Page 86 of The Lady is Trouble

The moment came back to her with the force of one of his kisses. Julian stumbling from her grandfather’s carriage, his clothing tattered, his hair a scruffy mess hanging in his face. Lanky angles of a body in the midst of fulfilling a stunning promise, he’d looked a young ruffian being uncaged and set loose on the world. He’d paused on the drive, going to his knee to take this very locket in his hand. Turned it deliberately for inspection, as she did now. Then he’d glanced at the window where she stood gazing down upon him—had somehow known exactly where to look to find her. His smile had grown the longer they stared, until her future surrounded her.

He said his vision of her was the first time he didn’t despise his gift.

And for her…

As trite as it seemed, love, formidable and ruthless, at first glance.

My, she thought,what a fool I’ve been to deny him.

To deny myself.

The shadow fell over her, and she jerked her head up. Curled her hand into a fist, the locket’s clasp digging into her skin. Julian stood bathed in amber sunlight, dressed in nothing but shirtsleeves, trousers, and riding boots. He’d come to her directly upon waking if his tousled hair and shadowed jaw was any indication. Exhaling, his gaze found hers. His hands flexed at his side, something he only did when he was unsure. The scent of citrus and tobacco circled, overtaking her senses.

Motionless, he waited for her signal, her decision, his aura shimmering brighter than the light pouring over him.

She ducked her head, hiding a smile. She, Piper Scott, had rattled Julian Alexander—the most self-possessed man in all of England. The dart of pleasure this gave her surely meant she was headed for hell.

“What took you so long, you foolish man?” she asked and launched herself at him, pulling his mouth to hers. Their first contact in days sent a dizzying wave of lust streaking through her veins.

With a low groan and two short steps, Julian backed her into the door. “Don’t ever leave me again,” he whispered against her lips before sinking in deep. “You infuriating…”

Passion erased the rest of his diatribe. A storm that ravaged her willing, weak body. His skin a damp slide beneath her fingertips, pulse tripping, heart thumping. She fisted her hand in his hair and urged him closer.

She wanted the explosive magic they made together. She wanted their inferno to scorch her like one of Ashcroft’s fires.

Gasping, she fumbled behind her for the doorknob. Market day. Minnie was gone. They were alone. “Inside,” she said and popped a button on his shirt with her free hand, deliciously trapped by the hard angles of the door and his body.

Sunlight speckled her lids when he released her.

“No,” he said. Quite clearly, again: “No.” His lips were slow to leave hers, however, lingering, drifting across her cheek and nipping her jaw.

She stumbled back, her shoulders lifting with her unhinged breaths. He looked as bewildered, hair spiking around his head, his gaze tarnished silver. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from his gleaming aura. “Why?”

His lashes fluttered as his lids slipped low. He laughed and dropped his brow to the door, air gusting from his lungs. “No, unlessyousay yes.”

Turning her head, she pressed her lips to the spot beneath his ear that never failed to elicit a response. Took a gentle bite. Smiled when he growled, his grip on her hips tightening. His proposal still needed a lot of work, damn the man. “Is my dragging you to my new bedchamber contingent on a positive response?”

He cradled her face, staring into her eyes as her heart stuttered. “I know I bungled everything. For years, a tangle. When you were there, waiting for me. Since that day on the earl’s drive. I can only say I’m a fool. My intentions were honorable, my love constant, though not suitably directed. But I’m done. I’mhere. I want you for myself. And I apologize, humbly, for not arriving sooner.” Sighing, he moved to adjust spectacles that were doubtless in his waistcoat pocket. “I don’t have all the answers. My fear of letting you help me, heal me, remains, so stout is my desire to protect you. I want you to be happy and secure and safe. But I want to be happy as well, so my promises now are only to you.” He leaned in to kiss her brow. “Not one moment…not one moment from this day forward without you. I want you to be my wife. I’ll beg if you require it, which maybe you do.”

“The locket,” she whispered, a tear streaking her face. It was still clutched in her fist because she couldn’t bear to part with it. She would never again part with it.

He wiped the tear from her cheek. “Oh, love, I’d never let that go. Every time I held it, I sawyou. It went with me to Rugby, Oxford. My good luck charm. Because you are the only treasure my gift has given me.”

“Are you trying to break my heart, Julian Alexander?”

“No. I’m trying to win it.”

She tucked her head against his chest, breathing him in. He was love, security, home.Acceptance. Everything she’d wanted and been so long denied. In the distance, the monotonous chirp of a hummingbird sounded, a light breeze tugged at her skirts. Typical occurrences on a typical morning when her life was changing forever. “I don’t know how to be a viscountess.”

“It’s quite easy once you get the hang of it, I’m sure.”

Sniffing, she said, “We’ll argue all the time. I’m trouble.”

“Nothingbutfrom the first day I met you.”

Leaning back in his arms, she frowned.

“I don’t care. You’re worth the headaches. When Sidonie took you—” His eyes closed, and his grasp tightened, his strength, his certainty, hisanger, flowing into her. “That would have been the death of me, Piper. You see, I don’t wish to be free of you. I don’t wish to live a day without you. Our world”—he caught her by the wrist, imploring—“I can’t do it alone. My dreams for the League, Harbingdon. Managing the visions. Ineedyou.” A bemused expression crossed his face, his gaze going the color of the pebbles he’d scattered around her lavender bush. “I want to share my life with you, Yank. I want children,ourchildren. Love is stronger than fear on that score and so many others. If I look deeply, it’s no comparison. I’m going to let my certitude guide me now.”