Page 122 of Her Beast

“He loves Nanny and they have a peaceful and predictable life together, which is very important to my brother. Idoworry what will happen when she dies.” It had shocked Julia just how frail Nanny had looked since she’d last seen her—almost a year ago, thanks to her father’s draconian refusal to allow Julia to visit her twin more than once a year.

As usual in Malcolm’s labyrinthine house, Julia became disoriented and was surprised by how quickly she ended up at her room.

“Would you like an hour before I come and dress you for dinner, Miss Julia?” Kemp asked.

“Will Mr. Barton be coming to dinner tonight?”

Kemp’s eyes slid away. “No, Miss Julia.”

Julia’s face heated with embarrassment but it was nothing to the pain in her belly. So, he was simply going to ignore her until he finally sent her back, was he?

If you let him.

“Will you please tell Mr. Barton I wish to see him?”

Kemp didn’t look surprised; nor did she look especially happy. “Now?”

“After dinner will be soon enough.” That would give her time to prepare and arm herself as best she could.

Because that is what tonight would be—a battle. And she knew exactly which weapon she needed to decimate and dominate her opponent.

“Kemp?”

The older woman paused, her hand on the doorknob. “Yes, Miss Julia?”

“I need something from the store.”

“Of course. If you know what you want, just write it down and I’ll have somebody fetch it for you.”

Julia smiled. “Oh yes, I know exactly what I want.”

∞∞∞

You’re worthless and weak,Malcolm told himself for the dozenth time since agreeing to see the girl.

Don’t do that, Mal.Don’t call her agirl, as if she is a child who doesn’t know what she wants. She’s a young woman, not an infant.

Malcolm squeezed his eye shut and let his head fall against the chair back. Just because he’d agreed to see Julia didn’t mean he needed to lose control of himself.

You could do with losing control. How long has it been, Mal?

He ignored the taunting question. He could control himself; he’d been doing it for days and days.

If you really wanted to do right by Julia you could just send her home now, couldn’t you?The voice wasn’t Sukey’s, but his own beleaguered conscience.

And it spoke the truth. Malcolm no longer needed to hold her hostage. Tommy Harlow would do everything Malcolm wanted, so would Nadine and Carl. He could let her go.

But if he let her go right now, she’d walk right into a bloodbath.

And who would she blame for that, I wonder?

Malcolm grimaced.

There was a light knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Kemp stuck her head in first.

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