A gust of rain-soaked air had made the candles dance, and now the servant led the latest arrival in from the anteroom. She was wearing a grey cloak, and she tipped back the hood and he saw her lush dark hair, coiled in an intricate style. A moment later the cloak had come off, and she stood there in her simple gown of midnight blue.
She was beautiful, and suddenly every other woman in the room seemed overdressed. He couldn’t help but stare.
She hadn’t seen him standing slightly behind her. Instead she was looking into the Great Hall, an expression of amazement and wonder on her face, and he realised that of course she had never been inside his home before. He stood and enjoyed watching her take in the long tables set for the meal, with the silverware and crockery that had been in the family for generations, all under the glow of hundreds of candles. Music drifted down to them, and with a little gasp of pleasure she gazed upwards, into the gallery, where the minstrels were beginning to play.
“Juliet!”
The moment was broken. His mother brushed by him—reproving him with a frown—to greet the new guest, and Juliet turned to her with a tentative smile.
“Lady Linholm,” she said, and looked slightly bewildered as her hands were taken in a warm grip by a woman who until now had barely acknowledged her.
Her gaze slid past Felicity, and found Ash, but by then she had had time to conceal her emotions and he no longer knew what she was thinking. He knew what he was thinking. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, and then carry her upstairs to his bed and make passionate love to her. And come the morning he wanted to marry her with all the pomp and ceremony available to him.
But that wasn’t going to happen. It could never happen now. There was the ‘remarkable Doctor Knowles’ to consider, and Ash knew he wouldn’t interfere in Juliet’s happiness again.
Simon had come to greet her too, his smile warm with pleasure. Behind him, Miss Beales was watching his brother greet the newcomer with narrowed eyes.
Was that jealousy he saw in this girl he had thought so biddable? Ash asked himself with a wry smile.
"Juliet." Simon had taken her hands informally. “I am so glad to see you here. Although I cannot imagine Dr Knowles was keen to allow you to leave the hospital, even for one evening. He’s told me how much he values your help.”
Her mouth tipped up at the corners, and for a moment he remembered how she had tasted when his lips met hers. “Even Dr Knowles allows me occasional respite, Simon.”
Her familiarity with his brother was understandable, which made the dark envy he was feeling even more disturbing. He was as bad as Miss Beales. He suspected there was more to his jealousy than Simon however; it was the way she spoke of Dr Knowles. Ash would step aside, because he accepted she loved the man and wanted to make a new life with him, but he didn’t enjoy having his face rubbed in the fact.
Finally it was Ash’s turn. "Baroness Flett." He gave her his most formal bow.
She had been smiling but now it had vanished. She hesitated and then gave a curtsey. "Lord Linholm,” she said coolly. “How do you do?”
Behind him he heard his mother sigh, while Simon shot him a curious look. They thought him stiff and unfriendly, but Ash knew that formality was the only thing that would get him through this evening without making a fool of himself. If, he reminded himself mockingly, he’d wanted to run away with Juliet he should have done it eight years ago.
Chapter Twelve
Midsummer Eve, 1816, Crevitch Castle, Somerset
Juliet was barely aware of Lady Linholm and Simon, who was looking so much healthier than when she last saw him. The wooden beams of the Great Hall seemed to loom above her, reminding her of the long history of this place, and all the Linholms who would no doubt disapprove of her. But that was really only a distraction, because the person who was most important to her was Ash.
His hair glowed gold in the light of the candles, while his coat fitted perfectly his broad shoulders and deep strong chest. He was a man when he had been a boy, an experienced man, a man who knew what he wanted.
Why had she thought there was something wrong with that?
She’d come here tonight knowing that she loved him. Her struggle with her own feelings and fears was over. When he was a boy she’d loved him beyond reason, beyond life. Now he was a man she knew she loved him even more. She wished she could tell him so, in front of them all. But he was behaving as if they were strangers. Chilly, polite, distant strangers.
Was it too late? Had she really lost him again? Yvette had told her that Truscott believed his master was quite demented with love for her. And yet here Ash stood before her, cold and haughty and distant.
Well, she was used to dealing with difficu
lt patients at the hospital. She could hold her own. And if coming here to his grand castle, to a place she had never been welcome before—if coming here in her finest gown, and with Yvette’s marvellous hair style— If all of that was in vain, then she would try very hard not to cry until she was home again.
“You must have some of our fruit punch,” Lady Linholm gestured to a passing servant. “Such a wet night, my dear! I am so glad you were brave enough to venture out.”
“I walked,” Juliet said, and then almost laughed at the expression on her hostess’s face. “It is not very far if you take the path through the woods, Lady Linholm.”
“I am not sure you will be able to walk back again,” Simon said with a frown.
“I’m sure I will be fine,” Juliet said airily. “I preferred to walk to Crevitch Castle rather than accept Major Hardcastle’s offer of a carriage to his supper.”
There was a silence, and then Simon chuckled and said, “I can see why you might have chosen us.” Lady Linholm smiled but was too polite to comment.