Julian just stared at her. “Damnation.”
“My feelings exactly. Please sit down. I expected at least a few days’ grace, but none was offered.” Allegra sighed. “Father was most displeased, and Dorian was insufferable.”
“I thought that if they did come to town, they’d probably wish to speak to me,” Julian said. “In truth, I was expecting them at any moment.”
“Father decided all the fault lay with Carenza because she defended you to the last,” Allegra said. “She took all the blame on herself.”
Julian winced.
“You know that she is in love with you?” Allegra continued. “It is obvious to anyone who knows her well.”
“She … is remarkably good at hiding her emotions,” Julian said with some caution.
“That’s because Hector enjoyed baiting and belittling her. After a while, she learned to conceal her true feelings beneath an impenetrable layer of calm, and then he couldn’t hurt her so badly.”
Julian had nothing to say to that. He remembered what Aragon had told him about Hector’s decision to marry Carenza simply to cut him out. He grew angry all over again.
“Do you think I should write to her?” Julian asked.
“I think that whatever you choose to do is up to you, but if you hurt her, you will have me to reckon with.” Allegra glared at him. “I will not allow her heart to be broken again. So be very sure that you know what you want before you disturb her peace.”
Julian rose to his feet. “You are a very good sister.”
“I do my best.” Allegra shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I believe she does care for you very deeply, but that she is almost afraid to believe you might feel that way, too.”
“I asked her to marry me.”
“Did you?” Allegra looked startled. “And she turned you down?”
“She suggested she wasn’t good enough for me.”
“How ridiculous.” Allegra rolled her eyes and stood up. “She is the best woman I know.”
“I agree.” He took her hand and kissed it. “I wish you a safe journey back to Norfolk.”
“Thank you.” She paused. “Will we be seeing you at your family’s country home this year?”
“It’s highly likely.”
“Good.” She smiled at him. “Just promise me that you won’t make things worse.”
“I promise to try to make them better.”
He left and returned home to have his dinner, his thoughts racing. Allegra had indicated that he did stand a chance with Carenza, but should he wait until she contacted him? Or should he be bold, follow her back to Norfolk, and declare his undying love? He was unsure of how to proceed because the stakes were so high. Just because he’d realized almost immediately that he was taking his anger out on the wrong person, Carenza might not. She’d learned from a master manipulator how to hide her feelings. If she was at all unsure of Julian’s love, she might not grant him another opportunity to tell her how he felt.
“Mr. Laurent.”
He looked up as his butler came into the dining room, closely followed by Mrs. Sheraton.
“I beg your pardon, sir, but this lady was very insistent that she should see you.”
“That’s quite all right,” Julian said. “Perhaps you might fetch another wineglass for Mrs. Sheraton. Or would you care to dine with me, ma’am? I’m sure Cook could accommodate you.”
“Just the wine, please.” She sat opposite him at the table, her fingers drumming until the glass was filled and set in front of her. She looked pale, her mouth set in a hard line. “Thank you.”
“How may I be of assistance, ma’am?”
“How do you think?” She glared at him. “This is all your fault.”
