Page 6 of Discovering Her Earl

Not exactly. As he considered the flutter in his stomach, he realized he suffered an entirely different reaction than what the situation warranted. He briefly imagined kissing her, exploring the passion she barely reined in.

Absurd.

Passion came in all forms and was closely related. Anger was just the opposite side of the coin from desire. Though she was making an argument that perhaps some coins had only one side. All he’d seen was anger sparking from her eyes. He would be better served to find another adventure and stay clear of the woman.

But he wouldn’t. Or perhaps, it was that he couldn’t.

Julian blamed his father’s constant disapproval for his need to be accepted by every other person. After spending so much of his life not being good enough, he couldn’t tolerate anyone rejecting him now. It was ridiculous and clearly the reason for his surprisingly lustful reaction to the harpy.

She was pretty, with luscious curves that called for a man’s hands to trace them. He wasn’t sure how he’d had time to notice that when he feared she would pummel him, but he had. Call it a gift.

“I apologize for my niece,” Lord Darlington said. “She is usually quite pleasant. I’m not sure what caused that reaction. I’m certain she will come around and will be more than happy to welcome you.”

The man was unexpectedly generous after Julian had basically forced the man into an ultimatum. To allow Julian to join the expedition to Egypt or he would withdraw his funding.

It was a drastic measure, but he couldn’t afford to be turned away. This was his last chance for adventure, and he had done what needed to be done to secure his place. Or rather the place he’d taken under duress.

“It seemed she was quite concerned with my lack of training and the risk I might bring to the team. If there is anything I can do to reassure everyone I’m willing to learn, I would be happy to do so. I understand I know nothing, but if someone would only teach me, I promise, I’m a fast learner.”

And he was a fast learner in the sense that it took him only seconds to find a way to appease anyone in his presence. Even the woman who’d run off would have to agree he was willing to put her mind at ease.

Why hadn’t she liked him? He found he still wanted to track her down, though now that his unsolicited attraction had abated, he only wanted to find out why she’d seemed to loathe him. No one loathed him. He made certain of it.

The Darlingtons exchanged a look that seemed to contain an entire conversation. One that hadn’t needed to be spoken for them to understand each other. He’d seen Hale and his duchess communicate in a similar fashion many times and thought it proof that perhaps witchcraft was a real thing.

The devilish twinkle in Lady Darlington’s eyes and the crooked grin on Lord Darlington’s face gave Julian pause. He couldn’t help but feel he was about to be tossed into shark infested waters.

“There is a small expedition leaving in two weeks to the Highlands. It’s only the ruins of a castle, but it is said the castle was abandoned hastily which means there could be artifacts of value on the grounds that have been left behind. Even if there are no treasures to be found, it would still give you an opportunity to learn the techniques and determine if you are interested in digging about in the dirt. As well as give us the chance to evaluate your suitability for the larger expedition leaving in January. I believe you have an estate nearby which would be convenient.”

While Scotland didn’t have the same allure as Egypt, because Julian had already spent most of his youth in Scotland, he wouldn’t turn down this chance to prove himself worthy of his place on their team.

“I would be honored for the opportunity and to host the team at my home.”

“Very well. You should be ready to leave the first week of August. That will give you plenty of time to gather supplies.”

He offered a winning smile even if inside he felt the first flutter of panic.

Supplies? He didn’t have the first idea of what supplies he would need for an expedition. He gave a casual nod. He wouldn’t let the things he didn’t know stop him from taking advantage of this opportunity.

He would figure it out. Until then, excitement filled his veins.

He was going on an expedition. One that would lead him to the adventure of a lifetime. It would have to. He would only have this one opportunity to make enough memories to satisfy his thirst for excitement.

For when the expedition was over and he returned to England, he would choose a proper bride and marry.

Just as his father required.

Chapter Three

As Julian gazed around the room, he hated to admit even to himself that he was looking for her.

Miss Bantham.

Why hadn’t she succumbed to his charms? Everyone liked him. He went to great lengths to make sure of it.

Whatever it was, she most certainly didn’t like him and an hour later, he found it bothered him to the point of distraction.

He hadn’t even been given a chance to captivate her with his wit. She’d merely been introduced to him and decided from that short exchange she disliked him. Perhaps she was too English to accept his plaid sash and brogue. Except she had called him an arrogant dandy, not an uncivilized barbarian.