Page 7 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
His hair was dark as ebony.
She ached to run her fingers through that gorgeous mane. Of course, she would never dare do anything so brazen.
Had he not made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her?
Julius was frowning. “The magistrate, the reporters, the curious onlookers, and perhaps even the killer himself will be sniffing around the Easton townhouse once your staff awakens and sounds the alarm. Homer Barrow needs to be put on the task right away. I want him to be at your house by the time others start coming around. He needs to be looking at everyone, and making note of those who look suspicious.”
“What if I killed my uncle?” she asked, for the possibility was real and had to be considered. “What if he was the one who struck me and I fought back?”
“No, Gory. Not with the severity of your head wound. A blow like that would have knocked you out cold. You would not have been able to fight back. But I think you might have noticed something that could put you in danger. Did you see anything in those few precious seconds you had to look about the room?”
“Perhaps. Yes, it is entirely possible.” She closed her eyes and tried to recall the scene, but her mind remained blank. However, she refused to give up hope. “Oh, Julius. My brain isn’t working just yet.”
“It’s all right, love. Don’t push yourself.”
“But I must. What if the perpetrator thinks I might have seen something? Well, that could work in our favor.”
He growled softly. “Are you thinking what I think you are thinking?”
“I hope so, because it is a good plan. I can be the lure to draw the villain out. Let him come to me instead of our having to hunt him down.”
“What?”
She ignored his expression of horror. “I said, we can–”
“I heard what you said. I just could not believe how willing you are to throw yourself into the path of danger. I am going to ignore that insane idea.” He was getting that apishly protective look again. “I am never going to allow that fiend near enough to hurt you.”
“How are you to stop him? If he thinks I saw him, then he will be desperate to silence me before my memory returns. This is why you must take me back to the scene as soon as possible. It is vitally important for me to remember what happened.”
He placed his hand over hers. “Do not force it, Gory. This is not how memory works. You must give your head time to clear on its own.”
Why did he always have to be so logical?
It frustrated her that he was probably right.
He smiled when she relented with a grumble. “Rest, love. Dr. Farthingale will be here shortly.”
Love.
This is what she so dearly wished to be to Julius, his one and only true love.
But he was merely referring to her in this soft way because he was concerned for her and would protect her with his life.
This is why she had run to him.
He made her feel safe.
Why could she not feel this way about her betrothed, Chandler Allendale? Theirs was best described as a friendship built on compatible interests, for he was an amateur naturalist and several members of his family, particularly one rich uncle of his, were patrons to many of London’s most respected societies and charities.
Truthfully, she had been surprised by his offer of marriage but accepted him because of their mutual appreciation of these scholarly endeavors.
Would her viscount fight to the death to protect her?
Would he fight for her at all?
She was more likely to be the one defending herself were they ever accosted by brigands. Not that Allendale was feeble, but he did not have the brawn or battle abilities of these Thorne men. No, her viscount was better described as refined and elegant.
He was also scholarly and intelligent.
