Juliet could feel Solomon’s smile through his kiss. “That sounds like a lovely idea, darling,” she agreed quietly.
They finally disentangled themselves from each other, but they could not yet bear to be too far apart. Solomon draped his arm over Juliet’s shoulders and she wrapped her arm around his waist, leaning her head back against his chest.
Juliet and Solomon lost track of time as they made their way through the orchard, reconnecting and enjoying their first moments as an engaged couple in their special, private space. They would receive many congratulations later. For now, the beautiful flowers and the bright blue spring sky above offered them all the congratulations they needed.
Chapter 16
All my love forever and always, Solomon.
The earl signed off on his last letter to his fiancée before returning to Palgrave Castle—their home. He could hardly believe he’d been in London for a month already. A month was far too long without Juliet.
He had needed to make some appearances and take care of his usual duties during the Season. Solomon had already received many complaints about cutting his time short. As he folded up the letter, he imagined this time next year. He would be in London with Juliet, having all the fun and activity they could manage.
And in just one more week, Juliet would become his wife. Finally, after all these years of dreaming, Juliet Richards would become Juliet Catley, Countess of Overton—but, more importantly, she would become Solomon’s to love, cherish, care for, and grow with forever.
Solomon pulled the service bell next to his writing desk in his study and wasted no time in instructing his valet to double check that everything had been packed for his departure the day after next. He also handed over his letter for the morning post.
As soon as his valet left to get everything in order, Solomon let his head drop to his desk with a groan. He so wished he could be leaving tomorrow instead of the following day. In fact, he wished he could leave this very minute.
He hadn’t even really needed to write that letter since he would be home in just a few days. But when thoughts of Juliet and homesickness for her overwhelmed Solomon’s mind, he’d learned that writing to her put him at ease. It almost felt like talking to her as he imagined her reactions to his stories. When he read her responses, he could hear her voice and see her smile through her elegantly written words.
Solomon only had a few more days before he would be able to hear that voice and see that smile in person. He’d never thought a month could feel so long and lonely. He just had to make it through one more dinner tomorrow night with a friend from his club and he would be on his way to Juliet.
A tiny twinge of anxiety rippled through Solomon for a moment at the thought of returning home. He’d been trying and trying to think of a way for Juliet to continue her mission of improving lives, all while managing her role as countess.
Juliet had been thinking, too, her letters full of half-formed and discarded ideas. Solomon had hoped that he would have an answer by the time he returned home so he could present it as a sort of wedding gift. He knew Juliet would not fault him for his lack of ideas, but Solomon still couldn’t help being a little disappointed.
Perhaps he would think better when she was by his side again. He usually did.
Solomon grinned as he pressed his face up against the cool glass of the window, his home—their home—coming into view as the carriage emerged from the tunnel of trees. The drive stretched out before him, seeming longer than he remembered, though Palgrave Castle itself looked sweeter, livelier, and more exciting the closer he got. He gazed up at the many windows, wondering where Juliet might be at this very moment.
The driver barely had a chance to open the door all the way before Solomon jumped out, a cloud of dust swirling up around him as his boots hit the gravel path. Anticipation surged through his body as he bounced up the front steps and flew through the door, hardly noticing the startled expression on the footman’s face.
He only paused long enough to look around the foyer, his heart sinking. Solomon had hoped that Juliet would be waiting for him, that she would leap into his arms and welcome him home with a kiss. But the foyer remained empty except for footmen and maids going about their business. Instead, Mother emerged from the front sitting room.
“Solomon, my dear! Welcome home!” she cried as she rushed forward, her emerald green afternoon dress rustling against the wood floor. The dowager countess threw her arms around her son, squeezing the breath out of his lungs. She planted an enthusiastic kiss on his cheek, which made Solomon laugh out loud, the sound ringing through the large room.
“How lovely to see you, dear Mother.” Solomon squeezed her back until her giggles filled the room, too, gently kissing her on both cheeks.
