Page 64 of Discovering Her Earl

Yes, this would be the perfect place for him to go through with his plan.

Chapter Twenty

Julian had counted down the days and hours until this night. Finally, Lainey would have her revenge and she wouldn’t have to lift a finger to get it. He was pretty pleased with himself for coming up with the most perfect plan. She would have no choice but to forgive him after this.

“Wish me luck, Ben,” Julian said as his valet and friend brushed out his evening coat.

“Luck, my lord?”

“Tonight is the night I will face Miss Bantham.”

“Ah. You plan to apologize for your behavior?”

Bentley helped him into his coat and picked up the brush again to remove more non-existent lint. The man was the epitome of thoroughness.

“No. Even better. I plan to offer her vengeance.” Julian smiled at his valet’s somber reflection in the mirror.

The older man stopped brushing to cast a frown in his direction.

“Forgive me, my lord, but this sounds like something that will cause more damage. You made a mistake. In fact, one would say it was a misunderstanding because you were far too foxed to laugh at the girl intentionally. Rather you were just laughing in general. But no need to explain all of that. Just tell her how deeply sorry you are.”

“Can’t.”

“Why not?” The man tapped the brush against his leg in what was clearly irritation.

“If I apologize, she might forgive me and it would be too easy. She never married. She left London after that night. I ruined her life, Ben. An apology is not enough.”

“Proper young ladies do not generally seek vengeance, my lord.”

“No. You’re correct.” He let out a breath. “Miss Bantham is not what the ton considers proper.”

If she were, perhaps he could marry her to fulfill his father’s wishes while also having a wife he could actually care for and enjoy spending his life with.

But whomever his father had tasked with approving Julian’s choice certainly wouldn’t give his blessing for a woman who wore men’s clothes and spent much of her time digging in the dirt for treasure.

While Julian was fascinated that she’d traveled to the Orient rather than attend finishing school and could care less if she had the skills to be a proper countess, he couldn’t jeopardize the mines and the people whose lives depended on them by marrying someone so unorthodox.

But he thought often of their kiss and the way it had heated his blood like no other’s had. He’d thought it was because he’d known it was her first kiss and he’d worked hard to make sure it was as pleasant as possible. But that didn’t explain why it had been so pleasant for him.

It surely wasn’t his first kiss. Far from it.

Perhaps that’s why he had the perspective to know that the kiss with Elaina had been truly remarkable.

Whatever it was didn’t matter for he wouldn’t be doing it again. Ever.

And even if he could offer for someone like her, she would never consider him.

He might have softened her with a kiss and charmed a few smiles from her, but that was far from wedded bliss. He had only barely earned the brief friendship she’d offered during their time in Scotland.

Besides, she would be leaving for Egypt soon enough and he… wouldn’t.

He would have to count the expedition to Scotland as his grand adventure. The only thing he would be exploring now would be his options for a wife.

His heart clenched at the thought of marrying some stiff, society, debutante who would meet his father’s requirement and leave Julian cold.

It didn’t matter what he wanted. Not tonight.

Tonight, was all about Elaina and making things right.