Anton tried and failed to conceal a snort.
“Your new gown is very fetching,” Julian said.
“Thank you.” She smoothed her skirt’s folds. “After two years of mourning dresses I was convinced that in light pink I looked like one of the madams seeking customers in Covent Garden.”
“You look delightful.” Julian smiled at her.
Her cheeks blushed to compete with the rose of her dress. “I appreciate the opinion of one of the best-dressed men in London.”
“My brother is rather fine, is he not?” Anton agreed. “Even in my dress uniform, he threatens to outshine me.”
“Hardly,” Allegra Musgrove said, her earnest gaze fixed on Anton’s oblivious face. “You look wonderful.”
The door opened to admit the butler with the tea tray.
“How is your father?” Julian asked.
“As hale and hearty as ever,” Carenza replied as she poured him some tea.
“And apparently keen to marry both his daughters off as soon as possible,” Mrs. Sheraton chimed in as she claimed her own cup of tea. “Perhaps he wants his town house back.”
“As he dislikes London immensely, I doubt it,” Carenza said. “He just wishes us to be happy.”
“As all fathers do,” Julian said gently, aware that Hector had proven to be a terrible husband for Carenza, and that he’d been responsible for introducing them to each other—something he bitterly regretted.
“I think Carenza will find her own way to happiness.” Mrs. Sheraton winked.
“As I’m sure will you, my dear Olivia.” Carenza sipped her tea, her smile serene. “But I am in no rush to be married again.”
“I am well aware of that,” Olivia said.
Julian couldn’t help but notice the pointed glare Carenza gave Mrs. Sheraton when she thought he wasn’t looking. Allegra’s expression appeared guilty, and he had no idea why. Was it possible that Carenza had already found a gentleman she wished to marry? The idea made him vaguely uneasy.
Anton, who was always good at defusing tension, introduced a new topic of conversation. “Are you aware of the latest scandal regarding the unknown lady seeking to interview her lovers through an advertisement inThe Times?”
Allegra spluttered into her tea and hastily put down her cup. “I do beg your pardon. I have to go and speak to Cook about the lack of refreshments.” She hurried out of the room.
Mrs. Sheraton assumed an expression of great interest and replied to Anton. “It sounds quite delightful! Is this woman interviewing the whole of the ton?”
Anton chuckled. “Apparently, she wants only the scoundrels. And she requiresalltheir measurements!”
Beside him, Carenza shifted in her seat. “Olivia …”
“But this is fascinating, Carenza! I wish I’d thought to do such a thing before my father forced me to marry a seventy-year-old man who was barely able to perform his marital duties.” Mrs. Sheraton fluttered her eyelashes at Julian. “Will you be applying, sir? It is well-known that you are an accomplished flirt and presumably skilled in bed.”
“I suspect it is all a scheme to embarrass and expose any man stupid enough to reply to a newspaper advertisement from a so-called lady,” Julian said lightly. “All a woman with such ‘standards’ will get is the dregs of society.”
“That seems harsh, brother,” Anton said. “There were plenty of gentlemen at our club today who seemed eager to either participate or place a bet on the outcome.”
“At your club?” Carenza repeated faintly.
Julian glanced sharply at her.
“Yes.” Anton chuckled. “Someone opened a bet about how many men will turn up when the lady starts her interviews.”
Mrs. Sheraton stood up. “I do apologize, gentlemen, but I must be on my way. My singing teacher is coming at four to take me through my scales.”
She kissed Carenza on the cheek and smiled as Julian and Anton rose to their feet. “I wish you all the best in India, Anton. I’m sure you’ll be a great success.”
