Brogan stood and gathered his coat. He paused when Wil grabbed his arm and whispered something in his ear.
Brogan tensed, but nodded. Keeping his gaze averted, he led Juliana from the office.
She fiddled with the hem of her glove on the ride to her family's rented townhouse. Last night had been amazing. Today, not so much. She knew Brogan had regrets.She wasn’t used to being someone’s regret. She didn’t like the feeling.And she didn't know how to allay his concerns.
She wasn't looking to trap Brogan. And they were obviously compatible. Why couldn't the blasted man just enjoy what they had? Why did he have to see a barrier where none existed? It was like he intentionally looked for an excuse for them to fail.
He was a pessimist. Like he didn't expect his life to go the way he wished it. She chewed on the inside of her cheek. Perhaps his life never had gone the way he wanted.
She'd had it easy. When she wanted something, she almost always got it. Brogan had to work for everything he had. He faced struggle after struggle.
Would he work to have her? Was she worth the struggle?
They rolled to a stop in front of a three-story townhouse. Juliana got out of the carriage and stared at up at her family’s London residence. She lived there almost as much as she lived in Bluff Hall. She knew every inch of every hall and still, standing there before it, she felt like a stranger.
She trudged up the steps and knocked at the door like a guest.
Mr. Johnson, the butler, gave her a smile and a nod when he opened the door. “Lady Juliana. It’s very good to see you.”
“Thank you. Mr. Johnson.” She and Brogan stepped into the entry. “Is my brother at home?”
“No, my lady.”
“Did he go to his club?” She looked up the steps. Everything was quiet. Solemn almost. She couldn’t remember much laughter in the house, but today it seemed excessively glum. The oppressiveness of Bluff Hall had extended here.
“I don't believe so, my lady. The carriage went in the opposite direction.” Seeing as they weren’t removing their coats and hats, Johnson folded his hands.
Juliana sucked on her lower lip. She didn't think any of their societies or salons had meetings today, but Snow had a busy social life. He could be anywhere.
The butler cleared his throat. “The driver has told me that my lord frequents an apartment above a tea house on Butler Street of late. He seems to meet there a couple times a week.”
Juliana gripped the man's forearm and squeezed. “Thank you, Mr. Johnson.” It was improper for a butler to speak of his master's whereabouts, but the servants had always favored Juliana over her brother. A fact for which she was becoming increasingly grateful.
With one last squeeze of his arm. Juliana turned and skipped down the steps back to the carriage.
Brogan handed her in and gave the driver directions.
“Should we send a note ahead?” Brogan asked.
Juliana tipped her head. “Why?”
“In case…” Brogan paused. “Well, if he’s in an apartment… Your brother could be...” He shifted.
“In flagrante delicto?”Juliana supplied. She shook her head. “It’s the afternoon. Broad daylight.”
Brogan dipped his chin and gave her a look. “Desire doesn’t account for the time of day.” He proved his point by giving her a very lascivious look up and down her body.
She pulled at her fichu, suddenly warm. “Be that as it may, we’re talking about my brother. He’s not like that. Too… cold-blooded. He's probably just with a friend.”
Brogan arched an eyebrow. “You brother is in a relationship with Miss Lynn, the woman from your salon. Does that sound cold-blooded?”
“What?” She fell back against the carriage seat. “Why do you think that?”
“I saw the way they looked at each other, the subtle touches.” He ran his finger over her knee. “Something only lovers would do.”
She thought about that. She also thought about climbing onto Brogan’s lap here in the carriage and having her way with him. But Butler Street wasn’t far so she turned her mind back to her brother.
Snow did seem fond of the woman, more than Miss Lynn’s abrasive personality would warrant. She was attractive, no doubt, but Snow needed something more than just obvious charms. Perhaps Juliana had misjudged the woman. Perhaps hidden depths lay within.
