Page 82

She hesitated for the briefest moment before launching herself up the stairs. She flung open door after door in the family wing. He had to be here somewhere! Surely, he would have informed her if he meant to abandon her so soon

“Audrey?”

Her eyelids fluttered. The dream shifted, her heart pounding as reality nudged at the edges of sleep. A candle flickered somewhere. She was in bed.

She blinked, her eyes dry and gritty. She turned her head and let out a sharp cry.

Julius was crouched beside her bed, his face just inches away.

“Good! You are awake.” He stood, still dressed exactly as he had been at breakfast.

“I am now.” She pulled upright, her voice still raw from sleep. “What are you doing in my room?”

He pressed his lips together. “You do not wish to see me?”

“I … wish to see you,” she said quickly, her fingers clutching at the bedclothes out of habit. Then, realizing the impropriety of the gesture between betrothed, she let them fall. “I am only surprised.”

“I know the hour is late, but I could not wait until morning. I needed to speak with you. I have news.”

A lead weight sank in her stomach. He had found another solution. This was it. He had come to call off their betrothal.

She could barely breathe. All she had needed was time. Time to learn the secrets of Casanova and master a plan to win his heart. It was not fair.

Her eyes filled with tears. A lump formed in her throat.

“Your father’s journals,” he said. “I have found a solution.”

Her breath hitched. Wait—what?

It was exactly as she feared. He had⁠—

“My father’s journals?” she repeated, confused.

He did not wish to retract their betrothal?

“The guild will not budge,” he said, frowning. “I leveraged several members, but they will not allow it.”

“Allow … what?” Her mind reeled. Perhaps she was still dreaming. Perhaps this was a new torment disguised in his voice.

“Your membership.”

Audrey pushed a hand through her braid. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“What? No!” He stepped closer, startled. “Sweet heaven, no! Audrey, listen … what I mean is—” He cut himself off, running a hand over his mouth. “Let me begin again.”

She blinked at him, heart thundering.

He dropped to one knee beside her bed, in urgency. In earnestness.

“I was thinking about how much you wanted to publish your father’s works to help people better understand their health. I was hoping I could help, but it was to no avail. Father says he will see what he can do on your behalf, but he does not know anyone at the guild, so he must find a connection that can help.”

“I … see.” She blinked, still trying to make sense of what he was saying. It was clear Julius wished to help her. Perhaps he meant to balance the scales after she had risked so much for him. Yet gratitude was a poor substitute for what she longed for. She did not desire his obligation. She desired his love.

“When I failed to make progress,” Julius continued, “I reconsidered the problem. You can still treat people. No one will stop you. But that did not solve the problem of your father’s journals that you wish to publish his works.”

Audrey’s heart fluttered, unsure where this was going.

“Father provided me with the names of several physicians whose methods are akin to your father’s. He hopes to persuade one of them to move to Stirling. I sought out each of them this very evening and one, at least, is willing.”