by Rose Gordon
A few snickers and chuckles sounded, but Wallace seemed to pay them no mind. He just shrugged off any statements directed at him, then plopped down in a plush chair and started counting aloud.
“Where shall we hide?” Patrick asked Juliet as soon as they were out of the room.
She shrugged. “Somewhere he’ll find us easily enough. I don’t wish to be the next ‘it’.”
Patrick pulled her inside a room, then quickly closed the door and slid the lock. “Not to worry, Juliet. I have no plans to be found at all.”
“You don―”
His lips descended on hers, putting an end to any sort of conversation or questions. She responded. But not with words or by shoving him away like he expected. Instead, she returned his kiss with as much passion and intensity as he’d used.
He picked her up and carried her to the small bed in the middle of the room.
“Drake,” she panted. “I d-don’t think...”
“Shh,” he crooned. “That’s right. Don’t think, Juliet. Just feel.”
“But what if we’re caught.”
“We won’t be.”
“How do you know?”
Patrick pressed a row of kisses down the column of her throat. “Because Wallace hates this foolish game as much as I do―” he scattered kisses along the plane of her chest― “and the last time we played it―” he tugged the top of her bodice down until one of her perky breasts sprang free― “he never came looking for anyone.”
“Oh.” She squirmed and bucked under his body as he closed his lips around the point of her breast. Her hands sank into his hair. “You’re sure?”
“Mmm.” He lowered the other side of her bodice, and freed her other breast. “Quite. Now, close your eyes and let me enjoy you.”
“What about me?”
“What about you?”
“Don’t I get to kiss and touch you, too?”
He shook his head. “Not this time, Juliet. This time is all about you.”
Chapter 21
Four Weeks Later
“Drake?”
Drake’s gaze swung to where Juliet had her head poking inside the door to his study. “Yes?”
Juliet walked into the room and licked her lips. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to borrow your carriage this afternoon.”
“That’s not a problem at all, Juliet. Where are you planning to go? Mayhap I’d like to join you.”
She doubted that. “Emma sent word that Marcus’ sister is about to deliver her baby.”
Drake snarled and Juliet grinned. “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Oh, stop that. This is a big day for Emma, she’ll need her friends.”
Drake sighed and put his papers down. “You’re likely right. Do you wish for me to go with you?”
“You don’t have to...”
He stood and walked over to her. Standing in front of her, he placed one hand on either side of the wall she was leaning against. “I know I don’t have to. But do you want me to?” The sensuous smile on his lips set her heart aflutter.
“Yes.”
“All right, then. Let me jot off a note or two then I’ll be ready to go.”
“All right.”
He didn’t move.
“Don’t you need to go do your lordly business?”
He still didn’t make a move to walk away from her. Instead, he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. Once. Twice. Her lips parted under his, and his hands came up to cup her cheeks. Holding her face more firmly to his, Drake intensified the kiss. He sucked Juliet’s bottom lip into his mouth and used his teeth to gently nip and rake before soothing it with his tongue.
She sighed and brought her arms up to wrap them around his neck, letting her fingers twirl in the soft hair that rested atop his collar. A familiar ache built inside her, and Juliet pressed her swollen breasts against his chest.
Drake’s left hand moved from the right side of her face to cup her breast, kneading and massaging in time with the movements of their lips. Her nipple hardened against his fingertips, and he squeezed it. A spark of pleasure shot through her and she groaned.
Drake pulled back, panting. “Are you sure we have to go?”
Juliet swallowed, but was still heavily drugged with desire and excitement. “We’d better.”
“All right,” Drake replied, his voice thick. He brushed his thumb over her aching nipple once more then took a step back. “Why don’t you meet me here in about fifteen minutes?”
“I have nowhere else to go. I’ll just take a seat right over there.” She pointed to a little settee positioned by the window. “I promise you won’t even know I’m here.”
He scoffed. “Fine, but if you so much as tempt me in any way, the only trip we’ll be making this afternoon is to my bedchamber.”
