by Dawn Brower
There was a small hitch in his voice—it cracked a little as he asked the question. Did it bother him she still had the locket? “It’s a piece of my past that I don’t want to forget. A happier time that I’ll never have again.”
“What if you could?” He pulled her into his arms and rested his forehead against hers. His eyes remained closed. She didn’t know what he was asking of her, none of it made sense. What did the locket have to do with anything? He pulled back and his eyelids fluttered open. “You smell so good. I want nothing more than to kiss you—taste you the way I’ve been craving since the first time I saw the woman you’d grown into.”
“That was days ago. What’s been stopping you?”
He shook his head. “That wasn’t the first time I saw you in the past fifteen years.”
When had he seen her? She didn’t go out in society, and hadn’t since before her mother died. Even then it had been a mere two weeks, and except for her come out ball she’d hugged the wall. No one had wanted to be her friend. The gentleman were nicer at her first official ball. Since it had been thrown in her honor she’d had plenty of dance partners.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “If you saw me why didn’t you come and talk to me. I’d have loved to have had some time with you. Where was this?”
Grayson didn’t answer right away. She didn’t know why he was holding back, and she was a fool. He’d said he wanted to kiss her and she’d stupidly turned into an inquisitor instead of demanding he put his lips on hers. Now she’d have to wait even longer to find out if it was as wonderful as she’d imagined.
“I was invited to your ball,” he finally said. “My father forbade me to go. He did that a lot while he was alive.” Grayson closed his eyes again and sighed. “He didn’t like how close we’d become. I was usurping the plans he had for me, and he was making sure I followed the path he set for me. That’s why I had to stay away from you, but I couldn’t resist seeing you. I didn’t know when I’d have the chance again. So I sneaked inside through a back entrance—I couldn’t be announced formally. I watched you dance and laugh. It hurt, but I was glad you were so happy. After that I kept my distance.”
Her heart beat rapidly inside of her chest. He did care about her, and always had. This was something she had been wanting to hear for so long. Damn his father for keeping them apart. Their lives might be so different if he’d not been hell bent on controlling his son. “Kiss me,” she demanded.
Grayson cupped her cheek in his hand and lowered his mouth to hers. His lips were warm and soft. It was sweet at first, but it quickly changed to something far more than that. His hand left her face and roamed down her shoulders until they rested on her hip. Juliette wanted more—of him. He pulled her against him and ran kisses down her cheek and then her neck. She squirmed in his arms simultaneously pushing at him and wanting to crawl as close to him as possible.
Kisses were marvelous things and she’d never have enough of them.
“Gray,” she said breathlessly. “I love you.”
He groaned and pulled her on top of him. “Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.”
Why would she do something so heinous? “I wouldn’t do that to you. You mean too much to me.” She caressed his cheek. “You don’t have to say it back, but I hope one day you will.”
Grayson pushed his hands into her dark tresses and pulled her down to him. There gazes were locked together, and their lips just short of touching. “You don’t have to wait for me to say those words to you. I’ve always loved you. You’ve owned my heart since we were children, but what I felt for you then doesn’t compare to what’s in my heart now. What’s between us is as real as anything out there, and I look forward to making a lifetime of memories with you.” He closed the distance between them and kissed her again. Passion ignited between them.
Juliette lost all thought and just reveled in the feel of his body against hers. The kisses, touches, and loving were all more pleasure than she could imagine. They hadn’t had a wedding night, but Grayson made up for it with a morning she’d never forget... He made sure there would be no doubt she was his wife, and Juliette couldn’t have been happier if she tried...
***
Grayson should’ve waited to make love to Juliette, but he’d never been a patient man. Besides with Lord Payne hovering around the inn it was for the best. Afterwards they’d lingered in bed as long as he dared let them. The sooner they headed back to London the better. Originally he intended to take her to Kissinger, but it was better if he dealt with her father first. They couldn’t have anything being held over their head—not if they wanted to have a happy life together.
So he rolled out of bed and dressed before he was tempted to love her all over again, then he helped her with her gown. Dressing her was almost as much fun as he imagined it would be to take the gown off her. He placed kisses all over her as he buttoned it up.
Juliette laughed. “You’re rather good at this.”
“This is only the beginning, darling,” he whispered in her ear. “We have a lifetime for me to explore you, and I intend to take my husbandly duties seriously.” He brushed back her dark curls and kissed her shoulder. “ Do you need help with your hair too?”
“Shoo,” she said. “I will pin my hair up myself. It will be done much faster without your attentions. Go see to the coach and have our trunks taken to the carriage.”
Grayson spun her around to face him. He leaned down and kissed her with all the love in his heart. She matched his kiss with equal fervor. When he pulled back he felt the loss of her heat, but was pleased with how plump her lips remained from their shared passion. “Something for you to think about while I’m gone.”
“You’re wicked,” she said breathlessly. “I like this side of you. I’m glad you’re mine.”
He kissed her forehead and said. “Stay here until I come and get you. It is safer for you here.”
She scrunched up her nose. “What danger could possibly be lurking in the inn?”
