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pockets, disliking the feeling that he had somehow been tricked.
    Of course, Julia’s perfidy did not stretch to the length of Therese’s. Therese had purposefully set out to ruin him, while Julia’s only fault had been in taking advantage of a plum opportunity that was too good to resist.
    Considering Julia’s unfortunate situation, Alec wondered if he could fault her for wishing to better her circumstances, even if it was at his own expense. And despite his ire, Julia had been right in one thing: without her assistance, he would have been left with nothing.
    She stirred and turned onto her back, nestling into the pillow. The edge of her skirt slipped from beneath the covers to drape to the floor. The threadbare muslin was a stark contrast to the elaborate material of the counterpane. A twist of disgust rose in him, dispelling his anger further. She was dressed like a commonplace chambermaid. Damn Therese and her selfishness.
    Of course, he realized with a sardonic grimace, the same could be said for him. He, too, was using Julia for his own purposes. Though he had blithely promised her an annulment, he knew such a move would be disastrous; her reputation would be in tatters. Society would snicker behind feathered fans and enjoy her discomfort.
    He crossed to the bed and looked at her sleeping face. Sighing in her sleep, she smiled, the shadow of a dimple racing across one cheek. Her hair rippled like golden brown satin across the pillows. Against his will, he touched a strand and marveled at the softness.
    Her lashes rested on the cream of her cheeks, and her nose, clearly visible without her infernal spectacles, was narrow and patrician. Except for the undeniable sensuality of her mouth, Julia looked as fresh and unspoiled as a country maid.
    But there was fire behind that prim exterior. Fire and passion, if her unexpected response to his kiss proved anything.
    He rubbed his bottom lip thoughtfully. It was a good thing they were married in name only. A man could get burned by heat like that.
    As if she heard his thoughts, she opened her eyes, blinking sleepily.
    She had beautiful eyes, he thought idly. Startlingly so.
    “Where am I?” she asked in a husky voice.
    A smile almost slipped from him. Trust Julia to get straight to the matter of things. “My townhouse. You fell asleep as soon as we left the vicar’s. 1 decided not to wake you.”
    She struggled to rise, only getting as far as one elbow before pressing a hand to her head, her delicate brows lowering. “Oww.”
    “I warned you about that punch.” Her only answer was to cover her eyes and ease back onto the pillow as if her head was made of the finest crystal.
    Alec crossed to the bellpull. He had barely tugged the embroidered rope when the door opened and his valet entered. Alec scowled. He hated it when the servants hovered, and Chilton was the worst of the lot.
    The valet was aquiver with curiosity. “Good morning, milord. I took the liberty to request breakfast be served within the half hour.” Though he addressed Alec, his bright gaze rested on Julia’s prostrate form.
    Alec moved in front of Julia. “Bring a bottle of rum.”
    Chilton hesitated. “I beg your pardon, milord, but… did you request
rum
?”
    “A bottle of rum and two glasses.”
    The valet gaped. “Before breakfast? But the mistress… I mean, it is quite early and… you were just wed… surely you don’t mean to—”
    “Rum,” Alec repeated. He opened the door. “And be quick about it.”
    Chilton’s thin mouth pinched with disapproval. “Very well, milord.” Outrage evident in every bone in his thin body, the valet marched out.
    Alec sighed. What had he been thinking, to offer a place to Grandfather’s old retainers?
    Julia noted the crease between Alec’s eyes, and an overwhelming urge to lay her head on her pillow and cry tightened her throat. It was silly and she knew it. But she was totally, utterly miserable. Her stomach roiled, her mouth was as dry as cotton,