“You don’t know that,” Jordanground out. “I’ve learned that I have three stubborn sisters. Justbecause she may allow Acker to seduce her, for which I may have tokill him, doesn’t mean she will still agree tomarriage.”
“Then you know very little.”Audrey laughed. “And, we are going back downstairs.”
“We haven’t even seen if they werein there yet.”
“I suspect they are and I am notgoing to be the one to interrupt them. What if he is proposingright now? You would ruin everything.”
Acker patted the cravat into placeand turned toward Juliette. She smiled up at him before giving hima quick kiss. With a nod they walked to the door and opened it tofind Audrey and Jordan standing a room away.
The two turned toward them. Audreysmiled brightly and Jordan frowned at Acker, eyeing him withsuspicion.
“I don’t wish to be shot by yourbrother,” Acker hissed quietly in her ear.
“Oh, Jordan would never reallyhurt you,” she said loud enough for her brother and sister-in-lawto hear.
“Like hell I wouldn’t,” Jordansaid as he stomped past them and into the chamber.
“I am insulted you think so littleof my honor,” Acker said with an air of annoyance.
Jordan wandered into the room andglanced around. Acker was certain there was nothing out of placebut then Jordan’s eyes lit on the bed and he marched forward. “AndI suppose theses hairpins were left in the middle of the bed byaccident by a previous owner perhaps?” He picked them up and heldthem high enough for everyone to see.
“Really, Jordan, of all people. ..” Audrey said but stopped when Jordan glared at his wife. Shesimple rolled her eyes and plopped into a chair by thewindow.
“Did you ask Juliette to marry youbefore you attempted to seduce her?”
“Jordan,” Juliettechastised.
He ignored her and focused onAcker. “Did you?”
“Of course,” he defendedhimself.
“And her answer?”
Juliette came to Acker’s side andslipped her arm through his. “I agreed so you can stop being somule headed.”
“I am not mule headed,” Jordanargued.
“Yes, you can be, dear.” Audreystood. “Now come along. We need to check on the house and return toMayfair so we can leave at first light.”
“We are leaving, so soon?”Juliette questioned, almost in a panic.
Acker turned to her. “I thoughtyou would want to go back as soon as possible to speak with yourmother.”
“Of course,” she sighed. “I wassimply caught up with the school and my betrothal.”
“We have plenty of time for theschool,” Acker assured her. “Plans are already drawn up of eachfloor and rooms to take with you and you can design as youwish.”
Her eyes lit withexcitement.
“We can study them back at BentleyManor and orders will be sent to the workmen.”
“I can do whatever Iwish?”
“Of course,” he kissed the end ofher nose. “Besides, I have no idea what all is needed in a school.Only you can decide.”
It was almost too much. She wouldhave a school and could design it the way she wished. “Oh, Drake,this is the most wonderful gift anyone has ever given me.” Not onlythat, but she would be able to dance and was marrying the man whoheld her heart.
Juliette glanced back at herbrother and sister-in-law. “Did everyone know what Acker wasabout?”
“No,” Acker answered. “Only Jordanand Audrey.”
Why only those two shewondered.
“Acker knew I would understand,”Jordan explained. “I had to hide what I was doing, what I reallywanted to be until father died. I know what it is like to be deniedwhat you want most because others determine what is best foryou.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “Thank youfor understanding.”
“The rest will in time. They maybe a bit slower than I, but they will come around.”
“The important thing,” Ackeradded. “Is that I don’t care what anyone else thinks or does. Youwill shortly be my wife and if anyone has an objection, they can gohang.”
Juliette laughed.
Drake looked into her eyes. Hiswere deep cobalt, filled with love. “I hope you don’t want a drawnout betrothal.”
It was the last thing she wanted.If it were possible, she would marry him this instant. “I wouldlike to be married as soon as possible.”
“Then it is a good thing I have aspecial license.”
Juliette grinned up athim.
“Well, come along. There is muchto do so we can leave tomorrow,” Jordan announced.
“We will be there in a moment,”Acker said
Jordan stood his ground and glaredat Acker. Audrey grabbed his arms. “Come along. There is no harm inleaving them alone.”
“No harm? Are you mad?”
“I only wish for a few momentsalone with my intended,” Acker assured him.
Jordan studied him for a moment.“Very well, but only for a short time or I will beback.”
With that he allowed Audrey topull him from the room and Juliette could hear them retreatingtoward the stairs.
“Thank you,” Juliette said oncethey were alone. “The only thing that could make me happier at thismoment was if maman regained her health.”
They both knew that was not goingto happen.
“I love you,” she said.
“And I love you.” With that Ackerkissed her again, as thoroughly as he had earlier until Jordanyelled from below.
“Let’s return you to Bentley Manorto be married as soon as a vicar can be summoned.”
Juliette grinned. “I cannot waitto spend the rest of my life with you.”
“And dance,” Acker remindedher.
“And dance,” Juliettesighed.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a TimeSeries
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His (Not so) Sensible Miss
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young LadiesSeries
To Walk in the Sun
To Love a Governess Series
Sacked – Regency Short
Handfasted – Regency Novella
Ruined – Regency Short
Anthologies
A Summons from His Grace – Compromisedfor Christmas
The Betting Season – Landing aLaird
A Season to Remember – Devil in HerDreams
The Tenacious Trents
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentleman
A Lass for Christmas (Novella)
A Reluctant Rake
Compromised for Christmas
Lady Revealed
Compilations
Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies
Timeless Collection
Jane Charles has lived in the Midwest herentire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside witha baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated readinguntil she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip sheborrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell
