A Breath of Scandal (15 page)

Julian remained stubbornly silent as he stared out the window.

“The gossips raked her over the coals,” Rudy offered. “Her looks are too exotic to be considered proper. Men were put off by her background and women were jealous of her beauty. She’s part Gypsy, you know.”

“How dreadful to be the subject of vicious gossip,” Emma commiserated. “I hope someone has the good sense to offer for her.”

“What about you, Emma?” Julian challenged. “How many men have you turned down this season?”

“Now, Julian, don’t fuss at Emma,” Amanda chided. “The child will make her choice when she’s found the right man.”

Julian felt sick when Emma sent Blakely a shy smile. His relief was palpable when they discharged Blakely at his townhouse.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Lady Emma,” Rudy said, ignoring Julian’s cold glare. “I’ll bring my new rig around and take you for a drive in the park.”

“I daresay Emma will be busy tomorrow,” Julian ventured.

“Not at all,” Emma said, ignoring Julian’s scowl.

“Emma, I wish you wouldn’t flout my wishes in this matter,” Julian chided.

“You’re such a bluenose, Julian,” Emma chided. “Don’t you ever do anything on the spur of the moment? Must you always be so proper, so disapproving of everything I do? Sometimes one does things because it makes one happy. But I don’t suppose you know anything about that, do you?”

Julian went still. Was that really how Emma saw him? A strict guardian with no joy in his soul? He’d been happy once, before Diana and his unborn child met their untimely deaths. But he knew even then that he’d been a strict taskmaster. As head of the Thornton family, he had taken his responsibilities seriously. Sinjun had been no help, and his family’s welfare had sat heavily on his shoulders.

Lord Randall had recruited Julian as an undercover agent ten years ago. At the time the excitement of undercover work appealed to him. But look what it had gotten him. The deaths of two innocent people. After those senseless deaths, Julian had made a solemn vow to himself. Once he ran Diana’s killer to ground, he would never again place the lives of those he loved in danger.

Julian dressed carefully for his visit to Stanhope Hall the following day. He looked every bit the elegant lord in buff breeches and coat, snowy white linen shirt, and polished Hessians. The carriage was waiting for him outside the door when he left the house precisely at one forty-five. He drove the matched grays himself, threading the ribbons between his fingers with practiced ease. At exactly two o’clock he turned up the circular driveway of Stanhope Hall. Another carriage was parked before the door, and Julian scowled. He hoped it wasn’t one of those young puppies who had made disparaging remarks about Lara’s heritage.

Julian rapped on the door with his walking stick and was promptly shown into the drawing room by the imperturbable butler. Lara was sitting on a sofa, perusing a book. She looked up when he entered, barely concealing her displeasure. He studied her through lowered lids. She looked tired, he thought. Mauve shadows marred the fragile skin beneath her eyes, and there was a tightness about her mouth that hadn’t been there before.

Julian glanced about the room, pleased that he was the only caller. The other carriage must belong to someone visiting Lord Stanhope, he decided.

“I brought my carriage, Lady Lara,” Julian said. “You look tired. A drive in the park is just what you need. Will you join me?”

A fringe of long, dark lashes made it difficult to read her mood. Truth to tell, she appeared none too pleased to see him.

“I have no intention of going anywhere with you, Lord Mansfield,” Lara said coolly.

“Lara, did I just hear you dismiss Mansfield?” Lord Stanhope asked. Apparently he had entered the room in time to hear Lara’s reply to Julian’s invitation. “You’re being exceptionally rude, my dear. Are you ill?”

“I’m fine, Papa, really,” Lara said. “I’m just not inclined toward a ride in the park today.”

“Nonsense, Lara. I gave Mansfield permission to call on you. The least you can do is take that ride he offered. ’Tis a beautiful day. The air will do you good. Get your wrap while I have a word with Mansfield.”

Lara sent Julian a resentful glare and left the room. Lord Stanhope stared after her, a puzzled expression darkening his pleasant features.

“I don’t know what’s got into the gel, Mansfield. She seems to have taken a dislike to you.”

“So it would seem,” Julian drawled.

“I’m worried about Lara,” Stanhope confided. “I love her dearly, Mansfield, but I’m not blind. I saw how the
ton
treated her last night. She’s too different, not English enough to gain their approval. Men, bah, they don’t recognize a jewel when they see one. They can’t see past her golden skin and exotic eyes.”