Juliet smiled. “It’s not my fault you find me so irresistible, is it?”
He shook his head and sank down into his chair. “I mean it, Juliet. No distractions.”
Juliet walked to the settee and took a seat. She was tempted to remove her slippers. They were the most uncomfortable things she’d ever worn, but the sight of her ankles might encourage Drake to ravish her. Not that she didn’t like it when he ravished her, mind you, she just wanted to be there to support her friend this afternoon. He could ravish her that night. She’d rather enjoy him ravishing her.
It’d been more than six weeks since they’d first been intimate, and the excitement was still there. As was the tender intimacy they shared afterwards.
The night before she’d married Drake, Juliet’s mother had explained the details of what would happen. Of course Juliet dismissed it because she didn’t think she’d actually need the information. But, she still didn’t remember her mother mentioning anything about spending the rest of the night in each other’s arms; and even on nights when nature dictated they couldn’t be intimate, they’d still shared a bed and lain close.
She looked over at him and a heated flush crept up her cheeks. How was it possible that in such a short time her feelings for this man could change so dramatically? When they’d met, all she’d felt was irritation, then had come minor dislike after their betrothal agreement, followed by major dislike that, if she was being honest, bordered on hatred, then they’d gone to Caroline’s dinner and everything had changed. All those feelings of irritation, dislike and hatred had faded and love, yes love, had taken their place.
She bit her lip. How had she allowed herself to fall in love with a man who’d never love her back? Did it even matter? Plenty of other people in her life loved her. Her mother and father loved her. As did her brothers and sisters. Those were people who always had and always would love her. She’d also be blind not to see that Drake’s girls loved her. A smile spread across her lips. One day she and Drake would have a child together. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach. There was no doubting the love she had for her stepdaughters, but the idea of carrying Drake’s child filled her with a happiness she could hardly contain.
“What has you grinning like a cat who just found the cream?” the object of her affections asked.
Juliet’s blush deepened, if that were possible. “Nothing.”
He shook his head and reached his hand down to help her off the settee. “Don’t lie, Juliet. I know you better than that. You were thinking about something that has absolutely nothing to do with going to Ridge Water to see Olivia’s spawn.”
“Actually, it does.” Juliet shot him a triumphant smile and took his arm.
Drake shook his head in defeat and escorted her to the carriage.
More than one hour and no less than fifteen suggestive statements later, the Drakely carriage rolled up to Ridge Water.
Juliet cringed. Loud wailing and ear-piercing screams filled the air. “Is that?”
“Olivia caterwauling?” Drake confirmed with a grimace.
“Oh.”
Drake smiled. “Well, you wanted to be here. Let’s go.”
Juliet nodded and then
swallowed. She did want to be here, and hearing that madwoman scream all the way from the carriage only confirmed it. Emma needed her.
Drake helped her from the carriage and walked her inside where Chapman, Ridge Water’s butler, took Juliet upstairs to the expectant mother while Drake went to wait with Marcus in his study.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Juliet said to Emma and Caroline.
“Oh Juliet! It’s so good to see you,” Emma gushed, wrapping Juliet in a huge hug.
Juliet hugged Emma’s tension-filled body back. “Do you need anything?”
“I do! ” screamed a lady on the bed.
Juliet looked over to the lady, and immediately fought to keep her mouth from dropping open. She’d once glimpsed a portrait in the family gallery of a young lady with beautiful russet curls, sparkling emerald green eyes, a trim figure and the sweetest smile she’d ever seen. Obviously the artist had either been bribed, or was terrible at his trade. There, on the bed, was a woman who must weigh no less than twenty-three stones wearing not a stitch of clothing being fanned by four red-faced servants. The lady’s orangey-red hair was unpinned and splayed all over the pillow, resembling a fire, in a way. Her bright red face was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. In fact, everything from her melon-like breasts down to her bent and spread legs was covered in sweat. She was gritting her teeth and fisting her hands at her sides. If Juliet didn’t know any better, she’d think the woman was straining to push. But there wasn’t anything to be pushing, was there? A quick glance at the spot between her legs, Olivia had been thoughtful enough to expose, confirmed Juliet’s suspicions. There was nothing to be pushing, at least not yet, anyway.
