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Alec and Nick froze, then turned toward her, their faces a comic mix of hope and terror. Before either could move, Julia discarded her weapon and retrieved one of the dueling pistols from the box. She pointed it at Nick.
He started for the lost pistol that lay so close at hand, but Julia cocked her weapon.
He froze at the loud click.
“Thank you,” she said. “I don’t want to shoot you, but I will if I must.”
Nick gracefully gained his feet, hands held palm up. “Easy, Julia,” he said, a worried fold to his brow. “It fires easily. More easily than you might think.”
Alec grinned, touching his eye where a bruise was beginning to appear. “Bridgeton, you should have thought of that before. Now that Julia—”
“Sit down.” She waved the gun toward the settee. “Both of you.”
Alec’s smile disappeared. “Julia! Surely you don’t mean—”
“Sit down.”
Wearing identical scowls, the two men sat on opposite ends of the settee like offended mastiffs. Julia hid a sigh of relief. Anything was better than the raw fury she’d seen in their faces moments earlier. “This has gone far enough.” She turned to Nick. “Your plan has a serious flaw.”
He frowned. Blood dripped from his nose and marked a path down the side of his face. He looked tired, annoyed and thoroughly disgusted. “Impossible. I thought of every circumstance.”
“You keep seeing yourself as competing with Alec for your grandfather’s money. But you are also Alec’s heir: the next living male relative. You cannot kill a man and then inherit from him, even in a duel.”
Nick’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He looked from Julia to Alec, then back again. After a long moment, he slumped against the back of the settee. “I’ll be damned,” he said softly. “I’ll be double damned.”
Julia almost felt sorry for him. She turned to Alec. “And as for you, you have spent years believing Nick to be something he’s not.”
Alec scowled. “You can’t expect me to—”
She cut him off with a wave of the pistol. “Nick, tell Alec about the missing money from your youth.”
“What is there to tell?”
“The truth.”
For a long moment she thought he’d refuse, but he shrugged, his gaze hooded and intent. “Alec, I did not steal Grandfather’s precious money.”
“You expect me to believe that now?”
“Call it the romanticism of youth or some such folly, but I had one or two morals back then. Now…” His gaze dropped to his scraped and bruised hand. “It is the bad blood, you know. There is no escaping it.”
Alec did not speak for a long moment. Finally, he burst out, “Grandfather said you admitted everything!”
“Grandfather never even gave me a chance to speak.” Nick regarded his cousin with a flat stare. “You know how he was.”
Alec raked a hand through his hair, his brow creased. “If you didn’t take the money, who did?”
“Mrs. Winston believes it was Nick’s mother,” Julia offered.
Alec frowned. “She was at Bridgeton House the week before the money was discovered missing, but I never thought…” Dismayed, Alec turned to his cousin. “Is that what happened?”
Nick sneered. “It is possible, I suppose. She was not above common thievery.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“What? That my mother was a whore and a thief and I sincerely hoped you didn’t think I was like her?” Nick’s lip curled. “Don’t be foolish.”
Looking at Alec’s stunned expression, Julia’s sympathy overcame her exasperation. Alec had a lot of his grandfather’s pride; she could see the struggle in his face even now. “Alec, if anyone knows the importance of family, it is you. You know how it was when your grandfather died.”
Alec nodded once.
“Imagine how things have been for Nick.”
“Please,” Nick spat. “I don’t want your pity.”
“You’re not getting it,” Julia said sharply. “I feel many things for you, but pity is not on the list.”
A faint smile tugged Nick’s mouth. “I apologize,” he said with false meekness.
She had to fight a desire to answer that faint smile. Instead, she sniffed. “I was merely pointing out to my beloved husband that it is possible that you deserve another chance. Just one.”
Nick looked at Alec. “I would, of course, leave the country. Forever.”
Julia thought this over. “What about Italy? I hear it’s quite lovely this time of year.”
