The Earl's Outrageous Lover Page 0,26
out the window into the black night, looking pensive and absorbed in his thoughts. So she gave up the struggle and just sat there, occasionally looking over at his strong profile but unable to figure out what he might be thinking.
“I’ll go get Julianna,” he said as the vehicle pulled up to another house. “I’ll just be a moment.” He didn’t wait for her response, but stepped out of the car even before Tim could move around to open the door for him.
Julianna opened the front door when he answered and Jessica had to sit there seething with jealousy as he spoke to the lovely blond woman for a long moment. What were they saying? She wanted to rush out and rip Julianna’s hand out of his, but she remained silently still in the vehicle. She didn’t even scream when Edward bent to kiss Julianna on the cheek. It was a chaste kiss, but Jessica was still furious that he’d dragged her up to her room when he first saw her and demanded that she change dresses, kissed her senseless while the lovely Julianna received a much more gentlemanly reception.
And to make matters worse, Julianna was wearing a perfectly elegant black dress with a rhinestone collar. Jessica had to admit that the woman looked exceptionally lovely tonight and the black was an ideal foil for her blond beauty. Edward seemed perfectly content to have Julianna in a black dress while he’d forced her to change clothes. The nerve of that man!
“Good evening, Jessica. You look absolutely stunning tonight,” Julianna said as Edward helped her into the back.
Jessica smiled, wishing she could hate the woman but she was just too nice. “You look pretty fantastic in that gorgeous black dress. Black seems to be the perfect color for a formal event, don’t you think?” she said, turning to Edward with a pointed look.
Julianna laughed and caught the look Jessica shot towards him but didn’t understand what was happening. “I’m guessing there’s a hidden meaning to that question, but yes. Black does seem to be the easiest color for a formal night.”
Edward’s only response was a raised eyebrow in Jessica’s direction before he turned back to Julianna. “How did the auction go?” he asked, referring to the antiques she’d put up for auction as a way to generate interest.
“It went wonderfully, as you fully know,” she laughed. “Thank you for suggesting the venue. It generated a great deal more interest than usual so I’m again in your debt. Is there anything you’re not impressively good at doing?”
They discussed the details of the auction and the aftermath of interest it generated during the rest of the drive to the ball. Jessica knew almost nothing about antiques except what was contained in her father’s house. She preferred viewing people versus objects, finding their emotions and reactions much more interesting.
The event was in full swing when Tim pulled up to the stairs leading to the museum where the ball was being held. Jessica realized that she had no idea what the event was about and was ashamed. She should be more involved in the world and she should at least be aware of what charity was helping her find a husband. Jessica accepted that she was being a bit too self-centered lately. She wasn’t the only one with problems and she needed to be more aware of what was happening in the world.
If only her father hadn’t given her this dratted deadline, and he hadn’t put the weight of so many workers’ employment on her shoulders! Every time she thought of it, she wondered how her father could be so archaic. Just because she had defied him, he’d trapped her in this horrible situation.
Tim was standing beside the door, offering a hand to Julianna and then to Jessica. Edward stood on the first step with Julianna’s hand on his arm and he turned to wait for Jessica to step out of the car.
Jessica stopped before stepping onto the curb to talk to the driver. “Thanks Tim. How’s Jeremy doing today? Will the doctors let him get the cast off yet?”
Tim bowed his head, maintaining his stiff demeanor, but Jessica saw the emotion in the older man’s eyes. “He’s doing much better, Ms. Mallory. His cast came off today and he’s chomping at the bit to climb that darn tree again.”
Jessica laughed and laid her hand on his forearm. “Goodness, that must be a chore for Samantha to deal with. I’m sure she’s going just a