Page 53 of Juliet's Touch

“Oh, no, Miss. She falls a couple of times a week and she never hurts herself.”

That sounded about right. Maybe her evil slippers were responsible for the mishaps.

“And I’m as sturdy as a castle made of diamonds. I ain’t really a diamond, but I am robust, so I didn’t get hurt either.”

Shame on Juliet for not asking. Although Esther was here animatedly chattering on, so one would hardly think she’d suffered any misfortune.

“Then, Lady Emily told me to enjoy my ride into town. I felt better about the crash and the vase, so I went to the stables. Tommy wanted to take me into town, but I wanted to wait for Walter. He was in a meeting with his lordship because of the horse.” Esther’s cheeks colored up. “A black stallion from London that his lordship has had his eye on. He is quite good with the horses. Walter, not his lordship. I don’t mean any disrespect, maybe his lordship is good with horses. I honestly wouldn’t know. But I could ask Walter. Sometimes I wish I could live in London closer to him. Is London as filthy as they say? Or is it exciting and wonderful?”

This conversation was making Juliet’s head ache and her heart drop. “Esther, did you post my letter?”

“Oh, yes, Miss. Don’t you worry. I’m taking good care of you.” Esther bobbed, then took her leave.

Juliet paced the room, trying to bring feeling back to her numb toes. Eventually, she gave up and was planning to crawl under her counterpane, shawl and all, when Esther bound back into the room without knocking. Placing her hands on her hips, she bent forward and gasped for air. Suspecting that the maid had sprinted in her attempt to be dutiful, Juliet patiently waited.

At last, Esther straightened. “Miss, his lordship already sent the footman up with the buckets. I just passed them in the stairwell.”

The marquess certainly was an attentive host. Although devoted, the Coldpepper’s servants took much longer to warm the water and fill the tubs. No wonder Emily loved living at Chesterhill Manor.

Seeming to have experienced a second wind, Esther lunged for Juliet. “I’ll assist you with your bath, Miss.”

Juliet tried not to shake her head too vehemently. The dear woman was simply trying to be helpful. “I don’t want to be a burden. I’m sure you have other chores to attend to.”

“It’s no burden at all,” Esther said. “It’s an honor to help a lady such as you.”

She did not relish being firm, but Juliet had no choice if she meant to convince Esther to pace herself. Additionally, Juliet would have to insist on privacy.

“I prefer to bathe myself,” she said. “Please wait here and rest. You are working yourself into a frenzy.”

“As you wish.” Esther’s words were obliging; however, her shoulders sagged. “Howbeit, I should help you out of that dress.”

There were a dozen delicate buttons on the back of the bodice that needed to slide through tiny holes, and there was no way Juliet could do it herself. She turned her back to her substitute maid.

Esther hummed as they exchanged the recently donned dress and stays for a fresh shift. Since she had to dart across the hall, Juliet aimed for modesty, wrapping herself in Emily’s soft robe.

Smiling, Esther walked Juliet to her chamber door. “Don’t you fret, Miss. I’ll wait right here, and I’ll help you dress in the blink of an eye. Now, you go warm yourself.”

Juliet thanked Esther, then slipped into the hallway. While hurrying the short distance to the bathing chamber, she reminded herself to lock the door so that her overly eager maid didn’t surprise her by barging in and continuing her story about a broken vase, living in London closer to Walter, and a black stallion.

Pushing on the door, Juliet charged into the room, then stopped short.

Swirling steam mingled with the scent of Pears’ soap. Even through the heavy condensation, Juliet saw the man in the tub, his Herculean bare back on display. Obviously, Esther wasmistaken, and the water was for the only other person staying in the guest wing.

Juliet covered her eyes with her palm and backed toward the door. “I’m sorry. My maid told me my bath was ready.”

“Please stay,” Eric said in that husky voice that made her core vibrate and her knees grow weak. “Just lock the door.”

There was no way she could stay. This wasn’t like the library at night, where she could pretend that she’d accidentally run into him. He was naked, it was daytime, and she was expected in the dining parlor. Of course, there was also no way she could defy his powerful command.

“Juliet,” he said.

She dropped her hand and opened her eyes. Water splashed as Eric rearranged his large body so that he faced her.

“Lock it, Juliet.”

Although he’d issued a directive, there was a gentleness in his voice that let her know that whatever happened next was entirely her choice. But the scandalous truth was, she wanted to be locked away with him.

Without further ado, she fiddled with the hardware until she was certain the door was secure. Her nerves aflutter, she faced Eric and dropped her gaze to stare at the floor.