With the footmen off in search of the tree, she continued down the line, giving instructions and reminders of the need for secrecy until everyone’s tasks had been assigned. She clapped her hands together and said, “We have less than three hours until the duke returns here. You all have your orders, now busy yourselves.”
The next two hours passed in a flurry of activity as boughs were placed, mistletoe hung, and candles lit. The footmen placed the Yule log in the hearth while Juliet and a maid decorated the three with the paper flowers and dolls Juliet had made earlier in the week.
After instructing the footmen to drape the evergreen garlands over the fireplace mantle and windows, she stood back to take the room in. They had indeed transformed the parlor into a Christmas wonderland. She beamed at her retainers as her excitement threatened to spill over. “You all have done an excellent job. Thank you for your hard work and discretion.”
One of the footmen stepped forward and bowed. “It was our pleasure, Your Grace,” he said.
“Indeed, it was,” the young maid from earlier added.
Juliet clasped her hands together and turned her gaze to the door. “His Grace shall join me before long. Please return to your duties and remember not to give away the surprise.”
As she watched the retainers file out, she added, “And do not return to this room before tomorrow. The duke and I are not to be disturbed.”
As if on cue, her lady’s maid strode in holding a bundle in her arms. She stopped right inside the door and waited until the last maid filed out, then pushed the mahogany panel closed.
Juliet started removing pins from her hair before her maid reached her side. “Hurry, Milly, we haven’t much time,” Juliet said as she plucked another pin from her chignon. “Did you arrange for the champagne?” Juliet added.
“Yes, my lady,” Milly said as she brushed out Juliet’s hair.
A knock sounded at the door, and Milly smiled. “There it is now.” She went to the door and retrieved the tray. After placing her burden near the hearth, Milly returned to Juliet.
A short time later, Juliet stood in front of the lit tree wrapped in her dressing gown with her hair streaming loose down her back. Milly had wrapped her naked body in a length of red silk that covered her intimate spots, then formed a bow at her waist before covering her with her green dressing gown.
Juliet could scarcely wait for Giles to enter so she could reveal herself. And as luck—or good planning—would have it, she did not have long to wait.
Giles pushed the door open and stepped into the room. His jaw slackened, and his eyes lit as he took in the sight of the Christmas wonderland she had constructed.
Juliet thrilled at the look of amazement on his face. “Merry Christmas, handsome,” she purred.
“It is not Christmas until tomorrow,” he said, turning his gaze in her direction.
“If I had waited for the morrow, you would not have been so surprised. And besides, I wanted to give you something this afternoon.” She pulled the tie on her dressing gown, shimmied her shoulders, and let the green material pool at her feet. “Surprise.” She gave a wicked grin as she unabashedly held his gaze.
His eyes smoldered with passion as he strode over to her. Giles feathered his fingers down the bare length of her arm, and gooseflesh erupted in their wake. “How did you know that I wanted you for Christmas?” he asked, his tone unusually series.
“A lucky guess, I suppose,” she said. “And now that you have me?” She arched a questioning brow.
“I intend to savor you.” He slid his arm around her back and pulled her tight against him as he crushed his lips to hers.
Juliet pushed her palm against his chest, breaking free, then strode over to the fireplace to retrieve the champagne. “Before you do, I have more in store for you.” She returned to his side and handed him a flute. “Let us toast or first Christmas together.”
He grinned and held his glass up. “Let this be the first of many, darling.”
She tapped her flute against his, a broad smile stretching her lips. “And let them all be magical,” she said before bringing the glass to her lips.
His gaze held hers as he reached for her. “May I have leave to ravish you now?”
“Not just yet. There is more in store for you.”
He gave a feigned, pouting look and teased, “What good is a gift that one cannot open?”
“Have patients, duke. You will unwrap me soon enough.” She gave a saucy look as she took his hand and led him toward the fainting couch. “First, I want to ravish you as you did me. I want to lick and suck at your skin while I touch you everywhere.”
He groaned as she pushed against his shoulders and ordered him to lie on the couch.
“I intend to learn your body as well as you have learned mine.” She knelt on the floor beside the couch, then reached for the buttons of his falls. “I want to take you in my mouth.”
“Have mercy, duchess,” he groaned as his cock sprang free of his breeches.
A sharp inhalation sounded from the doorway, and Juliet froze. She watched as Giles’s expression turned angry, then turned her gaze toward the sound. Her face burned with embarrassment as she did her best to cover herself from the elegant woman’s prying eyes.
“What in Heaven’s name is going on here?” The older woman demanded to know. “Giles, champagne in the afternoon? Really?” The woman’s gaze moved to Juliet. “And where pray tell, are your clothes?”
