The Devereaux Affair: Ladies of the Order - Book 1 by Clee Adele

Author:Clee, Adele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Adele Clee
Published: 2021-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Are you going to tell me what happened with the marquess, or will you stare at the ceiling until your meeting with Mr Daventry? You’ve been abed since you crept into our chamber just after dawn, and Miss Trimble isn’t of a mind to pry.”

Julianna glanced at Rachel Gambit, who sat perched on her own bed in the room they shared in Howland Street. Sunlight caught her golden hair, and she looked like an angel come to relieve sinners of their burdens.

“If I speak I shall cry and I doubt you want me blubbering on your shoulder.”

“Was it as you feared? Has the darling boy grown into an obnoxious oaf? Did he put paid to all those glorious memories?”

A rush of emotion brought tears to Julianna’s eyes. “No. It was quite the opposite.”

Their connection was as strong now as it had always been. And while the year she’d spent at Witherdeen had sustained her in the interim, the memory of making love to Bennet Devereaux would nourish her until the end of her days.

“I see.” Rachel’s tone carried the weight of the problem. “Your love for the boy has become a fondness for the man.”

More than a fondness, she feared.

Rachel huffed. “I sometimes wonder if Mr Daventry is a devil in disguise. To send you there, knowing what happened all those years ago. It’s tantamount to cruelty.”

Julianna could not think ill of the man who had rescued her from the gutter. She didn’t dare contemplate where she might be if Mr Daventry hadn’t offered a helping hand.

“I believe it was an education in fortitude.” And by God, she’d been tested to the limit. “We’ll need emotional strength if we’re to tackle cases objectively.”

“Mine must be an education in patience.”

“Has Mr Daventry not given you an assignment?”

“None of us have an assignment. That’s what I find so baffling. Mr Daventry is so cautious, yet threw you to the lions and hoped you’d return unscathed.”

She had come close to being brutally savaged.

Had returned with a few battle scars.

Julianna recalled something Bennet had said. “The marquess swore to protect me. I believe that’s why Mr Daventry gave me the case.”

Rachel arched a curious brow. “And yet something went terribly wrong. Why else would you spend hours crying into your pillow?”

Because they had crossed a line. How could she be friends with a man who roused her passions? How could she ever look at him again without recalling how he moved deep inside her? By now, she should be used to pain, but that would be pure torture.

“You may have to share this room with someone else soon.” Julianna’s heart grew heavy at the prospect of making her own way in the world. “Today, I must tell Mr Daventry I cannot work on Bennet Devereaux’s case.”

“What? No!” Rachel shot to her feet and deposited herself on Julianna’s bed. “Cursed saints! Why? Are you in love with him?”

Julianna sat bolt upright. “Hush. You’ll alert Miss Trimble. No, I’m not in love with him.” She cared about him in ways she couldn’t explain, and always would.

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