Page 42 of Juliet's Touch

Mr. Stone’s eyes widened.

Juliet’s cheeks caught fire.

He slammed the book closed, then stood.

He must think her terribly salacious. Of course, she was behaving like a Jezebel.

She had two choices. She could flee from the library and hide from him forever, or she could face him as a mature, curious woman. Since she was tired of hiding from people, and forever was a very long time, she stood and looked into his eyes. But only for a moment because despite trying to be courageous, she was too ashamed to hold his gaze.

“You see,” she said, her voice sounding meek. “I am getting married, and I do not know much about the things that happen between men and women on their wedding night.”

She’d broken off the engagement, and she would rather sleep with hungry sewer rats than climb into Charles’s bed. However, hopefully, this excuse was less scandalous than admitting she was curious about the book since she’d recently started having carnal fantasies. There was no way, not even if she lived to be a hundred, that she could ever confess to anyone that she’d liked looking at the pictures.

Mr. Stone’s nostrils flared. “I thought you didn’t want to marry Lord Riley.”

The disgust she felt for Charles would not allow her to contradict Mr. Stone’s statement, even to save her pride. “I don’t want to marry him,” she whispered.

“Then don’t. He is a horrible man.” There was so much venom in Mr. Stone’s words that it was as if he knew and detested Charles. “At least, I assume he is horrible from what you and Alexander have said,” he added.

There was no point in lying. “He is horrible, Mr. Stone.”

“Eric.” He stared into her eyes.

“The thing is, Eric, I wrote a letter today breaking off my engagement. My maid is to post it. I fear he won’t accept my decision, and that my parents will force me to keep my word.”Now he would know that she’d been looking at the book for other reasons, but at least the truth was out there.

“I’m begging you, don’t marry him,” Eric said. “If you are afraid of him, I’ll protect you.”

If only this sweet man could keep her safe, but he was no match for the duplicitous Rileys. They would destroy an untitled man, right before they destroyed her. No matter what, she couldn’t allow Mr. Stone to fight her battle.

“I think it is almost dinner time,” he said. “Again, I’m sorry I startled you.” He attempted to hand her the book.

She shook her head and stepped back. “No, thank you. I wasn’t expecting it to be so indecent.” Good lord, she was going to burn in hell for being a cowardly liar.

His expression unreadable, he tucked the book beneath his arm and strolled to the ladder. Juliet couldn’t help but watch his buttocks cheeks flex as he climbed.

He was three quarters of the way up the ladder, when he looked over his shoulder to peer down at her.

She pretended to be looking at the ceiling.

“Is this correct?” he asked.

She hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, although her inner wench chimed in, saying,Your arse is better than correct.

“Is this where you found the book?” he asked.

“Oh,” she mumbled under her breath. She couldn’t tell if it was the exact spot, but he seemed to be in the correct vicinity. “Yes,” she called because she wanted to put this humiliating encounter behind her.

He depositedThe Secret Life of Gentlemenonto the shelf, descended a few steps, then jumped to the ground.

“I meant it,” Mr. Stone said. “I will protect you if Lord Riley threatens you in any way.”

She did not doubt that he would try. But would he still want to put himself out there if he knew the entire truth?

There was only one way to know for sure. “I kissed the man who saved me at the theatre,” she blurted. “I don’t know who he is, and I kissed him.”

Looking down at her, he tilted his head. “I see.”

She swallowed. “I suppose I liked kissing him. Rather, a lot. In fact, I think I quite like him.”