A Dare to Defy Novel by Syrie James

Author:Syrie James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Julia and Lillie froze in astonishment.

“Thomas!” Julia seemed to be struggling to hide her happiness at seeing him.

Alexandra stood and curtsied. “My lord.” She hoped her own expression didn’t show just how pleased she was to see him. He seemed to still be dressed in his traveling clothes, the shabby gray suit he’d always worn while in London.

Longford strode into the room, smiling. “Pray, do not stop on my account.” An awkward silence fell. He made no move to hug his sisters, nor did they rise from their chairs. He turned to Lillie. “Well done, Lillie. You captured Mr. Collins to a T.”

Lillie’s eyes were as wide as saucers, all her former shyness returned. She seemed incapable of a reply.

To Julia, he added, “You were excellent as well. I heard you from the hall. I had no idea you could read with such personality and flair, Julia.”

Julia blushed and looked down at her hands.

Alexandra’s cheeks also burned as she recalled what had happened the last time she’d been in his presence. She dared to lift her eyes to his, and caught him looking at her. For the briefest of seconds, their gazes touched. She couldn’t read his expression. Was he aware of the riot of feelings within her chest, or that she’d spent the past week in embarrassed longing? Quickly, she tore her glance away.

“Why so quiet, everyone?” Longford demanded abruptly. “Are you not glad to see me?”

“Yes,” Julia responded slowly. “Of course we are. But . . . you never come to the nursery.”

“That is not true. I have come up here before.”

“You have not,” Julia insisted.

“Well, I am here now.”

“Martha said you were not coming home for months,” Julia further observed.

He made an irritated sound. “I changed my mind. I missed you. A brother can miss his sisters, can he not?” He seemed to be looking anywhere but at Alexandra.

Alexandra found her voice again. “It is nice to see you again, my lord. Welcome home.”

“Thank you, Miss Watson.” He gave her a brief smile, then changing the subject, said: “So. What have you all been up to since I was away?”

“Miss Watson has added new subjects to the schedule,” Julia admitted.

“So I see,” Longford commented. “What else, besides reading aloud from classic works?”

“Oh, heaps of things.” Julia’s enthusiasm mounted as she spoke. “Science, geography, mathematics. Miss Watson invented the most marvelous game.” She went on to gushingly describe the shopping game.

“It was fun!” Lillie blurted, the first words she’d uttered since Longford entered the room.

“Was it? It certainly sounds imaginative.” Longford glanced again at Alexandra, then added, “Well, I have interrupted what appeared to be a lovely moment. I will therefore take my leave. I wish you all a good evening.” With a formal nod, he turned for the door.

“Your Lordship.” Alexandra stepped forward, her words stopping him. “There is something I’d like to speak to you about, if I may?”

“Pray, what is it, Miss Watson?”

She lowered her voice. “I would rather discuss it in private, if you don’t mind?”

His eyebrows lifted.

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