Page 168 of The Belle of Belgrave Square

She drew back to look at his face. He was indeed a little haggard. Lines of weariness etched his features, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well. “How did you find me?”

“I went to Lady Anne’s house. She told me you were calling on your parents today.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I wish I’d got here in time.”

“In time for what?”

“To accompany you into the lion’s den.”

She laughed.

Jasper seemed to find no humor in the situation. “Have you so quickly forgotten? On the last occasion you left this house, I had to carry you out in my arms.”

“Yes.” Her smile softened. “You were very heroic. Everything a young lady could wish for.”

His brows lowered with concern. “Are you all right?”

“I’m in exceedingly good spirits. Put me down and I shall show you.”

He obliged her, setting her feet back on the hall floor. But though he loosened his arms, he didn’t let her go completely. His large hands remained at her corseted waist, stroking over her back and sides, squeezing tightly.

She reached for her reticule, only to stop, belatedly registering the activity in the square. A barouche was passing in the street, its fashionable occupants blatantly staring.

They weren’t the only ones.

There was a nurse lingering by the green with her three young charges, and two well-to-do gentlemen strolling along who had slowed to look.

Flushing with embarrassment, Julia backed out of Jasper’s grasp. “We shouldn’t be embracing in front of an open door.”

“No. You’re right.” He looked outside, frowning. “Is that Lady Arundell’s carriage?”

“It is. Anne loaned it to me for the afternoon.”

“Generous of her.” Jasper picked up his bag. “Shall we?”

“Yes, of course.”

Setting his hand at her back, he guided her out the door and down the front steps to the waiting carriage. The footman looked straight ahead as he opened the door for them and set down the step. Jasper assisted Julia in himself before climbing in after her to sit at her side. He dropped his bag onto the floor.

“Back to Grosvenor Square?” the footman asked.

“By way of Hyde Park,” Jasper said. “And take your time.”

“Yes, sir.” The footman shut the door.

Julia’s pulse quickened as the carriage sprang into motion, rolling away from Belgrave Square.

Jasper met her inquiring gaze. “I need to say a few things. And I don’t expect we’d have any privacy at Lady Anne’s house.”

“Probably not,” Julia conceded.

She loved her friend, but between Anne and her mother, privacy at the late Earl of Arundell’s residence could be difficult to come by. Julia had scarcely been alone except for on her visits to see Mr. Finchley and her parents.

But she was alone now. Alone with her husband.

The air between them crackled with a palpable tension.

She had to remind herself to breathe. “What is it you wish to say to me?”

Jasper devoured her with his gaze. The thought of seeing her again had spurred him on for miles on end, by rail and hired coach, all the way from North Yorkshire to Mayfair. He was tired and irritable and fully aware that his suit was in need of pressing. But none of that mattered now he was with her.