4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

J uliet’s breath caught, allowing her imagination to run wild at the mention of Theo escorting her upstairs to her chamber. “Thank you, Theo,” she managed to say in response.

She had only hoped she hadn’t left his breeches damp from how aroused she had been pressed against him. She knew enough to know that she was pressed against his cock, and based on the hardness of it, he wasn’t without notice either. The realization only made her arousal even greater.

Where conversation had come so easily between them all day, she was at a loss for what to say as they ascended the grand staircase together. She was certain her skin was flushed all over from where it heated, and she pushed aside all of her wicked thoughts. He wasn’t the man for her, even if he appreciated art. She wasn’t even certain she wanted a man to begin with. It was only natural that in the situation they were put in, that there would be a bit of instinctual arousal from their bodies, right?

They reached her door, and she looked around to see if anyone was in the hallway. Before her good sense could stop her, she opened her door and pulled him in with her.

“This seemed like the most opportune time to show you my painting,” she said when he looked at her with surprise. “We might not get the chance again without someone seeing us.”

At least she told herself that was why she pulled him in. It certainly wasn’t because she didn’t wish to depart from him yet.

“Ah, quite right,” he said, seeming to shift on his feet as if he were uncomfortable. “I would like to see it.”

She pulled him to the easel next to the window and let him see the canvas where she had sketched out a few lines to serve as the foundation for the piece and where she had started painting the body of the woman. Her stomach was in knots as he assessed her work. She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted him to appreciate and see the value in her art.

He looked at it thoughtfully, and every moment that went by where he didn’t say something made her stomach tense tighter .

“You are quite talented,” he finally said. “I mean it. I see where you are going with the piece, and I can’t wait to see it finished. Please tell me you will allow me to do so.”

She beamed at him. “Thank you, Theo. And of course you may.”

“Did you have a model sit for you?”

She shook her head. “No, I was inspired when I saw a woman with a rounded belly and created the likeness the way I wanted it.”

He turned to face her. “You are impressive, Jules.”

“I would still love to see your work.” She wanted more than anything to see what he drew. She was curious what would capture his attention and how he would translate it on paper.

“I don’t know if mine could compete with yours,” he said, glancing back at her painting. “You might take pity on me.”

She touched his arm and forced herself to ignore the electricity she felt, even though she wasn’t even touching his skin. “I have no doubt your work is extraordinary.”

His gaze locked on hers and they stared at each other for a few moments, neither looking away. He took a step closer to her so there were only a few inches between them.

She thought he might lower his mouth to hers, and she shivered from anticipation. The movement captured his attention, and he appeared to shake off his thoughts.

“You must be freezing, Jules. I shall depart so that we might get out of these wet clothes. I shall see you at dinner.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. She wasn’t sure where her words had gone. Perhaps it was the mental image of him peeling away the wet clothes from what was an obviously muscled frame, if his broad shoulders and taut legs were any indication.

He strode to the door and opened it slowly to peek out and see if anyone was in the hallway. He glanced back at her and grinned before disappearing to the other side of her door.

Her entire body was heated from being in his presence that she wasn’t certain the cold, wet clothing had any impact on her. Sighing, she reached for the bellpull so that Bess could help her get out of her wet riding habit.

A few minutes later, Bess appeared. She had a warm bath brought up. Once Juliet had bathed and soaked in the warm water, Bess helped her to dress in a dinner gown. Juliet sat at the vanity and let her maid brush her now-dry hair and style it into a simple chignon for dinner .

As soon as Bess finished, Juliet jumped up from her chair, wanting to work on an idea that came to her. She grabbed another piece of canvas and began sketching. Juliet worked on her sketch until she knew she would need to fetch Eliza to join for dinner. She hid her work behind the other canvas on the easel and departed to venture to the next door over where Eliza was staying.

Eliza had skipped out on dinner the previous night to avoid her past love, and Juliet wouldn’t allow her to do the same that evening. Juliet’s mind was muddled, and her body was still aflame. She needed the company of her best friend at dinner, if only to give her someone to talk to while she attempted to distract herself from her wicked thoughts.

