The Courtesan Duchess

by Joanna Shupe

  She risked a glance at Colton and found him studying her carefully, the edges of his lips turned up into the barest hint of a smile. Embarrassed, her eyes slid away and she attempted to distract herself by listening to the other guests.

  Conversation turned to politics and Julia’s attention wandered. In an effort to think about anything other than Nick, she imagined the third bedchamber in her small house in Mayfair. It would make a splendid nursery for her son. How should she decorate it? Perhaps she’d have the walls painted with tales of knights and maidens—

  Julia felt her skirts suddenly shift. A large foot made its way underneath the fabric to rub against her leg. Swallowing a squeak, Julia tried to move away but the foot followed. She immediately suspected Nick, but a quick glance down revealed his legs were not moving. When she looked up, Lanceford caught her eye and gave her a slippery smile.

  Julia narrowed her gaze to let him know exactly what she thought of his advances. Instead of retreating, however, Lanceford daringly moved his foot even higher up her calf. So Julia did the first thing that came to mind: She kicked his stationary leg as hard as she could.

  “Ooph!” Lanceford grunted and jerked his feet back to his side of the table.

  Everyone stopped. “Apologies,” the ambassador muttered. “Old injury acting up.”

  Nick’s face darkened, his attention now riveted on Lanceford. Figured her husband would know what Lanceford had been up to. He’d probably played the same flirtatious game himself many times over, the cad. Though right now, Nick looked so angry, there was no telling what he might do. Julia put a hand on his arm and gave him a small shake of her head to let him know she’d handled Lanceford.

  “Mrs. Leighton,” Veronica began in a thick Venetian accent, “have you made the friendship with Sarah Siddons? I hear many stories of her talent on the stage.”

  Julia coughed to cover a gasp. If she, a duchess, associated with an actress—even the famously talented Mrs. Siddons—a horrific scandal would result. But she reminded herself that Juliet Leighton was not a duchess. She sipped her coffee and decided to answer diplomatically. “While we are not friends, I have seen her perform many times. She is truly talented.”

  “I hear she’s retired,” another woman at the table commented.

  “Yes, that’s true, though she’s retired many times,” Julia answered, and pushed the dratted wayward lock of hair out of her eye once more. “I attended her last farewell performance, and even from the seat in my box I could see not a dry eye in the house.”

  “Have you a box at Covent Garden?” Nick asked.

  Yes, yours, she wanted to reply. “Indeed, Your Grace. How else is one to see and be seen in London?”

  “Mrs. Leighton is quite the actress in her own right. I daresay I’ve hardly seen better,” Simon drawled. Even from down the table, she could see the devilish intent in her friend’s blue eyes.

  “Is this true?” Veronica leaned forward. “You must tell me what parts you play.”

  Julia was momentarily surprised, and before she could make light of Simon’s words, he answered for her. “I particularly enjoyed you in Molière’s School for Wives.”

  She nearly dropped her china cup. Of course Simon would take the opportunity to poke at her lessons with Pearl. If he were closer, she would have kicked him, too. “Really? How sweet of you, my lord. Although I much preferred my role in his later play, The Learned Ladies.”

  Simon let out a sharp burst of laughter. Everyone else in the group appeared puzzled, so Julia smoothed over it nicely by turning back to Veronica. “And what parts have you enjoyed, Miss DiSano?”

  Veronica began a long-winded explanation of her short acting career, and Julia used the opportunity to shoot a glare in Simon’s direction and discreetly tip her chin toward the door. She’d had enough tonight. Between her bedraggled coiffure, Simon’s barbs, Lanceford’s foot, and Nick’s powerful presence, her energies were drained. Simon gave her a slight nod in return, and they both stood.

  The rest of the men came to their feet as well, and she told the group, “I have enjoyed your company, and yet I fear I am too exhausted to continue. Pray proceed with your revelry, and Lord Winchester shall see me home.”

  Nick watched the pair leave the coffeehouse. He’d never envied Winchester more. Damn, but Mrs. Leighton was captivating. Smart, beautiful, witty . . . What more did a man need in a woman?

