James didn't know whether to be insulted or amused, but either way he was going to refuse her offer. Certainly he didn't need lessons in gallantry and wooing women.
He hadn't taken a third cake, so she selected one for him. "The lessons won't require too many outings," she added soothingly. "After all, if plans with you fill my calendar, I won't be available for the duke to pay court to me."
The cake halfway to his mouth, he froze. She thought she was offering him a favor, but actually, the opposite was true. If he played along, he'd be saving her from wasting her time with Castleton.
She and the duke were extremely ill-suited. Nothing between the two of them could possibly work out. So therefore, by agreeing to her "lessons," he'd be doing her a favor.
He did like helping people. It was very gallant.
"Fine," he said. "When shall our first outing be?"
She actually clapped her hands. "How about tomorrow? Are you needed here at the Institute?"
"I have two doctors scheduled from ten o'clock to four, and another two from four o'clock to ten. So I should be able to get away."
"Excellent. We can visit the shops and select a few gifts for Lady Amanda."
Shops? He hated visiting shops. "I thought we were going to the theater."
"I have plans for tomorrow evening, so our lesson will have to be earlier. Shall we say after luncheon, at one o'clock?" She smiled sympathetically. "Worry not, James. We'll be done in plenty of time for Parliament. Choosing a few appropriate gifts shouldn't take very long at all."
FOURTEEN
BEFORE THE duke left on Monday afternoon, he'd asked if he might pay Juliana another call on Tuesday. Two calls in two days! Since she already had plans with James at one o'clock, she'd suggested noon.
Which is how it happened that, on Tuesday, as the duke was leaving and James was arriving, they crossed paths.
"Castleton," James said with a curt nod.
"Stafford," the duke returned. And with a stiff little bow, he left.
As the butler closed the door behind him, Juliana turned to James. "Do you not like the duke?"
He shrugged. "I don't know him very well. But he seems a bit stuffy."
She was about to disagree when Aunt Frances came down the stairs, her footfalls so light she seemed almost to be skipping. A piece of paper fluttered in one of her hands. "Juliana! You'll never believe what arrived in the morning mail!"
"What is it, Auntie?"
"Another love letter from my secret admirer! Only"—as she reached the foyer, she paused for dramatic effect—"his name is no longer a secret."
"Who is he?" Juliana crossed her fingers behind her back. "Is he anyone I know?"
"Oh, yes," Frances said. "It's Lord—"
She cut off, finally noticing James.
Oblivious as always, Juliana thought.
Two rosy spots appearing on her cheeks, her aunt clutched the letter to her bosom. "Good afternoon, Lord Stafford."
"Good afternoon, Lady Frances."
"Who's your admirer, Auntie? Lord Stafford will keep your secret."
James nodded. "My lips are sealed."
Though Frances hesitated a moment more, it was obvious she was dying to tell. She leaned closer to Juliana. "It's Lord Malmsey," she whispered, her lips curving in a thrilled smile that made her look ten years younger.
"Aunt Frances, how wonderful!"
"Isn't it, though?" Clearly Frances didn't mind Lord Malmsey's age or appearance. In fact, judging by her expression, one would think she'd been pining after the man for years. "I'm so glad you made plans to visit the shops this afternoon. I must order a few new dresses, and at least one must be ready by Saturday. Lord Malmsey indicated in his letter that he will be attending Lady Partridge's ball."
James cleared his throat.
"Yes?" Juliana asked.
"I thought we were going to quickly choose a gift?"
"Several gifts," she corrected. "You'll want an assortment so that you can give one to Lady Amanda every few days over the next two weeks."
"Several?" He didn't look happy. "What happens after two weeks?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
He'd indicated he needed a while to court Amanda before proposing marriage, but a fortnight would have to do. With Amanda's wedding approaching, they simply hadn't any more time. Juliana had high hopes he'd win Amanda's affections by then, and vice versa, because the three of them needed time to plot Amanda's public compromise before she was married to Lord Malmsey.
James still didn't look happy, though, and Juliana liked the people around her to be happy. "You won't mind if Aunt Frances orders a few dresses, will you? It shouldn't take long, and she'll be coming along in any case, to chaperone." Regardless of the fact that this outing with James wasn't romantic in any sense, it wouldn't do for the two of them to gad about town together unescorted.
Before James formulated an answer, a knock came at the door. The butler opened it. On the other side stood a footman in Neville livery with young Emily. And Herman, of course.
The pink parasol Emily was twirling clashed horribly with the olive green reptile. "Is it time to leave, Lady Juliana?"
James took a step back. "Don't tell me she's coming, too."
"I'm giving her lessons as well," Juliana explained. "In being more ladylike. An outing like this can be very instructional."
In the gray light of the rainy day, he looked pale. "Surely she won't be bringing that snake."
Emily stopped twirling. "If Herman doesn't go, I don't go."
"That's fine by me," James said.
He seemed unhappy again. Concerned, Juliana laid a hand on his arm. "James, do you not like children?"
When he glanced down at her hand, she snatched it away, appalled at herself. Her hand was gloved, and his arm was sleeved, but it still wasn't proper to be touching him.
And the look on his face was worrisome. Although she and Amanda had never discussed children, she was sure Amanda wanted some. Every woman did.
"Of course I like children," he said. "I vaccinate children every day at the
