Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

W hen the music began to play, the ballroom seemed to brighten up even more.

Laughter and excited chatter filled the air as people found partners to dance with, all looking to revel in the best the night had to offer.

Lord Emerson returned, as he had promised, and at first Lord Somerton thought the young man was there to speak with him. It was genuinely entertaining for Juliet to watch his facial expressions change from one of confusion to shock to barely concealed horror as the Viscount whisked Anne away.

“Why is he dancing with my sister?” Somerton questioned as he watched them approach the dance floor.

“Because they wish to dance with each other?” Juliet spoke in the same tone that he had, still very amused by the whole situation.

The Earl looked as though he had further complaints about the issue but decided there was nothing he could do about it, turning to face Juliet fully.

“This might seem too forward of me, Your Grace, but would you do me the honor of dancing with me? I promise I have no ulterior motives. It feels a little too pathetic standing here and watching others enjoy themselves, no?”

Juliet felt a little conflicted, not really in the mood to dance but not wanting to offend Lord Somerton by dismissing his offer.

“I’m sure a single dance will suffice,” she agreed, taking the arm he offered her.

He led them to the dance floor, and Juliet kept her focus on Anne to distract herself from how awkward she felt dancing with a man other than her husband.

She and Hector had shared a single dance at their wedding party, and Juliet had found herself thinking of that moment for days after they were wed.

It had been disappointing to learn that Hector had created a fa?ade for the benefit of their guests. She wanted so much more from him, from their marriage, but it seemed that every time she dared to raise her hopes, they would inevitably be dashed by reality.

“Oh.” She smiled a little at the sight of Anne giggling at what Lord Emerson was saying to her. “Lady Anne appears to be having a good time with her partner.”

Her brother followed the Duchess’ gaze, and his voice took on a warm tone that Juliet would have never guessed he possessed.

“Anne has always been a precious part of my life. Despite my reservations and protectiveness, all I have ever wanted was for her to be happy and safe. She always looks quite lovely and radiant whenever she feels that way, and I think that is how she is meant to live out the rest of her days.”

It was a touching thing to hear. Juliet could tell how much the Earl cared for his sister, and it was truly sweet to know that Anne’s brother had her best interests at heart.

It made her smile even wider, her heart filled with fondness and adoration for her friend, and she was thankful that Anne had someone looking out for her.

“I am sure that your support will help her to live such a life,” Juliet said kindly.

“One can only hope so. Sometimes, no matter what one does, we are left to wonder if we have made the right choices after all. Take yourself, for instance, Your Grace. I am sure you dreamed of a great marriage to a wonderful man who would provide you with everything you could ever want or need. But do you feel that is the case with your current reality?” he asked, staring at her intently.

The conversation had taken such an odd turn so quickly that Juliet was unsure how to respond.

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Lord Somerton.”

“Well,” he started hesitantly, “there are rumors surrounding your marriage. Some say it was merely a ploy for the Duke to cover up his misdeeds, otherwise why would he pick a wife associated with the most troublesome abbey known to the Ton? Some say your family is facing serious financial ruin and marrying you off was the only way to ensure that they would be saved. Of course, these rumors are merely hearsay, Your Grace, and I do not believe a word of it. Still, I would hope that someone as kind and as good as you are would not put herself in a precarious situation for the benefit of others. Your happiness is just as important.”

The music ended, and she pulled away from Lord Somerton as soon as she could, curtsying to him quickly.

“Thank you for the dance, Lord Somerton, but I must find my husband now, so he does not have to search for me.”

Before the man could speak, Juliet turned around and hurried away.

“That is truly an impressive list of prospects. If we manage to achieve even half of your expected earnings within the first year, that would be remarkable. Needless to say…”

Hector had long since stopped paying attention to what Lord Gainsbury was saying, his focus claimed by his wife’s form on the dance floor.

His wife. In the arms of another man. Lord Somerton, no less.

Something hot and bitter unfurled within Hector as his gaze continued to follow Juliet, his fists clenching by his sides as he watched Juliet smile at Somerton.

Why had she never smiled at me like that?

The music finally ended, and he watched Juliet curtsy and walk away from the Earl, heading in a direction where few people were gathered.

“…and I think if we act fast, we can certainly?—”

“I beg your pardon, Lord Gainsbury,” Hector cut him off quickly. “I must attend to some pressing matters. I am happy to see that you are interested in doing business with me. Perhaps we can make arrangements to properly discuss the finer details at my residence?”

“Certainly, Your Grace. I shall eagerly await your invitation,” Lord Gainsbury grinned.

“Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Hector shook his hand and quickly walked off in the direction in which he had seen Juliet go.

He felt uneasy with far too many difficult emotions swirling within him.

First, Juliet had barely acknowledged him on their way to the ball, and then she danced with someone else? Before all in attendance?

He found her surprisingly quickly, seated in a small, secluded alcove.

“What are you doing here?”

He watched as she stiffened at the sound of his voice, but she did not turn to face him.

“Please, Hector…go away. I wish to be alone.”

“Why?” he asked, walking closer.

She sighed and ignored him which only made him angrier.

“Why are you here alone, Juliet?”

“Because I want to be, Hector!” she snapped angrily. “Not everything is about you. I simply want to take some time to straighten out my thoughts, but I cannot have that, can I?”

“You can.”

“So, tell me then. Why are you here? Why did you follow me? If I am such a pain to dwell with, why do you insist on forcing yourself into whatever space I occupy?” Juliet huffed.

Hector did not yet have an answer for that. Not yet. He knew he wouldn’t find one until he was ready to reopen some old wounds.

