CHAPTER8
“The orphanage. That is all I need right now.” Julia repeated the mantra to herself as she crossed the street, heading in the direction of the orphanage.
She was trying her best not to think of why she had been up for half the night. She was attempting to ignore the repeated thoughts she’d had of the Duke of Stapleton, for she had thought enough of him in the night. Each time she had laid her head upon the pillow, she had pictured the two of them together again. She had thought of that kiss in the garden, and the way he had held onto her, plus the gentleness of the way he had kissed her hand that very evening.
“I am losing my mind!” Julia said aloud as she crossed the road between two carriages, getting closer and closer to the orphanage.
In the end, she had abandoned sleep completely and let her mind wander. She had spent the remainder of the night wondering what exactly the Duke had hinted at when he spoke of what happened between married couples at night.
Stolen touches… what does that mean?
She was so busy imagining his hand against hers, the fingers sliding together, making her heart thud hard in her chest, that she did not realize there was someone standing in the orphanage doorway, not until she nearly walked into them.
“Oh!” She leapt back in surprise, coming face to face with the Duke of Stapleton. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah, delighted to see you too, love.” The Duke jumped down and reached for her hand, kissing it quickly.
“That didn’t answer my question,” she said hurriedly, taking her hand out of his grasp.
“Now, that is not playing your part, is it?” he asked, offering his hand to her again.
“There is no one we know here to see us.”
“Can you guarantee there is someone in this busy street that does not know us?”
She glanced up and down the road, realizing in its busyness that she could not deny the possibility, with carriages moving back and forth, and so many people that the pavement was a sea of bonnets and top hats.
“Very well,” she said with a sigh and passed her hand into his. He kissed it again, with that blue gaze lingering on her.
Ignore that feeling!
Yet Julia’s logical thought did little to help. The touch of his lips had set off a tremor up her arm, even though he had kissed her glove.
“Shall we?” He turned to the orphanage door, offering to open it for her.
“Why are you here, Your Grace?” she asked, stepping through.
“I came to see you.”
“And how did you know I would be here?”
“Your maid was so good to tell me.” The Duke followed her into the building. “I arrived by carriage at your house just now, only to discover from your maid that you had set off walking in this direction. I resolved to accompany you. Fortunately, my carriage is faster than your feet, so I beat you here.”
Julia laughed as she turned back to face him. He clearly had not expected her to stop so soon, for he stumbled to a halt, nearly colliding with her. He had to place a hand to her waist to stop the collision, making her breath hitch once again before he snatched it away.
“You do realize no one from thetonis in this building, Your Grace?” she asked, gesturing the structure around them. “You do not need to continue your ruse here.”
“Well, perhaps I just wished to accompany you.”
“Ha! Are you pretending you really enjoy my company now?” she asked as she took off her bonnet and gloves, placing them on the coat stand.
“You disbelieve me?”
“You are a good actor. I have seen it myself, but you are notthatgood an actor.”
“Well, I –”
“Julia!” a small voice cried.