The duke grunted. “I imagine that they want me dead, and for Juliana to watch, just as the letters explain.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I do not know from whom they came, and the letters warn that if I bring this to the attention of the magistrate, more people will suffer.”
Heather’s nose scrunched. “Has this person—”
“Orpersons,” Maria cut across.
“Indeed.” Heather simultaneously nodded and waved her fingers in the air. “Have they mentionedwhythey wish for your death, et cetera?”
“No.” The duke’s lips thinned, his skin growing increasingly ashen.
“What of thehow?” Maria asked softly. “In one of these letters, did they describe how or where they intended to carry out these threats? Perhaps if we knew more about their intentions…” Her voice faded away at the duke’s grim features.
“Again, no,” he said gruffly. “And I’m afraid that I’ve only made things worse in my attempts to protect Juliana.”
Maria sat forward. “I see. What can we do to help?”
CHAPTER13
Nottingham
Do not leave Woodhaven Hall…
Flames lapped and flickered around the logs in the hearth in Juliana’s diminutive bedchamber. She stared unblinkingly at them, perched with legs tucked beneath her on the foot of her bed, waiting for her hair to dry while absently stroking Kitty’s head perched on her thigh.
Morning sunlight shone through the room’s small window, and she wished that it would leave her be for another few hours. Despite being dressed, Juliana was not ready for the day to begin; she’d scarcely gotten two hours of sleep on the carriage ride back to Woodhaven Hall, and not a wink since.
Unsettling memories whirled through her for the remainder of the night and all through her bath. Fear weighed heavily on her heart. Despite the pertinent truths having been revealed, the urge to flee Woodhaven Hall was overwhelming. But how could she do so while ensuring she not be stopped by that brigand once more? It was almost as though she required an armada of men surrounding her through the countryside for her to reach London safely.
A soft knock sounded at her door, and Kitty lifted her head, ears pointed toward the noise. Juliana called entrance, swiping her damp palms over her black frock.
“I’m sorry, sweeting, I’m not quite prepared for our lessons tod—” She turned, and scrambled from the bed, biting her lip. “Oh, it’s you.”
Mr. Notley closed her bedchamber door and strode silently forward. Heaven above, why would he close the door? Such things were simply not done. The room felt smaller with him inside, as though even his presence filled the air around them.
His gaze, the colour of the sky, roamed her face and lingered on her hair. The mass of thick, dark curls were beyond her control, hanging in damp ringlets around her head. She’d always been a little discomfited by others’ curious stares when it came to her hair, most likely stemming from her father’s constant criticism.“Your unruly hair is coming out of its pins,”the duke would say.“You look like a tuppenny whore, and it disgusts me. Fix it.”
Despite years of attempting to steel her emotions, her heart gave a sharp pang before she could protect herself against it.
Well, her father was dead, and could take his opinions to the devil. Juliana was a grown woman and rather liked her hair. Because she looked nothing like her father, she imagined that it favoured her mother, which offered some comfort.
Mr. Notley cleared his throat and raked his fingers absently through his shoulder-length blond hair. “My apologies for intruding upon your morning, Miss Smith.” His gaze slipped past her to the rumpled bedclothes and the greyhound still curled at the foot.
She gave him a small smile, the movement tugging achingly at the still-forming bruises on her cheeks. “It is quite all right, Mr. Notley.”
The scent of cinnamon and coconut came off of him in hot waves, making her heart drum with desire as he neared.Terrible timing, Juliana, her mind rebuked.He does not wish for intimacies between us.And neither should you, for pity’s sake.She ought to have been grateful that he’d refused her. Indeed. Grateful.
He slowly approached, and despite her inner quarrel, her pulse rushed and her knees wobbled. What she wouldn’t give for another of his kisses. Her gaze slipped to his full, slightly pinkened lips, and she gripped the bed’s post to steady herself. Heaven forbid she melt with want in front of a man who did not want her.
Inappropriate—and decidedlyunwanted—desire notwithstanding, the man had entered her bedchamber without invitation and closed the door behind himself. What could he possibly want with her? “Is there something with which I might help you?”
He cleared his throat. “Preparations have begun to remove Elizabeth to a familial hunting box with several armed footmen and a small contingent of maids.”
Guilt surged up her throat, and she swallowed it down, licking at her dry lips. “I must apologize, Mr. Notley, for this danger to you, Lizzy, and your staff. I’d not inten—”
“I know you did not.”
Juliana nodded, her stomach knotting and her heart aching. “It is a wise course of action, I daresay. I shall miss her.”
He eyed her shrewdly. “I imagine the feeling will be mutual.”
