“And my heart echoes the very same.”
The sound of wheels and horses’ hooves prevented them from saying anything more and, much to Benjamin’s frustration, Miss Carshaw was forced to step away. Nothing more could be said for the present, for as the carriage drew up, Benjamin urged Julia forward. Once they were seated, it drew away quickly, but Benjamin kept Julia near. His arm went again around her shoulders as her head nestled close on his chest.
“If I have you, I do not require a great fortune.” Murmuring softly, he dropped a light kiss to her temple. “You are far more to me than any amount of coin. Regardless of what happens next, we shall be happy together, I have no doubt about it. Money cannot pay for the happiness we have found together. Even in poverty, I am certain that we will have joy.”
Miss Carshaw lifted her head and looked straight into his eyes. “We have something that no amount of money could ever purchase,” she agreed. “And I will be more than content with that.”
Chapter Sixteen
Scrabbling under the blankets, Julia froze, her hands curling into the sheet.
It is not here. Where can it have gone?
Pulling back the sheets once more, she searched in vain for the contract where she had placed it, but to no avail. Her heart quickened its pace, as a sour taste grew in her mouth as she stepped back, a sudden furious fear billowing.
My brother. He must have found it.
One of the staff must have seen her entering or perhaps leaving the study, someone loyal to her brother, although she had no thought that the butler would have done such a thing. A maid perhaps, or even a footman? After all, she had run past two of them in the hallway on her way back from her brother’s study.
“I do not know what to do.”
Putting her hand to her forehead, she turned around, making her way to the chest of drawers where she had hidden those other valuable items. Had she changed her mind and placed the contract in there, only to forget about it? Opening the drawer, she looked through everything in it, but there was nothing there save for clothes, and the cloth bag with the valuables inside. Pulling it out, she spread the items on her the bed, wanting to make quite certain that she had not made any mistake. The pearls, the diamond earrings, the signet ring, the gold bracelets, and her father’s watch – an item which held no monetary value but was of great sentiment to her.And yet, no contract. I did not put it here.Placing the items carefully back in the cloth bag, she shook her head, her eyes burning. The contract had vanished. The only thing she had to prove that her brother had stolen Lord Wiltsham’s fortune was gone. What was she to do now?
A sudden sound echoed through the open door and Julia caught her breath, whirling around without so much as putting the cloth bag back in her drawer. She hurried from the room, having no need to ask what the commotion was all about.
Her brother had returned to the house.
His voice seemed to fill every single space within the building and Julia shuddered violently as she made her way down the staircase, wanting desperately to wrap herself in Lord Wiltsham’s tight embrace so that he might shield her from the mockery and disdain she was certain her brother would throw her way.
“Is there any explanation as to why you and Lord Wiltsham are currently alone in my house?”
Her brother jabbed one finger in Lord Wiltsham’s direction as Julia hurried into the room. Lord Wiltsham was sitting quite calmly in one of the drawing room chairs, a measure of brandy in a glass on a table by his side. He smiled at her, and Julia went forward, going to stand behind him and setting one hand on his shoulder. The peaceful look on his face was enough to calm her frantic thoughts for, if Lord Wiltsham was quite calm, then what had she to fear?
“I believe that your sister was coming in search of something important. Of course, I was more than happy to accompany her, since I was certain thatyouwould have no interest in returning here.”
Reaching up, Lord Wiltsham touched her fingers with his and Julia took great comfort from the simple gesture. Drawing in another breath, she closed her eyes briefly, steeling herself, and trying to regain the courage and fortitude that she had so often required in the face of her brother’s disdain.
“And what is it that you left behind, mydearsister?”
Her brother knew all too well what she had come in search of, she was sure, but clearly, he was unwilling to be entirely honest with her. This was all part of his scheme, she realized. A scheme to hide the truth, just as he had been doing for so long.
“I think you already know brother.” Lifting her chin, she squeezed Lord Wiltsham’s shoulder lightly. “Why you felt the need to hide what I had already found, I cannot imagine.”
Her brother continued to maintain a rather confused, somewhat astonished expression.
“I do not know what you mean.”
“Of course you do.” Lord Wiltsham shrugged. “You may choose to continue to refute it, but your sister and I both know exactly what it is that she discovered.”
Becoming a little angry, Julia watched as her brother spread his hands, maintaining that entirely innocent expression. The way his eyes glinted lit more flames within her soul and she lifted her chin, glaring at him.
“I found your contract, brother. Your contract that claims Lord Wiltsham’s fortune for your own.”
“Contract?” He shrugged. “I have many contracts. You must be a little more specific – as well as telling me why you decided to search through my private things!”
Ignoring the latter part of this, Julia threw up her hands.
“You know very well what I am talking about. There is no need to hide it from me. The contract you had Lord Wiltsham sign when his mind was, no doubt, muddled by whatever it was you had given him in his brandy.”
