“Then it was a good thing that you did let Julian accompany you home,” Allegra said. “Think of your reputation!”
“Did he lecture you all the way back?” Maude asked. “That might account for your current agitation.”
“He—” Carenza stopped speaking. She was not ready to admit that Julian had offered to be her paramour. “Hewasrather annoyed with me.”
Allegra gave an exaggerated shudder. “I’ve seen him give other people a set-down, and it is never pleasant. He has such a cold way about him.”
Carenza had never thought of Julian as cold, but she’d certainly underestimated the steely determination beneath his languid exterior. His unexpected offer had made her blush and stammer like an untried debutante. But she couldn’t deny that she was intrigued. Could she begin to think of Julian as a possible lover as opposed to her deceased husband’s best friend?
Thatwas the issue at hand and not his ability to be discreet. She already knew his discretion was a given.
“I suppose Mr. Laurent still feels somewhat responsible for you, Carenza,” Maude said. “He and Hector were very close.”
“I suspect you are right,” Carenza agreed. “There is no point in being annoyed with him for looking out for my best interests.”
“How did he find out in the first place?” Allegra asked.
Carenza looked over at her sister. “That was my fault. He suspected it was Olivia who was advertising for a lover, and I felt obliged to set him straight.”
“Not that,” Allegra said. “How did he know you’d be at the Wheatsheaf today?”
“I’m not sure.” Carenza frowned.
“I mean, it’s not as if he’d be likely to be passing by such an establishment,” Allegra pointed out. “He only leaves his house to visit his club, see his mother, and attend to his social duties.”
“Then I assume he must have read the advertisement,” Carenza said.
“Which only asked for interested applicants to apply.”
Maude chuckled. “Are you suggesting that the extremely rich and available Mr. Laurent stooped to replying to an advertisement to find a lover? I find that extremely unlikely.”
“Once he knew it was me, he probably pretended to be someone else, or got his secretary to apply for him,” Carenza said, vaguely unsettled. “And why we are wasting so much energy discussing this matter is beyond me.”
Maude exchanged a glance with Allegra and rose to her feet. “I should be going. I’m expecting a letter from Gerald today.”
“Is he coming home?” Carenza asked.
Maude’s expression tightened. “Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve grown so used to being disappointed that I hardly dare hope anymore.”
Carenza got up and embraced Maude. “He’ll come home. He has to.”
“At some point there will be nothing left for him to do,” Allegra agreed. “Napoleon is safely on Saint Helena, and the continent is beginning to settle down.”
“One can only hope.” Maude kissed them both and left.
Allegra looked over at Carenza. “I can’t believe Gerald is so oblivious to his own wife’s misery.”
“It is not uncommon in a marriage, sister,” Carenza said.
“I know Hector led you a merry dance.”
“It wasn’t particularly merry,” Carenza confessed. “I cried myself to sleep on many occasions.”
“And yet in public, you always looked so serene,” Allegra said. “Father was always so proud of you.”
The butler came in and bowed. “Mrs. Sheraton has called, my lady. Do you wish to receive her and her companions?”
Carenza glanced at the clock. It was rather late, but there was no reason to be uncivil. Visitors might take her mind off the dilemma of Julian, and she desperately needed to speak to Olivia anyway.
