by Stacy Reid
Juliana escaped it all by staying in Wentworth’s room or spending her day near the lake, reading, or chatting with little Tommy. He had been following her around with a suspicious scowl on his little face, until he had confronted her, accusing her of being a girl.
She had not denied it nor confirmed it, and he hadn’t stopped following her about. It had now become their ritual to meet by the lake for luncheon where she would share whatever prized food she had managed to put together from the kitchens—the perks of being the earl’s personal servant. Even so, the cook had made it clear that she was not to get underfoot.
While it felt lonely at times to have no one to chat with beside Tommy, Juliana thought it best to keep a careful distance from the rest of the staff. She was polite and always offered a lending hand when a maid or even a footman needed it. Some of the lads had tried to invite her into the fold by inviting her to play cricket on their off days or to go for a pint in the village.
She always refused with a smile and her head down. It was best to not socialize with the rest of the servants because she did not fit in, and the constant co-mingling would surely reveal her ruse.
The young maid who’d flirted with her so shamelessly had been fired for having a follower from another estate, and Juliana heard whispers that the girl might have been pregnant. But it had ended well because she got engaged, Juliana presumed to the putative father, and they would marry as soon as the banns had been called. Juliana would idly listen to their chattering, for the servants at Norbrook Park had the most up to date gossip, but when called upon to participate and offer whatever she heard, Julianna would excuse herself.
“Cor, this is very good,” Tommy said, biting into the succulent roast beef she’d rustled up.
He deftly caught the apple she tossed him, and they shared a grin.
“So why ye pretending to be a gent?”
He was persistent.
“Someone is trying to marry me off and I do not want to marry them.”
His large blue eyes rounded, and his mouth fell opened. “So ye be a lady! I knew the master would not be shucking up to no gent.”
She grinned. “But you cannot tell anyone, ever.”
He winked conspiratorially and resumed eating.
The crunch of leaves behind Juliana had her whirling around. “You’re back!”
At her breathless cry, Tommy looked around. He scrambled to his feet before doffing his hat and dipping into a bow. Wentworth flicked him another coin and his face lit up. Grabbing up the small hamper together with the book, he gave her a careless wave and ran off.
Without overthinking the matter, Juliana rushed into Wentworth’s arms and hugged him.
“Ah, so you missed me,” he murmured, enfolding his arms around her.
“Of course, I did, as much as I trust you missed me.”
He grunted and she laughed, stepping out of the comforting cage of his embrace.
A smile lurked at the corners of his mouth. “How can you tell.”
“You still have on your travelling coat and top hat. You saw me and came over before even going inside.”
He framed her face with his gloved hands, and she shivered at the cold feel of them against her skin. But all too soon she grew frightfully warm. Wentworth’s lips were barely a whisper over hers. The kiss, so gentle, broke something inside Juliana, and she fisted his jacket and mashed her mouth to his. She swallowed his start of surprise and tempted him to kiss her with all the longing he’d felt in his heart.
And he did, and soon she was the one seduced, and laden heat surged through her veins. Reluctantly they parted.
“You stole into my dream every night, since I left Norbrook Manor.”
“That is only fair since I’ve been similarly afflicted.”
Sudden humor gleamed in his eyes. “let’s return to the main house. I’ve brought you a present.”
The ballroom was brilliantly lit and humming with music, laughter, and conversation. His aunt and mother had done a stunning job in the two weeks they had taken over the running of the Manor. Its normal tranquility had been turned upside down as their orders rang from the rafters and the regular staff and their extra help from the village had run to do the formidable ladies’ bidding. Dozens of footmen patrolled with champagne on silver salvers, a twenty-piece orchestra played for the dancing, and outside dozens of lanterns lit paths leading to the gardens and the wide-open lawn.
And at the top of the stairs, the most ravishing creature he’d ever beheld. No one else seemed to notice that a lady arrayed in a dark green gown which clung mouth-watering to her petite frame looked around the ballroom hesitantly. The gown was edged with tiny seed pearls, a charmingly lowered décolletage, and had tiny, puffed sleeves. The golden mask covered her nose, eyes, some of her forehead and her cheek. He’d purchased her a new wig, dark red and caught up in intricate curls. The throng was all too caught up with their own pleasurable pursuits to be aware of the newcomer.
On the journey home, Wentworth had resolved to ask Juliana to be his wife. Not tonight, but before the five remaining weeks were up. He would woo her most ardently, and when he was most certain of her love, Wentworth would show her that they could fit in each other’s lives perfectly.
Juliana took a deep breath and made her way down the long staircase. Her eyes scanned the people thronging the ballroom of the manor house, searching for only one tall gentleman. There seemed to be so many steps and she hesitated, nervous that Wentworth would be disappointed in her appearance.
With a little laugh, she dismissed that worry. Earlier, staring at herself in the cheval mirror, Juliana owned she had never looked so lovely.
The maid who’d assisted smile and said, “You look beautiful, my lady.”
