Page 80 of Discovering Her Earl

But not today.

And not for the next few months to come.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lainey was nudged awake what felt like hours later. She’d enjoyed sleeping next to Julian almost as much as the sex, however she wouldn’t want to be caught in his room in the morning.

“I wish you could stay with me,” he whispered as he helped her dress. She smiled sleepily liking that he felt the same way she did. He insisted on seeing her to her room even though it was only down the corridor and around the corner.

She had wanted to have this experience and was grateful for Julian that he had given her what she wanted. But as she settled in her own lonely bed, she was already thinking of all the nights that lay before them and how much she hoped they would spend them together.

The next thing she knew it was morning and people were moving about the ship. She was a bit sore, but in the best way. She told Julian as much which caused him to pull her behind a pile of cargo to kiss her.

They spent their days above deck enjoying the warmer weather that had met them along their journey. They visited with others. Ben spent a good bit of time on deck. As did her aunt and uncle and the Leightons.

Lainey always looked forward to the evening meal knowing that afterward they would spend the rest of the evening and into the night alone together.

They were treated to pleasant weather and made good time according to the captain.

They rose early one morning to a beautiful sunrise over the Rock of Gibraltar.

She had seen it many times, but never with Julian who stood awestruck by the beauty before him.

“This is something that can never be taken from me. This memory of this perfect moment with you.” He looked around to make sure they were alone before bending to kiss the side of her neck, his arms pulled her snug against him. “I will never be able to thank you enough for allowing me to come on this trip, Elaina.”

She shrugged. “I’m not so sure about that. You have made the trip quite pleasant for me.”

He growled against her skin.

“I am not sure how you came to think I am making some great sacrifice to make love to you every night, but I shall allow you to continue to think me a gallant gentleman for it.”

A week later, they docked at the Port of Alexandria. They had dinner that night with the Visiting Consul of Egypt who had become a dear friend of Uncle Henry’s.

“I do not like the way he looks at you,” Julian complained that night when they were in bed together.

“How ever does he look at me?”

“As if he plans to have his way with you.”

“I believe you have spent too much time in the sun and heat. Your brain is causing you to see things that are not so.”

“I know what a man looks like when he is interested in a woman. If you doubt it, you have only to look at the way I look at you and compare it to the Consul and see as much for yourself.”

Lainey laughed off his accusation but the next morning as they ate breakfast in the palace, she did notice the special attention the man gave her.

Perhaps this experience with Julian was more enlightening than she’d first imagined. The man bent over her hand and kissed her knuckles as they made ready to leave for Cairo.

Watching Julian’s face when the camels were led out was a great thrill. She helped instruct him on how to mount.

“It isn’t like a horse,” she told him.

“I’m aware, Elaina. I’ve never had a horse spit at me before.”

She tried not to laugh at his disgusted expression, but some snickers escaped.

“I’m beginning to think you allowed me to come on this expedition to provide entertainment for you.”

“Lainey, it isn’t polite to laugh at Lord Melville,” her aunt chastised her.