  After she left, the evening lost its allure. Even when Veronica sat next to him and whispered some spectacularly lurid suggestions in his ear, his mind remained focused on Juliet. “Not tonight, cara,” he murmured to Veronica.

  Not long after, Nick left as well. Fitz appeared by his side almost immediately.

  “Early for you to be goin’ home,” his friend remarked as they set off.

  “A bit.” It was not yet one o’clock, and he usually didn’t arrive home before three. “The night turned dull.”

  “When your lady left, you mean.”

  “Yes, though she’s not my lady. Yet.”

  The streets of Venice were lively tonight. Soldiers, finely dressed women, prostitutes, and gentlemen all strolled along in the cool, misty evening. Fitz pointed down a side street. “Boat’s down here, Your Grace.”

  “If I doubled your wages, could I get you to stop calling me that?”

  Fitz chuckled. “No.”

  “Damned nuisance,” Nick muttered, unsure whether he meant his title or Fitz. Likely both.

  Finally, they reached the boat and both hopped aboard with ease. They were silent for a few minutes as the gondola pushed away from the landing. The gondolier navigated the tight waterway and maneuvered around the other crafts in the dark Venetian night. Nick stared into the shimmery black water and wondered how best to pursue Mrs. Leighton. He enjoyed the hunt. And he’d wooed countless women over the years so it should be easy. But it was clear Mrs. Leighton wasn’t like other women.

  “The lady favors you,” Fitz put in.

  Nick glanced over. “Why would you say so?”

  He shrugged a massive shoulder. “Could see it in her eyes. I watched through the window. She studied you when you weren’t payin’ attention.”

  That was an interesting piece of news. “I must tread carefully. As you know, she came to Venice with Winchester.”

  “I saw them together. They’re not lovers, at least not anymore.”

  Nick’s eyebrows rose. “How can you be sure?” If this piece of information were true, he wouldn’t hesitate in his efforts to seduce her.

  “She kept herself apart from him, barely holdin’ on to his arm. No smiles or whispers as they walked together. Friendly eyes, but not the kind of eyes she’d been givin’ you.”

  Nick would find out for himself, but Fitz was usually right about such things.

  Mrs. Leighton did not stand a chance.

  Chapter Three

  Never do what he expects. To surprise him is to keep him interested.

  —Miss Pearl Kelly to the Duchess of Colton

  The next morning, Julia and Aunt Theo were already in the breakfast room when Simon came down.

  He winked at Julia, then whistled as he went to the sideboard to fill his plate with eggs and a slice of the delicious almond cake their cook made daily. Before he sat, he dismissed the servant hovering nearby.

  “You are obnoxiously cheerful this morning, Simon,” Julia commented when the three of them were alone. “Does this have anything to do with the lovely Veronica? I noticed you went back out last night after seeing me home.”

  “As a gentleman, it would be unseemly for me to discuss such a matter in the presence of ladies,” Simon said evasively while he poured a cup of coffee. “But I must remember to thank Colton for making the introduction. Venetian women are everything he said—and more.”

  Julia’s eyes narrowed and she drummed her fingers on the table. One could only imagine what Nick had to say about Venetian women, being as he’d probably fornicated with every willing woman in the vicinity. Twice.r />
  She told herself she didn’t care. There was one thing she needed from her husband, and once she got it he could go back to his life of trollops and debauchery.

  “Nice of him to arrange the seating to put the two of you together,” Simon said.

  “Together?” Theo asked.

  “At the theater as well as at the coffeehouse afterward,” Julia explained. “My plan is progressing nicely.”

  “Excellent!” Theo clapped her hands.

  Their footman, Sergio, knocked on the door, entered, and then handed Julia a card. “Signora Leighton. Flowers have been delivered for you.”

  “Flowers, again! Your duke is smitten,” Theo declared. “Pray tell us what he wrote on the card.”

  Julia glanced at the note and groaned. “Thank you, Sergio. I will collect them presently.” The footman left, and Julia tossed the card aside. “The flowers are from the ambassador, Lord Lanceford.”

  Simon chuckled. “Ah, Mrs. Leighton has another admirer.”

  “Stop laughing, you clod pole. This is not funny. The man tried to shove his foot up my skirts—well, Mrs. Leighton’s skirts—last night at the coffeehouse.”

