36. Wychfort at her door.

That night.

LADY JULIA LAID ON HER BED in naught, but her night rail. she ought to be asleep, but the excitement of the day had made her happy and unable to sleep.

Sebastian was coming, and he was coming for her. Julia wanted to cry, she thought she had almost lost all hopes right after Sebastian had left for his estate, but here she was with news of Sebastian's impending arrival.

Surely it must mean something, Julia thought. she stood up from her bed and stepped into the balcony. There, she let the cool night breeze assail her as she looked outside.

Julia turned her head when she heard a knock at her door. Her brows furrowed. Had her maid forgotten something?

She sighed and started towards the door. Julia pulled it open, and instead of her maid, she saw Wychfort.

Julia was taken back, she narrowed her eyes at Wychfort and scowled.

Wychfort stared at her chest briefly, before he reached out and curled one strand of her hair around his finger.

Julia flinched and drew back in disgust.

Wychfort's brows creased. "Well—since your engagement had been called off, perhaps, you might want to reconsider my proposal."

Julia's mouth snapped open at that. His proposal! how impertinent!

She narrowed her eyes at him and looked him up and down. She couldn't help, but notice what a dandy he was.

Aside from the faint smell of the alcohol, which he had probably imbibed himself in, Wychfort was immaculately dressed, not a hair was out of place, and his coat fit to his shoulders well. His pantaloons were obviously tight, and his boots?—ah!  if it had been morning, Julia would have been able to see her face from the shine of his boots. It was no different from a looking glass.

Julia scrunched up her face in distaste.  "I will say this, for the last time, my lord. I will never, ever, agree to something as, disgraceful as being your mistress."

Done with her little speech, Julia stepped back to close the door, but before she could, Wychfort inserted his foot and stopped her action.

Wychfort bobbed on his feet and leaned forward. Then he stared at Julia from hooded eyes. "Why? isn't it enough?" he asked and grabbed hold of the door.

Julia's eyes widen as she took in that action. Wychfort wasn't pushing the door yet, but his body was poised as if he would soon do, and then where will that leave her.

"Hadn't  I promised to give you everything," Wychfort said and extended his foot further until it had entered her room and his thigh wedged the door from closing.

Julia panicked as she registered this, she watched Wychfort extend his leg until it had entered her room, that was when the true implication of Wychfort's presence dawned on her.

He hadn't just come here. He had come with a plan. He meant to compromise her so that she would no longer be desirable, and the option of marriage would be ruled out, then she would have no other option than to turn to him, and accept all that he has to offer.

Julia's eyes widen as realization dawned on her, she turned her head and scanned the room for any object for an attack. Julia saw the pitcher of water that had been left on the table and leaned sideways to grab it.

Her fingertips touched the handle and she lightly dragged it back.

"My love, " Wychfort growled and grabbed her face. Julia flinched and paused her movement. Her chest rose and fell as she slowly turned her head and stared at Wychfort through horrified eyes.

Julia saw Wychfort shamelessly stare at her chest. she closed her eyes for a moment. The simultaneous rhythm of her chest, as it rose and fell seems to have immobilized Wychfort, for he paused, with his hand on Julia's jaw, and shamelessly looked his fill.

Julia was disgusted, but she acted fast. she used the opportunity to curl her fingers around the handle of the pitcher, lift it up and douse it on Wychfort's head

surprised, Wychfort staggered back. quickly Julia bent down and removed her slippers, she stood up and smacked it on Wychfort's arm.

He removed his leg from the door and wobbled back in shock. without wasting time Julia pushed the door close, bolted it, and raced to her bed.

She heard him knock again, but by now Julia already knew who it was.

So she closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

~~~

THE MORNING HAD COME and gone. The men dined early in the breakfast room, while Julia breakfasted in her room. Now, the ladies busied themselves with their needlework, while the men disappeared outside for a more vigorous sport.

Julia had pleaded sick and had been allowed to climb up, back to her room. it was times like this that Julia wished she was someplace else. somewhere where she could ride, as much as she wanted.

Julia sighed and leaned forward to grab a Gothic novel from the table. she snapped it open and began to read, not out of enjoyment, but out of necessity, for at one point,  she had expected the house party to result in something like this, so she had come, fully prepared.

~~~

DINNER WAS AT EIGHT, Julia was informed, with the guests expected to meet for drinks and conversation during the hour prior.

Julia entered the drawing-room and soon became aware of Cole at her elbow.  He championed her and refused to leave her side.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Julia saw Wychfort, he was leaning on the wall as he stared at her, patiently waiting for Cole to move an inch so he could replace him.

Julia let her eyes drift away from him for she knew that Wychfort couldn't come and join them in their conversation, for his business with her was quite a shameful one.

"When do you suppose, Sebastian would be arriving?" Julia turned and asked Cole. "you told me he would soon be here."

Cole smiled. "I did, but I didn't specify when—you see, it could be today, tomorrow, or perhaps a fortnight."

"A fortnight?" Julia gasped. "you can't possibly mean that."

Cole grinned. "oh I do, perhaps yes, perhaps no, who knows?"

Julia scowled and turned her face the other way.