Page 63 of Lord Trafford's Folly
“No! That is up to Father to sort out. I found someone willing to add their name to your father’s research!”
Audrey straightened up, sleepiness tossed aside as her mouth fell open. “What?”
“Dr. Hawley. I showed him one of your father’s journals, and it turns out he has dabbled with some similar research. He said if you can assist him in organizing your father’s notes along with his, he will publish the works and he agreed to credit your father.”
Alarmed, she sprang from the bed to run over to her dressing table. There lay her valise along with her father’s collection. Indeed, a single volume of her father’s journals was missing. Spinning around to face Julius, she cried out, “Where is it?”
His face was tense at her distress. He pulled the leather-bound notebook from his pocket and held it up for her to see. “It is here. Did I make a mistake?”
Audrey stared at the notebook, befuddled. She had panicked when she had thought it was gone, but now that she knew it was safe, she was gathering the threads of what Julius was trying to tell her. He was usually more lucid, but she supposed the hour was late and he must be weary after such a long day.
“Thank you.”
Julius’s face relaxed in relief. “You will like Dr. Hawley. He reminded me of Dr. Gideon … actually, he reminded me of you. We spoke about the barbaric practices rife within the field. I told him about what you had done, and he was most impressed. He examined my sutures and said it was some of the neatest work he had seen. He thought my wound had healed well in such a short time.”
She licked her lips, tentatively excited to meet this Dr. Hawley. An informed discussion with a fellow healer was a tempting prospect, and securing her father’s legacy was welcome news. That the doctor had not been contemptuous of her skills was a promising sign. “Why did you do this?”
Julius walked over to where she was standing, returning the journal to its place and shifting to gaze down at her. He tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear with gentle fingers. “It is my apology.”
His proximity distracted Audrey. She had yearned to see him all day, and now they were alone in her room. If she moved ever so slightly, she could put her arms around him in a hug so she might hear the comforting sound of his heart beating against her cheek. Yet … it seemed ill-advised to appear needy, even if she was feeling so. Instead, she drew a thready breath.
“What are you apologizing for?”
“For being a complete arse.”
She tilted her head back so she might look at his face, and was rather amazed by what she saw there. Julius was gazing at her with a deep affection, and Audrey could not help feeling hopeful about what he was here to tell her.
“And why do you think you have been an … arse?”
“This morning, I proposed to the most ravishing woman in London … and had the temerity to suggest that I could ever consider bedding any of the mere mortals treading the earth when I am to marry a veritable goddess.”
The damn tears threatened yet again, and Audrey was overcome by a wave of hope. “Am I dreaming?”
“You are not. I deeply regret my proposal this morning. It bothered me to have made such an ignoble offer. After speaking with Ridley and my parents, I concluded I was fighting my very destiny.”
“Why?” Audrey realized the question was poorly worded, but she was enthralled by the implication they were destined to be together. “Why were you fighting destiny?”
“I suppose … I was enjoying our time together and I feared what would happen if I committed to something more. I did not wish to be trapped in a terse marriage. My parents have been unhappy for many years, so I thought it was inevitable that we, too, would grow apart.” He took hold of her hand, raising it to press a kiss to her knuckles. “But I remembered what you said about me being my own man. I am not my father, and you are not my mother. We can forge our own path. Together. Which is why I would like an opportunity to restate my esteem.”
Audrey swallowed. “Esteem?”
“It would be my great privilege to wed you, Audrey Gideon. Not because of the scandal, or because it is the honorable thing to do, but because I want to. You are the truest soul I ever met and I wish to wake up by your side for the rest of my days.” He reached up to tuck another lock behind her other ear. “Fixing your hair, listening to you rant about the follies of ignorant medical professionals, and kissing that poor abused lip of yours better after you have nibbled it without mercy.”
She winced, realizing she had been doing just that when his gaze fell to her mouth. “I … would like that very much.”
It was a weak response, but Audrey was too overcome to think of words to express her joy that her dreams were coming true.
“We have much to consider. I do not wish to live in Stirling all year round, but I thought perhaps that your work with Dr. Hawley would occupy some of your time?”
Audrey grinned. “We can work something out that is mutually acceptable as long as you are by my side.”
Julius smiled in agreement, lowering his head.
“Always, my love,” he promised before their mouths fused together.
CHAPTER 19
“The Herbs ought to be distilled when they are in their greatest vigor, and so ought the Flowers also.”
