“Sometimes a man can disturb you in a good way. Does he do that?”
“Yes,” Brina said casually and walked up to the door. She opened her reticule and took out the key. She squeezed it into her palm as they stood under the overhang of the small portico. It had been a long time since she’d talked so honestly with Julia, and it felt good. “His kisses make me tingle all the way down to my toes,” she admitted freely.
“Oh,” Julia whispered softly, clearly not expecting such a heartfelt answer from her. “I had wondered if the two of you were—kissing.”
“How could we not. I admitted the attraction was there from the beginning. It’s so hard for me to understand.I’ve always been so adamant, no man would ever interest me again. I truly believed that, and for five years no one has. Now, I’m interested. Not for marriage, of course, but kisses and touches and all the rest of it. I can’t explain to you how good it feels to be that close to someone again. To be hugged so tightly, touched passionately, and feel so wanted. No, more than that. He makes me feel treasured. I could have kept kissing him forever.” She stopped and laughed at herself. “What am I saying? I don’t have to explain any of this. You know what I’m talking about.”
Julia nodded understandingly. “Have you done more than kiss?”
“Not really.” Brina struggled with her thoughts. “Not because I’m not willing. He isn’t.”
Julia frowned in disbelief. “You can’t mean that?”
“It’s true.” It had happened more than once, but no need to tell that. “He reminded me that I had made him promise there would be no women, and he included me in that promise.”
Julia twisted her lips around a couple of times, trying not to smile. “He’s making you suffer from your own rule?”
“Yes,” she exclaimed softly. “When I was in his arms, I wasn’t even thinking about our bargain. It was the farthest thing from my mind. Only loving how utterly wonderful he was making me feel. But, of course, that’s not the only reason he disturbs me. It’s getting closer to the end of the Season, and I haven’t heard one slip of gossip from anyone accusing him of gambling, drinking, or anything else. That night at the ball when I was making all those demands, I truly didn’t believe he could make it through the night without a glass of wine or a card in his hands.”
“Garrett hasn’t heard anything either. I’ve queried himabout what gossip is making the rounds in the clubs. He said Blacknight has been seen in the evenings, but he only talks with friends and watches others play their cards or billiards. If a man’s not going to drink or gamble, there isn’t much reason for him to spend a lot of time at the clubs. The problem is that you don’t know what he might be doing in the privacy of his home. Who’s to say he’s not emptying the decanter every night?”
“You’re right, of course,” Brina said, with some ambivalence. He could be doing that, but it didn’t feel right to Brina that he might be cheating in private. “I can’t accuse him unless someone comes forward with proof they’ve seen or heard of him breaking our bargain. And believe me, I know men have tried to catch him in the act. Imagine someone watching your every step.”
Brina inserted the key, the lock gave way, and she pushed open the door and stepped inside. The house was cold and quiet as a mouse creeping across a floor. For a moment, she missed her mother and wished she’d been there to greet them. She shook off the soft feeling of love and placed her reticule on the side table.
“My riding boots are in the wardrobe upstairs. I’ll get those first. My mother’s easel and painting supplies are in—”
Brina heard footsteps and, at the same time, saw the shadow of a man coming down the corridor. Startled, she spun to see Harper walking toward them with his lively step, happy and jovial as usual.
“Merciful heavens, Harper. I didn’t know anyone was in the house. You frightened me.”
“I didn’t know I was in a frightful state, dear cousin. I’m sorry about that. Must be the wind.” He brushed a hand through his hair and rearranged it. “Is that better? Such a lovely surprise to see you.”
“What are you doing here?” Brina asked, trying to calm her racing heart.
He seemed momentarily at a loss but then spoke up to say, “I stopped by to check on the house and make sure everything was all right.” He grabbed his cloak and swung it over his shoulders and fastened the hook at the neck before reaching down to give her the usual kisses on both cheeks. “Your father asked before he left.”
Brina tried not to overreact, but it was difficult not to be more than a little surprised by his presence. “I do remember he asked you to check on me, but not that he’d asked you to check the house.”
“Didn’t I tell you?” he queried, putting his finger to his chin and striking a thoughtful pose. “You’re sure? I thought I told you.”
“No.” And it seemed rather strange for her father to worry about the house. They lived in the safest section of Mayfair.
“I’m sorry.” He guffawed. “I didn’t make it clear he wanted me to look in on you and the house. Is there a problem? I don’t have to come over, you know. If there—”
“No, there’s no problem. I’m glad that I understand now. Please, yes, do whatever Papa asked you to do.”
Harper nodded, then turning to Julia said, “How are you, Mrs. Stockton? Lovely to see you again.”
“I’m good, Harper,” Julia replied. “It’s nice to see you too. Did you find anything amiss?”
“Missing? No, no. Or did you say amiss? I didn’t look specifically.” He turned back to Brina and gave her a nervous smile. “I checked all the windows and the doors. They were locked. Everything seemed to be in order. You don’t have to bother to do that now if you don’t want to.”
Brina tried not to worry about Harper’s strange behavior, but he had her wondering if all he said was true. She’d never seen him act nervous and on edge. Just as afew days ago she’d never seen him so angry over a ride in a fast curricle. What was happening to him? “I hadn’t planned to check and make sure the windows were secure. I only came by to pick up my riding boots and some other things I need.”
“Well, I’ll not stay and hinder you. I’m sure you want to get right to it, so I’ll be on my way.”
“Wait. Before you go, there’s something I’d like to ask you about, if you have time.”
