CHAPTER 16 THE HEIR TO THE DANVERS

Caleb's voice, barely above a whisper, caressed Juliet's ear, sending a shiver down her spine as his words hung in the air like a tantalizing secret. His touch, warm and intimate, belied the gravity of his question. "Do you also believe the old man will choose me as the Danvers family's heir?" His breath danced against her skin, a whispered confession meant for her ears alone, ensuring their conversation remained a clandestine affair. Juliet's gaze flickered to Caleb, a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty clouding her features. What was so peculiar about this inquiry? Her response was swift, imbued with a confidence that belied the turmoil brewing within her. "Of course, I believe it," she declared, her voice laced with conviction. "Most would assume you to be the natural choice." But Caleb's laughter, soft yet tinged with amusement, shattered Juliet's certainty like fragile glass. His hand, once tender, now traced teasing patterns along her soft curves, eliciting a gasp of surpri