Humor twinkled in the depths of Nick’s eyes. “I have always found the climate beneficial.”
Alec growled. “I am not happy with this. He still kidnapped you.”
“And saved my life.” She pushed a strand of hair from her forehead and sighed. “What would you have me do, Alec? He hasn’t harmed anyone.”
“Damnation! He abducted you, attempted to cheat me of the fortune, cause a scandal, drugged you and—”
“Very well.” Nick stood and adjusted his cravat. He regarded Alec with a cool smile. “So have me arrested.”
Alec glowered and Nick laughed softly. “No, I didn’t think so. You would not submit your lovely wife’s name to the scrutiny of a trial, would you? Fortunately, my only intention now is to put the events of this lamentable night behind me. Julia, it has been…not pleasant, but interesting.” He bowed, then faced Alec. “As for you, Cousin, I hope you know this wasn’t personal.”
Alec’s expression didn’t change.
Nick’s smile faded. “Perhaps what I should say is that it shouldn’t have been personal but I, unfortunately, allowed it to be so. For what it’s worth, I am sorry.” He gathered his coat and hat, and turned to the door.
“Wait!” Alec stood.
Nick stopped, one hand on the knob.
Alec’s hands clenched and unclenched. “Where will you go?”
Julia understood his struggle. Somewhere inside of the depraved man before him was the cousin he had once idolized. Idolized and wrongly accused.
Nick’s grin flickered. “To Italy and then on to hell.”
Julia’s ready sympathy stirred. “Alec, we should help him make a clean start.”
Silence met her as Alec stared at her. Slowly, almost reverently, he took her hand and placed a kiss on the palm before he turned to Nick. “Sell Bridgeton House to me.”
Nick’s face darkened. “No. It’s all I have.”
“If you flee now, it will be auctioned off to satisfy your creditors. Sell it to me instead. I’ll pay you what it is worth.”
“How do you know I won’t use your own largesse to ruin you?”
“I will accept your word.”
Pain flickered in Nick’s eyes. “Damn you. Damn you to hell. My solicitor will contact you within the week.” He opened the door, and then hesitated. Finally, he turned back around. “Do me a favor, Alec.”
“What?”
“Go to the meeting with the solicitors.”
“It is too late.”
Nick smiled, his eyes glinting. “Go and take Julia with you.” Without another word, he left, closing the door softly behind him.
Julia breathed a sigh of relief as she listened to his measured tread fade. Her wrist ached from holding the heavy pistol.
Alec’s warm hand closed over hers. “Allow me to return this weapon to its proper place.” He placed the gun on the table, then yanked her into his arms. “You and I need to have a talk about the impropriety of pointing a weapon at your husband.”
“It wasn’t loaded. It went off when Nick dropped the box.”
A dangerous glint lit Alec’s gaze. “Always full of surprises, aren’t you?”
There was no mistaking the admiration in his voice. A heated flush rippled up her back and danced along her already jangled nerves. Heaven help her, but she was too tired, too hungry and too much in love to deal with any more excitement. “We’ve had a very adventurous evening, haven’t we?”
Julia noted the bruises on his face. A thin sluice of blood marred his well-shaped mouth. “Heavens, Alec. Look at your mouth!” She crossed to the table and dipped a napkin in the water pitcher and brought it back to the settee. “Sit down.”
He obediently sat, but his gaze remained on her.
She dabbed at the cut, forcing herself to focus on his mouth, though that in itself was torture. She knew the feel of his lips against hers, the sensuous heat of his breath across her neck. Her stomach fluttered in excitement.
Alec caught her hand, halting her ministrations. “Julia, why did you let Nick go?”
His deep voice seemed a caress in itself. Julia kept her eyes trained on the bruise on his jaw. “I didn’t have a choice. If you had killed him, there would have been some sort of inquiry, perhaps even gaol. I need you here.” She swallowed and added, “With me.”
His fingers tightened on her hand. Swirls of silver lit the gray of his eyes, mesmerizing in their brilliance.
