CHAPTER18
Julia scrambled to her feet as she saw something move against the glass. Someone was reaching up to the window, having climbed up the oak tree that stood beside her house. The candlelight fell on the features of the man, making Julia smile at once.
“Edward.” She rushed forward and reached for the window, opening it as quickly as she could. A rush of cold air entered the room, making the candle flames flicker and dance. “What are you doing here?”
“Sitting rather precariously on a tree branch for starters.” Edward looked uncomfortable, rearranging himself on the tree branch and looking warily down at the ground beneath him. “Can I come in? I’ve never been good with heights.”
Julia didn’t hesitate. She flung the window wide open and let Edward in. He clambered in with his long limbs, before standing straight and brushing off the leaves from him.
“How much of a mess am I?” he asked with his usual jovial tone.
“A little.” Julia reached up and pulled out an acorn from his hair.
“Ahem.” Maria’s clearing of her throat made Julia turn round and freeze.
Ah… this is rather scandalous.
“Maria,” Julia began, but then faded, uncertain what to say. Maria rolled her eyes with a smile and headed for the door.
“You have my secrecy,” she declared, glancing over her shoulder at them. “Though be careful to lock the door behind me.”
Julia sighed with relief as Maria hastened out of the room. Julia ran forward and locked it quickly before turning back to face Edward across the room. He was still standing by the window, picking off the last few leaves from his tailcoat as he turned to look at her.
“Julia, you have been crying,” he said softly.
“This is scandalous, Edward. You should not be here.” Julia hurried through the room, back toward him.
“Do you wish me to go again?” He gestured through the window. “I will, if you wish it, though I will admit I’m hardly looking forward to that uncomfortable climb.”
“No, do not go.” Julia shook her head, knowing she had no wish for him to go at all.
Here, alone together, he was safe, and no one could harm them now.
“Stay. A little longer yet at least.” She paused, wondering what would happen next.
Edward crossed the last distance between them and lifted his hands to her face. When his fingers gently cupped her cheeks and his thumbs dried her tears, she sank into that touch, feeling her spine crumple.
“You have been crying. Please, do not cry for me.”
“How could I not?” she said quietly, closing her eyes in the effort to block out the view of him. “Edward, you are about to risk your life for me. I never asked that of you.”
“I know you did not.” His hands moved, urging her eyes to open once again. His fingers gently skimmed down her shoulders and across her arms, bringing a tremble to her skin, before he took her hands in his. “I am doing this of my own accord.”
“You shouldn’t be.” She shook her head. “You only offered to marry me for a deception. Now, you are going to risk your life to convince people of it? You cannot do that.”
“I am not doing this to convince people our betrothal is real.” His voice was plain and calm, much calmer than Julia felt.
“Then… why?”
“For you.” He leaned toward her and rested his forehead on hers. There was something about that touch that was so intimate, Julia lost the power of words. She stood there with her head against his, not wanting to part from him. “I want you to be free of Lord Gillet, for good. I’m willing to risk dying for that.”
“Why?” she asked, breathlessly.
“Because I feel something I never thought I’d feel again, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let it slip through my fingers for the second time in my life.” His words made her lean back a little from him now, the better to see his face. He was staring at her, unblinkingly, his breathing deep.
“Edward, you mean you…”
“I don’t know how to put it into words, not properly, but there is something I can do.” He bent toward her and kissed her. Julia clung to him instantly, her fingers curling through his own. “Julia, would you let me show you what I feel for you?”