Meeting the Earl of Brightstone again

Walking along the brightly coloured trimmed garden, Janice let out a deep breath.
She inhaled slowly and a smile appeared on her face. Her hair ruffled around her face as the wind blew it.
The garden, which was beside the castle, was her favourite place to go whenever she felt like relaxing.
Janice had often wondered why the garden was separated from the castle- the walk from the garden to the castle was fifteen minutes and she had come by foot because she didn't want Jules to know where she had gone. 
She had asked Jules why the distance was so, but she had gotten no response.
Rather, he had said it was built that way.
Even though she was irritated by his answer, she enjoyed the architectural design of the castle as a whole.
"My lady?"
Janice jumped as she heard a voice beside her. She swirled and her eyes met with the Earl of Brightstone who had an amused smile playing on his lips.
"W-what are you doing here?" Janice stuttered, squinting.
"I should ask you the same thing." Paxton grinned. His eyes roamed around her face, then to her body.
He could not help but think of how lovely she looked in the long evening gown with an empire waist she donned.
Also, he noticed she looked chubbier than the last time he had seen her. But it was in a way that he found sexy and made him want her more.
"Umh..." Janice trailed off whilst thinking of what she had told him the last time they had met.
Also, she wanted to get rid of him because his presence creeps her out.
"I live here," Janice said with a small smile.
"Oh!" Paxton exclaimed. "You must be related to Lady Maggie then?"
Janice bobbed her head. Her eyes widened as he sat beside her.
"What are you doing here?" She asked again, staring around her.
"For the ball that would be held during the week. I wanted to arrive early so I could come here." His hand went to the back of his head, he shut his eyes, breathing in. Then, he snapped it open and focused it on her. "The garden happened to be my favourite spot."
Janice facepalmed mentally. She had forgotten about the annual ball. The dowager queen had told her about it yesterday and Jules had even reminded her as well as told her to go shopping to any place of her choice since she had declined to have the seamsters design her dress for her.
But, she had forgotten still.
Janice knew it was part of the pregnancy hormone. She barely forgets anything important.
Now she was in the garden with the Earl of Brightstone who had mistaken her to be someone else because she hadn't introduced herself to him properly the first time.
He still assumed the same thing because he was not present for her wedding.
Janice had heard he went on a business trip before then and couldn't make it. But he had sent his regards.
"Sitting here with you seems so refreshing and I'm glad I followed my intuition to arrive here earlier. Hence I wouldn't see your angelic face."
Janice snorted. He was back to his usual poetic self. Just like the first time she had met him.
She didn't know if it was cute he was flirting with her in her territory or she was insane to allow it.
"Umh, Paxton..." Janice began but was cut off by Grace.
"My Lord." She bowed slightly in front of the Earl of Brightstone blushing.
"Hello." Paxton nodded his head in greeting.
Grace blushed harder as she glimpsed the smirk on his face. She hadn't seen him up close. He was even more handsome than she had thought.
Her insides melted as she sensed his eyes still on her. Or maybe she imagined he was staring at her. Yet, she couldn't ignore how his eyes made her feel.
"Grace," Janice said, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Oh, my lady. The King requests your presence in the..."
"Very well,"  Janice said. She didn't want her to finish her statement because the Earl was already getting interested in what she was saying.
Again, she didn't want to explain to him what she was going to do in her husband's bedroom because she believed that would be his next question.
"I'll see you later. Maybe." Janice added the last part as she wasn't sure they would get the opportunity to be with each other.
*******
"I've been searching around for you. Where have you been?" Jules stopped pacing as Janice entered the room.
"I'm old enough to walk around." She said, "Why am I here?"
Jules scowled whilst staring at her. "That isn't the answer to my question. Also, I needed to see if you were fine."
Janice rolled her eyes. "I told you I was going into the garden. Now my afternoon walk has been cut short because of you."
"I'm protecting you. But, it seems like you don't appreciate it." Jules stepped to where she was and clutched her both hands.
"I don't appreciate it because you are always getting me mad at you." Janice retorted.
"You are always mad at me." Jules chuckled. "I doubt if it will ever end."
"Of course, it will. But that is when you start letting me do whatever I want."
"Perhaps..." Jules pulled her into his arms. He gripped her waist gently and rasped into her ear. "Never."
Janice shivered as his hot breath fanned her cheeks. She inhaled his minty breath and wanted to taste his lips badly.
The last time they had made love was a week ago when he arrived from London after dealing with her ex.
Ever since then, he had been distant. He hadn't even touched her until today.
Janice had been jealous most of the time whenever she saw him associating with other noblewomen especially the Princess of Cones whose presence in the castle often annoys her.
The princess, Gabrielle hadn't stopped following Jules like a lovesick puppy, nor had she stopped teasing her.
Janice wasn't bothered about the latter. Instead, she was worried the princess' heart would be shattered when Jules finally told her off.
Although the princess was a brat and had done a lot of nasty things to her, she would still feel sorry for her and didn't want to see her get hurt because she was too young for it.
"How about we start getting ready..."
Janice's words were cut off as Jules's lips latched on hers.
"We'll be late for the party," Janice murmured into the kiss.
"You are the host, darling." Said Jules. "You are allowed to be late."
Janice sighed whilst giving in. There was no way she was going to tell him to stop after the kind of kiss he had given her. She'd rather be fashionably late due to her husband demand than be sexually frustrated.