I was, however, most grateful that she was not armed with a pistol as rumor had it that this was not the first time she had discovered a gentleman of her intimate acquaintance in the bed of another …
from The Perfect Mistress,
the Memoirs of Lady Hermione Middlebury
Chapter Eighteen
“I cannot believe you are still abed at this hour.” Veronica swept into the room. “Although it is probably much deser—” Her eyes widened and she sucked in a hard breath.
For a long moment no one moved in a frozen tableau of misbehavior. In some remote part of her mind not completely horrified, Julia noted that if this scene were on stage it would be most amusing and decidedly naughty, although the actors would be clothed.
Veronica’s gaze fixed on Harrison, dropped from his face then quickly returned. She clapped her hand to her throat and emitted an odd strangled sort of sound, as if the words themselves were lodged there.
Harrison hesitated, apparently debating the merits of diving for cover or completely ignoring the fact that he hadn’t a stitch on, was in Julia’s bedroom where she was just as naked as he, and was now confronted by his sister.
“Good day, Veronica,” he said in as casual a manner as he might if they had just chanced upon one another in the park. He strolled across the room, picked up the blanket that lay on the floor at the foot of the bed, and wrapped it around himself. Given his example, Julia could do no less and simply clutched the covers tighter against her chest and resisted the most absurd impulse to giggle.
Veronica gasped. “My God, Harrison.”
“Yes?”
She stared. “What has come over you?”
Julia snorted back a laugh.
“Over me?” He raised a brow. “In what way?”
“The Harrison I have always known would not have been so unconcerned at being caught sans clothing!”
“Ah, yes.” He glanced down as if just now noticing his state of undress. “Awkward, isn’t it?”
Veronica choked. “Awkward is the least of it!”
Julia bit her lip. She would have thought being caught with a naked man would have been mortifying, not amusing, but it was perhaps the funniest thing that had ever happened to her. Hermione’s influence, no doubt, as well as Harrison’s complete nonchalance and total composure. It was most impressive.
Veronica, however, did not look either amused or impressed. “Julia, I demand to know what is going on.”
“Well,” Julia said slowly, still trying to keep from laughing, “nothing.” She paused. “At the moment.”
Harrison grinned.
“This is not funny!”
Julia’s gaze met Harrison’s and they both burst into laughter.
“I don’t know why the two of you think it’s so amusing.” Veronica’s stunned gaze slid from Julia to Harrison. “And what are you doing here?”
“Nothing.” His grin widened. “At the moment.”
“This is … well, it’s … and I …” Veronica drew herself up. “Well, I’m shocked, that’s what I am. Shocked, I tell you. Shocked at you both.”
“Come now, Veronica,” Harrison said mildly. “Of all the people I know, you are the one I would think would be least likely to be shocked by anything let alone something of this nature.”
“The very fact that I am is shocking as well.” She fanned her face with her hand. “But even I can be taken aback by finding a naked man, my brother, in my dearest friend’s boudoir.”
“Think what your reaction would have been had you arrived sooner,” Harrison murmured.
Julia ignored him. “Now, now, Veronica. We certainly did not plan to shock you.”
“Indeed,” Harrison added. “You did not figure in our plans at all.”
Julia cast her a chastising look. “It’s not as if we expected you to arrive and burst uninvited into the room.”
“That’s obvious!”
“You weren’t supposed to come until tomorrow.”
Veronica glared at her. “This is tomorrow!”
“Oh yes, of course.” Julia giggled.
Harrison shrugged. “It seems to me the cat is now out of the bag.”
“Obviously, the cat’s not all that’s out of the bag,” Veronica snapped.
“You’re most amusing when you’re indignant you know.” He chuckled.
She narrowed her eyes.
“Well, I believe I shall go back to my room and dress.”
“Excellent idea!” she snapped.
“And then I hope your staff has some sort of meal prepared.” He glanced at Julia. “We are famished.”
“Indeed we are.” Julia nodded. “I can’t remember the last time I was this hungry.”
Veronica groaned.
“We have a great deal to talk about as well.” His gaze met hers and her heart fluttered.
“Yes,” she said softly. “A great deal.”
“More than you think!” Veronica huffed.
Harrison cast Julia a last lingering look and left, closing the door behind him.
“Well?” Veronica stared at her friend.
“Well what?”
“Do you care to explain?”
“Goodness, Veronica, I daresay an explanation isn’t necessary.” Julia plucked an errant thread from the sheet. “I would think it’s obvious.”
“You and Harrison?”
Julia grinned.
Veronica sank down on the foot of the bed. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“You did seem surprised.”
“Well, yes I was surprised at”—she gestured at the bed—“this. I knew the two of you were developing feelings for one another. Knowing Harrison, and you as well, I assumed there would be something of a … a courtship. Evenings at the theater, dinners with friends, that sort of thing.”
“Oh, I imagine we can still go to the theater,” Julia said in an innocent manner.
Veronica rolled her gaze toward the ceiling. “What I never imagined was his seducing you.”
“He did not seduce me.”
Veronica’s eyes widened. “Then you—”
“I would say it was a mutual seduction.”