Juliana wondered what the young maid had thought when Wentworth directed her to this room instructed to provide to assist Juliana in getting ready. Perhaps the maid hadn’t been suspicious since there were at least a dozen guests staying in his home, but did the maid wonder why she was alone had been placed in the family wing?
Juliana glanced down to the foot of the stairs and she saw him waiting. The earl was not wearing a mask. She supposed that it would tangle with his spectacles and that thought amused and strengthened her courage. The rapt look of adoration upon his face bolstered her spirits and she moved a little quicker, knowing that everything would be perfect when she reached his side.
“I was fearing you would cry off and you promised me a waltz, my Lady Evergreen,” he declared.
The music was just coming to an end and he signaled to the orchestra leader silently. At once the beautiful strains of a waltz flowed out through the ballroom.
“Very masterful, my lord,” was all Juliana could think to say as he offered her his arm.
“I would be honored if you would allow me the pleasure of this dance, my lady,” he said bowing before leading her out onto the floor.
“Who are all these people? There are so many, I think it must be considered a very popular event, my lord.”
“I left all the up to my mother and aunt, do you really want to know them all?” He teased as they glided together as if they were regular dance partners.
“No, the only person I wanted to see was you, Wentworth, but it would be more romantic if it was not such a crush,” she said as they avoided an enthusiastic couple who came barreling down the floor and they only turned in time to avoid them.
“And my mother is well pleased with the turn out.”
Juliana grinned. “It wouldn’t be a success unless ladies and gentlemen were stepping on each other toes.”
He tugged her closer to him, twirling her masculine grace. Pleasure burst in her veins but as they narrowly avoided another couple Juliana did not think they would be dancing the night away. The earl was an excellent and most considerate dancer to ensure that they got out of the way of many collision.
By the time they finished, they were more breathless from avoiding slamming into other couples, and Juliana wa
s laughing. “I am astonished why that was so much fun.”
“Perhaps we should dance in my chambers later in the evening, my lady,” he said, smiling down at her, and his eyes promised more than just dancing.
“That would be nice,” Juliana said, a dart of hunger crawling through her for this man.
His breath hitched audibly. “I think some of my mother’s guests have already over-imbibed and that for your safety we should retreat from the ballroom.”
He led her carefully to the edge of the dance floor, struggling through the crowd packing the room.
“Thank you for the dance, Wentworth, even if short but it is too hot in here for me. I think I will head to the terrace to cool off a little,” she said smiling and hoping he would follow to steal a kiss or two.
“I will fetch some champagne and then join you,” he replied, smiling, as she headed for the terrace doors.
It was cooler on the terrace and the sound of the music and crowd was muffled as she moved further away from the ballroom. The colored lanterns made a pretty tableau through the grounds, allowing just enough light to be both mysterious and seductive. Juliana leant on the balustrade looking out over the gardens and enjoying her own happiness. Juliana anticipated Wentworth’s arrival with excitement and exhilaration. Soon she would be back in his arms and they could slip away from the festivity of the ball and spend some precious moments alone together. She felt a shadow fall over her and a hand brushed her arm. But that was not Wentworth, Juliana was sure and a shiver of fear ran up her spine. She turned to see Matthew, her stepbrother smiling at her.
“Juliana, come inside with me at once,” he said, pulling her back towards the house. “There is much misunderstanding, and we need to speak right away.”
Matthew dragged her toward a door that opened into a corridor, leading to the library and some of the other rooms that were not in use for the ball. The corridor was but poorly lit and Matthew was stronger than her. She did not want to scream because people would come running and it would create a storm of gossip. His grip seemed to relax a little and he turned to speak to her, but before he could utter a word, Juliana kicked him hard in the shin and took off as fast as she could.
She pelted down the corridor and made her escape. If she turned down the next corridor, she could make it to the servants’ stairs and be out of Matthew’s reach. She would be safe in the earl’s chambers, even Matthew would not dare search them for her.
Just as Juliana was convinced she had shaken off Matthew’s pursuit, there was an obstacle in her path. She slammed into the firm but slight chest of a man in evening dress. She glanced up at the man’s face and was about to apologize for hitting him, when she realized it was her brother.
“Robert, it’s wonderful to see you. What are you doing here?” She hugged him tightly to her in relief. “I got your letter, but I thought it would have taken much longer for you to reach England!”
He returned her hug and the set her from him. “I arrived last week and was most alarmed to heard you had left the viscount’s house without telling anyone. I traveled down with Matthew, our step-brother, he was very worried about you disappearing…”
“He was the reason I left town in the first place. He and the viscount are trying to force me into marriage.”
“What?” Robert snapped, his light blue eyes darkening with anger. “He conveniently omitted that part. We were heading to Bath next to see if you were with Mother. A friend of ours, Lord Elgin invited us to come along with him, to this country ball which I see is rather well attended. Come, we shall depart this place and you will tell me why you are here. I have suitable lodgings close by. I’ve already made arrangements for us to return to New York. We can discuss everything at my lodgings.”
Depart this place.
“I am a guest here,” she murmured.
“You are?”
“Yes.” Juliana swallowed. “Return for me in the morning if you do not stay for the night. You know these events go well beyond the breaking dawn. Is…is our stepfather here as well?”
