Page 29 of Her Beastly Duke
“My brother and mother will, but my sister is still too young.”
“Then I will have the chance to meet them.”
“Indeed.”
“If you will excuse me, now that I am fed, I will rest before the boys are up.” Lord Fenton stood up from the table and excused himself. They had all finished eating, so the servants cleared the table. Only the flask of wine and their glasses remained.
They were alone, so Briar regarded Julius more openly.
“Briar, I noticed that you hesitated when my brother asked about your family joining us in town. Why?”
She was reluctant to mention it, but then he knew so much already. What would be the point in hiding this? “I was merely thinking about where we should stay in town. You see, our townhouse has been leased.”
“I have more than one property in town sitting empty. I will make one available to you and your family.”
“I could not possibly accept– .”
“Nonsense. You can hardly have a season without a house in London. Where would I call upon you?”
He was planning to call on her?
“Leave it with me, and I will write to your brother. We can always negotiate what will be deducted from the final payment. I will arrange for a modiste to attend you. You need new gowns for the season, and that is just as important as having a dowery.”
Briar wanted to remain angry with him, yet she could not. Not when he was being so thoughtful and generous. He offeredto help her family without much of a reward and did not place any additional burden on them. How could he be both? The gentleman who did not defend her from his brother when she thought he understood more of her character versus the one who was always prepared to give of himself freely. She would not have known his true intentions if she had not overheard the conversation.
“Briar, about last night– .”
“You need not say more, Julius. It was a lapse in judgment on both our parts. I am sure you would agree that it is best not to repeat it.”
Again, his eyes caught hers, and she could not look away. Time stood still, and neither of them spoke. The silence was deafening. Julius’s gaze fell to her lips, and her heart banged in her chest. She must not think about his lips on her, of her feelings, wants and desires. She cannot. Briar had always been bold and opinionated. She did not take issue with speaking her mind, but somehow, Julius being this close was affecting her. For a moment, he rendered her speechless.
Briar quickly stood up from her chair. “I will take a walk in the garden. I need to get some fresh air.”
“I will see you at dinner.”
Briar left the dining room wondering how she would navigate the intensity of her different emotions. Julius conjured feelings within her that she did not know existed, and now they flowed through her. How had she let this happen? Perhaps it was for the best that Lord Fenton and his family arrived. Their presence would save Briar from herself; they had to.
CHAPTER 13
Briar walked around the garden, admiring the flowers and the fountain. The sky was overcast and it was cool, but at least it was not raining. During the walk she thought more about the season and the prospects that would be opened up to her. Julius would not choose her, but at least now she knew that she could share intimacy without being repulsed. Now that she was certain, there was no need to avoid marriage. Since she found pleasure with Julius, perhaps she could find it with another gentleman who would be prepared to marry her. She should open her mind to the possibility.
She continued on the path across the lawn until she heard children shouting. Briar spun around to find three little boys barreling toward her in a race. The smallest child was shouting with glee when he tripped and fell into the grass, arms sprawled. Briar took a step forward, but then the other boys quickly stopped to help him up before they all started running again. They were breathless by the time they reached Briar.
“My name is Warren; this is Sidney and Patrick,” Warren said as he pointed.
Briar immediately saw the resemblance. “It is lovely to meet you. I am Miss Walcot. Are you all friends?” She asked with a grin.
The boys giggled. “No, silly. We are brothers.” Warren replied.
“Warren!” Briar had hardly noticed the elegant lady following the boys across the lawn. She was shorter than Briar and more plump, yet she moved with grace and elegance. Her curly brown hair tumbled over her shoulders. She stopped short and turned to Briar, “I must apologize for Warren. I have told him not to use that word. What should you do, Warren?”
“I am sorry I used the word silly, Miss Walcot.”
“Apology accepted, Warren.”
“Now run along and play by the trees.” Lady Fenton said.
And off the boys went, arguing about who won the first race.