“Oh, I know you are more eager to see a certain someone instead of me. And I don’t blame you one bit,” Lady Overton teased, giving Solomon a light smack on his arm.
Solomon scoffed at this. “Of course I am just as happy to see you!”
Lady Overton laughed, her carefully arranged gray-red curls trembling. “She’s upstairs in the library with Pearl. Get going now!”
Solomon kissed Mother on the cheek once more and rushed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. He reached the library in record time and threw the door open with a bang.
Juliet and Pearl both looked up in unison, surprised by the commotion. As soon as Juliet’s eyes landed on Solomon, her face broke out into a lovestruck grin, her dimple apparent even from across the room.
Solomon’s future bride raced through the room, leaping into his arms just as he’d imagined. Juliet took his face in both her hands and pulled him down, kissing him deeply, all her longing pouring out of her in that glorious moment of reunion. Solomon grasped her face, too, desperate to make up for lost time.
“Yuck!” a little voice called out behind them. Juliet and Solomon spun around to see Pearl standing with her arms crossed, nose wrinkled at their impolite behavior.
“That wasn’t a very ladylike sound, Pearl,” Juliet giggled as Solomon ran an embarrassed hand through his hair.
Unbothered by the playful reprimand, Pearl simply shrugged her shoulders, smiled, and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Solomon and Juliet as best she could.
Solomon scooped her up and spun her around. “Oh how I missed you, my lovely Pearl!” He showered the girl’s face with kisses as she squealed with delight.
When Solomon finished spinning her, Pearl laced her arms around his neck and lay her head against his. She looked ready for a nap after all the excitement. Solomon was just about to ask Juliet if they should bring her to her bedroom when Pearl snapped up again, her energy returning in full force.
“I missed you more, Uncle Solomon!” she insisted cheerily. “But my new governess is very kind and keeps me busy. Plus I have Aunt Juliet’s extra lessons, too. You won’t believe everything I’ve learned!”
“I’m so very proud of you, Pearl.” Solomon gave his niece another hug before setting her back down on the ground. “You must tell me all about it in a little while. For now, why don’t you continue what you were doing and we’ll go play after I talk with my bride-to-be.” Pearl nodded and skipped back to her table, humming her own made-up tune to herself as she went.
Solomon leaned forward and cupped Juliet’s lovely round face in his large hands. He stared at her for a moment, drinking her in, warmth flowing over him at the pure happiness and love in her smile, a smile that reached all the way up to her perfect summer sky blue eyes.
“I’m so happy to have you home, darling. I missed you so terribly much, but I’ve spent my time wisely.” Juliet nodded firmly, pride shining in her face. “I’ve learned so much from Mother about managing the house and who’s who in the county. She suggested I take some time to speak with the staff and share our story with them. Not everyone has come around to me yet, but quite a few have. It will be a long journey and I still have much to learn, I’m sure. It’s all worth it, Solomon. In just a
few days I will be your wife. Isn’t that so lovely?” She beamed, bringing her hand up to gently rest on his cheek.
Solomon put his hand over hers and leaned into her touch for a moment before turning to kiss her palm. He brought her hand down over his heart and held it there. “That’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever heard, my lady. I’ve been dreaming about this moment and our wedding day nearly without pause while I was away.”
“As have I, my lord,” Juliet whispered with a loving smile.
Suddenly Solomon’s brow furrowed as his mind brought him back to something Pearl had said. “Juliet, what did Pearl mean when she said you were giving her extra lessons? Why should she need them if her new governess is adequate?”
“Miss Flanders is wonderful! Mother and I conducted interviews together of several women, but she truly stood out both in her education and in her personality. She’s been so lovely with Pearl. We couldn’t be luckier to have her,” Juliet quickly insisted. Solomon could hear the sincerity in her words as well as a hint of sadness. “You know I’ve always loved being part of Pearl’s education and growth so I’ve been giving her extra reading lessons, since that’s her favorite subject. She really can’t get enough of it.”