“Jules...”
She held up her hand and interrupted him. “Don’t bother telling me about protecting me and all that nonsense. It’s going to take me a while to pin my hair up anyway. I’m sure by the time the horses are hitched to the carriage and the trunks ready to be loaded I’ll be finished with it. So go take care of business and leave me be.”
He didn’t bother arguing with her. She was probably right. Her hair would take a while to properly fix. “Miss me while I’m gone.”
“Always,” she said.
Grayson left her to her task and went down to the main room. He left the inn and went to the stable first. The carriage hadn’t been outside and he wanted to find out what the delay was. He found his driver inside wrestling with one of the horses.
“Will the carriage be ready soon?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” he replied. “One of the horses went lame and I had to trade her for a new mount. He’s being a little feisty about joining the team. I’ll have him ready soon enough. The carriage should be out front at half past the hour.”
“That’s good. I’d like to leave as soon as possible. The sooner I’m out of Scotland the happier I’ll be.” He studied the horse giving the driver a hard time. “I’ll ask the innkeeper to provide some lads to help with the trunks. You have your work cut out for you with this beast.”
“Thank you,” he replied. “I appreciate it.”
Grayson nodded and left the driver to deal with harnessing the horses to the carriage. The morning had gone better than he’d hoped. Juliette loved him. As far as he was concerned all was right in the world. Soon they’d be on their way and headed back to London, albeit much slower than their journey to Scotland. No reason to rush back.
He found innkeeper immediately. He was writing something in his register. “Can you have some lads help load my trunks onto my carriage?”
“Of course, Your Grace,” he said. “I trust you had a pleasant rest?”
“I did,” he replied. “Best night
sleep I’ve had in days.”
“Good.” The innkeeper beamed. “And your wife?”
“I didn’t realize you’d married,” Payne said from behind him.
Grayson closed his eyes and cursed silently. Why hadn’t he left already?
“No reason you would,” Grayson said calmly. “I didn’t shout it to the world I’d intended to wed.”
He prayed Payne didn’t ask who he’d married. If he didn’t realize Juliette was his wife he might let it go and leave him in peace. What were the chances of that happening?
“What lucky lady did you make your duchess?”
“That would be me,” Juliette said, and then glanced at Grayson. “I finished much quicker than I thought. It was boring sitting by myself. How long until we leave.”
Christ. Why hadn’t she stayed in the room? Maybe Payne wouldn’t realize who she was. As if that was possible. Hadn’t his driver mentioned he had a description of her to show people?
Payne looked at Juliet and then back at Grayson. He noticed when the realization hit the viscount. He barely managed to avoid being hit by the man’s wild punch. “You bastard,” he screamed. “You knew last night didn’t you.”
Grayson took a step back. “Jules do me a favor and go back to the room.”
“What is happening?” she asked. “Why is he trying to hit you?”
“She was supposed to be mine,” Payne exclaimed.
Juliette’s gaze flew to the viscount, and then back at Grayson. Her mouth formed opened wide on a silent oh. That’s right—he wanted to scream at her. Lord Payne had planned on marrying her, and now he planned on taking on Grayson for daring to take her away from him.
“Gentlemen,” the innkeeper said. “We don’t allow fighting in the inn. Take this outside immediately.”
Grayson turned to Juliette and said, “Stay in here. You’ll be safer.” Then walked out of the inn, Viscount Payne was a short distance behind. It would be better if they didn’t brawl at all, but at least outside they’d be less likely to damage any of the inn’s property. Grayson walked a fair enough distance from the inn, to the side of the entrance and stopped.
“Payne,” Grayson said. “We don’t have to do this. I have a prior relationship with Juliette that supersedes yours.” He shrugged. “Besides we both know you don’t have an actual claim. You didn’t sign the betrothal contract.”
Payne’s face turned beet red and his lips curled up in displeasure. “I should’ve realized last night why you were here. You wouldn’t tell me, but I figured that was you being you. But now that I’ve had time to think about it—your estate borders her fathers. How long have you been bedding her?”
Grayson couldn’t listen to him discuss Juliette’s virtue in vulgar terms. She was innocent of any wrong doing, and he’d not touched her in that way until after they’d married. His fist hit Payne’s face before he realized what he was doing. The viscount hit the ground with a loud thud.
Viscount Payne wiped a drop of blood from his nose, and then slowly returned to his feet. “For that I’m going to enjoy killing you.” He pulled a pistol out of his pocket and aimed it at Grayson. “You’re correct. I don’t have a claim—yet but that can be rectified. With you gone she’ll be free once again. No need to bother with a mourning period. Her father doesn’t need to know about this unfortunate turn of events.”
Grayson froze and considered his options. Viscount Payne planned to murder him and return to London with Juliette as if nothing had happened. The man had lost his mind. “And what if she’s already carrying my child? Are you going to claim it as your own?”
He hadn’t thought about the possibility of a child. Grayson hadn’t ever believed he’d be a father, but everything was different with Juliette. She made the unattainable seem possible. For her he’d fight with every breath in his body. The viscount would not have a chance do sully her in any way.
