“If there is gossip about me in the society pages, I doubt it is true,” Julian said as Aragon found the offending page for him. “You are aware that they make things up?”
“I’m not stupid,” Aragon said. “But even I didn’t like the tone of this piece.”
Julian located his name and began to read. “‘It has come to the notice of this correspondent that a certain gentleman Mr. L_nt—’”
“That’s you,” Aragon said helpfully.
“‘Has been engaged in various nefarious schemes not befitting a gentleman of birth and that several of his acquaintances are now expressing concern as to his motives and objectives.’” Julian looked over at his brother. “What in God’s name are they on about?”
He carried on reading. “‘This gentleman has been observed frequenting several establishments where young minds and hearts might be corrupted or led away from the path of hard work and righteousness. Why he is visiting these places is open to conjecture, but one does have to wonder if they have anything to do with his recently found wealth and his well-known reputation as a lady’s man.’”
Julian set the newspaper aside and looked at his brother. “What exactly are they accusing me of? Setting up schools to funnel children into my own brothels and financially benefiting off them?”
“Is that what you’re doing?” Aragon sat back. “Good Lord, Julian,why?”
“Of course I’m not,” Julian snapped.
“Well, that’s a relief. I’ll tell Mother she has nothing to worry about.” Aragon paused. “Why do they think you are doing that?”
“Because someone wants to blacken my reputation,” Julian said grimly. “And I’m fairly certain I know who it is.”
Aragon stood up, his expression suddenly as formidable as their father’s. “Then perhaps we should pay that person a visit.”
“Not quite yet.” Julian got out of bed and rang the bell. “I need to understand exactly what is going on first.”
“Fair enough.” Aragon nodded.
Julian glanced at his brother as Proctor came in. “You don’t have to wait for me, Aragon. You have done your part and I thank you for that.”
“I think I’ll stay.” Aragon sat back down again and opened the paper. “If you don’t mind.”
“I will be visiting several places this morning to warn them of what might come.” Julian pulled off his nightshirt, washed quickly, and put on the clean shirt Proctor handed him.
“Jolly good,” Aragon said.
Realizing he wasn’t going to shake off his brother, Julian resigned himself to Aragon’s presence. In truth, having his big brother by his side might prove useful in the long run. Writing dangerous nonsense in a newspaper about him was one thing. Writing about a peer of the realm like his brother was quite another. Men had been imprisoned for less. It was also something of a revelation that Aragon wanted to help him and wasn’t there merely as their mother’s mouthpiece.
Julian gave Proctor his orders. “Please ask my groom to bring round my carriage and ask Mr. Benson to join us in the hall so that I can brief him on my activities. We will be out for most of the morning. Tell Cook not to worry about luncheon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Julian turned to Aragon. “Do you need to send a note to Mother as to your whereabouts?”
“Not particularly,” Aragon said as he carefully ripped out the offending article and handed it to Julian. “Will we be visiting the newspaper offices as well?”
Olivia came into the drawing room of Tavistock Square with a large parcel under her arm that she placed on the table beside Carenza.
“We have more applicants for the position of your lover.”
Carenza gazed at the stack of letters. “How onearth?”
“I assume some of the regional newspapers reprinted the story in their own editions and this is the result,” Olivia said. “Mr. Cox is not very pleased about it because some of the letters are addressed directly to him.”
“Has he continued to threaten you with exposure?” Carenza asked.
“Not yet.” Olivia sat down. “Perhaps Mr. Laurent’s promise to deal with the matter has been effective after all.”
Allegra cleared her throat. “You do realize this means Father might have seen the story in his local newspaper, Carenza?”
