She hadn’t felt this nervous since her wedding night, after her mama had finally clued her in as to what Sir Joseph would expect of her. Juliet could remember recoiling with absolute horror that such a thing was even possible between humans, although as a country miss, she’d seen many a barnyard bridal night in broad daylight. But she needn’t have worried overmuch. Despite his considerable girth, Sir Joseph was built for speed, spilling his seed in the blink of an eye. He had then kissed her forehead and gone back into his laboratory in the cellars. She had lain alone in the enormous tester bed, wishing for a bottle of wine and a warm bath. Over the next ten years she had learned to stash a bottle or two under her bed to help her get through the nights. In the daytime she did good works and sewed. Put up preserves. Read the Bible from the first page to the last and began again. Read novels, too, much to Sir Joseph’s disgust.
