by Anna Macy
“When I finally have you, Juliet, I will take all the time in the world. It is worth waiting for that,” William said softly, coming around to her side of the bed. Silently, he swept her now loose hair to the side and began to tie the stays at the back of her nightgown.
“Well, erm, thank you, William,” Juliet whispered to him, her body still quivering in pleasure, the aftershocks making her want to beg him to stay. William made a face at her, shaking his head.
“I think I owe you a thank you, not the other way around.” William moved across the room towards the door. Over his shoulder, his flinty eyes found hers. “I hope you have sweet dreams. I know I will.” He opened the doors and vanished into the hall, leaving her in a cloud of pleasure and giddy relaxation.
For a moment, Juliet wondered if she had just dreamt up that whole interaction, but as she straightened, she felt the tightness of her nightgown down her back. He had indeed fixed her ribbons before embracing her. What an odd combination of tasks, Juliet thought to herself with a slightly hysterical chuckle.
Sprawling across her covers, Juliet couldn’t stop the smile from taking over her face. What an incredible feeling. It had been everything she had ever dreamed, and it wasn’t even the best part. Or at least according to the maids and governesses that she’d eavesdropped on growing up.
Amelia suddenly burst into the room, sending Juliet straight back up as she attempted to put on an at-ease, relaxed pose. When she saw it was just her maid, Juliet let her shoulders droop and walked over to flop in the most unladylike way onto her bed covers. Amelia immediately bustled over to her and leaned across her body to grip her cheeks.
“I just saw Lord William,” She said casually, “And for once, he wasn’t wearing that dark stare he seems to find so comfortable. Perhaps…” Amelia stopped, tapping her lip with one finger, “Perhaps, he has found a lady who pulled him out of his self-induced reclusion and, dares I say it, let him enjoy his life?”
“You saw him in the hall?”
“I did. Oh dear, look at you pink up so prettily, that man must have a similar effect on you as well?” Amelia smoothed back some hair from her face, her motherly gesture as natural as if Juliet had been her own.
“You know his valet thinks so as well. Kind man he is, that Simon.” Juliet grinned at Amelia, seeing the older woman flush a bit when she talked about the balding, kind-faced Simon. Interesting development there, Juliet thought to herself.
“Your stepfather cannot deny you this match. Not just for the implications for Greystone, but also because no one could deny you this happiness. Everyone spoke last night of how you two with your dark looks and flashing eyes would surely be the hit couple of the ton for years to come.” Amelia stood up, hands on her plump hips as she gave Juliet a brilliant grin.
“Amelia, you know I don’t care if the ton approves of us, but I won’t lie,” Juliet said, rolling onto her side and watching as Amelia straightened up a few things around the room. “There is something so magnetic about him.”
Amelia laughed, “Magnetic indeed, the two of you can barely keep your eyes off of each other.” Juliet blushed. She knew that their staring would’ve been quite apparent. Except now, they had progressed to the point where it was now their hands that they could barely keep to themselves. But she wasn’t ready to share that bit with Amelia. Not yet, at least.
Watching her maid pick up the last of the laundry, Juliet spotted a familiar white cravat at the edge of her nightstand. William’s that had been cast off during their embrace.
Her heart pounding, she quickly jumped off her bed, snatched the fabric, and vaulted back into the covers. When Amelia turned to look at her curiously, Juliet casually pulled her hair over one shoulder and began to braid it, acting as if nothing had happened, her heart pounding. Meanwhile, the cravat was shoved under the covers by her knees.
“I will say that Lord William seems to have some unusual preferences.” Amelia stacked the laundry into a pile. “When I saw him go marching by this evening, he yelled out for Simon to find him a bath, an icy one, he said.”
Juliet snorted, the laughter bubbling up in her chest. Clenching her lips shut to stay silent, Juliet painted on a look of calculated interest and attempted to avoid Amelia’s eyes.
“Isn’t that interesting, Juliet?” Amelia said, her voice low, suspicious. She turned to her mistress and raised a brow. The moment Amelia left the room, Juliet burst out laughing. She hoped poor William had found his bath.
CHAPTER NINE
The next morning dawned soft and beautiful, the dewy grass just on the edge of being frosted, creating a dulled effect in the rapidly fading foliage. Juliet breathed in the refreshing air in gulps, using it to wake up her blurry mind.
She had tossed and turned so much of the night that she was having a hard time clearing it. She blamed William’s body first. Then his lips. Then his hands.
How could a man be blessed with so many devious abilities, she wondered? Maybe she had been the instigator in the beginning, but William had been in complete control last night, and it had left her buzzing.
Nearing the stables, she heard hoofbeats against the cobbled stone aisle and immediately smiled. She hadn’t been able to ride the day before. Marian had sent her on too many errands for her to slip out and escape.
But even Marian was sleeping in today to prepare for the long night and most likely morning events. Juliet was not sure how she would make it all night, but she did know that she only had a few days left here at Lakeview, and she wanted to take advantage of it.
