Leo narrowed his eyes.We’ll discuss this in detail later.
With a nod, Percy gathered the pot and sought out the tins containing tea and sugar, with which he’d travelled. Leo trod to the water pump outside to rinse and fill a bucket of water, and together he and Percy prepared tea.
Clunk-clunk, clunk-clunk… Elizabeth absently swung her feet, knocking the kitchen chair’s legs. Leo was tempted to comment, but the girl was likely trying to remain warm, and—
“Where is Miss Smith?” Lizzy asked sweetly, adding sugar to her steaming cup.
Leo shook his head, sitting across from her at the table. “Her name is Lady Juliana Sinclair. She’s the daughter of a duke.”
The little sprite’s eyes grew wide as saucers, and her blonde ringlets bounced in her exuberance. “Truly, Uncle Leo?”
“Truly.”
“What was she doing in Nottingham?” Percy asked, pouring his own cup of black tea and sitting next to Lizzy.
“It is rather a curious tale. She—”
“I want to see her again. I miss her,” Lizzy interrupted.
His chest gave a sharp twist. “I miss her, as well.”
Elizabeth traced the pad of her index finger along the floral design of her teacup, around the rim of the saucer, and down to the hard-edged surface of the table. “Do you love her, Uncle Leo?”
Hot tea burned over Leo’s tongue and down his lips and chin as he spluttered into his teacup.
Love. Denial of the word immediately sprang to his lips, but his mouth wouldn’t cooperate. He couldn’t love Juliana. Could he? The word determinedly rolled around in his mind, teasing him with impossibilities.
The woman was fiercely independent, caring, thoughtful, imaginative, intelligent, and damned strong. She was unique…and someone that he would be honoured to have at his side, both in his home and in caring for Elizabeth. A rapid fluttering filled his chest and stomach as the realization crashed through him. He blinked. “Holy hell, maybe Iamin love with Juliana.”
It would certainly explain his recent despondency and the strength of his urge to return to her side. She’d refused his hand, but that was of little matter. Whether or not she was his wife, he wanted to be at her side.
His chair’s legs scraped on the wood floor as he stood. “Please excuse me.”
* * *
Juliana’s crywas muffled behind a damp palm. A cold chill swept over her as she was pulled deeper into the close—the narrow alleyway dark and instantly colder than the air beyond.
She knew who had grabbed her, and she could not allow him to best her.
Feet scrabbling for purchase on the uneven cobblestone ground, she attempted to use her unbalance to her advantage and pull the bastard down. Miles grunted and held her tighter while she struggled.
A flash of crimson caught Juliana’s gaze, and for a moment, her heart all but stopped. There, slumped at the close’s entrance was her footman, blood cascading down his uniform. Her heart squeezed painfully and a sob caught in her throat.
“I’ll best you, Juliana, if it is the very last thing that I do,” Miles hissed in her ear.
No. She could not allow that.
With a burst of strength, she twisted in his arms, forcing his grip to loosen. For a fraction of a heartbeat, uncertainty forced itself in alongside her determination and panic. Despite his injuries, her cousin was larger and stronger than she.
In that moment of uncertainty, Miles gripped a fistful of her hair through her bonnet and yanked her head back with a snarl. “Fighting will not help you, cousin.”
“Perhaps not,” she breathed, “but I shall try.” With one great arch, Juliana lifted her writing box over her shoulder.
It gave a sickeningcrunchas it connected with Miles’ forehead. He cursed long and loud, and loosened his grip just enough. Juliana made to step away when Miles’ fist shot out in a wild swing, his knuckles glancing off of her cheekbone.
An explosion of pain and stars burst through her head, and she stumbled back. Giving herself a quick mental shake, she followed her instincts and hastened away.
Theclomp-clompof her faltering footsteps echoed off the stone walls of the close, the sound loud to her ears. She reached the opening of the close, the day’s sudden light chasing away the rain and the chill that had settled into her bones. Ignoring the curious stares of onlookers, she forced herself into a run.
