Page 66 of Snowbound Regency Christmas
‘I am not a termagant. I am your client, gull-catcher.’
His lips twitched in appreciation of her insult. ‘Do you even know what half of the insults you hurl at me mean?’
Julia sat up in bed. Her complexion was rosy from sleeping and her braided hair delightfully mussed. Her body had been cuddled up next to him for most of his sleepless night. ‘No. But a person does not need to know the definition of a word when you can clearly decipher its meaning from the context.’
‘Since my clients come from all walks of life, I am familiar with London slang. A hedge-bird means avagrantor avagabond. And a gull-catcher means atricksteror acheat.’
She got to her feet and not even her ridiculously prim nightgown could hide how lovely she was. ‘I stand by every insult that I’ve called you. AndIknow what a termagant means. It refers to aharsh-tempered or overbearing woman.’
He smiled at her play on words. Shewasstanding. ‘Did you learn all sorts of vulgar terms and phrases in the servants’ quarters as a governess?’
‘Mrs Heap’s servants were certainly aracketygroup of people.’
Devin’s grin grew even larger. Conversing with Julia was a bittersweet delight. She was sharp-witted and he never knew what she was going to say next. He was almost sorry that he’d helped clear the roads the day before because he was not ready to part from her yet. But perhaps it was for the best. His attraction to her was growing by the second and he did not know how much longer that they could have shared a bed without him losing control and kissing her saucy lips. In fact, there was nothing he wanted more now than to cover her mouth with his own. Not just because she was beautiful but against all odds he’d grown to like her. More thanlike. He loved her wit. Her generosity. The way she danced. How she laughed. He even loved her tidiness. If she’d been any other woman he’d seriously contemplate courting her.
But she was the honourable Miss Julia Sullivan.
The woman who had jilted his elder brother.
‘I shall pack my trunk while you change,’ Devin said, forcing himself to turn away from her. ‘And you’d better make it quick. I saw a new groom outside the window. Joe must still be too sick to leave the inn.’
Devin tried not to listen to Julia’s breathing or the noises she made as she took off her nightgown and put on her dress. At least this time he did not sneak a glance. His attraction to her was too strong to tempt fate any further.
‘I’m ready.’
He turned to see her holding her portmanteau with both arms. Her hair was freshly plaited and her lips newly licked. The urge to kiss her was almost overwhelming. Devin forced himself to take a deep breath and then took the portmanteau from her arms. ‘Allow me to carry that for you. It’s the least a totty-headed fellow can do.’
Julia giggled as he took her portmanteau and put it on top of his own. Devin set both trunks on the bed so that he could unlatch the lock and open the door for Julia. She winked at him as she went through the door-frame. Devin watched the lovely sway of her hips as she walked for a few moments before recalling himself and picking up the luggage and following her through the hall and down the stairs.
Breakfast was a miserable affair. Julia thoroughly disliked gruel and every minute brought her closer to saying goodbye to Devin. They were parting just when she was starting to—Julia couldn’t name the feeling just yet. But it was unlike anything that she’d ever experienced before and it felt wonderful.
Devin was uncharacteristically silent at the table and then carried their luggage out to the mail coach. Julia and the other five passengers followed behind him.
The new groom tipped his hat to the group, but his eyes focused on Julia. ‘Why, if it isn’t the honourable Miss Sullivan! How are you?’
‘Don’t you mean Mrs Ballantine?’ Mr Mack said.
The groom guffawed loudly. ‘Miss Sullivan ain’t Mrs Ballantine. She jilted Baron Ballantine at the altar three years ago and quite a stir it made from Pickwich to London. Particularly since her father is a baronet.’
‘Then, you two are not married?’ Mrs Mack said, pointing to Julia and Devin.
Julia felt her face go red and she wished that she could hide. What incredibly bad luck that someone from Pickwich had come to this small inn!
The woman covered her mouth with her hand as if this was more shocking than being held up by thieves. ‘But you stayed in the same room for two nights.’
Devin finally found his voice. ‘Only for her protection. I treated her like a sister.’
The groom gave a low whistle, but his eyes were positively dancing with glee.
Julia sighed. Such a juicy titbit of gossip would circulate through the town of Pickwich like wildfire and her reputation would be entirely ruined. Perhaps the groom would make sure that it reached London as well.
‘Yes, I am Miss Sullivan and I am well but ready to go home. As is Mr Ballantine. How soon will we be leaving?’
‘As soon as I tie up the trunks to the back of the coach,’ the groom said, tipping his hat to her a second time. ‘We’ll be in Pickwich before luncheon. If you don’t mind lending a hand, Mr Ballantine.’
Devin must not have minded, for he did not return to the carriage interior for several more minutes. When he did, Devin sat next to Julia but did not speak. All three Macks were on the opposite bench of the mail coach and had not conversed with Julia since the revelation of her single status, no doubt because they disapproved of her behaviour. It wouldn’t surprise her if the Macks spread rumours about her. Instead, she was squished between Devin and the side of the carriage. They were on the same seat as Mr Pip and Mr Rhys and it appeared that he would protect her until she reached home.
Julia sighed loudly. She’d been so close to returning to her old life of privilege and parties, but now her reputation was ruined and not even a fortune could save her.
