Tempted by a Scoundrel

Chapter 11

"If you don't stop pacing, I will most certainly become cross eyed," Poppy declared testily.

Julia paused.

"Thank you. Now tell me what has you so troubled?"

Julia opened her mouth. Then shut it. She bit her lip skeptically. She wanted to tell Poppy about what had happened that very morning. But something held her back.

She couldn't very well tell her, oh Poppy your brother and I kissed this morning and while I didn't initiate it, I enjoyed it quite a bit, could she?

"Julia! What is it? Did another letter arrive from Bombay?"

"No."

"Oh I am losing my mind! Michael was behaving oddly this morning as well. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm the only normal person here," Poppy muttered.

"He didn't say anything?" Julia asked, trying to sound casual.

"Of course not. He was tight lipped but men always are," she said and stared at Julia meaningfully.

"There is nothing to tell."

"I can tell when you're lying, you know?"

"I know," Julia groaned.

"Fine. You can tell me when you feel like," Poppy huffed. Julia hugged her tightly.

"I will!" she promised. Once she was certain she was going back to Bombay, she'd tell Poppy. Poppy hugged her back.

"I worry for you," she whispered.

"You shouldn't. I'm fine," Julia assured her.

"Very well. We must go down at once. Mother informed me that a new set of gentlemen have arrived and I'm dying to see if there's someone interesting there."

"I highly doubt the probability of that happening," Julia grinned but began to follow her out.

"Oh you're such a pessimist."

"I am not!"

As it turned out, Julia had been right. At least partly. Yes, all of the gentlemen were dull with the exception of one.

                  ********************

The next evening.

Michael smiled pleasantly at Earl Howard when he arrived with Julia on his arm. He bowed before her and she curtseyed.

"You look especially well this evening, Miss Andrews," Michael said. And she did, god help him.

She smiled and thanked him but he didn't miss the slight blush on her face. Why that made him want to kiss her, he didn't know.

He knew one thing though. He wasn't going to kiss Julia again. They'd made an unspoken agreement to pretend like nothing untoward had taken place between them and Michael was grateful for that.

Howard and Julia went inside and Michael continued greeting the other guests.

Once the crowd had begun to mingle, Michael began to make rounds as well. He told himself that he had to interact with the guests but he knew it was so he could keep an eye on Julia. He wanted to see if she was still interested in being kissed by other gentlemen. He knew it was her choice and he couldn't really stop her but he didn't like the thought one bit.

And then, much to his annoyance, he saw her in the company of a man. And it wasn't just some young pup.

It was Lord Sebastian Alasdair Langdon—the Marquess Langdon.