Turning the corner, Juliet stopped, staring in surprise at William standing there in the middle of the aisle. One hand on his bay mares’ reins, the other holding a persistent looking Sterling’s bridle.
The stallion had his nose poked out and desperately tried to brush his muzzle over the mare’s shoulders. Neither the mare nor William looked excited for the possibility of the stud’s affection. Laughing, William was leaning against the grey, holding the horseback from his pestering.
Juliet hurried to the trio, grinning at both the horse’s interest in the mare but also at William’s valiant attempt to separate the two. Taking Sterling’s reins from his hand, Juliet questioned William, “What are you doing here?” It came out more aggressive than she meant it.
“Good morning to you too, Juliet,” William said, ignoring her saucy question.
Feeling unsure of how to act around this man, now that he had seen her at her most vulnerable, Juliet shuffled her boots nervously.
William put his hands up in defense. “Whoa there, my Lady, I just thought I’d join you for your morning ride. If you’d rather me not, I’m more than happy to go my own way.”
“Really?” Juliet said, her gloved hand finding Sterling’s neck and gently stroking it as she looked from William down to her riding boots.
“Yes, really,” William said back, and to her joy, she noticed that he was giving her a wide smile. “So, my lady, what will it be?”
A bubble of happiness rose in Juliet’s chest as she stared into William’s face, his cheeks slightly pink in the cool air. Biting her bottom lip, she remembered exactly how he had looked holding her against him, kissing her, bringing her such pleasure the night before. She couldn’t resist the chance to spend more time with him.
“I’d love a riding companion.”
William gave a toothy grin, “Let’s get moving then. I want to show you the path down by the lake.”
William led his mare out to where he’d left a stool out in the courtyard. He braced one foot against it, hitching himself up onto the mare’s broad back. William’s mount was every inch the size and depth of Sterling, but her features were more refined, more delicate.
Juliet followed suit, launching herself up on to Sterling. Struck by a bout of nerves, Juliet took an extra minute to situate her dove grey skirts over the saddle. When she looked up, William sat waiting on his mare, the picture of aristocratic relaxation in his navy jacket, white cravat, and brown breeches
. Heart skipping, she picked up her reins and urged Sterling towards them.
“What’s her name?” Juliet asked as the pair of horses plodded off into the grassy fields just beyond the Lakeview gardens.
“Athena,” William answered, patting his mare's dark brown neck as she strode powerfully over the smooth ground, her thick black tail blowing lightly.
“She’s lovely,” Juliet said, “My Father would’ve loved her movement.” William looked back at her, and she realized how good it felt to talk about him, even in passing.
“Well then, he and I would have plenty to talk about. We share a common interest in females,” Williams said coolly, winking at her as his deep voice washed over her, as soothing as the gentle sway of Sterling’s march. Juliet smiled softly at his gentle flirtation. “She’s going to be one of my broodmares. Hers is one of my favorite bloodlines.”
“You keep horses?” Juliet said, curiosity brightening her voice as Sterling took a few jogging steps towards the leading pair.
“Mansfield Park has a fantastic stable set up, but mostly my Uncles manages that part of my family’s business now. He’s two day’s rides from here. But when he sees one that is extra special,” William pointed between Athena and Sterling, “He always sends them my way.”
Comfortable silence descended over them as the sun continued to burn the delicate dewdrops off the grass around them. When the two horses grew close to each other, William leaned over to brush a gentle, sweet kiss across her lips.
It sent butterflies to her chest and a bolt of fire to her still sensitive core. William’s sharp eyes took it all in, his jaw clenching as he settled back on his horse.
Thankfully, William was feeling chatty, his deep voice carrying across the fields on their ride as he told stories about learning to ride as a child, and his devilish pony named Peppermint, who still lived at Mansfield Park.
“I grew up in the stables with my father. He had horses in this blood and always told me I did as well,” Juliet said softly, “The past few years, I haven’t been able to ride as much, but I’ve greatly enjoyed being here. My hack at home was my father’s favorite stud, a dark chestnut who I adore, but” Juliet paused, “I don’t get as much time to myself as I used to.” She finished lamely.
William shot her a sad smile, his face looking sympathetic as they continued on a short way in quiet companionship. The only sounds around them were the gentle hoofbeats on the path and the faint creaking of their leather saddles.
Juliet was in heaven. She leaned back, opening her eyes to stare up at the vast blue skies above them. Breathing in the calm, Juliet tried to soak up every moment so that she might be able to remember what it felt like to feel this comfortable, this at peace.
William seemed to be in the same place mentally, his body swaying calmy with every step Athena took his shoulders relaxed, and a serene smile on his lips. Juliet had not been to this part of the property yet; the woods-filled scenery was lovely, but nothing like the view that they stepped into a few minutes later.
