Page 96 of The Earl Takes All
“I hope so. I hope she’s fearless.”
“There’s no reason she won’t be,” Edward said, and she knew what she’d known all along: With his guiding hand, her daughter would be fiercely independent, able to hold her own in any situation.Her daughter?Theirs. Hers, Albert’s and Edward’s.
The duke and duchess lingered a few more minutes, talking about the weather and the gardens and topics that suddenly seemed incredibly trivial, subjects that Julia had once taken delight in expounding on. But now she couldn’t seem to work up the enthusiasm.
As the other couple trotted away, Edward guided her in the opposite direction.
“Do the condolences bother you?” she asked. “They don’t know who they mourn.”
“They’re not really mourning. They’re simply being polite.”
But they would be mourning if they knew they’d lost one from among their ranks. Someone from among the royal family would have no doubt attended the funeral. She didn’t want to travel this path, didn’t want to consider the unfairness of it. People were offering words without realizing the truth of it all.
“Julia, it’s all right,” he said, and only then did she realize how deeply her brow had furrowed, how tightly her hands clutched the reins.
“In the country, we’d moved beyond mourning. I don’t know why I didn’t realize that here people would remind us of it. I’m trying not to be troubled by it.”
“In a couple of weeks it’ll all pass.”
And that would be when they could truly settle into the lie that they were husband and wife.
Chapter 23
Tonightwould be the real test. Ladies were much more discerning than gentlemen, and while Edward had managed to run the gauntlet of the House of Lords without mucking things up, and Julia had handled morning calls with aplomb, he knew the Ashebury ball would prove a challenge, as they would be appearing as a couple at the well-attended function. Especially troubling was the notion that Albert may have had discussions with people, and those people might expect him to know what they were talking about when he wouldn’t have a bloody clue.
Watching Julia put on her ear bobs, he’d much rather stay here and take them off, along with her gown. “We don’t have to go.”
She caught his gaze in the reflection. “It’s the Duke and Duchess of Ashebury’s first ball since they married. People will find it odd if the Earl of Greyling doesn’t make an appearance.”
He moved up behind her, pressed a kiss to the nape of slender neck. “Then we shan’t stay long. How does that suit?”
“We might have a marvelous time. I want at least two dances with you.”
“Only waltzes.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Tonight she was radiant in a gown that shimmered between black and blue, depending on the light. It gave her a sleek look, certainly not the body of a woman who a little over half a year ago had given birth. He knew some women who seemed to grow wider with each child, but Julia looked as though she’d only recently had her coming out. Slender and svelte.
“Keep looking at me with so much heat in your eyes, and we might not even make it through two dances,” she teased.
“I’m familiar enough with Ashe’s residence to know where every dark corner lurks. Don’t be surprised if I decide we should make use of one or two before the night is done.”
Rising, she gave him a seductive smile. “I think we should try for three or four at least.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Is it any wonder I love you?”
He leaned in, only to find her gloved finger proving a barrier to his destination. “I know what you’re thinking and I know where it will lead—to my having to redress and have my hair put back up. We’ll be late. The Earl of Greyling is never late.”
The Earl of Greyling needed to consider changing some of his habits. Perhaps he could chalk it up to being a new father.
“So be it.” He offered his arm. “But you’ll make it up to me later by screaming my name until it’s echoing off these walls.”
She looked at him through half-lowered lids. “I was thinking tonight that you would be screaming mine.”
“Bloody hell.” Grabbing her hand, he began dragging her toward the door. “Let’s get this over with. I want to be back in this room within the hour.”
Her laughter followed them out.
