He moved toward her and caught her waist, drawing her against him with a smile. “No, my dear. Any time you want to put me in my place, you feel free to do so.”

“Any time?” she whispered, her green eyes darkening with an unmistakable desire.

“Any time at all,” he drawled before he brushed his lips to hers. She lifted against him, clutching his lapels with both hands as she molded her mouth and her body to his. He stood with her like that for a moment, then drew away. “Perhaps we will finish this conversation later.”

She stepped back, her cheeks filled with high color, and then she gave him a little curtsey. “I look forward to it, my lord. Good day.”

She tossed him a brief glance, then left him to the library, to his desire and to the duty he’d been fulfilling before he was interrupted. One that seemed a little less painful after a few moments with her.

He only hoped he wouldn’t end up trading his own comfort for her heartbreak. He would have to be careful he did not.

Chapter 17

Thomasina left her conversation with Juliana until right before supper, mostly because she didn’t trust herself not to let her anger be too sharp, too focused. So she had gone to her chamber and simply stewed a few hours. Now, though, she stood before Juliana’s chamber door, pushed her shoulders back, and knocked lightly.

“Come in,” her sister’s voice responded, perhaps with a bit of hesitation. After all, who else would it be but Thomasina? She was certain Juliana knew she was not happy with her. That didn’t even come from their bond of being triplets.

She entered the chamber. Juliana stood before her mirror, her maid Mary smoothing the last wrinkles from her gown. She looked lovely. Juliana always had an air of confidence about her. Not as showy as Anne’s, of course, but something of strength that flowed through her easily.

But as Thomasina stepped inside, Juliana’s expression wavered. Thomasina saw the fear in her sister’s eyes, the terror that they would quarrel and their relationship would be damaged. They had so little left without Anne there. Just each other now and she didn’t want to lose that any more than Juliana did.

She glanced at Mary and said, “I’d like a moment with Juliana. Thank you.”

Mary nodded. “Yes, my lady.”

As the maid left, Thomasina shook her head. “I hardly know what to think any time anyone addresses me as such. My lady. It feels so foreign.”

“Over time you’ll grow accustomed to it,” Juliana said as she watched Thomasina move across the room and fiddle with the bottles on her dressing table. She shifted. “I’m sorry.”

Thomasina faced her, keeping her upset in check as best she could. “If you want to speak to someone about my marriage, I would appreciate it if you came to me. It is tenuous enough a bond in these early days, after so much upheaval. The last thing I need is for you to create a situation where there doesn’t need to be one.”