"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 hand, "is that we're concerned and want what's best for you. One can't fault a man for desiring a beautiful woman like you; it merely shows he has excellent taste. So long as he doesn't act on those feelings. Desire can be a very strong temptation, but you mustn't do something you'll regret. You must be very cautious, especially as he's staying here in the house."
"Cautious?" Sarah repeated softly. "As you were cautious with Daniel, Carolyn? As I was with Matthew?"
Before Julianne could even think of a reply, the French windows opened. She turned and saw Gideon stepping over the threshold. His gaze scanned the group. "Am I interrupting?" he asked.
"Not at all," Sarah said with a bright smile. She stood. "Although it is time for us to depart."
Carolyn and Emily rose, as did Julianne. She escorted her friends to the foyer, where Winslow handed them their shawls and bonnets. As Emily hugged her good-bye, her friend whispered, "Don't forget you're soon to be a duchess. Which is what you deserve to be. We'll talk more tomorrow night at the duke's party." Next, Carolyn hugged her and whispered, "Don't do anything you'll regret. If you need me, send word."
Sarah merely kissed both her cheeks and followed Emily and Carolyn from the house. Julianne watched them from the open door, her thoughts in a whirl. They were halfway down the path leading to the street when Sarah exclaimed, "Heavens, I left my reticule. I'll be right back."
She walked swiftly back up the path and reentered the foyer and turned to Winslow. "I forgot my reticule in the drawing room, Winslow. Would you be so kind as to get it for me?"
"Of course, Lady Langston."
As soon as Winslow departed, Sarah grabbed Julianne's hand. "Emily and Carolyn are wrong," she said, her bespectacled gaze serious. "I don't believe Mr. Mayne merely desires you, Julianne. I think he is in love with you."
Julianne had to lock her knees to keep them from sagging. "How… what makes you say that?"