Moira was his wife of a year and from whatAcker had learned, the courtship lasted all of two weeks beforeMoira had compromised Ainsely and the two married shortlythereafter. At least that was the rumor. Acker had been in Milan atthe time but had not yet asked Ainsely what really happened.
Since when did young ladies compromisegentlemen? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Though, regardlessof circumstances, Ainsely appeared to be very much in love with hiswife. So, even if she had compromised the poor fellow, Ackerdoubted Ainsely minded.
“Have Trent take her and my wife and the twoof us can avoid the dull affair.”
Ainsely laughed. “I think I will see one formyself before passing judgment.”
Brachton grunted.
The two men drained their glasses and rosefrom the table. “I need to be home,” Brachton grinned. “Maddieshould be returning soon.”
“Aye,” Ainsely agreed. “Moira as well.”
Acker nodded goodbye and leaned back in hisseat. Would he one day spend so little time at Whites and rush homeanxious to be with his wife?
Acker knew he was early, but he had sleptlittle the night before for fear of sleeping too late. He couldhave asked a servant to wake him, but what if they had slept late.Not that his staff ever slept past dawn and he suspected many ofthem rose before the sun, Acker feared this might be the one timethey would all slumber late into the morning.
It was ridiculous, of course, but he didn’twant to miss this opportunity to see Juliette again and if hefailed to show, she might not give him another opportunity. Heshould purchase her a bouquet, Acker thought with a smile. Shedidn’t have to be dancing for him to give her a gift and she hadbeen appreciative of them in the past.
He paused to straighten his neck clothe. Orwas she simply being polite?
Perhaps he shouldn’t give her a gift of anytype, at least not yet. Not until he knew Juliette would see himagain. He did need to explain to her his intentions, or what theyhad been in Milan, and then he could think about their future. Heneeded to see her and be with her before he was certain she was theone, even though his gut told him she was, it was such a permanentdecision that could not be taken lightly. The only thing he wascertain of was that he wanted her the way a man wants a woman andhad since the first moment he laid eyes on her.
His valet lifted and held the jacket andAcker allowed the man to finish dressing him for the day.
The only way Juliette could ever be his wasto marry, but did they truly know one enough to make such acommitment? Was he so certain she wasn’t an infatuation? Could sheeven fit into his world? Then there was the concern of her being aballerina.
Bloody hell, he didn’t know any more now thanhe knew in Milan despite his earlier conviction that if he couldjust find her he wouldn’t care what Society thought. If only itwere that easy.
He just hoped he found the right words so shewould not walk away from him for good.
“Will that be all, Lord Acker?”
“Yes, and thank you, Giles,” Acker answeredabsently.
He checked his appearance one more time andmoved toward the door and stopped. “What if London never knew shewas a dancer?” He reached for the door and walked down the corridortoward the stairs, turning the idea over in his mind. “She hasn’tdanced here and she may not. Nobody need know of her past.”
“Pardon, Lord Acker?”
He looked up to find a maid polishing therailing on the stairs.
“Nothing,” he shook his head and continuedout of the house.
The Beau Monde would never accept her if theyever learned she was a ballerina in Paris and Milan. But, at leasthis mother would, if it came to that.
Juliette studied her appearance one more timebefore leaving their set of rooms to meet Lord Acker. Oh, whyshould she care what she looked like? It wasn’t as if she would seehim again. If he even hinted at the same type of proposal hesuggested in Milan she would turn her back on him and never thinkof Lord Acker again.
She snorted to herself, as if it would beeasy to forget about him. But, in time it would be, of that she wascertain. Why, she might not even be thinking of him now had she andher family remained in Milan. He would have returned home, shewould have continued to dance and possibly have met someone who washonorable and wished her to be more than a temporary paramour.
Juliette quietly left the house with Genvièveand made her way to the flower market. Was it a mistake to meetAcker again? Yet, she needed to know what he wanted to tell her. Itcould change everything, or further hurt her. Was it worth therisk?
Yes.
She paused at the edge of the Piazza and tooka deep breath. He was standing at the side of the flower market,looking around. He was looking for her. Today he wore a brownjacket that complimented his hair, long enough to brush his collar.Her heartbeat increased and her stomach did a queer little flip.Why did the mere sight of Acker affect her so? Juliette steeledherself and began walking in his direction. She would hear what hehad to say and then decide if she would speak with him again. Ofcourse, any meeting would need to remain a secret from maman. Atleast for the moment.
He turned as she approached; he smiled andwalked toward her. “I was afraid you would not come.”
“I said I would,” Juliette answeredpolitely.
“Shall we go into a coffeehouse?” He gesturedto the building they stood before.
Juliette had not entered one of theseestablishments before but it didn’t look much different from thecaffès in Milan. Perhaps it was safer to walk, but inside theywould be surrounded by people and the aroma coming from withinsmelled heavenly.
Acker offered his arm and waited. Juliettestole a glance over her shoulder. Genviève had moved to a standselling flowers but
