Page 38 of Juliet's Touch

“We have both lost our mothers. But we still have an opportunity to make peace with and have a positive relationship with our father.”

That might be true, but just because Eric didn’t loathe Chesterhill didn’t mean he was ready to forgive him for everything. Perhaps it was easier for Alexander to bond with the old man since he’d been blessed with attention and raised as his heir.

“Charlotte is Hugh Fletcher’s wife, correct?” Eric asked, purposely changing the subject.

“Yes,” Alexander said. “At first, their marriage was quite scandalous. The daughter of a wealthy marquess marrying a working bloke was the talk of theton.Interestingly, Fletcher is connected to the aristocracy through his mother’s lineage. His cousin is the Duke of Astleyshire. However, he has never been accepted by the upper echelons of society since his father wasa working-class innkeeper. Charlotte doesn’t seem to care that her choice was unfashionable. I believe there is a benefit to her liberal attitude. If she doesn’t care, then society holds no power over her. She seems quite happy with her comfortable home and small, devoted staff. As much as Fletcher’s arrogance makes me want to punch him, he treats her as if she is a princess. In turn, she loves him with all of her heart.”

“Charlotte sounds lovely,” Eric said in all sincerity. He might even like to meet her someday.

“She is a kind-hearted woman,” Alexander said. “We have another half-brother. He is an aristocrat with a title, and currently, his identity is a secret. It will be up to him to approach you. Father will let him know of your existence. That is, if you want anyone to know. Truly, you call all of the shots right now.”

Since he was still processing everything, Eric had no idea what he wanted beyond freeing Auntie and spending time with Juliet.

“I suspect Fletcher will discover we have more siblings,” Alexander said. “And who knows what scandals he will uncover as he tracks them all down.” He inclined his chin toward the waiting women. “For now, let us speak of topics appropriate for the fairer sex.”

“Of course,” Eric said.

They joined the women on the crest, and the four of them looked out over the countryside.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Juliet asked.

Mesmerized by the healthy color of her cheeks and her bright eyes, Eric couldn’t tear his gaze from her. “’Tis,” he said.

She tilted her head and smiled.

“Ladies, how is it that the two of you look so toasty?” Alexander asked.

“’Tis all about attitude,” Emily said. “Surviving Mother’s moods required finding the silver lining in the grayest of clouds.”

“And I do so love to walk,” Juliet added.

What Eric wouldn’t give to walk with her every day.

“Shall we return home?” Alexander asked.

Juliet sighed. “If we must.”

Emily stepped into Juliet’s space and withdrew a hand from her muff to finger her sister’s bonnet ribbon. “There is warm tea and cakes at the other end.”

“Well, in that case—” Juliet clapped her mittened hands “—let us be on our way.”

Alexander linked elbows with Emily and guided her back the way they’d come. Juliet and Eric fell into step behind them, their companionable silence quite comfortable. Occasionally, Eric turned to the side to watch the flakes land on the brim of Juliet’s hat. If he concentrated, he could hear her steady, soft inhalations.

They were halfway down the snow-covered incline when Juliet broke the silence. “I quite enjoyed last night.” Her voice was akin to a warm caress on his chilled skin.

“I enjoyed our evening as well,” he declared with an enthusiasm he should temper around a woman of her class. “I’ve never played charades before. You were great acting out the tree in the wind.”

Her tinkling laugh mingled with the whistling wind. “Lord Chesterhill gave us much easier scenarios. It did not take any skill to play a tree. You, on the other hand, did a marvelous job of pretending to be a lion. You were so… Well, utterly convincing.”

“Thank you,” he said, his damnable pride swelling his chest.

“Mr. Stone—”

“Please call me Eric.” Hopefully, his request was not too indecent.

She hesitated, and he regretted his lapse in etiquette. He was about to apologize when she nodded.

“Eric, thank you for staying. You have made my sister’s family quite happy.”