Carenza reached over and patted Aragon’s hand. “You are such a good man.”
“Hardly. I let my mother bully Julian for years before I saw it for what it was.” He looked up. “I told her to mend her manners or she could go back to the country and prepare to move to the dower house.”
“You did?” Allegra echoed Carenza’s earlier comment. “Well done.”
“Mother was horrible about you, Lady Carenza. And Miss Cartwright. I couldn’t have that.”
“Of course not,” Carenza agreed. She glanced at her sister, who nodded. “I think the idea of quietly buying up Percival’s gaming debts is a brilliant one. It would be excellent leverage against him. We would be happy to lend you money to accomplish such a feat.”
“There’s no need.” Aragon waved away the offer with his usual good humor. “I might not be as rich as Julian, but I have deep pockets. I’ll put out some discreet inquiries immediately.”
The butler appeared at the door. “Mr. Laurent has called, my lady. Do you wish me to show him up?”
“Good Lord.” Aragon shot to his feet. “Not until I’m on my way out.” He hurried toward the door. “Don’t tell him anything, yet. He’ll probably kill me for interfering.”
“Interfering in what?” Julian asked as his brother pushed past him.
“Nothing!” Aragon said. “Good day, ladies,” he shouted before running down the stairs.
Julian surveyed Carenza’s and Allegra’s remarkably guilty faces. “Is there something I should know?”
“Absolutely not,” Carenza said as she came over to kiss him. “Aragon was simply telling us how he stood up to your mother. It’s about time, too.”
“I suspect she overstepped the mark with her criticisms of Miss Cartwright,” Allegra added helpfully. “Aragon seems very keen on her.”
Julian sighed. “He has the most unfortunate habit of fixating on the same women I admire.”
“Ah, so you do have a tendre for Miss Cartwright.” Allegra gave Carenza a knowing look. “I thought as much.”
“I simply meant that I appreciate her dedication to her cause.”
Carenza smiled. “It’s all right, Julian. Your admiration for Miss Cartwright is hardly a secret. She would make any gentleman an excellent wife.”
He studied her expression. Was there a hint of jealousy behind her calm words? It was difficult to tell with Carenza, who wore her mask like a professional actor. And did he want her to be jealous? Hadn’t he spent his entire adult life avoiding strong emotions, choosing his partners with an eye to their lack of interest in establishing a permanent relationship with him?
Allegra stood up, as did Julian. “I have to go out. I’ll tell Jones to deny any visitors for the rest of the afternoon.” She smiled at her sister. “Most of the staff are having their half day off, so you won’t be disturbed.”
“Thank you, Allegra.”
Julian didn’t miss the wink Allegra gave him as she left the room and the color that flooded Carenza’s cheeks. He sat down next to Carenza and took her hand.
“I do have some good news for you.”
“I’ll be pleased to hear it.” She met his gaze, her hazel eyes warm.
“Jeremy Calloway was behind Mr. Cox’s blackmail efforts against you and Mrs. Sheraton. He was foolish enough to put his threats in writing. When confronted with the evidence of his son’s duplicity, the elder Calloway promised to rectify Jeremy’s behavior immediately.”
“That is good news,” Carenza agreed. “Olivia will be delighted.”
“I don’t believe there was much of a connection between what Walcott’s been up to and what happened at the inn, so stopping Calloway should put an end to the threats,” Julian concluded. “In truth, I hardly think it’s worth going to all the bother of having the ball.”
“Allegra and I think it is,” Carenza said. “It is equally important to us that your name is cleared.”
“With respect, that is hardly your concern.”
“Is it not?” Carenza raised her eyebrows. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are.”
