Page 99 of Her Beast

“Did you check the greenhouse?” Kemp asked.

“I already looked there.”

“What about the dining room?”

“I looked first thing this morning when I woke up and realized it was gone. I’ve checked the library and the music room. I’ve looked everywhere.”

Well, noteverywhere.

The one place she hadn’t been able to look was the secret corridor, although she’d been very, very tempted. But it was simply too risky to enter the hallway during the day when a servant might pop up at any moment.

Julia realized that Kemp was looking at her, waiting for further instructions. She gave her a weak smile. “I daresay it will turn up. I suppose I should go to breakfast now.”

Kemp nodded and Julia made her way to the dining room, albeit slowly.

Honestly, how was she to face Malcolm after what she’d watched last night?

The same way you’ve faced him the last two times you spied on him.

No, last night had been… different. Maybe because she had asked him to articulate a fantasy earlier and then he’d acted it out. Why that should be so much more potent, she didn’t know.

As it turned out, her worrying was for nothing because the only person in the dining room was James, the footman.

“Good morning, Miss Harlow.”

“Good morning, James.” She hesitated, and then asked, “Has Mr. Barton already eaten?”

A voice came from behind her before James could answer, “Mr. Barton hasnoteaten and he is famished.”

Julia spun around at the sound of Malcolm’s voice.

He smiled down at her. “Good morning, Julia. Were you looking for me?”

Julia knew her face was beat red. “Er, no. Just wondering.”

“Wonder no further, here I am.” He turned to James, but his gaze stayed fixed on her. “Coffee for me—Julia?”

“Yes, coffee is fine.”

Julia escaped to the breakfront, but Malcolm was right beside her.

“Did you sleep well, Julia?” he asked, lifting the lid of the dish that usually contained coddled eggs and gesturing to it.

“Yes, I did. And yes, I would like some eggs—just a little, please.”

He put a generous spoonful on her plate and smiled down at her, the expression charming, but rare—certainly not accusatory or angry, as if he’d caught her spying in his private hallway. “More?” he asked when Julia just gawked up at him.

“Er, no, thank you.” Julia turned away and briefly closed her eyes with relief; obviously he’d not found her bracelet—at least not yet. She still had time.

Once James arrived with their coffee, Malcolm dismissed him.

Julia waited a moment before saying, “May I ask you a question?”

He took a sip of coffee, set down the cup, and gave her a look that made her squirm.

“Notthatsort of question.”

“That’s too bad,” he said mildly. “What do you want to know?”

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