“Someone is sure to see her worth,” Julian ventured.

“I was pleased when you asked permission to call on her. You’re the only one, you know. The others coveted her, but had nothing respectable in mind.”

“I’m sure you’re imagining things, Stanhope,” Julian bluffed. If any man showed disrespect to Lara in his presence, or made untoward advances, he’d skin him alive.

“Time will tell.” Stanhope sighed. “I must get back to my guest now. I left him when Simms informed me you had arrived. Government business, you know.”

Julian’s interest sharpened, but he was disappointed when Stanhope said nothing more. Stanhope wasn’t particularly close to Randall so Julian had no reason to be suspicious, though Stanhope was a powerful man in Parliament.

“Of course,” Julian said smoothly. “I’ll wait here for Lady Lara. I won’t keep her out long.”

Stanhope quit the room. Julian moved closer to the door and surreptitiously watched him enter a room halfway down the corridor. Lara still hadn’t come downstairs, and no servants were nearby. Throwing caution to the wind, Julian crept down the passage and halted before the door Stanhope had just gone through.

Voices drifted to him through the panel. They were muffled, but loud enough for Julian to make out. Stanhope was speaking.

“The Scorpion, you say? He cannot be allowed to …” The last words were lost to Julian as Stanhope’s voice lowered. He picked up the conversation when Stanhope’s voice grew louder. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. We can’t let a dangerous man like that roam the streets.”

Another voice answered, too low and strident for Julian to recognize, and he dare not linger. Was Stanhope involved with the smugglers? It certainly seemed that way. But he mustn’t jump to conclusions. He’d have to wait and watch how this played out. He hurried back to the drawing room, arriving seconds before Lara returned with her wrap.

Julian took the cape from her and placed it around her shoulders.

“Where’s Papa?” Lara asked.

“He returned to his study. He has a visitor. Did you happen to see who it was?” Julian asked casually.

“No, I was upstairs when he arrived.” She sent Julian a sharp look. “Why? What are you up to, my lord? More secret business? Leave Papa out of it.”

“You misjudge me, Lara,” Julian replied in an effort to allay her suspicious nature. “Shall we go?”

“I really don’t want to go anywhere with you, my lord, but if you insist, I suppose I can survive a drive in the park in your company.”

Julian handed her into the carriage and climbed into the driver’s seat beside her. A slap of the reins and they were off.

“There is no reason for this coldness between us,” Julian said as Lara stared stonily ahead.

Lara’s dark gaze knifed into him. “Is there not? You left me, my lord. You insulted me horribly. You thought yourself too good for a Gypsy wench.”

Julian had the grace to flush. “You could have told me the truth. What else was I to think?”

“You could have believed me. You could have told me you were an earl. I deserve an apology.”

Julian gritted his teeth. She did indeed deserve an apology. “I’m sorry, Lara. Forgive my bad manners. I jumped to conclusions.”

“It’s
not
that easy, my lord,” Lara replied curtly. “Perhaps in time. Tell me, why all the secrecy? Who is trying to kill you?”

Maybe your father. “There are things I cannot tell anyone, not even my family.”

Lara gave a brittle laugh. “I gave you my love, my innocence, my heart. You took them and gave nothing of yourself in return, save for empty passion.”

“Not empty passion, Lara. Never that. You’re the only woman who …” His words fell off. Now was not the time to make declarations, not when his own feelings were confused. He did know his duty, though.

“No lies, Drago. You abandoned me. What if I’m carrying your child? Did you ever think of that?”

Julian started violently. “God’s blood! I never considered that.” He searched her face. “Are you expecting my child?”

“No, thank God. Would it have made a difference? No, don’t answer. I know it would not. Earls marry from their own ranks.”

“Things have changed,” Julian began. “I’m an honorable man, whether you believe me or not. I’ve compromised an earl’s daughter and now I must make amends.”

Lara’s eyes widened. “I hope you’re not suggesting what I think you are. You didn’t want a wife then, why do you want one now?”

“I told you. I thought you were—”

“—a Gypsy, I know. The color of my skin hasn’t changed, nor has the shape of my eyes.”

“Let me be the judge of what’s best for you,” Julian advised.

“You presume too much, Drago. My destiny is mine to fulfill. You still love your dead fiancée. I won’t take second place in your heart.”

