Page 70 of The Wolf and the Wildflower
“It must have been a shock.”
“I was more confused, but I then realized why my mother did not agree for me to attend Eton but have home tutors,” Jules said, lost in the memory. “I was also afraid because my mother was afraid. I loved her and I understood it was very important for me to keep this secret. As my body changed I learned to disguise my features, bind my breasts. My voice started to change…and I had to learn to maintain a low pitch. I watched as my sister prepared for a season, I observed how life was different for her…more proper and rigid and then keeping the secret was more than about protecting my mother, it was also so I did not lose the freedom with which I lived.”
She brushed a lock of dark hair out of his eyes, tracing a fingertip across his forehead and over a silky eyebrow, before tugging his head low to meld her mouth to his. James made a noise deep in his throat. A primal, masculine sound of desire that sent shivers straight through Jules. This was the only thing she would allow…and Jules refused to permit irrational wishes into her heart. Their moment was now…this wicked and terrible pleasure between them, and nothing more.
Chapter Thirteen
After a night of untamed loving with James in his tree house, the very next day, carriages and several other equipages from those that had stayed over after the ball had lined up in front of the house, then set off, rumbling and crunching down the gravel-lined driveway until they reached the church in the village. It was all a part of the duchess and her father’s masterful plan of allowing society to see that their duke was adjusting well.
There was a shrewd, no-nonsense air about the duke as he scanned the occupants of the village church.
“I vaguely remember attending this small church as a child and being bored. It does not seem to have changed much.”
Jules glanced around, aware of the sense of waiting as they were observed. The church smelled strange and musty with the scents of mold slightly covered by paint, incense, and a few flowers. It was not a particularly old church, but it seemed to not have been very well built. The walls were mostly white-washed and largely undecorated, but the stained-glass windows were nice.
The vicar effusively greeted the duke, bowing so much that Jules had wondered why he creaked when he bent low. Then she realized that the portly vicar was wearing a Cumberland corset under his vestments. Vicar Henderson’s odor was of sweet wine, possibly fortified with brandy. He wore some kind of hair dressing which was perfumed with a hint of peppermint.
She covertly peeked at James, knowing the varied odors must be an acrid assault on his senses. He appeared unruffled and did not appear impressed by the new vicar who had been far too gratified that thedukewas attending his church.
The townspeople were not very circumspect in their ogling. Everyone looked to be collectively holding their breath. The duke they’d all been speculating about had come to attend the morning service. Jules wondered if those looking on could tell that everything had changed between them, that his taste and scent lingered on her body, and that beneath her clothes strawberry marks covered her breasts, belly, and inner thighs. Could they tell that only a couple of hours ago she had stared at her body in the mirror in wonder, her fingers ghosting over everywhere he had touched and kissed?
“You are blushing, Southby,” he murmured. “I wonder what is it that you think of?”
She arranged her features into what she hoped communicated boredom. When she took another quick peek at him, it was to see James smiling, his eyes gleaming with something far too provoking. The duchess and several members of his family sauntered before them, taking their seats among their places of honor in the front pews.
James stepped forward. “If I cross that threshold and do not burst into flames it was God who kept me for the years I’ve been in the wild. If I even fart and my expression changes, the devil kept me and I am a devil,” he said with caustic drollness.
Jules swallowed the laugh bubbling in her throat. “You are outrageous,” she said from the corner of her mouth.
“I have a very inappropriate sense of humor, I have discovered,” he murmured. “My sister says she is in despair of it.”
“Please do not ever change,” Jules whispered.
They ventured forward and sat in the second row behind most of his family. This outing was just the first in many performances to reassure society. Except Jules truly believed James was becoming more tolerant of people, and earlier she had even seen him speaking with his aunt who had seemed delighted, even as she prodded him about the mysterious lady he danced with last night. His reserve on the matter only seemed to inflame his family’s ire and curiosity.
Jules attended to the vicar’s impassioned sermon, which spoke in length about the prodigal son and God’s faithful mercies. His speech might have been a bit inappropriate and there were some murmurings amongst those who sat farther back. However, those chattering were soon silenced by the announcement of a rousing hymn. The rest of the service dragged on, but after a final blessing, it was over.
Jules wondered how James was coping with it all, the people, being closed in and the strong scents that must overstimulate his senses. Then the vicar and choir traipsed out and shortly afterward the vicar appeared at the now open doors, dressed in a dark suit with a clerical collar. The congregation appeared to be waiting for the duke to leave first as no one moved. Eventually James stood and led his party down the aisle to say their farewells to the vicar. His eyes were politely indifferent, and Jules could not read what he felt. Her father and the duchess cast him glances of concern, but he did not attend to them.
“I will walk back to the estate,” he said to his mother.
The duchess’s eyes widened in dismay. “It will take hours, Wulverton!”
“Then it will,” he said mildly, his gray-blue eyes unfathomable.
Jules suspected he did not wish to be confined in the carriage. “If it is not an inconvenience Your Grace, perhaps I might accompany you.”
“The pleasure of your company would be appreciated, Southby.”
He bowed courteously to his mother, and Jules followed, and as they strolled away she could feel the duchess’s probing stare upon their shoulders. James took them along a path deep into the woods and away from the main road. They walked toward a grassy bank above a small stream. With each step she felt the tension leak from his shoulders, and he tipped his head to the sky, inhaling the brisk air into his lungs.
“Today we attended church, tomorrow night we will sin.”
Thrill shot through her chest and Jules arched a brow in question. “Of what do you speak, duke?”
“Linfield has invited me for a night about town. Will you come with me?”
Her heart skipped a few beats. “To London?”
