Oliver’s heart stopped before he realized she was providing a distraction.
Smithby’s attention shifted to Julia, trying to hold her up with one hand while still aiming his gun.
Oliver leapt forward, reaching for the weapon. The balance of thought and emotion for which he strived was a new experience for him. He found it difficult to keep his focus on gaining the weapon when his heart urged him to lift Julia into his arms and keep her there.
With both hands, he squeezed Smithby’s hand that held the pistol, unleashing his anger at last.
“No.” Smithby’s cry echoed in the warehouse as he released Julia to struggle with Oliver.
“Hawke, get Julia to safety,” Oliver requested.
Oliver gripped Smithby’s wrist, banging the man’s hand against the edge of his desk until the pistol fell to the ground. Still Smithby fought, landing a blow to Oliver’s stomach.
Aware that Hawke had Julia, Oliver released his rage, his fist striking Smithby’s nose with a satisfying smack. Blood spurted forth but it took two more blows before Smithby turned and ran for the rear of the warehouse.
Hawke’s shot rang out and Smithby hollered.
“Damn you.” The man fell to the ground, holding his thigh. “Damn you both.”
Hawke rushed toward the wounded man as Samuel entered with two policemen.
Assuming Hawke would keep the situation under control, Oliver turned to Julia who rose to her feet.
Her eyes were wide with worry...and held a tender regard that stole his breath once more.
“Are you all right?” He drew her into his arms.
“Yes. Are you?”
Her question made him smile. Her concern for others never ceased to amaze him. “Julia—”
“Is everyone all right?” Hawke asked as he drew near.
Oliver realized now was not the time or place to tell Julia what was in his heart. But he wasn’t going to allow her from his side until he had a chance to do so.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“When [a man] has gone from less to greater, and has proved himself indurated in crime, we are forced to protect society by removing him from it.”
~The Seven Curses of London
Julia was content to stay in the circle of Oliver’s arms during the carriage ride home. She had so much to tell him but couldn’t resist taking these few moments to savor the comfort of his embrace.
Captain Hawke had remained at the warehouse to make certain Smithby and Crawford were hauled away by the police. Both Oliver and the captain had been furious that the man they’d thought murdered in his cell, Culbert Rutter, hadn’t been among those who’d fled the warehouse nor had he been anywhere else. With luck, the police would be able to track him down now that they had Smithby in custody.
Oliver’s attentiveness through the events gave her hope, though she had yet to find the courage to say all that needed to be said. The Book of Secrets lay wrapped on the opposite bench, a reminder of what remained between them, holding them apart.
“I’m so sorry,” she muttered at last, while against his chest, unable to bear her nerves any longer.
“Not nearly as much as I am.”
“You?” Surprised, she tipped her head back to look up at him. “Whatever for?”
“For putting you in danger.”
“None of it was your fault. I shouldn’t have taken the book. I thought to show it to Father and then return it. I never expected that awful man to be waiting outside.”
“Nor did I.” He pulled her closer. “But I don’t care about the book. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“Thanks to you,” she whispered.
“You are the one who saved me. Since the day I came upon you in the bookshop, you’ve been saving me.” He drew back and held her gaze once more. “Julia, I love you with all my heart. I am only whole when I’m with you.”
Tears filled her eyes at his words. “I must tell you something.” She hesitated to tell him the full truth, but she wanted only honesty between them. She dropped her gaze, unable to watch to see if what she told him changed his feelings for her. “I wasn’t planning on seeing you anymore. I was going to return the book, of course, but I thought to end our...relationship.”
His hold loosened, causing pain to swell through her. Yet she forced herself to continue. “For years, I watched as my father told my mother how much he loved her and she said nothing in return. He slowly died inside, leaving nothing but a shell. He became incomplete, a shadow of himself after trying so hard to win her love. After she died at her lover’s holding, my father’s memory of her shifted, changing to what he wanted it to be rather than what it was. But it was too late.”
She drew a deep breath, determined to say it all. “He had nothing left for anyone, including my brother and me. He was already destroyed inside. Very little brings him true happiness. I was so afraid of having the same sort of marriage as my parents—of existing rather than living—that I was too scared to risk telling you how I felt. I feared you could never love me as much as I love you.”
His intake of breath had her shifting her gaze to meet his. As he opened his lips to respond, she shook her head, holding a finger to his lips. “Please, allow me to finish. I didn’t trust you or my feelings for you. I let fear rule my behavior. I’m sorry for that.”
