Giles fought the urge to ravish her again. To make that becoming blush painting her cheeks spread to her toes. He fisted his hands at his side and stood in place as she strode toward the door. Thorne would kill him, but she was right. If anyone could help now, it was him.
Perhaps Giles should follow her and speak with Thorne himself.
Bloody hell, he would give his left arm for more liquor right now.
Both arms to be between the fair Juliet’s thighs.
Pressing his eyes closed for a heartbeat, he shook the thoughts away. Surely he was daft to stand here thinking of booze and frigging while his freedom hung in the wind.
As Juliet reached the door, Kitty stepped into her path and took hold of her arm. Juliet narrowed her eyes at Kitty. “Take your hand from me,” she seethed, her back stiff and head held high. She wasn’t the least bit cowed by Kitty, and it made Giles want her all the more.
“The duke is right here. Say what you must.” Kitty nodded toward Giles, and white-hot anger surged through him. How had he ever wished to spend time with the venomous creature? “Isn’t that right, Cleburne?”
Juliet’s blue eyes rounded as she looked at him, her gaze full of fury. She jerked her arm free from Kitty’s hold and fled.
Giles felt a stab of regret as he watched her expression change the moment Kitty spoke his titled name. He should have told Lady Juliet when she asked who he was. Undoubtedly, the lady knew of him—knew what a reprobate he was reported to be.
Giles strode toward Kitty, a menacing set to his jaw. “Are you satisfied now?” He asked, disdain thick in his throat.
She gave a bone-chilling smile. “Quite.” Then turned and walked away.
He exhaled a deep breath as he scrubbed his hand over his face. He had to find Thorne and Juliet. If he must marry the chit…
Well, he could think of worse fates. But he’d not give into facing the vicar just yet. Not before he had a chance to smooth this over. He started toward the door.
“I think not,” the countess said, then slammed the door and turned the key, locking him inside. “You will wait here,” she called from the other side.
So be it, then. Giles blew out a slow breath and pulled his decanter from his coat. He tipped it against his lips, but scarcely a drop of brandy met his tongue.
Resigned to wait, Giles stretched out on a nearby sofa, crossed his feet at the ankles, and leaned back against the armrest.
Chapter 4
After sending a footman to retrieve Olivia and Thorne, Juliet went to the duke’s office to wait for them. Her heart raced, her breathing quick and tears threatening as she paced the floor, waiting for them. If anyone could save her, it would be her friends.
She stopped pacing and worried her bottom lip as she stared into the fire crackling in the hearth. She wished she could cast herself into the flames.
No, she wished she could cast the Duke of Cleburne into them. Had she known that was the man kissing her, she would have fled straightaway no matter how much she had enjoyed the contact. He was infamous for his debauchery and affairs. She could not marry such a man.
What the devil was taking Olivia and Thorne so long.
Juliet exhaled a calming breath when they, at last, entered the office. “Thank God you are here. You must help me.” She turned imploring eyes on her friends. “There has been a terrible mistake,” Juliet continued, her mind racing as quick as her heartbeat.
“Without question, we will.” Olivia came to her side and wrapped her arm around Juliet’s shoulders. “But first, you must tell us what happened?”
“Lady Herbert and Lady Stanford say I have been compromised. And Lady Lambert, the vile creature, agrees with their opinion,” Juliet pulled in a breath, “but it is a mistake. A terrible misunderstanding.” Juliet turned her gaze to meet Thorne’s. “You have to help me. I cannot marry Gil… Cleburne.”
Drat and blast! She’d nearly used the rogue’s given name. Her anger blossomed anew, for she’d not have made the mistake if he’d revealed his true identity from the start. And judging by the way Thorne’s eyes narrowed, her mistake had not escaped him.
Olivia rounded on her husband. “I told you there was danger in inviting those with loose morals. Not all peers are worthy of inclusion!” She pointed her fan toward Juliet. “And now look what’s happened.”
“Do calm down,” he said. “Let us understand the situation before you jump to conclusions.”
Olivia paced over to him. “Calm down? Truly? Your reprobate friend compromised my dearest friend, and you are telling me to calm down!” She seethed. “I warned you inviting him would lead to trouble.”
“But he did not ruin me. He merely kissed me.” Juliet folded her arms over her chest. “This is a mistake. A colossal mistake, and surely Thorne can undo the damage.”
“See, darling, nothing to fret over. It is a misunderstanding, and I am quite certain we can sort it out.” Thorne reached for Olivia, but she stepped out of his reach and returned to Juliet’s side. He scowled for a brief moment, then directed his words to Juliet, “Tell us what happened?”
