Break some rules

led to pinpoint the reason for the odd sensation-until the events of the previous evening came flooding back, hurling her into vivid consc

mortification. She would never touch another drop of sherry. Ever again. Her thoughts raced for a few brief moments, until she raised her head and spoke aloud to the room in horror. "I asked him to kiss me." Callie flopped back to the bed with a sigh and willed the universe to strike her dead or, at the very least, infirm. She simply could not risk ever facing Gabriel St. John again. Not after that kiss. But wha

efore... Well, by the light of day, Callie was none of those things. But, for one evening, for a fleeting moment, she had been. And what a lovely moment it had been. She'd been bold and forward and decidedly unpassive-reaching for what she knew she might never otherwise have. And, while the previous evening might have taught her that Ralston was not for her, there was certainly no reason why the rest of the things she longed to do couldn't be entirely attainable. I could have the list. The thought emboldened her. She turned instinctively to look at the dainty bedside table upon which she had set the scandalous sheet of paper before climbing into bed. Reaching for the list, she scanned it, a ghost of a smile crossing her lips as she reviewed the words scrawled across it. If the events of last night were any indication, she would enjoy every minute ofcompleting the other items. These nine items were all that stood between Callie and living. All she had to do was take the risk. And why not do so? Energized, Callie pushed back the coverlet and emerged from the bed. Squaring her shoulders, she moved across the room to the little writing desk in the corner. Setting down the list, she smoothed out the wrinkled paper and considered the words one more time before reaching for a pen and dipping it in a nearby inkpot. She had kissed someone. And passionately. In a single fluid motion, she drew a thick, black line through the first item, unable to keep the wide grin from her face. What next? A quick knock sou

ch day dress out and turned back, Anne was still waiting for a response. With a sigh, she muttered, "Well, perhaps young unmarried females should take advantage of their youthful and unshackled state and try some of those things." Anne blinked at the frank words. And then she laughed. "You completed one of these items already." "I did." Callie blushed. Anne squinted at the paper, making out the obscured words. When she looked up in shock, Callie turned away. "Well, Calpurnia Hartwell. You didn't waste any time taking what you've wanted for years." Callie couldn't help the little smile that played across her lips. "You were with Ralston last night!" Callie's flaming cheeks spoke volumes. "I shall tell you one thing," Anne said, a hint pride in her voice. "You're the only girl I've ever known to make a list like that and actually followthrough on it." Her tone shifted, "Of course, if you're not ruined in a week, I shall be even more surprised than I am now." "I have plans to be very careful," Callie protested. Anne shook her head. "Unless you work for the War Office, Callie-mine, you can't do half of the things on that list with

y Cal

ill expect you

llie said, unable to pull her gaze from t

ace, attempting to appear cool and collected. "Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, to see Miss Juliana." Drawing herself up to her full height, Callie spoke, willing the words to come in the most evenmannered of tones. She offered an ecru calling card to the butler, who received it with a low bow. "Certainly, my lady. Miss Juliana is expecting you. Please, follow me." Once Jenkins had turned his back, Callie let out a long, silent sigh of relief. She followed him to an open doorway off the main marble corridor and offered him the most regal of nods as he stepped aside to let her pass into a lovely green receiving room. Callie took in the grassy green silk that lined the walls, the detailed chaise and chairs, all beautifully crafted from mahogany and upholstered in the finest of fabrics. The lig

covered my lady love." Nicholas indicated the statue. "Indeed, I have." Callie turned her attention back to the marble. "She is stunning. Who is the artist?" St. John shook his head, a gleam in his eye revealing his pride. "Unknown. I found her off the southern coast of Greece several years ago. I spent seven months collecting marbles there, came home with far too many and donated this beauty to the betterment of Ralston House, on the condition that my brother give her a proper home." He paused, transfixed by the statue. "I believe she is Selene, goddess of the moon." "She looks so content." "You sound surprised." "Well," Callie said tentatively, "Selene's is not the happiest of stories. After all, she is doomed to love a mortal in eternal

