Chapter 3
Cam stared at the falling snow outside the window that looked over the private courtyard at McCalpin House. Such a serene sight did little to calm his racing heartbeat that pounded in time with each movement of the second hand on his pocket watch. Each tick reminded him that he had to make the most of this chance to win Julia’s hand.
“Hello, Cam.”
Such a mellifluous sound instantly slowed the battering inside his chest. He turned and found a vision before him that would have made angels sing praise to the heavens.
His Julia.
All five feet five inches of her regally stood before him. Dressed in an azure brocade gown with a silver lace overlay, she was a vision of beauty.
God, how he’d missed her. When he’d left to attend his sister at the sudden death of her husband, he’d left his heart in her possession. Did she have any idea the power she held over him? Her incomparable beauty could make a man mute. But he couldn’t let it overshadow what he’d come to accomplish today. He’d not leave without her agreeing to allow him another chance. Nor would he leave without giving her the proper kiss he’d meant to give her before he left.
“Julia—” His traitorous throat thickened. In an attempt to tame the riot of emotions, he cleared his voice.
Before he could say another word, she closed the distance between them.
With an elegant ease that betrayed the turmoil running amok through him, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. The warmth of her skin could soothe the most jaded of beasts, and he allowed his lips to linger and savor the softness that resided there.
“Would you care to sit, or will your visit be short?” she asked serenely. The blue of her eyes sparkled, and a smile tugged at her lips.
Her inner imp was in rare form today. She knew bloody well that he wanted to spend every moment of his life with her starting now, and if she didn’t, she soon would. “My visit will be as long as necessary to convince you to give me a second chance at wooing you, lass.”
The smile on her face could light the entire end of East London with its brilliance. “Ah well, then I don’t think I have enough refreshments to serve you forever.”
“Refreshments might only be a nuisance for what I have planned.” Unable to hold his mirth at her antics inside, he laughed. Her eyes widened. But the feigned shock didn’t fool him as her gaze grew even brighter.
“Why is that?” She walked to a Louis XV settee, then sat.
He settled beside her, then angled his body so he could see every glorious inch of her. “Because I plan to kiss you until you forgive me.” He leaned closer until an inch separated their lips.
Her mouth formed a perfect and endearing “o.” Her gentle breath brushed his cheek. He took a deep breath, then slowly released it to keep from possessing her on the sofa that very instant. Every blond hair, eyelash, and inch of her perfect skin was his, and he’d do his damnedest to convince her of it. “Julia, I’ve thought of this moment every single day since I left London.” Gently, he took her hands in his. “I’ve thought of you every hour and minute of the day. I’ve dreamt of you every night.”
One perfect eyebrow arched in disbelief, but she didn’t release his hand which gave him hope.
“It wasn’t fear of marriage or unwanted gossip that kept me from coming to ask for your hand last May.” He bit the side of his cheek and hoped he’d find the words to convince her. “You must know that I’d have never left you to fend on your own had I known what those heathens at The Midnight Cryer were capable of printing about you and me.”
Her face remained frozen, and she didn’t offer a word.
“My heart was ripped in two by what they said I’d done to you. I never left you, lass.”
“Yes, you did,” she answered curtly. “For over six long months. Besides, your last letter released me from a betrothal that never existed.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Never. Do you know why?”
She bit one adorable lip in answer.
Unable to resist, he brushed his thumb across her plush lower lip. “Because I left my heart with you.”
She slowly blinked her eyes and took a ragged breath. His Julia was strong, but she was hurting now. He hated to cause her pain, but as his dear mother had always said, you must lance the wound before it can heal.
“Then why didn’t you come back for me?” she asked softly. “Why didn’t you at least write more than the note that your sister was ill and might never recover? If I meant that much to you…was it just an excuse?”
“No, sweetheart.” He ran a hand through his hair as he struggled to explain his actions. How to share the fact his sister had gone practically stark-raving mad after her husband had died? He’d never felt so alone or so helpless when he’d returned home to Edinburgh.
“It’s true my notes were vague, but it wasn’t something I could write about. In my missives, I told you part of the story but not all.” Cam rested his elbows on his legs and studied his hands. He’d always been strong with brawny muscles and stamina, but Lara had taught him that physical strength meant nothing if you didn’t have emotional fortitude. “After my sister’s husband died, she called me home. What I found there would have made even a witch’s toes curl.”
Julia put one delicate hand over his. “If you’re not comfortable sharing, I understand.”
“No, I’ll hide nothing from you.” He placed his other hand atop hers. His were so much larger than hers, but the warmth of her skin beckoned him to tell her everything. “Lara had always put her family first. Her husband and her sons were everything in the world to her. I had always thought of her as the glue that held the family together. She’d always been able to handle anything that life could throw her way. When Ewan died that hadn’t been the case—not when she left her two small boys alone to care for themselves when she disappeared.”
“What happened?” Julia’s voice had softened, but her eyes warmed with an unmistakable empathy at his words. “Where did she go?”
