The Earl Takes All Read Free Page A

sits well with me?” Edward asked, the pain and agony from weeks of deliberation, guilt, and doubt slicing through his voice. “I convinced him to go with me because I selfishly wanted one last trip together. I wanted him to put me before her. And it cost him his life. All I can do now is strive to ensure it doesn’t cost him his child. It’s all that’s left of my brother. I would have given anything to be the one we laid in the vault this afternoon. But that I cannot change. So I am left with only the ability to keep my promise to him. No matter the cost, no matter how mad it seems, I know no other way to ensure Julia does not lose this child. So help me. If you truly loved Albert as you claim, then help me.”
    With a deep sigh, Ashe walked to the sideboard and poured himself a generous amount of scotch. “We’ve known you since you were seven. While your looks are identical, your mannerisms are not. You don’t rub your right ear.”
    â€œAh, damn, yes.” He did so now, pulling on it until it hurt. When he was five, Albert had lost hearing in that ear after Edward shoved him into a frigid pond. Afterward, it pained him from time to time and he would rub it, especially when he was contemplating a matter—­usually trying to determine the best way to bring Edward to task for some misconduct.
    â€œAnd you toss back far too much scotch, far too quickly,” Locke said. “I don’t suppose you’ve stopped doing that.”
    â€œNo, but I only do it after she’s gone to bed.”
    Ashe narrowed his eyes. “You don’t go to bed with her?”
    â€œGod, why would I? I’m certainly not going to cuckold my brother even if he is dead.”
    â€œI can’t speak for Albert, but whether or not I make love to my wife, I sleep with her nestled within my arms.”
    â€œBecause you’re disgustingly in love.”
    â€œSo was he.”
    Edward shook his head. “They have separate bedchambers. I’m safe there.”
    Ashe tilted his head. “So do we.”
    With a harsh curse, Edward filled his glass to the brim with more scotch, walked over to the seating area by the fire and dropped into a comfortable chair. Surely, Julia would have said something if he was supposed to be in her bed. Unless she was crediting his absence as a need to grieve alone. How long before his odd behaviors caused her to worry, added strain to the situation, burdened her until he caused to happen exactly what he was trying to prevent?
    Ashe and Locke joined him, taking nearby chairs. Neither appeared pleased to be there but at least they were no longer looking at him as though he were as mad as the Marquess of Marsden.
    He stared into the writhing flames of the fire, imagined his eternity would be spent thrashing about in the ones ignited in Hell. “I thought about staying in Africa, sending her a telegram with an excuse for our delay, but I knew Albert would haunt me if I left her alone as her time carrying his child neared an end. I’m well versed in the dead haunting the living.”
    â€œMy mother’s ghost screeching over the moors is nothing but my father’s madness,” Locke said.
    â€œStill, I grew up with it.” Edward glanced over at the two men who had been like brothers. “Do you know if Albert had a special endearment for Julia?”
    Both men blinked, looked at each other, seemed at a loss for words. Finally, Ashe said, “He’s the sort who would have had one, but I never heard him call her anything other than Julia.”
    â€œNeither did I,” Locke admitted. “It was probably saved for intimate moments.”
    Bloody hell. He’d had such confidence that he could adequately imitate his brother, but they were unveiling countless things he never considered. For the short term, he’d succeeded. For the long term, it was going to require more awareness and effort. “I haven’t