A Gentleman for Lady Juniper (Clairvoir Castle #6)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

“ A bsolutely under no circumstances may you enter the bookshop.”

Juniper looked from the Hatchard’s window display of beautiful leather tomes to her younger sister. “I am quite certain I do not understand your vehemence on the matter.” Which was a falsehood. She knew precisely why Betony appeared somewhat cross. The last time Juniper had stepped into the bookshop with Betony in tow, they had lingered for nearly two hours—or at least, she had lingered, and her sister had loitered.

Their eldest sister and her husband came closer, Ivy on Teague’s arm, and it was she who said with an air of indulgence, “If there is something in particular you want, you may go in and find it, Juniper.”

“She will find a dozen things she particularly wants,” Betony moaned. “And you only give her permission so you may wander in behind her and collect at least as many new books for yourself.”

“Absolute slander!” Ivy’s aghast protest, complete with her hand going to her heart, did absolutely nothing to make Betony’s frown relent. “I will have you know that the last time I visited Hatchard’s I departed with but three books ordered. One was even a gift.”

“A gift to me,” put in Teague with an amused twist to his smile. “Which you then promptly informed me you also wished to read, and I have not seen it since.”

Unable to resist further teasing, Juniper tapped her bottom lip and peered more intently at the window display. “Do look at the new copies of poetry, at the very least. Such slim little books can hardly be any trouble to examine and purchase.”

Betony groaned and turned her back on the window, looking across the road where they were supposed to walk to meet with the Sterling family. The Burlington Arcade was the main draw of the day, at least in terms of destination.

As none of her favorite authors had a new work available, and Juniper had a twist of excitement in her own belly that refused to loosen, she really had no interest in going into the bookshop. Or at least, much less interest than normal. She turned slightly, looking at the window of the next shop over: Fortnum likely a woman from the serving class, like himself, who understood the requirements and duties of his position.

But now, walking along behind several ladies dressed in fine cloth and wearing soft furs and finely made woolen capes, he hadn’t the slightest idea what he ought to plan for…or where he would go when his family no longer needed his guidance.

No one had asked him about it, either, until Juniper extended the question. It wasn’t really something he could think on yet, was it? Not when the immediate needs of the family outweighed any of his own desires.

“You look put-out,” George said, adjusting the way his tall black beaver sat upon his head. “Not keen on following the ladies about the market?”

Richard, ever the practical eldest, snorted and stared pointedly into the windows of a jeweler’s shop. “This is not a market, ‘tis a luxury bazar.”

“I heard a chap at our club recommend a tobacconist in the Arcade.” George tilted his hat again. “Is this thing meant to sit so low on the forehead or am I wearing the wrong hat? Is it yours, Richard?”

“What makes you think it is mine?”

“Your head is a great deal larger than my own, for one.”

Richard narrowed his eyes at George. “Because my brain requires a larger box than yours. Obviously.”

“Not public conversation,” Jack muttered, barely loud enough for them to hear him.

“Ah, at last. He speaks, and—as usual—it is to correct us.” George bumped Jack’s elbow with his own. “You do seem rather dour. More dour than normal, I mean.”

“There is much on my mind. George, what will you and Susan do at the end of the Season?”

“I intend to go back to the farm,” George said at once. “Make improvements upon it, now it is my inheritance and Richard will be earl. Hire more hands and staff. Send the boys to school so they can become whatever it is that most appeals to them. Father and Richard have no use for the farm, Emily will marry well, and Arthur and our other sisters are happily in the lives they prefer. Where else would I go?”

Richard had paused in front of a stationery shop, looking into the window. He shook his head at the mention of their brother, the sailor. “By the time Arthur ever finds out our family’s fortunes have changed, we will all be well settled. I doubt we will see him change much. He’d rather be blown about at sea than sit before a quiet hearth fire.”

Though Jack had his doubts about that, he gave a slight nod of concession. “You will have estates to manage. A title. A future earl to raise, along with your other children. Are you at all anxious for the future?”

Richard shook his head. “I am anxious for Father, trying to learn everything afresh at his age. But then, what are land and estate agents, stewards, butlers for if not to assist in these matters? Running the farm all these years has given me some basic understanding for prices and procedure. I think everything will work itself out, so long as I find the right advisors to listen to.”

