“Your grace, I told this woman that you were not receiving and shepushedher way into the house.” The shock was evident in his voice.
“It’s quite all right, Edward,” the duke said in a dangerously low voice. “Theladyand I are acquainted. You may leave us.”
Jillian was already striding over to where he sat. “You bastard,” she spat. “Your cowardice is unimaginable!”
He rose, his eyes glittering. “I assume you have good reason for bursting into my home unannounced and insulting me with base name calling?”
She threw the letters at him, the papers scattering on the table in front of him. “If, in the future, you have a message for me, have the courage to at least sign your name. Your actions do no credit to your station.” She turned and stalked from the room, breezing past a still open-mouthed Edward. The sound of the door slamming resonated throughout the house.
Justin stared agape at her departing back. Had she just burst into his dining room and lecturedhimon his actions? Of all the unmitigated gall. If he weren’t so furious he would have laughed in her face.
He looked down at the pieces of paper she had thrown at him and picked them up. Frowning, he thumbed through each one. His head came up as he heard someone enter the room. Case strode purposefully in, a frown marring his face.
“What the hell is going on?” Case demanded. “I was on my way over to let you know I had returned and give you a report, and Jillian nearly ran me over outside. She looked quite upset.”
Justin handed him the letters. “Someone is up to mischief. She seems to assume it is me.”
Case read through the papers, his face growing stormy. “She thinks you sent these?
“Apparently so. At least that is what I gathered from her ranting.”
“Who would have done something like this?” Case asked angrily.
“I don’t have any idea,” Justin replied. “While I can understand at least some of the sentiment behind the notes, it is reprehensible that someonewould engage in such activities.”
“I am going over there,” Case announced. “I want to ask her about this at once.”
Justin grimaced. “I will go with you. I won’t have her thinking that I indulged in such an outrageous action.”
Within minutes they were at Jillian’s townhouse, and Mrs. Applegate opened to door for them.
“Lady Penroth is in her garden,” she told them. “She seems upset.” Concern was evident on the older woman’s face.
Case led the way through the house and to the garden in the back. Justin looked with interest at his surroundings. The townhouse was not ostentatiously decorated or furnished, as were many of theton’sLondon residences. Her tastes seem to reflect a quiet elegance and a love for simplicity. Somehow Justin had expected the same flamboyance she displayed in her attire.
When they stepped into the garden, Jillian did not immediately notice the two men. Huddled in her hammock, she sat gazing off in the opposite direction, apparently lost in thought. She turned when she heard them approach, and Justin was struck by the depth of emotion that played out on her face. Here, again, was the woman he had first met in the park. She looked vulnerable, and he read fear in her eyes. He didn’t like the feeling that knowledge gave him.
Her face darkened when she saw Justin and anger replaced the fear. Case spoke first.
“Jillian when did you receive these?” he asked softly.
“The first was Monday morning. I received one yesterday morning and again today.”
“I can see why you are so upset,” Justin admitted.
“Can you?” she asked, her tone disbelieving.
“You can’t believe I sent those,” Justin remarked. “I certainly don’t threaten women, and I have no need to hide behind anonymous notes.”
She arched her eyebrow at him. “That’s interesting, I could swear you did just that on the first night we met.” She stared at him for a long moment. “But, no,” she said in resignation, “I didn’t really think this was something you would resort to, but I cannot think of anyone else who dislikes me as much as you do.
“I don’t dislike you as much as I don’t approve of you,” he said mildly.
She snorted indelicately.
“Can we get on with this?” Case asked. “Have you had words with anyone recently?”
“No, you would know if I had.”
