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

William?”
    “Possibly, my lord.”
    The smile that accompanied William’s reply further emphasized the familiarity between the two men. They didn’t always act like a viscount and his footman, Juliet noted. There were times when they seemed even closer than mere friends. And then there was William’s remark about her being beautiful, as well as his forwardness in exchanging her clothes—without a word of chastisement from Rotherford.
    Nick and Will …
    As the morning progressed, they visited other tenants, and Juliet found herself relaxing more as the banter between her two escorts increased. The “my lord” disappeared from the footman’s vocabulary, and Rotherford began referring to his servant as Will rather than William. By the time they reached the grassy banks of the small river that wound its way through Rotherford’s estate, Juliet was convinced she’d never spent a more pleasant day in her life.
    Which wasn’t hard to do, she reflected. Her life wasn’t comprised so much of drudgery as it was of complete and utter boredom. She kept herself occupied by reading and playing the pianoforte, and in summer she amused herself in the gardens, pruning the roses and weeding the flower beds. Her father’s gardeners had long since given up scolding her for unladylike behavior, but although she enjoyed it, gardening was still essentially work. What she was experiencing today could actually be called fun.
    As Rotherford reached up to assist her descent from the carriage, she paused to fully appreciate the moment. Songbirds sang in the leafy branches above while the river gurgled over the stones in its path. Sunshine created dappled patterns in the soft grass, and wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze. Then there was William’s broad grin as he spread a blanket out on the turf, along with Rotherford’s warm smile and the heavenly press of his hands at her waist.
    “You are spoiling me, my lord.”
    “Guilty as charged,” Rotherford said as he set her on her feet.
    The viscount’s hands lingered at her waist long enough to quicken her pulse and send heat spiraling down to her core. When he released her, a step backward brought her so close to William his breath on her neck set off a wave of delightful tingles. Oddly enough, none of this frightened her. Perhaps their friendly conversation had lulled her into a false sense of security. However, folly or not, she trusted them, although she couldn’t have said why.
    “You deserve to be spoiled.” William’s murmur sent even more thrills skittering over her skin. “Anything you wish for, we will do our best to provide.”
    “What do you wish for, Juliet?” Rotherford had also dropped the more formal style of address. Was this the prelude to something even more intimate?
    Juliet closed her eyes. She couldn’t possibly tell them what she truly wished for—and yet, they seemed to be offering it. “I want what everyone wishes for,” she replied after a moment’s pause. “Happiness, fulfillment, but most of all, love.”
    William moved a step closer, his hands resting lightly on her hips, his body pressed up against her back. “How much love do you want?”
    A nervous laugh escaped her. “How much have you got?”
    Rotherford raised her hand to his lips before tucking it into the crook of his arm. “Come, let us show you.”
    Escorting her to the blanket, he motioned for her to sit, and her eyes drank in the sight of him as she settled herself comfortably, tucking her legs to one side. Clad in a russet coat of fine cloth, buff breeches, and gleaming Hessian boots, he was every inch the gentleman, just as William was the epitome of a proper footman. Light blue livery augmented his trim physique, reminding Juliet of her desire to tell him to strip it off.
    William opened the hamper and poured the wine. “For our lovely Juliet,” he said as he handed her a glass.
    Meeting his gaze, she recalled having seen that look of smoldering passion in a man’s eyes