Page 30 of Gone With the Rogue
Their kisses and touches didn’t ebb. They were long, hard, and generous. Their breaths, moans, and sighs mingled into one passionate sound.
They were hungry, eager, and impatient. She felt his body tremble and his desire for her grow more desperate. Her gown was pushed up and his trousers pushed down. They came together in a quick single motion that was intense, powerful, and wild. It was mindless oblivion and far too fast. Moments after their bodies joined,pleasure like she’d never known sparked and flashed through her body like bolts of lightning shooting from the sky and piercing her. She clutched the back of his shirt in her hands. Her body shook as she savored the expanding essence of erotic fulfillment.
Moments later, Julia gathered her wits and realized that somehow they had managed to move to the softness of the rug. Garrett lay on top of her, his face pressed into the curve of her neck and shoulder. His breaths were gasping and shuddering.
“I waited for you,” he whispered as his tense body started to relax. He lifted his head, kissed her lips softly, and then looked down into her eyes. “I don’t know how I managed, but I haven’t wanted anyone else since I met you.”
Julia smiled, too. His husky words couldn’t have pleased her more. “I’ve been waiting for you, too. You are the first man to touch me since Kitson died.”
“I’m glad.” He kissed her again. “I knew we would be together but I didn’t expect it to happen tonight.”
“Nor did I, but it seemed right,” she said honestly.
“For me, too.” With a long sigh, he rolled off her and they started straightening their clothing.
“Why don’t you tell me everything you know about the duke’s secret companies?”
“I’ve told you as much as I know. I overheard him and his solicitor talking about the secret companies and the solicitor suggested he destroy the documents on the Eubury Company. The duke holds himself up to Society as the epitome of a compassionate person and fair-minded to all mankind and righteous beyond all others. Yet, he hasn’t come forward to say he owned the company or to help those who were injured in theblast. It seems I am the only one who has seen the bitter, controlling man he really is. He not only insists I live with him but also that I must live my life by his impossible standards. He is punishing me because I thwarted his plans and married Kitson. And because his son is dead and I am not. You saw support of my claim against him when he sent Mr. Pratt to tutor Chatwyn without consulting me.”
He reached over and took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. “I have never doubted anything you’ve said.”
“Thank you for that. I know the duke’s most prized possession is his standing in Society. He adores the accolades he receives, he is constantly reminding his family how everyone looks up to him for how they should live. I have to believe if I show him I have proof that he owns secret companies such as Eubury-Broadwell, he will give me my freedom rather than let all in London know of his treachery. I’m certain he doesn’t want to be remembered as one of the most evil and uncaring men in history. I don’t know of any way to ever be free of him other than confronting him. There’s no way to challenge him in the courts because the laws are written for men. Not women.”
“I know and understand all you say. But men like him are very hard to bring down, Julia.” He picked up some of the loose sheets of foolscap and shuffled through them. “The Eubury-Broadwell was a gaming house. Why would such a pious man want to own a gaming house?”
She swallowed hard. “To make money I assume. I really don’t know. He never gambles and speaks against it, saying it ruins families. He was a vicar before heinherited the title and doesn’t believe in wagering on anything.”
“You will continue to need my help.”
Julia touched the side of his face. “I am grateful for whatever help you can give me.”
He smiled and then reached over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Do you know when the duke will arrive in London?”
“No, but in the letter Mr. Pratt brought, he told me the fever hasn’t passed but he is feeling better. I know he will come as soon as he is strong enough to make the journey.”
“It won’t be safe for you to keep the duke’s documents here with you,” he said, and started gathering the scattered papers and stuffing them back into the leather packet. “I should take them with me.”
A chill went up Julia’s spine. “No.” She grasped the packet from his hands and clutched it to her chest. “This is all I have. Now that I have it, I can’t let go of it.”
Tension crackled between them like a hot fire for a few seconds. His gaze stayed focused on hers. “You are no longer handling this alone. I’m going to help you, but I must have your trust, Julia.”
“You do. I swear it, but I’m not sure you know how important this is to me. If this is what I think it is, it will change my life.”
“I know,” he said softly, and then continued to gather the sheets of paper from off the floor. “All of this is useless to you the way it is now.”
Her hands tightened on the leather. “I will find someone to decipher the code. I’m certain the ledger will show the names of the companies, the names ofthe fake people who owned them, and that the duke is the one who has profited from them.”
“Where will you hide it until you find someone?” he questioned. “If the duke returns and finds it missing, you will be the first person he suspects.”
That was true, but the thought of giving up the evidence was terrifying. “I don’t want to lose this chance, Garrett. I’ve waited for something to give me the opportunity to get away from the duke. I know I can convince him to allow me and my son to be free if I can prove he is not who he claims to be.”
Garrett smiled and touched the side of her hair. “You won’t lose it. I promise. Let me take care of it. There’s a man in my office who is very good with numbers. His name is Mr. Urswick and he’s my accountant. He may be able to make sense of the code.”
Her spirits lifted and she swallowed down her misgivings. “Do you really think he can?”
“I don’t know for certain, but I won’t know until I try. Right now, he’s the best shot we have unless you know of someone you can call on.”
Julia shook her head. She had to trust him to help her. She handed over the packet.