Juliet licked her lips and forced herself to ask, “What can I get for you?”
“This pestilence out of my stomach!”
Juliet blinked. “I’m sorry. I’m not a physician or a midwife. There isn’t anything I can do about that.” Curious. Where was the physician? If this woman was about to have a baby, didn’t she need a physician present? Between Emma, Caroline and Juliet, Juliet was probably the most qualified to deliver the babe if the physician didn’t arrive. But she’d prefer not to. Delivering a few of her younger brothers and sisters had ensured she had the knowledge necessary, but it also gave her the knowledge to determine delivering Olivia’s child would be nothing short of torturous for everybody involved.
“Yes, you can.” Olivia countered. She ground her teeth. “Just go get a knife and―”
“That’ll be enough of that kind of talk,” Caroline said sharply. “Olivia, when that baby is ready to come out, he will. Not a moment sooner.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed, then she dug her right shoulder into the bed and tried to push up to a sitting position. But she didn’t move. Well, actually, she did move. Her breasts moved, that is. Those heaving lumps of flesh swung off to her side as she tried again and again to push herself to a sitting position. Compassion coursed through Juliet and she walked to the woman’s side to help her find a sitting position.
“Get your no-good, filthy, commoner hands off of me,” Olivia spat at Juliet. All the former fury still burning in Olivia’s green eyes was now directed at Juliet. “Did I ask for you to help me?”
Juliet stared at her.
“Then don’t! You may have somehow bamboozled that fool of a husband of yours into marrying you, but that does not make you a lady.” She turned to where both Emma and Caroline stood. “Emma, ring me another sponge.”
“No.” Emma’s voice was calm and clear, but the unusual shadow Juliet had noticed on her face upon entering the room was still there.
“No?” Olivia echoed. “You may be married to Marcus, but he is my brother. He told you to do whatever I asked, and to keep me comfortable. Now, I demand you ring for me another sponge so Caroline can bathe me now that I’ve been defiled.”
Nobody made a move to do as she’d asked. Not Juliet. Not Caroline. And certainly not Emma.
“Get off your bloody arse, Emma, and do as I asked,” Olivia screamed.
Emma didn’t budge. “No, Olivia. I will not.”
“You’re useless,” Olivia sneered. She turned her attention to Caroline. “Caroline, go fetch me my sponge. I shall be lying in wait until you return.”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
Caroline’s lips twitched. “Perhaps you ought to consider investing in an ear horn, Olivia. I said no.”
Olivia’s lips puckered. “You may be a baroness now, married to Arid Alex, but that does not put you above me. I am still the daughter of an earl, and as such, I have had my title much longer than you. Don’t forget that, Caroline. We all know where you came from.” She swung her gaze to Juliet. “Or perhaps not all of us. Would you like me to tell her your shame?”
“My father was an addict who forced himself upon my mother in order to force a match she didn’t want,” Caroline said with not a hint of emotion in her voice.
Juliet’s heart squeezed at her friend’s admission, but she also felt a point of pride on Caroline’s behalf for handling this wretched woman this way. Later, she’d have to assure Caroline that she cared not one whit about her past.
“Olivia,” Emma started. “Caroline’s past matters naught to anyone but you. Why you insist on bringing it up makes no sense to me. Besides, what both Caroline and Juliet are too polite to point out to you, but that I am not, is that you’re of a lower station than either of them.”
“How so?” Olivia’s voice had suddenly become much softer, sweet even.
“Oh, stop blinking at me,” Emma said, crossing her arms. “When you do that it makes me think a fly has flown into your eye and you’re trying to flush it out. And your voice...” She trailed off and flicked her wrist. “You’re not fooling anyone.”
