Twice Upon a Time (A Danby Family Novella) by Samantha Grace Read Free Book Online

embrace. She buried her face against his neck, the rough shadow of his whiskers chafing her skin. She didn’t care. His strength held her together on the inside while his arms held her securely against him. She dissolved against his chest, her will to fight the injustices of life taking a much needed rest. For this fleeting moment, she wanted to be taken care of by another person.
    No, not just anyone. She desired Julian’s comfort. He centered her and absorbed her worries. In the shelter of his arms, she didn’t feel so alone.
    He whispered soothing words, kissed her temple, her hair, her forehead. She lifted her face, wishing for the feel of his lips on hers. Her fingers threaded into his silky hair and urged his head down. Julian’s mouth skimmed hers, gently at first then with more insistence when she leaned into his kiss.
    A deep moan rumbled in his chest beneath her fingers. He rolled her to her back and settled over her. His hard length pressed against her low belly. The coverlet entrapped her and she struggled to remove the barrier that kept them apart.
    “I want…”
    Julian’s tongue eased between her parted lips. She opened on a breath and welcomed his heated mouth. Lightheaded and crazed, she greedily drank in his kisses. Her thoughts evaporated almost the moment they were born.  
    I should not...
    I cannot...
    Dear God, I must stop.
    He pulled back, breaking their contact. “Felicity?” His voice was hoarse and uncertain.
    Their surroundings began to take shape as her head cleared. She was pushing against him while her fingers fisted in the fabric of his shirt. Even her body was conflicted in the moment. Yet, she could not allow him to bed her. The risk was too great.
    She stared into his stunning blue eyes and opened her mouth to speak.
    A door slammed in the corridor, startling them both. Moments later Julian’s chamber door flew open and banged against the wall.  
    “The girl is missing!” Lord Penlow barged into the room in half-dress with his hair sticking up at odd angles. “She was there when I fell asleep and now she is—”
    He skidded to a stop and his gaze froze on the bed.  
    Blast! This looks damning, indeed.
    A lazy smirk eased across Lord Penlow’s lips. “I see you have located her, Jul. I will call off the hounds.”
    Julian climbed from the bed and ran a hand through his tousled curls. “It’s not what you think.”
    The baron’s eyebrow lifted. “You are not engaged in a rousing game of chess then?”  
    “I was—We were just—” Julian snatched a pillow from the bed and whacked Lord Penlow. “Why didn’t you knock?”
    The baron hooted with laughter as his cousin chased him across the room, connecting a few solid hits in the process. “I care not what you do with the wench so long as I have not lost her.”
    “She is not a wench,” Julian said on a growl and swung the pillow once more.
    Lord Penlow blocked the blow and wrestled the pillow from his hands. “Very well. Call her what you like.”
    Felicity propped against the iron headboard and tucked the blanket under her chin.
    “Miss Halliday was Aunt Alice’s nurse,” Julian said. “The one I told you about.”
    Her heart skipped, clumsily tumbling until it recovered and took off in a sprint. Julian had spoken of her?
    Lord Penlow’s merriment ebbed, and he moved closer to the bed to study her. “The angel?”
    “Please, don’t call me that,” she said. “I am no angel.”
    He snickered. “Indeed, Miss Halliday. I would hardly confuse you for one at the moment. Nevertheless, reports of your kindness to our dear aunt did not go unappreciated. Uncle was beside himself, but you eased his mind.”
    He moved to the chair Julian had begun the night in and lowered onto it. “What were you doing in an alley? Your father would never approve of such recklessness.”
    “Dr. Halliday has passed.” Julian approached the bed and sat on the edge, reaching out to hold her hand. He looked to her to confirm his