He brought his head up to meet her gaze, but did not remove his hand from her thigh. “What is your name, sweetheart?”
“Juliet, Lady Juliet Gale.” She slid her tongue along her lower lip before catching it between her teeth. It was all she could do to keep herself from reaching for him and pressing her lips back to his.
“I will stop if that is truly your wish.” He brushed his lips against hers. A soft meeting of his flesh to hers. “Tell me you dislike my kisses.” He brushed his lips against hers a second time. “Say it is so, and I will leave you to your book.”
Her mouth went dry as she stared into his passion-glazed eyes. She really ought to tell him to go. Demand that he do so and deny enjoying his kisses. Yet, she could not find the words. Instead, she asked, “What is your name?”
He gave a devilish grin. “Giles Fortescue, and I am going to kiss you now.”
Surely, she’d gone mad, for she leaned in, desperate for him to do that very thing. She welcomed the press of his lips against hers and sank into the kiss. Juliet relished the desire burning within her as she gave herself over to him.
A woman’s shriek broke through the fog of Juliet’s mind a moment before Giles released her. She stared over his shoulder in shock and freight at the woman standing just inside the door. Her blood ran cold as the woman pointed at them and yelled. “He’s compromised her!”
Juliet’s heart tumbled at the sight of two older matrons standing several paces behind the younger woman. She’d wager that everyone in attendance would hear of this by hour’s end.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Her reputation would soon be in tatters, and she had no one save for herself to blame.
She really should have stopped him.
Chapter 3
“There is no reason to carry on, Kitty,” Giles said, his voice firm as he took two long strides toward her. He wanted to wring her neck! But then, he could scarcely blame the woman. He had set up a tryst with her, then quickly forgotten when he came upon Juliet.
Of course, Kitty would be angry. But, bloody hell, she had no cause to scream and carry on. Juliet would be ruined if anyone else came upon them.
He froze at the sight of the countess and baroness standing further back in the hall. Too late, for others were already paying witness. He’d intended to put an end to Kitty’s outburst and gain her silence on what she’d witnessed. But now…
Bloody hell. He could have succeeded where Kitty was concerned, but there was nothing he could do about the gossiping matrons. The thought sobered him, the effects of the brandy he’d consumed being no match for the fine mess he now faced. He patted his coat, wishing for more brandy to magically appear in his decanter as he faced the three women crowding the doorway.
The countess strode forward, her lips pressed into a disapproving pucker as she shook her head in a slow back-and-forth manner. She pointed one wagging finger at Giles and said, “You will marry her.”
“With due haste,” the Baroness added. Her ample red cheeks shook with the force of her words and furry.
Giles’s stomach churned, and his pulse sped. “I am sure we can sort this out.” He turned his peering gaze on Kitty. “Lady Lambert can attest to my claim that nothing untoward happened here.” He turned a challenging gaze on her. “Isn’t that right, Lady Lambert?” he asked, his tone demanding and cold.
Kitty crossed her arms over her bust and huffed a furious sigh. “You had your hand under her skirts. Her legs were spread, and the two of you were kissing. Nothing untoward, my foot! You were ravishing her!” She said, with venom dripping from her tongue. “You ruined the girl, and quite thoroughly, I might add.”
Giles cringed inwardly as he wished Kitty had not added anything to the discussion. Why the duce had he thought she would help?
“I can explain,” Juliet said. She must have slid from the table because she marched past Giles without sparing him a glance. “This is all a mistake,” she continued. “A rather large one, I will admit, nevertheless, all is not as it seems.”
The countess stared at Juliet. “Regardless of the circumstances, dear, he compromised you. Now he must do right and marry you,” the countess said with authority. “You must stand up for yourself.”
“There is no need for—” Juliet argued, but the countess cut her off before she could expound.
“There is every need, Lady Juliet,” the countess said, her tone brooking no argument. “You are ruined and will remain such if he does not wed you.”
“I am not ruined,” Juliet continued to argue despite the countess’s firm tone. “My virtue is fully intact.”
“No one will ever believe that,” Kitty drawled. “Why with a rogue like him… it’s laughable.” She laughed as she finished speaking, and the sound sent ice down Giles’s spine.
He should step in and help the lady make her case, but words failed him. He had indeed taken liberties with Lady Juliet. The sort that gave him intimate knowledge of her and quite thoroughly ruined her. He’d wager no other man knew the curve of her silken thigh, or the sweet sound of her pleasure filled moans.
The baroness drew closer, then turned her angry glare on Giles, snapping him from his pondering. She pointed her gnarled finger at him once more and said, “That reprobate took liberties with you. He will marry you.”
Giles cringed as the matron turned back to Juliet. “It is his duty and yours as well. Where are your parents?”
Juliet peered at the collected company; her cheeks flushed scarlet and blue eyes flashed with anger. “That is none of your business. I must speak to the duke,” she said, then notched her chin with defiance as she strode toward the door, paying no heed to the women blocking her path.
