Page 54 of The Earl Takes All
As hostess, she needed to ensure her guests were comfortable. She glanced over at Minerva. “Are you willing?”
“Absolutely. Rather than parlor games, in the future might I suggest poker?”
Ashe was suddenly at her side, helping her to her feet. “Only if you won’t cheat.”
“My dear husband, I wouldn’t dare consider it—unless something I wanted was at stake.”
Laughing, he began escorting his wife from the room. Locksley followed.
Julia placed her hand in Albert’s and he drew her up until she was in the circle of his arms, his mouth moving insistently over hers. Winding her arms around his shoulders, she returned his kiss with equal fervor.
A clearing of a throat had them jumping apart as though they were young lovers caught doing something they shouldn’t. Ashe stood in the doorway, eyebrow arched. “Joining us?”
“You’re irritating, Ashe,” Albert said as he offered her his arm before leading her from the room.
“Trust me, I could be more so.” He spun on his heel and headed to his wife, who was waiting for him.
“What did he mean by that?” Julia asked, sensing a tension in her husband that hadn’t been there before.
“As the highest in rank and the eldest, he’s always felt he had the right to boss us around, so he’s just being Ashe.”
“But you’re glad he’s here.”
“Very glad he’s here. You’ve given me a wonderful gift today.”
When they reached the smoking room, they discovered Locksley handing out the glasses of port he’d poured while waiting for them. He raised his glass. “To new Christmas memories.”
“No, wait!” Julia said before anyone could take a sip. “That’s lovely, but I want us to take just a moment to remember Edward.”
“Julia—”
“Albert, I don’t mean to bring in sadness, but I thought it might be nice if we all silently reflected on one moment when he made us smile.”
“Did he ever make you smile?”
“More often than he realized, which would have irritated him, no doubt, but that makes me smile even more. It’s no secret that we had our differences, but I do hope he’s at peace.” She lifted her glass. “So to Edward.”
“To Edward,” they repeated far more solemnly than she wanted before taking a sip of the port.
“Now,” Minerva announced, “I’d like a cigar.”
As Ashe and Locke turned to the wooden box on the sideboard that held the cigars, Julia faced her husband, cupped his cheek, rose up on her toes and kissed him sweetly, tenderly. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Jules.”
“And may the coming year bring us nothing but happiness.” Lifting her glass, she finished off her port, watched as her husband did the same, and wondered why he suddenly seemed remarkably sad.
Chapter 13
Tonight.Tonight was the night that he told her the truth. While he watched her sip her wine as she waited for the next course to be served, he knew he had to tell her. He’d delayed long enough.
It had been a little over three weeks since Christmas, since their guests had departed. Their nights had become filled with heated kisses and exploring hands. His nights had become filled with frustration. He wanted her with a desperation he’d never known. Wanted to unveil her completely, wanted to worship her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Instead he dove into the pork and tried to turn his thoughts elsewhere. “I thought I might go riding tomorrow if the rain stops.” It had started just before twilight. Hard, heavy, and chilled.
“To see the tenants?”
“No, just for pleasure. Perhaps you’d like to come with.”
