Page 28 of His Scandalous Viscountess
He then looked back over his shoulder, in the direction of Ros.
Julia stopped short. His threat was clear, and her throat closed, as if he had physically wrapped his fingers around her neck and squeezed. Somehow, she managed to heave in a breath. “My lord, I believe I am feeling unwell. I should return home. You will, of course, excuse me.”
“Of course.” He executed a half bow. “I do hope you are feeling better soon.”
She nodded and strode toward where Ros stood, a short distance away. Once she reached her, they retreated back toward Rotten Row—and escape. Julia fought back the nausea that threatened to blossom as she frog-marched her sister home. All the while, Ros remained silent while she struggled to maintain the bruising pace Julia had set.
Once they were both safely ensconced in their parlor, Ros looked at her sister. “Tell me what that odious man said to upset you so.”
Julia refused to repeat the implied threat. “No. There is no need for anyone else to be disturbed.”
Her sister’s brows drew together. “What could he possibly have said?”
“Nothing worth repeating.” Julia paced over to the secretary, opened the drop desk, then promptly closed it and paced back toward the fireplace.
She moved over to the window and looked out at the hustle and bustle as people passed their home. How could she protect Ros from Wallthorpe? Certainly, she was a grown woman capable of saying no, but she was such a gentle soul. It would fundamentally change her to have to thwart Wallthorpe’s advances, and Julia refused to allow that to occur. Pressing her fingertips to her temples, she knew she needed help with this situation. There was only one person she could call upon to offer assistance.
With a determined stride, she returned to the secretary, opened the drop desk, and pulled out a paper and stylus. Wolf would know what to do. Julia was certain he could find a way to protect her sister, and it would not include one of them breaking their fake engagement.
It simply couldn’t.
Chapter 12
Wolf stood on Julia’s front steps with her summons in hand. The correspondence held a frantic note that concerned him, which was why he was knocking earlier than what might otherwise be considered acceptable.
The door opened to reveal a butler—not especially tall, and not especially remarkable. His brown hair was graying at the temples, however, and offered up a distinguished air when paired with his simple livery.
Behind him, Julia hovered as though she might just push the man aside and take over his duties.
“Good morning,” the butler said.
“Good morning. Please tell Lady Wallthorpe that Lord Wolfington—” Wolf was cut off by an impatient Julia.
She huffed and stepped around her staid servant. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, I am right here, and I can plainly see who is at the door, Johnson. Go back to whatever you were doing.”
She shooed him off.
“My lady, it is simply not done for someone of your stature to answer her own door.”
Johnson seemed far more affronted by her actions than either Julia or Wolf. In fact, he couldn’t hide his grin as she tugged him inside by his coat sleeve.
“Pish, Johnson. No one butyouis standing on such propriety. I haven’t lived in England for a decade, and Wolf is an old friend.”
She towed him into the front parlor.
With a disgruntled rumble, the butler closed the front door and retreated to the rear of the house.
Wolf was still swallowing her offhand description of him as a friend. He knew her far more intimately than anyfriend, in his experience. He’d tasted her sweet-tart honey, and watched her come apart in his arms. They were decidedlybeyondfriends.
Undoubtedly lovers, but could he convince her to be his wife?
If he were honest with himself, he knew now that he’d never be able to let her go again. His head spun with the unexpected realization.
“Thank you for coming.” Julia released his sleeve and spun around to face him. “I was up all night working out a plan.”
Wolf took his agitated fiancée by the shoulders and forced her to hold still. “Take a deep breath, and tell me what is going on.”
She tried to dislodge his hands with a shrug. “Oh, do stop. I’m fine, just concerned.”
