Free The Sextet Presents… The Lady Takes a Pair [In Days of Olde] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Cheryl Brooks Page B

understanding. She longed for a time when she could enjoy breakfast on the terrace with no one but Nick and Will. Far from her father’s censorious tongue, perhaps never to hear an unkind word spoken to her again. To truly know peace…
    The earl had been engaged in conversation with Lord Brough, but now snapped at William. “More wine, boy, and be quick about it!”
    Startled, Juliet barely managed to stifle a gasp. What a detestable man her father was! Having been treated in a similar manner for most of her life, she’d always felt compassion for the servant class. She longed to take the earl to task for his rudeness, or at the very least give William’s hand a commiserating squeeze.
    Almost as though he’d read her thoughts, Rotherford got to his feet. “Since my footman is already engaged in serving my wife, you must allow me, my lord.”
    Crossing to the sideboard, he selected a fresh bottle of champagne. He appeared to know what he was about, removing the foil, untwisting the wire cage. However, he didn’t hold the cork steady and twist the bottle, as Juliet had seen footmen do at least a hundred times, but thumbed off the cork. With a loud pop, champagne erupted from the bottle, dousing the earl as the flying cork grazed the top of his head.
    “Do forgive me, Clarenhurst,” Rotherford murmured as he filled the sputtering earl’s glass. “A fine thing for a new son-in-law to do to his wife’s noble parent.”
    Juliet didn’t know whether to scream, laugh, or feign concern, but Rotherford had climbed yet another notch in her esteem. Perhaps two or three. As he handed her father a napkin, her admiring gaze caught his barely perceptible wink. No, he wasn’t one to be bullied, and anyone who bullied those he loved did so at their peril—even if said bully happened to be an earl.
    Later that evening, her husband would receive extra kisses—or whatever reward he might choose—and she would make her apologies to William on her father’s behalf. And then there was that special treat to recompense Will for not being part of the wedding ceremony.
    Much more of this and I shall have to write out a list.
    But, of course, a list might be discovered, and discovery was to be avoided at all costs. Once again, Juliet knew the delight of a sharing a private joke. Nevertheless, she was bursting with excitement as her wedding night drew near.
    Several of Rotherford’s guests took the wedding as their cue to depart, no doubt understanding the bride and groom’s desire for privacy. Unfortunately, Juliet’s parents weren’t among them. She almost wished a wedding journey had been planned—or that she had been married from Clarenhurst Hall rather than Rotherford’s estate, which would’ve given them an excuse to leave. Instead, the earl would be the one to decide when the party was over.
    Later that same afternoon, while her parents and several other guests played a game of whist, she and Rotherford engaged in a game of billiards. Juliet was about to be soundly trounced by her new husband when William entered, seeking a private word with his master.
    “Really?” the viscount remarked upon hearing William’s whispered message. “Hopefully the rash will prove to be nothing serious. Still, you know how upset people tend to get over such things. Best to summon Dr. Rush.”
    Lord Brough looked up from his cards. “A rash, did you say?”
    Rotherford nodded. “The young son of one of my tenants has developed spots. Most likely it is simply a case of the measles or the chicken pox, but his grandmother will have it that the child suffers from smallpox.” He glanced at William. “Have you heard of any other cases in the vicinity?”
    “None, my lord,” William replied. “Perhaps this is the first.”
    Cards went flying as Juliet’s mother leaped to her feet. “We must leave at once!” She turned to Juliet. “And you should, too, my dear. Perhaps a wedding trip to Brighton is in order.”
    “My dear Countess,”