“Oh.” His mother pursed her lips. “I thought we were done with the Musgroves.”
“Not in my house.” Julian left her and went over to the new arrivals. “Good evening, Lady Carenza, Lady Allegra.”
He smiled as he kissed their hands, then turned his attention to Carenza, who looked like a very well-satisfied woman. He wondered if anyone else would notice. He almost wished they would …
Allegra went off to speak to Aragon, leaving Julian with Carenza. The bodice of her evening gown was low enough for him to see the swell of her breasts and a slight bruise where he’d bitten her throat.
“You’re looking very well this evening, my lady.”
Her smile was a delight. “I am enjoying the country air, sir. I find it most invigorating.”
“I quite agree.” He looked up as more guests appeared. “Will you excuse me?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll go and speak to your mother. She always looks so pleased to see me.”
Julian was still smiling as he went to greet Maude Cooper and her husband, Gerald, who had once been a good friend of his. He’d heard from Carenza that the marriage was not a happy one, and he’d hoped that some time together in the countryside with a group of trusted friends would help repair some of the damage such long-term separations caused. To his dismay, the animosity between the couple was almost palpable. Maude looked ready to burst into tears, and Gerald’s face was red.
“Thank you for the invitation.” Mr. Cooper bowed very correctly to Julian. “It is a relief to get away from London.”
“And a chance for you to reconnect with your charming wife,” Julian said. “She has missed you quite dreadfully.”
Gerald’s laugh was short. “Not that I’ve noticed. She seems to have managed perfectly well without me.”
“Excuse me,” Maude said, her voice trembling. “I need to speak to Carenza.”
She slipped away, leaving Julian staring at Gerald.
“Would you rather she’d fallen apart and insisted you came home?” Julian asked, his tone mild, his question more pointed. “Surely her ability to keep your family together without you is to be celebrated and appreciated rather than used against her?”
“I …” Gerald sighed. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“You’ve been absent for almost five years,” Julian said.
“Not by choice.”
“And your wife didn’t have any choice, either, did she? Yet she did her duty just the same.” Julian held the man’s defensive gaze. “You are better than this, my friend.”
“Good evening, Julian.” Lady Brenton interrupted their conversation seemingly without a qualm. “What a lovely house you have.”
Gerald bowed and walked away, leaving Julian with an unsettled feeling. He’d attempted to make his friend see reason, but what right did he have to meddle in someone else’s marriage? He dragged his gaze down to the beautiful woman in front of him.
“Good evening, Lady Brenton. How is your husband?”
“He’s quite well, thank you. He sends his regards.” She looked around the room, her gaze avid. “I’m trying to work out which one of these ladies has taken my place.”
“Perhaps you are irreplaceable.”
Her smile was complacent. “If you wish to resume our relationship, please just say so.”
“I do not.”
She pouted. “So the rumors are true. You have moved on. Now, who on earth is it?”
He bowed. “I hope you have an enjoyable stay, my lady. If you will excuse me.”
His mother frowned as he went past, but he didn’t stop to hear her criticisms of his choice of guests. She’d invited herself and would just have to put up with it. He made sure to welcome Viscount Chartwell, who was talking to Allegra, and then found himself face-to-face with Mrs. Sheraton. She wore black, which she favored because it suited her, and dark red rubies around her throat and in her hair.
She batted her eyelashes at him. “I suppose I should have mentioned that Carenza and I are at odds before accepting your kind invitation.”
