A Woman's Innocence by Gayle Callen

Author:Gayle Callen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Published: 2013-12-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

B esides Florence, who echoed everything Lucy said, Sam found no other interesting information on questioning half the staff. He’d thought maybe Mrs.

Bonham, the crafty old cook, might have remembered him, but in the end, she’d answered his questions without recognition. It would take another ful day to interview everyone, and he hadn’t even started on the outside staff.

He wanted to go up to Julia, but felt he should eat in the servants’ hal again, to keep up appearances. To his surprise, Julia joined them, and a feeling of relief overtook him. He hated to think of her crying over that bastard of a brother. She looked composed, as if she hadn’t spil ed some of her darkest secrets to him hours ago—secrets he hadn’t wanted to hear, but in the end was glad he had.

It had hurt to imagine her with other men, but somehow, knowing that she’d been confused and unhappy seemed to bring out his protective streak again.

Her family had damaged her, left her ripe for seduction by men who cared only for pleasure. And he was throwing his good friend Nick into that group, too.

But he himself wouldn’t become just another man to her. She didn’t deserve to be hurt, and neither did he. When this was over, she’d go back to her life, and he’d go back to the military.

And then he thought of her kiss, the way she’d been so hungry for him that she’d knocked him off his feet. Even now he wanted to shudder with how difficult it had been to resist pul ing off her clothes and giving in to something he’d dreamed about for what seemed like a lifetime.

But he never wanted to be another man she regretted. And if she knew everything about him, she would push him away.

After dinner, Julia seemed in no hurry to leave, and he understood her reluctance to be alone with him again. She talked to Lucy and Florence, and he watched with amusement as a little rivalry for the young constable’s attention sprang up between the two maids. The girls mentioned the annual harvest dance Sam remembered from his childhood, and how it would take place only days from now. His family always attended in force—could he find a good excuse not to? Julia had never gone to the event as a young girl. How could she possibly attend masquerading as a boy?

The staff began to take their leave. Most had duties to finish up for the night, and he knew Lucy would be turning down their beds and fil ing their pitchers with hot water.

With the maids gone, Julia briefly met his gaze, then hurriedly looked away as she said her good nights. Sam fol owed at a slower pace, letting her have the time she needed.

As night overtook the big old house, the rooms grew quiet, solemn, depressing. He imagined a little girl living here with no love or warmth from her family.

He thought of his own family, of Lucy,

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