Page 37 of Her Beastly Duke
Julius heard another carriage rumble down the cobbled street before it came into view. As it drew abreast, Julius recognized the color and emblem. The carriage stopped, and the door opened.
“Can I be of assistance, Your Grace?” Lord Archer enquired.
“No. It is all in hand. Thank you for asking.” Julius replied between clenched teeth.
“As you wish.”
Lord Blackstock helped Julius to his feet as he watched the Archer carriage fade into the distance. Julius placed all his weight on the sound knee.
Lord Blackstock turned to his wife. “The carriage.”
Lady Blackstock understood and disappeared into the townhouse. The carriage rolled down the street shortly thereafter, and Lord Blackstock assisted Julius inside.
“Thank you,” Julius said and gave the driver instructions. Lord Blackstock closed the door before the carriage rolled down the cobbled streets. Julius wanted to look at Briar’s window, but he decided not to as he rested his head against the squabs and closed his eyes. He knew what he needed to do. He would summon his physician, and as soon as his knee was sorted, he would go to her. In the interim, he would send her a letter and ask for her forgiveness. There was so much that he wanted to say tonight, but when she kissed him, he forgot himself, and nothing else seemed to matter. It was foolish and reckless; by tomorrow, there would be a full-blown scandal. Lady Blackstock would see to it.
The carriage rolled over a bump, and it jolted his knee. He gritted his teeth against the pain. He wasn’t just hurting physically; he was hurting inside for what he was about to put her through. If only Duncan had arrived a bit later, Julius would have had the chance to tell her how he felt. He was wealthy enough to use his influence to try and squash the rumors and shield Briar as much as he could. He never set out to harm her, but that was exactly what he did. For the first time, he began to worry that she would not forgive him.
What the hell would he do then?
CHAPTER 17
Briar was absolutely miserable. It had been two days since she caused the uproar, and she felt worse by the minute. Her heart had fallen to the pit of her stomach when she saw Julius sprawled in the street below. He was clearly hurt; surely, she should have gone to render aid. She had desperately wanted to, but Duncan forbade it. He was incensed that she would allow Julius into her room at night and that she had not protected her virtue.
Neither had she protected her heart.
She did not go down for any of her meals yesterday and refused to see anyone, even Mama. She lay in bed and wallowed in self-pity. She did not feel hungry, although she had a few spoonfuls of soup when the maid brought it up to her room. Last night, she lay in bed, and sleep refused to come to her. She could not help but blame herself for what happened. If only she had allowed Julius to say what he had come to say instead of making lust take over. It may be that he changed his mind about courting her, and he would consider her on the same footing as any of the other ladies he danced with.
She felt exhausted physically and mentally. When she could not sleep, she replayed her days at Berkley Estate, reflecting on how happy she was the night she spent in Julius’s arms. At first, she was hurt and even angry when she heard him say he wanted a lady of good standing and pedigree. She had put up a barrier that day, and once Emmeline arrived, it was easier not to be alone with him. That seemed to keep the barrier in place for a while, but the more time she spent with Julius, the more it eroded. They did not need to share intimacy to become closer, and Briar looked forward to any bit of time they spent together. Her heart ached as the carriage rolled away from Berkley Estate, and she knew she loved him.
The maid entered her room and pulled the curtains. The rain was gently hitting the window pane, and dark clouds filled the sky, which did nothing to lighten her mood.
“Good morning, Miss Walcot.”
“Good morning, Lucy,” Briar replied, although it was anything but.
“Lord Walcott would like you to know he is coming to see you,” Lucy said.
Briar scoffed. Duncan was the last person she wanted to see. Perhaps if she spoke to him, she could get news of Julius. Briar stood up from her bed and Lucy helped her to dress. Lucy was on her way out when Duncan appeared in the doorway.
“Good morning, Briar. I hope you got some rest.”
“It is not much of a good morning from me, Duncan.”
“I am afraid it is about to get worse.”
Briar stilled. “Worse, how could that be possible?”
Duncan held out the paper, and Briar reluctantly accepted it. She opened it and slowly began to read before she sat down on her bed. Duncan gazed at her but did not say anything until she was finished. Tears burned her eyes. Ruination.
“Has Mama seen it?”
Duncan walked over and sat beside her. “Not as yet, but we will have to tell her.”
“Good Lord.”
“It is not all bad news. Lord Carter sent a letter to say he would like to call on you for afternoon tea. Apparently, he is not fazed by the gossip rags.”
“Perhaps he does not know.”