Giles ignored her questions as he pushed to his feet and strode toward her. “What are you doing here, Mother?”
Mother. Juliet’s face burned. The woman was Giles’s mother. Oh no. What must she think?
“You did not invite me to your wedding.” The woman said, her tone whiney.
“Neither did I invite you here.” Giles drawled.
His Mother paid him no mind as she continued, “I came because I wished to meet my new daughter-in-law. Now that I have,” she turned her attention back to where Juliet crouched behind the couch’s cover, “I want to further our acquaintance. Perhaps she will explain what I walked in on?”
Giles stalked closer to his Mother. “What I do with my wife is none of your business.” He glanced over his shoulder at Juliet. “Allow us a few minutes of privacy if you please.”
Though he had framed his request as a question, the firmness of his tone left no doubt that he had issued a command.
Juliet peaked at the dowager duchess as she waited to see what would happen next. To her amazement, the woman laughed. “Very well, son. I shall await you, and your wife, in the blue drawing-room.”
Juliet released a breath she had not known she was holding as the woman strode from the room. She pushed to her feet and came to stand beside Giles. “I am terribly sorry. Had I known we were to have company…” She turned in search of her dressing gown. “Well, I suppose there was no way to know.”
Giles retrieved the gown and wrapped it around Juliet, then tied it in place. “You have no cause for embarrassment. My mother has seen, and I dare say, done far worse. That is likely the reason for her laughter.”
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?”
He slid closer, his thigh pressing to hers. “You can wear whatever you wish. Or nothing at all. Either way, I intend to make you moan my name.”
“That is quite enough, Giles.” Mother approached from behind.
He and Juliet turned to meet her, and he forced a welcoming smile even as he begrudged Mother’s interruption. She had bloody bad timing, to be sure.
“I wish to become better acquainted with you, Duchess.” She threaded her arm through Juliet’s. “Come along, dear.”
Giles suppressed a groan as Mother led Juliet over to a nearby sofa. He begrudgingly followed, then seated himself in a high-back chair beside Thorne.
He sipped his wine as Mother regaled Juliet with tales of his childhood shenanigans and peppered her with questions.
On occasion, Olivia or the countess shared tidbits about Juliet, and when they did, Giles paid close attention. All the while, he longed to get his wife alone.
They spent the following two hours in much the same way. Everyone sipped wine, feasted on fruit, and laughing as they traded tales and engaged in general conversation. Unable to stand another moment, Giles met Juliet’s gaze. “It has been a long day.”
As if she could read his intention, she stifled a yawn. “I fear I am rather tired,” she said, then turned her attention to the dowager duchess. “Might we be excused?”
His mother patted Juliet’s hand. “Of course, dear.” She turned to Giles and gave him a knowing peer. “Let the poor dear sleep. She needs her rest after such a busy day.”
He nodded at his mother as Juliet stood, though he had n
o intentions of obeying her edict.
The rest of the company rose as well, and Giles and Juliet bid them all a good night before he led her out of the parlor. As they mounted the stairs, he took her hands in his. “I had a wonderful time tonight.”
“As did I.” She smiled. “Your mother is rather amusing.”
“She is a pain in the arse,” Giles said, then clasped Juliet’s hand a little tighter. “That nonsense she said about sleep…” He turned his gaze on Juliet, questioning. Perhaps his wife was exhausted. He’d not blame her if she were. “We needn’t make love if you are tired. I will be content to just hold you.”
Juliet shook her head. “I have no intention of sleeping. Not when you teased me so relentlessly earlier.”
He brought his hand to his chest. “Me?” He pretended innocence as he added, “I am not the one who did the seducing in the parlor. Why, I’m still hard from the sight of you in that scrap of red silk.”
“Good,” She quickened her step, pulling him toward their bedchamber. “Then you are ready for me.”
Chapter 15
Dover, England
Clear River Run
December 25, 1811
Giles reached for Juliet and pulled her into his arms as he opened his eyes. “Merry Christmas, darling,” he said.
Her eyes opened slowly in a flitter of lashes before her gaze meet his. “Is it morning already,” she asked, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Indeed, it is.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Though I will not object if you wish to remain in bed.”
She grinned and stretched before settling back against him. “I fear our guests will demand our presence.” She rolled away from him.
Giles caught her around the waist and drew her back to him. “They can wait for a while.” He pressed his erection against her hip. “But I fear I cannot.”
“Did you not get enough of me last night?” She asked, her gaze moving to the remnants of the bow she had wrapped herself in before bed.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Scandal: a Christmas collection of Historical Romance (Have Yourself a Merry Little... Book 1) Page 58