Page 28 of Her Beastly Duke
“You are not reassured by what I have told you?”
“I understand you have the best intentions, but a rumor is enough to cause a scandal that would ruin Miss Walcot’s reputation, and I know you would not want that for her. You have never been selfish, Julius.”
Anyone listening to their conversation would think Baxter was the older brother. Baxter had always been bossy, yet Julius knew there was some truth in his words. When she had just arrived at Berkley Estate, his resolve was much stronger than it is now. After what they shared last night, he knew it would be difficult to refrain from touching her, even though he knew it was the right thing to do. He did not want to hurt Briar.
Julius nodded. “I suppose you are right. The season is only a few weeks away.”
“Excellent. While I am in London, I will attend a few of the social gatherings.”
“Now that you have heard the intricate details of my life, perhaps you can tell me what business you have in London,” Julius said.
Baxter began to speak, but Julius only listened with half an ear. His thoughts went to Briar, and he wondered how she felt about last night.
Briar was makingher way down to the dining room. The maid told her Julius had gone down for lunch, and she was starving. She could not tell the last time she missed breakfast. She awoke quite late, feeling hungry and sore. She flushed when she looked at the crumpled sheets. She first gave herself to Julius in the drawing room and immediately thought of the implications. Still, somehow, she seemed powerless to resist his touch when they arrived in her bedchamber. She was certain that her mother would be appalled if she knew Briar had given herself to Julius when they were not married. Young ladies should be chaste until the wedding night. Worse yet, there had been no talk of marriage after he took her. Nothing had happened in the correct sequence and with her relative inexperience, Briar did not know what should happen next.
She had just arrived at the dining room door when she heard an unfamiliar voice mention her name and the risk to her reputation. Who would speak to Julius with such candidness? She stood rooted to the spot and listened to the gentleman cast aspersions on her character and implied she could not be suitable for Julius’s wife. Briar quickly realized it was his brother, Baxter. She staggered before she held out a hand to steady herself. She understood that she had done wrong, but to hear Julius agree with Baxter astounded her. She hoped thathe thought more of her after what they shared last night. She wanted him to defend her and she was hurt that he was not more supportive of her. The shock faded, and fury surged through her chest.
How could he?
Briar wondered if she was being foolish and if she should temper her unrealistic expectations. It was clear that she did not know Julius very well. She could not believe he had already decided she did not meet his standards for a wife. The euphoric haze she awoke with suddenly cleared, replaced with a mixture of anger and sadness. There was no mistaking what she heard. Julius was not becoming enamored with her, and he did not think she was good enough to be his duchess. He wanted a lady from the right line of descent. She was a fool to think they had shared anything more than a night of steamy passion. Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, she must accept their dalliance would never be anything else. She stood tall, her back straight and took a deep breath, then knocked on the door and waited to be admitted.
“Come in,” Julius replied.
She entered the room and glanced from Julius to his brother, who bore a remarkable resemblance to him. They both stood up from their chairs. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Walcot. May I introduce my brother, Lord Fenton.”
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Fenton.”
Julius hurried to pull out a chair for Briar. Julius was at the head of the table, Baxter seated to his left and Briar to the right. She was right across from Lord Fenton. Otis served Briar and she immediately tucked into her lunch.
“Lord Fenton is on his way to London and decided to pay me a visit. His wife and the children are resting.”
“How delightful. Did you have an uneventful journey?”
“We did. I hope you are enjoying your stay at Berkley Estate.”
“It is a beautiful and quite large estate. There is much that I have yet to explore.”
“Lady Fenton will remain here until we depart for London. I am sure she would be only too happy to show you more.”
“That is kind of you, Your Grace. Thank you.”
Julius was being quite polite about the fact she would be chaperoned from now on. It was back to propriety and restraint, which was definitely for the best. Then why did she feel such a sense of helplessness, hurt and loss? Her emotions were in turmoil. She swung from anger and hurt to sadness within a very short time, yet she would not show it. Briar flashed a small smile and continued eating the salmon. She could feel Julius’s stare and she shifted slightly in her chair. She peered at Julius from beneath her lashes as she took a bite, but she could not decipher what she saw in his eyes this time. She raised her head and glanced at Lord Fenton who took a sip of wine.
“Will you be joining the festivities in London?”
“We will at least attend a few of the balls before we return. Lady Fenton is looking forward to it. Are you?”
“I have not been to London for a while. After Father passed away, we were in mourning –”
“I understand, Miss Walcot. There is no need to explain further,” Lord Fenton said. Although his comment regarding her suitability hurt her, Lord Fenton seemed kind.
“We certainly had a period of adjustment when our father passed,” Julius said.
“What of your family? Will they join you?”
Lord Fenton’s question gave Briar a jolt. The mention of her family being in London reminded her that they did not have access to the townhouse because they had to lease it. They had leased it for a year, unfurnished because they sold the furniture long before. The dearest season was from Christmas to June,when families were in town and parliament was sitting; the cheapest was when families were out of town and the parliament prorogued. Duncan managed to negotiate a favorable rate to cover the taxes and repairs. The rent was due half-yearly but the tenant paid for a full year. Perhaps Duncan had not given much thought to where they would reside. She would send him a letter so arrangements could be made before they arrived in London.