Slowly, ever so softly, he said, “My God,” he breathed. “I almost missed it. You love me.”
Whatever declaration she’d hoped to hear, that wasn’t it. Disappointed, she jerked her arm free. “Of course I love you. I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you if I didn’t.”
He regained his hold on her hand. “But you said you had been in love for four years!”
“Yes. With you, you fool. Who else would I have been in love with?”
“Nick.”
Julia knew it was impolite to gape, but she couldn’t help it. “Heavens, what made you think that?”
“You said you’d known him for four years.”
“I’ve known a lot of people for four years. That’s when I came to England.”
Alec looked stunned.
Julia offered a wan smile. “I daresay you don’t remember the first time we met, but it was at the Seftons’ ball. You came in late, slightly drunk. Your cravat was crooked, too. You looked so handsome I dropped my fan and you picked it up and handed it back to me. You didn’t say anything, but you smiled.” She examined his face. “I still treasure that smile.”
A pained expression darkened his eyes. “I don’t remember.”
“Of course you don’t. You were badly dipped and I was hardly a memorable person.” She chuckled. “At least, I wasn’t then. Seems I can hardly sneeze now without causing some fuss.”
“Whatever you do, don’t sneeze in that dress.”
She glanced down. Through the opening of the greatcoat she could see where her dashing gown had twisted, her bosom nearly exposed. Blushing, she attempted to right the material. “I told Maddie I shouldn’t wear this blasted thing but she—”
His hand covered hers, his fingers brushing against her breasts. “Julia.”
She stilled, suddenly intent on the top button of the greatcoat. His shadow fell over her as he stood.
Alec lifted her chin with a gentle hand. “Julia, listen to me. This isn’t easy, but…Julia, I love you.”
Her breath froze in her lungs.
He continued, oblivious. “I wish I could say I’ve loved you for years, too, but I haven’t. All I know is that I love you now, and always will.”
Julia wanted to believe him, but she couldn’t. She’d seen his kindnesses with the servants, and some part of her wondered how much he classified her with them—as a responsibility.
She pushed his hand away and forced a smile. “It has been a very hectic night. Perhaps we should talk about this another time.”
He caught her wrist and jerked her against him. “Damn it, Julia. Look at me. Really look at me. I love you.”
Julia squinted up at him. She wanted to believe him so badly. “Say it again.”
“I. Love. You.” His wonderful, amazing eyes gleamed a misty warm gray, clearly reflecting his love.
“You really do,” she said, amazed.
He made an exasperated noise. “Haven’t I just said it a thousand times?”
“No. Only four.”
Alec chuckled. “I am still ahead of you.” He slipped an arm about her waist and pulled her closer, the hard length of his thigh pressed intimately against her. “And I plan on staying that way. You may spread your care and concern all over London, to every urchin and fallen woman you meet. But I intend to be very selfish about your love. It is all mine.”
He kissed her gently at first, then with increasing passion. Julia flung her arms around him and held him close, reveling in the beating of his heart, the warmth of his touch, the sensuous heat of his mouth.
Through the passionate haze, the clock on the mantle chimed a gentle melody. Julia started and pushed away. “Alec! The meeting!”
He gathered her back against him. “Forget it, Julia. It’s unlikely we could make it in time. Besides, they will have already made their decision—”
“We have to try! I can’t believe there’s still not some hope, not after all we’ve been through.” She disengaged herself from his embrace. “Please, Alec.”
He lifted his brows as he tugged his coat more closely about her. “Still thinking of the other half of London you have yet to save?”
“No,” she said with mock severity. “I’m just thinking of you and your debts. You offered to buy Bridgeton House from Nick, not to mention the shocking amount you bid on that silly portrait of Bentham’s. I’d hate to see you sent to Fleet Prison because you don’t have the necessary funds.”
Alec grinned and kissed her nose. “Think how well the portrait will look in the dining room of Bridgeton House.”
