The Heart of a Duke(47)

“Emily?” Something cold curdled in her stomach.

“Come now, Julia.” His voice lowered with an edge of strained patience. “We do not want a repeat performance of the last time she was here. Her gliding about like mad Ophelia, collecting flowers from the centerpieces to place on dear Jason’s grave. You must understand that could be damaging to both of us.”

“No, we cannot have that,” she murmured, the blood draining from her head. It might tarnish his esteemed stature to have his fiancée’s family tainted with a strain of madness. The punch of pain stole her breath.

Not Emily. Skewering Richards’s poor homely fiancée was in poor taste. But Emily, maligning Emily was . . . unforgivable.

“I am glad you understand.” His smile returned, and with a finger beneath her punch glass, he prodded it toward her. “Drink, it will relax you.” And with a stiff bow, he was gone.

She took a fortifying sip of her punch, needing a minute to collect herself. Edmund had always greeted Emily and dismissed her in much the same manner as he did Jonathan. It had never occurred to Julia that he might harbor the superstition that Emily could contaminate him. As if her debilitating grief was a disease he could catch.

Julia’s unease was twofold, for she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she could never presume to voice her concerns over his estate management. From their short exchange, His Grace had made it clear he did not want her worrying her pretty little head over business matters. She pressed an unsteady hand to her temple, feeling the beginnings of a headache.

“Lady Julia, it is lovely to see you. We missed you at Lord Collins’s.”

Julia turned to see Lady Miranda Matthews and her sister Lily. She had shared her first season with Miranda, who was married and a mother now. Julia believed Lily had come out two years ago.

After greeting them, she addressed Miranda. “Excuse me, Lord Collins’s?”

She did not miss the look Miranda passed her sister before giving her reply. “The hunting party in Kent. Edmund said you were busy with family concerns and could not make the trip.”

Mmh. How kind of Edmund to make her excuses despite her never having given any, not having been invited in the first place. He should have told them the truth, that she was busy assisting his disgruntled tenants. Her smile was brittle. “Yes, well, family does come first.”

“I understand,” Miranda said. “You did not miss a thing. Just the usual barking hounds, fast foxes, and red-coated riders. Lily?”

“If you forgot anything, it is captured in the ubiquitous hunting portraits that are mandatory in every Englishman’s study or library.”

Grateful for the reprieve from her conflicted thoughts, Julia grinned. “I do believe that is by royal decree. As my father has heeded that requirement, I have not missed much.”

“What did you not miss?”

Lady Jessica Stevens had joined them. Julia was not on familiar terms with her.

“We were catching Lady Julia up on Collins’s hunting party. She could not attend due to family obligations.”

“Mmh, yes. Well, you need not worry over Bedford. I assure you, he was quite well taken care of. Isn’t that right, ladies?”

Julia nearly gasped at the insinuation, but Miranda appeared as horrified as she and was quick to respond.

“As you well know, Jessica, being as you are so accomplished at it, many women can flirt, but Edmund made it clear tonight and at Collins’s that he only has eyes for Lady Julia.” She faced Julia, a teasing light warming her eyes. “And what were you discussing so intently? Do tell. He appeared as if he could not take his eyes off of you, which is no surprise, for you look lovely. Your gown is exquisite.”

“Thank you,” Julia said, grateful for Miranda’s rescue. She still had some friends.

The gown had been another of Emily’s recommendations. She had said the rose tint made her skin look peaches and cream soft. Naked is what came to Julia’s mind when she saw its plunging décolletage. It was little wonder Edmund couldn’t peel his eyes from her.

She paused at the brazen thought, but she was no longer an innocent debutante. Being older and wiser had its benefits. She smiled brightly at Jessica. “We were discussing our honeymoon. Edmund insists on Italy, and I quite agree with him. After all, they have long, lovely siestas with nothing to do but relax and rest all afternoon, which is what we intend to do when we are not engaged in other . . . activities.” She gave Jessica a deliberate look, but hoped to escape before her burning cheeks betrayed her. “Now if you will excuse me, I must find my sister. I fear she has disappeared.”