When the party partook of an alfresco picnic on Monday, Julienne couldn't help contrasting the formality of it with the simple picnics she had once enjoyed with Dare. Nor could she forget the scorching memories of the last time they had dined out-of-doors together, when Dare had been far more interested in devouring her skin than the fare.
Now a long table had been set up by servants beneath a beech tree and covered with a pristine white cloth, while footmen served numerous delicacies on china plates and wine from crystal goblets. The blankets upon which the guests lounged seemed the only remnants of those days.
Except perhaps Dare himself. His hair shone with the same flaxen brilliance in the sunshine, his smile was just as wicked when he laughed, his gaze just as compelling.
She found that gaze fixed on her when Solange complimented him on the magnificence of his estate.
"I confess," he replied with a bow of acknowledgement, "I am rather fond of it myself. I purchased the property some years ago when I was looking to set up my racing stables. I much prefer this residence to the family seat I inherited from my grandfather. Wolverton Hall holds several unpleasant memories for me… particularly of the last summer I was there."
His gaze locked with Julienne's for a moment, and she felt herself wince at his unspoken accusation.
Her first defensive thought was that Dare would never have inherited his grandfather's estate if she had eloped with him as he'd as
ked her to. But it hurt too much to remember that magical summer that had ended in such devastation for her.
Pasting a smile on her face, Julienne rose abruptly. "I can certainly understand the appeal of this lovely setting." She gestured toward the stream that meandered nearby. "I wonder if there are any fish to be seen. Lord Riddingham, would you be so kind as to escort me there?"
She took the viscount's proffered arm, yet she couldn't dismiss Dare so easily. She was much too conscious of his magnetism and his studied neglect of her. For the remainder of the afternoon, he gave his undivided attention to his other guests.
And the ladies at least responded with delight. Julienne watched his performance with growing frustration.
It irked her, the way he tantalized all the females in the party with his careless, seductive charm. And the way they all fawned over him in return. Yet she couldn't fault them. Dare North was the most seductive, fascinating man she had ever known, and she found herself wishing she could be the focus of his devout attention instead of all the others-
When she suddenly realized the direction of her thoughts, Julienne scolded herself furiously. She would not be jealous of his lovers or she would go mad.
It was the following day when she intentionally violated her own plan to avoid him in private. The company went riding that afternoon, and during their return, her horse threw a shoe and came up lame. Julienne dismounted at once, as did Dare. Upon inspecting the animal's leg and hoof, he pronounced the injury merely a bruised sole and told the party to ride on ahead while he led the mare home.
When Julienne hesitated, Riddingham offered to let her ride double with him, but Dare intervened quickly, offering his mount.
She allowed Dare to lift her up on his horse but then changed her mind, saying that she disliked abandoning Lord Wolverton.
When Riddingham started to argue, she shook her head gently. "No, please, Hugh, go on ahead. I will come to no harm. I trust Lord Wolverton can act the gentleman for a brief while. And I have something I wish to say to him, in any case."
When the party obliged, leaving them alone, she felt Dare's gaze settle on her.
"Hugh, is it? So you're on a first-name basis with Riddingham?"
Julienne shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "We have had an excellent opportunity to become better acquainted over the past few days."
"I can't fathom why you spend so much of your time with him when you would enjoy yourself far more with me."
"That is certainly a matter for debate."
Dare didn't reply to her jibe at first but instead coaxed the injured horse forward with a flow of soothing words. Julienne brought her mount alongside, matching the mare's slow, painful steps, but listened with dismay. Dare might have been speaking to a lover with his velvet-edged voice. In fact, she could remember him using precisely that tone with her during a soul-wrenching bout of passion as he cooled the flames and then urged her on to even greater heights.
When after a moment he turned his attention from the injured mare and glanced up at her, she was certain he saw the flush on her cheeks.
"At last," he said in a casual tone. "I am gratified finally to have you to myself. If I'd known all it would take was a lame horse, I might have sacrificed one of my beasts sooner. I've had the very devil of a time trying to steal you away from your devotees." His gaze slid down her body. Her petticoats were hiked up, exposing a good deal of leg, since she was riding astride instead of sidesaddle. "I can't fault them. Every man wants to bask in your beauty."
"I don't care to hear your empty flattery, my lord," Julienne replied as she stirred uneasily in the saddle.
Dare apparently noticed her discomfort. "Would you prefer to walk?"
"Actually, I would. I have never been much of a horsewoman."
"I remember. But you are safer up there, out of reach." He let his remark sink in before adding, "So what did you wish to say to me that isn't fit for the ears of my guests?"
"I should like to know what you are up to."