Giles strode closer, a ribbon-wrapped bouquet of red flowers in his hand. “For you, darling.” He held out the hothouse blooms, a sparkle lighting his eyes.
Juliet could not help but smile. It warmed her heart that he’d done something special for her. And for a second time. The ring he had given her the day after Olivia’s ball had been special, too. She wondered if her husband would always be so generous. If he would always endeavor to please her and spoil her.
“Thank you,” she said, setting aside the paper flower she’d been fashioning. She accepted the red blossoms from him and inhaled their scent. “They’re beautiful.”
“They pale compared to you.”
She could not help but laugh at his flowery words. “You flatter me.”
“I tell the truth.” He winked, his blue-green eyes full of mischief. “Will you join me for an outing?”
Juliet glanced down at her gown, then stood. “Just as soon as I change.”
His gaze roamed the length of her, sending spirals of heat through her body. “I would not change a single thing about you.”
“I was referring to my clothes.” Juliet gave a playful scowl. “I will not take long.”
True to her word, she changed in record time. Not more than fifteen minutes could have passed since she had left Giles in the parlor with a promise to meet him in the entry hall.
She thanked her maid for her speed in assisting her, then traversed the hall and stairs to the main entrance. When she reached the landing, she found Giles clad in his greatcoat and holding her cloak.
He wrapped her wool cloak around her shoulders, then secured it at her throat before meeting her gaze.
“Shall we be off?” Juliet asked.
“Yes.” He proffered his arm.
She walked beside Giles, her hand tucked beneath his arm as they stepped out into the crisp winter’s day. A light dusting of fresh snow coated the porch steps and glistened in the sunlight as he led her from the house.
She had expected a carriage or sleigh to be waiting for them, but saw none. She glanced around and caught sight of several footmen following with large sacks. How curious, she thought. She gave Giles a sideways glance and asked, “What are you about?”
He did not look at her, but she caught the slight lift of the corner of his lips and a faint crinkling at the edge of his eye as if he were fighting a grin. He patted her hand where it rested on his arm and said, “You will find out soon enough.”
Juliet accepted that he wished to surprise her, and as she did so enjoy surprises, she did not press him further. Instead, she strolled beside him as he led her across the snow-blanketed grounds and toward a thicket of trees.
He turned toward her when they reached the edge of the thicket.
She squealed in shock and delight when he swept her into his arms and cradled her against his chest. Laughing, she met his mischievous gaze. “Now, I am even more intrigued.”
“Good,” he said. Giles brushed his cold nose across hers, then pressed his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. “Now close your eyes, sweating.”
She rested her cheek on his shoulder, pressing her face into his scarf and closing her eyes as he’d asked. He started walking, his pace steady as she snuggled against him. Speculation kept her company as he traversed their path. Perhaps she ought to be frightened.
He had been forced to take her to wife, and now he was carrying her into the woods followed by footmen who were no doubt loyal to him. And those retainers brought large bags with them. Giles could mean to do away with her.
And yet, she felt nothing but joy.
Good Heavens, she trusted him! Not with her heart, but with her safety.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said as she nodded against his shoulder.
“I am going to set you down, but keep your eyes closed.”
“I will,” she said as she pressed her eyelids tighter together. She kept her arms around his neck as he lowered her feet to the ground. Once her boots were firmly on the ground, she released him. “May I open them now?”
“One more moment,” He said as his hands came to rest on her arms. “Turn around.”