The ladies ahead of them were entering a shop with a storefront full of elegant hats. Juniper was the last to go in, and when she looked over her shoulder their eyes met, a mere moment before the door closed behind her, and Jack’s heart stuttered in his chest. He leaned as though to take a step toward that door, but stopped himself.

George cleared his throat and Jack turned his head, finding both his brothers staring at him.

“What is it you intend to do after the Season ends, Jack?” Richard asked him, crooked smile growing larger by the moment.

Lord Dunmore joined them at that moment, saving Jack from having to answer the same question Juniper herself had posed to him.

Why hadn’t he given the matter any thought until now?

“We have managed,” Dunmore said, voice low, “to attract a fair bit of attention today, from people whose opinions matter. I’m not entirely certain being in my company is a feather in your cap, but my wife’s presence will certainly be noted as a positive.”

“I cannot say I mind your company, Dunmore.” Richard inclined his head as he spoke. “Your advice has already been of great help to us.”

While his brothers spoke to Dunmore, Jack moved to set his back to the shop window, allowing him a clearer view of the long Arcade’s corridor in both directions. Not long ago, in his other life, he had witnessed angry men storm through the area to discomfit the ladies present—a cowardly thing, in his opinion—but the situation had dissolved peacefully thanks to another gentleman, and Jack hadn’t had to involve himself.

It didn’t matter how pretty the surroundings; there were always those willing to thrust their ugliness into any situation. He couldn’t simply pretend that his family’s new station meant they were safe from harm.

The ladies spilled out into daylight again, laughing with one another as they continued down the row of shops, all six of them in walking gowns and coats of different hues, like songbirds flitting about. Emily’s eyes were wide and her expression happy, Katherine and Susan seemed equally pleased though perhaps more subdued, and Lady Dunmore with her two sisters struck out ahead of them, confident in their place in the world.

Juniper lingered before one window longer than the others, who had stepped ahead to the next glass. Moving to stand behind her, Jack peered inside over her shoulder. “Do you wish to go in?”

“Oh.” Juniper seemed to realize the other ladies were not with her as her cheeks pinked. “I suppose no one else is interested in beads or art at present.”

“But if you wish to go inside, you ought to,” he said, motioning to the door.

“Go ahead, Juniper,” her brother-in-law said blithely, walking by them. “I will make certain we don’t leave you too far behind.”

“There, you see?” Jack cupped her elbow in his hand, using subtle pressure to guide her. “I will come with you.”

A slight huff escaped her lips. “Must you always look after everyone?” When her gaze met his, however, Jack saw the pleasure in them. “A few moments inside, no more.”

“Of course, my lady.” He opened the door and let her precede him inside, then closed it behind them.

Glass jars and colorful tins stood on shelves, labeled with names of colors and ingredients for color-making. He looked around with interest. None of the duke’s female kin had set foot in this shop before. He’d seen them work on all manner of artistic projects, but they obtained most of their supplies by ordering from London or their own local apothecary.

Juniper went directly to the proprietor behind the counter. After an initial exchange of pleasantries, she asked a series of questions. “I’m looking for a ground pigment that would give a soft glow to skin tones—what would you suggest for painting fair complexions?” And then, “Could you tell me more about the quality of your linseed oil? I’ve found it affects how smoothly I can blend my colors.” Followed by, “What do you recommend for achieving the most delicate shades of green? The shades I have seem too harsh for the ivy I am currently working on.”

Standing at the counter with her, listening to her exchange with the man sorting through powders and showing them to her one by one, Jack found himself smiling. His whole focus was attuned to the way she spoke, the gestures she made with her hand, the loveliness of her profile as she listened intently to the answers given. He felt content, absorbed as he was in enjoying Juniper, and everything else fell into the background.

What if something like this was in his future? What if being near her was the whole of his plans? Or—no. What if being with her was his reason for making plans in the first place?

The idea set Jack’s mind to work like a general on a hilltop, looking for possible paths to gain the best advantage.

He could see his destination. He need only march in the right direction.

Juniper turned toward him, her smile soft and warm as ever. “I think that will do for now. Shall we find the others?”

