“But–”
He hauled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her as the carriage lurched forward. “So help me, Gory,” he said between clenched teeth, “do not even think to get out of my bed for another week.”
“You are being ridiculous.”
“Me? Yes, I suppose I must be. After all, I am the one who foolishly allowed you to traipse around London when I should have known better than to agree.”
“It was important. I’m glad you did.” She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. It was such a lovely, broad shoulder. His scent was divine, too, an aromatic blend of maleness and bay spices that soothed her as she breathed him in. “We accomplished a lot today and it is only noon. Plenty still to do, but–”
“But nothing. I am putting you back to bed.”
“Stop saying that. What is the point of leaving me stuck in your bedchamber alone, bored and languishing?”
“Keeping you alive and healing is the entire point of it. You won’t be bored or stuck alone for long. Adela and Ambrose are due to arrive home today. Adela will not leave your side for a moment. Syd and Octavian ought to arrive tomorrow or the day after. Marigold is always around and will hop in her carriage to join you any time you ask. No doubt Lady Withnall and Lady Dayne will do the same. You’ll have your ghoul club back together and that ought to keep you occupied.”
“It is an explorer’s club, not a ghoul club,” she muttered. “Adela and Marigold have made some of the most exciting fossil discoveries ever heard of in England. And if Syd were a man, she would have been allowed to attend medical school and become as brilliant a doctor as George Farthingale.”
He groaned. “I know, Gory. Do not lecture me. I am merely speaking out of turn because I am so worried about you.”
She snuggled against Julius because being wrapped in his arms was simply divine. “You are forgiven. Even I will admit our stopping everywhere was not my brightest idea. But these first few days are so important to solving crimes because the clues are still fresh.”
“And Havers is doggedly pursuing each and every one of them. Nor should you forget that the solution to who did it and why may be in your head. You need to rest in order to allow those memories to flood back.”
“I hate it when you are right,” she grumbled.
She felt his gentle rumble of laughter against her cheek that was resting on his chest as he said, “I am always right.”
“You are such a clot, Julius.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I know.”
As the pain began to ease, Gory sat up.
Julius settled her on the seat bench beside him, but kept hold of her hand as she gazed out the window. The sky was beginning to fill with rain clouds, she noted as the carriage rolled along the busy London streets. They skirted along the park and drove through some of the most fashionable squares in London to reach the Thorne townhouse.
Julius helped her down once the carriage had drawn to a halt in front of his home. His expression remained stern and his eyes were the ominous gray of those gathering storm clouds.
Despite being annoyed with her, his touch remained as gentle as ever.
Why could it not be him that she was marrying?
Mistaking her lovesick woe for nausea or fatigue, he scooped her in his arms again and carried her into the house. “Greeves, let Mrs. Quinn know that we shall be dining in my bedchamber.”
Gory frowned at him. “We?”
“Yes, I am not leaving your side.” He turned back to Greeves. “Only light broth and soft bread for Lady Gregoria. And she’ll require a fresh nightgown. She needs to get out of these street clothes.”
“All I need is a short nap,” she insisted. “I am not taking off my clothes.”
“You are taking off every stitch,” he shot back with a growl. “I will attend to it myself if you refuse.”
She gasped. “Don’t you dare!”
Gory could not believe what he was saying.
Nor could Greeves whose face had turned crimson.
Was Julius truly a great ape reincarnated?
