Oh, but there was. She reached out to Amelia and squeezed her hand, as if to reassure her. It wasn’t only about protecting her sisters.
She had to protect her son.
Ever since he’d learned that Strathland was in London, Paul had kept a tight watch over Juliette. Today, it had taken every ounce of his control not to move in and murder Strathland in plain sight. As soon as he’d seen the earl approaching the young women, he’d hidden himself close by during the conversation.
Although Juliette and Amelia had escaped into the modiste’s shop afterward, Paul waited until he was certain Strathland was gone. He received more than his share of odd looks as he stood outside, but he would not leave until the sisters were safely home again.
Juliette was pale when she emerged from the shop with Amelia. From the sickly look on her face, Paul’s suspicions sharpened. He had reasons of his own to want vengeance against Strathland—but Juliette’s reaction went beyond terror.
A haze of dark rage flowed through him. Though Cain had not revealed the man who had violated Juliette, it was entirely possible that Strathland was responsible. And if itwashim, murder was too good for the man.
Paul stepped forward. “Are you all right, lass?” he asked Juliette.
She tried to nod, but he didn’t believe it at all. To the footman, he ordered, “Hire a carriage for all of us.” He wasn’t about to let them go home without his protection.
The servant obeyed, and Paul stood at Juliette’s side, lending his own support. “I’ll be fine, Dr. Fraser,” she said. “You needn’t go to such trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” he insisted. “And I would feel better if I escorted you back.”
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” her sister agreed, sending him a knowing look.
Paul decided he liked Amelia Andrews a great deal. If nothing else, she was quite good at matchmaking. He sent a questioning look toward Juliette, and at last, she nodded. “Very well.”
“Good. That’s settled.” When the carriage arrived, Paul helped the women inside and rode beside the driver while the footman returned home on foot. As they traveled, he searched the streets for a glimpse of Strathland. He didn’t know how the man had found Juliette, but possibly he’d ordered a servant to watch the house. It could not be a coincidence that he’d happened upon the sisters when they were out shopping.
His mind twisted with uneasiness. If Strathland had gone to such an effort to find Juliette, there had to be a reason. And he didn’t like to think of what that reason was.
The drive home was short, and after Paul paid the driver, he helped the ladies disembark. Juliette sent her sister inside, remaining outside. “Thank you for seeing us home.”
He restrained himself from taking her hand in public, though he wanted to. “Will you be at Lady Rumford’s gathering?”
Juliette hesitated. “I was planning to stay at home, to avoid the earl.”
“And why is that?” Paul asked, watching her face closely.
Juliette turned her gaze downward, admitting, “He’s always made me uncomfortable. And with the fire and Victoria’s kidnapping… I want nothing to do with Lord Strathland.”
It was a reasonable answer, but he studied her, wondering if there was more she hadn’t said.
“And what about me?” he murmured, stepping closer. “Do you want naught more to do with me after what happened the other night?”
Her face flushed with color. “I—I don’t know, Dr. Fraser.”
The night they’d spent at thecèilidhwas burned into his memory. He wanted so much more from her, but he sensed the invisible stone walls rising up around her feelings. Damn it all, he was growing impatient. He wanted to marry her, to lie beside her at night and hold her close. But if he pushed her now, it was likely she’d retreat again.
“I hope to see you at Lady Rumford’s,” he said by way of farewell, bowing as he departed. He thought about hiring a hackney but instead decided to walk. He needed to clear his head and decide what to do about Lord Strathland.
There was one clear reason for the earl’s journey to London. The wool buyers had decreased their purchases, and Strathland would want to know why. No doubt he would try to sway them to his own purposes and convince them to reconsider. Between Paul’s efforts and the Duke of Worthingstone’s influence, the earl wouldn’t get far.
Then, too, there was the question of Juliette and why Strathland had made her so uncomfortable. From the look of undisguised interest on the man’s face, he intended to pursue her. Paul wasn’t about to stand aside and let that happen. Juliette had endured enough without having to face a man like the earl.
His impatience stretched tighter, along with the need to protect her. If he could convince Juliette to elope with him, they could both return to Scotland and start anew. One day, it might be the life she was accustomed to, once he inherited his uncle’s title and estates.
But that wouldn’t happen any time soon. Although Uncle Donald had provided him with the wardrobe of a viscount and money to spend, Paul still hadn’t touched any of it. It seemed wrong to take money from a family that had abandoned his father, all because Kenneth had wanted to wed a woman of a lower station. Now he was in the same straits as his mother, wanting to wed someone who was far above him.
He loathed every moment of living here in London. He didn’t belong in the city, and he couldn’t understand why Juliette wanted to stay here. The very air was tainted with soot, not at all like his beloved Highlands. He ached for the sight of the mountains and the clear lochs.
Paul stopped in front of the tiny flat he’d rented in London, having abandoned the town house a month ago. He paused in front of the door, wondering what he was doing. His friend Cain had advised him to behave like the viscount he would become one day. He’d worn the clothing, spoken openly about his inheritance, and attended events a physician had no right to attend.
