The mysterious guest seated next to Hester had dark chestnut hair adorned with jewels. Her dress draped in the Grecian style the countess had inspired. She was beautiful. Hauntingly beautiful. But the excited fury that lit her eyes left Alicia cold.
“Meet Madame Bianci,” Hester replied. “Your lover’s former mistress.”
“Hester,” Alicia breathed, “what have you done?”
Madame Bianci assessed Alicia with a jealous glare. After a short perusal, her shoulders relaxed and a slight smile touched her mouth. She’d judged herself superior.
“I am sorry we must meet under these unfortunate circumstances.” Her exaggerated accent was of indeterminate origin. “I understand you are considering an arrangement with the Duke of Ashbey.”
“With due respect...Madame Bianci, was it? I am doing no such thing.”
“No need to draw daggers, my dear,” the Madame continued. “No one in the world understands as well as I.” She sighed. “Ash can be thoughtful. Generous, too. His gifts make you think he understands...has a heart.”
Ashbey. Ash.Alicia was going to be sick.
“But no.” The Madame’s lips pinched. “He cultivates with such care only to engender obligation.”
“He wants you to feel you owe him,” Hester explained.
As if Alicia did not understand. As if she hadn’t known from the start. But she hadn’t heeded her misgivings, had she? She’d allowed herself to be seduced, not with caresses and pretty gifts, but with the admiration he’d faked.
“Madame, I would never consent to be anyone’s mistress. Thank you for your time—”
“The Duke of Ashbey is a villain,” the Madam interrupted, calmly removing her glove. She lifted her hand. A jagged scar marred her palm and fingers. “He did this to me the day I told him we were finished.”
Alicia stared at the scar, her heart pounding in her throat.Impossible.Cold and unkind, yes. But this?
“Do you know the family history?” Madame Bianci asked.
“Of course,” Alicia replied.
“His father killed, no matter what the courts decided. Hot blood, too.” Madame Bianci’s eyes glittered. “No planning. He just...” She snapped her fingers. “A sword through his valet’s stomach, right in front of his wife. Smart woman, she ran.”
Oh God, Ash.
“I ran, too.” Madame Bianci leaned forward. “If you wish to remain unharmed, I suggest you do the same.”
“You see, Alicia?” Hester asked. “You simply cannot trust this man.”
Alicia turned to Hester. “I cannot believe you would sink this low.”
“That child,” Hester pointed to Alicia’s still-flat belly, “will be shunned without the Stone family’s acceptance.”
Madame Bianci gasped. “Child?”
“There is no child,” Alicia lied.
“I should think not,” Madame Bianci said. “Ashbey would never allow bad blood into this world. The line dies with him.”
Alicia paled. “Again, Madame,” she said, “I thank you for your time. I’ve never been introduced to the Duke of Ashbey.” That much was true. “My Aunt has lost her mind.” She slanted a glance to Hester and whispered, “Laudanum.”
“I only wished to help.” Madame shrugged as she carefully donned her glove. “His wife died in a tragic fire. They say she set the blaze, but perhaps not. If she were with child, a child he did not want...”
Alicia’s heart leapt into her throat. “I told you. I have never been introduced to the Duke of Ashbey. Tell her you were mistaken, Aunt Hester. Tell hernow.”
Hester frowned. “I—I—could have misheard.”
The Madame shrugged. “Better yet, then.” She rose. “I will see myself out.”