earby chairs, seating himself across from her. Callie tried to ignore the way he dwarfed the furniture-and the room itself-as though the entirety of Ralston House was designed for a lesser creature. She dipped her head, pretending to be enthralled by the upholstery on the chair in which she sat-eager to appear as though he were outside her notice. It was a fool's errand. He was not a man who went easily unnoticed. "I want to discuss Juliana before you meet her." Callie quashed a pang of disappointment. Must he be so perfunctory? She did not look up, instead turning her attention to her gloved hands, clenched together in her lap, and desperately trying to forget that mere hours ago those hands had touched Ralston intimately. But, how could she forget? Hiswarm skin, his soft hair, his strong, muscled arms-she had touched all those places. And he seemed entirely unmoved. She cleared her throat delicately, and said, "Certainly, my lord." "I think it best you come to Ralston House to work with Juliana. She is in need of significant guidance, and I would not like for her to make a misstep in front of the Countess of Allendale." Her eyes widened as she lifted her head to meet his gaze. "My mother would never betray the confidence of your sister's lessons." "Nevertheless, the walls have ears." "Not Allendale House walls." He leaned forward in his chair, close enough to touch her, his muscles bunched with tightly leashed power. "Let me make myself plain. I will not cede this point. Juliana is resistant to joining society and eager to return to Italy. She i

e first thing one noticed about Juliana Fiori was not her beauty, although she was most certainly beautiful-with arresting blue eyes, porcelain skin, and a mass of rich chestnut curls that most women would commit serious bodily harm to have for themselves. It was not her delicate features, or her lilting voice, accented with her native Italian. It was not her height, although she towered above Callie and would do so over many. No, the first thing one noticed about Juliana Fiori was her frankness. "What silliness that we must consider the proper order of milk and tea when pouring a cup." Callie swallowed back a laugh. "I suppose you do not place much stock in such ceremony in Venice?" "No. It is li

ear." Juliana looked confused. "Why would I impact society's hearing?" Callie's smile broadened, shaking her head. "It is a figure of speech. It means you will be a great success in society." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I predict that gentlemen will clamor to meet you." "Just as they did with my mother, no?" Juliana's blue eyes flashed, and she slashed her hand through the air. "No. Please put the idea of a marriage for me out of your head. I shall never marry." "Whyever not?" "What if I turn out to be just like her?" The quiet words gave Callie pause; before she could find the right response, Juliana continued. "I am sorry." "There is no need for you to apologize."

uld end this inappropriate conversation. After all, the intricacies of the Ralston family matters were just that-Ralston family matters-but Callie couldn't help herself. "Not a new family. An old one," she corrected. "One you were always a part of...you simply had to claim your place in it." Juliana shook her head. "No. They know nothing of me. I do little more than remind them of our mother. She is our only connection. I am certain that Ralston sees only her when he looks at me. I think he will be happy to see me go in two months." Despite her immense curiosity about their mother, Callie refrained from probing more deeply about the woman who had so callously abandoned three such remarkable children, instead saying, "Your brothers may not know you, Juliana, but t

atever do you mean?" "You are his..." Juliana thought for a moment, seeking the correct phrase. "His inamorata?" "I beg your pardon?" The question ended in a strangled squeak. "His lover, yes?" "Juliana!" Outrage took over, and Callie pulled herself up into her most regal of poses, adopting her very best governess tone. "One does not refer to lovers or paramours or...any other personal matters with guests!" "But you are not simply a guest!" Juliana looked confused. "You are my friend, are you not?" "Of course I am. However, one does not refer to such personal matters with friends either!" "I apologize. I did not know. I thought that if you and Ralston were-" "We are not!" The words

ead thoughtfully. "I shall keep it safe nonetheless." Callie leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing on her pupil, who was grinning as though