Page 39 of Her Beastly Duke
Check back soon, and I will tell you what I find out.
Julius raised his head from the scandal sheet and cursed under his breath.
“I love Briar, and she is the only one I want. I am grateful for the change that Briar brought about in my life, yet I know that what I feel is more than gratitude.”
“I know that you care for her. Emmeline told me it was clear to see that there was something between you two. When did you know it was something more?”
He would not lie to himself. He was attracted to Briar from the first day they met, and when she came to Berkley Estate, they started to build a friendship. Eventually, he recognized it was not only lust because he yearned to be close to her even if he could not touch her.
“We became friends shortly after she arrived. Berkley Estate was not the same after Briar left for London. I found myself thinking about her when I entered every room. The house seemed so quiet without her laughter. She truly became intertwined in my life in the months we were together.”
“I know I spoke about tradition when I visited you there, but it is clear to me that you want Briar in your life. You have chosen her, and she makes you happy. I will welcome her into this family. Emmeline and the boys are already fond of her.”
Julius smiled in amusement when he recalled Otis’s reaction to her departure.
“You know Otis is my most trusted butler but he had never been so forward. He asked after Briar, wanting to know if she would return to Berkley Estate.”
“Apparently, the servants were quite taken with her, too.”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do.”
“I have a plan, Baxter. That is why I sent for you. This is what I need you to do … ”
An hour later,Baxter came to see Julius, who tried to read his expression, but it was to no avail. Baxter seemed guarded. Julius had made it his business to find out who was going to the townhouse on Grosvenor Square.
“I got word from the servants. I’m afraid that it may be too late.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Apparently, Lord Carter has been very busy trying to put out the fire. He has already called on the family twice in as many days.”
“The nerve of the man! At any rate, there is only one way that he could … are you telling me that Lord Carter has made an offer for Briar?
“He has proposed engagement to her to quell the rumors.”
“I’m about to lose her.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Still, it appears so.”
Julius slumped against the pillows. He had never felt so helpless. “I would like to be alone.”
“I am sorry, Julius.”
Julius realized that he had gone about it in the wrong way. Rather than choosing a wife with the right ancestry and heritage to fulfill a duty, he should choose the woman who breathed life back into him. It was not that he did not have feelings for her. They were there, lurking in the recess of his mind, and when he saw her, he could not deny that he wanted her. This daring, confident and supportive woman made him feel anything was possible. She was perfect, perfect for him. Now, he had lost her. She was forever lost to another man.
CHAPTER 18
Julius had lost his appetite. He did not care about food, and he didn’t want to see anyone. He was propped up in bed, defeat etched across his face. The warm sunshine streaming in through his window did little to lift the dark gloom that settled inside him. He felt like he was drowning, and there was no one there to help. He had the presence of mind to know that he was wallowing in self-pity. So many regrets. If only he had not decided their connection was impossible.
In the beginning, he was in lust, unable to ignore the powerful attraction he felt for her. Then, it morphed into so much more. If he needed any affirmation about how empty his life would be without her … he had it now. As time went on, the hollowness became even more profound. Only Briar could fill his need, and he did not want to contemplate life without her. She was the only woman for him and she must be his. He was a fool. He had been dancing around the words for a long time. No more. He felt it radiating through his entire being …he loves her. He should have offered for her before she even left his estate to journey to London for the season.
There was a commotion downstairs, and the sounds reverberated down the hall. Julius wondered what the devil was going on, but he did not have to wait long to find out. There was a knock on the door before Otis entered.
“I am sorry to disturb you, Your Grace. There is a Lord Carter here to see you.”
“Lord Carter? Here?” The man had the nerve to show up without sending Julius a note and while he was convalescing. They were not friends.
