Page 24 of The Secret of the Dashing Detective
“I must tell you, Mr. Archibald, I do pride myself on being a fairly good judge of character, and I just do not think that Dr. Lewis could have been the one who abducted me or who tried to kill Giles. He is a physician. He heals people. And he was so kind and amiable. It is just not possible.”
Matthew stopped, drawing Lady Juliana over to the side of the road, his hands on her forearms to keep her close to him and out of harm’s way.
“I know you are viewing him as family, and he does seem a good man. But we have to remain impartial. I have seen many men who appear to be good do unthinkable acts for reasons we cannot comprehend. I just… I do not want to see you disappointed, my lady.”
She nodded, even as he could see the dismay on her face. He hated to cause her any distress, but he also knew that it was better she be prepared. She stepped in closer to him, tilting her face up toward him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“I have a feeling you are going to no matter how I answer that.”
“Please do not call me my lady, or even Lady Juliana. When it is just the two of us… Juliana will do.”
She looked down suddenly, but not before he caught the slight blush steal across her cheeks.
“I am not sure that is wise.”
“Perhaps not,” she said, her gaze fixated somewhere in the middle of his chest now. “But I feel that we have been through a great deal together, and it seems… right.”
He wanted to tell her no, to push her as far away from him as possible, before either of them caught hold of any emotion that would lead nowhere. But it didn’t seem to be within him to deny her at the moment.
“Very well,” he said with a quick nod. “Matthew will do – when we are alone. And only then.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Matthew.”
Then his heart responded to her smile, and it was at that moment he knew he was in trouble.
* * *
Juliana wasaware that Matthew likely didn’t even realize that his hands had tightened on her arms. She wished he was holding her for an altogether different reason, but she would enjoy the moment for what it was.
It had, so far, been the most wonderful afternoon. She had met the brother she had never even known existed until a short time ago, and he seemed kind and gentleman-like, and she wanted to believe in him. He had done nothing wrong but been sired by the same father as she. He likely didn’t even know there was noble blood in his veins.
As for Matthew… she would make sure that he didn’t regret the closeness that had grown between them. She knew this connection was impossible, yet she couldn’t help her need to explore it, to understand why it was so strong with him and no one else.
He looked around them suddenly as though just realizing where they were and that he did have to take her home and began to hurry her away. Before they got far, however, she heard a voice call out his name, and Juliana turned to the sound even while he tried to continue on as though he hadn’t heard anything at all.
“Matthew?” she said, tugging on his arm as he continued to walk. “Matthew, I believe that woman is calling for you.”
A woman stood outside the doorway of one of the small townhouses, a baby clutched in one of her arms while the other one waved wildly at them.
“Matthew, wait a moment! We shall be out shortly. Tom, come, Matthew is here!”
Juliana turned toward Matthew, who seemed resigned now as he stood and stared at the door of the building, hands in his pockets.
“Do you know them?”
“Yes,” he said. “That is my sister.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Juliana said with glee, eager to meet a member of Matthew’s family. It felt like he knew absolutely everything about her while she knew hardly a thing about him. She waited with anticipation while the woman and her family neared.
“Matthew, I am so glad you came by for us,” the woman said. She resembled Matthew, her hair the same sandy shade, pulled back from her face as she juggled the infant, who appeared to be about six months old, in her arms. She grinned widely at Juliana.
“I am Betsy. Matthew’s sister.”
“It is lovely to meet you,” Juliana said enthusiastically. “I am L—Juliana.”
“I am equally pleased to meet you, Juliana,” Betsy said. “This is my husband, Tom, and our baby, Andrew.”