  Theo gasped. “I hope you kicked him.”

  Julia nodded. “I did. Hard. Colton nearly leapt across the table to strangle him.”

  “I suspected as much when Lanceford suddenly howled in pain,” Simon said. “But before you throw those flowers into the canal, they might be useful in making a certain someone feel jealous.”

  Julia sat back in her chair and sipped her tea. Was Simon right? Would Nick be jealous? “That’s quite devious. Good idea. I shall display Lanceford’s flowers in the front entry.”

  “Well, I am quite anxious to see what Colton sends today,” Theo said as she buttered a piece of almond cake. “The flowers and vase yesterday were stunning, but I suspect he’ll send jewelry. Rubies, perhaps?”

  “Emeralds,” Simon guessed.

  Julia rolled her eyes. “How do either of you know he will send anything at all?”

  “After seeing the two of you last night, I daresay there’s naught you could demand right now that he would not agree to. So if you want a bauble to remember Colt by in those long, cold London nights”—he shrugged—“Mrs. Leighton need only drop a well-placed hint or two.”

  The idea had merit. Heavens, if she failed to get with child a diamond necklace could keep her and Aunt Theo supported in a modest style for quite a while. But what then? Pawning jewelry would only get her so far. No, she needed a more permanent guarantee for her future. A son would mean financial freedom and the end of Templeton’s meddling.

  Not to mention a part of her had already warmed to the idea of having a baby. A tiny life brought into the world in order to hold and love. There would be picnics and stories and games.... And since Colton would likely never act as a true father, Julia planned on loving their child so much that his absence wouldn’t matter.

  Later that afternoon, Julia and her aunt were reading by the fire in the second-floor sitting room. It was a cheerful space, with large windows overlooking a quiet canal. With the panes open, one could hear the bells chime from the nearby Campanile di San Marco.

  Sergio knocked and entered. “Signora Leighton, a visitor for you.”

  He handed her a card. Julia assumed it would be Nick, so she was surprised upon reading the name.

  “Show him up, Sergio, per favore.” When the footman left, Julia turned to Theo. “Signore Marcellino, of Marcellino and Sons Jewelry.”

  Theo’s eyes widened. “I knew it would be jewelry. And Marcellino’s! Why, you’ll be the envy of every woman in London.”

  “Shhh,” Julia hissed. “He shall arrive at any moment.”

  A short, older man with gray hair was shown in. Impeccably dressed, he carried a black case, which he set on the floor to bow over Julia’s hand. “Signora Leighton. A pleasure to meet you. I trust I am not interrupting, no?”

  “No, signore. My aunt and I are merely spending a quiet afternoon with our books. Shall I ring for tea?”

  Julia turned to call for Sergio, but Marcellino stopped her. “If you please, signora, I would like to get directly to the business at hand.” He picked up his case and set it on the table, then gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. Marcellino opened the case to reveal so many glittering stones, it almost hurt her eyes to take them all in. Julia could scarcely breathe. There were diamonds, rubies, and finely carved cameos set in gold, all fashioned into blinding necklaces, bracelets, and ear bobs.

  “Signore!” she exclaimed, a hand on her heart. “What magnificence you bring.”

  Marcellino puffed up with pride. “I am here on behalf of His Grace, the Duke of Colton. His Grace has picked out three sets of exquisite jewelry and asked me to bring them to you so that you may have your choice. I believe he feared making a . . . misstep, as you English say.”

  Her aunt dropped onto the sofa and elbowed Julia to move over. “My heavens,” she exclaimed, and gripped Julia’s hand. “How will you ever choose? They’re all splendid.”

  “If I may,” Marcellino began. He pulled a small looking glass out of the back of his case. “Signora may try them all on and decide which she favors.”

  “Oh, no.” Theo shook her head. “You’ll need a much bigger looking glass. I’ll have Sergio fetch one.” Getting up, she hurried over to the bell pull.

  Dazzled by the jewelry displayed in front of her, Julia could only stare. Nick was no fool to offer her choices. It was a flattering and extravagant gesture. Yes, a gesture to a courtesan, the wife in her reminded. But the woman in her was awed all the same.

