Page 9 of His Scandalous Viscountess
Ros’ brow creased in concern. “Julia? Are you feeling well?”
Julia tried to muster a smile for her sister, but as she stared at the room full of people, she couldn’t help but wonder how many of the men might have been in attendance at her auction at The Market. It was, of course, too late to undo what had been done, but she had planned to more or less retire from Society after her little display. After all, she’d needed a scandal to protect herself, but she hadn’t actuallywantedone.
She hadn’t wanted to be the subject of wagging tongues throughout London’s salons and ballrooms. But she hadn’t had another choice. Had she?
Wolf’s handsome face came to mind then, his chiseled features which to some would look austere, even forbidding. But to her merely appeared finely honed, if not resolute. He was, by her account, a beautiful man.
“Oh, look!” Ros patted her arm and smiled. “A friendly face I have not seen in ages.”
It was as though Julia had conjured the man. The crowd had parted to reveal Wolf in all his evening finery. Her well-intentioned sister immediately lifted her hand and waved from across the room to gain his attention.
Julia’s corset—despite being loosely laced, as a private rebellion against Society’s strictures—suddenly squeezed like a vise around her ribs. Her breathing felt restricted as sweat trickled down her spine. Somehow, she had been less disturbed facing him in her flimsy outfit of a few nights ago than she was in full London ladies’ armor. Her stomach flipped as he presented a rare smile to Ros and strode across the room.
“Mrs. Smith!” he exclaimed, as he took her sister’s hand and gallantly bent over to kiss the gloved appendage.
Ros grinned at their one-time playmate. “Lord Wolfington, I wasn’t sure you would remember me. It has been many years since last we spoke.”
His face took on a pained expression. “You wound me, madam. How could I ever forget such adventures as we three had?” He then turned to Julia, and with an aplomb she could not credit, greeted her as though she had not romped in the bed with him and one of his friends only a few nights earlier. “Lady Wallthorpe, it is a pleasure to see you again as well.”
Unable to be rude in such a public place, she allowed him to take her hand. “And you, my lord.”
“You must be the loveliest ladies in attendance this evening.”
Wolf’s smile had taken on a predatory quality that made Julia think of the animal for which he was named.
Ros smiled at him before she shot a small glare at Julia. “Thank you, my lord.”
Julia refused to encourage the man, but her sister could do as she liked—mostly because Ros was safe as cotton-packed china when it came to Wolf. He’d always seen her as a friend, and even a little sister. As for Julia, she had crossed into much murkier territory: that of friend, former fiancée, and now lover.
Ros being Ros, she launched into polite conversation with all of the enthusiasm that should have been beaten out of her first by life as a soldier’s wife, and now that of a widow. However, her sunny disposition and insatiable curiosity seemed to overcome any such trials and tribulations thrown her way. “I’m afraid we missed the sporting season, having only just returned from being abroad. How was the grouse hunting this year?”
“It was rather tepid, I’d say. Perchance I found it so because the company with which I fell in with was also tepid? I suspect had I had you two for company, traipsing across the fields might have been far more stimulating.”
Wolf winked at Ros.
“Do behave, my lord. What would people think should they hear you say such things?” Ros chastised him, laughing all the while.
Julia chose to remain aloof in hopes her erstwhile lover would depart their company. However, she soon realized she had a much bigger issue when she spotted Lord Wallthorpe—her stepson, not her dead husband—waltzing through Lady Swinton’s dinner party as though he were the catch of the season. Cringing deeper into the corner in hopes she might remain unseen, she held her breath and waited for him to pass their little trio.
Unfortunately, her attempt to go unnoticed by one man merely drew the attention of the other.
Wolf eyed her quietly, and then glanced about the room. “Is there someone you wish to avoid besides me, Lady Wallthorpe?”
His question drew her sister’s inquisitive gaze her way, and had her cursing him under her breath. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Wolf let one brow lift, silently calling her out for her blatant lie.
She sighed and pressed her fingers to her temple. “I believe I need some air. Please excuse me.”
And with that, she slipped away and walked swiftly around the crowd until she made her way to the Swintons’ patio and garden. It was a lovely spot, if a trifle cold, with all the snow on the ground. But she needed a moment away from the unexpected crowd, and particularly the men who could not restrain their unwanted attentions.
What with the cold, she could not stand outside all night, so eventually she returned to the main hall of the house, just off the salon. She was about to go in search of her sister when a masculine voice she had hoped to avoid altogether stopped her progress.
“If it isn’t my dear sweet stepmother.”
She repressed the groan that crept up her throat and turned to face him. “Lord Wallthorpe, I did not realize you were acquainted with the Swintons.”
He offered his most charming smile. However, the lack of sincerity was as obvious as his flat brown gaze. She had seen many a man with light brown hair and dark brown eyes who were quite handsome. The problem with her stepson was that he was fouled on the inside, and that ugliness shone through to anyone who bothered to look properly.
