when you’re as eager to have me inside you as I am to be there, that’s when it will happen.”
He could only hope that day would come soon.
Chapter Six
Julia hummed to herself as Lizzie helped her into her riding habit. Drew had arranged for them to picnic at Hyde Park, and she was late meeting him.
She grinned to herself thinking of her reason for being such a slug-a-bed this morning. He’d kept her up half the night with what he called their “explorations.” Just the thought of his mouth and hands running along her body made her shiver with delight.
He’d been so patient with her the past few weeks. He’d taught her delights she never could have imagined, and none of her friends had ever hinted at. The women of the twenty-first century must be happy indeed, if all future men were as thoughtful and giving as Drew.
She examined the sleek lines of her forest green habit in the mirror. Drew particularly liked this color on her. She’d had the dress made with his preferences in mind. Without Mr. Snell’s thievery, their fortunes had taken a turn for the better. This was the first new garment she had purchased since Payne’s death.
“Hurry, Lizzie. Lord Engledown will be waiting for me.” Sitting still as Lizzie pinned her hair under the stylish new hat she’d purchased to match her habit was a struggle. Desire to look attractive for Drew warred with her need to be with him as quickly as possible.
He’d left first thing this morning for yet another meeting with their solicitor. Drew was determined Vincent should never profit if anything were to happen. She shuddered at the thought. If any harm were to come to Drew, she didn’t know how she would go on. She loved him dearly.
She pushed the thought from her mind. There was no point in dwelling on such a horrible possibility. But she had to admire the way Drew was determined to look after her welfare. He’d made sure she was familiar with all the precautions he’d taken with Mr. Geeson. Vincent remained the heir until such time as she produced a son to inherit in his place. It frustrated Drew that this was so, but the law could not be avoided.
Clever man that he was, Drew made sure the earldom was less of a prize than it once was. Were Drew to die, all entailed property would fall to Vincent, that couldn’t be changed, but any and all money would go to Julia and Mellicent. If Vincent attempted to strong arm his way to her fortune, Drew made certain proof of his thievery would become public. Vincent would never risk such scandal.
She couldn’t wait to see the look on Vincent’s face when Drew informed him. They’d invited him to dinner that evening to share the news. She doubted he’d stay for the meal.
Lizzie tucked a final curl into place. “There you go, my lady. You look lovely.”
Julia smiled at her maid, who’d been with her since she was a child. “Thank you, Lizzie. Please lay out the blue flowered dress for this evening. It is Lord Engledown’s favorite, and I wish to look extra nice this evening.”
“Yes, my lady.”
One of the stable lads was waiting to accompany her to the park. The horses chomped at the bit to be off. Julia’s eagerness must have conveyed itself to her horse for Athena danced and swung her head, nearly pulling the reins out of her hands. But Julia was an excellent rider and quickly took control.
Though she wanted to gallop her way to Drew, she kept Athena at a sedate trot. She and Drew had been the topic of society gossip quite enough lately. She had no wish to add fuel to the fire. Behaving like a hoyden would win her no points with the ladies of the ton .
They reached the park soon enough, and she eagerly scanned the area Drew had designated for their picnic, slowing Athena to a brisk walk. The park bustled with activity, but he’d selected a slightly out of the way spot that provided enough shelter to give them some semblance of privacy.
Movement beyond a stand of bushes caught her eye, and she let
He could only hope that day would come soon.
Chapter Six
Julia hummed to herself as Lizzie helped her into her riding habit. Drew had arranged for them to picnic at Hyde Park, and she was late meeting him.
She grinned to herself thinking of her reason for being such a slug-a-bed this morning. He’d kept her up half the night with what he called their “explorations.” Just the thought of his mouth and hands running along her body made her shiver with delight.
He’d been so patient with her the past few weeks. He’d taught her delights she never could have imagined, and none of her friends had ever hinted at. The women of the twenty-first century must be happy indeed, if all future men were as thoughtful and giving as Drew.
She examined the sleek lines of her forest green habit in the mirror. Drew particularly liked this color on her. She’d had the dress made with his preferences in mind. Without Mr. Snell’s thievery, their fortunes had taken a turn for the better. This was the first new garment she had purchased since Payne’s death.
“Hurry, Lizzie. Lord Engledown will be waiting for me.” Sitting still as Lizzie pinned her hair under the stylish new hat she’d purchased to match her habit was a struggle. Desire to look attractive for Drew warred with her need to be with him as quickly as possible.
He’d left first thing this morning for yet another meeting with their solicitor. Drew was determined Vincent should never profit if anything were to happen. She shuddered at the thought. If any harm were to come to Drew, she didn’t know how she would go on. She loved him dearly.
She pushed the thought from her mind. There was no point in dwelling on such a horrible possibility. But she had to admire the way Drew was determined to look after her welfare. He’d made sure she was familiar with all the precautions he’d taken with Mr. Geeson. Vincent remained the heir until such time as she produced a son to inherit in his place. It frustrated Drew that this was so, but the law could not be avoided.
Clever man that he was, Drew made sure the earldom was less of a prize than it once was. Were Drew to die, all entailed property would fall to Vincent, that couldn’t be changed, but any and all money would go to Julia and Mellicent. If Vincent attempted to strong arm his way to her fortune, Drew made certain proof of his thievery would become public. Vincent would never risk such scandal.
She couldn’t wait to see the look on Vincent’s face when Drew informed him. They’d invited him to dinner that evening to share the news. She doubted he’d stay for the meal.
Lizzie tucked a final curl into place. “There you go, my lady. You look lovely.”
Julia smiled at her maid, who’d been with her since she was a child. “Thank you, Lizzie. Please lay out the blue flowered dress for this evening. It is Lord Engledown’s favorite, and I wish to look extra nice this evening.”
“Yes, my lady.”
One of the stable lads was waiting to accompany her to the park. The horses chomped at the bit to be off. Julia’s eagerness must have conveyed itself to her horse for Athena danced and swung her head, nearly pulling the reins out of her hands. But Julia was an excellent rider and quickly took control.
Though she wanted to gallop her way to Drew, she kept Athena at a sedate trot. She and Drew had been the topic of society gossip quite enough lately. She had no wish to add fuel to the fire. Behaving like a hoyden would win her no points with the ladies of the ton .
They reached the park soon enough, and she eagerly scanned the area Drew had designated for their picnic, slowing Athena to a brisk walk. The park bustled with activity, but he’d selected a slightly out of the way spot that provided enough shelter to give them some semblance of privacy.
Movement beyond a stand of bushes caught her eye, and she let
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