The baroness drew closer, then turned her angry glare on Giles, snapping him from his pondering. She pointed her gnarled finger at him once more and said, “That reprobate took liberties with you. He will marry you.”
Giles cringed as the matron turned back to Juliet. “It is his duty and yours as well. Where are your parents?”
Juliet peered at the collected company; her cheeks flushed scarlet and blue eyes flashed with anger. “That is none of your business. I must speak to the duke,” she said, then notched her chin with defiance as she strode toward the door, paying no heed to the women blocking her path.
Giles fought the urge to ravish her again. To make that becoming blush painting her cheeks spread to her toes. He fisted his hands at his side and stood in place as she strode toward the door. Thorne would kill him, but she was right. If anyone could help now, it was he.
Perhaps Giles should follow her and speak with Thorne himself.
Bloody hell, he would give his left arm for more liquor right now.
Both arms to be between the fair Juliet’s thighs.
Pressing his eyes closed for a heartbeat, he shook the thoughts away. Surely he was daft to stand here thinking of booze and frigging while his freedom hung in the wind.
As Juliet reached the door, Kitty stepped into her path and took hold of her arm. Juliet narrowed her eyes on Kitty. “Take your hand from me,” she seethed, her back stiff and head held high. She wasn’t the least bit cowed by Kitty, and it made Giles want her all the more.
“The duke is right here. Say what you must.” Kitty nodded toward Giles, and white-hot anger surged through him. How had he ever wished to spend time with the venomous creature? “Isn’t that right, Cleburne?”
Juliet’s blue eyes rounded as she looked at him, her gaze full of fury. She jerked her arm free from Kitty’s hold and fled.
Giles felt a stab of regret as he watched her expression change the moment Kitty spoke his titled name. He should have told Lady Juliet when she asked who he was. Undoubtedly, the lady knew of him—knew what a reprobate he was reported to be.
Giles strode toward Kitty, a menacing set to his jaw. “Are you satisfied now?” He asked, disdain thick in his throat.
She gave a bone-chilling smile. “Quite.” Then turned and walked away.
He exhaled a deep breath as he scrubbed his hand over his face. He had to find Thorne and Juliet. If he must marry the chit…
Well, he could think of worse fates. But he’d not give into facing the vicar just yet. Not before he had a chance to smooth this over. He started toward the door.
“I think not,” the countess said, then slammed the door and turned the key, locking him inside. “You will wait here,” she called from the other side.
So be it, then. Giles blew out a slow breath and pulled his decanter from his coat. He tipped it against his lips, but scarcely a drop of brandy met his tongue.
Resigned to wait, Giles stretched out on a nearby sofa, crossed his feet at the ankles, and leaned back against the armrest.
Chapter 4
After sending a footman to retrieve Olivia and Thorne, Juliet went to the duke’s office to wait for them. Her heart raced, her breathing quick and tears threatening as she paced the floor, waiting for them. If anyone could save her, it would be her friends.
She stopped pacing and worried her bottom lip as she stared into the fire crackling in the hearth. She wished she could cast herself into the flames.
No, she wished she could cast the Duke of Cleburne into them. Had she known that was the man kissing her, she would have fled straightaway no matter how much she had enjoyed the contact. He was infamous for his debauchery and affairs. She could not marry such a man.
What the devil was taking Olivia and Thorne so long.
Juliet exhaled a calming breath when they, at last, entered the office. “Thank God you are here. You must help me.” She turned imploring eyes on her friends. “There has been a terrible mistake,” Juliet continued, her mind racing as quick as her heartbeat.
“Without question, we will.” Olivia came to her side and wrapped her arm around Juliet’s shoulders. “But first, you must tell us what happened?”
“Lady Herbert and Lady Stanford say I have been compromised. And Lady Lambert, the vile creature, agrees with their opinion,” Juliet pulled in a breath, “but it is a mistake. A terrible misunderstanding.” Juliet turned her gaze to meet Thorne’s. “You have to help me. I cannot marry Gil… Cleburne.”
Drat and blast! She’d nearly used the rogue’s given name. Her anger blossomed anew, for she’d not have made the mistake if he’d revealed his true identity from the start. And judging by the way Thorne’s eyes narrowed, her mistake had not escaped him.
Olivia rounded on her husband. “I told you there was danger in inviting such characters. Not all peers are worthy of inclusion!” She pointed her fan toward Juliet. “And now look what’s happened.”
“Do calm down,” he said. “Let us understand the situation before you jump to conclusions.”
Olivia paced over to him. “Calm down? Truly? Your reprobate friend compromised my dearest friend, and you are telling me to calm down!” She seethed. “I warned you inviting him would lead to trouble.”
“But he did not ruin me. He merely kissed me.” Juliet folded her arms over her chest. “This is a mistake. A colossal mistake, and surely Thorne can undo the damage.”
“See, darling, nothing to fret over. It is a misunderstanding, and I am quite certain we can sort it out.” Thorne reached for Olivia, but she stepped out of his reach and returned to Juliet’s side. He scowled for a brief moment, then directed his words to Juliet, “Tell us what happened?”
Juliet swallowed past the rising lump in her throat and notched her chin in a show of confidence she did not really feel. “I required a few moments to myself, so I left the ball in favor of the library. It was my intention to select a new book, then return to the ball. I found one that intrigued me and was standing with my back to the door reading when Cleburne mistook me for another lady.”
Juliet angled her head to study Juliet. “Then you were caught? Alone with him?”
“Not exactly, there is more.” Juliet nibbled her lower lip before blurting out the rest. “He kissed me, and when the others discovered us, his hand was under my skirt.” Her cheeks burned at the admission, and she quickly added, “He thought I was another.”
Thorne’s face flushed as his gaze turned angry. “He will marry you. I will see to it.”
Juliet shook her head, her mind frantic as she processed it all and tried to determine what to say or do next. She had not recognized Cleburne, for she’d never meet him, but she well knew his reputation. The Duke of Cleburne was a notorious rake and well understood to be a renowned lover.
She could not marry a man, such as him. Her stomach rolled, but she ignored the sick feeling and squared her shoulders in defiance. “Surely, I am not to be punished for a mistake. He did not intend to kiss me. He thought I was another, and I do not wish to marry him all due to a case of mistaken identity. Please fix this,” she begged.
Olivia rested her hands on Juliet’s arms and stared into her eyes, understanding and sympathy in her warm gaze. “Thorne is correct. You were irrevocably compromised no matter who Cleburne thought you were. If you refuse to wed him, the choice will see you ruined. Your parents will not stand for the scandal that is sure to follow.”