Page 5 of Her Duke of Sin: Lady Be Wicked
“Go,” Wyndam waved him off. “I will finish my conversation with Carrington. You know where to find me if you need to discuss what is really bothering you.”
“I do,” Gideon replied, then left the earl’s study. Maybe he would explore the library. A good book might help occupy his mind, and if fate was on his side, he’d locate a certain blonde beauty.
Juliet strolled into the library. Lady Wyndam had sent her for a certain book. One that she’d wanted to read but had forgotten to have it retrieved from the library. Juliet needed to sit for a few moments and catch her breath. The countess would not mind if it took her longer than normal to bring the book back to her.
She had been occupied with tasks since dawn, and it was barely afternoon. How was she going to keep up this pace once all the guests arrived? Everyone that they had been expecting that day had arrived and been settled into their assigned chambers. There could be a surprise arrival, but she doubted that would happen. The invited guests had all responded with their travel plans and they had been able to make the appropriate arrangements with that information.
That did not mean Juliet had an easy time with it all. This house party had taken a lot of time to organize. It had barely begun, and she was ready to beg for time to herself. The next fortnight would be excruciating; however, Juliet would not complain. She knew how fortunate she was to have this position, and she would do nothing to jeopardize it.
Juliet went to the bookcase where the requested tome should be located and scanned the shelf. After a few moments of studying the books, she pulled a book with a black spine and old writing off the shelf. It was titled: A Wicked Widow’s Guidebook. Juliet frowned. Did they actually have a guidebook for Lady Wyndam’s group of widows, or was this just an odd coincidence? She wasn’t supposed to know much about that particular group; however, she had been in service with Lady Wyndam for three years now. There wasn’t much about the countess’s life that she had not noticed.
“Is that a good book,” a man asked.
It startled Juliet, and she dropped the book onto the floor. Juliet leaned down and retrieved it, then turned to face the Duke of Sinbrough. “Your Grace,” she greeted him. “I thought you would rest in your bedchamber until the evening meal.”
“Are you disappointed?” he asked. “Did you hope to join me?” The duke strolled over to her and snatched the book out of her hand. “If that was your intention, I can return and wait for you.”
What had she done that had warranted the attention of this man? “I did not intend to enter your chamber,” she said in as calm a tone as she could manage. “If that was my objective, I would never have left you alone there earlier.” She held out her hand. “Can you please give me back the book?”
The duke examined it and then met her gaze. He had a grin on his face that she wanted to make disappear. It made her insides flutter, and she didn’t like it. “What interest do you have in wicked widows?”
“None,” she admitted. “As I have never been married and do not expect I’ll ever marry, a widow wouldn’t be of interest to me. The book isn’t for me.” She wiggled her fingers. “Not please return it.”
“Who is it for, then?” He tilted his head to the side. “Ah. I understand. The Dowager Countess of Wyndam needs it. You are her companion, correct?”
Juliet sighed. “Why must you be so insufferable?”
“It’s part of my charm,” he replied in a glib tone. “Are you taking the book to her now?”
She arched her brow. “Why would that concern you, Your Grace?”
Earlier she had lamented on how tired she was and that she could use a good rest. Standing in the library with the Duke of Sinbrough had invigorated her. Something about him made everything inside her come alive with anticipation. She never knew what he might do or say and she had to keep vigilant or he’d make a fool of her.
“It doesn’t.” He shrugged his shoulder and handed her the book. Her hand brushed his as she took it from him. It sent tiny sensations over her, and she nearly groaned. Why did this man make her feel things she didn’t wish to? “I was merely curious,” the duke told her.
“As fascinating as this had been,” she began. “I must leave you to find your own amusements.”
“Wait,” he said as she brushed past him.
Juliet lifted her gaze to meet his. “Did you need something, Your Grace?”
He rolled his eyes. “First, you must desist from all the Your Graces. There is no need for such formality.” The duke grinned. “You should call me Gideon.”
“I am afraid that is most improper, Your Grace.” Juliet blinked several times. Why did he want her to use his given name?
“You’re probably correct…”
“No, I am definitely correct,” she interrupted him.
“Regardless,” the duke ignored her. “I want you to use my given name. Please say you will.”
Juliet blew out a breath. “I cannot. It would suggest a familiarity that doesn’t exist between us.” She wanted the freedom of calling him Gideon. She just could not allow it.
“I will not insist,” he said. “Yet.” The duke added. “However, in time I don’t think you will find it so difficult a request.” He lifted his hand and traced her jawline with the pad of his thumb. “What is your given name, love?”
She swallowed hard. He was so darn close… Juliet could breathe in his scent, and it was heavenly. A bit of spice and sandalwood and what could only be described as the Duke of Sinbrough—a tantalizing fragrance that belonged to him alone. No man would ever compare to him. She shouldn’t allow this close contact, but couldn’t pull away either. “Juliet,” she told him. Her name slipped off her tongue before she realized she was offering it to him.
“My sweet Juliet,” he said huskily. The sound of her name in that decadent voice of his made her belly flutter with need. “Thank you.” The duke lifted her hand and turned it over, then pressed his lips to her palm. “Until our next meeting, love.” He dropped her hand and then strode past her out of the library. Juliet stood there like a fool and couldn’t think properly for longer than she would ever willingly admit. When she regained her wits, she took the book to Lady Wyndam, then excused herself. She had to go find a place to hide until she could act like the proper companion she usually presented to the world.
