“I was referring to my clothes.” Juliet gave a playful scowl. “I will not take long.”
True to her word, she changed in record time. Not more than fifteen minutes could have passed since she had left Giles in the parlor with a promise to meet him in the entry hall.
She thanked her maid for her speed in assisting her in changing, then traversed the hall and stairs to the main entrance. When she reached the landing, she found Giles clad in his greatcoat and holding her cloak.
He wrapped her wool cloak around her shoulders then secured it at her throat before meeting her gaze.
“Shall we be off?” Juliet asked.
“Yes.” He proffered his arm.
She walked beside Giles, her hand tucked beneath his arm as they stepped out into the crisp winter’s day. A light dusting of fresh snow coated the porch steps and glistened in the sunlight as he led her from the house.
She had expected a carriage or sleigh to be waiting for them but saw none. She glanced around and caught sight of several footmen following with large sacks. How curious, she thought. She gave Giles a sideways glance and asked, “What are you about?”
He did not look at her, but she caught the slight lift of the corner of his lips and a faint crinkling at the edge of his eye as if he were fighting a grin. He patted her hand where it rested on his arm and said, “You will find out soon enough.”
Juliet accepted that he wished to surprise her, and as she did so enjoy surprises, she did not press him further. Instead, she strolled beside him as he led her across the snow-blanketed grounds and toward a thicket of trees.
He turned toward her when they reached the edge of the thicket.
She squealed in shock and delight when he swept her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. Laughing, she met his mischievous eyes. “Now, I am even more intrigued.”
“Good,” he said. Giles brushed his cold nose across hers, then pressed his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. “Now close your eyes, sweating.”
She rested her cheek on his shoulder, pressing her face into his scarf and closing her eyes as he’d asked. He started walking, his pace steady as she snuggled against him. Speculation kept her company as he traversed their path. The thought occurred to her that she ought to be frightened.
He had been forced to take her to wife, and now he was carrying her into the woods followed by footmen who were no doubt loyal to him. And those retainers brought large bags with them. Giles could mean to do away with her.
And yet, she felt nothing but joy.
Good Heavens, she trusted him! Not with her heart, but with her safety.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” said as she nodded against his shoulder.
“I am going to set you down, but keep your eyes closed.”
“I will,” she said as she pressed her eyelids tighter together. She kept her arms around his neck as he lowered her feet to the ground. Once her boots were firmly on the ground, she released him. “May I open them now?”
“One more moment,” He said as his hands came to rest on her arms. “Turn around.”
She took a slow step as he guided her body until she faced away from him.
“Open them,” he said, his mouth close to her ear. The warmth of his breath brushed against her earlobe and sent a thrill through her as she popped her eyes open.
They stood in a clearing, surrounded by trees. Juliet moved her gaze from the bare hawthorns and poplar trees to the snow-covered evergreens, before taking in the ice-covered pond in the center of the clearing.
A rabbit ran along the pond’s edge, and she could not help but exclaim, “It is stunning here.”
Giles put his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I had hoped you would like it. This is my favorite place on the estate.” He nodded toward the far side of the clearing. “Mistletoe grows in abundance on those trees. I thought you might want some to decorate for Christmastide.”
“How thoughtful.” Juliet smoothed her hand over his scarf, where it covered his chest.
Giles turned his attention to the nearby footmen and said, “Gather as much mistletoe and evergreen as your bags will hold. I want opportunities to kiss my wife hung from every door in the house.”
Juliet giggled. “Do you truly?”
“I thoroughly enjoy kissing you, darling.”
She notched her chin, angling her head toward him, “Then kiss me now.”
Giles cupped the back of her neck and brought his lips to hers. A slow sensuous kiss followed as he brushed his lips over hers, then suckled at her lower lip. He pulled back, then moved to stand behind her, his arms around her waist and her back pressed to his chest. “The pond is good for ice skating this time of year. Do you skate?”
“I adore ice skating,” Juliet replied.
“Then we shall have to come back with our skates.” He pressed his lips to her cheek. “In the fall, when the leaves change color, this is the best spot on the estate to relax and view the wildlife. Spring is much the same as breeding starts, and one can often see mothers with their babes.”
Juliet wanted to ask questions but held her tongue as she did not dare do anything to stop him from speaking. She feared if she did, he would stop, and she would lose the opportunity to gain a glimpse into his private life.
“But summer is my favorite time to visit the clearing,” he continued. “There is a boat for rowing in the pond, and the fishing is abundant. Best of all, when one grows to warm, the pond makes for great swimming.” He nuzzled her neck. “I am going to make love to you out here this summer.”
Her heart skipped a beat, her imagination coming alive. What would it feel like to be laid bare in nature with the sun’s rays kissing her naked skin? It was too much for her to conjure an image, though she desperately wanted to know. She turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “Truly? We can do that here?”
“We are lord and lady of the estate. We can do as we please, where we please, Duchess.”
“Very well, then I intend for you to do as you said. I want you to lay me bare beside the pond and ravish me the first warm day of summer.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You can count the days, love.”
Juliet graced him with a hopeful smile as she snuggled against him. Perhaps the magic of the holiday would shine down on them. Maybe—just maybe, they would fall in love.
Chapter 12
Dover, England
Clear River Run, three days later
December 23, 1811
Giles relaxed near the fire with a brandy in hand as Juliet sat opposite him, her focus on the cross-stitching she was working on. It had become their habit to retire to the upstairs private parlor each evening and spend time together before bed. Sometimes he told her wild tales, while other nights, she read to him. Last night she had sung to him before he swept her off to their bedchamber.
After their first night together, he had moved her into his rooms. He had no desire to sleep alone, and she quite agreed. He swirled the brandy in his glass as he turned his head to watch her. His wife had, indeed, turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
He could not help being taken aback by the effect she had on him. Each day brought them closer together, and he wanted to know her better with each interaction they shared.