Before she could say anything more, Oliver took her hand in his. “Your courage has amazed me from the start, especially since I chose to hide in my house with my books rather than risk dealing with my past. It is I who should apologize. I have not been honest with you either.” He glanced away briefly then seemed to steel himself before looking back at her. “I’m not proud of all I’ve done. Malverson was correct in some respects. I was involved in a terrible battle.”
As he told her of the fight where he was forced to kill or be killed, how the enemy soldiers were no more than boys, she began to shake her head, interrupting him.
“Oliver, I know who you are. You don’t need to tell me any of this. There is no doubt in my mind that you did the only thing you could. You may not appreciate your abilities but I do. They helped you save me today.” She laid her hand along his cheek, holding his deep-green gaze. “You must forgive yourself. I already have.”
The tension in his shoulders seemed to ease, and he drew her into his arms once more, holding her as though she was more precious than an ancient text. He took her lips with his and happiness soared through her, filling every part of her. For once, her joy was not contingent on someone else’s happiness, nor defined by how she’d helped another. It was only because of how Oliver made her feel.
And he made her feel glorious.
The carriage came to a halt before her house, dimming her joy and reminding her the future was still uncertain despite all they’d shared.
As though sensing her worry, Oliver tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “I want to spend the rest of my life telling you how much I love you, each and every day. Please say you’ll marry me.”
Julia frowned, certain Oliver didn’t understand how dependent her father was on her, how closely she had to watch him. “My father—”
“Will be our concern from this day forth. We will watch over him together, you and I. He can remain here or live with us. Perhaps some of both. As long as I’m with you, the details don’t matter.”
“Oh, Oliver.” Emotion clogged her throat at the idea of having this amazing man at her side for the rest of her life. At sharing the care for her father with him. This was her dream come true, and she could hardly believe it. “He cares so much for you already. He’ll be thrilled for us. I would be honored to marry you.”
Oliver kissed her again, his tongue swirling with hers. Passion simmered between them along with love so deep that it buoyed each breath she took, promising a lifetime of love.
“Let us go share our news with your father and the rest of your family,” Oliver suggested.
“You truly are my knight—a dream come true.” Julia shifted forward for o
ne more kiss. Her family could wait a few minutes more.
~*~
Oliver entered the ballroom the next evening, well aware he’d used the front door of the party for the first time in years with little anxiety. Funny how love changed a man. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
“I understand congratulations are in order.” The Earl of Adair, Hawke’s older brother, reached out to shake his hand.
“Thank you.”
Something of Oliver’s surprise must’ve shown on his face as Adair added, “Good news travels quickly. Lady Julia is a lovely person. I’m certain you’ll be very happy together.”
“I intend to make certain of it.” Despite Adair’s kind words, Oliver noted the shadow that passed over the earl’s face.
“If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to claim a dance with.”
Odd but the look of resigned determination Adair held brought to mind a man approaching battle rather than courting a lady. Oliver didn’t have time to ponder it further as Hawke and Lettie approached.
“You look happier than I’ve ever seen you.” Hawke slapped his shoulder.
“I am indeed.” Oliver had no problem admitting to the emotion, no matter that it still felt unfamiliar.
“Was that my brother you were speaking to?” Hawke asked. At Oliver’s nod, he continued, “Where was he off to?”
“To dance with a lady.”
Lettie shook her head as she watched the earl approach a woman. “Surely he’s not dancing with Lady Samantha again.”
“I don’t care who he dances with as long as he marries soon,” Hawke said, not bothering to hide his exasperation with his brother. “Mother will not leave either of us in peace until he does.”
“Speaking of marrying,” Lettie reached out to squeeze Oliver’s arm, “congratulations on your engagement.”
“My thanks.” Oliver welcomed the happiness that was now his constant companion. “Have you seen Julia? She said she’d meet me here.” He searched the crowded room, wanting nothing more than to see her again, despite having spent most of the day with her.
“Not yet.” Lettie’s gaze swept the throng. “Oh, here she comes.”
Oliver turned to see Julia enter the ballroom, her primrose gown complimenting her graceful beauty. But he liked to think he’d put that extra light of joy on her face.
She glanced over her shoulder, and he saw that her aunt accompanied her. To his surprise, her father and Jonathan also stood next to them.
“I can’t believe the earl is with Julia.” Lettie shook her head in disbelief. “He never attends these parties.”
