Read Online Juliana by Lauren Royal, Devon Royal - Free Book Online Page A

“Oh, there you are,” she said. “Rachael would love to dance with you.”
    Rachael’s gorgeous sky blue eyes narrowed in obvious annoyance. An awkward moment passed while Griffin shifted uncomfortably. But there was nothing for it—no way to duck out of this situation gracefully.
    “I would be honored, Lady Rachael,” he said at last, “if you would join me for the next dance.”
    “Splendid,” Juliana said, beaming as the musicians struck up a waltz. “Please excuse me.” She waved them toward the dance floor. “I must speak with Alexandra.”
    Griffin was already concocting his revenge. See if Juliana still thought this a fun game after being forced to dance with—
    “Griffin!”
    “Pardon?” Blinking at Rachael, he realized they were waltzing. She felt so natural in his arms that he hadn’t noticed she was there—except now that he’d noticed, he couldn’t stop noticing.
    She looked amused. “Do you always allow your sisters to run roughshod over you?” she asked in a conversational tone.
    “Only Juliana,” he told her lightly.
    “Balderdash,” she said. Rachael could curse like a sailor, but he considered that part of her charm. “Alexandra and Corinna know how to play you just as well.”
    Since he couldn’t really argue, he twirled her and changed the subject. “You’ve been hiding this season.”
    Her good humor suddenly vanished. Even the chestnut tendrils around her face seemed to droop. “I haven’t felt much like mingling.”
    She didn’t have to say why. Griffin knew—although his sisters didn’t—that Rachael had been dealt a blow several months earlier when she’d learned the man she’d called “Papa” since birth hadn’t actually been her father. He was dismayed, though not surprised, to find her still brooding on the subject.
    “It doesn’t signify,” he said quietly.
    “It signifies to me. I feel like my life has been a lie.”
    “Has something changed at home? Is Noah treating you differently? Or Claire or Elizabeth?”
    “No. Not at all. But I feel as though they should.”
    “You all shared a mother. They’re still your brother and sisters.”
    “I know.” Her eyes grew suspiciously damp, and her chin—her adorable, dented chin—began to tremble. He could see her straining to maintain composure. She was too dignified to fall to pieces in a crowded ballroom.
    And Griffin cared about her too much to just stand by and watch—yet what could he do? In truth, the matter was none of his concern. Besides which, he had plenty of his own concerns to be getting on with.
    But he couldn’t bear to see Rachael like this. She was young, lovely, intelligent, strong. And she’d already endured more than enough grief. She should be trying new things, enjoying herself, falling in love. Instead, she was hiding.
    “Have you considered searching for your true father?” he asked.
    “Of course not. He’s dead.”
    Dead or not, he wanted to say, learning her father’s identity might help. But the music ended, and she drew back and dipped a curtsy.
    “Thank you, Lord Cainewood,” she said without meeting his eyes. And then she walked away.
    Given their shared childhood, her curtsy and address had both been too formal. But Griffin decided it was for the best. He shouldn’t be getting involved—spending more time with Rachael would only complicate his life.
    As he made his way from the dance floor, the Duke of Castleton walked up. “When are you going to sell me Velocity?”
    Grateful for the distraction, Griffin laughed. “Never. When are you going to give up asking?”
    “Never.” Although Castleton gave a determined nod, not a hair on his carefully coiffed blond head moved. “I heard he made a good showing at Ascot.”
    “A pity you missed the meet,” Griffin said, remembering Juliana preferred fair men. “You’ve a fine stable, Castleton.”
    “It would be finer with Velocity.”
    “Velocity—as I’ve told you at least a dozen times—isn’t for