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“But we’re not done talking.” He stepped closer again, but she held up her hand to stop his other hand coming to her hip.
“If we don’t step into that room soon, you’ll have a joint wedding with your cousin.” She straightened her shoulders for added effect. “We might not be sophisticated ladies, but here in the country we follow the rules.” It was a lie, of course. With very few eligible men about Seabridge Gate, her father was decidedly lackada
isical about such social guidelines.
He straightened. “Really? Simple country girl is what you’re going with? You’ve given me more trouble in the last five minutes than any woman I’ve met in the last five years.”
“Thank you,” she answered, hiding her smile.
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
She shrugged, turning toward the door. “I’m going to take it as one anyway. I’ll see you out on the balcony in precisely five minutes.”
Chapter Three
The little devil turned and was gone. He’d been honest. Juliet was more cantankerous than any woman he’d met for a long time. More interesting too.
The troubling part was that she’d been perfectly honest in all of her answers. Like she had nothing to hide. But surely, she must be hiding something. Chase would not have changed his mind so completely in a week.
She might not be aware of Ophelia’s deception. He’d have to talk with Chase to find out for certain. But for now, he had a meeting on the balcony with a beautiful woman. Chase could wait for a bit. And any information would help him to understand, even if she didn’t know the full extent of the truth.
For example, the knowledge that their grandfather was the earl meant Ophelia wasn’t quite as inappropriate as he’d first believed. Not that he still didn’t believe Ophelia had trapped Chase in some way.
He was positive there was more to this story.
After stepping into the room, he made his way over to the buffet and looked at the delights that filled the table. Delectable pies filled with both fruits and meats met his gaze, platters of fresh vegetables that had clearly been shipped in. He supposed that was easier when the host owned a shipping company.
He picked up a small turnover and took a bite, finding the middle stuffed with juicy and perfectly seasoned pheasant. As he ate, he caught sight of Lord Crestwood. The man was legendary in London for bedding every beautiful woman he met. Handsome and charming, Dane wasn’t surprised the man had been such a rake. And yet, at this exact moment, he was holding a piece of embroidery that he and a beautiful blonde were assessing. Dane could only assume that was Crestwood’s fianceé. The legendary rake stared down at the piece of thread thoughtfully as though he were considering the needlework just as carefully as he might a hand of cards.
The pheasant soured in his mouth and Dane swallowed the bite of food. It scraped down his throat, nearly causing him to choke. Perhaps witchcraft was a viable option after all.
He saw his stunning little redhead step out onto a balcony that overlooked the ocean. This room had three of them, each with a double door. As she disappeared from view, he realized the balconies must be larger than the doorways themselves. He set down his pie and followed her.
The sun shone brightly, sparkling off the water as a breeze touched her skin. It ruffled her hair, causing a few errant pieces about her face to drift this way and that. He resisted the urge to trap one between his fingers and test the color against his skin and the silkiness of the tress.
“You’ve got questions?” he asked as he came to stand next to her. Somehow, she fit this place. Her auburn red hair glinting in the sun as the blue water danced in the background. He watched as she drew in a deep breath.
“I do.” A small smile pulled at her lips. “First—”
“Juliet,” one of her sisters called. “Are you out here?”
Juliet. He’d heard Chase use her name as well. He liked it. There was something so warm and open about her. The name suited her personality perfectly.
“Yes,” she turned back. “I’m right here, Bianca.”
Another girl appeared in the door, the one he’d seen with Craven. “Oh.” Her sister blushed a bit as she met his gaze. “Pardon my interruption. Papa was just checking. I’ll tell him where you are.”
Juliet looked at him with her brows up as if to say, I told you so, and then she turned back to the water.
“So…” he started, not even bothering to look at the ocean. He wouldn’t pretend the bright blue and white crashing waves were as interesting as the woman in front of him. “You wanted to ask me a question.”
She nodded. “I do.”
“And?” he asked, crossing his arms. The truth was he was acting annoyed but he rather enjoyed the balcony and her company.
She looked at him, turning her head this way and that as though she were observing every aspect of him. He resisted the urge to shift on his feet, instead standing a bit taller. “You know,” she said placing a finger on her chin. “You’re quite handsome when you’re not scowling.”
He raised a brow. “Thank you?” Then he moved a bit closer. “Though your compliment would have been nicer if you hadn’t added the qualifier.”