Julian’s expression hardened as he turned the carriage into the park. “Will you just listen to me?”

“No. Unless you wish to tell me how and why you ended up in Pietro’s camp with two bullets in you.”

“ ’Tis a long story.”

“I have time.”

“Anything I tell you will put your life at risk. I have many guises. I’m the Earl of Mansfield, of course, but I also work for the government. I was on an important mission. A traitor I have yet to identify recognized me. Attempts have been made on my life before, and one of them ended in Diana’s death.” He paused, looking off into the distance. “Diana was carrying my child when she died. I won’t rest until I find the man responsible.”

The sharp intake of her breath told Julian his revelation had shocked her. “So I was right. You
are
a government agent.”

“Aye, and a damn good one, until someone discovered my identity.”

“I’m sorry about Diana and … and your child, but getting yourself killed won’t bring them back. What has the traitor done?”

“I can’t say. ’Tis best you forget I ever mentioned it. I will never speak of it again during our courtship.”

A weighted pause. “Our what?”

“I intend to court you in a timely manner and marry you in a ceremony grand enough to satisfy the
ton
.”

“I thought we already
were
married.”

“That marriage wasn’t legal,” Julian countered. What did she want from him? He had offered for her, done what society demanded of him. He had ruined her and was willing to right the wrong he had done her.

“Good,” Lara blasted, “because I don’t want to be married to you. You have too many secrets, too much pain, too much anger inside you to give me the love I deserve. You have room in your heart for nothing but revenge. I’m sorry, my lord. I can’t live without love.”

Julian grimaced. “Why is love so important? You’ll have respect, my name, everything within my power to grant you. We’ll always have passion, no one can take that away from us. Let it go, Lara.”

“I can’t let it go. Until you tell me you love me, don’t mention marriage again.”

T
he drive in the park hadn’t turned out exactly as Julian had hoped. Lara remained stubbornly resistant to his courtship. Her position on love had made it impossible for him to convince her that marrying him was necessary, whether she liked it or not. He had even reminded her that his proposal was likely to be the only one she would get, but that had only made her more adamantly opposed to the match.

Julian drove purposely slow through the park so anyone out and about could see them and draw their own conclusions. People on horseback and in carriages stopped and ogled them, a few drawing abreast for a word with Julian. One of the men who stopped to chat was Clay Merritt, Earl of Tolliver, one of Randall’s confidants. When Julian had questioned Tolliver’s loyalty, Randall had assured Julian that Tolliver had no knowledge of Scorpion’s identity. That was a secret only Randall and Julian shared.

“Lord Mansfield,” Tolliver greeted affably. “You’ve been missed in London. Business abroad?”

“You could say that,” Julian replied. “Have you met Lady Lara?”

“Lord Stanhope’s daughter, is it not?” Tolliver purred, smiling at Lara. “Indeed, we chatted at the ball last evening, though I doubt you remember me with the crush of people vying for your attention. But we actually met briefly before that at your home, when I had occasion to visit your father.”

“Of course I remember, my lord,” Lara said. “How nice to see you again.”

Julian scowled. For some unexplained reason Tolliver rubbed him the wrong way. He was personable enough, but the man’s narrow face, sharp chin, and intense brown eyes reminded Julian of a ferret. He was of medium build and always dressed in the height of fashion. Julian and Tolliver were acquainted socially, but not professionally.

A sudden suspicion made Julian view Tolliver in a new light. Tolliver was close to Randall and could be the elusive Jackal. Tolliver, however, gave no indication that he was aware of Julian’s secret investigation.

“Enjoy your ride,” Tolliver said as he took his leave.

Julian stared after him, his mind working furiously. “Is Tolliver a frequent visitor at your home?” he asked as he set the horses into motion.

Lara’s brow furrowed. “I’ve seen him a time or two when he called on Papa. He and Papa are sponsoring a bill together in Parliament, I believe, and confer together often. But so is Viscount Dunbar a frequent visitor.”

Viscount Dunbar was another of Randall’s confidants, Julian reflected. Of the three men, Dunbar, Tolliver and Stanhope, was one of them a traitor? Were all three traitors? One way or another, Julian intended to find out. What worried him was Lara’s proximity to men who might pose a danger to her. He didn’t like to think what might happen to her if she was recognized as the Gypsy girl from Pietro’s camp. Lara’s life could be in danger simply because she had helped him.