Juliet and Solomon both looked over to Pearl who sat at her table, her eyes flying over the book laid out before her, hand propping up her chin and a small smile on her face. Juliet smiled, too, clearly proud of her soon-to-be niece and happy to still have some way to teach her.
The solution hit him like a clap of thunder. Solomon’s eyes went wide as he glanced from Pearl to Juliet and back again. “Juliet!” he cried out, his voice nearly shaking with his excitement.
“Solomon, what on earth has gotten into you?” Juliet giggled as Solomon gripped her arms and spun her around, several blonde curls falling loose about her face.
“I’ve thought of the perfect thing—how you can be a countess while still fulfilling your desire to educate and help others!” he cheered, grinning madly.
“Please tell me before you spin me into a fainting spell!”
“I’m sorry, sweet one.” Solomon took Juliet’s hands in his, forcing himself not to squeeze too tightly. “I know there are many girls and young women out there who may want extra learning on specific subjects. Perhaps they love a particular subject and want to spend more time on it like Pearl with her reading. Or perhaps they struggle in one area and need more time and practice to improve.” Juliet nodded slowly, eyes narrowed as she heard Solomon out.
“If that is indeed the case, then why don’t you take perhaps one day a week and gather a few young ladies of varying ages from the nearby area who could benefit from extra lessons right here at Palgrave Castle. It could be anything you’re willing to teach—reading, arithmetic, French, dancing, manners. They could come for an hour, perhaps an hour and a half each to get more training on the subject you both agree upon.” The words spilled out of Solomon’s mouth so quickly that he hoped Juliet had understood. As soon as the idea came to him, all the details seemed to fall perfectly into place.
Juliet’s eyes lit up and her lips parted as she stared at Solomon in surprise, silently drinking in his words for a moment. “Solomon…”
He couldn’t help himself now. He gripped her hands tightly, enthusiastically shaking them up and down. “It would be like your own little school right here at Palgrave Castle. You’d have plenty of time for your life as a countess while still giving you the opportunity to help other young women.” Solomon grinned, suddenly breathless from the rush of ideas and the excitement coursing through his body.
Juliet’s beautiful blue eyes shimmered with joy as she removed one hand from his, placing it on his cheek. She gazed up at him with so much love and adoration that Solomon found himself breathless again, this time because he knew so deeply that he had the heart of the woman he’d dreamed of for so long. And she had his—forever and always.
“It’s absolutely perfect, Solomon. I cannot thank you enough for being so supportive of my dreams and never leaving me to figure it all out on my own.” Her voice trembled with felicity.
Solomon pulled her into a comforting hug that contained all his love for this incredible, selfless woman. “We are partners, sweet one. Husband and wife. I will do anything I can to be of assistance in any situation, just as I know you will do for me.”
Juliet sniffled, burying herself in his chest for a moment. When she looked up at him, a playful smile spread across her face. “That really was such a wonderful idea. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t think of it first.”
Solomon let his head fall back as a hearty laugh shook his entire body and Juliet’s with it. “I have no doubt, my dear Juliet, that you will come up with many more ideas, vastly more brilliant than mine, over the course of our lifetime.”
Juliet stood on her tiptoes and kissed Solomon again, sweet yet teasing all at once.
“Come now,” Solomon said with a blissful smile. “We promised Pearl that we would all play soon. We had better stick to our word lest we incur her scoldings.”
Juliet nodded happily. “Perhaps afterwards we can go over our wedding plans once again to ensure everything is in order.”
Solomon pressed a gentle kiss to Juliet’s forehead. “We can do anything your heart desires, sweet one.”
That playful smile appeared again as Juliet’s expression glowed with her contentment. “Then I desire one more kiss.”
Solomon grinned as he leaned down once more, connecting his lips with Juliet’s. He would be more than happy to provide anything she asked for for the rest of their lives—but especially kisses.
