Page 92 of The Earl Takes All
She placed a finger over his lips. “Open those lovely brown eyes of yours.” When he did, she said, “I love him and I love you. The love I felt for Albert is different than the love I feel for you. It’s not more or less. It’s not better or worse. It’s simply different. I can’t put it to words. You said if I loved you a thimbleful as much as I loved him, it would be enough. I love you so much more than a thimbleful. I can’t compare or contrast what I feel for either of you. Now and then of course I think of him, but not during moments like this. You’ve been with other women. Did you think of them?”
“Of course not.”
“Then there you are.”
The corners of his mouth hitched up. “None of them said naughty things.”
“I bet you know a whole host of words and phrases to teach me.”
“I’ll teach you anything you like.”
“I was afraid he wouldn’t enjoy it, that he would dislike me for it, that’s why I only whispered it in his bad ear. You know me better than he did, and I fear that wasn’t fair to him.”
“He loved you, Julia. He loved what he had with you. Don’t second-guess any of it now. That you and I have something different doesn’t make it better or worse. As you said, it just makes it different.”
She was glad she had something with him that she hadn’t had before. “I think I love you three thimblefuls.”
He laughed. “Let’s see if I can get it up to four.”
Rolling her over, he enthusiastically threw himself into the challenge.
Chapter 22
Asthe first of their four coaches pulled to a stop in front of the London residence, Julia took a deep breath. It was one thing to carry on a ruse when they were seldom visited. It would be another thing entirely here. Every day someone was bound to call on them. Not to mention the whirlwind of parties, balls, and dinners they were expected to attend.
She felt Edward’s—Greyling’s, Grey’s, she had to remember to think of him as Grey—hand close around hers and squeeze.
“It’s not too late if you’ve changed your mind. I can help you and Allie get settled in here, and then I’ll carry on to the residence I began leasing last year.”
Leaning in, she kissed him. “I haven’t changed my mind. I’m married to the Earl of Greyling.”
“No one will know otherwise.”
The footman opened the door. Greyling stepped out and handed her down. He seemed so confident, self-assured, and yet she suspected he had to be experiencing some trepidation regarding the gauntlet that he—that they both—would be passing through. Far too many opportunities existed for a slip, which would destroy their one chance to be together as well as their reputations. But the love she held for him was worth the risk.
She was unable to envision her life without him in it. A chaste relationship seemed hardly possible when she was fully aware of the passion that existed between them. It still amazed her that he’d been able to hold it in check for so many years.
As they walked up the steps, another footman opened the door. “My lord, my lady, welcome home.”
“Thank you, John,” she said. Edward had memorized the names of the main staff, but distinguishing one tall, dark-haired footman from another was going to take time, because she’d been unable to provide him with any descriptions that would make that task easy. Not that he needed to know the names of most of them.
Stepping into the residence, she inhaled deeply the familiar fragrances of their London residence. Flowers adorned the entryway, the floor glistened with a recent polishing, stairs on either side led up to the next level.
“Lord and Lady Greyling,” the butler said with a slight bow. “We’re glad to have you in residence. Allow me to offer the staff’s condolences on the loss of Mr.Alcott.”
It hadn’t occurred to her that everyone in London who hadn’t been at the funeral might feel a need to offer their sympathies on the death of Edward. And each offering simply served as a reminder of their deception.
“Thank you, Hoskins,” Edward said. “I’ll be going back out shortly. See that a horse is readied.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Taking her arm, Edward began escorting her toward the stairs that led up to their bedchambers.
“I didn’t realize you would be leaving so soon,” she said.
“I need to go speak with Ashe.”
“That seems rather risky. I should think if anyone could discern the truth—”
