“Intimately?”
“No, of course— Yes.” Putting his hands on a woman’s bottom was certainly intimate. “I have to say, James, you seem more interested in my having kissed Bethany than the fact she is in cahoots with the smugglers in the area.” He threw back the bedcovers before standing to pull his brocade robe over his nakedness and tie the belt about his waist. “If she is caught with them, her identity as the niece of the local magistrate and the man pretending to be the Earl of Ipswich, and sister to the true earl, will not save her from sharing their fate.”
“That is another matter entirely, and one I intend taking up with Bethany once this charade is settled. What do you intend doing about the fact you have kissed and touched my sister in an inappropriate manner?” James looked at him challengingly.
His eyes were wide. “What do you want me to do about it?”
James began to pace the room. “I could challenge you to a duel, swords or pistols drawn at dawn?”
Julius eyed the younger man uncertainly. “I am an expert in both.”
“Archery?”
“Yes.”
“Boxing?”
“The same.”
“Swimming?”
“Like a fish.” Julius was beginning to think that James was mocking him. His next words confirmed it.
“Arm wrestling?”
Julius held back his smile with effort. “That is something I have not tried as yet, but I am willing to do so if that is to be your weapon of choice.”
James snorted. “I do not need a weapon of choice. In truth, I am just grateful Bethany showed more sense in whom she chooses to kiss than she does in her nocturnal activities.” He threw himself down into the armchair near the window, one of his legs dangling over one of the arms. “What the hell is Bethany thinking of to have become involved with the smugglers in the area? Does she not realize its dangers? The consequences she might face if caught?”
Julius had thought about that himself once he returned to his bedchamber last night, and the only conclusion he could come to was that Bethany craved that danger and the excitement accompanying it. Unsurprisingly so, when her uncle was so protective of her and she refused to visit London or enter Society.
Julius had believed his own life had become stultifying now that he was no longer a spy for The Crown, but Bethany’s cloistered life here must be even more so. Was it any wonder she chose to secretly meet and associate with smugglers?
“I am sure she has considered it,” he answered James cautiously.
“And as quickly dismissed it, from what you have told me.” He scowled. “You should have kissed some damned sense into her when you had the chance.”
“You really do not seem alarmed by knowledge of that kiss?”
James shrugged. “Not much I can do about it in the current circumstances. Besides which,” he continued ruefully, “I doubt Bethany would welcome or tolerate my interference when I have been absent from her life all these years.”
Julius poured himself a cup of tea before sitting in the chair opposite James. “I admit to finding your sister…intriguing.”
James grinned. “Because she has revealed herself to no longer be just the sweetly obedient miss you believed her to be yesterday?”
“Yes,” he acknowledged ruefully.
James chuckled. “Well, she is my sister, and I never do what’s expected of me either.”
It would certainly be one explanation for Bethany’s secret rebellion. “There are seven years between the two of you?”
The other man nodded. “My mother once told me she had given up all hope of having another child. She and my father had consulted with numerous physicians, followed several avenues of advice, all without success. My mother said the strain of it caused a rift in my parents’ marriage for several years, and I admit to feeling aware of that estrangement. Even if, at such a young age, I had no idea of the reason for it. Then, miracle of miracles, Bethany was born, and it was like the sun had come out again for all of us.” He smiled at the memory. “Even as a baby, she was a golden-haired, blue-eyed angel, and as she matured, that beauty only grew stronger. We seemed like much smaller planets orbiting her sun.” His expression darkened. “Even my uncle fell victim to it. He had always been a frequent visitor here, but those visits occurred more often after Bethany was born.”
“I believe you spent several months as his ward before meeting your demise?”
“Months when the man used to beat me within an inch of my life for the least infringement in my behavior,” James stated flatly. “But never where he could be heard doing so or leave evidence on any visible part of my body. Oh no, to the rest of the world, he was the epitome of the benevolent guardian taking care of his newly orphaned niece and nephew. He was an utter bastard to me but I never had reason to doubt, not for a single moment, how much he cherished and loved Bethany.”
Julius still found it odd that Metford could feel such affection for his niece and yet such dislike for his nephew. Admittedly James was the new Earl of Ipswich, which, as he was only aged sixteen, must have rankled with his much older uncle, but even so—
Dear God…
Was it possible? Could Julius’s feelings of unease at the nature of the Metford’s indulgent affection toward his niece be because Metford wasn’t her uncle at all, but her father? That his affection for her was paternal rather than familial?
Metford had never married, but had seemed to prefer to inflict himself on his brother’s family instead.
There was that seven years difference in age between James and Bethany.
James spoke of an estrangement between the earl and countess during those years, because she had not conceived the second child she had so wished for.
And the unmarried Adrian Metford had visited Ipswich Park more often after Bethany’s birth.
Was it possible Bethany was the daughter of Adrian Metford and not the previous earl?
To an outsider, which Julius was, it certainly seemed possible.
