Anton offered her his arm. “I’d be delighted to walk you to your carriage, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Mrs. Sheraton placed her hand on his sleeve. “I’ll speak to you tomorrow, Carenza, darling.”
Julian waited until their voices died down before resuming his seat beside his hostess. “Is something troubling you?” he asked as she stared into space.
She wouldn’t look at him, and he possessed himself of her hand. “I would not normally presume to ask about something so personal, but we are old friends.” He paused. “Is it possible that … Mrs. Sheraton is the person who posted that advertisement for a lover?”
“Not exactly.”
She turned to look at him, and he went still.
“Olivia did pay for the advertisement, but …”
“But—” Julian prompted, as she seemed unable to continue.
“But she did it for me.”
The silence after she’d blurted out the truth went on for so long that Carenza grew dizzy from holding her breath.
“I … beg your pardon?” Julian’s faint smile disappeared as he released her hand.
“I asked her to place the advertisement on my behalf.”
“What in God’s name possessed you to do such a remarkably stupid and reckless thing?”
“I don’t believe I have to explain myself to you, sir.” Carenza raised her chin. “I am a grown woman who is perfectly capable of making her own decisions.”
“Obviously not.” His tone was biting and his eyes a frosty blue. “Does your father know about this?”
Anger stirred beneath her embarrassment. “Of course he doesn’t. And if you run off to Norfolk to tell tales on me, I will think very poorly of you, indeed.”
His incredulous expression hardened into something else entirely. “If it gets out that it’s you—and it will—your reputation will be ruined.”
“I think Hector already accomplished that feat for me, Julian,” she snapped. “If I am to be an object of pity and derision, at least this time I’ll have earned it for myself.”
He stared at her for a long moment and then drew in a ragged breath. “Will you at least stop and think about this properly?”
“Why? So you can lecture me again?” She rose to her feet and took a hasty turn around the room. “I didn’t expect this from you. Of all my friends, you know how Hector treated me during our marriage.”
“Then find someone better!” He stood up and faced her.
“What if I am deceived again?” Carenza asked. “I thought I was making a good choice the first time and look what happened!”
He was standing so close that she could smell the bergamot on his skin. Hurt by his unexpected reaction, she gathered her resources and met his incredulous gaze.
“The only thing I miss about marriage is sex,” she said. “The only thing Irequirefrom a man is that and nothing else.”
“You’re determined to make a fool of yourself and ruin your reputation just for a tussle in the sheets with some man who won’tvalueyou?”
Carenza shrugged. “Hector didn’t value me, but he was an excellent lover.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw as he regarded her. “I don’t approve of this, Carenza.” He stepped away from her and picked up his hat and gloves. “And when everything goes awry, don’t expect me to restore your reputation.”
“I won’t.” Carenza fought a desire to brain him with a candlestick. “You never did a thing to stop Hector behaving as if he were still single. Why should you assist me now?”
“That’s not true, I—” Julian abruptly stopped speaking. After a moment, he bowed. “I wish you good day, my lady.”
Carenza inclined her head an icy inch. “Good afternoon, sir.”