“There are ways to rid a woman of a babe.” He shrugged. “If it turns out she’s enceinte I’ll deal with it.”
Horror froze Grayson’s tongue in his mouth. If he did as he proposed—it could kill Juliette, but why should he care about murdering a mother and child? Clearly the idea of ending a person’s life didn’t bother him as he was fully prepared to shoot Grayson. The time for thinking was at an end, and actions had to be taken to stop his evil. Grayson leapt at Payne and fought for control of the pistol. It went off, the echo ricocheting through the air. Viscount Payne’s scream followed shortly after, and then he slumped to the ground in a heap, the pistol lying out of his reach.
Grayson wanted to be sorry, but he couldn’t. The man had threatened him, and his wife. The constable would have to be called to handle the situation. Payne wasn’t dead, but he was gravely injured. He’d go to the inn and have them take care of him. A doctor would need to be sent for. He turned to head to the inn and halted. Juliette and the innkeeper were standing not far in the distance. How long had they been watching?
“I was frightened. I didn’t know it was Lord Payne you were talking to. He was the last person I expected to see here.” Juliette ran to him and hugged him tight in her embrace.
That partially was his fault. He should have told her the viscount was in Scotland searching for her. A lesson learned the hard way—he’d not keep anything from her ever again. It could lead to disastrous results.
“It’s all right,” he said soothingly.
“Is he dead?” The innkeeper asked.
“No,” Grayson shook his head. “But he might be if he doesn’t get some care. Can you take care of everything for me?”
The innkeeper nodded. “Aye, I’ll see to everything. The constable will have questions, but I’ll give him your direction.”
“Thank you,” Grayson said. “I appreciate it.”
“The lass and I saw everything. The man’s intentions were clear. You’re entitled to defend yourself.” He stared at Viscount Payne’s prone form. “He got what he deserved.”
Viscount Payne was capable of a lot of evil. He’d hoped to protect Juliette from it. Maybe now they could go on and not think about what the viscount might do. He would be facing the constable, and whatever charges he seemed fit. They could put the whole fiasco in the past and move forward. He hugged Juliette against him and said, “We’re leaving as soon as the trunks are loaded in the carriage.”
She nodded and let him lead her to their carriage, and supervised the loading of the trunks. Grayson kept her close by his side until it was time to depart. It didn’t take long for the carriage to be ready. They were settled in the carriage and well on their way out of Scotland before he breathed a sigh of relief.
“You too?” She asked.
“What?”
“Viscount Payne,” she shuddered. “He meant to kill you. I’m relieved to leave him behind and head home.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it out of that situation alive, but I had to do everything I could because the alternative was unacceptable. He would have hurt you, and I couldn’t allow that.”
“I never want to go through that again. It’s made me realize something else to.” She laid her hand on his chest and met his gaze. “It’s been an adventure, and while I look forward to our life together—I want to stay home for a while. I’ve discovered I don’t particularly enjoy excitement as much as I thought I would.”
“So my plans for our wedding trip to Rome are out?” He hadn’t actually made any plans. Where would he have found the time? But he couldn’t help teasing her. “I had high hopes of finding out if I compared to your fantasies about those gladiators.”
Juliette scrunched her nose up. “Maybe one day, but as long as your with me, I’m content. We don’t need to go anywhere.”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly. “My heart is happiest with you near too.”
“There was a time I believed no gentleman would want to kiss me. Wallflowers find it hard to imagine a happily-ever-after. ” Her whole face brightened as she met hi
s gaze. “But now I know I was waiting for you. No other man’s kiss would have been right.”
He’d kiss her every day, more than once if necessary, if that was her desire. But this year would always hold a special place in his heart. It was their first one as husband and wife, and kissing Juliette was a gift he’d always hold dear. Christmastide hadn’t gone as he’d planned—it’d been so much better...
EPILOGUE
Grayson was sitting in his study going over some of the paperwork his steward had sent over for him to examine. So far he hadn’t found anything out of the ordinary and wasn’t sure why the man thought it needed his attention. He had to be missing something, but finding it was proving impossible. He’d have to leave it for another day.
Christmastide had started and he’d promised Juliette he’d spend the evening with her. It was the anniversary of their first year as husband and wife. It was a celebration he hoped to cherish every year. Not every man had the pleasure of loving his wife. Grayson considered himself lucky he’d married her. He’d almost been foolish enough to refuse.
He set the papers on his desk in a neat pile. They’d wait for him there. When the time was right he’d look them over with fresh eyes, and possibly then he’d figure out what his steward wanted him to see. He flipped through a set of invitations—only one peaked his interest. It was from his good friend the Marquis of Knightly and his wife. The invitation was for him and Juliette to attend a dinner they were holding over Christmastide. It was an intimate affair that would only have their closest friends in attendance. Grayson assumed it would include Bradford, the marchioness’s brother, along with her friend Pippa and her husband. He scribbled a quick note to be delivered accepting the invite on behalf of himself, and Juliette. He couldn’t wait to see his friends and hoped everyone would be there.