Juliet shook her head as she said, “Perhaps we are destined for scandal.”
“I do not mind, so long as all of our scandals begin and end with each other.”
Juliet pressed a kiss to his jawline. “In that case, duke. We will pick up where we left off tonight.”
“Nothing would please me more, duchess.” He gave a roguish wink and pulled her into his arms.
Juliet laughed as she met his gaze. “I said tonight, you incorrigible man. Right now, we must go to your mother.”
“If you say we must, then I suppose it is so.” He released her, then gave a playful smack to her bottom. “Let us get you dressed in something less scandalous, then we will join Mother.”
Juliet nodded, then treaded her arm through his. Before they reached the door, their butler appeared, her parents just behind him. “Lord and Lady Ashford, Your Grace.” The butler bowed, then retreated as Juliet’s parents stepped into the parlor.
“Mother, Father. What an unexpected surprise.” She turned her attention to Giles, grateful to see that he did not appear upset at the intrusion.
“Why are you in a dressing gown in the middle of the afternoon?” Mother asked as she strode over and placed her hand on Juliet’s bro. “Are you feeling well?”
“I am perfectly healthy, Mother.”
Mother turned speculative eyes on Giles. “What is afoot here, Your Grace?”
Lord Ashford drew his wife back to his side. “Do not pry, Constance. They are newlyweds, after all.”
Juliet pressed her eyes closed and drew in a grateful breath. “The dowager duchess is awaiting us in the blue drawing-room. If you will join her, we will arrive presently.”
“Very good.” Father nodded, then led Mother from the parlor.
“We had better hurry,” Giles said.
Juliet nodded her agreement as they strode from the parlor.
Giles led an appropriately dressed Juliet into the crowded blue drawing-room half an hour later. Her parents sat across from the dowager duchess. Olivia, Thorne, and his sisters were crowded around them in wingback chairs. Their friends must have arrived while she was dressing.
She squeezed Giles’s arm and said, “It seems we are to have a full house.”
“Does it upset you, darling?” he asked.
“Not in the least.” She grinned. “I am happy to welcome our friends and family into our home for the holiday.”
“Then I shall be happy too, for whatever pleases my duchess, pleases me.”
Juliet’s heart filled to bursting as they joined their company. This would be a Christmas to remember. And before it was over, she would ensure it was one to cherish as well.
Chapter 14
Giles’s breath caught when he gazed at Juliet, and he wondered if his wife would always have this effect on him. Gone was the length of red silk she’d worn an hour earlier, but even fully clothed, he desired her. Juliet captivated him and held him enthralled. She had from the moment he’d spied her in Thorne’s library.
She sat beside Olivia at the pianoforte, a stunning blue gown accenting her eyes and hugging her breasts. Sapphires hugged her neck and dangled from her ears while the one he had placed on her finger caught the flickering candle-lit. She was a vision and every inch a duchess.
His groin tightened. What he would give to have her alone right now. Giles turned to Thorne. “If you will excuse me. I miss my wife.”
“I am glad to find that marriage suits you.” Thorne nodded toward the ladies. “Go. I will occupy myself.”
Giles shook his head, then pivoted and strode toward the pianoforte and his becoming wife.
When Juliet’s gaze met his, she smiled brightly.
Giles quickened his pace as she struck the first key of a Christmas carol. The upbeat notes of Joy to the World filled the parlor.
“Let every heart prepare him room. And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing…” Juliet and Olivia sang the words of the carol, spreading Christmas cheer through the parlor.
Giles came to stand beside the pianoforte, his attention on Juliet as her voice washed over him. She sang like an angel, and he made a mental note to ask her for a private concert. He watched in awe as her slim fingers danced over the ivory. What a surprise to find her as talented as she was beautiful.
He wondered if he would ever cease being awed and amazed by her. He suspected he never would, for she had already proved herself to be beyond compare.
Her angelic tone sending shivers through him as he moved to stand beside her and joined in on the singing. “Joy to the world, now we sing…”
She beamed up at him, her fingers never missing a key as she sang along. “Let the angel voices ring.”
By the time they reached the final stanza, the rest of their company had joined in, and now everyone crowded around the pianoforte.
After she struck the last key, Juliet turned to him and asked, “What is your favorite carol?”
“Deck the Halls.” He answered. “What is yours?”
Her eyes filled with playfulness. “Let us see how long it takes you to figure it out.” She said.
He listened intently as Juliet struck the first several notes. Before long, he had his answer. “Hark the Harold Angels Sing,” he said.
Olivia stood then and went to stand beside her husband.
“Sit with me,” Juliet said, her gaze holding his as she continued to play.
Giles settled on the mahogany bench beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
She leaned closer as she continued to work the keys. Her voice soon filled the parlor. “Peace on earth and mercy mild… Sing with me,” she said to everyone.
He did as she asked, lending his voice to the song. His mother followed his lead, jumping into the carol in the next stanza, followed by the rest of their guests.
Giles could scarcely recall the last time he had enjoyed carols so much. Perhaps he never had. Of course, he had looked forward to gathering around and singing as a child, but that was a wholly unique experience. The holiday as seen through a child’s eye when everything held magic and each day dawned full of hope. Now he was a man, fully grown and soured by life’s experiences.
Juliet changed all of that. She brought him a new hope and filled his life with happiness.
When the last key had been struck and their voices faded, Giles stood and held a hand out to her. “Surely you are parched. Join me for a drink, darling.”
She placed her hand in his. “Indeed, I am.”
He led her to the sideboard, then poured her a glass of wine. “Thank you for making this Christmas special.” He glanced around the room. “Even in spite of the interruption to your plans. You are a wonderful hostess and an amazing wife. I do believe I owe you a boon.”
A becoming blush painted her cheeks. “You can count on me collecting it the moment we find ourselves alone.”
He reached out and brushed a curl from her temple. “You are my Christmas angel. The best gift I have ever received.”
“Did I disappoint?” She tipped her wineglass to her lips, a slight grin playing at the corners of her mouth.
“You could never disappoint me, darling.”
She sipped from her wine as she gave him a flirtatious glance. “Would you be terribly disappointed if I wore my bow tonight?”