Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“How many roses?” Alexander asked, raising his eyebrows.

“A hundred. Why, do you think it’s excessive?” Gregory asked, sounding a little hurt as he spoke.

Alexander smiled and shook his head.

“No… it’s just… well, you obviously care about her a great deal. Is she the one? Are you going to ask her to marry you?” Alexander asked.

Gregory blushed.

“I think… well, do you think I should? Isn’t it too early? Are you intending to ask Juliette to marry you?” he asked, turning the question around.

“If you love her, how can it be too early?” Alexander replied.

“Then I will – if you think I should. I do love her. When I see her, the feeling… it’s indescribable. I never stop thinking about her, imagining what it’ll be like to be in her presence again. But you must feel the same about Juliette,” Gregory said.

They were riding in Alexander’s carriage, having been invited to the opening of an exhibition at the Royal Academy. Alexander had an interest in art, though more for the purposes of collecting than appreciation, and Gregory had arranged to meet Emily there, who was to bring Juliette and thus complete the quartet. Alexander was looking forward to seeing Juliette again, but as for feeling as Gregory did…

“Certainly, yes,” he replied. What else could he say?

Had he been honest, and the thought of telling Gregory the truth had crossed his mind. Alexander might have told his friend of his confusion over his feelings towards Juliette. Or rather, he might have told him of his confusion over Juliette’s feelings and how he should respond.

There had been a moment in the garden at Lady Rankin’s soiree when Gregory had thought Juliette had genuine feelings for him. The way she had responded to his act had been so sincere as to be almost genuine in its tone. It had confused him, even as he had done his best to play along with her. But as for his own feelings, these, too, were confusing him. There was no doubting his attraction to Juliette, but as for anything more…

“Then you understand what I mean. I don’t think I can live without her. She… well, it’s just the most extraordinary feeling,” Gregory said, and Alexander nodded.

“Yes…” he said, not knowing where his own fledgling feelings would lead.

In making the arrangement with Juliette, Alexander had not intended for his feelings to be involved.

He had treated the matter as a practical exercise, one designed to yield the desired results. Those results had been achieved – Nicholas was jealous, and Alexander’s mother was appeased. But Alexander had not reckoned on a fledgling sense of attraction towards Juliette, one now growing stronger with every passing moment.

He was looking forward to seeing her again, and the more time he spent with her, the more he found himself enjoying her company. She was a charming, gentle creature, with a wit and intelligence to match any woman – or man – in conversation. She was pretty – more than that, she was beautiful – and would surely make a wonderful wife.

But the barrier of her feelings towards Nicholas remained, and Alexander knew he had to hold back if he was to preserve the friendship he now valued. The ruse was what mattered, and as their carriage pulled up outside the Royal Academy, Alexander was resolved to continue that ruse, come what may.

“You won’t mind if I leave you in Juliette’s company, will you? I’d like some time alone with Emily – there’re plenty of people around. We won’t need a chaperone,” Gregory said, as they climbed down from the carriage.

Alexander did not mind at all. He had been hoping for such an occurrence – the chance to be alone with Juliette once again. He preferred it that way – just as it had been on the night they had met.

“I’m sure she’s eagerly awaiting you,” Alexander replied, as together they made their way up the steps of the royal academy, where they were greeted by a steward and ushered into the exhibition hall.

It was a magnificent space – a work of art in itself – the walls gilded and hung with fine tapestries, and the ceiling depicting classical scenes and a glorious blue sky, as though heaven itself were opening above them. A large crowd of fashionably dressed men and women filled the room, admiring the works of art on display.

The exhibition was of works by European painters, and there was much excitement as to the artists represented and the scenes they had depicted. Alexander paused to admire a painting of the Venetian canals, and Gregory now excused himself to go in search of Emily.

“I’ll see you later. I hope you find Juliette. If I see her, I’ll point her in your direction,” Gregory said, smiling at Alexander, who nodded.

He returned his attention to the painting, recalling his own time spent in Venice, where he had toured the churches and ridden on the gondolas. But despite his interest in the collection – and acquiring certain pieces for his own – his thoughts were distracted. He was keen to find Juliette, and glancing over his shoulder, he surveyed the room.

Gregory was talking to Emily, and he recognized several others, nodding to one or two as he made his way along the lines of paintings, displayed on at intervals on large easels. The exhibition was spread across several rooms, and drifting from one to another, Alexander continued his search for Juliette.

The most impressive of the paintings were displayed in the main hall, but there was a series of sketches on display in a room to the left, and it was here Alexander found her. She was standing in front of a sketch of the Colosseum in Rome, and for a few moments, Alexander stood watching her, realizing again just how pretty she was…

“I’ve seen it for myself,” he said, and Juliette turned to look at him in surprise.

“Oh… really?” she said, smiling at him as he came to stand next to her.

“It’s a remarkable building – enormous, even in its ruined state. The things that used to happen there… it was quite barbaric,” he said, shaking his head.

“The eternal city – what a beautiful name. It makes me think such romantic thoughts,” Juliette said, and Alexander smiled.

“It’s a remarkable place – a living museum. Everywhere one looks, there’re remnants of the past – of every era. The churches are quite remarkable. I seriously considered conversion when I was there,” he said, and Juliette looked at him in surprise.

