Read Online When a Marquess Loves a Woman by Vivienne Lorret - Free Book Online Page B

the plain white card with Lady Granworth in a scrawled sideways slant.
    Curious, indeed.
    Truth be told, a small thrill sprinted through her. None of her admirers had sent her a gift before, not even when she’d been a debutante. Oh, certainly, she’d received plenty of flowers, but they had lost their appeal during her marriage. Lord Granworth had only presented her with flowers when she was amidst a gathering of people and only for the purpose of hearing their praises at what a fine husband he was. Pretending to be the gay bride each time, especially when she knew what he was like in private, had grown tiresome.
    Both she and the butler were still staring down at the crate when Zinnia came upon them.
    â€œWhatever is that?” she asked.
    â€œI’m not entirely certain, though it could be a gift,” Juliet supposed and explained that the sender was a mystery.
    Zinnia’s fine brows arched like handles of shepherd’s crooks. “And the reason you have not opened it is because you are wary of the contents?”
    â€œNot at all.” Juliet laughed. “Merely speculating what it could be.”
    She knew it was ridiculous, but she was savoring the moment. Though it was difficult to admit to herself, she’d felt nearly as excited when the domed platter had arrived last night. At first, she’d had no idea what it contained. And even when the enormous slice of cake was revealed, the exhilaration did not fade. In fact, she’d found herself oddly enthralled by Max’s jest. But since they were enemies, as he’d so aptly reminded her yesterday, she could not reveal it. Not even to Marguerite. Therefore, in the privacy of the seldom-used, moldering upstairs sitting room, she’d penned her scathing retort to Max, all the while grinning from ear to ear.
    â€œAs you requested, Mr. Wick,” Mrs. Wick, their housekeeper said, handing a short iron lever bar to her husband. And with a glance around the foyer, Juliet noted that the downstairs maid, Myrtle, had also come closer. Her polishing cloth—which was likely for the silver—now smeared circles on the tabletop.
    It seemed that Juliet was not the only one surprised and excited about this new occurrence.
    â€œWith your permission, my lady?” Mr. Wick asked.
    Juliet inclined her head, holding her breath.
    The lid came off with a screech, the nails yanked from the wood sending a shiver down her back.
    Zinnia was the first to speak. “Is that . . . ice?”
    And sure enough, within a bed of straw sat a glistening, wet block of ice.
    Confused, Juliet first wondered if this delivery was made in error, and she would need to return it. After all, ice was too precious a commodity to waste, and they still had plenty left over from yesterday’s delivery . . .
    Then something occurred to her. “Zinnia, did you happen to mention my ice order at Harwick House last night?”
    Her cousin hesitated a moment and then offered a nod. “Only to allay Marjorie’s concerns for your health, though I was careful not to be overheard, as Lord Thayne was across the room.”
    Juliet wanted to growl. Of course, Max had overheard. She’d been in that parlor often enough to know that if a person sighed on one end of the narrow room, the rounded ceiling would carry the sound all the way to the window and flutter the curtains.
    â€œThis isn’t Marjorie’s handwriting,” Zinnia said, examining the card. “In fact, I’d say it appears rather masculine— Oh my! Do you suppose that Lord Thayne did overhear and sent this out of concern for you?”
    Her cousin’s keen eyes were sparkling a bit too brightly for Juliet’s taste. “Hardly. Max is no more concerned for my well-being than a wolf is for a rabbit’s. This was merely an error in delivery, and we will return it to the ice house.”
    Even though she was certain it had been Max looking to taunt her, she decided it