Madeline gasped. “Of all the people who I thought considered America a true ally, it would be you, Alonzo.”
Julia was not surprised that she would use his given name so freely. It bothered her in a way she could not explain, and a twinge of jealousy made her frown.
“Miss Hershey,” he said. “If I could have a word with you,alone.”
She raised her hand to her chest. “But of course, Your Grace.” She gave Julia and Willa a smug smile as she followed the duke away from the table and to a distant corner of the drawing room.
*
“Miss Hershey,” Alonzosaid brusquely. “I must ask you to follow the traditions we observe in this country—to respect my position and title. We are no longer intimately involved.”
She reached for his hand and captured his fingers. “I never agreed to sever our ties, Alonzo.”
He gently shook free of her grasp. “It did not require your approval. We shared a brief assignation, one I am happy to forget.”
“That is extremely unfeeling and rude, Alonzo.”
“Miss Hershey, perhaps I ought to get your brother to help you?”
She shook her head and drew something out of her bodice—a small, silver flask. Opening it, she took a quick drink. “I do not answer to my brother, he answers to me.”
“That is most unfortunate,” he said. “For it seems he has a better head on his shoulders than you do.”
Her eyes went wide. “How could you be so cruel.”
“There is no cruelty involved. Only honesty. I do not wish to hurt you, but I must ask, why are you here? And why did you send your brother—who I never knew before—when he is unknown by the duke and the guests at this house party?”
“That is the most intelligent thing you have said to me in two days.” She returned the flask to her bodice, then tapped him on the chest with the closed fan hanging from her wrist. “As you know, I am always curious about what the English do during the Season. A friend told me if I made a generous donation to the Duke of Stanhope’s art gallery, he would extend an invitation to me and Karl. How could I refuse when I knew you’d be here? As for my brother, I wanted him to see who you were keeping company with before I arrived.”
The clever vixen always found a way to interfere in people’s lives. She was clearly a danger to herself and anyone he cared about. He could only wonder what was in that flask—brandy? Whiskey? He must find a way to peacefully remove her from the duke’s home before she caused irreparable damage to himself or Julia.
“How much did you donate?”
“Five thousand pounds.”
A small fortune! “Five thousand pounds,” he repeated. “Why are you so careless with your money?”
She tugged on his cravat. “You do care!”
“No. I am simply curious who looks out for your fortune—why he would allow you to spend it so unwisely.”
“I fired my accountant before I sailed to England. I’m afraid I am the spendthrift, Alonzo. Happy to spend my inheritance in order to find happiness.”
“Listen to me.” He gripped her upper arm. “Money will never ensure your happiness, Maddie. It can ease your suffering, no doubt, but English gentlemen do not marry women who act so unashamedly. If you are still looking for an English husband.” He let go of her.
“There is only one man I want as a husband…”
She stared up at him, her eyes glassy and bloodshot. Though still beautiful, her features were sharper and dull.
“I am not the man for you.”
“No? But you’re the right one for Lady Julia? Do you know who her best friend is?”
“Stop it, Maddie. There is nothing left for us to discuss. I want you to stay away from Lady Julia and Lady Willa.” Sure he had made his point, he bowed and left her.
Chapter Twenty
Alonzo could neverresist looking at Julia—whether they were alone or among friends. He could not stop thinking about her during the daytime, and at night, he fantasized endlessly about what he’d like to share with her—laughter and pleasure. She delighted him in every way, from her unconventional political views to the tenderness that she held for every living being. Even her stubbornness, though it made for some less than pleasant discussions sometimes, pleased him. A very strange thing indeed. For until recently, the duke had considered himself a staunch traditionalist. He had planned on returning home, reestablishing himself as the Duke of Pridegate, attending to his sisters’ needs, then finding himself a mistress, and in good time, a wife.
