Julius appreciated this about her, quite liking her fire and spirit.
Yes, she thwarted him at times. But mostly she was all heart and compassion, wanting so badly to make things right with the world.
Few men wished for a headstrong wife.
But how could he ever want someone as dull as dishwater?
Gory was also soft and loving.
Julius cleared his throat.
This was for a later discussion.
“Need a ride to the Wallingford Arms, Havers?”
“No, I have my own transport. Not quite as fancy as yours. But I’ll wait for you, so we can arrive together. Does that suit you, Lady Gregoria?”
“Yes,” she said, and then walked upstairs to inspect her bedchamber.
Julius excused himself and followed her up.
He remained in the doorway, quietly standing out of the way while Gory went through her things and tried to recall what had happened the other night.
She was not in her room more than five minutes before she sighed and returned to his side with a dejected look.
“Nothing?” He unfolded his arms that had been casually crossed over his chest while watching her.
“Nothing at all. Oh, Julius, why can I not remember anything?”
“It will come back to you, Gory. Do not lose faith.” He took her arm and led her downstairs. “You are forcing these lost memories and this is not helping.”
“I was sure that returning here would help to open the floodgates holding them back.”
“Perhaps it has helped. But there is much we do not know yet about the workings of the brain. You cannot simply snap your fingers and have all you have forgotten immediately rush to mind.”
“I do hate it when you are logical,” she grumbled.
She kept her arm tucked in his as they took a moment to talk to the Easton staff. Julius allowed Gory to do most of the talking since the staff seemed to adore her and were heartened by her comforting words. “Please do go on with your regular duties for now. However, if you remember something, or notice anything or anyone who is out of place, please alert Mr. Havers or Mr. Barrow at once. I will try to stop by tomorrow, but Lord Thorne will come in my place if I cannot.”
She glanced at Julius, realizing she ought to have asked him before telling her staff that he would. But he nodded. “Yes, you may count on me. Stay alert and report anything, no matter how trivial it appears. Do not hesitate to send word to me if you would rather speak to me before going to Mr. Havers or Mr. Barrow.”
“We shall, my lord,” Jergins said, stepping forward on behalf of the Easton staff. “Thank you.”
He nodded and then led Gory to the carriage. “Are you ready to face your ogre of an aunt next?”
She nodded. “Yes, but stay close. She might try to bite my head off.”
“I’ll protect you.”
She cast him a sincere smile. “I know. You’ve been wonderful to me, Julius.”
He shrugged off the compliment. “I’m trying my best. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Just wondering if my aunt had a hand in her husband’s murder. Do you think she did? Or could it have been his mistress seeking revenge if she was scorned? Do you know what they say about a woman scorned?”
“That she attempts to kill her benefactor and the benefactor’s niece when it can gain her nothing but a death sentence?”
“Must you be so sarcastic? My point is that she might have been angry.”
