Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

of her, no longer sure that heknew her well enough to predict her emotions and actions. He stronglysuspected that his young cousin would know the truth; he and Daniellewere like brother and sister and even if she had not taken Juliancompletely into her confidence, he was no fool and would probably havejudged the situation accurately.

He ran Julian to earth in Albermale Street and was, for once,thoroughly taken aback by his greeting.

"Odd's blood, Justin, where have you been? I have been out of my headwith worry. It is the outside

of enough to disappear for two weeks andleave me to . . ."

"I was not aware I had entrusted you with any charge, Julian," Justininterrupted curtly. "You may offer me a glass of claret and come out ofthe boughs, if you please."

The cold tones had their usual effect and a flustered Lord Julianbegged pardon and poured the claret.

"Now," Justin said, reclining lazily in a large chair with ear pieces."You will tell me the true nature of Danielle's relationship withD'Evron."

"You must ask her yourself. Gad, Justin, I cannot understand why youhave not done so before." Lord Julian ruffled his powdered chestnutlocks with uncharacteristic carelessness. "I have done what I can tomake light of the rumors; I have tried to persuade her that she cannotgo on in this way, but she will not listen to me."

"She is, then, D'Evron's mistress?" Justin asked, his quiet toneshiding the cold nausea rising in his gorge.

"Oh, do not be absurd, coz!" Jules exclaimed. "Of course she is not.She has eyes only for you and you must be a blind man not to see it."

"Danielle has made it a little difficult for me to do so," Justin saidslowly. "But I have been something of

a fool, I fear." He smiled ruefully. "I am a great deal older than she,Jules,and thought to let her grow up in her own fashion."

"By abandoning her," Julian declared brutally. "She has more bottomthan sense, or at least than sense

of self-preservation," he amended."She actually has a deal of sense where others are concerned. I justwish she would not go off on these flights of . . ."

"Flights of what?" Justin prompted when his cousin's impassioned speechseemed to peter out.

"You must ask her yourself," Julian repeated. "But the sooner I amfreed of this burden of secrecy the happier I shall be, however angryyou may be at my part. If you've a grain of sense, coz, you'll standfor no prevarication this time."

"I can safely assure you that I will not be angry." The earl smiled. "Iknow how persuasive Danny can be. But I thank you for your advice,Jutes." Linton stood up. "And for the claret. A '67, was it not? One ofDanny's favorites."

"She insisted I buy it." Julian was somewhat thrown by this seeminglycasual non sequitur. "She has

taken my cellar in hand and buys for meas she does for you. So far I have not been able to fault her judgment."

"And I'll lay odds you never will." The earl laughed. "She has muchexperience in these matters and quite the purest palate." He took hisleave of a greatly relieved Julian who now felt much as Lady Laviniadid—that all would be put to rights with due speed.

Linton was forced to bide his time, however, when he arrived inGrosvenor Square to be informed that My Lady had joined a party toHampton Court and was not expected home until after dinner. Atmidnight, he informed the night porter that he would wait up for HerLadyship himself, and sent both Petersham and Molly to their beds. Inhis present mood the fewer members of the household awake when Danielleeventually decided to return the better.

He stood at the library window overlooking the square, watching for thecarriage. It appeared at last bearing the Westmore Arms and the youngviscount escorted Danielle to the door. They were both laughing, a factwhich exacerbated My Lord's anger even further, although he supposed heshould be happyshe had been engaged in such an irreproachable entertainment as a youngpeople's excursion.

The door swung open before Danielle could hammer on the brass knob inthe shape of a gryphon's head. "You have had a pleasant evening, Itrust," her husband said, his tone level but his eyes on fire. "Goodevening to you, Westmore." The greeting was so clearly a dismissal thatthe viscount bowed, stammered

a hasty good night to Danielle, andretreated to his carriage.

Danielle, feeling distinctly uneasy, sailed past her husband with arustle of pomona green satin and made for the stairs.

"Danielle, I wish to talk to you." Linton closed the heavy door. "Willyou come into the library for a few minutes?"

Danielle had a foot on the bottom stair and now yawned deeply. "It isvery late, Linton, and I am monstrous fatigued. We can talk in themorning if you wish it."

"If you put me to the trouble of fetching you, you will regret it," hesaid pleasantly, holding open the library door.

Danielle hesitated for barely a moment before sweeping into thelibrary, two flags of color flying on her high cheekbones. "What is ityou wish to say to me, my lord, that cannot wait until the morning?"

"A very great deal as it happens. I do not care to return to town aftera mere two weeks absence to find my wife the butt of everyscandalmongering tongue. I do not care to walk into my club to be metwith embarrassed whispers and sympathetic eyes. What can you have beenthinking of, Danny, to be so free

in D'Evron's company? I'll not haveit bruited abroad that I wear a cuckold's horns."

"Oh, I see." Danielle's voice shook. "It is the Linton pride. WhileCaesar may do as he pleases, Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.Well, I will tell you, my lord, that I do not hold with such hypocrisyand I will not