“It seems likely. Which is most unfortunate; she is a lovely girl.”
“Honestly,sheis the kind of woman Hugh should have wed. He would have been happy with her. She’s everything a lady ought to be. I am constitutionally incapable of pleasing my husband.”
“I’m certain that’s not the case. He married you, after all.”
“That’s not…” She stuttered, continuing, “I hoped by taking a visit to the country, away from the ton, we might be able to connect. Now that we’re more accustomed to each other than we were on the honeymoon.”
“…and away from Agatha.”
“Yes, but he is insisting Tom bring her when he joins us later in spring when she might get some fresh air to help with her megrims.”
“The only thing that helps with her megrims is constant, fawning attention from her sons.” That earned me a bright burst of laughter.
“Once it was decided she would join, I thought to invite Jules to have a friendly face. But I will be humiliated, and she will be insulted daily.”
“Certainly, once you’re in the country, Hugh will remember the girl staying in his home.”
Her answer was nothing but a skeptical look. “Alright, perhaps not.”
Her gaze shifted, moving over me thoughtfully, a calculating gleam in her eyes.
I eyed her back and warned her, “Whatever you’re considering, absolutely not.”
“You don’t even know what I’m about to say.”
“I’ve seen that look in a woman’s eyes before; it never ends well for the gentleman she’s eyeing.”
“Please, Michael?”
I ran a tired hand along my face. “What is it?”
“Join us in the country.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Please, I just need you to distract Jules from my husband’s poor manners.”
“And provide another target for Agatha.”
She shrugged in answer, not denying my accusation.
“If you’re so inclined, I won’t reject help from any quarter.”
I should have said no outright. I should not even have considered this. I had no business flitting about the country with an engaged debutant. My foolish brother would not be pleased with my presence. Not to mention the neglect my own business would suffer in my absence. But… It was Lady Juliet.
Eleven
CARRIAGE TO THORNTON HALL, KENT - APRIL 1, 1814
JULIET
He orchestrated this entire event.I had not the slightest idea how or why, but I knew it was him.
Somehow, I was sitting across from Mr. Wayland and Viscount Grayson in the family carriage with Kate at my side. Mr. Wayland was wearing a feigned look of innocence. Kate as well. All was well when Kate and the viscount arrived to collect me. Then they informed me of another stop before we set off to Thornton Hall. Without a word of warning, the carriage turned down Curzon Street and pulled to a halt outside a gambling hell. A gambling hell called Wayland’s.
My stomach sank with realization and horror and had not yet recovered. Before I had even a moment to prepare, the door opened, and Mr. Wayland took a seat across from me.
“Lady…” the viscount began.
