Page 38 of The Earl Takes All
As well she should. He didn’t know if he’d ever reacted so viscerally to a woman’s touch. He wanted to blame the intensity of his reaction on his recent abstinence, but he suspected if she got up from that chair, walked over to him and pressed her hand to his cheek, he’d draw her down to his lap and claim her mouth with a feverishness that would send most young ladies scurrying from the room. But she wasn’t one to scurry. She would return it in equal measure.
Just as she had that night in the garden, just as she did each time they kissed.
Because she’d believed then and now that he was Albert.
Were they so alike in all things that she couldn’t tell them apart? It was what he’d prayed for on the ship the entire time it had traveled over rough seas to return to England.Don’t let her figure out that it’s me, the sneaky bastard who takes what isn’t his. Don’t let her realize that I’m not her husband.
He’d repeated the mantra a thousand times while he sat in the hold and watched over the simple pine box, kept his brother company. He had expected it to be hard to not give anything away, to pretend to be Albert.
He hadn’t expected it to be hell.
She lifted her gaze to his, her brow furrowed as though she’d felt the path of his thoughts. Part of him hoped she’d say,I just realized who you are.Part of him was beginning to hope she never would. How could he destroy such a remarkable woman?
“The servants were wondering if they should decorate the residence for Christmas.”
He studied the port remaining in his glass. “Hard to believe it’s that time of year already.”
“December did seem to arrive with us hardly noticing. I wasn’t certain what to tell them since we’re in mourning.”
“Have them brighten up the place.”
She closed her book. “I didn’t mean to be insensitive. I know you’re probably not feeling very festive.”
“I had two months of mourning him before I ever arrived here. I shall be jolly for Christmas. What gift would please you?”
Her lips pursed into a little moue of displeasure. “You know what I want.”
Damnation. Had they discussed Christmas gifts before Albert departed? How the devil was Edward to deduce what she might have asked for? Had Albert already purchased it? He needed to go through every nook and cranny in the master bedchamber and the library. And if he didn’t find it—
He studied her, sitting there, looking at him as though she were confident that he knew exactly what she desired. What would she want? What did any woman want?
Jewelry.
Necklace? Ear bobs? Bracelet? All three.
Rubies. No. Sapphires to match her eyes. No. Onyx. Black pearls. He’d only ever seen them on an island in the South Seas. They were as rare a find as she was. So kind, nurturing, but with a streak of wickedness in her that he would like to explore more fully. But that was an exploration forbidden to him. Instead he would have to be content with memorizing her laugh, her smile, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief, darkened with passion, softened when she rubbed her stomach as she was doing now.
“A healthy child,” he murmured with conviction. Not jewels, not trinkets, not baubles. “That’s what you want for Christmas.”
Her smile would ward off the dark, turn back the cold winds, provide shelter from the rain. “It’s what we agreed to give each other. We may have misjudged, as according to the physician, he won’t arrive until around the first of the year. But it won’t be much longer. I do hope he’ll have your hair.”
“I hope he has yours.” He didn’t think that was unfair to his brother, as he saw Albert every time he looked in the mirror.
“Brown eyes.”
“Blue.”
“Are you going to disagree with me on everything?”
“In truth, Julia, I don’t give a fig what he looks like. As long as he’s strong and healthy.” And a boy. A boy would ensure Julia’s place in Society, ensure she would not be beholden to Edward for any kindnesses.
“It’s silly to worry over the other aspects,” she said, “but it’s fun to speculate. I can see him so clearly in my mind. I suppose it’s a mother’s intuition.”
“I think you’re going to make a wonderful mother.”
“I shall endeavor to be so. It’s a rather daunting task.”
“I have no doubt you will succeed.”