Julius glanced at James, relieved to see the younger man was staring broodingly out the window rather than looking at him. Julius needed to be more certain of his facts before he broached such a sensitive subject with James. He could be completely wrong in his surmising.
Quite how he was to go about proving his theory was a problem Julius needed to solve on his own before speaking to anyone else on the subject.
Making a surreptitious search of Metford’s study seemed a good place to look for any incriminating evidence, such as possible letters sent to Metford by his sister-in-law, the Countess of Ipswich.
Julius hoped that, for both James’s and Bethany’s sakes, his suspicion proved to be incorrect.
James, because it would make Bethany the daughter of the man who’d arranged to have James murdered. It would also mean that the mother he had obviously been close to had had an affair with the uncle he despised.
Bethany, for much the same reason. Except she would also have a murderer for a father.
Chapter Seven
Julius had met Lord David and Lady Henrietta Metford, James’s parents, in Society several times before their death, so he was easily able to recognize the portrait of Lady Henrietta—the painting of his mother James said had been removed from the drawing room—hanging on the wall behind the desk in Adrian Metford’s study, telling Julius there was at least some truth to his suspicion Metford had been in love with Henrietta.
Had that affection been reciprocated?
Enough for the two to indulge in an affair together?
If so, was Bethany be Metford’s daughter?
“What were you doing in there?” Bethany eyed Julius with suspicion when they met in the hallway.
It was an unfortunate coincidence that Julius should be departing from searching Adrian Metford’s study at the same time Bethany, dressed in a dark blue velvet riding habit, appeared to be leaving the small family dining room a short distance down the same hallway.
Not that Julius had f
ound any incriminating letters or other papers when he searched in the desk drawers. Nor on the bookshelves, secreted amongst the many leather-bound volumes arranged there.
Which was not to say they did not exist, only that he had not found them yet. He would search Metford’s bedchamber next.
“I thought it was the breakfast room,” Julius glibly lied, having left his empty breakfast tray in his room earlier for James to remove.
Her brows rose. “Indeed?”
He held in the amusement he felt at the hauteur Bethany managed to convey in that single word. It was the first time they had met again since he kissed her last night, and he very much doubted she would now appreciate any humor aimed toward her.
“Yes,” he confirmed brightly. “Perhaps you would care to join me?”
“I have already eaten.”
“Then perhaps you will keep me company while I do so?”
Bethany sensed something off about Julius’s demeanor. Not that he was lacking in humor, once one became accustomed to how dry it was. Today, he just seemed overly cheerful, and that emotion seemed forced.
Nor did Bethany believe the excuse he had thought her uncle’s study was the breakfast room. Julius had been leaving that room, not merely opening the door, looking inside, and realizing his mistake.
But why?
Why had he been in her uncle’s study at all?
And why was he now lying to her about his reason for being there? Because she had no doubt that he was doing so.
The embarrassment she had expected to feel the next time she saw the earl, after their kiss the previous night, simply wasn’t there. She was more interested in knowing the reason for his stealth than in feeling any discomfort.
“I believe I will join you for another cup of tea, yes,” she accepted. “It is too early for my morning ride with my uncle anyway,” she added before placing one of her gloved hands on the arm Julius held out to her.
Julius was very aware of Bethany having been deliberately dismissive in regard to her reason for joining him. “A fresh pot of tea, if you please, Lacey,” he requested of the butler while pulling back Bethany’s chair. He took the chair beside hers and stretched out his long legs beneath the table. “How are you feeling this morning?” he prompted.
Her chin rose. “I am in good health, thank you. I trust you slept well?”
“Eventually,” he drawled.
Her brows lifted. “Was your bed uncomfortable?”
“Very. Would you care to know the reason why?” he added gruffly.
She nodded. “I will pass on your remarks to the housekeeper.”
Julius’s mouth twisted. “I sincerely doubt you will want to pass this remark on to her.”
Her body instantly tensed. “Oh?”
He easily met her wary gaze. “The way in which my bed could have been more comfortable last night was if you had been sharing it with me.”
Bethany drew in a sharp breath. “That remark is completely inappropriate. Besides, I thought you considered kissing me to be a mistake.”
“That is not what I said.”
“No, you said it should not have happened.”
“That is not the same as being a mistake,” Julius insisted softly. “I am a guest in your uncle’s home. Therefore, I should not have kissed you. But…” he added firmly as she would have spoken. “As your own behavior assisting smugglers is also inappropriate, I have dismissed the idea of making an apology for my actions.”
Her brows rose to her hairline. “You—” She broke off as Lacey entered the room before placing the fresh pot of tea on the table in front of them.
“Can I get you anything else?” he enquired as he straightened.
“That is all, thank you, Lacey,” Julius answered briskly. “Lady Bethany will ring for you if we should need you again.” He waited until the butler had left the room before turning to her. “You were saying?”
Bethany huffed. “It is insufferably arrogant of you to dismiss my uncle’s servant that way.”
