monarchs in chronological order.
‘Is anything the matter?’ she asked. ‘You appear to be in pain.’
He laughed at her innocent comment and cracked open one eye. ‘I thought you’d lived in Paris.’
Her brows drew together in confusion, and then her expression cleared in some form of understanding. ‘Is that why you stopped?’
‘I stopped because had I not, I would have had to find some explanation for the state of my trousers for the remainder of the evening.’
He wasn’t certain she understood. She opened her mouth to say something but suddenly the door opened—and Miss Forrester walked into the room.
His heart stopped in panic and he felt as if he had run a very long race.
It appeared she hadn’t spotted him as she addressed Katrina. ‘I cannot believe you are hiding...’
Her eyes darted to Julian and her lips parted. It was remarkable how quickly she composed herself and focused all her attention on Katrina, completely ignoring him.
‘Considering how easy it was for me to gain entrance to this room, it might be wise for me to remain to lend you an air of respectability, should anyone else see fit to come in here,’ she offered.
Katrina did not appear to be alarmed by Miss Forrester’s presence. Hopefully this meant Miss Forrester could be trusted not to reveal their encounter. As much as he liked Katrina, he still had no desire to be forced into marriage. His heartbeat began to slow down.
Katrina’s attention remained on Miss Forrester. ‘Why were you searching this hallway?’
‘Because my mother was concerned that you were taking an inordinately long time in the retiring room and I offered to fetch you. Lucky for both of you I did. I remembered how interested you were in those paintings the Duchess of Winterbourne mentioned, and thought you might be hiding from the remainder of your dancing partners.’
Katrina rubbed her forehead. ‘How many dances have I missed?’
‘Just one.’
Miss Forrester’s presence had alleviated the pull on Julian’s trousers and it was now safe for him to return to the ball. He would leave it to Katrina to find an explanation for her friend. But before he was able to excuse himself, the door opened again. This time Hart stepped inside.
If this kept up she was sure to be ruined!
Even in the moonlit room there was no mistaking the amused glint Julian saw in his friend’s eye as he glanced from Miss Forrester to Miss Vandenberg and finally to Julian. Hart casually leaned his back against the door and crossed his arms. His smirk was not appreciated.
‘I say...this is interesting.’
Miss Forrester stepped forward, as if to block Hart’s view of Katrina. ‘Miss Vandenberg and I entered the room just a few minutes ago. We were unaware that His Grace was already in here.’
Hart bit his lip and nodded sagely. ‘I see—and what exactly drew you two ladies to this remote location?’
‘Taxidermy.’
‘Pardon?’
Miss Forrester raised her chin and crossed her arms. Apparently she was standing her ground. ‘I said taxidermy.’
Hart rubbed the smile off his lips. ‘I see. And what specimens drew you to this room, exactly?’
She waved her hand carelessly behind her. ‘Birds.’
‘So you have an interest in ornithology?’
‘Ye-e-e-s,’ she replied, drawing out the word.
‘And what particular species were you interested in seeing?’
‘Well, whatever species His Lordship has, of course.’
‘Of course.’ Hart tossed back the lock of hair that fell near his eyes.
He was having too much fun at Julian’s expense. Hopefully he could convince Hart not to tell their friends about this.
Miss Forrester took a step forward, crossed her arms, and tipped her head to the side. ‘And you, my lord. What brings you to this far corner of the ball? There is nothing of interest here.’
‘On the contrary—I have an interest in birds as well,’ he said through a smirk.
She looked as if she was about to reply.
Hart held up his hand. ‘I assume you are finished with your studies in this darkened room, so we will say it’s been a pleasure and allow you ladies to return to this evening’s entertainments.’
Miss Forrester grabbed Katrina by the hand and pulled her towards the door. ‘That’s very kind of you. Good evening, gentlemen.’
Katrina glanced back at Julian one last time with a regretful look before she was dragged out through the door. He didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to her, or to kiss her one last time for the night.
Hart closed the door and locked it. Why hadn’t Julian thought to lock the door earlier? Perhaps it was because he’d never needed to do so before. This was the first and only time he had ever stole away with a woman at a ball.
‘You and I need to have a talk,’ Hart said. ‘And I know just the place to have it.’
They walked two doors down to the Whitfields’ billiard room, and Hart racked up the balls without saying a word. Julian grabbed two cues from the rack on the wall, grateful for the short reprieve. Once the balls were set, they flipped Hart’s lucky coin to see who would go first. Julian won.
He leaned over the Whitfields’ billiard table and released his cue. He watched the balls scatter.
Shaking his head, he turned to Hart. ‘How in the world did you find us?’
‘As luck would have it I was supposed to be meeting someone there shortly. It appears you and I need to begin coordinating our appointments.’
Julian narrowed his gaze. ‘That won’t be necessary. What you witnessed was a mere coincidence.’
Hart walked around the billiard table, analysing the best angle for his shot. He looked as if he was trying to hold back a smirk. ‘I see. We can move forward with that story if you like. But I will say it is fortunate it appears you have gained another ally in Miss Forrester.’
Julian rested his hand on top of his cue and watched Hart line up his shot. ‘Why do you believe it is a good thing to have Miss Forrester as an ally?’
Aside from the fact that she wouldn’t gossip about what she’d found when she had walked into the room.
‘To gain the support of your lady’s friend is always a good thing. Just think of all the ways we could use her.’
Julian sent him a stern look.
‘I mean you. All the ways you could
