“Hang on,” said Tom. “I don’t get to shoot anybody?”
Charles ignored him and put his arm gently round Julia before leading her from the room. He didn’t trust himself to press his lips to hers even once for fear he may not stop.
Just as they reached the doorway, Lord Larsden staggered into the room, reeking of stale alcohol and with a face like thunder.
“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded.
Charles looked him over before turning back to Tom.
“Him, you can shoot.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
“PLEASE COME WITH ME,” Julia pleaded softly as Charles made to hand her into the waiting carriage.
“Angel, I want to be right beside you more than anything, but there are things to be straightened out,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.
He couldn’t quite believe that she was all right.
But much as she had not been harmed, and much as he would breathe his list before he would let her leave with her father, the fact remained that the baron could make things difficult if he chose to. Julia was still under his care, and he didn’t strike Charles as the type of man who would concede defeat easily.
Plus, he hadn’t gotten a chance to hit Larsden again, and Caroline, being the spoilsport that she was, hadn’t actually let Tom shoot the blackguard.
JULIA CLUNG TO CHARLES, knowing that she was being foolish, knowing that she was safe, and knowing that as much as he tried to play it down, he was about to have a difficult meeting with her father.
But she couldn’t seem to let him go.
When Edward and Rebecca had given her a quick explanation of the situation then rushed her back to the hotel, she had had no idea of what would await her.
Julia had rushed into the parlour, and her heart had leapt with joy at seeing Charles then plummeted to her shiny new boots when he delivered a sickening punch to her father’s face.
His words of love for her she would remember forever.
He was here. He had saved her. And more than all of that, he loved her.
Still though, it was more than a little upsetting that she should have to leave him now. And she didn’t trust her father or his crony, Lord Larsden. What was to stop either of them from attacking Charles?
“Just, be careful,” she said, her eyes imploring him. “My father is not an honest man, and I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.”
He smiled gently and lifted a hand to push a deep, red curl from her brow.
“Then imagine how I felt when I found out exactly what type of man he is, and you were with him.” Suddenly he sobered, and Julia saw a flash of pain in his eyes. “I never would have forgiven myself if I hadn’t gotten to you.”
“But you did,” she rushed to assure him. Then, because despite the trauma of the last few hours, she was the happiest she’d ever been, she beamed at him.
“Stop smiling like that,” he demanded with mock severity. “How am I supposed to wait until our wedding night if you keep looking at me so?”
Julia’s eyes widened, and a blush of colour stained her cheeks.
It was Charles’s turn to smile, though his was pure sin.
“Still my innocent little angel,” he whispered before bending and capturing her mouth in a searing kiss.
“DO I HAVE TO throw water over you two?” Edward’s voice interrupted their embrace.
Charles pulled his lips from Julia’s but kept her in the circle of his arms.
“Edward, go away,” he said, not breaking eye contact with Julia.
“And miss the show?” Edward quipped.
Charles turned then to scowl at him.
“Rebecca and Caroline do need to get in, you know.”
Charles looked beyond Edward to see the others grinning at his little display. He didn’t care.
With a sigh, he stepped back from the carriage door, but he kept Julia tucked against his side.
While Edward and Tom saw to their wives’ comfort in the carriage, Charles turned Julia to face him again.
“I’ll be back this evening,” he promised.
She nodded her understanding.
“I don’t want to wait to marry you. If I can get a special licence, how long do you think it will take to organise?”
Julia grinned at him.
“If your mother gets a say, probably months, and then it will be an affair to rival a royal wedding.”
Charles grimaced. He could only imagine his mother’s behaviour. It caused an almost physical pain.
“However,” Julia continued softly. “I think a quiet wedding on your estate with just the family sounds like heaven.”
Charles beamed then kissed her fiercely.
“I think I love you even more now,” he said. “As long as that Trent isn’t the one to marry us, I think it sounds perfect.”
Julia laughed and swatted his arm.
“Be nice,” she scolded.
They said their goodbyes quickly then, since Rebecca needed to return home. The travelling had taken its toll.
Edward was frowning with worry, but he stayed behind to assist Charles, for which he was extremely grateful.
He hoped that Julia’s father wouldn’t be too difficult. The quicker he left Dublin the quicker he could see Julia again, and this time pay some real attention to her.
“Let’s get this over with,” said Tom with a disgusted look in Charles’s direction. “His eyes are glazing over, and he looks like he’s thinking things I don’t want to be privy to.”
The three gentlemen made their way back inside to ensure that Julia would be free from her father once and for all.
JULIA HAD BEEN PACING the floor for what felt like hours, and still Charles had not returned.
The other ladies had gone to change for dinner, but Julia refused to leave the room until she was sure he’d come back safely.
She was just about to go and bother the butler to send a footman out searching again, when she heard the sound of the men’s return.
Without thought to her actions, she flew from the room and into the foyer.
