Julia’s bottom lip quivered for an interminable moment, then stilled. Her expression hardened, and then she shrugged.
“Really, Julia.” Katherine sighed. Julia was just stubborn enough to remain silent for months. “You knew the man for aday. You cannot truly be in mourning.”
Julia whipped around. The accusation in the depths of her eyes sent a shiver up Katherine’s spine, hips to neck.
“Lord Bromton,” Julia pointed out, “decided he wanted to marryyouin even less than that time.”
Katherine released an incoherent stutter of sounds. “What,” she stammered, “gave you that impression?”
Julia glanced heavenward. “Lord Bromton, of course.”
“You must have misunders—”
“Oh, for goodness sake. I locked Lord Bromton in the priest hole and demanded his intentions the night he kissed you in the billiards room. And by the way,” Julia raised a brow, “I, too, am vastly curious about this demimonde.”
“Julia,” she said warningly. “I was trying to frighten the marquess into leaving. Which, may I remind you, was your suggestion.”
“Your efforts wereexceedinglyeffective,” Julia replied drily.
Katherine stiffened. “The marquess had honorable intentions. Lord Rayne did not.”
Julia’s face crumbled. “Did hesayhe did not?”
Katherine cursed inwardly before choosing her words with care. “From what I understand, when Lord Bromton confronted Lord Rayne, Lord Rayne acknowledged his wrong.”
“Impossible.” Tears filled Julia’s eyes. “I know he felt what I was feeling. Hehadto.”
“Sentiments oftenfeelstrong, but the strength of a sentiment does not necessarily indicate the sentiment is shared…or real.”
“Real,” Julia spat. She held up a shaking hand. “Of course, my feelings arereal. I am trembling all over.”
Katherine plucked Julia’s hand from the air and held her sister’s fingers to her cheek. “I know, darling.”
How well she knew. She’d stood in front of Septimus, certain there was nothing more important than the consummation of their love, and absolutely positive that if they came together, he would see, and return, the depth of her love.
She’d been wrong. So,sowrong.
Julia’s expression softened, then she went limp, slumping against Katherine’s ribs. Katherine held her tight, placing a kiss on her forehead and rubbing her arm.
“Are you sure what I feel for Lord Rayne isn’t real?” Julia asked.
“The first time you fall is always the strongest.”
“Thefirst?” Julia went rigid. “Are you saying this could happenagain? With someone else?”
Katherine nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.”
Julia’s expression turned skeptical. “It doesn’t feel like mere fascination.”
“I know,” Katherine repeated. “Lord Rayne is a handsome, wealthy male, well aware of his advantages.”
Julia’s brow creased. “Do you mean to say other ladies admire Rayne the same way I admire Rayne?”
“LordRayne.”
Julia ignored the correction. “Do their hearts feel this heavy, too?”
“Doubtless,” Katherine replied.
