Page 12 of Discovering Her Earl

What she should be focusing on was getting her revenge. She considered having Mr. Harper make his clothing too small, but he didn’t know if Lord Mel-villain would withhold payment.

If she knew the man had any interest in her physically, she might feign an attraction on her part, but she would surely get in over her head in such a ruse.

For now, she would have to shore up her defenses. There was no way she would allow him to go with them to Egypt. He was far too distracting.

She’d fallen for his charms years ago. She’d not let it happen again.

Chapter Five

When the Darlington carriage stopped in front of Julian’s home the following week, he took his single bag from Spencer and descended down the steps. The rest of his luggage had been sent ahead on his own carriage with Ben.

He hadn’t wanted the rest of their group to think him a dandy for needing a valet for an archaeological dig.

The footman opened the door and Julian hesitated for a moment when he found only Miss Bantham waiting inside.

After he’d caught her appraising him at the tailors, he knew she was not so unaffected by him as she let on. But he shouldn’t have let his amusement get away from him. Had he kept the knowledge to himself he might have used it to his advantage. Instead, he’d laughed and then watched as her icy walls grew higher and thicker.

It was a foolish thing but he’d been so relieved to see that she did, in fact, like him. If only in the physical sense. It was something. Or had been. Now she wouldn’t even look at him.

With a resigned sigh, he took the seat opposite her and waited for her to acknowledge him in some way.

“Good day to you, Miss Bantham.”

“Good day, my lord,” she fairly mumbled with only a darting glance in his direction.

He was quite under her skin. It was as good a place as any to start. A few moments alone with her and he might win her over.

At the thought of being alone, he moved his gaze from her to the otherwise empty carriage.

“Are we to make another stop to get the rest of our group?” he asked.

“No. It is just me.”

He put his foot out before the footman could shut the door, otherwise sealing his fate with this woman.

“I was to understand the Leightons would be joining us.”

“They received word yesterday morning their first grandchild was born. They went ahead to visit. They will meet us in Scotland after they’ve met their grandson.”

“And your maid?”

She looked at him then, and he wondered why he’d wished she would have looked at him earlier. Her brows were pinched together and her usually warm, brown eyes were shooting sparks.

Ah. The glare was back.

“I have no maid.”

“A chaperone?” His voice had taken on a begging quality.

For whatever reason that suggestion earned him a shiver of distaste, but she only answered curtly, “I need no chaperone.”

He swallowed as panic rose in his throat.

Alone with her the entire trip to Scotland?

It wasn’t that he feared he would do something inappropriate. He was a gentleman despite his reputation. He was in no danger of losing his wits and doing something disreputable. Especially since it was quite clear she wouldn’t welcome his attentions.

But her reputation…