Juliet waved a dismissive hand. “It is quite alright.” She cast a warm smile in the young maid’s direction. “No one is to be released from service to the duke. On the contrary, the lot of you are going to help me decorate for Christmas.” She paused for dramatic effect, then added, “But our work is a secret. I mean to surprise the duke, so you must not let on. If anyone asks what you are about, simply tell them you are doing the duchesses’ bidding and carry on with your task.” She strolled down the line of retainers as she spoke. “Can you do as I have asked?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” they all said in unison.
“Good.” Juliet stilled and turned to face them. Her gaze moved to the far end of the line, where two rather tall footmen stood. They were all tall, but these two had at least three inches on the others, and their forms appeared more filled out. “You two will go into the woods and cut down an evergreen. A fir if you can. Otherwise, any pine tree will do.”
The men nodded their understanding.
Juliet pointed to the corner of the parlor. “Once you have it cut, bring it in here and set it up over there.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the footmen said.
She smiled her appreciation, then shooed them toward the door. “Off with you then. And do remember, this is a secret.”
With the footmen off in search of the tree, she continued down the line, giving instructions and reminders of the need for secrecy until everyone’s tasks had been assigned. She clapped her hands together and said, “We have less than three hours until the duke comes down for tea. You all have your orders, now busy yourselves.”
The next two hours passed in a flurry of activity as boughs were placed, mistletoe hung, and candles lit. The footmen placed the Yule log in the hearth while Juliet and a maid decorated the tree with the paper flowers and dolls Juliet had made earlier in the week.
After instructing the footmen to drape the evergreen garlands over the fireplace mantle and windows, she stood back to take the room in. They had indeed transformed the parlor into a Christmas wonderland. She beamed at her retainers as her excitement threatened to spill over. “You all have done an excellent job. Thank you for your hard work and discretion.”
One footman stepped forward and bowed. “It was our pleasure, Your Grace,” he said.
“Indeed, it was,” the young maid from earlier added.
Juliet clasped her hands together and turned her gaze to the door. “His Grace shall join me before long. Please return to your duties and remember not to give away the surprise.”
As she watched the retainers file out, she added, “And do not return to this room before tomorrow. The duke and I are not to be disturbed.”
As if on cue, her lady’s maid strode in, holding a bundle in her arms. She stopped right inside the door and waited until the last maid filed out, then pushed the mahogany panel closed.
Juliet started removing pins from her hair before her maid reached her side. “Hurry, Milly, we haven’t much time,” Juliet said as she plucked another pin from her chignon. “Did you arrange for the champagne?” Juliet added.
“Yes, my lady,” Milly said as she brushed out Juliet’s hair.
A knock sounded at the door, and Milly smiled. “There it is now.” She went to the door and retrieved the tray. After placing her burden near the hearth, Milly returned to Juliet.
A short time later, Juliet stood in front of the lit tree wrapped in her dressing gown with her hair streaming loose down her back. Milly had wrapped her naked body in a length of red silk that covered her intimate spots, then formed a bow at her waist before covering her with her green dressing gown.
Juliet could scarcely wait for Giles to enter so she could reveal herself. And as luck—or good planning—would have it, she did not have long to wait.
Giles pushed the door open and stepped into the room. His jaw slackened and his eyes lit as he took in the sight of the Christmas wonderland she had constructed.
Juliet thrilled at the look of amazement on his face. “Merry Christmas, handsome,” she purred.
“It is not Christmas until tomorrow,” he said, turning his gaze in her direction.
“If I had waited for the morrow, you would not have been so surprised. And besides, I wanted to give you something this afternoon.” She pulled the tie on her dressing gown, shimmied her shoulders, and let the green material pool at her feet. “Surprise.” She gave a wicked grin as she unabashedly held his gaze.
His eyes smoldered as he strode over to her. Giles feathered his fingers down the bare length of her arm, and gooseflesh erupted in their wake. “How did you know I wanted you for Christmas?” he asked, his tone unusually series.
“A lucky guess, I suppose,” she said. “And now that you have me?” She arched a questioning brow.
“I intend to savor you.” He slid his arm around her back and pulled her tight against him as he crushed his lips to hers.
Juliet pushed her palm against his chest, breaking free, then strode over to the fireplace to retrieve the champagne. “Before you do, I have more in store for you.” She returned to his side and handed him a flute. “Let us toast or first Christmas together.”
He grinned and held his glass up. “Let this be the first of many, darling.”
She tapped her flute against his, a broad smile stretching her lips. “And let them all be magical,” she said before bringing the glass to her lips.
