“If you think he’s fun now”—Julius’s sister raised her voice to be heard—“return at midnight when he is ready for a night on the town. I’ve forgotten what it means to go to sleep at a decent hour.”
Her husband Phillip entered the room after having let out the dogs. He gathered his squirming son from her lap and tucked him into the crook of his arm. The baby gurgled with delight and grasped a handful of his father’s dark curls.
“Ambrosia is an attentive mama,” Phillip said with admiration. “If our son is awake, so is she.”
“I cannot have Graham thinking his mama won’t be watching his every step whenever he is old enough to be out on the town. I have brothers.” Ammie shot a wry smile in Julius’s direction. “I know what type of trouble they can get into when one isn’t looking.”
“Poor Graham.” Julius came to sit on the arm of Bess’s chair and rested his hand on her shoulder. His fingertips grazed the back of her neck, sending a tantalizing shudder up her spine. “He will never be allowed a misstep with six Everly ladies around to keep him on the strait and narrow.”
“Seven,” Bess interjected, including herself. “Lord knows with even an ounce of Everly blood, he will need as many eyes watching him as possible.”
Julius winked at her. “You mean if he is roguish like his uncle, but I learned my lesson. That is what happens when one tangles with a she-devil.”
Her face heated whenever she recalled how terribly she’d misjudged him. Her apologies were always waved away. Julius found the situation humorous and often said he loved her boldness more than any of her other good qualities.
She laid her hand on her husband’s knee, her heart expanding again when she gazed into his hazel eyes. She’d grown comfortable with Julius’s sister and brother-in-law and felt no need to hide her affection, as brazen as it might be.
Graham wiggled in his father’s arms, growing fussy. “How are the workmen coming along?” Phillip began bouncing with his son. Graham settled. “I’ve not had cause to ride that direction lately.”
Bess and Julius had stopped to inspect the site of the new racecourse on their way back from London.
A few days after the wedding, Lord Seabrook summoned Bess and Julius to his study; Lady Seabrook was waiting as well. Without ceremony, the marquess announced his decision to allow Julius to use a swath of land west of Everly Manor to establish his carriage racing club.
I will grant the request upon one condition, Lord Seabrook said. You must build a house on the land.
Bess had been overwhelmed by the generous offer.
Julius’s mother, realizing Bess brought property to the union, had been fretting over seeing her son as often as she wanted and implored her husband to find a solution. As was his habit, Lord Seabrook catered to his lady’s wishes. Julius’s mother had failed to comprehend the depth of Julius’s love for his family. He might seek adventure from time to time, but he would always return home.
“The house is near completion,” Julius said, “and the men have broken ground for the stables. With any luck, we could have our first race next year, assuming I am able to drum up interest in the club.”
Bess doubted it would be a challenge. She and Julius had recently observed their first Season in London, and the constant interruptions at the theatre, balls, and even on morning walks through the park tried her patience. Young men loved nattering on about their horses and carriages. Julius, however, was adept at disengaging from lengthy conversations without offending anyone, much to her relief.
“Our mother hen does not allow us chicks to wander far from the nest,” Ammie said with a teasing smile, “but I am happy you will be close.”
As was Bess. She would be close enough to her cousin to see her often. Davensworth Cottage was staffed now, and under Julius’s tutelage, Gemma had gained a better understanding of the brewery’s finances and operations. She no longer needed Bess’s or Julius’s help, but Bess liked knowing they would only be half an hour away.
“We should be on our way.” Julius stood and offered his hand to Bess. “Father and Mother are expecting us.”
Ammie and Phillip walked with them to the entry hall. When their manservant opened the door, two spaniels trotted inside. Driver Ted was waiting with the travel coach to carry Julius and Bess to Everly Manor. After handing her into the carriage, Julius settled on the bench beside her.
“I have something for you.” He reached for his brown leather satchel on the opposite bench and dug inside. “I hadn’t decided when to show you, but now seems as good a time as any. Close your eyes.”
Bess smiled and followed his directions. He was always surprising her with small gifts. “What have you done now?”
“First”—he slipped a hand around the back of her neck to cradle her—“this.”
His warm lips leisurely nipped hers. Wishing to prolong the kiss, she angled her head and leaned into it. Her heart sped as the tip of his tongue teased her upper lip before he caught it gently between his teeth. He released her abruptly, and she groaned in disappointment.
“You are too distracting, love.” His chuckle was airy, as if she had stolen his breath. “Close your eyes, and keep them closed this time.”
She rolled them for good measure before complying. “Your surprise better be worth it.”
“Open.” In Julius’s palm was an oval-cut emerald ring set in gold. Six diamonds surrounded the precious gem—one diamond to represent each of her brothers.
She reached for her stepmother’s ring and frowned. “Why do you have Priscilla’s ring?”
“She gave it to me.” Julius wet his lips, revealing his nerves. “I hope you will forgive me, but I called on her yesterday. It never sat right with me, the way your father missed supper that night.”
Soon after Bess and Julius arrived in London for the Season, one of her father’s footmen delivered an invitation for a celebratory dinner party with her family. Bess had written to Priscilla after the wedding to announce the change in her marital status, and her stepmother responded promptly with felicitations from her and Bess’s father. She and Priscilla continued their correspondence throughout winter, so the invitation to dine with her family was not unexpected. Her father’s decision to miss the party came as a blow, though.
On the drive home, Julius, furious over her father’s poor treatment of Bess, had threatened to drag him from his club and force him to apologize. Bess persuaded him not to bother. She stopped hoping her father would change years ago.
Julius had known about her strained relationship with her father before their arrival in London. She’d owed Julius an explanation after her tearful reaction to his Christmas gift, so she revealed all—her father’s indifference, lack of empathy, his selfish cruelty when he destroyed her mother’s belongings.
She held her husband’s hand. “I am not angry, but I don’t understand. Why did Priscilla give you her ring?”
“I, uh…” He cleared his throat. “I told her about the cameo your father stole. How it was the only piece of your mother you’d had left. She remembered the day and vowed she tried to stop him, but she said he cannot be reasoned with when he goes on a tear.”