They believed him. It amazed him that anyone would, considering he’d only learned how to behave this way in the past five years. Every moment of every day, the web tightened, making him question who he was now—a physician? A future viscount? Or a crofter’s son, still trying to build a different life?
And for what? A glimpse of the woman he’d loved? Protecting her in silence, while she made up her mind whether she was willing to risk a marriage?
No. This was no life for any man. Although he’d tried to be patient, he was now behaving like a besotted young fool. He’d given her more than enough time, and he planned to return to Scotland—with or without Juliette. He wanted an answer now.
Even if it was the wrong one.
Paul unlocked the door and went inside the cold, dark space. He built a fire in the hearth and stoked the coals. As he warmed his hands, a plan took shape within his mind.
It was too late to pay a formal call upon Juliette now, but he could still see her. He knew her habits, and he knew where her room was located within her aunt’s house. It would not be difficult to infiltrate the premises… especially with the help of a meddling younger sister.
Tonight, he decided. He would confront Juliette and determine if there was any hope at all or whether he was wasting his time.
Inside her bedroom, Juliette held her son in her arms, cooing softly to baby Matthew. He was asleep with his mouth pursed up, his warmth snuggled in the crook of her elbow. She’d taken him out of the nursery, wanting to spend a few quiet moments alone with him.
She sat back in the chair, feeling at peace. She could pretend for a few minutes that he was hers again, that he need not babble the words “Mum mum mum” to another woman. His hair had the scent of baby, and she savored the comfort of holding him in her arms.
The sound of a window opening made her rise to her feet in alarm.
“Don’t be dropping the bairn,” came the voice of Paul Fraser. “It’s only me.”
Only him?She shrank back, wondering how on earth he’d managed to climb nearly to the third floor of her aunt’s town house. “You could have fallen to your death!”
He swung his other foot over the sill and closed the window tightly, then the drapes. “I don’t think so, no. Amelia let me inside, and I climbed over from the balcony beside this window. ’Twas no’ difficult.”
She ought to tell him to leave, for it was not at all a good idea for him to be alone with her in her bedchamber. Juliette risked a glance at the door, wondering if she should say anything.
Paul only crossed his arms. “Call out, if you like. They’ll only believe that I’ve compromised you. And we both ken where that will lead.”
Embarrassment flushed over her, along with a prickling rise of anticipation. He was wrong, of course. Her aunt and uncle would not allow him to wed her, even if theydidbelieve he’d compromised her.
“It’s late, Dr. Fraser,” she said.
“Very,” he agreed. “Most of the household is asleep.”
“My sister shares this room with me,” she insisted. “Amelia is going to return.”
“She promised to grant me time with you. She’s sleeping in Margaret’s room and said she would stay there until morning.”
Now how on earth had he accomplished that? Her sister was an incurable romantic, but had he simply arrived at the front door and suggested it?
Paul crossed the room and stood before her. “Give the bairn back to his nurse, Juliette. I’m here for answers, and I’ll leave only when I have them.”
That much was clear from the dark cast to his face. There was a steely determination in his dark blue eyes, like a man who was weary of waiting on her. And yet, she wasn’t ready to give him the answers she should. She’d been such a coward, trying to avoid everyone and everything.
But neither could she stand here with a sleeping baby, with a man who had no right to be in her room.
“Give me a moment,” she said. “Sit down.” She lifted Matthew to her shoulder and opened the door to the hallway. Silently, she took him back to the nursery, handing him over to the nurse. She took her time returning, knowing that Paul would be waiting for her.
But what could she say to him? Her heart was pounding, simply because he was here. And it was evident that he had no intention of leaving. His presence should have been a threat, and she ought to alert the servants.
Yet, she knew he would never harm her. He would not lay a hand upon her—he wanted only words. Her pulse quickened when she opened the door, closing it behind her.
“Lock it,” Paul ordered, and she obeyed. Within the room, the atmosphere grew heavier, almost heated. Gone was the good-natured lad who had spent a summer with her, teaching her to fish and to find her way among the mountains. Gone, too, was the gentleman who had sent her daily letters and danced with her. Now, he stood, a fierce Highlander who would no longer be brushed aside.
Juliette didn’t know what to say, and as he drew nearer, she found herself sinking into a chair, clasping her hands together.
“Look at me, Juliette,” he commanded. Then he pulled up a chair across from her. “I’ve finished with playing games. I tried to fit into your world and did a damned fine job of it. The matrons all wanted to wed their daughters to me. But there was only one I wanted.”
