For the first time in recent memory, Jasper knew what it felt like to be on the high ropes of anger.Glimflashy, his mother used to say when she was particularly nettled by some injustice or annoyance.
At least he’d found his property and had the means to retrieve it. Why she’d done it, he couldn’t fathom. But at all costs, he hoped to convince her never to do it again.
***
THE WORTHINGTON BUTLERbrought in the mail as he did every morning and afternoon. Julia had become in the habit of looking through it after she’d moved in with Sarah to be her companion during the long mourning period. Even though her sister had not actually been grieving for a man she barely knew, handling the onslaught of mail from the earl’s peers — and from those looking for a smidgen of the inheritance — had given Julia something to do. She’d answered most of the condolence notes and then let her sister sign them.
Recently, she’d hoped every day to receive some missive from Lord Marshfield, despite having thwarted his advances.His very welcome advances.
“Forbidden fruit,” she muttered to herself, pouring her chocolate and examining the bowl of pears on the table before her, a luxury her sister had indulged in as soon as they’d appeared in Covent Garden’s fruit stalls that month.
Drat the man for being a rake!Any other man who showed such interest, and who seemed to like her as he did — enough to save her from the varlet viscount and to keep her from being accused of stealing and even to take her riding on such a sweet mare — any other man might possibly offer for her. But not him, not a libertine!
A libertine who sorely missed his father’s cravat pin.
Today, her heart skipped a beat when instead of the coveted black seal of the Earl of Marshfield, she saw a piece of grossly expensive lavender stationery addressed to Sarah with aCstamped into the blue wax. Either Lord or Lady Chandron, Julia surmised. Of course, it could be from someone else entirely, but she simply knew in her heart she was right.
Folding the letter, she tucked it into the small seam pocket of her day gown just as Sarah entered. She spent the next half hour eating eggs and toast while chatting with her sister as they opened the rest of the mail, sorted through the invitations, and read aloud a short letter from their father.
Feeling as if the lavender notepaper was burning a hole in her dress, Julia finally excused herself and dashed back to her room.
Lady Worthington,
I thought to have heard from you by now after I returned your reticule. I would hate to have to disclose your nefarious ways to our fine Metropolitan Police Force, but do not doubt I shall. That is unless you appear at my home on Friday at 9 p.m.
Lady Chandron
It was blackmail. What’s more, the viscountess wanted to extract her retribution from Sarah!
Chapter Sixteen
“Lord M__’s house on Grosvenor Square was a hive of activity yesterday afternoon with not one but two females coming and going. Our favorite rake does not disappoint.”
-The Morning Post
Julia could easilyexplain how she’d borrowed her sister’s reticule, but what could the woman possibly want in order to remain silent about finding her jewelry inside the bag? Perhaps Lady Chandron would extort such a large sum of money Julia would have to ask Sarah for help, for she could hardly steal to pay off the wealthy!
