Read Online When a Marquess Loves a Woman by Vivienne Lorret - Free Book Online

afternoon, her temper would not resurface in such dramatic fashion.
    Marguerite kept smiling but turned back to her task. “And what should you do if he brings out the worst in you at dinner this evening?”
    Drat! She hadn’t thought of that. Marjorie Harwick had invited both Zinnia and Juliet to dinner again.
    And the instant she imagined seeing Max, the color returned.
    â€œJ uliet sends her regrets this evening,” Lady Cosgrove said to Max’s mother as Saunders took her fringed wrap. “Too much sun, I’m afraid.”
    Max was just heading to the parlor from the study when he’d heard the knock at the door. All afternoon, anticipation had filled him with exhilaration, wondering what Juliet would do to get the better of him. She’d laid the gauntlet down, after all. He’d merely picked it up.
    Now it was in her hands again—or at least it had been until the lovely little coward dropped it by refusing to make an appearance. He supposed he should feel somewhat guilty for his part in all this. And yet, he couldn’t summon an ounce.
    He blamed his lust for competition in addition to his desire to settle matters between them once and for all. Without an adversary, however, his prospects for this evening seemed rather dull.
    â€œYou are quiet this evening, Maxwell. Has all that buzzing about you did this afternoon taken its toll?” Mother asked from the settee a short time later.
    Standing across the room to refill his glass, he contemplated a suitable response. But then, apparently deciding she did not require an answer, Mother continued.
    â€œZinnia, he was practically grinning like a madman when he returned from Lord and Lady Minchon’s garden party. Usually, I only witness this from him after a rousing argument at the House of Commons. So there must have been some on dit , but do you think I could get a peep from him? Not a word, I tell you.”
    â€œNow you have me wondering the same, for Juliet was out of sorts and kept to her rooms,” Lady Cosgrove replied and then continued in a whisper. “However, I believe it must have had something to do with her exposure to the sun, for she issued a peculiar request for Mr. Wick to send for a block of ice.”
    â€œSunburns can be terrible nuisances. I hope it was not too severe.”
    â€œThat’s just it, Marjorie. She claims that her hat was a sufficient guard but only that she was overheated.”
    Standing at the sideboard with his back to them, Max held back a laugh. She’d had to order a block of ice in order to cool down? Oh, he could not wait to taunt her about this. Again, he wondered if it was because of her lack of parasol, her temper, or something else altogether.
    Unfortunately, just like earlier, his mind interrupted, forming several images of just how she would apply the ice to cool her flesh . . .
    â€œStrange, I thought it was rather mild today when I was out in the garden. Though perhaps without a cloud in the sky in such an open park, it felt different.” Mother raised her voice from their hushed exchange. “Max, you were not overheated this afternoon, were you?”
    He exhaled a thin stream of air, banishing the scintillating visions. And reminding himself that he was in the room with his mother and Juliet’s cousin did the trick.
    He turned away from the sideboard and walked toward their circle. “There were a few unexpected moments of warmth, but otherwise no. I found the day remarkably pleasant.”
    â€œDid you happen to spy Juliet?” Mother asked. “I know that you are rivals, but as a family friend, it would still be a kind gesture if you looked after her welfare.”
    Feeling too restless to sit, he stood behind a silver-striped chair and rested his hand along the back, drumming his fingers. “We spoke for a moment, and by all appearances, she seemed in fine health.” Very fine, indeed . “In fact, our main topic of