“But I was at fault. I completely forgot about that silly tiara.”
“That may be true, but the new earl and his wife handled the matter badly,” Julian said. “A simple letter to your man of business would have solved the problem without causing you such distress in your own home. They were both ill-mannered and undignified.”
Carenza sighed as she sat down. “She’ll tell everyone, won’t she?”
“Of course she will.” Olivia patted her hand. “But she knows no one of any consequence. You can remain silent while Julian and I make sure that everything she says is treated with the contempt it deserves.”
Julian nodded as he took the seat next to Olivia.
“You don’t have to do anything at all,” Carenza said. “The last thing I need is a war with my deceased husband’s family.”
“A war they started and brought into your drawing room,” Olivia said firmly. “As I said, leave it to us. I can assure you that your reputation will remain intact.”
Olivia stood up, came over to Carenza, and kissed her cheek. “I have to go. My dressmaker is due at my house within the hour.” She stared down at her friend. “Please don’t worry.”
Julian escorted Olivia down to the hall and then came back up into the silent drawing room. “She’s right, you know,” he said.
“Who? Olivia or Lady Harriet?” Carenza asked.
“Olivia, of course.” Julian sat opposite her, crossing one elegant, booted foot over the other. “No one will take any notice of Lady Harriet’s shrill accusations.”
“If only I hadn’t tried to dress up last night to impress … people. I would’ve left the bloody tiara in its box.”
Julian’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s not like you to curse, my dear.”
“Maybe I am not used to being at fault.”
“No one is perfect.”
“You have no idea what it is like to be the daughter of a woman who is considered socially unacceptable,” Carenza said. “Allegra and I are not allowed to be wrong-footed. Someone might suggest it is because of our inferior breeding.”
Julian studied her carefully and then nodded. “Actually, it explains a lot.”
“How so?”
“Why you put up with Hector for so long, for one. You never appeared to care, even when he was behaving outrageously.” He paused. “I always admired your inability to be shocked or hurt by him.”
“I couldn’t afford to behave in any other way,” Carenza said simply. “Imagine if I’d thrown a tantrum at a ball when Hector danced right by me with one of his mistresses? I’d have been the one scorned, and you can guarantee that my mother’s name would have figured prominently in the condemnations of my common behavior.”
“Not by me.”
“Thank you. You might be a great arbitrator of fashionable society, but even you couldn’t have changed the tide in my favor.”
“I would’ve done my best.”
It was unusual to see Julian without his usual slightly mocking smile, but Carenza appreciated his sincere address of the topic.
“Anyway.” His smile returned. “This isn’t about me. I do think Olivia is right and that you should carry on as if nothing has happened. Let Lady Harriet vent her spleen to her little friends, and I doubt we’ll hear any more about it.” He stood and came toward her.
“I hope you’re right.” Carenza rose to her feet.
He cupped her chin. “You’ll be fine.”
“If you say so.”
He kissed her gently on the lips. “I do. And as your official lover, I suggest you turn your mind to more enticing thoughts. Like when I’m going to bed you.”
“We’re official now?”
