regiment returned to Virginia. Don’t say I told you this but she’s better than some of the men in her father’s regiment.” Perhaps all was well, despite the misgivings her letter had given him. “Then I have no hope of seeing her?”
“Not until almost Christmas I believe, Captain. Kat will be all right. I think she and Duncan are starting to get along better.”
“Better?” His question came out sharper than he’d intended.
“Than when they first married, yes. But come.” Juliet stood abruptly. “I will explain more in the carriage.”
“The carriage?”
“Yes, Captain Dawson. I will press you into the role of knight in shining armor once more and beg you to escort my maid, Glynis, and me to my friend Lady Honoria Claypool’s home. I am to stay with her for several days until my Aunt Phoebe arrives in town. Then I will remove to her townhouse until Duncan returns.” Juliet wrinkled her nose. “My aunt is so difficult. Although I do suppose everyone has some such relative, don’t you think? Glynis,” she called to a girl standing unobtrusively in a corner.
“Glynis, please get my light shawl.” Juliet rescued her cap then stuffed her hair underneath it helter-skelter. “Get your things, too. This gentleman will take us to Lady Honoria’s.”
“Yes, my lady.” The girl curtsied then rushed out of the room. Juliet looked expectantly at Amiable.
Although taken aback by her unexpected request, Amiable summoned his manners and bowed to the young woman. “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to escort you, Lady Juliet.”
The girl returned and draped a golden silk shawl around her mistress’s shoulders. “The carriage is ready, Captain Dawson,” Juliet said, raising her chin.
“Of course, my lady.” He offered his arm and, when Juliet took it, pressed her hand into the crook of his elbow. A thrill chased down his arm and he shook off the strange sensation as they moved down the hallway and out the front door, the maid following behind.
Juliet disappeared into the ornate carriage with the team of matched grays. Her dark pink gown flared over her beautifully rounded hips. A flash of white stockings, clocked with tiny rosebuds above her ankles, made him swallow hard.
He had held that loveliness in his arms for a considerable amount of time this morning. He willed the image away and assisted Glynis to sit beside her mistress. Ten years in the army had taught him caution, so he surveyed the surroundings before he joined them. Danger lurked somewhere. Whether inside or outside the carriage, however, had yet to be determined.
Chapter 3
Love at first sight. Juliet believed it did occur. That had to be the explanation for this sudden breathless feeling, didn’t it? Simple gratitude for his help in getting rid of Philippe would not cause this peculiar sensation deep in the pit of her stomach, this overwhelming desire to remain in his company, would it?
A knight in shining armor indeed. So protective. That might be the most compelling reason for her tender feelings toward the captain. He made her feel safe—even safer than Duncan did, since he had married. She loved Katarina without question, but her brother’s first allegiance now lay with his wife. The woman Captain Dawson had come to Dunham House to see.
Her heart flip-flopped painfully in her chest. He’d sounded so wistful when he’d realized he had missed her sister-in-law. That tone had boded more than simple acquaintance could account for, she would stake her life on it. Katarina, thank goodness, was beyond him now. So perhaps she could help him forget her.
Such a handsome man, and so well made. Almost as tall as Duncan but more slender than her brother, though not to the point of thinness. The captain’s taut bearing, obviously a product of his military training, spoke candidly of his decisive nature and explained his powerful physique. When she’d leaned against him, his chest had been firm, not soft, his arms corded with muscles, unmistakable even through his coat. Dark blonde- hair pulled back in a bag and those intense blue eyes. Soon he’d be with her in the carriage. Yes, Captain Amiable Dawson cut a fine figure. The man would make any woman a wonderful husband.
The object of her affection entered the carriage and sat opposite her.
Just looking at him, so close to her, her heartbeat fluttered, her mouth went dry, and all manner of little chills raced down her arms. This must be love.
“Does the coachman have the direction, Lady Juliet?”
“Yes. He knows I am to go to Lady Honoria’s home in Beaumont Crescent.”
“Very well.” Smiling, Captain Dawson rapped on the trap and the carriage started. “You said you will stay some days with your friend?”
The curve of his sensuous lips caused her heart to pound unmercifully. “Until my aunt arrives from Northumberland. Perhaps a week or so.” Could she invite him to call on her at Honoria’s? Would that be too forward? Perhaps not. Especially, after the ordeal they had suffered together this morning. Lord, what might Philippe have done if Captain Dawson hadn’t appeared? Ice needled through her veins.
“Is something wrong, Lady Juliet?” Amiable leaned forward.
“No, Captain Dawson. Yes. I just thought, what if Philippe finds out where I have gone and follows me to Lady Honoria’s home? What am I to do?”
Amiable gently squeezed her hand.
Her heart swelled and she wanted to melt into the springs of the carriage. Such a kind man, and so concerned for her.
“I know you are frightened of him, my lady. Still, all will be well. Your friend’s family will rebuff him if he puts in an appearance there.”
“What if he brings papers that convince the Claypools I am his wife?” Her chest tightened. If St. Cyr could produce documents showing a legal marriage, the Claypools would have no choice but to turn her over to him. She blinked back tears. Suddenly, she could not breathe.
He pulled her across the carriage and sat her beside him, his arm around her shoulders. “The proxy marriage is null in this country and any other certificates of marriage he brings would be forgeries, would they not, my lady?” He soothed her with his low-pitched voice. “You can insist the Claypools take them to an attorney for authentication.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “But what if he has been clever about it? What if they can’t tell they are forgeries? He seemed so determined this morning, I believe he would do anything to—” The scenario unfolded before her with frightening clarity. Great sobs overtook her. “I just wish my brother were here.”
“My dear, please do not distress yourself so.” He steered her head to his shoulder.
She struggled to get herself under control, all the while reveling in the feel of his strong arm around her, the clean scent of his clothes, and his fainter but still comforting male smell.
He stroked her hair where her cap had been knocked askew. Her face had grown hot with crying. She must look the very devil. She attempted to sit up, to repair herself in some way.
He would have none of it and pressed her to stillness against his chest.
Happy to feel this closeness to him, she nestled there quite readily. “I feel so safe with you, Captain Dawson. Is that not strange?”
“I suppose it is, my lady, as we have only known each other for about an hour. Of course,” he said, and chuckled, “we were married for at least half that time.”
Juliet smiled at that, and a trembling seized her stomach. She’d never experienced such a thing before. She never wanted to part from him. “I begin to fear I will not be safe at the Claypool’s. I find I truly do not wish to go there, Captain Dawson. If Philippe finds me I am afraid he will manage to take me away with him, and I would rather die than have to be married to him.”
He tilted her face and looked into it. “Is there somewhere else I can take you, Lady Juliet?