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“What do you mean?” Julia’s voice squeaked.
Does Lord Gillet know the truth? How could he?
“He seems to think you will return to your old ways, Edward.”
Julia and Edward looked at one another. This was not good. Their ruse would convince no one if Lord Gillet was going to spread imagined rumors about the two of them.
“How bad are the rumors?” Edward asked after a minute.
“I do not think people believe him. Anyone who will have seen the two of you dancing together tonight will not mistake the affection between you.” The Baron’s words made Julia look to Edward another time.
Yes, but that was all fake!
She could see a muscle ticking in Edward’s jaw, as he clearly thought the same thing.
“Then we must show thetonhow sincere we are.” Edward offered his hand to Julia.
“How?” she asked.
“I will escort you home from the ball tonight.”
“You will?” she asked breathlessly. Such things were statements indeed of close bonds.
“I will. Let us go now. We will tell your friends as we leave that I will be responsible for your safe return. As your betrothed, they will not question it, will they?” he said confidently. “Let us part. Thank you, Charles. You are a good friend.” Edward clapped his friend on the shoulder as they left.
Julia was nervous. Despite the confidence with which Edward had spoken, she kept glancing across the assembly rooms, looking for another glimpse of the Viscount.
“What is it that worries you?” Edward asked as they hastened out of the door.
“Lord Gillet!” she said in a hasty whisper. “I do not believe him to be a harmless man.”
“He cannot hurt you now.” Edward paused their conversation long enough to speak to the nearest footman about having their carriage brought round. His top hat was brought, and he took a spencer jacket offered by a maid too, turning to Julia to help her into it. “Julia, you are an earl’s daughter, and betrothed to a duke. The Viscount has no claim upon you. As you declared earlier, you are not his object.”
He coupled the words with running his fingers down her arms. It was a brief touch, accomplished just as he finished helping her into the jacket. She shivered still, thinking of that thrill.
Stolen touches… what did he mean by that?
As she followed him out of the house, she thought only of that. She didn’t think of the Viscount or the confidence of Edward’s words, for her mind was elsewhere. She was wondering just what Edward had been referring to when he had spoken of stolen touches.
When they reached the front door and stepped down over the marble steps, their shoes were not the only ones to strike the stonework. Julia glanced back to see another person was following them out, their figure merely a shadow in the dim moonlight.
“Edward?” she called forward. He turned back quickly, holding out a hand toward her. She didn’t hesitate in taking it.
“The carriage is ready,” Edward said, and pointed to the carriage that was coming to a stop in front of them, with one of the horses whinnying loudly into the moonlit air.
“Your Grace!” It was Lord Gillet’s voice.
“We are heading home, My Lord. This conversation will have to wait for another time.” Edward took hold of the carriage door and flung it open, before offering a hand to Julia to help her up.
“No, we can have it now.” As Lord Gillet stepped in front of Edward, Julia tightened her hold on his hand. She was halfway into the carriage, with one foot on the step. She could feel Edward ready to step toward the Viscount, but her simple touch stopped him.
“No such conversation will be occurring.” She spoke before either gentleman could, returning their focus to her. “Edward is escorting me home, and your presence is a distinctly unwelcome one, My Lord. You will let us depart, without another word.” She stepped inside, releasing Edward’s hand. She didn’t miss the quick glance she had of Edward’s face, seeing he was smiling.
“The lady has spoken, My Lord, and she has given her dismissal of you.” Edward spoke confidently as he stepped up to the carriage. The Viscount looked ready to follow when he suddenly tripped on something.
Through the darkness from the carriage, Julia shot a look downward. She just caught sight of Edward’s foot retreating, as she realized that he had somehow managed to hold out his foot behind him and trip the Viscount, stopping him from following so easily.
“Careful, My Lord. You might cause yourself an injury,” Edward said nonchalantly as he closed the carriage door.