When they entered the salon, Juliet was instantly aware of where Theo was. She didn’t tell Eliza about her encounter with the man, or that she referred to him as Theo. Her friend would read far too much into it. Perhaps she would tell her tomorrow once she had sorted out her thoughts, or at least gave herself a release from her own hand so she might have her wits about her again.

Theo’s eyes were on her, and he nodded at her when she caught his gaze. She wasn’t sure if she was annoyed or relieved that he didn’t come to greet her. It would have put her in an odd spot with Eliza, especially after she had given her friend such a hard time yesterday about not telling her that her past love, Nick, was in attendance at the party.

She smiled back at him and selected a glass of sherry for herself.

“I saw you riding with Lord Camden today,” Eliza said. “Did you have an enjoyable time?”

“What? Oh, yes. He is a good conversationalist.”

Eliza gave her a knowing look and leaned closer. “Perhaps you are the one who should consider a tryst?”

Juliet’s face heated, and the room was far too warm for her liking. “Rosina said the same thing. You are both mad.”

“I don’t think I am.”

“What about you?” Juliet asked, shifting the focus away from Theo. “Is Lord Irvine going to appear in your chamber tonight?”

Eliza huffed. “I don’t know. Nick is everywhere I turn, and I don’t know what I feel with him so near. I’m still thinking about it.”

Juliet suspected her friend had much stronger feelings for Nick than she was ready to admit, but Eliza would have to work through it on her own.

Their hosts, Lord and Lady Ockham, began leading the party to reconvene in the dining room for dinner. Lord Irvine appeared to escort Eliza. Juliet followed, and an electric shock coursed through her body before she looked to her left and realized that Theo stood next to her, extending his arm.

“You looked in need of an escort, my lady.”

She smirked at the return to formalities while surrounded by the other guests. “Haven’t you been my hero enough times today?”

“What can I say? Perhaps saving beautiful young ladies is my new calling.”

“If you need a reference, I’d be happy to give one,” she replied, smiling up at him. She had never flirted with a gentleman before, and she found she quite enjoyed it. Perhaps too much. Or perhaps it was him that she enjoyed the most.

He seated her in her place in the dining room, then took his own seat, which was directly across from her. She would spend the entire meal with him directly in her line of sight.

Theo glanced across the table at her and appeared as if he were contemplating something. He didn’t speak with anyone and seemed to work something out in his head. She forced herself to look away so he wouldn’t think she was staring at him. Even if she was.

Lord Duncan was seated to her right, and he wasted no time starting up a conversation with her.

“I hope you are feeling well after getting caught in the rain, my lady. ”

“I am well. Thank you for the concern.”

He smiled at her. “Glad to hear it,” he said. “I believe there will be a trip to the village tomorrow. I hoped you might accompany me.”

She glanced at Theo, who was looking down at his plate. Lord Duncan was handsome but not nearly as much so as Theo. There was something about Duncan that made her uneasy, even though he had technically done nothing that was untoward. Other than constantly stare at her chest, she reminded herself. She supposed he also tried to make Theo look bad in her eyes, which wasn’t well done of him.

“Of course, my lord.” It was polite to accept him, even though she wasn’t certain she preferred him as her escort. “I hope you won’t mind if Lady Eliza joins as well. She will wish to attend with me.” She could have Eliza assess him as well and see what she thought about the man.

“Not at all. I would imagine Lord Irvine will join our small party from the looks of things.”

Juliet glanced down at the other end of the table and saw the pair in conversation. “You may be right about that.”

Dinner passed by with nothing of note. Polite conversation from those who were seated around her. She couldn’t help but notice that Theo remained quiet unless someone spoke directly to him, and part of her wondered if something was amiss.

The ladies departed the dining room to leave the gentlemen to enjoy their port. They decided they would take turns playing the pianoforte and singing for the group once the gentlemen arrived. Juliet and Eliza would perform a duet they had played together a few times before.