Veronica studied her closely. “Are you all right?”
“I have never been better.” She smiled at the thought of just how better she really was.
“Are you sure?”
“Veronica, I have just had the most wonderful night of my entire life.”
“I see.” She paused. “Not merely nice then?”
Julia grinned. “No, not merely nice. And better yet—” she drew a deep breath—“I suspect it is only the beginning.”
Veronica stared at her for a long moment then nodded. “That’s … wonderful. Truly wonderful. If you’re happy about this and he’s happy—”
“I am and I am fairly certain he is as well.”
A slow smile spread across Veronica’s face. “I knew it. Not entirely from the beginning but Harrison started to change when he first met you. And watching the two of you dance around each other, well, I couldn’t be more pleased.” A wry note sounded in her voice. “Although I shall surely go blind from the sight I was confronted with today.”
Julia laughed.
“Now, you should dress as well and I shall meet you downstairs.” She stood and her expression sobered. “There’s a rather nasty business you need to know about.”
“Are you talking about the rumors?”
Veronica arched a brow. “You know?”
She nodded. “That’s why Harrison is here. He thought I should know as soon as possible.”
“What a charming, thoughtful thing for him to do. I fear I have not given him due credit. Although he does prove my point.” She started toward the door.
“And which of your many points is that?”
“What I always say about Portia holds true for Harrison as well. Those least likely to bend are most likely to snap.”
Julia scoffed. “I daresay he hasn’t snapped.”
<
br /> “Perhaps not, but he has certainly bent a great deal. Thanks to you or thanks to love, it scarcely matters why, I suppose. The only thing that’s significant is that he has changed for the better. He is not the man he was. Stuffy, staid, dull Harrison seems to have been banished. Charles would have been very pleased.” She pulled open the door then looked back and cast Julia a wicked grin. “And my God, the man looks good naked.”
“As soon as I heard, of course, I attempted to ferret out the source of the rumors.” Veronica shook her head. “To no avail, I’m afraid. At least not yet.”
Harrison and the ladies sat on Veronica’s terrace enjoying the unusually warm autumn day. No doubt, one of the last they would see. In the few hours since her momentous arrival, Veronica had regained her usual composure and had even expressed her approval. Not that it mattered. His gaze strayed to Julia but then he could scarcely tear his eyes away from her. If he couldn’t touch her hand or hold her in his arms or press his lips to hers, which he resisted in Veronica’s presence, he could at least feast his eyes on her. Savor the way her skin glowed in the fresh air and how the sunlight painted her hair with hues of gold. And revel in the manner in which her gaze would meet and mesh with his and the secret promises that passed between them.
Veronica heaved a frustrated sigh. “Are you listening to me? Either of you?”
“We’ve heard every word, Veronica,” Julia said smoothly. “You have not yet discovered who is behind these dreadful rumors but you are determined to do so.”
“Perhaps you were listening,” she said, somewhat mollified. “Indeed, I fully intend to discover the culprit responsible. I have excellent sources for this sort of thing, you know. They have yet to fail me and I will not allow failure now.”
“And do not think I am not grateful for your efforts.” Julia laid her hand on Veronica’s. “You are a true friend and I am most appreciative.”
“As am I,” Harrison added. “A scandal of this magnitude will destroy Julia’s reputation.” Not that he really cared. As much as he had always fought to avoid scandal, given recent events, it was no longer as crucial as it once was. Besides, Julia would soon become Lady Mountdale and would then be above reproach. If she still wanted the memoirs published, Harrison would arrange for a private publication, a limited edition that could be carefully controlled. It was a solution that would solve all their problems. She had no need now to sell her great-grandmother’s book. As the Countess of Mountdale, as his wife, her financial difficulties were at an end.
Veronica’s considering gaze shifted from Julia to Harrison and back. “Julia?”
She nodded. “I would prefer not to be at the center of scandal.”
“While I had originally planned to stay for several days, I think it would be best if we all returned to London at once,” Veronica said. “This is a battle that cannot be waged from a distance.”
The butler appeared at the terrace door, discreetly crossed to Veronica, and spoke low into her ear. She nodded. “Show them into the parlor.”
The butler took his leave and Veronica’s gaze met Julia’s. “It appears you have guests.”
Surprise widened Julia’s eyes. “I do? Who on earth would be coming to see me?”
Veronica studied Julia. “Lord Holridge and his mother.”
Julia stared. “William’s brother and mother are here?”
“So it seems.” Veronica rose to her feet. “I can say you are indisposed, if you’d like.”
“No, don’t be silly. I haven’t seen them since William’s death. I can’t imagine why …” Julia’s face paled. “Good Lord. Do you think they’ve heard?”
Veronica’s voice was grim. “I can’t think of another reason for them to be here.”
Harrison stood and held out his hand to Julia. “Then we shall find out why they have come.”
Her gaze met his. She smiled, took his hand and rose. “Yes, we shall.”
“I’m not sure I shall be able to stand the two of you,” Veronica said under her breath and led the way to the parlor.
