As Alonzo bowed to the women again and took his leave, he could not shake the feeling they were scrutinizing his backside as he hurried away to find Graham. The ladies Bradbury were not women to be trifled with. Though they did not fit into the mold of thehaute ton, they were extraordinary women who had adapted to the harsh realities of the world they lived in.
Lady Julia, well, she was a puzzle he intended to put together slowly, piece by beautiful piece.
*
“Is he gone?”Julia asked from behind the partly opened door leading into the Bradbury apartment.
“Yes,” Willa said. “It is safe to come out now.”
What had the duke been thinking to show up at the bookshop? “Thank God.”
“Julia,” Lady Bradbury said, tucking her fingers under her chin and forcing her to meet her gaze. “I have known you since you were but a child. Your dear mother raised you to be fair to everyone. Why do you dislike the duke?”
Lady Bradbury had always been honest with Julia, and she should do the same. But how could she explain what she felt every time she set eyes on that man? Her insides were in knots, she loathed his pomposity, but enjoyed looking at him—watching him interact with people, and his singing voice—how it made her weak-kneed and dewy-eyed. All the physical responses to men she had long denied herself because she had plans for her future, and none of them involved having a husband that would rule over her.
Not that she thought of husbands when she considered the duke. He was the furthest thing from a husband she could imagine. Why, he’d spend more time in front of the looking glass than she would. And likely own more fripperies to adorn himself with for the stage.
“I dislike everything about him,” she finally said.
The dowager gave her a sympathetic look. “Pride comes in many forms, Julia. And if that is what you dislike about him…”
“He is a braggart.”
“Are not all men?”
“Selfish, too.”
“You could be describing my own husband,” the countess said.
“He is a shameless scapegrace.”
“Julia!” Willa sounded alarmed.
“Well…” She would not hide her opinion. “Have you read about him before? That book… it not only told about his career as an opera singer, it delved into his personal life, his strange ablutions before each performance, even the women he has bedded.”
“Did I not warn you about perusing that book?” Willa asked.
“You did. But how could I not?”
“You are obsessed with the man,” Lady Bradbury said.
“Maybe a little,” she admitted, remembering how close he had gotten to her in the garden and what he had said about his male anatomy, how she affected him. That part she would never share with anyone, not even her best friend.
The duke definitely had sunk his teeth into her mind and body. His words had sent her running, and set her body to trembling with emotion. She had wanted him to kiss her—made her want to kiss him. No man had been permitted to touch her before, much less ogle her and blame her for his uncontrollable desire.
“Your father is adamant about you finding a husband,” Lady Bradbury reminded her. “Enough to send me a letter and ask that I provide guidance. Let us go back to the apartment, Julia, where we can talk privately.”
Julia followed her inside and sat on one of the wingback chairs. A deep sense of belonging always overcame her whenever she spent time here. She loved Willa and her mother as her own and sometimes wished with all her heart that she had been born into their family, for there was a warmth she had never experienced with her parents. “I am sorry for acting like a spoiled child,” she said. “But you must understand…”
“That the Duke of Pridegate desires you, and you might feel the same?” Lady Bradbury reached across from her chair and gave Julia’s right hand a squeeze. “I am not blind.”
“No. If anyone could understand, you would. I know you and the earl shared a rare passion.”
“We did, my dear. And I am not too old to marry again, as you know. Several gentlemen of consequence have sought me out, but nothing could compare to my love for Gerald. So why would I take another husband only to be disappointed every day for the rest of my life?”
“Why take a husband at all?”
“That is a silly question, and you know it. You are the only child of a duke. Your offspring will inherit a large estate and titles not entailed through the male line. And if you are fortunate to have a son within five years, he will be the heir to the dukedom. Imagine how generous your forebearers were to provide such an arrangement. Most hereditary estates and titles are not so kind. The closest male relative would inherit your father’s title and wealth.”
