Page 44 of The Meaning of Love
Then his uncle tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned away, leaving Melissa facing Captain Findlay-Wright. She smiled and gave him her hand. “Thank you for coming, Captain, and for escorting Mrs. Delamere. I’m sure she’s glad of your support.”
“I do my poor best, my dear.” The captain bowed over her hand, then, straightening, with a twinkle in his eyes, remarked, “I have to say that I was quite surprised that any young lady could so rapidly catch and fix Carsely’s attention.”
She recognized that the captain was fishing for information and was relieved by the evidence that Gordon had kept his mouth shut regarding the role he’d played in bringing her and Julian together. Still smiling, she simply replied, “Indeed,” and shifted her gaze to Helen Delamere, who, trailing after the captain, had come to take her leave.
Julian had always wondered why farewells took so much longer than introductions. It seemed a good hour before there was only Melissa and her parents left in the front hall. Her mother and his still had their heads together; as a group, they walked out onto the front porch.
Only then did Lady North say, “We’ll talk tomorrow,” to which his mother replied, “Call whenever you’re free.”
Lord North met Julian’s eyes, resignation in his, then after a final round of farewells, led his wife down the steps to their waiting carriage.
Julian followed with Melissa on his arm. “I believe,” he murmured, “that all in all, we weathered that well.” He caught her gaze. “Nothing we can’t live with was decreed.”
She smiled. “You’re right. In the end, it worked out. And at least all the avid watching should now cease.”
“We can but hope.” They paused before the carriage, and he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. His gaze holding hers, he murmured, “Sleep well, my dear countess-to-be. I’ll call around later tomorrow morning.”
Her smile deepened, and she inclined her head. He handed her into the carriage and stood back while the North footman closed the door, then swung up to his perch. The coachman flicked the reins, and the horses started plodding.
Julian remained on the pavement, watching the carriage roll southward along North Audley Street.
He was about to turn inside when movement across the street caught his eye. He halted, and their mystery man stepped out of a pool of shadow.
The man glanced swiftly around.
Julian’s mother and the footmen had retreated inside, and there was no one else on the street.
Julian took a slow step toward the man to show he was willing to meet.
The man saw, nodded, and started across the road.
The door behind Julian opened, and light flooded down the steps. “Julian?”
Julian mentally swore. He turned and brusquely waved Felix back. Although his brother halted, he didn’t go inside but stood watching.
Julian glanced back at the man, hoping to reassure him.
Only to discover an empty street.
He sighed. He hung his head for a moment, then turned and walked back to his house. He went up the steps, waving Felix inside, then followed his brother through the door.
Crosby shut the door and threw the bolts.
In the hall, Felix turned and frowned at Julian. “What were you doing out there?”
Realizing he hadn’t mentioned the Irishman to Felix, Julian waved toward the study. “Come, and I’ll explain. After all that, I could do with a nightcap.”
Felix followed him into the study. They found Damian already there, sprawled in an armchair and savoring Julian’s brandy.
Damian grinned. “I thought you’d end up here. What a night! I wouldn’t be in your shoes for anything.”
Julian humphed and poured two glasses of brandy. He handed one to Felix.
Accepting the glass, Felix said, “All things considered, I thought you and Melissa managed rather well.”
“Although disappearing like that in the middle of things rather threw the cat among the pigeons,” Damian said. “Just as well you returned with the news they were all hanging out to hear. That pleased everyone.”
Felix sank into one of the armchairs. “But what were you doing outside just now?”
