Tristan turned around, fully ready to give James a proper tongue-lashing, but he was interrupted by his cousin speaking again.
“Oh, hello, what’s this?” James commented, frowning. He nodded, and Tristan turned around to see a footman hurrying toward them, with a silver platter in one hand, bearing a single letter.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but a message has arrived for you,” the footman explained, lowering the tray. Tristan took the letter and dismissed the man with a nod.
“It’ll be a letter of congratulations, I imagine,” James said, seeming to lose interest.
Tristan said nothing, staring down at the envelope. It was a good-quality letter, written on excellent paper, sealed with fine red wax, and bearing his name in exquisite handwriting on the front.
The letter was also scented, leaving a trail of rosewater and a sharp rose perfume.
Tristan knew at once who’d written the letter. Swallowing hard, he broke the seal and opened the letter.
Your Grace,
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your wedding. I will not deny that the speed of your engagement was rather shocking to society in general, myself included. However, you, of course, must be the best judge of your own happiness. I wish you luck with your new little bride. Do accept my apologies for not being present at your wedding. I did not receive an invitation to the wedding breakfast, which I assume was an oversight. Think nothing of it, however, as I do not wish to upset you on your special day.
I am quite sure we will see each other again. You see, Tristan, I have not forgotten you, even though you are a dull married man now! There is very little I forget.
My fondest regards,
Your Friend,
Miss Juliana Bolt
Tristan stared at the letter for a long moment, clenching his jaw until his teeth squeaked.
I should have known she would not let me go so easily.
The plain fact was that he had not thought of Juliana since the engagement. He presumed that once she knew about his plans to marry Madeline, she would lose interest. She did not love him; he knew that, and he was sure that she knew, in the bottom of her heart, that he could not marry an opera singer.
The letter made him rethink everything. Perhaps Juliana had more affection for him than he had realized, or maybe it was all a matter of possession.
Either way, he suspected that he’d just made an enemy. Juliana Bolt was clever, beautiful, and most of all, ruthless. She knew how the world worked. She knew how to make things happen. Sheknew.
And if she decided to make life difficult for him, what would come next? What might she do?
Our relationship was not exactly a secret,Tristan thought.We were seen together at the Devil’s Clubhouse at least once.
He thought uneasily of Madeline. Would Juliana turn her ire onto her? Surely not. That would be unfair.
All’s fair in love and war,he thought grimly.
“Bad news?” James asked lightly, nodding toward the letter.
Tristan gave a grim smile, slowly crumpling the paper in his hand.
“Nothing to worry about. Only some of my past mistakes catching up with me.”
James gave a huff of laughter. “And you think that is nothing to worry about?”
“I think it is my concern. Don’t worry about me, James. I’ll manage.”
James eyed him thoughtfully, then gave a slow nod. “I’m sure of it, Tristan. You always do.”
Tristan gave a tight smile at that. He was aware of James’ eyes resting curiously on him, clearly wanting more information. James, however, apparently knew his cousin well enough not to bother with additional questions.
“I shall send over the money you need tomorrow,” Tristan said brusquely, changing the subject. “Will that suit you?”
