Julien inclined his head. “I regret that my visit is not one of pleasure, my lady. I come regarding certain rumors presently circulating within society — rumors concerning my sister.”
Miss Langford’s fingers tightened.
Lady Lyndehurst’s expression did not change. “Society is never short of rumors.”
“True,” Julien replied evenly. “But these particular rumors have not arisen spontaneously. They have been repeated withremarkable consistency, and in identical phrasing. That suggests authorship rather than coincidence.”
Miss Langford’s gaze dropped.
Julien did not raise his voice. He did not need to. The quiet precision of his tone carried far greater weight than anger ever could.
“My sister’s reputation has been impugned,” he continued. “It has been suggested she was compromised. That Lord Marklynne withdrew his attentions because of this and that the wedding of my sister and Adrian Grant was executed under duress. Any notion that their marriage was one of necessity and convenience rather than devotion is laughable to those who know them well. These claims are not merely false. They are malicious.”
Lady Lyndehurst folded her hands in her lap. “Young ladies sometimes speak without considering consequences.”
Julien’s gaze flicked briefly to Miss Langford before returning to her aunt. “Young ladies learn their speech from their elders… I happen to know that Miss Langford herself is not entirely free of scandal. There was an event that occurred in Hampshire, I believe, that would be most damaging should it come to light. And of course, Lady Lyndehurst, there is your unfortunate level of indebtedness given your terrible skill and worse luck at the card table. Indebtedness that your nephew, until he marries well, does not have the means to correct. It would be a pity for that information to become public knowledge… I imagine that those with gossiping minds and tongues would find it mostdiverting.”
Silence settled over the room.
Miss Langford’s composure faltered.
Lady Lyndehurst studied him more carefully. “And what is it you propose, Mr. Harcourt?”
“That the rumors cease immediately,” he said. “That they be corrected with the same enthusiasm with which they were spread. And that this correction be made publicly. I believe you are close acquaintances with a lady that likes to write nasty columns under an assumed name. Miss Langford’s reputation will suffer for it, but I’m certain that if it phrased sympathetically to highlight her youthfulness and her jealousy, it might not be truly ruinous for her.”
Miss Langford inhaled sharply. “Henry would disavow me entirely! You cannot do that!”
“Hush, child! You’ve said quite enough already,” Lady Lyndehurst snapped. In a much cooler tone, she turned her sharp words toward Julien, “You presume a great deal.”
“I presume only that you value your nephew’s future prospects,” Julien replied. “And your goddaughter’s.”
Something sharpened in her gaze.
He allowed the pause to lengthen before continuing.
“My own inquiries have revealed certain… financial realities surrounding the Marklynne estate. Debts accrued over two generations. Death duties that consumed the remainder. The appearance of prosperity has been maintained with admirable discipline, but the coffers themselves are regrettably depleted. I have the knowledge and the power to ruin all of you, regardless of your degree guilt in this scheme. And if my hand is forced, I will employ both.”
Miss Langford stared at him in open shock.
Lady Lyndehurst did not move.
“If these facts were to become widely known,” Julien continued, “it would significantly diminish Lord Marklynne’s appeal to any young woman of fortune. Titles alone seldom sustain households. A bride without a dowry would likely discover the distinction between rank and comfort with painful immediacy. No doubt Miss Langford will find suitable companyin the countryside, where her deceitful nature is not common knowledge.”
Miss Langford’s lips parted on a gasp of outrage, but he ignored it, speaking only to Lady Lyndehurst with a slight inclination of his head. They were not enemies, after all. Not yet. “My intention is not to expose your family to embarrassment. My intention is to protect my own. And it is within your power to aid me… I am a good friend to have, Lady Lyndehurst. A very good friend.”
The room remained silent for several long moments.
At last Lady Lyndehurst spoke.
“Verity.”
The girl swallowed. “My lady?—”
“You will retract every word you have spoken,” Lady Lyndehurst said, her voice soft but implacable. “You will do so graciously and without resentment. You will praise Mrs. Grant’s conduct, her propriety, and the affection plainly evident between herself and her husband. You will weep copious and pitiful tears about your unparalleled jealousy and how it has near drive you mad, hence your truly abominable behavior. And you will do so beginning this afternoon.”
Miss Langford’s face burned crimson.
“Yes, ma’am.”