They paused outside the closed parlor doors. Harrison chose his words with care. “Veronica, I know you wish to help but I think it would be best if you did not accompany her.”
“Nonsense. This is my house and Julia is my guest.” She sniffed. “Besides, I know how to handle people like this. I have handled you all these years.”
“Precisely why I think your presence might not be wise,” he said. “You do have a certain way about you that tends to exacerbate an awkward situation.”
“We don’t know what the situation is yet, although admittedly we can guess,” Julia said in a manner far calmer than he would have expected.
“Hah! We know exactly why they’re here,” Veronica said. “What nerve they have. You cannot confront them alone.”
“Yes, Veronica, I can.” Julia drew a deep breath. “I am not the same woman I once was. The Wintersets made it abundantly clear after William’s death that I no longer had a position in their family. Nor do I feel any obligation to them whatsoever. I have had to take care of myself for the last three years and I have no doubt I can do so now.”
“At least let Harrison go in with you. He knows these kind of stuffy, proper people. Lord knows, he is a stuffy, proper sort himself. Besides, Holridge is a baron whereas Harrison is an earl. People like that are always conscious of rank.”
“And I daresay you could use a friendly face,” Harrison added, ignoring Veronica’s assessment of his nature.
Julia paused then nodded. “Very well then.”
Harrison glanced at Veronica. “I assume you’ll be listening at the door?”
“Goodness, Harrison.” She huffed. “I would be nowhere else.”
He nodded and opened the door, waiting for Julia to enter first then closed the door behind them. A gentleman of about his age stood near the fireplace, a matronly woman with a grim expression sat on the settee.
“Lord Holridge, Lady Holridge.” Julia nodded a greeting. “Allow me to introduce Lady Smithson’s brother, Lord Mountdale.”
Lady Holridge’s eyes widened. “Lord Mountdale, this is an honor.”
Lord Holridge nodded. “Lord Mountdale.”
Harrison cast them a polite smile but held his tongue. This was, after all, Julia’s affair. But he would not hesitate to step in if necessary.
“I must say, I am surprised to see you here,” Julia said. “Or to see you at all for that matter.”
“I have no doubt you are surprised,” Lady Holridge said in a curt manner. “As you chose to flee from London. Fortunately, it was not difficult to ascertain your whereabouts.”
Julia’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I did not flee from London. Lady Smithson was so kind as to invite me to spend a few days of peace in the country.”
“Hmph.” Lady Holridge snorted.
“Lady Winterset,” Lord Holridge said, then his tone softened. “Julia. We have become aware of a matter of some importance that has us greatly troubled.”
“It’s a scandal, that’s what it is.” Lady Holridge’s lips pressed together. “Scandal has never touched this family and I will not allow it to do so now.”
Harrison winced to himself. Hadn’t he said much the same thing when he’d first heard about the memoirs? And hadn’t he sounded every bit as sanctimonious and stuffy?
“Julia,” Lord Holridge began before his mother could say another word. The man was obviously smarter than he looked. “We have heard that you are planning to sell for publication a book, memoirs—”
“Vile, filthy, scandalous memoirs.” Lady Holridge sniffed.
“—that were either written by your ancestor—”
“A notorious tart that respectable people would not associate with.” Lady Holridge huffed.
“—or by yourself based on your own”—he cleared his throat—“experience. We should like to know if it’s true.”
Julia considered him coolly. “Which part, Edward?”
“For goodness’ sak
es, Edward, we know it’s true.” Lady Holridge speared Julia with a look that would have made even Harrison shudder if subjected to it. “Isn’t it, Julia?”
Julia clasped her hands together and considered the older woman calmly. “I am indeed contemplating the sale for publication of memoirs written by Lady Middlebury.”
The elderly lady’s eyes narrowed. “I knew it.”
Julia cast her a cool look. This was the Julia he had first met in her library. “Then why did you ask?”
Lady Holridge sputtered.
“Julia,” Lord Holridge began. “There is already a great deal of talk about these memoirs. While you say they were written by Lady Middlebury, and certainly we believe you, but given the rumors, other people will not. Have you considered the effect this will have on your reputation? Your future?”
“And the way it will reflect on William and his family?” Lady Holridge said sharply.
“I have given its impact on my life a great deal of consideration, Edward. It would be foolish not to. As William is dead, I have not given so much as a single thought as to how this would reflect upon him. Nor have I considered the effect on his family. It simply is of no significance to me.”
Lady Holridge’s face reddened and she looked as if she might explode at any moment into a million pieces of indignity and outrage.
“To be blunt, and I believe this situation does call for honesty, my finances are such that I have no other choice.” Julia smiled politely. “And I would rather face scandal than certain poverty.”
“William would be appalled.” Lady Holridge glared. “My son would never permit this if he were alive.”
“Unfortunately, he is not alive. And I can no longer be concerned with what he might think.”
The older woman gasped. “Dear Lord!”
“Perhaps, if your son had had the foresight to provide for his widow, Lady Winterset would not be in the financial straits that have led her to this point,” Harrison said smoothly. “Or if your family had not seen fit to disavow themselves of any financial responsibility toward your late son’s wife this could have been avoided.”
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