Lord Love a Duke

by Renee Reynolds

  A chorus of half-hearted but sincere ayes went up in the room and the Duke sighed in relief. He would suffer. They would all suffer. But at least they would suffer together.

  Chapter Five

  When I was at home, I was in a better place: but travelers must be content.

  William Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 4

  Two days later Jonas rubbed his eyes with the forefinger and thumb of one hand as his footmen struggled to load trunks his mother and Miranda insisted they needed for the house party. While his valet had managed to pack everything the Duke needed into one trunk, the Duchess needed three and Miranda four. Based on the ribbons trailing out of two of his sister's cases he assumed she planned to transport every piece of frippery she possessed.

  He opened his eyes after his vigorous massage in time to see the Lansdowne curricle pull to a stop behind the third Dorset carriage. Lady Juliet and her maid quickly disembarked while their groom began to remove their luggage.

  “Oh, good Lord,” murmured Jonas, having forgotten that Lady Juliet was to travel with his family to Sussex. He was thankful for his decision to ride outside the carriage as he could not imagine having to travel unaffected in a confined space with her the next two days. He braced himself for the addition of innumerable bags and cases but was surprised to see but one trunk and a small valise deposited at the carriage reserved for transporting the baggage.

  “Good morning, Your Grace,” greeted Juliet with a smile and curtsey. Though the sun had barely risen she was obviously wide awake and alert for their journey. “It seems we are to be blessed with a beautiful day for our travels.” She turned back to her maid. “Lily, you will likely be in this carriage,” she offered, indicating the second of three equipages in the line. She looked to the Duke for confirmation.

  “You are correct, Lady Juliet. The staff will ride second. If Miranda will quicken her sloth pace we may actually leave some time before nuncheon.” After looking hopefully once more at the house, he again faced Juliet. “And you, my lady, will ride in the first with Miranda and Mama. Provided they ever show,” he added under his breath.

  Juliet laughed at his quietly spoken remark. “I have found it most useful to tell Miranda we are leaving at least one-half hour before our actual desired departure. This seems to make her more timely.” She leaned closer to the Duke in a conspiratorial manner. “Pray do not tell her this or I shall lose what little advantage I hold in this area,” she finished with another laugh.

  Jonas felt himself smiling despite his irritation at their delay. At least she was on time, and looking beautiful in her simple travel dress. He suddenly remembered Lady Juliet's much smaller amount of luggage and felt compelled to remark on it. “Are the remainder of your things to be transported by your family? I see only one trunk and that small bag,” he added with a questioning glance toward her lone cases.

  “I have no other bags, Your Grace, although my mother will be bringing several gowns of mine that are to be delivered to Quinn House soon. Everything else I need is here.”

  Jonas could not stop his mouth from dropping open in a gape. “One trunk? How is it that you use only one while Miranda needs four?” he asked incredulously.

  “Oh, Randa is much more fashion-conscious and thus more à la mode than I,” she explained. “I have no patience for decorating bonnets and adding flounces and flourishes to my gowns, and have no talent for improving my wardrobe with excessive embellishments. Your poor sister often laments being seen with me, although I accuse her of secretly preferring to be seen setting herself off against my plain state.”

  Jonas looked over her traveling costume thoughtfully before replying. She wore a jonquil silk and taffeta dress that featured intricate embroidery at the bodice, sleeves, and hem. The cut hugged her figure, emphasizing her curves. A straw bonnet with matching yellow ribbon and three sunflowers completed her outfit. “Lady Juliet, no one could ever accuse you of looking plain. You definitely accent yourself in a more subdued manner than my sister, but you are unquestionably attractively attired.” He barely stopped himself from leering at her and cleared his throat before continuing. “Please excuse me while I speak to the drivers,” he requested with a polite nod as he moved away.

  Juliet felt the heat of a blush spread over her face at his compliments. This conversation was the most they had spoken in months, and certainly was the first to contain such personal comments. She watched his retreating back as she processed his words. Perhaps he saw her as a woman and not an infatuated child after all. She decided it would be nice to be comfortable around the Duke and share pleasant conversations.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Miranda and her mother with kisses and hugs and much excitement for the journey. Juliet was surprised to see Miranda in such good spirits, especially at barely a few minutes past dawn.

  “I thought you were dreading this trip and would miss London ever so much,” whispered Juliet when Miranda stopped by her side.

  “I decided pouting would win me no favors today, and after dreaming last night of Jonas with shockingly blue teeth I find that I am now all anticipation of this trip.” Miranda's eyes were indeed alive and sparkling, and her face positively glowed with exuberance.

  “My ladies,” called Jonas from his position by the lead carriage. “If you would please,” he added, opening the door and indicating with his hand that they should take their seats. The Duchess looked over the other carriages then moved to take Miranda's arm and board their conveyance. Jonas handed both ladies inside before turning and extending his hand to Juliet.