“I didn’t know you’d want such a grand residence.”
“I don’t, but we will need somewhere to put our children and—as Mrs. Winston keeps telling me—our house is much too small.”
To Alec’s intense satisfaction, her blush lasted most of the way back to London.
Hand in hand, Alec and Julia climbed the steps of the office of Pratt, Pratt and Son and made their way into the foyer. Alec knew they must both look a sight after their arduous night, but he felt as fresh as a yearling at his first race.
Muffled voices sounded behind the thick, oaken door. He placed a kiss on Julia’s forehead. “Wait for me here. I won’t be long.”
She refused to relinquish her hold, her jaw mulish. “I want to go with you.”
Alec smiled, cupping her face with his hands. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her, running his fingers over her creamy skin, sinking his hands into her silken curls. “I know you do. But this is my battle, not yours.”
Reluctant to the end, she released his hand only to call out as he reached the door, “Alec?”
He turned and waited.
She twisted her hands together, doubt and concern clouding her eyes. “Good luck.”
He returned to give her one last kiss. When they were both breathless, he broke away. “Wait for me here.”
Unable to do more than nod, Julia watched him straighten his cravat and enter the room.
Time passed with agonizing slowness. For a while she paced the foyer, stopping by the closed door to listen to the blurred murmur of conversation. Once she heard voices raised in reproach, and she had to fist her hands to keep from bursting through the door.
After a seeming eternity, Alec emerged, his face pale and drawn.
Her heart ached and tears filled her eyes. They’d lost the fortune. She wished she could ease his pain. She touched his sleeve. “Alec, I’m so sorry. If only I could have—”
He pulled her to him, the faint scent of sandalwood enveloping her. Julia closed her eyes and burrowed deeper. She was surrounded by him, by his strength, his concern, and his love. It was heaven.
“Julia, my dear,” sounded a voice behind her. Julia pulled away from Alec’s embrace and turned. There, strolling from the room, was Lord Kennybrook. He stopped when he saw her face. “Good God! What happened to you, my dear?”
“Never mind that! You’ve a gash on your cheek and your gown is torn.” He shot a hard glance at Alec from under thick brows. “Damn it, Hunterston. You have to take better care of her.” He turned to call over his shoulder, “Burton! Come and see who has joined us. Looks like hell, but she seems sound.”
Lord Burton waddled forward. “Good thing, too. Hate to have to drag Alec back into that den of wolves just to teach him a lesson.” He bowed over Julia’s limp hand, his brown eyes twinkling. “Bet you’re surprised to see us, eh?”
She nodded, trying to comprehend. “Why are you here?” A sudden thought occurred. “Did you come to testify before the executors on our behalf?”
“Testify?” Kennybrook puffed out his cheeks. “Lord Burton and I are on the Board of Executors, my dear.”
Julia turned to Alec. “I thought you said they were a bunch of—”
“Intelligent, well-meaning gentlemen,” finished Alec smoothly.
Kennybrook snorted. “I’d wager you’ve called us more than that, young man. While I don’t blame you, I’d be just as pleased not to know about it.”
Julia shook her head, wondering if she had heard aright. “How did you become executors?”
Kennybrook waved a hand. “Oh, Burton and I knew Alec’s grandfather since Cambridge.”
Lord Burton chuckled. “We were a trio of scamps back them. Kicked up every lark you can name.” He waggled his brows. “Maybe even a few you can’t.”
“Lord, yes,” agreed Kennybrook with a wistful sigh. “But then John got married and we saw less and less of him.”
“Until he became involved in the Society,” Burton said.
Lord Kennybrook pulled a cigar from his coat and rolled it between his fingers. “You never met him, my dear. But John was the anonymous benefactor whose support we lost just as you joined us. Very generous with his blunt, you know.”
Burton’s face fell. “It was one of his favorite charities.”
Alec shook his head and Julia noted the white lines about his mouth. “You should be proud of him,” she said softly.