Page 82 of A Daring Pursuit

Julius sauntered up. “I vow, her talent grows more phenomenal with every performance.”

“It was breathtaking,” Geneva said.

“But what the devil was that regarding apainted lady? I thought the Woodfords would expire on the spot.”

Geneva tapped him on the arm. “A butterfly, silly.”

“I had no notion.” Julius shook his head. “She’s a clever one, I’ll hand you.”

Noah watched Geneva eyeing Isabelle and her father working their way to the doors with stops here and there along the way. “You were exceptionally late, Jules. What were you up to?” Noah’s question drew Geneva’s attention away from Isabelle and back to him and Julius.

“This cursed sling is the devil to deal with.” He spoke too quickly and his eyes, tellingly, shifted away.

Noah’s gaze sharpened. “Julius?”

“Quit interrogating me, Noah. I’m not a child any longer for you to fuss over or manipulate.”

Somehow, Noah managed not to clutch his chest and stagger back.

“What a horrid thing to say.” The mild remark from Geneva startled not just Noah, but Julius as well.

Julius’s expression looked as hurt. And his hand flattened against his chest too. “But—”

She rose to her miniscule height and poked him in the chest. “By all accounts, sir, your brother raised you from infancy because your father putyouin his care. I’ve never witnessed anyone more loyal than Mr. Oshea.” She rubbed her forehead as if one of those dreadful megrims had begun its attack, but she appeared to will it back. “Let me tell you what you survived, Julius. My father would have sold you to the highest bidder for his next bottle of gin—no—not a bottle, but a mere taste of the vile stuff. My mother was not well enough to fend him off. You can’t know how decidedly propitious you were to escape such a fate.” Her fingers flew up and pressed her temples.

“Geneva,” Noah gripped her wrists. “What—”

“The pain.” She gasped. “It’s excruciating.”

Noah caught her before she slid to the floor. “I’ll take her out the side door,” he told Julius. “Distract the others if you can.”

His brother, though, had stiffened in a pose comprised of Italian marble.

“Julius,” he snapped.

Jerking at the bark, Julius nodded once and strode to the marquess and Asher, each vying for Docia’s attention. The rector and his wife stood about awkwardly, their ears likely still ringing from the “painted lady” reference in Isabelle’s innocent lament. Julius effectively stepped past the group, drawing their gazes, leaving Noah an opportunity to usher Geneva through the servants’ entrance.

He swept her off her feet and carried her into the Morpho Suite and into her bedchamber, firmly latching the door behind him.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

With such gentlenessthat nearly brought her to tears, Geneva was set to her feet, held on to until she was steady and not in fear of collapsing where she stood. Oh, how she longed to cling to such strength. But it was important to remember and impossible to forget she was that trivial nonentity.

“What was that about, darling?” Noah asked her.

“I-I don’t know.” Forcing herself from him, she made her way to the settee before a low fire. She did her best to keep her mind clear to stave off any recurrence of that unbearable pain. A glass of brandy was pressed in her hand. She took a sip that burned away the cobwebs, allowing her to breathe again. A small yet encouraging sign.

“Perhaps we should send for the doctor again.”

Geneva let out an indelicate snort. “What do you mean ‘again’? I’ve never required a doctor in my life.”

“I beg to differ,” Noah shot back. “We were most concerned after that fall you sustained. And with the rain…” He shuddered.

Geneva frowned. “I didn’t see a doctor.”

“Darling, you were unconscious.” His lips turned down, and he speared her with furrowed brows. “I think you may have left your bed too soon. Clearly, you were not well enough for tonight’s event.”

Her palm flew up. “Stop right there. It wasmydecision to attend. Not yours. I wouldn’t have missed Isabelle playing had I been on my deathbed or… or dumped in an unmarked grave.”She took in a deep, cautious breath. Thus far, to her relief, the absence of pain remained managed.

---