She should excuse herself and go find Willa, but her friend had wandered off with her mother and the earl. As for Alonzo, he was nowhere to be seen at the moment, so that left Julia at the mercy of Mr. Garland. “I am not the sort of woman looking for an assignation.”
He looked truly scandalized at first, but then a wicked smile crept across his features and he stared at her with heat in his eyes, making her feel uncomfortable, like she needed a long, hot bath.
“I would have never assumed a lady such as yourself—an innocent—would even know of such things.”
“I am no child, Mr. Garland.”
“But you are not a full-fledged woman, either.”
He reached for her hand, which she subtly avoided by shifting to her left. “Whatever I am, we should not be discussing such matters. Though I am curious who will be joining us.”
“I thought you would be,” he said snidely.
“Will you enlighten me?”
“I would rather wait and see how you react naturally toherpresence.”
“I take it you revere this woman?”
“I do.” He gazed toward the drawing room doors that opened into a hall and the curved staircase leading upstairs to the guest chambers. “She is an American.”
“Did you not saytwowomen would be joining us?” How she wished Hamlin, her lady’s maid, had been able to get that guest list! Apparently, the duke kept his important papers locked in his study with a servant constantly watching the door. There had been no chance of procuring it.
“Yes. The lady’s mother will be joining us, too.”
“Can you not name this mystery woman?” As practiced in good manners as Julia was, he had piqued her interest. Even she appreciated the occasional morsel of news.
“There is no need to wait any longer,” he said, moving toward the door. “I will be happy to introduce you to my half-sister, Madeline Hershey.”
She followed in his wake, admiring the slim blonde who ascended the stairs, her gown the same shade of blue as her eyes, icy blue, with strings of silver beads decorating the hemline and bustline. Two white feathers adorned her hair, and a fine, gold choker with a blood-red stone drew Julia’s attention to her throat. There was something treacherous about the woman—perhaps the unseemly gleam in her eyes or the way she gazed at her brother and then at Julia.
A cold beauty, that’s what she considered Mr. Garland’s sister, but a beauty nonetheless. And what history did she have with the duke? Should she be worried? Of course, why else would Mr. Garland plant such a seed in her mind? He wanted to start trouble between herself and Alonzo. Out of jealousy? Rivalry? Perhaps Willa had been correct—the American had indeed taken an interest in her.
“Lady Julia, I am honored to introduce my sister, Miss Madeline Hershey.”
Julia curtsied. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Hershey.”
“It is a delight to finally meet you,” the woman said, not returning the curtsey but simply inclining her head. “I have heard so much about you.”
“Oh? From who?”
Mr. Garland gave his sister a severe look, then his smile returned.
“I must apologize,” Miss Hershey said. “There has been a flourish of activity since I arrived from America last week. I have mistaken you for someone else, I believe.”
Even if Julia did not believe her, she would never say so. However, it didn’t mean she had to spend more time with her. “I wish you a comfortable visit,” she said. “I am needed elsewhere.”
“Until later.” Mr. Garland caught Julia’s gloved hand and kissed her knuckles. “I look forward to finishing our conversation.”
*
“Is that MadelineHershey?” Alonzo had seen the carriage arrive and watched as his former lover, her mother, and servants were escorted inside. Yes, as he had feared, not only were her letters following him across the Continent and now to England, the woman herself was bloody well trailing him, too.
“I’m afraid it is,” the Earl of Ganes said. “She is a romp of the first order, is she not?”
“Her sudden appearance here is most disturbing.” He cursed under his breath, damning the night he had met and seduced her two years ago. The affair had been brief and wild. From the beginning, Madeline had grown possessive and jealous, questioning his every move, making inappropriate demands—like canceling his performances across France.
The day he informed her that their relationship was over, she had sliced her wrist in protest, threatening to do it again if he left her.