Once the gentleman arrived, she watched the door for Theo to enter. When he did, she continued watching him as he grabbed a tumbler of brandy from the sideboard.

When the first woman took her turn at the pianoforte, she glanced at him again and noted that he stared at his glass, not paying attention. He did the same with the next performer.

Eliza grabbed her hand and pulled them both to take their seats on the bench. They didn’t need sheet music since they had performed the song so many times, so they played and sang. Juliet’s fingers were comfortable and familiar, moving across the keys. She glanced up and caught Theo staring at her. Her voice almost caught, but she recovered and kept singing. She glanced at him again, and his gaze remained fixed on her.

Her entire body thrummed. The place between her thighs was damp, and she clenched them together, attempting to ease her discomfort. She closed her eyes, singing and trying her best not to think about straddling him.

When the song was over, the room erupted into applause. Lord Irvine approached the bench and took Eliza’s hand, leading her to the terrace.

An outstretched hand appeared to her right, and she knew without looking up that the hand belonged to Theo. “My lady.”

She clasped his large hand, allowing him to help her stand and move away from the pianoforte. He shifted her hand to the crook of his arm.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” he asked.

“Embroidery,” she deadpanned. “I’m atrocious. I shan’t ever stitch you a handkerchief.”

“Noted,” he replied. “I shall have to settle for the plain white ones.”

Another performer positioned herself at the pianoforte and began playing. Juliet stood there, attempting to listen, but her attention was continually drawn to the feel of Theo’s firm bicep beneath her fingers.

There were a few more performances. After the final one, all the guests began making their way to their chambers. She glanced up at Theo. He appeared to be lost in thought, as he had much of the evening.

She glanced around and there wasn’t anyone in earshot. “Is something amiss, Theo? ”

He appeared to shake off his thoughts. He opened and closed his mouth again before finally responding. “Not at all.”

“It appears the evening has come to a close.”

“I believe you are right, Jules,” he replied, keeping his voice low. “I shall escort you upstairs.”

They climbed the stairs together, and when they reached the top, she released his arm. It would be far too scandalous, with the rest of the houseguests moving about for him to escort her all the way to her chamber. Besides, he wasn’t courting her. She wasn’t sure what he was doing, precisely, but she found herself wondering what he looked like beneath his clothing. And such thoughts could be problematic.

“Good night, Theo,” she said, looking up at him in the dark hallway, his chiseled face far more intense and heart-stoppingly handsome with only the low candlelight.

“Good night, Jules.”

She released his arm and continued to her chamber. Bess was waiting for her when she arrived to help Juliet ready herself for bed. Juliet completed her evening ablutions and changed into her night rail. Bess brushed out her hair and fixed it into a long, loose plait. A fire had been tended in her chamber, so the room was warm and cozy as she prepared to climb into bed.

She released Bess for the evening and seated herself before the fire, staring at it. Theo unleashed something in her. Something wanton. She had done little but imagine what he would feel, look, and taste like if he were naked before her. What his kiss might be like. What that hard bulge she rubbed up against might feel like inside her.

The dampness pooled between her thighs again. Thankfully, within the privacy of her room, she could finally do something about it. Eliza had told her everything about what coupling with a man was like and how she could give herself a release from her own hand. The knowledge had been useful, and she was badly in need of such release.

She rose from the settee and crossed the room to climb into her bed. She lay back and replayed the memory of her thighs wrapped around Theo’s torso. With each bounce of the horse, she rubbed against him.

Wanting to recreate the fantasy, she came up onto her knees. She spread her thighs open, simulating the position she was in when she straddled him. She pulled her night rail over her head, as the fabric was in her way, leaving her completely naked.

She cupped her left breast in her hand and ran her thumb back and forth across her nipple. Reaching her right hand between her legs, she found the sensitive place that had rubbed against his cock and circled it with her finger. She let her head fall back and continued the movement with her fingers while she massaged her breast, releasing a low moan.

Juliet was so entranced by her imaginings that she missed the soft knock at her door.

“Jules?”