The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath Read Free Book Online Page B

Ashe.
    â€œIt’s been a long day, Grey,” Ashe said. “We plan to depart early tomorrow, so I think Minerva and I are better served calling it a night.”
    â€œSleep well, then.”
    As the couple walked past him, the duchess reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. “In taking care of Julia, don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
    He grinned. “I’m about to take care of myself in the library.” As soon as the words were out, he knew they were ones that Albert would never speak. Fortunately, Minerva hadn’t been familiar enough with Albert to know that. Ashe, however, scowled and shook his head before placing his hand on the small of his wife’s back.
    â€œLet’s go to bed, sweetheart.”
    He waited until they disappeared down the hallway to turn his attention to Locke. “Ashe was correct. While Albert and Julia have separate bedchambers, my brother did sleep in his wife’s bed. She just mentioned that she missed her husband being there. My following through on that particular habit of his necessitates a drink first. I prefer not to drink alone.”
    Crossing his arms over his chest, Locke leaned back against the banister. “You’re going to go to Julia’s bed reeking of whiskey?”
    â€œI was thinking more along the lines of scotch. I need to dull my senses so I don’t do something stupid.”
    â€œDulling your senses is doing something stupid.”
    He wanted to slam his fist against a wall. He hated when Locke was right, but he saw no other option. “She’s a woman. If I climb into bed with her, my cock is going to react.”
    â€œShe’d expect that. You’re supposedly her husband.”
    Plowing both hands through his hair, he hissed a vile curse before admitting, “I don’t know how to sleep with her.”
    Locke stared at him. “Christ, Edward—­Grey—­you’re not a virgin.”
    â€œNo, but what do I do with my hands?”
    â€œPardon?”
    He splayed his fingers. “Do I cradle her breast? Cup her backside? I don’t know what she expects.”
    Locke shrugged nonchalantly. “Just hold her.”
    Easier said than done. Albert had never shared the intimate aspects of his relationship with Julia. Wouldn’t she be suspicious if he did something his twin had never done, reacted in a way that Albert never had? The intimacy of being beneath the sheets with her, even if his body wasn’t joined to hers, made him break out in a sweat. “I’m going to give myself away.”
    â€œDon’t overthink it. Assume she’s in need of comforting, reassurance that nothing changed between her and her husband while they were separated.”
    â€œEverything changed. That’s the bloody problem.” Giving his ear a hard, unforgiving yank, he shifted his gaze toward the foyer that branched into multiple hallways, one that led to the library and solace. With a deep sigh of longing, he turned back toward the bedchambers and, with Locke beside him, began trudging up as though climbing a treacherous and demanding mountain. “Will you be departing early as well tomorrow?” he asked.
    â€œLong journey back to Havisham.”
    â€œI haven’t even asked after your father,” he said as he came to a stop outside his bedchamber door. He’d call for a bath before going to his brother’s wife for a long, interminable night.
    â€œHe deteriorates a bit more each day,” Locke said. “You should come to see him once Julia delivers the babe.”
    â€œAre you going to tell him the truth of things?”
    He nodded. “I want to ensure that during whatever time remains to him, he’s mourning the proper loss. Your secret will be safe. Out on the moors, he has no one to tell.”
    â€œExcept for the ghost of your mother. I thought I saw her once.”
    Locke gave him a laconic grin. “Everyone