Page 110 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
It took him a while longer to fall asleep because he had declined taking any laudanum to ease the pain of his fresh stitches. But he was soon lulled by the comfort of Gory’s warm body curled against him.
He awoke to sunshine and the sound of the household stirring.
Gory looked achingly adorable while asleep beside him.
He smiled as he took a moment to study her in repose. Her cheeks were a soft pink, her hair was a beautiful, dark tumble against the pillow, and her lips were full and rosy.
Soft, plump, kissable lips.
The blanket shifted, revealing more of her body.
A deep ache stirred in him.
He did not mean to fix his gaze on her full breasts in their creamy splendor, but how could he not admire their sweet perfection? However, he did not allow his gaze to linger because the sun was well above the horizon, and this meant they were running late for the funeral service.
It could not start without them.
Still, it was bad form to be late on such an occasion.
“Good morning, my little mongoose,” he said in a whisper, shaking Gory gently awake.
Her smile as she opened her eyes and caught sight of him stole his breath away.
She put a hand to his cheek, her palm scraping against his stubble. “Good morning, Julius. What time is it?”
“Not sure, but I think we need to start getting ready.” He handed her his banyan. “Here, put this on. Looks much better on you than on me. I’m going to ring for my valet and would rather he not get an eyeful of you.”
“What about you?”
He shrugged. “I’ll toss on a pair of trousers and get ready in one of the spare bedchambers. Adela’s maid can take care of you in here. That’s another thing we’ll need to sort out, these dressing room arrangements. But not today, no rush for it.”
Being generally efficient, it took Julius little time to wash, shave, and dress for the somber occasion. The sun was bright against a cloudless blue sky, ironically beautiful for such a somber day. Also beautiful was Gory, who once again stole his breath when he walked back into their bedchamber to escort her downstairs. “Love, you look wonderful.”
“Suitably dignified?”
Suitably delicious, but he could not say this while her maid and his valet were present. “Perfection.”
“Oh, you mustn’t forget your sling,” Gory said, taking a moment to put it on him over his protest.
She won that small battle of wills.
Not that he minded having her fuss over him.
“There will be a crowd and I do not want them bumping into you and recklessly jostling your arm,” she said, taking another moment to straighten out the sling so that his arm rested comfortably in it.
They rode out all together, with brothers and their wives, after a light breakfast.
Indeed, the meal was a very light one since no one was hungry.
Leo and Marigold, as well as the two dowagers, arrived at the church shortly after them. The crowd was larger than Julius expected, but it was not really a surprise. Everyone wanted a glimpse of the earl in his coffin and the niece first rumored to have done him in.
But gossip was now rampant about Lady Easton being charged with the murder of her husband. Her absence had been duly noticed and this drew even more speculation among the onlookers.
Julius did not like crowds.
Especially not here and now when the conclusion of the investigation was still too fresh. Perhaps he was being obsessive and overly cautious, but what if someone had been overlooked?
How did Havers know he had all the players in custody?
