Seduced at Midnight

Bloody hell, he didn't want to turn this party into an interview. Indeed, it was time he resumed his post at the door. He set aside his plate, intending to rise. 'I am, but-'

'Have you read The Ghost of Devonshire Manor?' asked Lady Emily.

Gideon heard Julianne's small gasp and turned toward her, noting the twin flags of color marking her cheeks, an interesting reaction to be sure. So interesting that he resettled himself in his chair. 'No, I haven't. Is it a book you'd recommend?'

'I'm certain Mr. Mayne wouldn't care for it in the least,' Julianne said, shooting her friend a repressive look.

'It's really the sort of story that would appeal more to a woman,' agreed Lady Surbrooke, who, Gideon noted, was also blushing.

'And why is that?' Gideon asked, finding this entire exchange fascinating.

'Oh, well, you know,' Lady Langston murmured, her face even pinker than her sister's. 'It's a love story.'

'The title suggests it's a ghost story,' Gideon said.

'A love story about a ghost,' Julianne said, her complexion resembling a setting sun. 'Very girly. All very silly, actually. Who would like some more tea?'

'I would,' said Lady Langston and Lady Surbrooke in unison, while Lady Emily unsuccessfully tried to squelch a smile.

The talk turned back to the murders and, as Gideon had no desire to be interrogated by Julianne's overly curious friends, he rose. 'If you ladies will excuse me for a few minutes, I'll see to Caesar.' He turned to Julianne. 'I'll be right outside, on the terrace. If you need me, just call.' He gave a soft whistle, and Caesar trotted over to him. Princess Buttercup followed as far as her satin pillow, then jumped onto her soft throne and with a sigh closed her eyes, presumably to nap until the love of her life returned.

Gideon opened the French windows leading to the terrace. Caesar trotted through the opening, then dashed down the flagstone steps leading to the garden. Gideon closed the door behind him, glancing into the room. His gaze met Julianne's through the glass, and for several seconds he couldn't move. Could only stare. And try his damnedest to tamp down the flood of wants that surged through him. With an effort he turned away and moved to the edge of the terrace, where he pulled in some much-needed breaths of fresh, cool air. He risked one quick peek over his shoulder and noted that the four women had scooted nearer to each other. Their heads were bent close together, obviously in whispered, furtive conversation.

Alarm bells clanged in his head. What the bloody hell were they talking about?

* * *

Julianne pulled her gaze away from the French windows through which Gideon had just departed. And found three pairs of wide eyes staring at her.

'Oh my heavens,' Emily said.

'Oh my Lord,' murmured Carolyn.

'Oh my, oh my, oh my,' whispered Sarah.

Julianne wasn't precisely sure why, but heat rushed into her cheeks, and she quickly reached for the teapot. Emily forestalled her by gently grabbing her hand. 'How can you possibly think of tea at a time like this?'

'A time like this?' Julianne repeated. 'You mean the murders?'

'I mean that man,' Emily whispered, jerking her head toward the terrace. 'Did you not see the way he looked at you?'

Julianne tried her best to keep her features blank, but she wasn't certain she succeeded or if it even mattered, given the heat scorching her cheeks. 'What do you mean?'

Carolyn scooted closer and leaned in. 'She means that Mr. Mayne clearly finds you… attractive.'

Sarah made a snorting sound. 'Well, of course he would find her attractive. Good God, what man wouldn't? What Emily means is that he clearly finds you more than just merely attractive.' She waved her hand in front of her face. 'The heat you two generated was enough to steam the air.'

'What Emily means,' Emily said, shooting a frown around the group, 'is that until I saw him in this room with Julianne, I'd never seen Mr. Mayne's eyes be anything other than cool and impassive. Dispassionate, really. And they were when he looked at anything or anyone in this room except you, Julianne. When he looked at you, his eyes seemed to-'

'Breathe fire,' Sarah broke in.

'He is clearly smitten,' Carolyn agreed. 'Certainly he desires you.' Her gaze settled on Julianne. 'And based on the way you looked at him…'

Carolyn fell silent, but her eyes were filled with concern.

Oh, dear. 'How did I look at him?' Julianne asked, hoping her dismay didn't show.

'As if his desire for you was mutual,' Carolyn said softly. She reached out and clasped Julianne's hand. 'You mustn't do anything foolish. Think of the repercussions-'

'Just because he desires her-and truly what man wouldn't,' Emily broke in, 'doesn't mean she desires him. Heavens, why would she? He's nothing like the men of the ton.'

'Which is not necessarily a bad thing,' Sarah said.

Emily looked toward the ceiling. 'Says the new marchioness. You didn't marry a Bow Street Runner; you married a marquess.'

'Because I was in love with him,' Sarah whispered. 'I didn't care a jot for Matthew's title. Or his money-which, as you'll recall, he didn't have any of at the time. I'd have married Matthew if he were a sailor or a-'

'Yes, yes, that's fine for you to say, but you didn't grow up as Julianne did,' Emily insisted. 'She's the daughter of an earl. Cavorting with a Runner simply isn't done.'

'Who says I'm cavorting-?' Julianne tried to break in, but Sarah rolled right over her, saying, 'You'd prefer that she marry a man she doesn't love, a man she barely knows, simply because he's a duke?'

'At least the duke is of our class,' Emily said.

Sarah straightened her spine and raised her chin. 'I'm not of your class, Emily. Neither is Carolyn. Our father was a mere physician.'

Emily huffed out an exasperated breath. 'You're taking this the wrong way, Sarah. I'm not trying to be haughty-'

'Yet you are being so just the same-'

'I'm merely pointing out that the man is a commoner-'

'As were Carolyn and I until our marriages.'

'But you were both completely respectable.'

'What is not respectable about a man who captures criminals and upholds the law?' Sarah demanded.

Emily's lips tightened. 'Nothing,' she admitted after a long pause. 'But he has no business casting his eye on Julianne, who is so far above his station as to be laughable. Why, it's like that odious Mr. Jennsen thinking he was good enough for Carolyn.'

'Actually, the problem wasn't that I thought Mr. Jennsen wasn't good enough for me,' Carolyn broke in. 'It was that my heart already belonged to Daniel.' Her troubled gaze rested on Julianne. 'But Emily is correct; I was not born an earl's daughter and as such my marriage was a huge social step up for me. What I think we're all trying to say,' she continued in her calm voice, squeezing Julianne's