True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) Read Online Free PDF Page B

sleeves of her jacket.
    Pearl placed a green bonnet on Juliana’s head, tied the bow beneath her chin then handed her matching gloves.
    “Are ye ready, lass? Wilbur and Mr. Dean are outside waiting for us.”
    Juliana smiled. “Yes, I am.”
    “I do say, y’er exceptionally chipper this mornin ’. Are ya perhaps lookin ’ forward to yer visit with yer father?”
    “In a way, I am. It has been quite a while since our last visit, but what I’m really looking forward to is showing him I’m married. It cost me almost all the money I have left, that’s for certain, so I’m praying this will work. When I return from my trip, I’ll have my inheritance, and I won’t ever have to leave the beauty that touched my heart and connected me to my grandmama’s estate again.”
    When Juliana walked out the front door toward the waiting coach, she noticed Mr. Dean right away. He stood with his back to her by the vehicle, so she quickly slid her gaze over him before he could see what she was doing. A coffee brown jacket and cream-colored trousers molded to him elegantly. His hair had been cut, and barely brushed his collar, and her fingers itched to run through those strands that looked too silky not to touch.
    He must have heard her shoes on the steps because he turned and faced her. Now being able to see him fully, she nearly lost her breath—yet at the same time, her heartbeat skipped with excitement. Pearl and Wilbur hadn’t been mistaken when they’d said he’d changed. Mr. Dean had turned out incredibly handsome. The difference between the man who stood in her parlor a couple days ago and the man before her now was remarkable. If she hadn’t known he was the stable hand, she would never have guessed they were the same person. He looked more dignified than most of her gentleman callers.
    He grinned. Without being able to control it, her knees weakened and her heartbeat tripled. No. This emotion was not acceptable. She couldn’t possibly be attracted to him!
    Andrew strode up the steps and stood only inches away. He slid his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze before lifting it to his mouth and brushing his lips across her gloved knuckles. A sigh caught in her throat from his charming, smooth manner. This trip would definitely be longer than she’d anticipated and more difficult than she’d ever imagined.
    “Good morning, Mrs. Lawrence. You look absolutely radiant today.”
    Warm tingles shot through her from the suave, husky tone of his voice. “Thank you, Mr. Lawrence,” she answered in a shaky voice as her cheeks grew hot. “It appears as if you have been very busy lately. You are not only outfitted to look like a gentleman, you also speak like one.”
    “Your words are most kind. I have been mimicking how the wealthy speak all my life. Besides, it’s easy to speak with eloquence when in the presence of such subtle beauty.” The corners of his mouth lifted higher. “This change has actually been easier than I thought. In fact, the words almost flow from my mouth as if I have always spoken this way.”
    “I’m very pleased you’re taking this role so seriously.”
    He took her hand, hooking it over his arm before leading her down the steps to the coach. “I’m being paid quite well, my dear wife. I have never been lax in any of my other duties, nor will I be in this one.”
    “You don’t know how grateful I am to hear that.”
    He helped her into the coach, then climbed in behind, taking the seat across from her. She peeked out the window and watched Pearl and Wilbur climb in the second coach. Once the vehicle jerked into motion, Juliana sat back and looked at Andrew. This would be the perfect time to apprise him of his duties.
    “During this trip,” she explained, “I will be instructing you on the lifestyles of my family and those who are friends with my father. I’m most certain you will take to it splendidly, seeing how remarkable you have done so far.”
    He chuckled. “Your compliments are