His landscape had shifted, putting her squarely in the middle. It made him slow to nod and offer his arm, but she did not seem to notice. They stepped out of the shop, the bell jingling merrily behind them, and Jack lifted his gaze from her smile most reluctantly—and immediately saw his sister standing several yards off, delicate brows drawn together as she spoke with an earnest expression to—Mr. Waldegrave .

A curse slipped through his lips, and when he lunged forward, Juniper stayed with him.

None of the others were in sight. How had that fool Waldegrave found them on an outing again and managed to get Emily on her own?

“Do not make a scene,” Juniper said quietly.

He gave her a quick glance. “What?”

“You are a gentleman, not a guard,” she said, her voice soft.

He didn’t have time to respond as he’d arrived at Emily’s side who looked up at him with wide eyes. “Jack.”

Giving his attention entirely to Waldegrave, Jack’s smile grew as he bowed stiffly. “Mr. Waldegrave. Good afternoon.”

Waldegrave’s expression was however somewhat sour. “Mr. John Sterling. Here I had hoped to have the pleasure of your sister’s company whilst admiring the Arcade’s delights, but she inexplicably assures me this is quite impossible.”

“I have assured him our party is already quite full,” Emily said hastily.

Juniper winced, a movement Jack barely noticed from the side of his eye, before she spoke with measured politeness. “I am afraid we have a large party with a rather restrictive schedule, Mr. Waldegrave.”

He tilted his head. “One would hope such large parties could accommodate a gentleman of modest company. Surely one more rambler would not weigh too heavily on a joyous outing such as this?”

“Indeed, Mr. Waldegrave.” Juniper kept her hand on Jack’s arm and gave it a gentle squeeze when his muscles stiffened. “We truly regret the timing, Mr. Waldegrave, but I fear we’ve left a number of our party scattered as it is. We must regroup and leave quite soon.”

“Ah, I see.” He cut his gaze first to Jack and then to Emily. “The demands of chaperoning such a...a newly prominent family must be taxing indeed. I daresay some might find it difficult to manage the nuances of social outings when there is so much that is not yet understood.”

Jack stiffened. A dozen retorts sprung to his lips, but none were all that diplomatic.

Thankfully Juniper came to his rescue yet again, her voice warm and seemingly unflapped. “On the contrary, I believe they are managing quite well, thanks to their kind friends.”

“Of course.” Waldegrave offered a slight bow, but his words were colder than frost. “Well, I shall take my leave. It would seem my presence here is unnecessary. But rest assured, Lady Emily, Mr. Sterling, I shall remember to mention to all my friends how delightful your family is to all they deign to entertain.” He didn’t speak quietly, and people walking along the shops glanced in their direction with interest.

The entire situation rankled Jack, raising his hackles. It was effort to prevent his hands from becoming fists.

His sister frowned as the man withdrew, her lips twisted with puzzlement. “I did not mean to offend him but he seemed rather upset.”

Unable to let the matter rest, Jack took his sister’s arm and whispered more harshly than he intended. “Why were you out here in company with him? Where are our brothers? The other ladies?”

Emily shook her head and pointed vaguely across the small walkway. “In the shops. I saw Mr. Waldegrave looking at me through the window and thought I had better speak to him. He seems quite determined to?—”

“This isn’t the time for this conversation,” Juniper said lightly, looking for all the world as though she found the window of pipes near them worthy of her attention. “Nor the place. I suggest we rejoin the others and find something else to do with our time. A gallery, perhaps.”

Jack nodded tightly. “Of course.”

“I will go. You two stay here.” She slipped away from them, walking without rushing, and entering the shop Emily had gestured to a moment ago.

His sister wore a contrite frown. “Did I do everything wrong?”

He shook his head. “I wasn’t there to help, that is all. And Waldegrave is clearly determined to secure your attention.” He repressed a sigh. “His pride was hurt. That is all.”

He hoped his words would prove true, though he knew enough about the pettiness of the upper class to doubt Waldegrave would take the perceived offense in stride.

Hopefully, this error would not prove detrimental to their family’s position in Society, shaky as it was. And it had happened because he had allowed himself to be distracted by the beautiful Lady Juiper.