unfashionably shod feet.
    In short, Amanda was a project just waiting to be tackled.
    “Who else knows about your engagement?” Juliana asked.
    “We arrived only yesterday. You’re the first one I’ve told.”
    “Excellent.” Lord Malmsey wasn’t the type to spread news, either. Although the man was a fixture at society gatherings, Juliana couldn’t recall more than a dozen words ever leaving his mouth. “Don’t tell anyone. I shall save you from this dismal fate.”
    The older girl glanced up. “How? Do you truly believe it possible?”
    “Without a doubt.” Juliana had never been one to disregard anyone in need. “Let me think on the matter.”
    “Look here, Lady Juliana!” Emily returned, holding forth Herman coiled upon an armful of white fabric.
    “Perfect, sweetheart.” Juliana smiled, hoping the clerkwouldn’t faint when she asked for a length to be cut. Or maybe hoping the clerk would faint, because that might convince the girl, once and for all, that toting a snake about was not a good idea. She looked back to Amanda. “You’ll come to