Page 16 of The Earl Takes All
“God, I miss him,” he croaked. “I miss him so damned much.”
“I know,” she cooed, wrapping herself around him as though she were a cloak to protect him from the harsh elements. “I know.”
Only how could she know? Albert had been a part of him, connected to him through tragedy and triumph. And now he was gone. It was as though a sledgehammer had suddenly struck his chest to bring home the reality—
A fluttering at his lower back caught his attention. “What the devil was that?”
Julia unwound herself from around him, took his hand and placed it on the mound of her belly.
“Julia—”
“Shh, wait,” she said so softly that he almost didn’t hear her over the crackling of the fire.
Then he felt it beneath his palm, a slight undulation, which caused his mind to empty of all thoughts save one: This was yet another moment he was stealing from his brother.
She smiled sublimely. “That’s your son.”
His brow furrowed. Earlier she’d referred to the child as a son. “How do you know it’s a boy?”
“I just know. Women know all manner of things. I also know that this one is going to stay with us. When the nightmares come, just know that very soon you will be holding a new life.”
A knot lodged in his throat, his chest tightened to such an extent that he feared he might never again breathe. Bending slightly, he pressed a kiss beside the place where her hand rested over his. He lifted his gaze to hers. “No matter what happens, Julia, no matter how much you may find me changed, know that there is nothing in this world that I want more than I want this child to be born healthy and strong. There is nothing I want more than for you and him to be well and happy.”
As he laid his cheek against her, felt her fingers combing gently through his hair, it occurred to him that never in his life had he spoken truer words.
Edwardawoke with the realization that his cock obviously cared not one whit whose luscious backside it was pressed against, or how inappropriate it was to be nudging a woman he should never desire.
When they returned to the bed in the early hours of the morning, his arms went around her and he wanted her near, wanted to offer comfort to her as she had offered it to him. Not that she was aware she was in need of comfort, but she would be eventually. Perhaps if he were tender now, she would be more willing to accept his condolences later.
He’d been able to ward off any recurring nightmares by focusing on how soft and pliable she felt in his arms. Her rosewater fragrance. Whenever the image of her naked in the bed had danced through his mind, he shoved it aside, although it kept teasing him from a distance. She was his brother’s wife. He’d failed miserably, striving to recall any one of the countless other women he’d been with over the years, and his last thought before drifting off had been of Julia’s small feet cupped in his large hands.
He’d betrayed Albert in the garden that long ago night. He certainly wasn’t going to betray his trust in death. He was merely going to carry through on his promise and then be done with her.
Lifting up slightly, he gazed down on her profile. She looked so innocent in sleep, with one hand curled on the pillow, the fingers of her other hand interlaced with his and resting just below her breasts. He could feel the movements of her soft breaths. He had an insane urge to lean over farther and press a kiss to her slightly parted lips.
Last night she’d nearly brought him to his knees with her kindness. He’d not expected that, had been unprepared for it. He was going to have to remain ever vigilant lest he become so comfortable around her that he revealed his true self, gave himself away.
Her eyes fluttered open and he stared into the depths of a vast ocean in which he could easily drown. “Morning,” she said softly.
He wanted to draw her in closer, stay with her for the remainder of the day. Instead, he cleared his throat. “I should probably check on our guests.”
“Probably. I’ll be down after breakfast.”
Before he could decipher that statement, a knock sounded on the door.
“There it is now,” she said. “I told Torrie not to let me sleep in.”
“I’ll see you later, then,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before leaving the bed and going into his chamber.
As he heard her bade her maid to enter, he leaned against the closed door and breathed a deep sigh. He’d managed to get through the night without giving himself away, although there had been moments when he’d dearly wanted to confess all. He had to remind himself that she was only being kind toward him because she believed he was Albert.
Shoving himself away from the door, he yanked on the bellpull to summon his valet and then immediately stilled. When had he begun to think of Marlow as his valet and not Albert’s? He supposed it was a good thing that he was settling into the role. He simply needed to remember that none of this was permanent. Once the heir arrived, he would merely serve as guardian over his nephew’s domain until he reached his majority. Then he would carry on with his life. He didn’t need to get too comfortable here.
Julia was so certain she was carrying a boy. Surely women sensed those things. He wouldn’t even consider that his brother’s heir would not be arriving shortly.
After his valet prepared him for the day, Edward made his way down to the breakfast dining room. Ashe and Locke were already seated at the table. They both looked up, studied him hard, and he wondered if he’d sprouted a pair of horns.
“How was your night?” Ashe asked.