Epilogue
“Very good, Grace! Your embroidery has improved so much in just this past week. Have you been practicing at home?” Juliet asked the young lady before her.
Grace blushed and gave a shy smile. “Yes, Lady Overton. I used to hate embroidery, but I enjoy it so much more now that you’ve been teaching me. Mama is very proud, too.”
“Excellent.” Juliet patted Grace’s shoulder. The sixteen-year-old girl truly had improved her skills in a short amount of time. Soon she would be embroidering even more complex designs than Juliet could manage. Of course, Juliet had never been the best at embroidering, but she could do well enough to pass her knowledge on to others.
“My lady, before I go, there’s something else…” Grace bit her bottom lip, her fingers twisting the fabric of her cream gown.
“Of course, Grace. Is something wrong?” Juliet shifted to the edge of her chair, leaning toward her student.
“Well, sort of but not exactly.” Grace glanced to the opposite corner of the room where another one of Juliet’s longtime students lingered.
“Don’t worry about Pearl. Her nose is too deep in that book to pay us any mind. I’ve even discussed her Christmas gifts with her in the room. I know she will be none the wiser as long as she has a book in her hands.” Juliet smiled fondly at her niece sitting in the corner, her big hazel eyes scanning the words before her, flipping the pages so quickly that Juliet marveled at her ability to absorb anything.
“Go ahead, dear. I’m always here to listen with no judgement. I’ll help in any way I can, whatever the situation. And your words will never leave this room.” Juliet reached out, taking Grace’s hand in hers. When Grace looked up with surprise, Juliet gave a warm, genuinely caring smile. The tension in Grace’s pretty features eased away. She took a deep breath, a strand of black hair fluttering against her cheek on the exhale.
“I know I should speak to my Mama about this, but, you see, I don’t want to get her hopes up,” Grace started, her voice slowly gaining confidence. “I suppose I should just come out and say it. I think I’m in love.”
Juliet’s kind smile widened with excitement for her dear student. She’d so enjoyed watching Grace grow and learn over the past three years. Juliet supposed that this would happen to all her students at some time or another—her own children, even.
“That’s wonderful, Grace!”
“Yes, well, the thing is…. How can I be sure? How can I be sure that he’s really the one I’m meant to spend my life with?” Grace gave a heavy sigh. She’d clearly been mulling this question over in her own mind for some time.
“Ah, the age old question,” Juliet chuckled. “The short answer is that only you can figure that out for yourself, Grace.” The lovestruck girl deflated slightly, biting her lip again.
“But,” Juliet quickly continued, “I can give you some things to consider as you figure it out.” Her student perked up once more. “Firstly, do you know his feelings for you? Has he confessed?”
Grace blushed again. “Yes, he says he’s in love with me, too. In fact, I’m sure he is. I don’t know why I’ve begun to doubt him—us. What if it’s not love after all, but just infatuation? I’ve never been in love before so I’m not sure I have it right. What if we make a hasty decision and regret it for the rest of our lives?” The words flooded out in a rushed panic, her eyes wide with concern.
Juliet suppressed a smile. Her student’s words had quite charmed her. They reminded her all too much of her own tendency toward indecision, which she’d mostly outgrown now—save for when it came to choosing patterns for new dresses or where to hang new paintings.
“The fact that you’re asking these questions shows you are very logical and I am so very proud of that. But, Grace, there comes a time in love when logic just won’t do anymore. It is important, yes, but there is something else as well.”
“Something else?”
“I would suggest you talk about what your lives will look like when they are joined together. Where will you live? Will you go to London for the Season? How often will you host events? Which school will you send your sons to? Will you hire a governess or send your daughters to school as well? You must understand how you each envision life and if you can find a way to comfortably accommodate each other’s ideas.
Embracing The Earl's Dream: A Clean Regency Romance (Resolved In Love Book 4) Page 21