“I don’t know. When I went to their home, I found my nephews alone, hungry, and dirty. She’d been gone for at least a week. I took Kinnon and Tavis to my estate. Once they were safe and sound, I assigned my housekeeper to look after them while I rode over practically every stream and crag in the highlands to find their mother. This went on for weeks. I couldn’t trust that what I wrote to you wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.” He shook his head gently as the feelings of helplessness and agony threatened to take his words. “I found her alone in a rundown shack not far from Edinburgh. I thought she’d be ruined if anyone found out about her disappearance.” He swallowed the grip of emotion that held tight. “I didn’t want any of it to taint you.” He huffed a feigned laugh. “But I only put you in a worse situation.”
“Oh, Cam. I’m so sorry,” she said gently. “That must have been horrible for her sons…and for you. Where are Lara and the boys now?”
“I brought them with me to London. I couldn’t leave them alone, but I couldn’t stay in Scotland with you here.”
She contemplated him with a depth that cut straight through him. In that instant, she saw all his faults and fears, and the truth hit him square in the chest. She’d never judge him or his sister. “I’m not certain I can find the words, but I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Of course.” A sad smile tugged at her lips. “I’d like to meet Lara. I’d welcome her as a friend and so would my family. And of course, your nephews.”
“They’d be delighted, I’m sure. She’s better now, but I can’t leave her alone.” Cam nodded. “Perhaps we can share a special Christmas celebration for all of us?”
An adorable expression of befuddlement crossed her face. “I didn’t think Scots celebrated Christmas the way the English do.”
“My mother was English and brought all the lovely traditions with her. Mince pies, mulled wine.” His voice deepened as the urge to take her in his arms became overpowering. “Of course, the Scots brought the Yule log and mistletoe for sweet passionate kisses.”
A soothing silence descended around them wrapping them in the safety of its comfort. A log fell on the fire, and her eyes brightened. It was the perfect timing to bring out the small gift he’d brought her. Truthfully, it was as much for him as for her, but it would bring her pleasure, or his name wasn’t Cameron Dunmore. He reached into his morning coat pocket and pulled out the mistletoe posy tied with the ribbon she’d given him last spring as a token of her affection.
“Cam…you kept my ribbon?” she asked incredulously. Her eyes flashed as if truly happy making her even more beautiful.
“Next to my heart this entire time.” He held the posy above her head and leaned close until no more than an inch separated them.
Her lips parted slightly, and he took that as a blessed sign from heaven that this Christmas celebration would be one forever engraved upon his heart.
He leaned until his mouth touched hers. The supple warmth from her lips was ambrosia, and he gently rubbed his against hers until the sweetest moan escaped her. Still holding the mistletoe, he wrapped her in his embrace and brought her close until her softness melded with his hardness. A perfect fit that he’d never tire of. Nor would he ever tire of her kisses. They had so much lost time to make up for. With his tongue, he traced the crease of her lips, begging for entry into her sweet mouth. With a soft breath she sighed, and he deepened the kiss.
“Julia.” A curt voice called from behind them.
Cam softly groaned before slowly pulling away. The desire in her eyes and the slight swelling of her lips from their kiss made him want to throw the intruder out so they could continue losing themselves in each other’s arms.
“Queensland, I’ll have you take your hands off my sister.”
“Bennett, stop,” she protested. “The earl is—”
“Mauling you,” her little brother declared as he approached.
A perfect crimson blush colored her cheeks reminding Cam of the hot house roses he’d ordered for her to be delivered today. Reluctantly, he let her go and turned to face her irate brother. Though the boy only came to his chest, his demeanor indicated the young viscount had the anger of a man. Frankly, Cam couldn’t fault him. If it was his sister who was being kissed like there was no tomorrow, he’d object too.
“Lawson, I apologize for getting carried away. But I can assure you that I have the best intentions here.” Cam extended his hand for a shake man-to-man. “I want to marry your sister.”
“You pig.” The grimace on the boy’s face was pure disgust. “Never in a million years will I allow that.”
Julia seemed to come out of the sensual fog they’d created together. “Bennett, apologize to his lordship this instant,” she demanded.
“That was ill-mannered of me. I apologize,” he murmured. The young viscount’s cheeks turned a color reminiscent of holly berries.
“Lovely.” Julia’s exuberant smile was a little too bright. “Then let’s all go for a walk in the snow.”
“No,” Bennett declared.
Cam bit his lip so he wouldn’t respond to the young lord’s outburst. “Miss Lawson, perhaps another time.”
Julia’s brow creased. “Perhaps another time?”
Cam nodded. “May I stop by tomorrow?”
“Could you come this afternoon? I think the sooner we finish our discussion, the better.”
An excellent sign that she wanted him back so quickly. “I agree.”
“Come for tea?” she asked.
“It would be my pleasure,” Cam said softly while ignoring the young viscount’s look of outrage.