He gave an unconcerned shrug. “It is not the first time I have been accused of such.”
She glared at him. “I doubt it will be the last either.”
Julius lifted his hand to run his fingertip lightly along the slight moisture on her bottom lip. “You are very beautiful when your eyes flash with anger and your cheeks become flushed with the same emotion.”
She raised her eyes heavenward even as she leaned away from that touch. “And I would have expected a more sophisticated compliment from a man of your years.”
Julius blinked. “Did you just infer that I am old?”
“You must be at least ten years older than me,” she snapped.
“It is thirteen, I believe,” he drawled.
“Exactly.” Her eyes sparkled with challenge.
He leaned forward, causing Bethany to move back if she wished to avoid their noses actually touching. “I was not too old last night to kiss you and add to the excitement you so obviously crave in your life.”
Her cheeks suffused with color. “I have been kissed before.”
Julius found himself disliking that knowledge intensely, engendering a sudden desire to know who had dared to kiss Bethany before him.
Jealous behavior he did not recognize in himself.
His nostrils flared. “From the sound of it, they were callow youths who have no idea how to kiss a woman so that she hungers for more.”
“I do not—”
“Oh yes, you most certainly do,” he assured softly, glancing down at her breasts. They quickly rose and fell as she grew aroused just from talking of their kiss.
Her clenched hand on the tabletop was another indication of her arousal, along with the increase in the heady perfume of roses and female musk.
Julius reached out to place his own hand over the top of her clenched one. “I could invite you up to my bedchamber right now, and your curiosity would compel you to agree.”
“No—”
“Yes.” Julius’s fingers tightened as she would have pulled her hand free of his grasp. “Once we were alone, I would slowly remove all your clothes and proceed to kiss and touch every deliciously bared inch of you.”
She gasped. “I must remain untouched until I am married.” Color flooded her cheeks.
“And I am experienced enough—mature enough,” he drawled pointedly, “to have no need to penetrate your innocence in order to give us both the pleasure and release we desire.”
She was barely breathing, her pupils blown so large that only a thin rim of blue was visible. “I would not allow it.”
“Of course you would.” Julius chuckled.
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “Can you really…do that, while ensuring my virginity remains intact?”
“Do what?”
She glared. “You are deliberately making me say it!”
“Yes.” His gaze remained challenging.
Bethany drew in a deep breath. “Can you give us both pleasure without…without penetration?” Her cheeks were flushed a deep rose.
“Yes.”
Her breath hitched in her throat. “I— It is— How?”
“In ways too numerous to mention,” he assured.
She swallowed. “Are all gentlemen in London as forward as you?”
Julius had been enjoying their flirtation. A pity, then, that the conversation had taken this turn, leaving him with no choice but to introduce a subject guaranteed to wipe the glow from Bethany’s eyes, the color from her cheeks, and the smile from her lips. “Is it because your brother was murdered in London ten years ago that you have chosen to avoid entering London Society?”
Bethany drew back with a pained gasp, her face paling. “How do you…? Who told you, and how long have you known my brother, James, was murdered?” The last was an accusation.
“No one needed to tell me, because at the time, all in Society were concerned when the young Earl of Ipswich met an early demise,” the earl spoke evenly. “Some out
of sadness for his death at such a tender age, others because they wished to take the necessary precautions to ensure they did not meet the same fate.”
Bethany felt as if someone had landed a blow to her chest, robbing her of breath, which resulted in a feeling of lightheadedness.
She had been staying in London at Ipswich House with her uncle and brother on the day James was murdered. Her brother had said he was going out for the afternoon to visit his tailor. Bethany had asked to go with him, but he had ruffled her plaited curls and said no, but promised she could go with him another time.
There had never been another time.
Just hours later, two constables had knocked on the door to report that her brother had been seen being set upon by thugs before being thrown in the river.
Bethany remembered the hope she’d held that it was all a mistake, and that it wasn’t James who had been beaten at all. Or if he had, that he would manage to climb out of the river and any moment now, he would walk back through the front door of Ipswich House, complaining his clothes were ruined, and demand to know what all the wailing and tears were about.
He never had.
Three days after the attack, her uncle had been called to the mortuary to identify a body that had been dragged out of the Thames.
Bethany’s heart had broken completely when her uncle returned home an hour later to tell her the body was definitely her beloved James.
Was it any wonder that Bethany had refused to visit London ever again? In her mind, that city had taken the brother she adored from her.
She drew herself up to look coldly at Julius. “And which were you, one of the sad, or one concerned only for your own future welfare?”
His lids narrowed at her scoffing tone. “The wanton snuffing out of a young life is always cause for regret.”
“Regret!” Bethany repeated scathingly as she pushed her chair back noisily before standing and moving away from the table. “My brother was only sixteen years of age. Sixteen!” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “We had lost both our parents only weeks earlier, were still adjusting to that loss, and then James was suddenly gone too.”
Julius's Passion (Regency Club Venus 4) Page 5