Olivia stopped blinking and pursed her lips. “What more have you to say, Miss Green?”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Exactly. You seem to forget, Olivia. I am no longer, ‘Miss Green.’ I am Lady Sinclair, your brother’s countess. Therefore, I outrank you.” She gestured to Caroline. “As you’ve already said yourself, Caroline is no longer your poor relation, but a baroness. She outranks you, too. And as for Juliet, she’s a viscountess. Meaning, even the woman you referred to as a ‘no-good, filthy commoner’ outranks you.” A thin smile took Emma’s lips. “I daresay, Olivia, I don’t think there is anyone in this room you outrank.”
Olivia’s face grew a violent shade of red. “I am the daughter of the fifteenth Earl of Sinclair, sister to the―”
“Stuff it, Olivia,” Caroline said with a flick of her wrist. “I’ve heard that excuse longer than I care to remember. That ceased to matter the day you decided to marry a commoner. But, even if you were born the daughter of an earl, thus granted an honorary title, the fact remains, you do not outrank anyone here. Nor should it matter. We all came here to help you at a time when a woman needs the most help, no matter what her rank.”
Olivia flopped back down on the bed, and sighed. “You’re no fun, Caroline.”
Juliet’s brows knit together. That was the strangest display she’d ever witnessed.
“Care to join us?” Caroline asked Juliet, patting the space on the settee between her and Emma.
Juliet nodded, and took her first step in their direction when Olivia’s hand reached out and latched onto Juliet’s arm just above her elbow. “Get me some laudanum,” she barked.
“Pardon?”
“I said, get me some laudanum,” Olivia bellowed.
Juliet winced, and pulled her arm free. “I think not.”
A shrill, warlike cry rent the air, accompanied by an unsettling amount of kicking and flailing. “Get this creature out! Now!”
Wide-eyed, Juliet stood paralyzed as before her very eyes this woman transformed from a minor nuisance with her naked body and cutting remarks to an absolute madwoman. She kicked. She screamed. She pouted. She cried. She blindly grabbed things from the nightstand next to her and threw them across the room, heedless t
o whom or what they hit. It was a sight to behold. Both Caroline and Emma had told her Olivia had a tendency to throw fits or exaggerate medical ailments for attention. But this? This was sheer lunacy!
Caroline placed her hand on Juliet’s arm and gave her a gentle tug. “Come.”
Juliet couldn’t move. The bottom of her feet must have suddenly grown roots that went through her slippers and attached themselves to the floor. She was planted; and there was nothing Caroline or Emma could do to get her to leave.
Just then, the contents of a glass of cool water hit Juliet right in the face as the words “send him to the foundling hospital” floated to her ears.
Juliet didn’t know which of the two events that occurred during the last three seconds stunned her more, but she was stunned right out of her trance. “You’re heartless,” she hissed at Olivia before allowing Caroline to pull her from the room.
Caroline and Emma led Juliet to an empty drawing room, and Emma handed her a handkerchief.
“Is she always like that?” Juliet asked without ceremony. Tears pricked the back of her eyes and a knot formed in her stomach at the memory of that wretched woman’s intention to send her unborn child to the foundling hospital.
“Not always,” Emma said. She bit her lip and sat down. “I think it might be exaggerated by her condition.”
“What are you going to do?” Juliet asked, trying to hide her sniffle.
Emma sighed and righted her skirt. “Marcus has made arrangements for a trained physician who specializes in patients with her condition to come stay at Ridge Water until she’s well enough to travel. He should be arriving tonight. Then, he said she’ll have to either go to the convent in Ireland or some place in London.”
“Bedlam?” Juliet blurted. Surely a woman like this was a fit candidate for such a place.
Emma nodded slowly. “Marcus is afraid of what she might do to her son or daughter if she were allowed to stay at Ridge Water.”
“For the best,” Caroline commented. “For as long as I can remember Marcus tried to help her, but he can’t fix everything for her. She’s truly not well.”