Wild Lily (Those Notorious Americans Book 1)(61)

“If we start each day like this,” she told him with a wicked grin, “I’d agree.”

He threw back his head to laugh. “Come, my dear. You need sustenance for these games.”

She brushed down her garment, accepted his hand and tossed him a wink. “Patience is a virtue, I’m told. But I’m very inclined to play.”

He pointed to the table. “I will not see you waste away. Sit and eat first. Afterward, we can adjourn to the bedroom.”

“You’d humor me?” she asked with a whisper full of bright intentions.

He cupped her cheek and kissed her with torrid heat. “In that, as in much else. Yes. Always.”

Minutes later, she finished eating and Julian led her up to their bedroom.

He had taught her to crave him.

She followed him, grinning with satisfaction.

They would indeed do well together. In bed. For as long as that fascination lasted.

Would they do as well together out of bed? They could make each other laugh and they could talk about serious matters, like money.

That was a sound beginning.





“I apologize for my delay, Chelton.” The family lawyer, Phillip Leland, strode across the carpet and gave Julian a small bow. With his offices in the City, Willowreach was a long journey for him. But Julian had sent him a letter the day before his wedding to request his help and he’d come. “I had to spend the night in Ashford. But the rain is hideous. Many roads flooded.”

“Sorry to bring you down to me in the downpour.” Julian offered him the chair before his desk.

With a shock of bright gold hair and large eyes, Leland was a long, lean drink of water. He was a dedicated man, working more hours than he should for their impoverished family. Once in an altercation with a man who’d insulted his sister, he’d suffered a saber cut to his left cheek and a leg injury. Limping, he headed toward the chair and sank into it. “It never ends. Terrible prognosis for your crops.”

“Just as bad for your wounds.”

“I do feel it in my bones.”

“A few of my tenants are down with hacking coughs. A few children, too.”

“A shame. Unnaturally cold for mid-June.” Leland, though Julian’s age, seemed to shiver.

“Tea will be here soon. But something stronger in the meantime?”

“Stronger would be welcome.”

Julian went to his sideboard, unstoppered a bottle of Italian brandy and poured two bountiful portions. “Here you go. Drink up.”

Leland downed a goodly portion. “Thank you.”

“I hated to ask you to come south in this mess,” he said and wandered back to his desk.

“And so soon after your wedding, too.”

Julian couldn’t suppress the smile that spread upon his lips. He’d been wedded to Lily all of six days and each new morning, he felt lighter. Dare he say, giddy. Foolish, perhaps even childish, but true. Serious matters overtook his delight and he shook his head at Leland. “My haste is necessary.”

“A problem with your wife’s marriage settlement?”

“Not at all. I’m very pleased with the funds. Far more than I expected.” More than I deserve what with my dim view of marriage in general. “I wish to discuss a few financial matters. First, we own two parcels of land in Ireland I’d like to sell and quickly, too. Hopefully you can find a buyer.”

Leland looked dubious. “Your father has approved the sale?”

“No, but he will. Must.”

Leland stared at thim. “You know that few here in England have cash for that.”

“Sell it to Americans, if you must. Not Killian Hanniford. I have far too much of his money to go begging for more. But anyone else is acceptable.”

“Very well. Which lands?”

“The one you could most likely sell first would be the profitable one outside Tipperary.”

“That’s a well-appointed estate. But the tenants will not be happy to hear you’re selling.”

Julian could not see another way to make a substantial sum of money. “We can hope the new owner is a kind soul and they grow to like him. See to the sale.”

“I will,” Leland said. “And your second reason to call me here?”

“I wish to discuss Elanna’s marriage settlement for Lord Carbury.”

“I progress with that for your father, the duke.” He placed his empty glass upon the nearby deal table.

Julian applauded the man’s discretion. Leland would say nothing about Elanna’s projected sum, lest he give away confidential information. “I’m sure you do. What I have to say is not known to my father. Not in specifics. But he is aware of my feelings about my sister’s marriage.”

Leland folded his hands in his lap, his countenance blank of all emotion. “I understand. How then may I be of service?”

“They marry in a few weeks. I need this done quickly.” Julian had to save his sister from some disaster if he could. He knew a few of the stipulations of her settlement, but he would not inquire for all of them. “I have funds which I would like to apply to Elanna’s dressmakers and milliners’ bills. All she incurred since January.”

“That is most generous of you.”

“There’s more. I have five thousand I wish you to invest in her name at Rothschild’s. Railroads, steamships, tea, I care not where or how, nor do I wish to know. Furthermore, Carbury is never to learn of it and frankly, neither is she.”