Julius's Passion (Regency Club Venus #4) - Carole Mortimer Page 0,34

James again. “I have been in your sister’s bedchamber, teaching her how to pleasure herself,” he stated truthfully.

James looked at him blankly for several long seconds before he burst out laughing. “Where have you really been?”

He frowned his irritation with not having his words believed. Although it was perhaps as well… “I have never before considered a valet being as tiresome as having a wife. But of course you are not really my valet. I thank God I shall have Adams returned to me soon.” He sighed. “And why does it matter to you where I have been?”

James poured brandy into a second glass before taking an obviously satisfying sip. “I was concerned after Lacey informed the maids downstairs that my uncle had left the dining room and they could now clear away. I came to find you in case you were searching in his bedchamber or study. When I did not find you in either place, I came in here to wait for you.”

“I went for a walk,” Julius invented. “Your uncle is the most tedious of dining companions.”

James nodded. “I do not know how Bethany stands his company.”

“Possibly because he is all she has left of family,” Julius excused. “Or, at least, all she believes she has left.”

The other man nodded. “The sooner we deal with this situation, the better.”

After the events of this evening, Julius could not agree more with that sentiment.

Which was why the following morning saw Julius returning to Metford’s bedchamber to look at the deeds of property for himself, once he was sure the older man had departed the house on his morning ride with his now-recovered niece.

According to the documents, Metford personally owned a dozen properties, bought with the Ipswich money, all in the area of Piccadilly and bought during the past nine years. Properties which, with the Burlington Arcade due to be opened next month, were now worth a fortune, either to sell in their entirety or rented as retail units to different merchants.

Reason enough to have had his nephew killed?

Along with inheriting the title of the Earl of Ipswich, most definitely.

As Metford was the local magistrate in this area, they had decided before coming to Suffolk that it would be impossible for James to reclaim his title here. They would need to take any documents they found, and James himself, and Julius would then present the evidence to the highest law in the land, his friend the Prince Regent. Prinny could then decide whether or not Metford had wanted his nephew killed and that James should, by birth, be the Earl of Ipswich.

There was just the matter of the contents of the secret drawer in the desk in Metford’s study left for them to look into before they, hopefully, received word from the smith that the carriage was repaired and they could continue on their journey back to London.

“This is the second time I have chanced upon you as you are about to enter my uncle’s study. When this time he has clearly gone out for the afternoon,” Bethany accused. “I am also aware you are now familiar with exactly where the dining room is located.”

Julius winced at the challenge in Bethany’s voice. At the very moment he was about to enter Metford’s study. At a time when Julius knew where the dining room was.

He was also aware Metford was not in his study. Julius had been standing on the gallery above the entrance hall when Metford informed the butler that he intended to visit with the local squire, but would be back in time to take tea with his niece at four thirty.

The niece who was now questioning Julius’s reason for again being caught entering her uncle’s study.

The same woman Julius had not seen since he made love to her the previous night and afterward parted from so badly. Julius had gone downstairs for his breakfast this morning only to find Bethany was the one who preferred to have breakfast in her bedchamber today.

Julius schooled his features into a mocking expression as he turned to face her. “Perhaps the question I should be asking you is why are you following me?”

She looked taken aback, and then her cheeks suffused with color. “I am not following you.”

“All evidence to the contrary,” he drawled.

She frowned her agitation. “I live here. Our paths are sure to cross at some time during the day. Today, it happens to be here. Nor have you answered my original question,” she stated firmly.

“I’ve forgotten what it was,”