He gave a short laugh. “You’re wasting your time with Devon, then. He sure as hell isn’t interested in saving you, except for himself. He’s no hero.”
She turned away from him, back to the window. “I’ve never had much use for heroes.”
Just as well, because they don’t exist.
They rode in silence through the streets until the carriage drew to a stop in front of Charlotte’s townhouse in Grosvenor Square. “The carriage will take you on to Bedford Square. Good evening, Captain.”
She’d stepped down and turned away before Julian noticed the carriage—black, crested, and luxuriously appointed—waiting on the other side of the street.
Devon.The man couldn’t seem to stay away from her.
Julian slid across the seat and through the open door. “One moment, if you would, Lady Hadley.” He took her arm. “I insist upon escorting you inside.”
Despite the late hour, the heavy front door flew open before they reached the top stair. “My lady, Lord Devon is here, and he insists upon seeing you at once…oh.” The butler fell silent when he caught sight of Julian. “I beg your pardon, my lady.”
Charlotte drew off her gloves and handed them to the servant. “Disconcerting, isn’t it, Nelson, to have two gentleman callers at once, and it not even calling hours? No, there’s no need to take Captain West’s coat. He won’t be staying.”
“Very good, my lady.”
She turned to Julian. “As you can see, I’m quite safe now. I do thank you for your extreme attentiveness, Captain. Good evening.”
Julian deliberately leaned a hip against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, no, Lady Hadley. I can’t possibly take my leave before Lord Devon does. It wouldn’t be proper. Your family wouldn’t like it. Would they, Nelson?”
Nelson’s stammering reply was cut off when the drawing room door opened and Lord Devon, who’d no doubt heard the argument, emerged. “Forgive the intrusion, my lady.” He went to Charlotte and took her hands in his. “But I couldn’t rest until I knew you were well.”
“You’re very kind, my lord. I’m sorry to have spoiled your evening—”
“But as you see, she’s perfectly well,” Julian interrupted in freezing tones. “No need to linger then, is there, Devon?”
Devon didn’t take any notice of him. “You didn’t spoil my evening, I assure you. I’m off to join our friends even now.” Devon hesitated, then lowered his voice. “You’ll be all right? I know you prefer not to spend time alone here.”
Julian straightened up from his relaxed pose against the wall. Bellwood, Hadley House, and now Grosvenor Square? Lady Hadley, it seemed, didn’t want to be…anywhere.
“You’re very good, my lord, but it’s all right.” She smiled up at Devon—not the strange half smile she’d given Julian, but one that reached her eyes.
Devon brushed his lips across her glove. “Then I can be easy. Good evening, my lady.” He turned to Julian with a correct bow, but his eyes were like a blue lake frozen under layers of ice. “Good evening, Captain West.” He accepted his coat and hat from Nelson, strolled through the door and was gone.
Any trace of the warm smile Charlotte had bestowed on Devon vanished when she turned to Julian. “Are you satisfied?”
He was far from satisfied, but unfortunately he hadn’t the slightest excuse to be displeased with Devon’s behavior. The man had been a perfect gentleman. “For now.”
“Then I’ll bid you good night.” Charlotte swept up the stairs without another word, leaving Nelson to show him out.
Julian half hoped to find Devon’s carriage lingering in the street so he had just cause to land a fist in his lordship’s excessively handsome face, but the black crested carriage was gone.
Bedford Square was quiet when he arrived. He began to mount the stairs, but then turned abruptly and made his way down the hallway to Cam’s study. He couldn’t face his bedchamber tonight.
He stripped off his coat and cravat, paused at the sideboard to pour a glass of whiskey, and then dropped into his chair before the fire. After a moment he reached into his waistcoat pocket, withdrew Colin’s watch, and flicked open the lid. The hands remained frozen in their places. Foolish, the way he checked it every day, as if he could somehow trip time back into motion if he only looked at the watch at the right moment.
He dug into his pocket again, took out Charlotte’s necklace, and dangled it between his fingers. The fire lit up the amethysts so a flame seemed to burn deep inside them.
Colin’s watch, and now Charlotte’s necklace.
I adore it. It’s one of my favorite pieces.
Yet for all that she’d tossed it onto the table in front of him, her chin in the air, and refused to let him humble her. Refused to lie.
Julian closed his fist around the treasures, leaned his head back against the chair, and stared into the fire, let the flames hypnotize him with their sinuous dance. They burned lower, then lower still; their edges grew fuzzy…