The small lake was surrounded by dark, lush green forest, its smooth waters impeccably clear sans a few mottled brown ducks swimming alongside one large swan. The water was a shade of cerulean blue that Juliet was not sure any other water body in England could compare to it. When they reached a soft bed of sandy ground, William quickly swung off Athena and came to hold Sterling so she could do the same.
Her boots hit the soil with a muffled noise, and immediately she patted Sterling before moving towards the water. Standing on a smooth rock at the water’s edge, Juliet reached curious fingers into the lake, delighted to find the water as clear as glass and still warm from the hot English summer.
She turned to William, grinning, “Does everyone know about this place?”
William was a short distance off, his back to her, looking out into the lake. Giving her a teasing glance over his shoulder, he laughed before answering, “No, not everyone. Most people believe that Lakeview is named for the other lake. The one just beyond the manor’s gardens. But this one is the best swimming lake in all of England. In my humble opinion.”
His roguish smile stole her heart as he strode back to her. “Robert and I would always beg for Nicholas to take us here when we visited. His grandfather, the Duke, was always an easy mark. He would let us hide out here for days. We could fish, sing, make campfires, swim, anything a group of boys could dream up for fun.”
“You can sing?” Juliet asked, hopeful.
“Absolutely not. That was part of the fun,” William said.
Juliet laughed. “So, it was a special place for the three of you to act like children you truly were. I can understand the desire to break the mold.”
William swiveled in place, his face thoughtful, before pointing across the narrowest portion of the lake. “Right over, there was the best camping space, right at the foot of the old ruins.”
Juliet followed his finger point and grinned to herself, thinking of a young version of Nicholas, Robert, and him out here causing problems, being carefree.
“After a day or two, the Duke would always happen to drop by, just in case we had failed on our fishing endeavors and might need a little sustenance from the kitchens.” William shook his head, laughter on his face. “Some of the best times in my life happened around this lake.”
“Nicholas and his grandfather seem like a matched set,” she said quietly, eyes wandering the lakeshores and taking in the beautiful space.
“He’s fortunate to have him,” William said, his voice distant, “I don’t think he knew how much so until we were already in school and he almost lost him,” Juliet stilled, feeling the pain that accompanied those words. “My family was less than supportive. As a boy, the Duke, Lady Catherine, even Robert’s father took me in treated me like family. Someday I hope to be able to pay them back.” He finished quietly, focused on the water in front of them.
Juliet’s chest ached for him. Marian had told her a little about how William had grown up alone, his parents in an ever-evolving feud. Marian claimed that even as a child, William had been painfully aware that he was an unfortunate side effect of an arranged marriage, and that was part of why he was determined not to marry.
Walking towards him, Juliet reached out to touch the tightly woven wool fabric of his overcoat. Acting as if she were brushing a bit of leaf or dust from it while she took the opportunity to tuck herself into his warmth.
“It’s taken me a long time to understand, but I believe that you can choose who your family is,” Juliet murmured, not meeting his eyes. “Or at least I hope so.” She finished, smiling up at him in the bright morning sunlight.
He was staring at her. The pain and memories in his eyes were fading as something else filled them, darkening them as his breathing increased. Juliet couldn't make herself step back, her belly flip-flopping over as she tilted up her head to his.
“I believe so, too,” William whispered softly, only a moment before his lips were on hers, the tenderness there almost making her want to weep. Her hands reached out and found his arms, squeezing the hard muscle that she found flexing underneath his riding jacket.
Opening her mouth in a soft sigh, he angled his mouth over hers, and she felt just a trace of the silken heat of his tongue caress her lips before he pulled back slowly.
She wished he would kiss her again. To feel that gentle power, the passion that he kept so carefully hidden under his mask of seriousness, was addictive. Juliet sunk her teeth into her bottom lip as she looked up at him through her lashes.
William pulled her against him again, his arms tight around her waist. She tucked her head against him; his hands traced a slow, winding path down her back, beginning at her neck and trailing to end dangerously low on her body, just above her hips, before starting again. Soon, Juliet felt restless and aching from his attention, shifting her body against his as her heart beat quickly.
“You have ruined me, my Lady. I could think of nothing else but you last night. And the night before that
,” William’s voice said softly into her hair, and Juliet turned to rub her forehead against the narrow slip of skin exposed by his collar. With a disappointed moan, William gently set her back from him, those flinty eyes not missing anything as he took in her flushed face, kiss-swollen lips, and misty eyes.
“I thought about you too,” Juliet said quickly, then blushed. William ran his thumb along the curve of her jaw.
“Only good things, I hope,” he teased.
“You could say that.” William chuckled as Juliet nibbled her lip. “Has my stepfather approached you? If I know anything about Marshall, I know that he will resist conflict, and I’m guessing he sees you as conflict. His perfect little picture of marrying his bonus child off to a shipping family didn’t work out the way he planned. He will be disappointed.”