Wait Until Midnight by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page A

coming down to see all of us on the occasion of my birth-day next month," Wilson said.
    "He is well?" Julia asked, a bit anxious. "I do worry about him devoting so much time to his books."
    "Do not concern yourself," Wilson said easily. "He is perfectly content. I think he may have been born for the scholarly life."
    Julia smiled. "Who would have believed it?"
    The breakfast table chatter ebbed and flowed around Adam but he made little effort to contribute to the conversation. Not only were his thoughts focused on darker subjects; the long night was beginning to catch up with him. He wanted his bed.
    "Is something wrong, Adam?" Julia asked abruptly.
    You appear to be a million miles away. Am I boring you with my plans for the ball?"
    "No. I was just thinking about some business that must be attended to this morning." He tossed his napkin on the table. "If you will excuse me—"
    But it was too late. Julia was giving him a close, sisterly scrutiny. "What's this? Your shirt is rather crumpled and I do believe you have failed to shave this morning. That is quite unlike you."
    "Julia, if you don't mind, I must be off. " He got to his feet. "Enjoy your breakfast. I will see you all later."
    Wilson inclined his head, eyes narrowing slightly. "Get some rest"
    Julia's eyes widened. "Why do you need rest? Are you ill?"
    "I am feeling quite fit, thank you." Adam grabbed the folded copy of the Flying Intelligencer and made his escape from the breakfast room.
    He heard crisp footsteps in the hall behind him and stifled a groan. He should have known it wasn't going to be that easy.
    "Adam," Julia called firmly. "A word, if you please?' "What is it?" He walked into the library and sat down behind his desk. "As I said, I'm rather busy. "
    "You did not happen to dress carelessly this morning." Julia sailed into the library behind him and crossed the oriental carpet to stand in front of the desk. "I do believe that you have just returned after having been out all night."
    "Julia, there are some things that a gentleman does not discuss, not even with his sister?'  
    "Hah! I knew it. You were gone all night." Curiosity sparked in her eyes. "Is it serious this time or merely an-other one of your boring little affairs?"
    "I had not realized that you considered my personal life boring. Not that your opinion matters, given that it is my personal life, not your own."
    She frowned in surprise at his tone. "I meant no offense."
    Guilt sank its claws into him. He had not meant to snap at her like that. "I know. I apologize for my short temper. Wilson is right. I need some sleep."
    "I suppose I find your affairs dull for the most part be-cause you seem to find them dull," she said, thoughtful now.
    "Forgive me, Julia, but I believe I have lost the thread of the conversation. Nor do I wish to rediscover it."
    She nodded, as though confirming a private opinion. "That is it, of course. I should have reasoned it out sooner. I have always found your liaisons singularly uninspiring primarily because you never appear to be particularly inspired by them."
    "I do not look to that sort of thing as a source of inspiration."
    " Obviously. You treat your romantic associations with ladies the same way you do your business affairs. They are always well-planned and deftly handled according to your rules. You never exhibit any degree of strong sentiment or emotion. When a connection ends you seem almost relieved, as though some routine task had been completed, allowing you to move on to another project"
    "I cannot fathom what you are talking about."
    "I am talking about the fact that you never allow your-self to fall in love, Adam." She paused for emphasis. "Uncle Wilson and I believe that it is past time that you did."
    He set his teeth. "Julia, I will give you fair warning. I have just endured one lecture from Wilson on the subject of finding a wife. I am not in the mood for another."
    She ignored that, whisked her skirts aside and sat down in me of the leather