  “Jonas, are you still determined to ride your beast today? Come! Join us in the carriage else you will surely overheat later in this sun, not to mention stink of horse,” begged his mother. Juliet settled into the squabs and turned to glance back at the Duke.

  “I thank you but no,” he replied with a wry grin on his face. “I cannot fathom riding inside surrounded by the conversation of three women when I can enjoy the ride and being outdoors. The journey is not that far and we are breaking it at the usual stops on the way.”

  The Duchess made to reply but was distracted by Miranda fussing with her skirts and rocking the carriage. “Miranda, do be still,” she admonished, struggling to right her own skirts after tugging with her daughter. Juliet delicately smoothed her own and settled her hands on her lap, her reticule at her side. She smiled discreetly as Miranda and her mother continued to bicker good-naturedly over their seating and room. A small laugh eventually escaped her and she looked out the window as the Duke shut the door.

  “Good journey to you ladies, and good luck inside the carriage,” he ended on a laugh. He walked around behind the equipage and took the reins to his horse from the waiting groom.

  “Oh, Jonas,” called Miranda sweetly, her head protruding gracelessly out the window. “Do bugger off.”

  Chapter Six

  Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou are more lovely and more temperate.

  William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18

  Zounds! Lady Juliet was stunning, thought Jonas as he climbed into the carriage to escape the hot summer sun as they stopped on the afternoon of the second day to rest the horses. She lay across the plush, navy velvet seat with one leg dropped to the floor, her tall, curvy form stretched out as much as possible in the close confines of the carriage. Her hair was the color of rich, dark chocolate, piled high on her head with several tendrils escaping as she rested. Long lashes lay against smooth cheeks that had pinkened slightly from the warmth of the day. A sliver of sunlight streamed onto her side of the carriage, revealing auburn highlights in her tresses. Her small, pert nose rested above the fullest, pinkest lips he thought he had ever seen. He unconsciously stretched a hand toward her face to see if her skin was as soft as it seemed when she suddenly spoke.

  "I know you are here. I can hear you breathing. Perchance do you have any treats to share?" she asked drowsily without opening her eyes, the corner of her mouth quirked up in a half s
mile. She raised and opened the fan that had been sitting across her stomach and fanned her face. "We picked the hottest day to travel, did we not?" He watched as she delicately pulled her bodice away from her warm body to fan air down the top of her gown. His mouth went dry and he suddenly felt it was much warmer in the carriage than without. He shook his head to clear the lustful thoughts. This was his sister's friend, not some light skirt, he reminded himself.

  "Indeed, Lady Juliet, it is rather warm for May, but we shall soon feel a cooling breeze off the Channel, I should think." He gave a little dry swallow and continued, unable to stop himself. "Pray, what treat do you ask of me, my lady?"

  Juliet's eyes flew open at the sound of his rich baritone voice and she scrambled to right herself in the seat, dropping her fan and shaking the carriage in her haste. "Saints and sinners, Your Grace, I thought you were Miranda. You nearly scared me to death!" She raised a hand to her heart and his gaze fell to watch her gesture. He smiled at her indelicate exclamation and watched as she blushed furiously.

  "Forgive me, my lady, but I sought the shade offered by the carriage while the horses were watered. Mama and Miranda are yet inside."

  "Yes, your sister had thought to find some lemonade or cider. I think Her Grace was also anxious to stretch her legs." Juliet felt as if she were prattling but was too shaken to stop herself. His stare was unnerving her, his blue eyes the color of the sea they would soon be near at East Bourne. When viewed this closely, she noticed a dark ring encircling the blue, their icy color providing a startling contrast to his lightly tanned face and raven black hair. She felt her blush deepen as he continued to watch her. It seemed the carriage had gotten smaller with the presence of his tall, muscular, and broad-shouldered frame taking up both space and air.

  "Tell me, Lady Juliet, when did you so mature? It seems the last I noticed you were a tomboy in pigtails, chasing frogs and causing mischief with my sister. Now you seem to have left adolescence behind with Miranda. She carries herself with far less grace and aplomb than you."

  She fluttered her lashes down in embarrassment, not realizing the alluring nature of her action. Her lips turned up with a slight grimace. "You have been occupied with affairs of more import than your sister's friend as I have not worn pigtails nor chased frogs for some years now, Your Grace. Miranda and I are of an age, which you well know, having been tormented by basically having two younger sisters each summer for the past fifteen years."

  "I think my true torment may have yet to begin," he murmured to himself. He slapped his hands on his knees and opened the door to exit, his abrupt shift in weight causing the carriage to lurch. Juliet, perched on the edge of her seat, lost her balance and pitched awkwardly into the Duke's lap. Mortified, she sprang up only to fall out the door he had only just opened, landing on the ground and on her bottom in an unceremonious heap. Jonas quickly stepped down and offered his hand to pick her up, making sure to surreptitiously admire her exposed and shapely calves before she rose.

