Chapter 17
Julian made sure he was the first person down before dinner so that he could greet the rest of his guests.
His valet had informed him that his mother had arrived and was comfortably settled in her room.
He was beginning to regret not bringing his butler and more of his staff, but he hadn’t expected a full house—just a few intimate friends who would happily overlook any indiscretions in their midst. It was how he preferred to live his life, but it seemed fate was against him.
“Julian.” Aragon bounded in. He’d changed into evening attire but still had a few wisps of hay stuck to his lapel. “A word.”
Julian raised an inquiring eyebrow.
“Lady Carenza.” Aragon looked at him expectantly.
“What about her?”
Aragon took a quick look around the room before he leaned closer to Julian. “I don’t think she’s the one for me.”
“Mother will be pleased.”
“I’m not worried about Mother. What do you think?”
“I hate to disappoint you, but I have no opinion on your choice of bride. That decision is entirely up to you.”
“I thought you’d be disappointed in me.”
“Not at all. Thinking matters through and concluding you will not suit shows great maturity, brother. I’m proud of you.”
Aragon rolled his eyes. “Now you sound like Mother.”
“Good Lord, I hope not.” Julian paused. “Might I ask what persuaded you that Lady Carenza was not the woman for you?”
Aragon looked anywhere but at Julian. “Oh, you know, things …”
“Such as?”
“She’s rather bossy.”
“Indeed.” Julian fondly remembered her earlier commands when she’d been naked in his bed. “I suppose you’ve had enough of that with Mother.”
“Enough of what?” Their mother entered the drawing room. She wore a dark blue silk gown with a black lace trimming and feathers in her hair.
He went over to take her gloved hand and kissed it. “Your excellent advice, of course,” Julian said.
“I was just telling him that I’m no longer considering Lady Carenza as a bride,” Aragon said helpfully as he kissed his mother’s cheek.
“Well, things would have ended much sooner if you hadn’t kept up your acquaintance with her, Julian. Her family are not good ton.”
“I say, that’s jolly unfair,” Aragon protested. “They’re both lovely girls. Grew up with them, like them a lot.”
Julian met his brother’s gaze. “I agree.” He turned to his mother. “Did you have a safe journey from London?”
“Yes, this place is conveniently close.” Lady Isobel looked around the drawing room. “It’s quite pleasant here.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“I didn’t say that. I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve seen the whole house.” Her cool gaze raked over him. “Who else have you invited?”
Julian was just about to answer when Carenza and her sister came in together, both of them in shades of blue.
“Oh.” His mother pursed her lips. “I thought we were done with the Musgroves.”
“Not in my house.” Julian left her and went over to the new arrivals. “Good evening, Lady Carenza, Lady Allegra.”
He smiled as he kissed their hands, then turned his attention to Carenza, who looked like a very well-satisfied woman. He wondered if anyone else would notice. He almost wished they would …
Allegra went off to speak to Aragon, leaving Julian with Carenza. The bodice of her evening gown was low enough for him to see the swell of her breasts and a slight bruise where he’d bitten her throat.
“You’re looking very well this evening, my lady.”
Her smile was a delight. “I am enjoying the country air, sir. I find it most invigorating.”
“I quite agree.” He looked up as more guests appeared. “Will you excuse me?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll go and speak to your mother. She always looks so pleased to see me.”
Julian was still smiling as he went to greet Maude Cooper and her husband, Gerald, who had once been a good friend of his.
He’d heard from Carenza that the marriage was not a happy one, and he’d hoped that some time together in the countryside with a group of trusted friends would help repair some of the damage such long-term separations caused.
To his dismay, the animosity between the couple was almost palpable.
Maude looked ready to burst into tears, and Gerald’s face was red.
“Thank you for the invitation.” Mr. Cooper bowed very correctly to Julian. “It is a relief to get away from London.”
“And a chance for you to reconnect with your charming wife,” Julian said. “She has missed you quite dreadfully.”
Gerald’s laugh was short. “Not that I’ve noticed. She seems to have managed perfectly well without me.”
“Excuse me,” Maude said, her voice trembling. “I need to speak to Carenza.”
She slipped away, leaving Julian staring at Gerald.
“Would you rather she’d fallen apart and insisted you came home?” Julian asked, his tone mild, his question more pointed. “Surely her ability to keep your family together without you is to be celebrated and appreciated rather than used against her?”
