“What has happened?”
“As I said, nothing—”
“Carenza,” he interrupted sharply.
“As you’ve probably guessed, they are replies to the advertisement. It appears that the story has spread, somewhat, around the country.”
Julian briefly closed his eyes. “Good God, woman.”
“Don’t you start.” Carenza stepped close to him. “I’ve already argued with Olivia and worried Allegra. I don’t need your recriminations.”
“You argued with Mrs. Sheraton?”
“Yes. She made some assertions about my lack of backbone, and I told her she was wrong and that she shouldn’t have flirted with my husband.”
“Ah, a comprehensive airing of your opinions.”
“You could say that.” Carenza raised her chin. “She can be incredibly dismissive of me sometimes, and I’d just had enough.”
“Are you talking about Olivia?” Allegra approached Julian with a cup of tea in her hand. “The trouble with Olivia is that she is more than happy to tell everyone whatshethinks and yet is not amenable to being told when her own conduct is reprehensible.” She smiled fondly at Carenza. “I was glad to see you standing up for yourself.”
Carenza went to sit down, and Julian followed her. A growing knot of anxiety settled low in her stomach as she considered all the implications of the latest news. Not only was she in danger of being exposed as the lady who put an advertisement in a newspaper for a lover, but her relationship with Julian might become common knowledge as well.
His fingers closed around her clenched fist, buried in the folds of her skirt, and teased it free. She yearned to turn her head, bury her face against his chest, and let the long-held tears come. Nothing had gone right since she’d placed that ridiculous advertisement.
“Aragon,” Allegra said. “Would you mind coming down to the stables with me? My mare has strained her right forelock, and I’d value your opinion on how to treat her.”
“I’d be delighted.” Aragon set his tea to one side and glanced over at Julian as he stood up. “Don’t leave without me.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Julian said.
Allegra paused beside Carenza. “I can guarantee we’ll be at least half an hour, sister.”
Julian caught her eye. “Thank you.”
She nodded and left the room.
Julian waited until the door closed behind Allegra and Aragon and took possession of Carenza’s other hand as well.
“Please don’t upset yourself.”
“But I feel responsible for all of this,” Carenza said.
“Not all of it.”
She tried to smile, but he could see the anxiety in her eyes. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t absolve me of all the blame.”
“What are friends for?” He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. “I promise you I will do my best to avert a scandal for either of us.”
“But you have done nothing wrong.” Carenza looked at him. “And you are not responsible for sorting out my terrible blunders.”
“As you well know, society doesn’t always allow facts to hinder their enjoyment of salacious gossip,” Julian said. “And, as our fortunes are inextricably linked at this moment, I suspect we’ll need to support each other.”
“I’ll defend you to my dying breath.”
“Thank you, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” He hesitated. “I need you to be honest with me. If anything changes, I need to know about it immediately.”
She nodded, her expression formal. “Of course.”
