Page 13 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
“Watch your mouth,” Julian snapped, stepping into her space, deriving a touch of satisfaction at the way her eyes widened and she pursed her lips immediately. “You have disrespected me enough. I will get to the bottom of this and find out who his parents are. Just ensure that he is looked after properly.”
This close, it was difficult not to get lost in her eyes and scent. She smelled of berries and those defiant eyes made him want to see it fill with tears.
Anna looked ready to retort, but thought against it, responding.
“Do what you will, then.” She stated, before turning to leave.
Julian’s hand darted out to hold her back, eliminating the space between them once more as he leaned his face close to hers and warned,
“There will not be another repeat of this. You will not challenge me again. Do you understand?”
She nodded with a glare and he let go of her hand to hold her chin instead and he instructed. “Say it. Do you understand?”
“Y-Yes… Your Grace.”
His eyes flickered to her lips, and then he released his hold over her and walked away, frustrated by the swirl of conflicted emotions within his chest.
He couldn’t deny that he was quite annoyed by the situation, but he was even more irritated by how easily his wife had come to the conclusion that the child had belonged to him. It would seem she had no regard for him whatsoever, which lent heavily to the lack of trust that surfaced with the arrival of the child.
“When I find the parents, I swear to God, they will pay for this,” he muttered angrily.
All Julian had ever wanted was to live a life free of scrutiny and trouble. Unfortunately, the former came along with his title, so he had no choice but to double his efforts to avoid the latter. He had seen how much a careless living had affected his parents’ marriage, and in turn, impacted their family and swore to do better.
And he thought he’d done exceptionally thus far, managing to evade scandals and stories of his misbehavior cunningly.
Until he found himself trapped with a woman in a conservatory and was caught by her side.
Julian felt foolish, for letting her tempt and rile him up enough for him to fall into her trap. Proposing was only necessary because too many people had seen them and he couldn’t avoid doing the ‘right’ thing, even though he had done nothing wrong in the first place.
It angered him to no end that he had given her what she had wanted, had played right into her hands, and granted her the satisfaction of earning what she had wanted all along. The separation of their lives was meant to be a compromise that would suit and serve them both. And for the most part, it had worked for him and the lack of contact from her made him believe she was content with her life away from him as well.
Now, the appearance of this child had thrown their peaceful lives into chaos.
“Ernest,” Julian called with a sigh, aching to return to his life of simplicity and solitude already.
“Yes, Your Grace?” the butler responded, falling into step behind him.
“Have someone ask around the town for any news on mothers with children who are only a year old. And find out the whereabouts of the children – and their parents. It is likely the child’s mother or father dropped him here with the intention of fleeing from these parts. Be discreet and quick.” Julian instructed.
“Very well,” Ernest bowed before slipping away.
Julian sighed again, already feeling the strain of this ridiculous problem, and hoping it would be resolved as soon as possible.
“I do not think we can do this,” Anna finally let herself admit it.
Ellen pouted, pausing the playful faces she had been making at the baby. “I think we are doing quite all right this far.”
Anna sighed and gestured at the small group of maids that surrounded the baby in his bassinet.
“I do think we are trying, which is lovely. But I fear this might be a tad… much. I do not want to overwhelm him.” She pointed out.
“That is true. My sister’s daughter did not like it when too many hands reached for her at once. Perhaps we ought to give him more space.” Regina suggested.
The maids nodded in agreement, but none of them moved away immediately, all of them seemingly enchanted by the child’s innocent expression. Anna sighed, calmly ordering,
“Ladies, if you would be so kind as to give the boy some breathing room.”
Reluctantly, they shuffled away from the bassinet, Gretchen whining about how utterly precious he was and how it made her want to gobble him up.