  “The diamonds first, I think,” Theo put in, now back on the couch.

  Julia nodded at Signore Marcellino. “Yes, let’s start with the diamonds.”

  The jeweler smiled. He picked up a necklace dripping with diamonds. There was one large yellow teardrop stone in the middle, with smaller white stones flanking it on each side. “This necklace contains over thirty diamonds,” he said as he fastened it behind her neck. “The middle stone is a yellow diamond, which is quite rare.”

  The weight of the piece felt sinfully outrageous, with the largest diamond settling just above her décolletage. Julia quickly slipped on the bracelet and matching ear bobs in order to see the results. Standing up, she crossed to where Sergio had placed the large looking glass brought down from her chamber.

  Her breath caught at her reflection. She’d never worn something so outrageous. Even the jewelry she’d borrowed from Pearl could not rival this set. She turned slightly and studied the stones. Who was this woman, adorned in such a ridiculously luxuriant fashion? It was too much. She couldn’t possibly accept these. A token of esteem was one thing, but to accept such a lavish gift made her feel tawdry.

  Still, they were beautiful. She touched the stones reverently and sighed because her conscience was so loud today. “No, I am sorry, signore. These are not for me.” She crossed back to the couch, where Theo’s jaw had dropped open.

  “Not for you? My dear, those would be suitable for a dead woman. The only requirement being the possession of a neck and two ears.”

  “No, Aunt Theo. The pieces are more beautiful than words can say, but they’re not for me.” She smiled at Marcellino. “Perhaps now the rubies?”

  Almost as ostentatious as the diamonds, the ruby necklace had several large bloodred stones, surrounded by tiny diamonds that draped delicately around her neck. But the image of herself in the mirror while wearing the set gave her the same distasteful feeling in her belly. She could not accept them.

  “They are beautiful, Signore Marcellino. But I fear the rubies are not for me either.” Julia didn’t bother to look at Theo since a palpable shock now permeated the room.

  Once the rubies had been returned to the case, Julia studied the lovely cameo pieces. “Shall we try on the last set?”

  Marcellino removed the necklace so she could see the detail in the cameo. White onyx had been delicately carved to rep
resent the head of a Roman woman. On top, a tiny flowery garland, fashioned from black onyx, was woven into her hair. The piece was set in a small diamond frame and hung from a thin gold chain. Marcellino said a very talented man named Pistrucci, who worked in Rome, had crafted the piece. “One of a kind,” Marcellino said, as Pistrucci never carved the same design twice.

  Once she had on both the necklace and matching earrings, Julia knew before glancing in the mirror that she wanted them. These were neither the most expensive nor the most ostentatious of the group, but they suited her. Simple, classic, and unique. And yet . . . what did it mean if she accepted them?

  She touched the cameo longingly. If only the gift could be merely from a husband to his wife. Before she could change her mind, she stood and handed the necklace back. “I thank you for your time and patience this afternoon. Any woman would be honored to accept one of these fine pieces, Signore Marcellino, but I must decline His Grace’s gracious offer.”

  Theo gasped but Julia ignored her. Marcellino’s brows lifted and a fine sheen of sweat broke out on his brow. “Signora, are you sure? His Grace was quite insistent—”

  Julia took pity on him. “I understand, signore, and I apologize for any unpleasantness this may cause with your customer. But I fear I must insist as well.”

  He bowed. “Of course, signora.” He then packed up his case and retreated.

  Aunt Theo shot up out of her seat with a hand on her chest as if in acute pain. “Heavens, I need a sherry.” After she poured a drink at the sideboard, she shook her head. “Pearl would be quite disappointed in you.”

  Julia sighed. “I know. Except I have to live with myself once the choice is made.”

  “That is what matters, then.” Theo sipped her drink and reclaimed her seat. “How will you explain your refusal to Colton? Because no Cyprian in her right mind would turn down jewelry.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure what I’ll tell him. It didn’t feel right to accept them. I know it’s hard to understand but . . . I wouldn’t be able to wear them with pride. And Colton will merely have to accept that. Honestly, he should thank me as I have just saved him a large amount of money.”