A quick onceover showed that they were all in one piece, and none looked like anything too traumatic had happened.
Charles had turned at the sound of her approaching footsteps, and his grin almost buckled her knees.
“Hello, angel,” he said softly.
Julia flew to him, throwing her arms around his neck and not caring a jot that she was making a spectacle of herself and the poor butler would probably have an apoplexy.
Charles lifted her off her feet and accepted her kiss, taking immediate control of it.
“Right, we’ll just — er — we’ll be off then,” Tom stuttered laughingly.
“Yes, yes, I think it’s probably best if we—”Edward stopped when he saw that neither Charles nor Julia were paying anything attention to him. “Right, bye then.”
Charles kissed Julia until her head swam. Finally, reluctantly, he put her down.
“Are you well?” she asked anxiously.
“I am now.” He grinned.
“What happened with my father?”
“Come into the study, and I’ll explain.”
They made their way down the hallway with Julia tucked under Charles’s arm.
It seemed surreal to her that only yesterday she couldn’t have taken such liberties. In truth, she shouldn’t take them now. Though Charles had said they would marry, they hadn’t actually announced a betrothal. But she had come so very close to losing him, she did not wish to adhere to rules of propriety.
They entered the study, and Charles led her to the sofa before moving to pour them both a generous measure of brandy.
Julia took the glass warily and gave it a tentative sniff before pulling a face.
Charles chuckled softly.
“You may need it,” he said wryly, pouring his own glass.
He moved to sit beside and turned to look at her.
“Tell me,” he
said, suddenly all serious. “Larsden didn’t touch you, did he? I mean—”
“I know what you mean,” Julia said hastily. “And no, he didn’t. My father was very concerned about keeping his prize intact,” she said with a twist of her mouth.
“I had hoped as much. You know, you don’t have to worry about your father anymore.”
Julia felt hope bubble up inside her.
“Truly?” she asked softly.
“Truly.”
She bit the inside of her lip and stared into the amber depths of her drink before lifting the glass and taking a big gulp of it.
It burned its way to her belly, making her cough and her eyes water.
“Easy.” Charles laughed, removing the offending drink from her hands and placing it beside his own on the table. “Are you all right?”
“Did you have to pay him?” Julia blurted out before she lost her nerve.
“What do you mean?” he asked, frowning.
“Lord Larsden said that he’d—” She stopped and cleared her throat before continuing, humiliation burning her cheeks. “—that he’d agreed to, well, buy my favours, I suppose. But my father was insisting on a marriage first.”
Julia stared at the floor, too embarrassed, too ashamed to look Charles in the eye.
He reached out and placed his hand under her chin, turning her face up to meet his eyes.
“I didn’t buy you from your father, angel. It wasn’t like that.”
His words weren’t as comforting as she would have liked.
“But you did give him money?” she persisted
Charles sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
He stood and paced for a moment before turning back to face her.
“Your father, as well as being a sick son of a—” He stopped himself with a quick glance at her then cleared his throat and continued. “Well, anyway, he is also something of an avid gambler. Avid. But not talented.”
Julia nodded in agreement. He’d never been one to win at cards or anything else he bet on.
“He’s up to his eyeballs in debt and desperate for funds. Larsden was willing to pay his debts so he could get his hands on you.” Charles’s eyes glinted with rage, and Julia shivered. She didn’t fancy anyone’s chances against Charles in anger. “I was willing to pay them so he couldn’t,” he finished softly.
“I come of age soon,” said Julia. “You do not have to pay anything. If I can just stay away for another year—”
“I know that, but I just want you free of him. I don’t want to have to wait a year until we can marry. I don’t want you looking over your shoulder in case he comes back.” He sat down beside her again and gripped her hands. “The fact is, I don’t want you to have to even think about him ever again. I wanted you out from under his control.”
Julia smiled at his protectiveness. It felt so nice to be so cared for.
“Besides,” he continued, and she was surprised to see what looked like a blush on his cheeks. “I do not want him losing his property. You are his only child, and it’s not entailed. I checked. So I thought, if we had a daughter or a second son, it would be nice for them to have something. Although they will be taken care of, of course.”
“But what’s to say that he won’t come looking for more?” she asked, her tone breathless since his thumbs were moving over her palms in delicious little circles, her heart singing with his talk of their having children.
“He won’t,” said Charles with complete confidence.
“But how can you be so sure?” she cried.
“Just trust me,” he said with a wicked gleam in his eye.
Julia didn’t know what else he’d done, but she could well believe that it was enough to keep her father away.
“I can’t believe he’s really gone. I can’t believe I no longer have to live in fear.”
She reached up her hand and touched his cheek tenderly. “Thank you, Charles.”
He moved his head and she kissed his cheek.
“My reasons were entirely selfish, I assure you,” he said, and suddenly he was every inch the rake of his reputation. “I can’t wait another minute to get my hands on you.”
Julia felt her heart pick up speed at his tone.
