Page 57 of Juliet's Touch

Chapter seventeen

Lookingforwardtobotha hearty meal and seeing Juliet, Eric entered the dining parlor whistling a happy tune. To his disappointment, Juliet was not seated at the table.No need to fret, bloke, she is probably tardy because her maid is fixing her hair,he assured himself. They had made a mess of it while ravishing each other in the tub, and having lived with dozens of ladies, he had firsthand knowledge of the time spent on intricate coiffures.

The marquess looked up from his plate to flash Eric a prodigious grin. “Good day, son.”

Normally, Eric would scowl at the presumptuous greeting, but he didn’t have an indignant bone left in him after his intimate morning with Juliet.

Alexander acknowledged Eric with a subtle nod and a reassuring smile. “Help yourself, Stone.” He pointed at the sideboard.

Too ravenous to engage in lengthy greetings or chatter, Eric strolled past the men and practically pounced on the platters,piling sausage, bacon, toast, eggs, kidneys, and pound cake onto his plate. He carefully balanced his overflowing dish as he sat across from Emily, who was blowing on the steaming contents in her cup.

She peered over the rim. “Good morning, Mr. Stone. Did you happen to see my sister on your way here?”

This was one of those times when being a man of few words was an advantage. “No. Sorry.” Since being naked in the tub wasn’t the same as seeing Juliet on his way to the parlor, he wasn’t actually lying. However, his guilty conscience didn’t quite agree with this conclusion.

Emily gnawed on her lip. “It is not like her to be this late for a meal.”

Feigning ignorance, Eric shoved a large forkful of eggs into his mouth.

“I believe she took a walk in the garden early this morning,” Alexander said. “Apparently, she caught a chill. One of the footmen told me that her maid asked to have warm water sent up for a bath.”

“That girl and her walks.” Emily rolled her eyes. “’Tis as cold as the dickens out there.”

“Hmm?” The marquess’s brow furrowed. “I had water sent up for you, son. Cold water would freeze the devil’s bollocks today. Were you able to take your restorative soak even though the water was warm?”

Eric choked on the bacon he’d just taken a bite of. As he sputtered and coughed, the three individuals sitting around the table sat forward, their eyes wide. A footman charged forward as if he meant to dislodge the meat from Eric’s throat.

Eric composed himself and held up a staying palm. “I’m fine.”

“Such language at the table, Father.” Alexander scowled. “Forgive him Stone. I’d blame his age, but he’s always been like this.”

Chesterhill chuckled. “How was the bath, son?”

Luckily, Eric was saved from having to respond to Chesterhill’s question because Juliet sashayed into the room, bringing with her the palpable joy she radiated like a second skin. Her hair had been restyled in a fetching fashion—long in the back and pinned up with sparkly hairpins on the sides. Her sapphire-blue dress was loose in the bosom and landed mid-ankle. Borrowed, Eric wagered. She wore her walking boots instead of the too-small slippers. Despite the imperfect clothing, Juliet was, as usual, breathtaking.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice as cheery as her smile.

Emily rose and bussed Juliet’s cheek.

As the ladies surveyed the platters on the sideboard, the men ate in companionable silence. Fortunately, this gave Eric time to devise a diversion in case the marquess brought up the bath water again. Pretending to be an oaf and knocking his overloaded plate onto the floor should do the trick.

Luckily, it was the ladies who, upon returning to the table, broke the quietude with no mention of water, tubs, or bathing chambers.

“What shall we do this afternoon?” Emily asked.

As long as he got to spend time with Juliet during the day and was free to sneak to her chamber later that evening, Eric didn’t care what the plan was.

“I dare say, it might be too cold for a constitutional,” Alexander said.

“Agreed.” Emily waggled a finger at her sister.

Appearing undaunted by the gentle reprimand, Juliet shrugged. “’Tis cold right now, but the sun is bright. Mayhap it will warm up by late afternoon.”

Her optimism was just another superior quality that drew him to Juliet.

Emily wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I vote for indoor diversions.”

While Alexander and Emily called out activities, Juliet caught Eric’s gaze and sent him a knowing smirk.