Page 67 of Discovering Her Earl

She smacked him lightly in the shoulder as he turned her and she stepped on his foot yet again, making him laugh.

“While we’re on the subject of my abominable behavior, I must also apologize for running off the way I did.”

“Why did you leave?”

“After I realized what I’d done, I thought the kindest thing I could do was get out of your sight so you wouldn’t have to so much as look at me.”

She tilted her head and considered him.

“I don’t think I mind looking at you.” She scrunched up her nose before adding, “Very much.”

She’d been too honest and attempted to cover it with a joke. Fortunately, the dance came to a close and he released her to return to her aunt and uncle.

Unlike a proper ball, there were only a few dances, so she wasn’t able to dance with Julian again. Or sit with him at the supper table.

She was surprised he hadn’t said anything about Egypt. She’d initially thought he would attempt to get in her good graces in order to ensure he was allowed to go, but he hadn’t mentioned it at all. Except to wish her pleasant travels when dinner was over.

When the time came to make the announcement, her uncle called out in his booming voice for everyone’s attention. The smaller groups gathered into one mass around him so thick that Lainey couldn’t even see her uncle.

But she could see Julian across the room where he leaned against a doorframe away from the fray.

She noticed the slight smile at his lips, most likely meant to disguise his disappointment.

He was not the man she’d thought him to be. He wasn’t a villain set out to ruin her life. He had been a silly, drunken boy who’d made a mistake and thought he should be punished for it, even now.

She wondered why he expected such judgement for something he’d barely been guilty of. Watching him now, with the veil of anger gone, she saw him.

She saw the pain he tried to hide in humor, and the belief he wasn’t worthy of forgiveness. No doubt this was more damage caused by his miserable father.

Bloody bastard, she ranted silently. She almost wished the bugger was still alive so she could tell him how awful he was.

Lainey wanted to go to Julian and tell him how amazing he was. How kind and intelligent and good. She wanted to do something to heal the pain she now saw.

“For our next expedition to Egypt we will set up our site in the royal necropolis of Dahshur at the Bent Pyramid.”

The group gasped appreciatively and clapped, though most had no concept of what the announcement even meant. If they recognized the name, they would have only seen the pyramid in drawings. They might not even know why it was called bent.

She didn’t judge them for it, and her uncle seemed to appreciate their approval, even if it held little merit.

“And we welcome the addition of Lord Melville to our team.” Again, the group clapped, but she was watching the shock on Julian’s face.

Once he suppressed his surprise, he turned to her with a tilt to his head, questioning her from across the room as to why she had allowed this.

Before he could take a step in her direction, he was mobbed by several men offering congratulations by way of clapping him heartily on the back and raising their glasses.

Rather than wait for him to have the chance to question her, she drifted away. Aunt Rose found her and asked if she was ready to go home.

She jumped at the opportunity to escape.

Julian would have questions and she wasn’t sure yet how she might answer.

Chapter Twenty-One

Julian accepted congratulations from the group of people who had unfortunately blocked his view of Lainey. He felt like a fraud, but rather than call himself out in front of everyone, he waited until the crowd dispersed and he was alone with Lord Darlington.

“My lord, I must ask, did you override Miss Bantham’s recommendation?” If the man had cast Lainey’s opinion aside, Julian would have no choice but to decline the honor. He wouldn’t challenge her wishes.

“Pardon?” the man cocked his head to the side. “Oh. No. Of course not. I told you she would be the one to decide whether you were suited to join us.”