Page 107 of The Earl Takes All
“That’s what Minerva said. That it won’t take long before you’re forgiven.”
He lifted his glass. “Let’s hope she has the right of it. I’d like to stop by Havisham if you’ve no objection. I know it’s out of the way, but I want Marsden to meet Allie. He’s the closest thing she has to a grandfather.”
“Will it be difficult explaining things to him?”
“Locke already told him the truth. He wanted to ensure his father was mourning the correct brother.”
“So we’ll be welcomed.”
“With open arms.”
“That’ll be nice. I’d like to stop by there, then.” She glanced around. “Never been in your residence before, but it doesn’t remind me of you.”
“Most of the furnishings belonged to Ashe. As usual, I took the easy way. Simply purchased what was already here.”
She scowled at him. “You don’t take the easy way, Edward. I don’t believe you ever have. You work hard to make people believe you’re a slacker, but you’re not.”
“Ah, so you’ve figured me out have you?”
“Yes, I quite believe I have.” She finished off her brandy, set the glass aside. “Has your residence a bedchamber?”
“One more night?”
“One more night.”
Chapter 26
Itwas good to see Havisham appear on the rise. Edward hadn’t realized exactly how much he’d missed it until he caught sight of it again. He had so many good memories of the place.
“We fought,” he said quietly as the coach turned onto the long path that would lead them to the manor. “Albert and I smacked at each other the entire journey here. Drove the solicitor to distraction.”
“Do you think your father knew that Marsden was mad?” Julia asked.
During the long sojourn here, they’d barely spoken, simply held each other. So much needed to be said, so much shouldn’t be said.
“Surely not. I don’t know if anyone really knew how much he was affected by his wife’s passing, not until years later.”
“But to go mad...”
He decided against revealing that he could understand it. He had become lost in drink, Marsden had become lost in the past, held too tightly to the memories. If Julia weren’t here at all, he might do the same. While their future relationship would be chaste, at least he could speak to her from time to time, could share a dance with her at a ball, could visit at Christmas and play St.Nicholas for her daughter.
“I’ve only been here once before,” she said. “I don’t think I slept a wink.”
It had been many nights before he’d finally been able to sleep in the strange residence with its homages to the past and its haunting echoes. “The screeching is only the wind.”
“But it sounds so mournful.”
The carriage came to a halt. As Edward prepared to disembark, he leaned in and whispered, “If you get frightened tonight, come crawl into bed with me.”
The footman opened the door before she could respond. Edward leaped out and then handed her down. Looking up at him seductively, she said, “I offer you the same invitation.”
He thought he just might take it. If nothing else, he could simply hold her. Although the last time they were in bed together, they’d done a good deal more than that. Neither of them seemed to have much strength in resisting the other. But for her, he had to be strong, had to battle the temptation.
“Hello!” Locke shouted.
Edward looked over to see his friend charging down the steps of the manor. Visitors here were infrequent, and he’d sent word ahead that they’d be arriving. Obviously, Locke had been watching for them.
Reaching Edward, he embraced him, gave him a sound clap on the back. “Welcome, Grey.”
