Lord Love a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page B

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."

Chapter Eight
He that hath a beard is more than a youth,
and he that hath no beard is less than a man. He that is more than
a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for
him.

William Shakespeare, Much Ado About
Nothing, Act 2, Scene 1

    The procession of Dorset carriages arrived
by early evening with much excitement and anticipation on the part
of staff and family alike. Footmen scattered to unload all the
provisions and trunks while the ladies' maids made haste to each
mistress's room to begin unpacking and arranging each chamber.
Juliet and Miranda hurriedly sponged the road dust from their
bodies, changed from their travel clothes into walking dresses,
then made for the first floor terrace overlooking the long