Though their lives were very different—his as a detective, hers as a debutante—Juliette could not deny her feelings for him.

To give Heinrich hope that she would accept his proposal in due time would be wrong when she cherished feelings for another, however unlikely their coming to fruition may be. Her sense of justice would not allow her to let Heinrich leave with false hope in his heart.

“Heinrich, you have done me a great honor, and I appreciate the patience you are granting me, but …” She took a deep breath. “I must refuse your generous offer. I regard you as a friend, and you have been kind to me, but I do not love you. I vowed long ago that I would only marry for love, to have the sort of love match my parents share. I cannot settle for less, nor should you. You deserve a woman who will love only you with her whole heart.”

His hands fell away, and his expression sobered. “I see. I should have expected as much. Is it that you love another?”

Her cheeks warmed, and confusion writhed in her chest. She lowered her chin to look at her hands.

“That was unfair of me to ask. I beg your forgiveness.” His words were stiff, but she sensed only sadness from him, not anger. “I would ask one indulgence before I return you to the party.”

She looked up, and he smiled, but his eyes were sad.

Slowly, giving her every chance to refuse, to pull away, he cradled her cheeks in his palms, leaned forward, and kissed her gently.

It was over in a trice, a brief brushing of lips so sweet it brought a welling of emotion to her eyes.

Was she a fool to refuse him? He was everything a debutante should want. Kind, handsome, titled, wealthy.

And yet the kiss he had bestowed on her, while sweet, brought only friendship and sorrow to her mind.

Completely different from the only other kiss she had shared with a man, which had made her feel as if she had been struck by lightning and had lingered in her thoughts for days.

Daniel’s heart hit his boots. Through the condensation-streaked glass walls of the conservatory, he saw Heinrich and Juliette. Their conversation seemed quite intimate, and Heinrich had his hands on her shoulders. A wave of jealousy turned the night green.

You’re hired to provide extra security, not to gawk at your betters.

Defiance bloomed in his chest. Were they his betters? What if he truly was the new Earl of Rotherhide?

Did that matter? He could be one of the royal dukes, but if Juliette loved Heinrich, accepted his proposal, and went off to live in Germany, there was nothing he could do about it.