Page 72 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
There he was, being tight-lipped again, the answer direct and without embellishment. “Have you seen the house? Is it a nice place?”
Julius shook his head. “I haven’t seen it. But Mr. Barrow reports that it is on a pleasant square and the house is well maintained.”
Gory knew there were several institutions of higher learning in the area. For this reason, one would find many students and academics residing there along with many taverns and coffee houses that stayed open late to cater to their scholarly patrons. “Do you have any more information to impart to me?”
He shook his head. “That’s all I know.”
It took them a while to wend their way through the busy streets and reach the house. Gory was surprised Julius had not made a move to sit closer to her or attempt to kiss her again while they were in the privacy of the carriage.
He appeared distracted.
“Why the glum face? Are you not pleased that I am breaking it off with Allendale?” she asked, hoping to end the prolonged silence between them and shift attention to a more personal topic.
“I am, Gory. It is our being out here on the London streets that has me preoccupied. I’m worried that someone will toss open the door whenever we stop, and shoot you. The streets are a crowded tangle and we are moving slower than a turtle.”
She ought to have realized his mind would never remain inactive. “Mr. Barrow’s man is following us. And your driver, Hastings, knows to keep careful watch.”
“Yes, but it takes no more than the blink of an eye for something disastrous to happen.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I am giving you such a hard time.”
“You aren’t to blame.”
But her lost memory was the problem.
She had rested for two days straight since her last outing, as dutifully required, and nothing of her memory had come back. It was almost a week since the murder and they had made no progress in finding out who had done it.
Julius stepped out first and looked around before allowing her to step out of the carriage. “Come on, love. Let’s get this over and done.”
She placed her arm in his and held her breath as they marched to the door and Julius gave it a commanding knock. They soon heard footsteps, and a plump, older woman opened the door. “May I help you?” she asked, her eyes widening as she stared at them.
It was obvious she was not expecting anyone, and certainly not anyone so finely dressed.
“We are here to see Lord Allendale,” Gory responded.
“You needn’t be alarmed,” Julius said, his voice gentle as he spoke to the woman who appeared about to panic and slam the door shut in their faces. “We know Lord Allendale is here, as well as the young lady.”
The woman regarded them uncertainly, but Julius’s calm demeanor followed by an engaging smile had worked its magic. She gave a curt nod and stepped aside to allow them in. “Who may I say is calling?”
“His betrothed,” Gory blurted because she was angry and not about to hold back.
Julius sighed and once again spoke gently to the woman. “Lady Gregoria Easton and Lord Thorne.”
She led them to a small but well appointed parlor. “I’ll let him know you are here, m’lord. Would you care for tea? It is cold outside.”
“No, we are fine,” Julius said. “We know he is preoccupied, so we will not take up too much of his time.”
“That’s right,” Gory muttered the moment the woman left to summon Allendale, “I’ll just punch him in the nose and perhaps break a vase over his head for good measure, and then we can leave.”
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Julius said, casting her an indulgent smile. “Never mind that you don’t love him or that we will never get answers out of him after you assault him physically.”
She sighed. “I was just mouthing off. I am not really going to do anything to him, not until we have our answers. Do not forget that he proposed to me while this other woman was carrying his child. What he did to me was heinous.”
He arched an eyebrow. “If he was the one who got her in the family way, then what he did to her was just as heinous. But we are here to get answers, not to pass moral judgment. After all, do not forget that you ran to me, and then uttered not a word of protest when I undressed you completely.”
“But I was injured and in shock. I ran to you for help, not for seduction.”
“Nor have you uttered a word of protest about my remaining with you in my bedchamber every night since.”
