Free if hes wicked by Hannah Howell Page B

resolution. “I was hoping you would know, for I am sure it would tel us what he is going to
    do for Arthur. The man is in danger, as wel , and not just from the consequences of doing what Arthur asked of him.”
    Leo nodded, stood up, and tugged Chloe to her feet. “Aye, Arthur must see that he is losing his hold on the man, and he cannot al ow that to
    happen.”
    “Leo? You do not think al that young George talk meant that Conrad abuses boys, do you?”
    “I hope not. I would sorely regret saving the man’s life if that is so. Yet, we need to thwart as many of Arthur’s plots as we can.”
    “Conrad could also be a worthy witness.”
    “Not if he abuses boys. Sad to say, not even if his lover is a wil ing adult and just a little younger than Conrad.”
    “How unfair.”
    “True, but I fear that wil be a long time achanging. And this is not something I should be discussing with an unwed young woman. Now, since you
    were lurking behind drapes, I wil assume you have had enough of this gathering.”
    “More than enough.”
    “Then we wil gather Edgar and leave. I doubt I have much time to find Conrad and I should like to get started.”
    “Should we tel Julian about this?” she asked as they started out of the room.
    “It is not worth disturbing his sleep tonight. Morning wil be soon enough and, if I am lucky, we wil know who Conrad is and what Arthur wants.”

Chapter 5
    Julian was just climbing back into bed when someone rapped on the door. Assuming that it was either Todd or Wynn with his breakfast, he bid
    them enter as he settled himself more comfortably in bed. He was surprised when Chloe walked in, especial y when he saw that there were two plates on
    the tray she carried.
    “You mean to join me for breakfast?” he asked.
    “Wel , you need to eat and so do I,” she answered. “Leo is out, Anthony is walking in the park with Dilys, and I need to talk to you about something
    we discovered whilst at the Paxtons’. Do you wish to have your meal here or in the bed?”
    “At the table,” he replied as he climbed out of bed.
    Chloe watched as he walked over to the table. His steps were a little slow, but steady, and a vast improvement over the day before. He was
    improving rapidly. She found her gaze fixed upon his bare feet, long, slender feet with surprisingly long toes. The sight made her al too aware of the fact that beneath the heavy wool robe he wore Julian was probably naked. At best he wore no more than a thin linen nightshirt. The mere thought of how much
    more of him she would see if she slipped off his robe made Chloe suddenly feel very warm. Since she had never before been interested in what a man
    looked like without his clothes, she was puzzled by her reaction. She forced her thoughts to sitting down at the table so that he would also sit and began to set out their food.
    “So, what did you discover at the Paxtons’?” Julian asked after a few moments had passed while they both ate, devouring the food that tasted
    better when hot.
    “Aside from bad conversation and even worse food?” she murmured as she spread a thick coat of honey over her bread.
    “That was no great discovery. The Paxtons are wel known for both.”
    “And yet they continue to have gatherings and a lot of people continue to attend.”
    “One must be seen.”
    “Of course. Wel , a great many were seen at the Paxtons last night. So many that I felt a need to get away from them al . When a room is fil ed to
    bursting with people, not only does one become very warm, but one quickly discovers how few people bathe with any regularity.”
    Julian laughed and nodded. “A lot of people stil consider regular bathing bad for one’s health. Now, tel me why you are hesitating to tel me what
    you have discovered. That is why you are sharing this meal with me, is it not? To tel me what you discovered? Or have you changed your mind?”
    Chloe found it a little disturbing that he could so easily guess that she was avoiding