Page 30 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
This would be the closest she might ever get to being ‘in bed’ with him.
What a terrible pity it could never turn into something more. But why would he ever be tempted? She had to look awful, perhaps even had a few facial bruises developing, although he did not appear to be showing any signs of disgust.
“I’m sorry, love,” he said gently, repeating the endearment as he caressed her cheek again. “I know it’s been so hard on you. But you will be well cared for here.”
“Are the wedding preparations still continuing?” She groaned as she attempted to sit up, no doubt sounding like a grunting pig rather than an enticing enchantress.
“Gory, you mustn’t strain yourself. Let me help you.” Julius placed his arms around her and carefully lifted her into a more comfortable upright position. The feel of his big hands on her body only made her ache worse. “About the wedding preparations…yes, they are still ongoing for now. Allendale made no mention of postponing the wedding, so I did not put a stop to anything.”
She held tightly to his solid arms, absorbing their strength although she was no longer in need of clinging to him. But she pretended she was, muttering that her head was reeling. It was not a complete fabrication, but not quite true either.
She simply could not let go of Julius.
“I think I must put off the wedding,” she said. “I ought to have brought it up while Allendale was here. How is it proper to continue when we are preparing for a funeral?”
“Do not say anything to Allendale just yet, Gory.”
She looked up at Julius, surprised that he would disagree with her intention since he was all about traditional sensibilities and logic. “Why not?”
And why was his expression suddenly so serious?
No, not just serious but worried.
He let out a long breath. “You may need to marry him to protect yourself.”
“What are you talking about? Protect myself from what?”
He wrapped her more securely in his embrace as he said, “Imprisonment. Hanging.”
“Me?” She tipped her head up to stare at him, but this brought their lips scandalously close. The slightest dip of his head and his lips would be on hers.
Do it, Julius.
Kiss me.
He remained as unmoving as a monument carved of granite stone, his eyes a magnificent gray and hard as ice crystals as they remained in locked gazes.
She closed her eyes while her heart began to pound wildly and tingles shot through her body. But when she opened them again, the moment had passed.
He eased back ever so slightly, although he still held her. “Havers is investigating all possibilities. But it is clear someone wants to set you up as the murderess. However, it is also possible you are being set up as the victim who will later be found dead.”
She continued to gaze at him, trying to make sense of what he was saying. “Explain it to me, Julius. Please.”
He nodded and then proceeded to relate several theories as to who had killed her uncle and why. “My aunt? And you think she has a lover who is acting as her accomplice? A lover?” Gory laughed and then immediately gasped in pain. “Oh, that hurt. Don’t make any more jests. You do realize this woman is an ogre. Who would find her appealing?”
“A fortune hunter, perhaps.”
“Because she would have my fortune if she managed to have me forfeit my inheritance? This would only work if she were rid of me before I married Allendale. Otherwise, the inheritance goes to him since he would be my husband and heir. Well, I suppose she would have an argument to make in the courts that it was not mine to bring into the marriage. But that would take years to pursue and be awfully expensive, not to mention the uncertainty of the outcome.”
“And if Allendale is the culprit, then you place yourself in greatest danger by marrying him. Once he has control of your funds, he can plot your demise at his leisure.”
She nibbled her lip. “All the more reason not to go through with the wedding. And yet, I might be a fool not to marry him and gain whatever protection of peerage becoming a viscountess might afford me. These are my options? I suppose it is up to me to choose.”
“But you are innocent, Gory. I aim to prove it.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder, not quite ready to let go of him. “You have more faith in me than I do.”
He growled softly. “People don’t change, love. Your nature is to be soft and giving.”
