Page 21 of Regency in Color

Chapter Eight

Juliana milled around through the gardens at Vauxhall, unable to enjoy any of the beauty surrounding her. People dressed in elaborate costumes, smiling behind their feathered masks, danced, drank, and ate their fill. She’d watched the acrobatic performance with mild interest, then left Lady Roxburrow under the pretense of needing fresh air.

In truth, she wanted to leave.

She hadn’t wanted to come at all. After crying for three days, she looked far from her best. Charlotte did the best she could to cover the puffiness under her eyes, but even her paints and a mask couldn’t hide the sadness in them.

Colin hadn’t called on her since revealing why he hadn’t come for her. She’d searched for a glimpse of him at each social function Lady Roxburrow had forced her to attend since then. There was never any sign of him. He might very well have left London for all she knew.

Left her.

Again.

Tonight her heartbreak felt especially burdensome. Finding a secluded spot among the tall shrubbery, she dropped onto a marble bench to sulk. She snatched off her mask and set it down, closed her eyes, and cradled her face in her hands.

“What have I done?” she asked aloud.

“Juliana?”

Her eyes flew open, but she kept her face hidden in her hands. Too afraid to look and see that the voice was a cruel trick of her imagination. She slowly lifted her head.

Colin.

He was here.

He’d come for her.

Her heart flipped in her chest. It wanted to crawl up her throat, stand on the edge of her tongue and confess its unending devotion to him.

“What are you doing here?” Of all the more eloquent things she could have said, that was the trite question her mouth settled on.

“I love you, Juliana. I had to come. I had to try one last time. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t.”

Tears pooled on Juliana’s lashes, then spilled silently down her cheeks. It took strength for him to stand before her. She understood how much now. She’d worked up the courage to seek him out countless times. Each ending with her nerve crumbling to ash before she made it out the door.

He walked forward, cautiously at first, then seeing she did not object he quickly closed the distance between them. He knelt in front of her, close but not touching her.

“Juliana, I was foolish. I was a coward. I made a choice that affected the both of us, without consulting you. I couldn’t bear to see your face shrouded with disappointment when I told you we couldn’t marry, so I abandoned you. A shame I shall have to live with for the rest of my life. You’ve always made me feel as though I was enough. I didn’t want to face the truth that I wasn’t. That I couldn’t give you everything you deserved.” He took both her hands in his and kissed each of her knuckles. “Please forgive me. Please, I beg you. Let me taste happiness one more time. I swear I will live each day until I die making you feel like it was worth it.”

Juliana opened her mouth to speak, but no words came forth. Her throat worked, swallowing down tears of elation. Instead of using words, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. She kissed him deep and hard. Channeling all her love and dreams for their future into the action.

Colin wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to him. They kissed until she couldn’t breathe. She pulled back, cupping his face between her hands.

“I love you! Colin, I love you so much. You were right. We wouldn’t have been able to survive without your inheritance. I wish you would have discussed it with me, but I understand your fear. I forgive you.”

“Marry me.”

“Yes. With all my heart, yes.”

Colin pulled her in for another searing kiss. Her hands traveled up his back until they burrowed into the soft strands of his hair. They kissed until Juliana felt as if she were in danger of bursting into a glorious flame of passion and need. She groaned in protest when Colin broke the kiss. He moaned low in his throat, his breath coming in ragged spurts, and then set her at arm’s length.

“We must go before I lay you down on the grass and take liberties I am not yet entitled to.”

“I can keep a secret,” she purred.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a sensual grin. “It appears you didn’t need my help at all, making a man desire you. Keep saying things like that, and you will learn how much I do.”

A mischievous, wanton woman she hadn’t known existed within her came to life wanting to accept his challenge. Colin had been the only man she’d ever desired. To learn how brightly his passion burned for her was a temptation like no other.