Page 17 of The Earl and the Vixen
After breakfast, Dot helped her to dress, and once her bonnet was set, she tapped her knuckles on Juliet’s door.
“Come in,” she heard from the other side of the door.
Eliza entered the room and then closed the door behind her.
“I shall be ready in a few moments,” Juliet said, seated at the vanity where her maid was adjusting her hair.
“I’m certain they won’t depart without us, and if they do, we shall go riding on our own,” Eliza said, taking a seat in a nearby chair.
“Perhaps you hope to avoid a certain gentleman,” Juliet returned, catching her friend’s eye in the mirror.
Eliza rolled her eyes. “You must have missed where I asked Lord Irvine to accompany me.”
“What I didn’t miss is how you are still attracted to Lord Craven,” Juliet returned. “Not that I blame you, of course.”
“Have you forgotten how the man treated me?” Eliza asked. “He made me believe he loved me and wished to marry me, then used a coward’s letter to inform me that it was all a cruel trick.”
Juliet waved off her words. “Of course not. But your eyes don’t lie. And neither do his. There is certainlysomething between the two of you.”
“You know not of what you speak of, Juliet,” Eliza said, tamping down her irritation. “He is merely dallying with me and taunting me for being so foolish.”
“And just how is he dallying with you?” Juliet asked, casting her a knowing look.
Eliza’s cheeks pinkened. “I might have allowed him to touch me a bit.”
“Might have? You know I want details.”
“All right, I did. Just a bit of kissing, and his hands ventured between my legs.” And it was far better than any of the climaxes she had been reduced to giving herself.
Juliet clasped her hands together. “I knew it. I knew there was something between you still. You are trying so hard to fight it.”
Eliza shook her head. “I just wanted him to make me come. Nothing more. He only did so because he wished to dally with me, so I took the opportunity to ensure my own needs were met. He has done so, and that is that.”
Juliet shook her head. “I think there is more to it.”
“What of you?” Eliza asked, attempting to shift the conversation. “You seemed to find Lord Camden to be interesting company. You hardly spoke to me at breakfast.”
Her friend tried to mask the pink of her cheeks, but her reaction wasn’t so easily hidden from Eliza.
“He is interesting for certain.” Juliet’s riding bonnet was set and tied, and she rose from her stool. “I am ready.”
“Let’s be off then,” Eliza said. Anything to prevent further conversation about Nick. She would spend the day in Lord Irvine’s company and perhaps entertain somethingphysical between them. The idea became more appealing if it should help to push Nick from her thoughts.
When they arrived at the stables, the horses were saddled and ready. Her entire body tingled with awareness when Nick stepped close to her to climb atop the horse next to hers. Lord Irvine offered his assistance to help Eliza seat herself in the saddle and then climbed atop his horse.
The ride was relaxing for the most part. With so many others on the outing with them, she forced herself to ignore Nick as best as she could. During the ride, Lady Preston had ridden up next to him and engaged him in conversation.
Eliza had tried to eavesdrop on what they discussed, but Lord Irvine distracted her with questions about her various interests. It prevented her from hearing any of what the lady said to Nick, and it left her irritated. Not that she was jealous. The man was mad to interfere with Eliza’s prospects when he was more than likely fucking the very woman in his friend’s house, all the while dipping his fingers inside Eliza in one of their host’s small parlors.
After riding for a couple of hours, the group stopped for a picnic by a pond. The day was perfect, with the sun high in the partly cloudy skies. The light breeze hit herface and the cool fall air kissed her cheeks. It looked as if it might rain later, but it was still beautiful out.
“Lady Eliza,” Lord Irvine said, getting her attention beside her, “I thought we might share a drink of our spirits this evening to toast our win yesterday.”
She glanced at him and noticed his dark eyes had a few flecks of gold in them, which shone under the September sun. He was handsome, to be sure. If he ever wished to marry one day, he’d melt hearts.
“I would enjoy that, my lord.” There wouldn’t be harm in having a drink with the man, and she could see how she might feel about entertaining something more. It would certainly be one way to get Nick out of her head.
After dinner that evening, the house party had retired to the salon for music. The women in attendance took turns singing and playing the pianoforte. Eliza and Juliet paired for a duet, playing the pianoforte together and singing. They had done so a few times before at other parties and had always received a warm reception. When they finished, the group erupted into cheers and applause.
