Gory hummed a lively tune as she washed and dressed in his quarters that she had now taken over and hopefully would always remain because he had declared his love for her. Getting herself ready for the day took longer than usual because the poor maid was terrified of accidentally touching her wound that was healing nicely but had not yet fully mended.
Dr. Farthingale would remove the stitches in a couple of days, but until then, they would remain poking out from behind her ear. The maid carefully styled her hair so that it fell in a soft wave to cover the area of the injury.
The stitches would not be visible unless one looked closely.
Now presentable, Gory hurried down the grand staircase to join Julius in the dining room. She smiled brightly upon seeing him seated at the table with his brother and Adela, all of them chatting as they ate their breakfast.
“You look lovely, Gory,” Julius said, rising to escort her to the seat beside his.
She glanced down at the violet gown of softest wool she had worn. “This is another of Adela’s that I’ve borrowed. Thank you, Adela.”
“Not a problem. Take whatever you like from my wardrobe. I have so many beautiful gowns, it really is ridiculous.”
Ambrose shrugged. “You are my duchess now. It is necessary.”
“I think you just like to spoil me,” Adela retorted, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.
Gory was so happy for her friend. In truth, she was happy for her band of friends who had all made love matches. First Adela, then Marigold, and most recently, Syd. Was it possible she would find her happiness next?
Julius had always been the man of her dreams.
“I’ll have a few of my gowns sent over here,” she said, knowing it was not right to impose on Adela when she had an entire wardrobe of her own at the Easton residence. “That is…I hope you will allow me to stay here a little while longer. I cannot go back home yet. The thought of returning to that place curls my stomach. It has not felt like home for a very long time.”
“You needn’t,” Julius assured her, giving her a meaningful stare. “And you look beautiful, even if the gown is not your own.”
“Thank you, Julius.” No one had ever complimented her like this before. It was not merely his words, but the way he brightened whenever he looked at her.
Was she not doing the same whenever she gazed at him?
Love was a wonderful thing.
Adela and Ambrose were smirking.
She tried not to beam like a lighthouse beacon, but it was impossible to suppress when she was so happy. “I have missed all this week at the forensics laboratory,” Gory said, turning to Ambrose with a look of apology. “But I think I will be fit enough to return next week.”
Ambrose shook his head. “Gory, your absence was already planned due to your…ah, um…you know, the wedding.”
She glanced at Julius.
That mere glance confirmed Ambrose and Adela had been told everything. Well, perhaps not about their kisses. But she understood by the looks on their faces that Julius had confessed that he loved her.
Adela had always known of her feelings for Julius.
Gory smiled, for her dear friend was beaming almost as brightly as she was now that she knew Julius loved her back.
“I think it is best if Julius and I go by ourselves to speak to Allendale on your behalf,” Ambrose said, biting into a chunk of freshly baked bread he had slathered with marmalade.
“No, it isn’t necessary.” Gory set her teacup aside to let the piping hot tea cool. “Julius and I will handle the matter. We are going to see him today.”
“Assuming we find him at home,” Julius muttered.
“We will track him down wherever he might be.” Gory spared a nod for the footman who set the sugar cone beside her because she liked to take her tea very sweet, and then continued. “Not only must I break off our betrothal, something I doubt he will fight me on because of the risk of exposing his scandal, but–”
“The heel,” Adela muttered.
Gory agreed. “But I also want to be sure he is properly taking care of the young lady and her child.”
“And if he is not going to take proper care of her?” Ambrose asked.
