The Perfect Mistress (34 page)

“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’ sakes, 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.”

“Not my idea,” Lord Holridge said under his breath.

His mother ignored him. “I absolutely forbid you to continue on this course that will lead us all into scandal.”

“I believe you forfeited any right to forbid me, or indeed, to so much as ask me to do anything whatsoever, when you ceased the allowance you gave William and cut off any ties to your family.” Julia’s voice was as composed as her manner even though Harrison suspected she was shaking with anger.

“I will not permit you to drag my family through the muck and mire of your family’s disgusting heritage!”

“You”—Julia met her gaze with an unflinching stare—“have no say in it.”

“Julia,” Lord Holridge said quickly. “If we were to resume William’s allowance, thus eliminating your financial difficulties, would you then reconsider the publication of this work?”

She considered her late husband’s brother for a long moment. Harrison held his breath. Julia smiled in a cordial manner but there was a look in her eye that he had seen before. “No.”

“You are as disgraceful as your great-grandmother.” Disdain rang in Lady Holridge’s voice and she rose to her feet. “You shall pay for this, Julia Winterset. I shall make certain you will never again be welcome among decent people. Society will be closed to you for the rest of your days.”

“Mother.” Even as Lord Holridge said the word, Harrison knew it was futile.

“I knew right from the beginning William was making a dreadful mistake. I tried to warn him, indeed, I tried to stop him but he refused to listen. I told him that tarts and madness run in your family.” She shook her head. “Of course he’s not the first son to marry against his family’s wishes. I have always thought that was precisely why he chose you. That and your pretty face.”

Fire glinted in Julia’s eyes. “As much as I do hate to spoil your plans—”

“Lady Holridge,” Harrison said quickly to forestall Julia. “Even an impartial observer can see that it is unlikely that you and Lady Winterset will ever see eye to eye. But perhaps you would allow me to make a suggestion?”

Julia’s gaze caught his and she nodded slightly.

“I beg your pardon, my lord.” Lady Holridge drew her brows together. “But I am not sure I understand your interest in this matter.”

“Lady Winterset has long been a friend of my family’s,” he said without hesitation. It wasn’t a complete lie. Veronica was family. “I can assure you there has never been scandal attached to my family either.”

“No, I’ve never heard anything about you. And I would have too.” She nodded. “Your father is another matter. I understand he’s named in this scandalous work.”

At once he realized where Lady Holridge had learned her information. “And that is precisely my interest. You should know I have been discussing a solution with Lady Winterset that will satisfy us all. Indeed, we are very close to an agreement.”

“Oh?” Suspicion sounded in the older woman’s voice.

Julia’s gaze fixed on him.

He did need to take a hand in this. As an intelligent woman Julia would understand that what he was about to do was in her best interests. The Lady Holridges and Fern-castles of this world could indeed make one an outcast in society. Even marriage to someone as eminently proper as he had always been would not fully redeem her for years. And no matter how much she might claim she didn’t care about scandal, her response to learning about these rumors last night had been most telling. Besides, there was no longer any need for her to sell the memoirs.

“I am just as concerned about the scandal this book will cause as you are. I can assure you I have the matter well in hand.” He smiled in a conspiratorial manner. And Veronica thought he couldn’t be charming. “It is to no one’s benefit to publish them and make them available for public consumption.”

“I should say not!” The older woman glared.

“And if they are not published, the matter will fade from interest as soon as the next interesting item comes along.” He favored her with his most charming smile. “Don’t you agree?”

“Yes, well, you’re right, I suppose.” She smiled reluctantly. “I must say, I am grateful you have taken this stand, my lord.”

He smiled in a modest manner.

“We are most appreciative for your assistance in this matter,” Lord Holridge said in a grateful manner, and slanted Julia a quick look of apology.

“Obviously, what was needed was a firm hand,” his mother said, now completely ignoring Julia’s presence.

“Mother, we must be going if we are to return to London before nightfall.” Obviously, Lord Holridge was eager to be on his way.

“Nonsense.” His mother scoffed. “I assumed Lady Smithson would offer us accommodations for the night.”

Lord Holridge groaned softly.

The door opened and Veronica stepped into the room, an overly pleasant smile on her face. “I was just passing by and thought I heard my name. May I be of assistance?”

“I was just saying that I assumed you would offer your hospitality to us for the night.” Lady Holridge cast Veronica a beneficent smile, as if she were bestowing a great favor on the younger woman.

“Why on earth would I do that?” The innocent look in Veronica’s eyes matched her tone. “Unless I am mistaken, you were neither invited nor expected.” Harrison gave her a chastising look and she shrugged. “Unfortunately, I seem to be beset with unexpected guests today and I simply have no spare rooms.”

“You don’t?” Lady Holridge studied her suspiciously. “But this house is enormous.”

Veronica smiled. “Odd, isn’t it?” She hooked her arm through Lady Holridge’s and steered her toward the door. “But do allow me to escort you out. It is, after all, the very least I can do. Any other time of course, well, you do understand. Now, you should hurry or you will miss the last train.”

“Trains are disgusting, filthy contraptions.” Lady Hol-ridge sniffed in contempt. “I have never ridden on a train nor shall I ever. We came in our carriage.”

“All the way from London? Imagine that.” Veronica escorted her out the door, Lord Holridge trailing behind. “Then you must be on your way and I must commend you on adhering to your principles rather than surrendering to convenience and ease….”

“That’s that.” Harrison chuckled and closed the door behind them. “I did think Veronica was going to do something that might …” He turned toward Julia and his smile faded. “You’re angry with me, aren’t you?”

Julia glanced from side to side as if looking to see if there were anyone else in the room. “Oh, are you talking to me? I didn’t realize you knew I was still present.”

He took a step toward her. “Julia.”

“You had no right to lead her to believe the memoirs will not be published. Indeed, you had no right to interfere at all.”

He stared at her. “If I hadn’t stepped in, you would have said or done something to make the situation worse.”

“So you were protecting me?”

“Well … yes.”

She shook her head. “I don’t need your protection.”

“Perhaps not but you did need my help.”

“No.” Her gaze met his. “I did not.”

“Julia, while you are an intelligent woman, I am an intelligent man.” He chose his words with care. “And as an intelligent woman you must admit that I know better.”

“In this case or always?”

He hesitated.

“I see,” she said slowly. “Then while I am intelligent I am not nearly as clever as you?”

“I am a man,” he said without thinking.

“Indeed you are,” she said coolly. “What did you mean when you said you had the matter well in hand?”

“I meant that, well, I do,” he said staunchly.

“Perhaps I am not as intelligent as you think. Please explain. How exactly do you have the matter well in hand?”

“Surely after last night …”

“Yes?”

“Well, it seems to me you have no need to publish the memoirs now.”

“Because I shared your bed?”

“Yes. No!” He shook his head. “That’s not what I meant at all.”

“What did you mean?”

“I meant that your finances will soon no longer be a problem.”

“I don’t see that last night changed my financial circumstances in the least.”

“I shall take care of your finances.”

“Oh?” She raised a brow.

“Well, I assumed—”

“If you are speaking of marriage, which you have not mentioned up to this point—”

“I am mentioning it now.”

She ignored him. “While I do realize you have certain moral standards, I am a competent adult and accountable for my own actions. It is not necessary to marry me simply because you seduced me.”