Page 28 of The Earl Takes All
She might as well have picked up the poker and hurled it through his chest. She’d never kissed anyone before him? Had never before had a tryst in the garden with Albert? Albert had been courting her for weeks. Edward had assumed his brother had taken advantage, that Julia had encouraged him—
But no. Their relationship had been chaste. Not even a kiss exchanged before that night. Little wonder she detested him. From her, he’d stolen what she’d intended to give another. Had his brother been a saint or a fool? On the other hand, he supposed a gentleman didn’t compromise a lady he wished to wed. Edward didn’t know if he’d have had the fortitude to resist her. He was having a hell of a time doing it now.
“Apologies, Julia. I wasn’t questioning your morals, but my brother was not one to resist temptation.”
“I assure you that he never found me tempting.”
“Every man in London found you tempting.”
Her cheeks flaming red, she looked down at the book in her lap. “You flatter me.”
Did she really not know how fetching she was?
She lifted her gaze to him. “You are the only one who ever tempted me.”
Dear God, but at that moment he rather wished those words were truly spoken for him. “What a fortunate man the Earl of Greyling is.”
“My attraction had nothing to do with your title. You know that.”
He tossed back what remained of his scotch. “Still, a man is his title—if he has one.”
“You could have been a pauper and I’d have married you.”
He grinned. “If I were a pauper, I doubt I could have afforded to wed.”
She smiled. “You’d have found a way. You’re too smart to let me go.”
He wasn’t as smart as he’d always thought. If he were, he’d have appreciated her before now, would have realized she was far more than a flint to spark his passions.
“I’ve missed this,” she said wistfully. “Our sitting here in the evening sharing whatever thoughts occurred to us. While you were away, I’d often sit in here alone. I think because this room more than any other reminds me of you, belongs to you. I always felt your presence here more than anywhere else.”
Interesting. He wondered how Albert would have felt about that. As for himself, he’d want his presence felt in the bedchamber, in the bed, when she settled beneath the covers and laid her head on the pillow.
“It is a room designed for an earl,” he acknowledged. If she were correct, it would one day belong to her son.
“I suspect each earl made it his own.”
He wondered which room she might have made her own. A reading room, no doubt. Although she had nearly brought him to his knees with her kiss in the bedchamber last night.
She sighed. “Well, you’ve finished your drink and I’ve finished my chapter. I suppose we should retire.”
He didn’t much like the anticipation that rocketed through him with that suggestion. He’d located his brother’s nightshirts, had contemplated for all of half a minute that perhaps he should wear one to bed this evening, but he’d already offered an excuse to her for why he no longer wore one. He much preferred having his skin within easy reach of her fingers. He regretted that he’d not have a night with her when she also wore no nightdress—a night that she had hinted would come when she was no longer with child. But when the babe was born, he would reveal the truth and she certainly wouldn’t welcome him into her bed then—clothing or no.
He should make an excuse, say he needed to recheck the ledgers or wasn’t yet sleepy. But then he was prone to not doing what he ought. Setting his glass aside, he stood and held his hand out to her, feeling a quiver of need as her palm slid against his, skin-to-skin. He might ignite if their entire bodies glided together. This was Julia, his brother’s wife, he told himself, not someone he lusted after. It was only because he’d gone so long without a woman. A few more weeks and he could have all the women he wanted.
Except the one he desired.
Putting his other arm behind her, he provided her with the leverage she needed to stand. Then her arm came around his in a smooth motion that gave him no choice except to accompany her to her bedchamber. Too late for excuses. Too late to avoid another night with her in his arms.
He shouldn’t have limited his scotch. Dulled senses would make the night easier to endure. But it was too late for that as well.
Chapter 7
Theonly thing Julia had ever lied to her husband about was that blasted kiss in the garden. Why had he brought it up tonight? Had Edward confessed when they were trekking through the wilds?
Avoiding her gaze in the mirror as Torrie braided her hair, she couldn’t imagine that he had. While it might have caused a rift between her and Albert, it would have caused a greater one between Albert and Edward. Edward had to know that. It was the reason he’d not contradicted her lie that awful night.
She didn’t like thinking about that kiss. It had been her first, and the wonder of it had taken her by surprise. It left her wanting another. Later, when Albert first kissed her, she had been disappointed that his mouth was not as hungry, as demanding, as raw with need. Because she was a lady, he’d held himself in check. Thank God that had changed after they married and the kisses deepened.