“Why did you dance with Lord Somerton?”

Juliet glared intensely and pointed an accusing finger at him. “You left me all alone! You brought me here and then proceeded to leave me to my own devices. What was I supposed to do?”

Hector closed the distance between them, gripping her chin and tilting her head back, so she would have nowhere else to look but into his eyes.

“You cannot let another man touch you. No one is allowed to touch you but me. You are mine. And you would do well to remember that.”

Juliet smacked his hand away and pulled herself out of his reach.

“That is ironic, Hector, seeing you only want me when I fulfill some sort of role for your benefit. How will I ever be able to show my worth when this Ton is constantly talking about how scandalous I am? How much of a poor judgment on your part it was to marry me…a nobody from a condemned convent? You only wish to play games with me, and I have grown tired of it, Hector. I do not wish to live out my days as your toy.”

“That’s not true, Juliet,” Hector said, aghast. “None of it. I do not think of you as a source of amusement. That is not true at all.”

“Then what is the truth?”

“You…drive me to the brink of insanity each day. Every day in your presence is a day I am fighting myself to keep my hands off you because the truth is I want you to all to myself.”

This time, he tugged her closer, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

He thought she might resist his advances, but she quickly put her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer to her, sighing into his mouth.

Hector’s hands found purchase on her waist, keeping her still as his mouth devoured her, their tongues mingling wetly as he felt himself stirring.

He needed more. He wanted all of her without delay.

Hector pulled away, took her hand, and led her down the hall. He opened the first door he came to and pulled her through it, thankful when he realized they were in a study. He locked the door before searching for her lips again, hopelessly addicted to the taste of her.

She seemed to melt beneath his touch, and he managed to guide them to a desk, lifting her up to sit atop of it.

While his lips pasted chaste, soft kisses along the skin of her neck and chest, his hands pushed up her skirts, his fingers making their way between her legs.

Juliet pressed a hand to her mouth to muffle her moan, rocking her hips forward to meet his fingers thrust for thrust, and the action made him wild with desire.

He needed to have her. Immediately.

Hector tried to dampen the blazing flames of his desire and calm himself down by focusing on the ministrations of his fingers, but the sounds his wife made and how flushed and beautiful she looked beneath him was enough to launch him over the edge.

He made quick work of removing his breeches, managing to free his hardness in record time.

The gasp that Juliet had let out as he sheathed himself in her made him throb and he had to grit his teeth to keep himself from setting a violent pace.

They didn’t have much time, so he needed to release them both as quickly as possible.

Just as before, Hector loved that Juliet was so responsive to his moves, moaning each time he thrust into her and getting louder each time he increased the speed of his engorged member. He soon had to keep kissing her to reduce the volume of her ecstatic cries.

“You feel so damn good, Juliet,” he whispered to her, pressing closer and deeper.

Their release left them both shaking breathlessly, locked in a tight embrace. Hector pressed gentle kisses to her jaw and spoke to her softly.

“I am sorry. No matter how much I try not to, I keep making mistakes and hurting you, and that is not what I want. I am sorry for my actions after our visit to Marcus’ house. It greatly disturbs me to lose control, and more often than not, I find myself losing it around you. I know you do not deserve to bear the brunt of my moods nor my floundering attempts to recover your trust.”

“Do not try to resolve your issues alone and ignore me in the process. You are correct when you say that I do not deserve your harsh treatment or your often caustic reactions to situations beyond my control. Speak with me. I will always be willing to listen and to help however I can, however you need me to. Do I have your word?” she asked.

“I shall do my best not to disappoint you,” he agreed. “Do not ever believe that I do not want you. I will always want you.”

Juliet nodded, turning her head slightly, so she could kiss him, and she smiled when he playfully pecked her several times on her lips.

Hector quickly arranged himself then took his time making his wife look presentable, rewarding her with a kiss every few seconds.

When they were both sufficiently sorted to face the Ton again, he held her hand gently and asked, “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

Juliet preened, visibly pleased.

“I would love to.”

They returned to the ballroom just as a new song began to play.

Hector realized it was easy to focus on her, likely because she was all that mattered to him. She fit into his arms perfectly, and Hector found himself overcome with wonder with every sway, dip and twirl of her body.

How did I manage to marry such a wonderful woman?

When the dance ended, he took her hand, and they left the ball quickly, exchanging no farewells with their host or any of the guests.

It had been a challenge to keep their hands off each other in the carriage, but their self-control lasted only until they arrived at the Duke’s room.

Garments were quickly discarded and replaced by wandering hands committed to learning each crevice and contour of each other’s bodies.

“You looked breathtaking tonight. Just like a goddess,” Hector mumbled into her skin, every word punctuated by the roll of his hips.

Juliet shivered beneath him and cried out at his rough thrust, her nails raking down his back as she tried to hold onto him.

“Do not let anyone else ever touch you again. You are mine, only mine,” Hector growled, slowing down to grind deeply into her.

It filled him with immense joy, watching her writhing beneath him, defenseless against the divine pleasure coursing through her veins.

“My wife, my darling, my goddess,” he growled, thrusting into her, rough and hard. “ Mine. ”

He felt her clench around him as she found her release, and he followed soon after, lost in crashing waves of ecstasy.

He leaned slightly to the side, so he wouldn’t fall on her, and collapsed onto the sheets, scooping her into his arms just as he had done after their first night, needing to hold her for a while longer.

Juliet leaned upwards, resting her lips against his as she whispered, “Yours, always.”

Warmth spread through Hector’s heart, and he tightened his arms around her, reveling in the feeling of contentedness that she evoked in him.

Perhaps they would be fine after all.