“How long will it take to procure a licence,” she asked, still breathless.
He grinned that slow, wicked grin that turned her to mush and reached inside his pocket.
“Special licence,” he whispered in her ear. “Just name the day.”
“Is today too soon?” she asked and was rewarded with his strangled laugh.
“Not for me. But since it’s almost dinnertime, I’m afraid it’s too late.”
He began trailing soft, hot kisses down her throat, and Julia felt her control slip by the second.
“We should go. I have yet to change, and we’re expected to dine with everyone,” she reminded him, albeit half-heartedly. “Your family does not even know we’re engaged,” she tried again before all coherent thought left her.
He sat back and gazed at her.
“Damn, I forgot,” he said cryptically before reaching inside his pocket once again.
It was only then Julia realised that he had yet to change his clothes from his formal attire that he’d worn the evening before.
Then all thought really did flee as he produced a small box then opened it to reveal a huge, sparking emerald surrounded by a band of tiny diamonds.
“Oh, Charles” was all she could manage as he sank to his knee in front of her.
“Miss Julia Berkley,” he started with a grin. “I may not have known your past when I met you, or even your real name, but I knew your heart and your soul, since they called to my own. I am so much in love with you I literally cannot form a thought that doesn’t somehow involve you. I love you with a strength and passion that I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling. My heart only beats again for you.”
Julia could barely breathe past the lump in her throat at his beautiful words.
“Marry me, my angel. And I promise to spend the rest of our days together trying to corrupt your pure soul.”
At that, Julia laughed through the tears that were now flowing steadily down her face.
“Of course, I’ll marry you.” She sniffed as he placed the ring on her finger. “I cannot wait to be corrupted.”
His answer was to kiss her utterly senseless, and nobody was very surprised when they failed to show for dinner.
THE WEDDING WAS ARRANGED quickly, just as Julia had promised.
Though, how the countess, now the dowager countess, had managed to create a huge party in such a small space of time was anyone’s guess.
Charles was now bordering on rude, and Julia was trying to scold him, but it was difficult since she felt the same way.
“Why can’t they all just bloody well leave,” he grumbled not for the first time.
“Because it’s a wedding, darling. They were invited for the entire day.”
“And why do we have to stay?”
“Because it’s our wedding,” she answered firmly.
“But I want to go now,” he sulked.
“Don’t whine.” She smiled as another of the dowager’s acquaintances called their felicitations.
He eyed her in affront before suddenly his expression changed, and she became immediately suspicious.
“Shall I tell you why I want to go?” he asked softly.
Julia swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.
Before she could argue, he bent his head and began to whisper, in detail, the reasons he wanted her alone.
“Perhaps we should leave,” she said after she’d recovered sufficiently to talk.
“I knew I married you for a reason,” he grinned.
“Having fun?” Tom’s mocking voice sounded behind Charles.
Charles turned and took the proffered champagne glass as Caro passed on to Julia.
“We’re leaving,” said Charles firmly.
“That’s very brave,” said Tom.
“You remember your mother’s reaction when we left our wedding early?”
“But it was worth it, wasn’t it?” asked Charles a little desperately.
Tom looked at Caroline and winked.
“Hell yes,” he answered.
“Right, we’re bloody well leaving,” Charles said, grabbing Julia’s hand.
She pulled against him.
“But how will we go without upsetting your mother?” she demanded. “Tom and Caroline don’t have to live with her disapproval,” she reminded him.
“I’ll buy us a new house,” he answered urgently.
“Who is getting a new house?” Edward asked as he came to join them, his arm around Rebecca.
Tom laughed, enjoying Charles’s discomfort immensely. “Charles wants to buy a new house so he can take Julia and—”
“I’m sure he understands, darling,” interrupted Caroline.
“I hardly think that’s necessary,” said Rebecca.
“I don’t know,” answered Edward. “I’d have bought a bloody country if I could have left our nuptials early with you.”
“Men,” said Caroline, and Julia laughed.
They chatted for a few minutes more, and all the while, Charles played havoc with her senses, touching her, kissing her neck, and generally sending her up in flames.
After more wonderful torture than she could bear, she turned to him.
“Perhaps you should buy a house.” She thought she had spoken quietly enough, but everyone laughed, and her face flamed.
“I believe I have a solution that doesn’t involve extending your properties,” Rebecca said suddenly, and Julia turned to see that she had paled dramatically.
“Oh my goodness, Rebecca, is it time?” asked Caro, and Julia moved to grip her hand.
“Time?” asked Charles in confusion.
“She’s having the baby,” said Julia.
The ladies discovered that, as it turned out, their husbands were utterly useless when it came to a baby being born, and they were promptly sent away before one of them passed out.
The good news, aside from the arrival of Rebecca and Edward’s beautiful daughter, Rachel, was that the wedding celebrations were brought to an abrupt halt.
Mysterious Miss Channing (Ranford Book 3) Page 27