“I do not know.”
“I am heading to my rooms. If they see me, I fear they might still try and take me.”
A fierce scowl crossed his handsome face. “I would thrash them within an inch of their lives should they dare. Go, stay inside your room, I will find Matthew and have his explanation for his outrageous conduct.”
She kissed his cheek, and she rushed around him and up the back stairs. If Matthew was there, would her stepfather have come too? Juliana took a steady breath but kept to her original plan and making sure that no one was following or watching her she headed to the earl’s chambers. On her way, she toed off one dancing shoe and then the other, leaving them 0ne in the long hallway and one on the stairs.
Wentworth might climb the stairs to find her, and she had left her slippers as a crumb for him to see where she had gone. Settling in the large armchair near the fire, she tried to ignore the heavy press of dread that had stayed in her heart at her brother’s words. How would she say goodbye? It was far too soon. Juliana had expected to have a few more weeks with him.
Oh, Wentworth, please hurry and come to me.
Chapter 13
Wentworth couldn’t find Juliana. He had made two rounds of the ballroom now, and he did not see her petite lush form. He went outside into the gardens, searching to no avail. Almost two hours later, he cursed. All the common rooms were empty, and he had not seen her brother either.
He hurried down the hallway and stopped when he spotted the dancing shoe he’d bought her on the carpeted floor. Stooping, he picked it up. Cinderella, he thought with a dark spurt of amusement. Then he broke into a run, taking the stairs two a time. He shoved his chamber door open and rushed inside. His bed was empty. His rooms were empty.
A sharp pain shot through him right into the middle of his chest. Juliana was gone. Bloody hell. A soft little sound had him whirling around. She was by the windows, snuggled into a large armchair that almost swallowed her frame.
He blinked, not sure he hadn’t somehow conjured her up. But no, she was there, sleeping. The tension that had banded around his chest eased. Wentworth feared she had stolen away from his home, disappearing from his life in the same manner she had entered it, inconspicuously.
As if deep in her sleep she sensed his regard, her lashes fluttered open.
Every emotion he’d felt earlier—the raw, fierce, profound feeling of loss—crashed against his senses. With a gasp she jerked to her feet and they met halfway into the room.
She returned his kiss hungrily, measure for measure, with a passion that startled him. But only for a moment. He framed her face with his hands and ravished her lips thoroughly. Wentworth did not like the desperate ache pummeling his body, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.
She moaned sweet little sounds of pleasure. “I am ready,” she pulled away to gasp hotly against his mouth. “With just a kiss I am so wet for you, Wentworth.”
A curse came from him, low and fervent. He felt strangely light-headed. He almost resented the feeling of helpless wonder and awe he felt tasting her, touching her, he yearned to make her his. As he stilled and breathed deeply, he kissed her forehead. He wanted her in his arms every day of his life. And to share kisses and more only with her.
Stepping back, he started to remove his clothes. Juliana smiled and stood up, walking towards him. They reached for each other at the same time, tugging and removing cravat, shirt, jacket, gown, shift, drawers, and stockings, until they were both utterly naked.
Wentworth had never seen a more perfectly formed lady.
“You are so beautiful,” he said, devouring her body.
She stared at him for a long, unblinking moment, then she smiled.
Her breasts were small, but high and firm, with large, berried nipples that had his mouth damn well watering. Her belly was flat and flared into well rounded hips and a lush backside. Her thighs were slender, white and smooth.
The need to po
ssess her had a sharper edge. The control he’d placed on his passions for so long fractured, and he tugged her to him, flushing her body tight against his. Wentworth swept her into his arms and tossed her onto the center of his bed.
She laughed, the sound a temptation in itself. Then she opened her legs, an invitation he would never resist again.
The hungry driving heat of Wentworth mouth was on hers. Their kiss grew more feverish and Juliana was agonizingly aware how hot, hard and huge he was against her swollen sex. Helplessly, her hands rose to his shoulders, clinging to him for support, while his mouth bruised hers with exquisite thoroughness.
He reached between their bodies, and his palm molded themselves to the full mounds of her breasts, his thumbs and forefingers capturing her peaked nipples and rolling them between his fingers. Wentworth’s fingers caressed over her quivering belly and down to her sex. He parted her folds delicately, so at odds with the fierce way he took her mouth.
She jerked when those fingers slid through her growing wetness, up and down, circling around that bundle of nerves. Pleasure quaked through her as the heat low in her belly twisted, became a tight knot of exquisite delight.
The striking pressure against her clitoris increased when he started rubbing her there with two fingers. Up and down then a press forward. Her legs fell open wider, cradling the power of his body atop hers.
His caress got even firmer, a bit rougher, and an agony of longing swept through Juliana. “Now, Wentworth!” She wasn’t altogether certain for what she pleaded, only knowing she needed him to fill the empty ache lingering in her heart and body.
The hot, swollen tip of his manhood pressed against her sensitive entrance. Then he pressed in. She pulled her lips from his, clutching his shoulders and panting at the tight stretch.
