29. Running away.

****Mayfair, London.

SEBASTIAN HAD CONFINED himself to his study and refused to come out, all because a certain someone was upstairs. He buried his head in a book and concentrated on his work. But truth be told. Who was he deceiving? he was barely reading at all. Still, he refused to come out. It was as if he was punishing himself.

Sebastian sat still in his chair, his long slim fingers holding the book in a tight grip. His back ached, but he dare not leave the room. Sebastian didn't trust himself around her. He didn't know what he might do.

He didn't trust himself to keep his hands in gentlemanly bounds.

Earlier today before he decided to confine himself to the four walls of his study. Sebastian had climbed upstairs. He had no business doing so, but immediately he heard Julia's voice. He had been tempted to do.

Without even knowing when or how, Sebastian closed the account book he was working on. Hanton Abbey direly needed his attention, but at the moment he didn't care. He was gripped by this desire to see her. He wanted to see Julia, again.

Sebastian climbed the stairs as if in a daze. His head reeling with various visions of Julia. his eyes shone a bright light and his lips involuntarily twitched to the side when he heard her laugh. He smiled even though he didn't know what she was laughing about. all he knew was that it sounded good, and he wanted to hear more of it.

Sebastian reached the door of the drawing-room and hesitated. He gripped the door and gently pushed it open.

The first thing he saw was Julia's back view. Her beautiful red hair was arranged tactfully in a coiffure. he had always liked Julia's hair. Seeing it resting on her head did something to him. He thought she looked enchanting. King William IV, might as well be in this room and he wouldn't know. So it is no wonder that he didn't notice his sister hovering by Julia's side.

Sebastian thought the back of Julia's cloth made her look enchanting. But what about the front? Sebastian was not prepared for the sight that met him when Julia turned to face him.

Sebastian felt himself stagger back slightly. Julia's gown was designed to make a man break out in instant sweat. But then she smiled at him, and he thought his world must have stopped moving.

He saw Julia moving, and part of his brain registered the fact that she was moving toward him.

For the first time in his life, Sebastian felt himself retreating. he wasn't sure what he might do to Julia if she stood before him with all those lushnesses. sister or no sister, he might just forget Vicky was in the room and ravish Julia. Starting from her hair. He would remove the pins that were holding up her hair, one by one.

Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment and swallowed. He opened them and turned, presenting his back to Julia.

Sebastian staggered out, leaving a gaping and confused Julia behind.

Back in the study, Sebastian gripped his book and snapped it shut when it became obvious that he would not understand a thing. He could still remember the look of hurt on Julia's face when he had left her standing there. He wanted to run upstairs and tell her he didn't mean it. He wanted to wipe that look of hurt out of her face and he wanted to kiss it, till she forgot to breathe.

He stood from his chair and paced in a circle. Sebastian had still not recovered from what he had seen upstairs. It was as if he didn't know how to control himself again. he saw her breast, and all he could think of was how her breast fitted to his palm.

Sebastian could still remember the way the bodice of her dress held her breast, just like a lover's hand would. He wanted his hand to be the one replacing that dress. Sebastian wanted his hand to be the one cupping her breast.

The duke of Hanton groaned and threw his head back. He closed his eyes and groaned. He couldn't believe he was jealous of a mere cloth. Sebastian opened his eyes and his eyes hardened.

A decision has been made. It was for the best.

He walked over to his desk and pulled the Bell bop, sending for his valet.

Minutes later, a young valet can be seen rushing to his master. "Your grace," he said.

Sebastian had only eight words for him. "Ready my things, we are leaving for Wiltshire."

~~~

THAT EVENING, what Sebastian didn't know was that as soon as he left for Wiltshire, an emergency meeting was held in the drawing-room of his townhouse. Only if he knew.

Three heads could be seen bent over a foolscap as if orchestrating a great conspiracy. One of them was a man while the other two were women.

"What do you mean he just up and left, and you knew nothing about it until now," Cole asked

Vicky gasped, "don't look at me like that. Julia was also here, and she knew nothing about it too."

When Cole heard that he frowned and rubbed his jaw. after a moment, he opened his mouth. "What exactly happened, Julia? What did he say when he came to the drawing-room?"

Julia couldn't bring her self to speak immediately. Sebastian was gone. She still couldn't believe it. just when she thought she was making progress, Sebastian just up and left. The season was gradually ending, and she was no different from where she started. Empty with no offer.

Julia wanted to cry. Why was Sebastian making things hard for her? what could she possibly do from here. When he was at Wiltshire. The distance was far.

"Julia!" Cole bellowed. "You seem to have forgotten that am still waiting for a reply."

Julia stared at Cole and noticed his expression was serious.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing!" Julia cried. "He said nothing." he just stared at me and left. The next we heard was that he had departed for Wiltshire."

Cole bent his head and thought. "Was this the gown you were wearing when he saw you?"

"Yes." Julia gasped out

Cole frowned. "Very well."

"What do you mean, very well," Julia cried.

Cole raised a brow. "We will just move over to the next stage."

"Next stage!" Julia shrieked. "He is not even here."

"I know." Cole mumbled, "this stage doesn't require his presence."

"And if it doesn't work?" Vicky chirped in.

Cole sighed. "If it doesn't, then I don't know what will. If it doesn't work, then we might have to force him to compromise you. That way he would be forced to marry you.

Julia shivered at that thought. "I hope it doesn't come to that. I wouldn't want him to feel trapped in a marriage to me."