The Captain's Disgraced Lady by Catherine Tinley

Author:Catherine Tinley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-13T14:06:27+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

They broke apart, as consciousness slowly returned. They were in a public park, with Adam and Charlotte walking up ahead, and anyone might see them! Juliana took a small step away, noting as she did so that Harry seemed as shaken as she felt. He stood staring at her, then lifted his left hand and slowly ran his fingers down her cheek. The look in his eyes was so tender that it melted something inside her. She felt like she could cry. Or fly.

Time slowed as she took in every detail. His face, framed by windswept dark hair. The look in his deep-blue eyes. His physical presence, that sense of his strength, warmth and solidity.

Harry lifted her hand and tenderly kissed it. He then tucked it into his arm and indicated with a gesture that they should walk on. It echoed the events of just a few minutes before, when he had left Adam to take up his place by her side. In those intervening moments, the world had changed.

Neither spoke as they walked along. Juliana was content to simply enjoy the feelings flooding through her—elation in her heart, warmth in her belly and a sense of wonder at what was happening. Her eyes followed the flight of a lark, as it ascended, dipped and climbed higher into the clear blue sky.

They had nearly caught up with Adam and Charlotte when they suddenly spied a horseman coming towards them from the left. Harry squeezed Juliana’s hand in warning as they realised who it was.

The rider reined in and touched his hat to them.

‘Afternoon, Captain. Miss Milford.’

‘General Hunter.’ Harry’s tone was polite, but held no warmth. Juliana remained silent, but inclined her head in the shallowest of acknowledgements.

‘It occurred to me,’ said the General, addressing Juliana, ‘that you may be anxious about my difference of opinion with your mother. I did not wish to cause her further distress by calling on her again, so I determined to seek you out directly—your footman indicated I would find you here.’

Juliana found her tongue. ‘You did right not to call upon my mother.’ Her tone was curt. ‘Indeed, I advise you not to approach her again. She has been seriously affected by your last visit.’

‘Taken to her bed, eh?’ The General shook his head. ‘She was always weak-willed.’

Juliana forced herself to maintain control. ‘She is not weak-willed. And she has not taken to her bed. Why, we shared nuncheon not two hours ago.’ Juliana decided not to mention that Mama was, at this very moment, in bed. ‘She is a strong woman, who has raised me by herself in a foreign country, with no assistance from anyone.’

‘I give her credit for that. She has done well in raising you, despite your bitter tongue and opinionated conduct.’ There was a glint of humour in his eye. Seeing it, Juliana’s rage boiled further. About to unleash it, she paused when Harry placed his other hand over hers.

‘Was there something in particular you wished to say to Miss Milford?’ he enquired.

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