Page 77 of A Daring Pursuit

Her sharpness jarred Julius and he snatched it from her, scowling and stalking away.

“He’s right,” Noah said softly, regretting—no, not regretting, exactly. He’d said what he’d meant. What was it about her that had his level head deserting him to the farthest regions of the cosmos? “I should have—”

Her eyes went over his shoulder and came back to his. Her fingers, two, crossed his lips. “I…” Her gazed dropped then raised again. “I understand.”

His lips curved slightly. He pressed his fingers over hers and kissed their tips. “No. I don’t believe you do. But you will. Soon,” he promised. He glanced over his shoulder. Julius was just setting the glass on a table near the window with his back to them. “Now is not the time.” He came to his feet. “Are you certain you are well?”

“Yes,” she said with a scowl of her own.

“I’m relieved to hear it. Isabelle has set a date for her musicale. A week hence.”

“What are these letters, Noah?”

“Gads, I’d nearly forgotten. You received a post from Lady Abra,” he said to her.

Her dark-blue eyes lit up for what seemed the first time in days. “I’ll come get it.”

“No, you won’t.”

Julius sounded like the man he was fast approaching, Noah thought with a pang, a whole other onslaught of emotion pelting him.

Julius sauntered over and handed her Lady Abra’s missive. The other envelope he held out to Noah. “This one appears to be from Lucius.”

“I’ve lost my blasted head,” he muttered, grabbing it and moving to the settee. He ripped it open and read.

Well, Noah, my stop in London has proved most enlightening. Your enchanting houseguest, MissWimbley, is the talk of the Beau Monde. Or should I say, her bloodied dress is…

Noah pushed a hand through his hair. “Christ.”

“Oh, no…” Geneva’s low wail echoed through the sitting room.

He cut his glance to her, then flicked his eyes back to the letter he held. “Your dress?”

Geneva groaned. “Lady Westbridge will never allow me to see my friend again.”

“What of Lord Westbridge?”

Her features tightened. “At one time, I would have said he would never stand between our friendship. But now…” She glowered with the familiar bold fierceness and his insides contracted with yearning. “There is good news. Baron Ruskin has asked for her hand. They are betrothed now.”

From the tone in her voice, Noah couldn’t decide if she was relieved or sad. “Don’t you like the baron? I thought he was most congenial.”

She blew out a pursed breath. “I just hope she is not marrying him for the wrong reasons,” she said glumly.

Noah clucked his tongue. “Ton matches are complicated, my dear.”

Julius dropped beside him. “Noah couldn’t be more right, Gen. The important thing to remember is that Lady Abra not only needs you in her life, but is damn fortunate to have you.”

Tears dampened Geneva’s lashes and she shook her head. The note from Lady Abra trembled in her fingers.

“I take it she informed you of the latest rampant scandal in which you feature?”

“Oh, yes.” She handed him the note.

Gen, I fear you must avoid London for a time. Mother has taken great delight in gossiping with that loose tongue ofhers. She has recounted the Incident to any and everyone who would lend an ear. And, believe me, she found no shortage of listeners. Papa will eventually come around. You are, and shall always be, my dearest friend. By the bye, Lord Ruskin has asked for my hand, and I have accepted. But do not fret, my dear. The CSS will live on. You may count on me.

Eternally and unceasingly your friend,

Lady Abra Washington

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