He did his best to concentrate on the performance, but the Merchants of Venice were no match for the wicked widows of London. His gaze returned to Charlotte’s box again and again as Shylock schemed his way through the first three acts of the play, and by the time the curtain dropped for intermission, Shylock’s schemes were child’s play in comparison to Julian’s.
He rose from his seat. “Shall we go and pay our respects to Charlotte and her friends?”
Cam squeezed Ellie’s hand and he, Robyn, and Julian wound their way through the crowded corridor to Charlotte’s box.
“…think it will be quite as diverting as the brothel,” Lady Tallant was saying when they entered, but when she saw them her eyes went wide, and her mouth snapped close. “I—that is, Mr. West. Mr. Sutherland. What a pleasant surprise.”
Cam cleared his throat. “Good evening, Lady Tallant. May I present my cousin, Captain Julian West?”
Julian bowed. “Lady Tallant. We saw each other the other night, but we weren’t properly introduced.” He bent over her hand.
Lady Tallant gave Charlotte a quizzical glance, but she let him take her hand. Julian pressed his lips to her glove. “A pleasure, my lady.”
“This is Lady Smythe.” Cam nodded politely at the redhead, then the petite blonde. “And the Comtesse de Lisle.”
Julian bowed over their hands in turn.
Lady Tallant arched a brow. “Is it indeed a pleasure, Captain? I did not, alas, get the impression you were pleased to see us the other night.”
“Nor did I, Annabel.” Charlotte regarded him with narrowed eyes. “Rather the opposite, in fact.”
For the barest second Julian hesitated. It was essential the widows find him amusing, but it might be useful if they believed him sincere as well. He let his gaze linger on Charlotte; then he leaned close to Lady Tallant and dropped his voice as if to prevent Robyn and Cam overhearing him. “Forgive me, my lady, if I appeared less than enthusiastic to make your acquaintance the other evening. At the time I was rather, ah, anxious to have Lady Hadley’s company. In private.”
Lady Tallant’s brows shot up, but Julian could see right away he’d said the right thing. Any lady who appreciated Lord Devon must delight in a rake, and he’d been just suggestive enough to pique her interest, but not so lewd he was offensive.
Lady Tallant shot Charlotte a look of utter amazement. Out of the corner of his eye Julian saw Charlotte shake her head, but her friend ignored her. “Well, Captain, I suppose elegant manners aren’t much use on the battlefield. We can hardly punish you when you so heroically sacrificed them for the glory of England. Can we, ladies?”
Julian thought he heard Charlotte make a strangled noise, but it was drowned out by the redheaded widow, who leaned forward in her chair and fixed an eager green gaze on him. “No, indeed. I read all about you in the papers, Captain West, and I won’t pretend I didn’t find it riveting. The tale of your regiment’s bravery has captured the heart of London.”
Julian tried to look abashed. “Oh well, the papers exaggerate, Lady Smythe. I don’t read them myself, but I believe they make our exploits sound far more impressive than they were.”
“Of course they exaggerate.” Charlotte darted a look at the redhead that could only be described as scorching. “The papers are full of nonsense. Why, just last week I read the most ridiculous story about St. Giles being flooded with ale from an explosion at one of the breweries—”
“Are you not a young man to be already aCapitaine?”
Julian turned to the Comtesse, and she flashed him a pouting smile that no doubt rendered most men speechless. “You certainly looktrès jeune.”
She didn’t addtrèsbeau, but Charlotte’s snort indicated she thought it implied.
Julian smiled at the tiny blonde. “Not at all, Comtesse. I’m certain I’mmucholder than you are.”
“Yes. Well.” She drew the tips of her fingers across the bare skin above her low bodice. “I’m sure England is pleased to welcome you home, Captain.”
Julian let his gaze wander to Charlotte. “I’m pleased to be here.”
The widows exchanged glances with each other, then turned with raised eyebrows to Charlotte, who glared back at them.
With a little laugh the Comtesse rose to her feet and curtsied to Julian, Cam, and Robyn. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I must say hello to Lady Bagshot.”
The gentlemen bowed to her and stayed for a few more minutes of conversation with the other ladies; then Julian made a subtle sign to Cam to retire, and they murmured their farewells. Charlotte ignored all three of them as they exited her box, but they hadn’t gone three steps into the corridor before Julian heard her hiss to her friends, “You two are a disgrace.”
“My God, West.” Robyn Sutherland clapped him on the back. “That was brilliant.”
“Brilliant,” Cam agreed. “The Comtesse nearly tumbled out of her bodice. I never realized you could be so agreeable, Jules. You’re certainly not that charming at home.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps it’s your banyan.”
“For God’s sake. What have you got against my—”