“You’d become a Roman Catholic?” she asked – her tone making it sound almost indecent.

“Well… it was… inspiring,” Alexander said.

He had always been attracted to Roman Catholicism, though his position in the aristocracy would make conversion untenable.

“How daring,” Juliette replied, raising her eyebrows.

Alexander laughed.

“Have you seen anything you like? I was thinking of acquiring one or two pieces. Perhaps we could choose together,” he said.

Juliette smiled at him and nodded.

“I’ve seen several I admire – this one, and a similar sketch by the same artist over there. It’s of Florence. I suppose you’ve been there, too, have you?” she asked, and Alexander laughed.

He had been to Florence, and now he allowed Juliette to show him the picture she was admiring. It was a fine sketch, and Alexander resolved to buy the two of them, intending to display them at his house in Norfolk.

“What a pleasing exhibition this is,” he said, as the two of them finished their tour of the easels.

“I’ve always loved art. When one looks at a painting, it’s like gazing into another world. I haven’t been to Rome, or Florence, or Venice, but I feel as though I know them. Does that make sense?” Juliette asked, and Alexander nodded.

“It makes perfect sense, yes. I feel just the same when I look at a painting – a good one, at least. It can transport you there,” Alexander said, and Juliette smiled.

“But I’d still like to see it for myself,” she said, and Alexander nodded.

“Perhaps you will – one day,” he said.

They had returned to the main exhibition hall, and Alexander now spotted Gregory and Emily talking with a couple he did not recognize. He was about to suggest they went to join them when Juliette pulled at his arm.

“Look, it’s Nicholas and Lavinia,” she whispered, glancing over to where the newly betrothed couple were standing in the corner of the room, hidden from sight behind one of the easels.

Alexander was not surprised to see them there – most of the ton were in attendance – but what was surprising was the look on Nicholas’ face. He appeared angry about something, and was whispering to Lavinia under his breath – were they arguing?

“He doesn’t look happy, does he?” Alexander whispered.

“I’d say he looks decidedly unhappy,” Juliette replied.

“And so does she,” Alexander said.

There was obviously something wrong – an argument or an upset – and now Nicholas turned and walked away, leaving Lavinia alone and with a scowl on her face.

“How curious – but no one really knows her, do they? She’s an unknown entity. We only have what Nicholas has told us about her – and about how they met,” Juliette said.

Alexander nodded. It was admittedly curious, even as he could not put his finger on the nature of his suspicions. Outwardly, the couple appeared the perfect match – but so did he and Juliette. Appearances could be deceptive, and Alexander was suspicious as to what had caused the argument between the two of them.

“And you think there’s something wrong?” Alexander asked as Lavinia now emerged from behind the easel, forcing a smile to her face as she encountered Lady Rankin inspecting the painting.

“Don’t you? But what can it be? Is she unhappy with him, or is he unhappy with her?” Juliette asked.

Alexander did not know, but he was curious to know what would happen if Nicholas was to break off his betrothal to Lavinia. Would Juliette take it as a sign she was to be the one for him, and if so, what would become of their own courtship?

“It’s hard to tell, I suppose. But she’s the one with more to lose. Hasn’t she come from nothing to everything?” Alexander said, and Juliette nodded.

“That’s right – she’s got everything to lose, and everything to gain. You don’t think she threatened him, do you?” Juliette asked.

Alexander shrugged. From his own experience, he knew there were women who would do almost anything to secure their position in society, and if Lavinia had threatened Nicholas, there was the possibility she had some hold over him – a scandal waiting to break if the betrothal was called off.

“I don’t know. But I think it’s right to suggest all’s not well,” he replied, glancing over to where Nicholas was now helping himself to a glass of punch, followed by a second…

Alexander and Lavinia now toured the paintings once again, and Alexander chose several more to add to his collection – taking Juliette’s suggestions and making choices of his own. By the time he left the exhibition, Alexander had acquired six new additions to his collection, and after saying goodbye to Juliette and Emily, he and Gregory made their way back to Gregory’s lodgings, their purchases stacked in the corner of the carriage compartment.

“What a delightful time we’ve had,” Gregory said, and Alexander smiled – Gregory was a man in love, and the look on his face said it all.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he replied.

“And what of you and Juliette? Did you enjoy your time together?” he asked.

Alexander nodded, but since parting ways, he had wondered as to what Juliette would now do with the knowledge of Nicholas and Lavinia’s apparent falling out. Would she position herself as Lavinia’s replacement? Their pretense at courtship had been designed to elicit jealousy, and yet Alexander now found himself fearful as to what such jealousy might mean. Did Juliette really still have feelings for Nicholas? And if so, did she intend to act on them?

“Yes… we did,” Alexander replied.

He had enjoyed his time with Juliette – just as he always did. The more time he spent with her, the more time he wanted to spend with her. His feelings for her were growing stronger by the day, and the more he thought about her, the more he realized he was falling in love with her.

It was the strangest of sensations – a ruse now given over to something meaningful. It was not meant to be like this, and yet it was, and despite fearing the very real possibility of hurt, Alexander knew those feelings would only grow stronger.