Page 40 of Juliet's Touch

Chapter twelve

JulietandEricfollowedEmily and Alexander into the foyer, where they shook the snow from their coats. Even her soggy hat did not detract from Juliet’s good humor. She untied her bonnet and removed her mittens, exchanging them for the dry shawl that Esther proffered. Juliet hugged the cashmere around her as she followed the parade to the drawing room, where trays of cakes, dried fruits, and small ham sandwiches awaited them. Emily poured the tea as they filled their plates.

Still cocooned in the cozy shawl, Juliet chose a chair close to the crackling fire. The heat warmed her cheeks and hands as she devoured two sandwiches and an iced cake. Exercising in the fresh air always whetted her appetite.

Emily and Alexander claimed the settee. Eric sat in the chair beside them, balancing his loaded plate on his knees. The dainty teacup he held looked like a child’s toy in his large hand. Interestingly, his knuckles were swollen, and his fingers were long, much like Mister Brown Eyes’ hands.

Augh.Of course, their hands were similar. Eric’s knuckles were swollen and scarred because he was a pugilist, and Mister Brown Eyes punched villains.

As they ate, Alexander chatted away, filling them in on the changes he wanted to make to his garden come spring. Emily echoed her husband’s enthusiasm, showering compliments on his lovely flowers. Juliet tried to be attentive, but it was difficult to focus while the man across from her radiated distracting masculinity.

Unable to control herself, she stole a peek through her lashes. Eric’s wind-kissed cheeks and snow-dampened hair curling about his forehead and ears added to his already potent allure. His gaze slid from his half-brother to her, and his lips parted.

Criminy!She’d been caught spying. She averted her gaze to stare into her teacup. He must still be watching her because the heat from his perusal burned her entire being with a scorching intensity. Nibbling on her lip, she looked up.

His lids hung low over the piercing irises. She’d grown accustomed to his injured eye, no longer feeling the need to wince or look away. However, black and blue half circles now underlined his eyes.

Their inhalations and exhalations synced as if they breathed the same mouthful of air. Her heartbeat picked up, and her mouth became dry. As she sipped the last of her tea, his Adam’s apple slid with her swallow, as if he was the one who’d taken the sip. Still desperate for moisture, she licked her lips.

Eric’s gaze followed her tongue, and if she wasn’t mistaken, his breath hitched.

Her heart swooped low as if she were falling.

This was ridiculous. Her behavior was entirely inappropriate. Juliet broke from their sizzling communication to focus on Alexander, who droned on and on about something or other that had to do with long-lasting blooms.

“Blah, blah, blah,” Alexander said as Emily nodded in agreement.

It was no use. Juliet couldn’t concentrate. She could barely breathe.

Teacup in one hand, plate in the other, she bolted onto her feet. “Please excuse me. I want to rest for a bit in my chamber. Then I must choose a book for this evening.”

“Of course,” Emily said.

“Would you like a tour of the library?” Alexander asked. “My books are arranged by—”

“No!” Juliet hadn’t meant to bellow, but she needed time alone to pull herself together.

Alexander’s smile faltered. Obviously, her rudeness had hurt his feelings. “If you change your mind, I would be happy to edify you about the system I use to arrange our books.”

“Thank you,” she said. “You are very kind. I believe I remember where everything is from my last visit.” That was a bald-faced lie, because back then, she’d been more concerned with her sister’s romance than the location of books. Juliet placed her plate and cup on the side table. “Thank you, everyone, for a lovely time.”

Her gaze fixed on the carpet, she hurried from the room.

Exhaling, Juliet addressed the missive she’d just penned to Charles. Perhaps it was cowardly to end her engagement in writing, but her instincts told her that if she tried to talk to him in person, she’d be putting herself in danger. Not only that, but she also could no longer take the guilt coursing through her over her reactions to Eric and Mister Brown Eyes. At least now, if shedidn’t sort out her feelings, she wasn’t cheating on a deplorable fiancé.

“Miss,” someone behind her said.

Juliet whirled, to find Esther staring at her. She placed her hand on her wildly beating heart.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Esther said. “I knocked, but you didn’t answer so I thought I’d better check on you.” Esther inclined her chin toward the letter. “Who is the missive too?”

What a nosy woman. Juliet bit her lip.

“I can take it into town for you,” Esther said.

Actually, that would be quite helpful because then Juliet could go to the library and choose a book.

“Thank you, Esther. It is crucial that this letter is posted right away.”