to use some of the time they were absent to search Metford’s bedchamber for incriminating evidence of his possible affair with his sister-in-law, Henrietta, and anything that might indicate his association with the men he had paid to kill James. Keeping any evidence of the latter would be sheer stupidity on Metford’s behalf, and Julius didn’t think the older man was that. But if there had been an affair between Metford and Henrietta, the older man might have kept any love letters the two had exchanged. Especially if a child had resulted from that relationship.
“I thought I might ride into the village later this morning and check on the progress of the repairs to my carriage,” Julius refused politely.
The frown cleared from Metford’s brow. “Let us hope Johnson has managed to complete the work necessary for you to continue your journey back to London.”
Julius dragged his bottom lip between his teeth and bit down as Metford totally forgot his manners in his desire not only to exclude Julius in their outing, but to see him on his way out of Suffolk. “Let us hope so,” he echoed softly once he was able to talk without revealing his humor.
“Thank you for your assistance this morning.” Bethany gave him a polite curtsey.
He bowed. “You are more than welcome.”
Julius watched out the window to be sure Metford and Bethany had left the house. He saw the two of them riding out of the stables and then off along the same path into the woods that the previous night had taken Julius down to the riverside.
No doubt the smugglers, and Bethany, would have ensured there was no evidence remaining to indicate their having been there. Julius had to tip his hat to the audacity of the smugglers carrying out their nefarious nighttime work on the estate of the local magistrate. Bethany was equally as naughty for being a part of it.
Enough to have earned herself a spanking?
Julius didn’t believe in physical punishment of any kind, but nor could he deny that the thought of first baring and then reddening the arse of the rebellious Lady Bethany now caused his cock to swell and rise inside his pantaloons.
So perhaps he wasn’t averse after all to punishing Bethany just a little for her reckless behavior?
Bethany was lost in thought several hours later as she made her way back to the house following her ride. Her uncle had handed off the reins for his horse on their return for one of the grooms to deal with, but Bethany preferred to see to the needs of her horse herself. As a consequence, she returned to the house half an hour or so after her uncle.
He hadn’t actually made any reference to the scene he had walked in on in the breakfast room earlier. But he had regaled her with several more stories of how the earl, despite his close friends being in the army, had himself avoided fighting for England against the French. Even her uncle, although not involved in hand-to-hand combat, had been part of the war cabinet in London, which resulted in his often being away.
Bethany had no idea why Julius hadn’t joined the army as his close friends seemed to have done, but she very much doubted it was because he was the coward her uncle wished to claim him as being. Unless it was merely wishful thinking on her part because of the attraction she felt toward Julius—
Bethany’s interest sharpened as, having arrived at the top of the staircase, she caught sight of a tall and dark-haired figure farther down the hallway. He wore a brown superfine and buff-colored pantaloons, his dark hair messily long rather than fashionable.
She didn’t hesitate to call out to him. “Franklyn!” The man froze, which seemed to confirm his identity, but he didn’t turn. “Franklyn?” she prompted less certainly as she hurried down the hallway toward him.
He turned slowly, very slowly, and Bethany gasped, coming to a halt once he was fully facing her.
Because he looks exactly like I have imagined James might if he had lived.
Not exactly, she conceded once the initial shock had worn off and she could breathe again. This man’s blue eyes contained a hard cynicism James’s never had. His face was all harsh angles rather than rounded, and there was a scar along his jaw on the left side of his face. A scar her brother didn’t have.
But of course it was not James, could not be him, because her brother was dead and