“Julia and I had a long talk with him yesterday and are doing our best to convince him to step out more. I wasn’t certain we’d succeeded.”
“Clever of you.” Hawke gave him a nod of approval. “Surely visiting with others will lift his spirits.”
As they watched, several older men stepped forward to greet the earl. The smile on Julia’s father’s face gave Oliver a deep sense of satisfaction. “Julia has shouldered the burden of keeping him happy for far too long. I am happy to help.”
Jonathan wasted no time in moving off to join friends as Julia’s gaze fell on Oliver.
“Excuse me,” Oliver muttered to Lettie and Hawke then moved forward to take Julia’s arm. “You look beautiful.”
A rosy blush only added to her glow as she smiled up at him. “Thank you. How is Victor faring?”
“Recovering quite well. He’s enjoying his status as a hero among the maids.”
Julia chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that.” She held his gaze for a long moment. “And I’m so pleased you’re here.”
“I intend to be wherever you are,” he promised.
Before he could say anything more, Lady Matilda took his free arm. “It pleases me to no end to see the two of you together. You’re perfect for each other.”
“We are.”
Julia chuckled at his response. “You’re supposed to respond with gratitude and humility.”
“Thank you,” he added dutifully. “My social skills are rusty but I can be trained.”
Julia laughed as her aunt rose up to kiss his cheek. “Take good care of her, my lord,” she whispered.
“Of course. It will be my pleasure.”
“Whatever are you two whispering about?” Julia asked as her aunt stepped away, leaving them alone in the crowd.
“You have charmed me into living life, Julia.” Oliver lifted her gloved hand and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist where the white glove ended. “I’m a better person because of you. I love you so much.”
“Now and always?” Her eyes shone with love. It was a sight of which he’d never grow weary.
“Always and forever.”
And so the scholar drew the charming lady into his arms as the familiar notes of a waltz began.
THE END
Other Books By LANA WILLIAMS
Victorian Romances:
Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella
Book .5 of The Seven Curses of London
Amazon
Loving the Hawke, Book I of The Seven Curses of London
Amazon
Unraveling Secrets, Book I of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon
Passionate Secrets, Book II of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon
Shattered Secrets, Book III of The Secret Trilogy
Amazon
Medieval Romances:
A Knight’s Christmas Wish
Falling for A Knight Novella, Book .5
Amazon
A Knight’s Quest, Falling for A Knight, Book 1
Amazon
A Vow To Keep, Book I of The Vengeance Trilogy
Amazon
A Knight’s Kiss, Book 1.5 of The Vengeance Trilogy
Amazon
Trust In Me, Book II of The Vengeance Trilogy
Amazon
Believe In Me, Book III of The Vengeance Trilogy
Amazon
The Vengeance Trilogy – Boxed Set
Amazon
If you liked this book, I invite you to sign up to my newsletter to find out when the next one is released: http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html
If you enjoyed this story, please consider writing a review!
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading CHARMING THE SCHOLAR, the second full length story in The Seven Curses of London series. I invite you to read TRUSTING THE WOLFE, the novella that begins the series along with LOVING THE HAWKE, the first full-length book in the series, if you haven’t already.
The Seven Curses of London was written by James Greenwood and published in 1869. It provides a glimpse into some of the problems troubling London. CHARMING THE SCHOLAR focuses on Professional Thieves, which is chapter two of Greenwood’s book. As noted in some of the brief quotes of the book, children who were born into a life of crime were a problem that authorities struggled with as well as other types of thieves.
A big THANK YOU to my critique partners, Michelle Major, Lani Joramo, and Robin Nolet. Your assistance in creating and honing the story is priceless! My beta readers are so helpful as well and include Linda Benning, Sarah Billing, Lauren Billing, and Tracy Emro. Your feedback and support are incredibly helpful! Hugs to all of you!
If you’d like to know when my next book becomes available, I invite you to sign up for my email newsletter at: http://www.lanawilliams.net/contactlana.html, follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks or on Twitter at @LanaWilliams28.
Reviews help authors tremendously and also help other readers find books, so please consider leaving a review. They are much appreciated, and I read them all.
More historical romances are coming your way!
Happy reading!
Lana
Copyright © 2016 by Lana Williams
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1533577559
ISBN-10: 1533577552
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Charming the Scholar (The Seven Curses of London Book 2) Page 27
