Free All Things Beautiful by Cathy Maxwell Page A

windows. Immediately, Julia recognized her as the veiled woman who had attended their wedding.
    Julia’s face blazed hot with embarrassment. “Please, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were…” Her voice trailed off. Brader had been talking to someone when she’d entered the sunroom. How stupid of her not to hold her temper until they were alone.
    The woman held a small hand up to her. “Please, child, do not be embarrassed. I’ve been waiting many years for someone to stand up to Brader.” Her unfocused blue eyes twinkled with appreciation. “Come to think of it, I’ve never heard anyone tell Brader to his face that matters can’t go his own way. I certainly never argued with him.”
    “Still, I didn’t mean to disturb your conversation with him. It’s a terrible lapse of manners on my part.”
    “Come here, child,” the woman ordered, in a tone, for all its softness, as imperial as Brader’s.
    “Mother, I don’t think this is wise,” Brader said quietly.
    Mother! Julia’d never imagined Brader having a parent, let alone springing from the body of this fragile woman.
    “Of course it’s wise, Brader. Julia is right. She is your wife, and her place is with you.”
    His jaw tightened, but he made no further reply.
    “Come, Julia,” his mother repeated. “Sit next to me.” She waved a thin hand toward the room in general, and it was at that moment Julia realized his mother was blind. “We need to know each other better.”
    Julia shot a look at Brader. His expression bitter, he nodded his head for her to comply with his mother’s wishes. Dutifully, Julia sank into a chair close to his mother’s and took the hand offered to her.
    “I’m Nancy Ashford. You may call me Nan.” Her voice held the gentlest hint of a reprimand. “Since my son didn’t tell you of my existence, perhaps now is too soon for Mother.”
    “Ashford?” Immediately, Julia could have bit off her tongue.
    “Brader, you haven’t told Julia, have you?” Nan Ashford turned toward where she’d last heard her son’s voice, but Brader had silently walked over beside her.
    “It isn’t necessary. She won’t be staying.”
    Nan gave him a beatific smile. “We shall see.”
    Brader looked over his mother’s head to Julia. His eyes glittered with an implied threat. “We shall, won’t we?” He stepped back. “If you’ll excuseme?” He waited only the barest moment after Nan nodded her head to leave the room.
    Troubled, Julia squeezed Nan’s hand and whispered, “I’ll be back in a moment.” Rising, she followed Brader out the sunroom door.
    “Brader. Brader, wait.”
    He whirled on her. “Madam, we have nothing to discuss.”
    “I didn’t mean to create a scene in front of your mother—or anyone.”
    Patent disbelief etched on his face, Brader pointed a finger at her. “Do not involve her in whatever scheme you have in mind. You may play your games with me, Julia Markham, but not with my mother. Do you understand?”
    Julia slapped his hand out of her way. “I am not playing a game. I came here because I am your wife.”
    “Oh, yes, and you want to create a child.” He stepped close to her. His thighs rubbed against hers. She had to lean back to look up at him, but she would not back away. She would not give Brader Wolf the satisfaction of making her back down.
    He lowered his voice until its unique vibrancy sang in her ears. “You’d like to have me wrapped around your little finger wouldn’t you, like Carberry and how many others? Watch your step, Julia. I’m not one of your aristocratic pets. You may get more than you bargain for.”
    Julia struggled with a sudden breathlessness. Why did her body turn to jelly around this man?She fought back. “You’re so smug. You think you know everything about me, don’t you?”
    He didn’t bother to reply but turned and started walking. Julia dearly wished she had something to throw right at the middle of his broad back.
    “And you, Brader Wolf? What of your