  "I beg your pardon--" they both began. "Please, go ahead--" they began again in chorus. They both laughed and he waited for her to speak first.

  "I am so sorry, Your Grace. I lost my balance on the seat and just kept going out of the door." She flushed in embarrassment but quickly began to laugh again. “What a crazed mess I must look,” she lamented, grimacing slightly in embarrassment. “What were you just saying about grace and aplomb?” she joked.

  Jonas raised his brows with amusement at her jest. "Lady Juliet, it is I who owe the apology. I moved rather suddenly in the carriage and caused your spill. Are you injured?" She noticed he was still holding on to her hand and she gave a small tug to free herself from his grasp. She looked over her appearance, brushing at spots of dirt on the pale silk of her travel dress.

  "I seem no worse for wear, save my pride over my less than graceful exit from the carriage. Perhaps there is still some gangly tomboy lurking in me after all," she added wryly. She turned at a sound and saw Miranda and the Duchess approaching. She nodded to the Duke and begged him excuse her as she went to help her friend.

  There is nothing gangly nor boyish anywhere on that form, thought Jonas. He shook his head slightly and gave a soft chuckle. He had no business thinking about his sister's friend in that manner and resolved to stop his wayward thoughts from progressing any further. If he were to survive the fortnight without lust-filled ideas, he should begin now. He walked back over to the boy holding his hat and horse and quickly mounted, placing his hat securely on his head.

  "Shall we, ladies?" he called before turning his back on the trio. The best way to forget his ridiculous thoughts was to put the lady out of his sight.

  Chapter Seven

  Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, such shaping fantasies, that apprehend more than cool reason ever comprehends.

  William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 5, Scene 1

  Seated back in the ducal carriage with Miranda and Her Grace, Juliet tried in vain not to look out the window and stare at the Duke. Thankfully she had outgrown her childhood crush of him, and she rationalized that admiring the man he had become was in no way an admittance of a tendre. She had become very adept at ignoring and avoiding him since he was much busier now with his estates and maintained a dedicated aversion to society functions. Though they were often in the same house at the same time, with Juliet spending many hours in his sister's company, they rarely saw each other as Miranda also preferred to avoid her brother. They politely shared their requisite dances at occasional functions, but group settings were infinitely easier to handle since speaking to him often brought out nervous feelings both frustrating and frightening. The way her heart fluttered and palms dampened was much to her consternation, so Juliet simply pretended it did not happen.

  Now, in the space of a mere five minutes, she went from studied avoidance to a conversation in a cramped carriage to sitting in his lap. Saints and sinners but her heart was still pounding. She fanned her flushed face and hoped Miranda and her mother would attribute it to the warm day. She cast a furtive glance out the window to study his profile. He cut quite the dashing figure on his horse, having a very good seat, sitting straight, tall, and completely at ease in the saddle. She watched as he removed his hat to swipe a handkerchief across his brow. The wind playfully tossed the waves of his hair that fell low across his forehead. Juliet's fingers flexed involuntarily as she pictured herself running them through his hair. He replaced his hat and suddenly looked toward the carriage. She sucked in a quick breath and sank back into the squabs, praying he had not seen her staring.

  Miranda heard Juliet's intake of breath and looked up at her friend. "Are you alright, Jules? There is a small amount of lemonade remaining if you would care for some."

  Juliet leaned forward and held the offered glass as Miranda poured from the carafe. While no longer cool by any means, it was still wet and Juliet slowly savored the punch. It was equally tart as sweet, and surprisingly good for having been purchased at a coaching inn. A drop began to roll down the glass and she flicked her tongue out to stop its descent toward her hand.

  "That was perfect, just the right amount." She handed the glass back to Miranda and licked her lips slowly in satisfaction.

  Jonas was transfixed by the sight of Lady Juliet doing the most mundane of tasks, simply taking a drink. He groaned aloud when she licked the glass and then her lips. He needed to put some distance between this sudden temptation and himself. In all his six and twenty years he had never reacted so viscerally to such innocent acts. The heat must really be playing havoc with my mind, he thought. Lady Juliet is the best friend of my sister, for heaven's sake. He rode around to his mother's side of the carriage.

  "I am going to let Paladin have his head and ride hard for the house, Mama. He knows where we are and smells the sea on the wind." He stole a glance at Juliet but she was looking out of the opposite window.

  "It is not much further, girls," offered the Duchess, turning her gaze back into the carriage
as her son rode off. "Jonas is riding ahead. Soon we will make the big left turn to East Bourne and the house will not be one hour past that."