Page 13 of Her Duke of Sin: Lady Be Wicked
He scowled. “I thought…”
“This is not the place,” she interrupted him. He knew she was right, but he missed hearing his name on her lips. “Would you like to join me for the morning meal?”
“It would be my pleasure,” he replied. “After you, Miss Adams.” He motioned toward the breakfast buffet.
She grabbed a plate and filled it with some of the food available. Sausages, eggs, kidneys, and toast were amongst the dishes. They would be stuffed from all the food. Most of the guests wouldn’t rise until later in the morning and wouldn’t require more than tea and cakes to sustain them until the evening meal. Others needed something more substantial as they ate earlier, like Gideon and Juliette. That was why they would need their picnic basket. That was why, on most days, food was always available in the breakfast parlor until well into the afternoon. The day before they had scheduled an afternoon meal specifically because of the archery.
They sat down at the table. A maid brought over a pot of tea and set it on the table. Juliette retrieved a cup and filled it with tea. “Would you like some?” she asked.
“Please,” he said. She poured tea into his cup and then set the pot down. He lifted his cup and sipped the fragrant brew. It slid across his tongue with a burst of flavor that he savored. “How are you this morning?”
“Wonderful,” she answered, then sipped her own tea. “And you?”
“Exhilarated,” he told her, then winked. A blush filled her cheeks, and he held back a grin. He liked that she was so attuned to him, and he wanted to make her entire body pinken with desire. One day, and hopefully it wouldn’t be so far in the distant future, he would.
“That is…nice,” she mumbled. Then she took a bite of her eggs and seemed to chew thoughtfully. “About our day…” There was something in her gaze that suggested she worried over what she had agreed to. He had to ease her mind so she would not convince herself it was a terrible idea.
“Do not overthink it,” he said in a calm, soothing tone. “Eat your breakfast and let me take care of everything.” He wanted to ask her to allow him the privilege of taking care of her, but held that part back. At least for now. One day he would not need to even consider asking. It would already be his right to see her every whim was met, and he could not wait for that day to arrive. He wished it was the present, but he had to remember to be patient. Juliette would be his, as he already belonged to her in his heart.
“Very well,” she conceded. Then glanced away from him and stared down at her plate. “I will trust you.”
There wasn’t much more he could ask of her. “Thank you,” he said in a quiet tone. Then their conversation died. They ate in relative silence. He didn’t know why and did not care to dwell on it. Gideon had his own reasons, and he supposed she did as well. They could have a lengthier discussion later. When no one would disturb them, and he could take the chance to kiss her again. He could not wait.
Seven
Juliette strolled to the stable alongside Gideon. He had the maid retrieve their picnic basket from the kitchen for them, and then they had left the breakfast parlor. They walked in amiable silence, as if they had known each other for years and were comfortable enough in each other’s company to not say a word. They could have been mistaken for dear friends to a passerby. She knew the truth, though…
They were not friends, and they were far more than acquaintances. They were not yet lovers. Emphasis on that yet… She had a feeling it wasn’t a matter of if but when they would take that leap. Their paths had been leading in that direction from the moment the duke had arrived at Wyndam Castle. It should terrify her, but it didn’t. Instead, it exhilarated her. She wanted to be with him in every way possible. She had grown to adore him in a very short time.
“Are you a proficient rider?” he asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
She glanced at him and smiled. “I do all right,” Juliette told him. “I do not require the most docile mare available, nor should I mount one that leans toward spirited.” She enjoyed riding, but the opportunity to rarely presented itself.
He nodded. “I’ll let the grooms know.” Gideon handed her the basket. “Wait here. I shouldn’t be too long.” He strolled into the stables, leaving her near a mounting block.
She glanced around the stables, at a loss for what else she should do. Juliette nibbled on her bottom lip and then closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and told herself to stop being a ninny. They were spending the day together. It meant nothing. Did it? What the blazes was she doing?
Gideon strolled out of the stables and headed toward her. He took the small basket from her. “The horses will be ready shortly.” He stared down at her. “What is it?”
Juliette frowned. “Is this wise?” She couldn’t stop the thoughts once they had crawled their way into her mind. Being with him… She wanted that. Juliette had wanted nothing more; however, that didn’t mean she should act on that impulse. A decision had to be made, that much was clear… The problem, of course, was that she kept making one and then would reconsider. He deserved better than her indecisions.
“Darling,” he began. “Nothing in life is ever guaranteed. Shouldn’t we live it instead of expounding on all the reasons we shouldn’t do something?”
“I suppose…” She sighed. “I’m sorry. This is just so…” She waved her hand between them. “unusual.”
“Is it?” He lifted a brow, then brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “In some ways, it may be. I can certainly understand why it has left you in a state of disarray. This is uncommon for me as well. You’re different, and that makes us a surprise I hadn’t bargained for. I want to spend this day with you. Will you please join me?”
He shouldn’t have had to ask again. Juliette had already agreed. She sighed. “All right,” she answered. “I am going to refrain from second guessing this decision going forward.”
“Excellent,” he said and grinned at her. “Here come the horses now.”
Gideon assisted her in mounting her horse, then secured the basked in one of the saddlebags on his horse. He slid into the saddle and lifted the reins. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said, though she wasn’t at all certain. Her entire body vibrated with indecision, or perhaps it was anticipation. This day could lead anywhere, and she wasn’t prepared for the surprises it would unearth.
He flicked the reins, and she did the same. Then they were off. They kept the horses at a slow pace as they meandered towards the path outlined for riding. Juliette was familiar with the estate, but she hadn’t explored too far north. She hadn’t had any reason to. Most of her duties surrounded the actual castle, not the grounds around it.
“Lord Wyndam is going to have a hunt before the wedding,” she said in a casual tone. “Will you join him?”