“I …” Gerald sighed. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“You’ve been absent for almost five years,” Julian said.
“Not by choice.”
“And your wife didn’t have any choice, either, did she? Yet she did her duty just the same.” Julian held the man’s defensive gaze. “You are better than this, my friend.”
“Good evening, Julian.” Lady Brenton interrupted their conversation seemingly without a qualm. “What a lovely house you have.”
Gerald bowed and walked away, leaving Julian with an unsettled feeling. He’d attempted to make his friend see reason, but what right did he have to meddle in someone else’s marriage? He dragged his gaze down to the beautiful woman in front of him.
“Good evening, Lady Brenton. How is your husband?”
“He’s quite well, thank you. He sends his regards.” She looked around the room, her gaze avid. “I’m trying to work out which one of these ladies has taken my place.”
“Perhaps you are irreplaceable.”
Her smile was complacent. “If you wish to resume our relationship, please just say so.”
“I do not.”
She pouted. “So the rumors are true. You have moved on. Now, who on earth is it?”
He bowed. “I hope you have an enjoyable stay, my lady. If you will excuse me.”
His mother frowned as he went past, but he didn’t stop to hear her criticisms of his choice of guests.
She’d invited herself and would just have to put up with it.
He made sure to welcome Viscount Chartwell, who was talking to Allegra, and then found himself face-to-face with Mrs. Sheraton.
She wore black, which she favored because it suited her, and dark red rubies around her throat and in her hair.
She batted her eyelashes at him. “I suppose I should have mentioned that Carenza and I are at odds before accepting your kind invitation.”
“I’m more interested in why you thought it a good idea to bring Lady Brenton with you.”
She studied his face. “I think she is involved with Walcott.”
“I already knew they’ve become friends.”
“No, I think it is more than that.”
“They’re lovers?”
Mrs. Sheraton rolled her eyes. “Typical of a man to jump straight to the physical. How about co-conspirators?” He stared at her, and she smiled. “My thoughts were that if you had the opportunity to speak privately to Lady Brenton, she might admit her part in this plot to ruin your reputation.”
“Why on earth would she choose to unmask herself to me—the very person she hates enough to want to destroy?” Julian asked.
“Because love and hate are very closely aligned, Mr. Laurent. Isn’t it obvious?”
“She’s not capable of love.”
“That’s rather harsh, wouldn’t you say?” She met his gaze. “Everyone loves someone.”
“Lady Brenton loves only herself.”
“Then you’ll have to find a way to use that against her, sir. You’re a clever man; you’ll think of something.” She inclined her head. “Now, I really must go and make my peace with Carenza. She’s been studiously ignoring me for the past half hour.” She walked away.
Carenza wasn’t particularly surprised when Olivia marched up and demanded her attention.
Her friend had never been one to avoid an argument—in truth, she relished them.
Usually, Carenza capitulated before the first blow was struck, but on this occasion, she wasn’t quite so willing to fold her cards easily.
“Mrs. Sheraton.”
“Good evening, Carenza. I suppose you’re wondering why I brought Lady Brenton with me.”
“No, I’m wondering why you came at all.”
Olivia blinked. “Good Lord, I really did offend you.”
“Yes, you did.” Carenza smiled. “Now, are you going to apologize, or shall we simply avoid each other for the next few days? I don’t want to spoil Julian’s house party.”
“You know I never apologize.”
“Then we have nothing more to say to each other.” Carenza half turned away.
“Wait.” Olivia frowned. “What about Lady Brenton?”
“I’m sure you’ve spoken to Julian about your intentions. He is your host and the one most personally affected by your odd decision.” Carenza paused. “I know you can be unkind, Olivia, but I never thought you would be callous enough to bring a man’s ex-mistress to his own home.”
Carenza turned and walked away. She didn’t care what Olivia thought of her, but she had to protect Julian.
She glanced over to find him watching her, his light blue eyes full of some kind of emotion she didn’t want to examine too closely.
He was her friend, he was her lover, and he deserved to be defended.
The housekeeper came in to announce that dinner would be served.
Julian took his mother’s arm, but as it was supposed to be an informal occasion, everyone else simply filed in after them.
Allegra was chatting away quite happily to Viscount Chartwell as he pulled out a chair for her.
Carenza paused on the threshold, wondering where to sit.
With the arrival of Julian’s mother and Lady Brenton, the numbers were not quite even.
“Lady Carenza.” Aragon waved at her. “Come and sit beside me.”