“You have to talk to me at some point and give up on this foolish scheme.”
“Why?” She answered without looking at him. “You are neither my father, nor my husband, and have no authority over me.”
“But I am your friend,” Julian said softly. “I care about you and your reputation.”
She didn’t bother to answer him, and he felt an unusual stirring of irritation. “They are still betting on you at White’s,” he told her.
She shrugged one shoulder, which vexed him even more.
“Olivia believes she has a foolproof method to ensure that our identities are not revealed.”
“That hardly reassures me,” he murmured as the song finished and everyone clapped. He rose to his feet. “May I escort you in to supper?”
She met his gaze. Her hazel eyes were shining in the candlelight, which also brought out the glints of silver in her fair hair. She wore a patterned muslin gown with gold lace at the bodice and a tall feather in her coiffure.
“If you wish.” She stood and placed her gloved hand on his sleeve. “I wonder where Allegra is.”
“She is just ahead of us,” Julian said. “She’s talking to Viscount Chartwell.”
“He would do very well for her as a husband,” Carenza commented. “He loves music, he prefers to live in the countryside, and he is a widower with no children.”
“I would have to agree,” Julian said, glad to have a conversation that didn’t involve an argument. He wasn’t used to being on Carenza’s wrong side, and he found it unsettling. “I don’t know anything unsavory about him.”
Carenza used her fan. “Then I will invite him to call on us and bring his sister to dine. Allegra deserves to be happy.”
“As do you,” Julian reminded her as they joined the line heading into the supper room.
“Then why are you so determined to stop me from enjoying myself?”
Julian barely repressed a sigh. “Back to that, are we?” He looked down at her. “Can we call a truce while we eat? I have a very delicate constitution.”
She turned away to look around the room. “Of course. Shall we sit with Allegra?”
“Yes. Why don’t you join her while I get us both something to eat?” Julian suggested.
“Thank you.” She smiled and walked away, the soft skirts of her muslin dress flowing gently around her.
His fingers flexed with a sudden desire to tip her over his knee and spank her well-rounded arse until she begged for mercy. He half smiled. From what Hector had let slip in his more drunken moments, she’d probably enjoy it.
“Mr. Laurent?”
He turned to see his secretary, Simon Benson, at his elbow.
“I am sorry to disturb you, sir, but I knew you would want this information at the earliest opportunity.”
“Thank you, Simon.” He quickly read the note and looked over at his secretary. “Well done.”
“Thank you, sir.” Simon blushed. “I assume you’ll want me to handle this matter myself?”
“I think we need to discuss our tactics before noon tomorrow, but I suspect we will both be necessary to implement my plan.” Julian smiled.
The information Simon had obtained suggested why Mrs. Sheraton was not present at this evening’s entertainment.
“I recommend that you forget about work for the rest of the evening. I know you appreciate opera.”
“Are you quite certain, sir?” Simon cast a longing glance back at the drawing room. “I do have plenty of tasks to keep me occupied in my office.”
“They can wait until tomorrow,” Julian said firmly. “Now, get yourself something to eat and go and enjoy yourself for once.”
