Page 8 of His Scandalous Viscountess
He waved toward the door. “He left a few hours ago. Was it a dream or a nightmare?”
She sat there a moment, letting her eyes close as she appeared to gather herself. The silence stretched out for four or five heartbeats as he stood there, and then one more before she opened her eyes again. She seemed unsure for a moment, but then she rose from the bed and let the sheet fall from her nudity.
Would she answer him?
“I see. Well, thank you both for a perfectly wonderful evening.”
It seemed she was choosing to ignore his question.
Wolf watched in shock as she strode about the room, calmly collecting her clothes. She tugged on her skirt and tied the ribbons. Then she pulled on her bodice, but was unable to refasten it herself. After a brief struggle, she gave up and searched for the next piece of her clothing.
He stood there stunned, ever the unsure one—though he was certain he hid it well most of the time. “That’s it? A simple thank you, without so much as a by-your-leave?”
She stopped tying her scarf around her hips and stared at him. “What more did you want?”
Confusion made his head hurt, or conceivably it was the multiple drinks he’d consumed as she slept. “An explanation?”
Her green eyes narrowed. “What kind of explanation?”
Frustration, doubt, and possibly some long-misplaced anger finally broke free in him. “What was this? Why did you auction yourself off tonight? Why put on such a scandalous display?”
Where have you been for the last ten years?
He just managed to hold the last question back.
“This was exactly what it was billed as: one night with me. No more, no less. As for the rest, I do not owe you the least explanation.”
She resumed tying her scarf and all but dismissed him.
He stalked across the room, his roiling emotions propelling him toward her. “Jules, I am not just some random lord who won you in an auction. I was your fiancé, your friend, and once upon a time, the man who loved you.”
Her emerald eyes grew hard as the jewels they reminded him of. “You were the man who had sworn to protect me, who swore that he loved me, and who ultimately deserted me when I needed you most. You are the man who taught me that love does not, in fact, conquer all. I assure you, I owe younothing, my lord.”
Her words were like a spear straight through his heart. The truth often cut deeply, and there was no doubt in his mind she spoke the truth. He drew a deep breath through his nose, letting his eyes close as he steeled himself against the pain. “You’re right, of course. But please, let me help you now. Give me a chance to make reparations for our past. I can’t help but believe you are in some kind of trouble.”
Pain softened the hardness of her gaze, but she remained stubbornly silent. With a shake of her head, she donned her slippers and grabbed her belt from the floor. “I’m sorry, Lord Wolfington. I’m afraid there is nothing more you can do. There is nothing Ineedfrom you, not even a carriage ride home. Your bidding on me, and following through on the inherent promise of winning me, shall have to suffice.”
Helpless to make her do as he wished, he watched as she squared her shoulders and walked to the door of the room. She stopped and turned to look at him. “Goodbye, my lord.”
And then she slipped from the room, leaving him utterly alone and lost. His gut screamed that she needed help. That she needed him. But the headstrong woman refused to ask for his help. Of course, considering his history of failing her, he could understand her reluctance. Possibly even accept it, if only he hadn’t touched her again. Felt her quiver in pleasure.
If he had never watched her come apart in his arms, then maybe he could have walked away and taken her at her word.
But now? After their night together, even with Linc sharing the experience?
Never.
He wouldneverabandon her again,neverlet his own shame be more important than the woman he loved. And the hard, ugly truth was that he had loved Julia Fairchild. For the last ten years, he had continued to love Lady Wallthorpe. And if she had married again, unbeknownst to him, he would continue to love her.
All of which meant he could not stay out of whatever trouble she was dealing with now. He would simply have to take action and dig until he uncovered the darkness that troubled her. Jules deserved a knight in shining armor, and this time, he was determined to be it.
Wolf wearily strode from The Market and headed home, since there was little he could do for her at the moment. However, one thing hewoulddo was closely shadow Jules in Society. He was certain something would eventually point him in the right direction. All he needed was a little patience.
Chapter 4
Julia and her sister, Rosalind, stood in the home of Lady Swinton, tucked into a corner of the main salon. Julia wanted to curse as the front door opened again, admitting yet another guest. By her count, her mother’s blithe assurance that Lady Swinton was hosting a small, intimate gathering now stood at a total of twenty-five guests.
That did not include herself, Rosalind, or her parents. She sighed.
