It had been quite humorous to recite lines to his friends, enjoying their reactions as they attempted to be complimentary. Julius had been quite aware of just how dreadful his verses were because he had acquired them from a Valentine’s Day almanac intended for tradesmen, and other men who worked for a living, to send letters to their love interests.
He missed those days ofcamaraderie. One by one, his chums had married and become entangled in their new lives, and Julius had been forced to spend his time with inferior acquaintances in their stead. It was a sobering reminder that marriage ruined all the fun, and Julius found his mood dropping as he stared into his coffee, remembering better days. This time with Audrey had been an interesting respite from the ennui of recent months.
“He is leaving,” announced Audrey, who rose to her feet.
Julius welcomed the interruption of thoughts that had grown dark. He supposed Audrey had made a good point two days earlier in the first coffeehouse they had visited together. He would need to consider his future perhaps and decide what course he wished to plot. She had pointed out that he could be his own man. The problem was … Julius did not know whom he wanted to be.
He pulled coin from his pocket and placed it down on the table to hurry after Audrey. They set off after Scott, who veered off at the corner to enter St. James’s Street. There he weaved through the crowd to enter a gentlemen’s club.
Audrey stared up at the facade in contemplation. “Should we enter?”
Julius frowned, trying to recall if he was a member. If he was not, it was possible his father would be because he maintained memberships across the city in the interests of the hundreds of connections he cultivated.
“Wait here,” he commanded.
Entering the dim interior, Julius removed his overcoat and beaver. To enter the club, he would be required to reveal his identity, so there was no helping it. A member of staff approached him, and Julius announced who his father was.
Lord Snarling must have been a member because he was waved in without further fuss. Julius wandered through the paneled rooms. The fittings were luxurious and tasteful, and the air smelled like leather and brandy. He soon found Scott had taken up a seat near an unlit fireplace and was perusing a book in leisure with the air of one who had nowhere to be.
Julius departed, retrieving his beaver and coat to find Audrey leaning against a lamppost outside.
“What is he doing?”
“Reading a book.”
Audrey pulled a face. “What shall we do?”
“Do you wish to enter?”
She shook her head. “I think it will be obvious we are up to something if I fail to take off my hat and coat, not so?”
Julius nodded. “Shall we go browse the market and I will check on him in half an hour?”
Audrey grinned. “That sounds wonderful.”
They crossed the street to where a few vendors had set up in a line. Audrey considered colorful scarves, which had the proprietor squinting in confusion. Julius grinned. It was not every day that a gentleman examined feminine fabrics with such interest, he supposed. They next approached a food stall, andhe purchased a meat pie for her. They walked up the street as she ate it, Julius glancing back at the club entrance at regular intervals.
“I must say, it is a bit warm to be wearing these overcoats.”
He smiled in reply, his gaze flickering to the neglected crumbs on her lower lip as she swallowed the last of the pie. The urge to reach out and use his thumb to brush them off the plump flesh was nearly overwhelming, and the only thing that stopped him was the attention they would attract if a gentleman touched the lips of another man in public. Especially when Audrey appeared to be a boy midway through her—his—teens.
Egad, that was a confusing muddle of thoughts!
The truth was, regardless of what she wore, Julius could just make out the curves that were hidden, as if he were attuned to the femininity of his companion. However, most were not that observant so as to pay her any mind as she walked by in elegant attire, although she was required to keep the coat on to maintain the illusion.
They had crossed the street and turned back up toward the club when Audrey’s glance fell on a fruit seller walking past with a basket of strawberries, and her face lit up in interest. Julius grinned, summoning the seller back to purchase the lush berries for her. Soon, he regretted it when he watched her bite into the red flesh and had to clench his fists not to reach up and wipe the dripping juice away. He growled in frustration.
“What?” She frowned up at him, becoming aware that he was staring.
Julius indicated his own lip, handing her a handkerchief from his pocket. She wiped her mouth clean while he fought down the sensation flickering in his groin.
“I shall go check on Scott.” Julius stalked away. He had not thought out the temptations of spending an uneventful day with someone as enticing as Audrey by his side.
If we are to marry because of the scandal, carnal relations are not out of the question before Audrey leaves London?
Audrey fearedshe might have stained the snow-white fabric of her starched collar with the strawberries. She attempted to wipe away the juices as well as she could, watching Julius reenter the club. There was tension beneath the surface, and she suspected they were both recalling the kiss from the previous night.
A poor idea considering their current risk being seen in public with unresolved issues regarding Julius’s safety. Hers, too. If high society was aware that she was missing, then the killer would be, too. They should be vigilant to their environment to ensure they remained safe.
