He would best Edmund. He did not know his brother’s motive, he only knew his own to succeed was bigger.
HOURS LATER, DANIEL left the waterlogged, smoldering remains and wended his exhausted way home.
He eyed the empty corridor before he slipped into Julia’s bedroom and softly locked the door behind him. He felt like the proverbial fox in a henhouse with the rose-colored wallpaper, the assault of pink and white offending his masculine sensibilities.
He leaned against the door, folded his arms across his chest, and admired the view.
Julia sat submerged in a large tub before a glowing fire. A pitcher of water sat on a table within arm’s reach. One slim, soap-lathered leg lifted in the air as she sponged it off. Her movements were quick and practical, and he cursed her efficiency as she dispensed with one leg and then the other.
Pulling the ribbon from her hair, she shook out the cascade of curls, and slid low into the tub, drenching her hair. She reached for a block of soap on the chair.
“No, wait,” he cried.
Julia shrieked, dropping the soap and whipping around, one arm curled protectively over her breasts. Eyes wild, she gaped at him. “What are you doing here?” she cried when she had recovered her voice. “You need to leave before someone sees you. Good lord, it is morning and—”
“No one saw me, and I have locked the door so no one will see me.” He laughed away her protests, yanked off his Hessian boots, shucked his jacket and waistcoat and dispensed with his shirt.
He walked to the commode and vigorously scrubbed his hands and face, shedding the layer of soot and grime caking him like a second skin. Shaking the water droplets from his hair, he crossed to Julia’s side and retrieved the soap that had fallen to the floor.
“What are you doing? Daniel you are filthy.”
“Whatever do you mean? I washed.” He lathered soap into his hands, and knelt beside the tub.
He planted his hands on her head, turned her wary expression away from him and proceeded to soap her hair. She was resistant at first, stiff-necked and annoyed, but as his fingers massaged into her scalp, she relaxed. Her shoulders eased, and she sank back against the tub. Her hair was so thick. A lovely lustrous brown, with streaks of gold. And so many curls, even damp as he pulled one straight, it snapped back into a ringlet when released.
“It is a hopeless cause. Don’t even try to straighten it.”
“Why in God’s name would I ever want to do that?” He was aghast at the thought.
Julia peered at him over her shoulder. “You like it?”
“I do. If anyone said anything negative about it, they were an idiot.” At her expression, he paused, sensing he had touched a vulnerable nerve. “I have always loved your hair, Julia. It is like you, vibrant and beautiful.” She stared at him silently, and then turned away. He cleared his throat. “It is the perfect compliment to what you are wearing.”
“Mmh.” Her response was half moan as his hands massaged her head and soaped her hair, moving down to her shoulders. “I wonder if my family would agree.”
“Let us not push matters. Your father still has his pistols loaded.”
She laughed, but her laughter trailed off. “I am sorry about Lakeview Manor, Daniel. To lose it once must have been devastating, but a second time must have—”
“Shh. I lost nothing that cannot be replaced.”
“But—”
“Shh, Julia. It was a wood structure, nothing more, nothing less.” Eyes closed, he leaned down to press his lips to the slim column of her neck. “As long as you are safe, we will be fine. I—” His eyes snapped open and he lifted his head, swallowing back his words.
I love you.
They had been on the tip of his tongue. Almost casually unleashed, like any loving husband would say to a wife.
“Daniel?” She peered back at him, her expression one of concern. “You look ghostly white. Daniel, speak to me. I understand loss. Am an expert on grief.”
The concern in her eyes was nearly his undoing. How could he not fall in love with this woman? Who saw the hurt in others and needed to help. Who had experienced so much loss and yet fought to hold her family and an earldom together. She was kind, loyal, and courageous. And he was deeply, irrevocably in love with her.
He swallowed again, choking on the myriad of emotions coursing through him. “I am all right, Julia. Just sad for you. It would have been your home, too. Complete with a nursery.”
“We will hire guards.” She echoed his earlier promise and lifted her chin in a determined thrust.
“Yes, we will.” He swept soapsuds over the curve of her cheek and her nose.
She huffed out a breath, blew it off, and turned away. “Finish my hair.”