“My dear Mama, how may I assist you?”
She studied him, her expression tight. “I want your assurances that you will do everything in your power to keep any hint of scandal away from your brother.”
“Naturally.” He bowed. “Although the only scandal I am aware of concerns Lady Carenza Musgrove.”
“She is a … connection of both of yours.” She sniffed. “At least I don’t have to worry about Aragon wanting to marry her anymore. All decent members of society will treat her as the pariah she is, and hopefully she’ll never show her face in London again.”
Julian took a moment to control his temper before he addressed her again. “Is there anything else I can help you with today, ma’am?”
“No.”
“No concerns for my current well-being?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You have never sought my concern.”
“It was never offered to me, even as a child.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Julian, you weren’t a likable child.” She pulled on her gloves with jerky movements. “Considering the circumstances, I did my very best with you, and I do not appreciate being judged.”
“What circumstances could make a mother decide that her own child was unlikable? Am I evil incarnate?”
“Now you are being melodramatic and ridiculous.”
“Perhaps I’m a bastard?” Julian asked. “I’d almost believe my father foisted his illegitimate child on you except that I am your mirror image.”
“My reasons are my own. You are fully grown. You should put your silly grievances behind you and treat me with the respect I deserve.” She half turned toward the door.
“Or were you the one who had an affair and I’m the result of it?” Julian asked.
She went very still.
“Now, that makes far more sense. You conceived a child out of wedlock and had to beg the earl to accept me as his son. And then you took it out on me because I had the audacity to grow up not looking like a Laurent.”
His mother turned her back on him and marched toward the door. “I refuse to have this conversation. You will never dare to mention this subject or I will never speak to you again.”
He bowed. “I fully expect you not to be speaking to me for many reasons in the near future, so perhaps we’d better agree to part company now. Good morning, ma’am. I’ll ask my butler to see you out.” He walked past her and left the room, a curious feeling of lightness in his belly.
He knew the worst now, and somehow it made complete sense of everything she’d put him through. At some point he might even dredge up some sympathy for her but not quite yet. She had no control over his current existence, and he was done with pandering to her by acting like a rake.
He went into his study and wrote a note to Carenza, asking her if he might call, and sent it out immediately. Less than an hour later, it was returned unopened with the words,Not at home, scrawled on the front.
His butler cleared his throat. “I understand from the boy who took the note that Musgrove House is currently besieged by onlookers and members of the press, and that they are receiving no one.”
“Thank you,” Julian said.
He knew how to get into Musgrove House through the mews and back garden, but he had to assume those entrances would be guarded as well. It didn’t sit well with him, but it looked as if he’d have to wait until Carenza decided to contact him herself. He needed to apologize for the loss of his temper and then what? He rubbed his hands over his face. There was so much he needed to say, and for the first time in his life he had no idea how to even begin.
The sound of raised voices in the hall made Carenza put down her book. Had the crowd outside somehow gained entrance into the house? Was she about to be dragged outside by her hair and made to pay for her crimes? She rose to her feet, her gaze fixed on the door.
Allegra stood up, too. “There’s no need to look so noble, Carenza. You’re not about to be carted off to the guillotine.”
Sometimes Allegra understood her far too well. The door opened, and her father and brother came in looking particularly displeased.
“What in the devil have you been up to?” her father roared. “We were relying on you to keep Allegra’s reputation intact!”
Carenza faced him down. “I defended the reputation of my friend.”
“So I hear,” her father said unhappily. “One might think that the reputation of your own family would be more important to you.”
