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After teatie into elaborate dinner outfits The woowns of thin crinkled silk or rib-boned gauze, thelinen shirts, patterned waistcoats, and narrow trousers strapped under the insteps to keep thene-colored silk with a low-cut bodice sewn in tiny flat pleats A narroath of delicate blond lace covered but didn't entirely conceal the shadowy vale between her breasts The short, puffed sleeves were auze and trimmed with more blond lace

Dinner was a spectacular array of roasts and gas in fancy etables in sauce An arnified bustle to serve the two hundred guests seated at the two long tables in the center of the dining rooue baskets filled with creaht out, as well as platters of berries and fruit

In spite of the tely She knew that as usual, Logan would be asked to entertain the guests after dinner, and she would be called upon to assist him She was never able to perforish and sleepy Tonight of all nights, she wanted her wits about her

Julia caught glie at the next table, as he conversed with the woht and left Both ladies see Frequently they reached up to rearrange their own dangling curls or toy with their jewelry, like fluttery birds preening the his ade in such a manner Perhaps it was inevitable Whatever his character, his wealth and good looks were indisputable Moreover, his air of reserve would provoke any female to try to attract his attention Julia was relieved that he didn't so otten all about her, his interest diverted by other, more approachable women

When the ossip, leaving the lasses of rich port Later they all rejoined in the large salon, where a roups

Walking into the salon on Logan's arm, Julia was not surprised when Lady Brandon approached them with a look of anticipation on her round face It wasn't every hostess who had the opportunity of providing her guests with the likes of Logan Scott as the after-dinner entertainment “Mr Scott,” Lady Brandon murmured, her ample cheeks flushed, “perhaps you would honor us with a recitation, or some characterization from a play?”

With an elegant flourish, Logan took the lady's plump hand and bowed over it He had a oe, appearance, or circuht Boldly he stared into Lady Brandon's eyes until shein the rich blue depths of his gaze “It would be h to reco in particular you would prefer?”

“Oh,” Lady Brandon breathed, her hand tre visibly Her rosebud lips parted in a helpless s you choose would suffice, Mr Scott But…so romantic would be very nice!”

“So at her as if she were the lanced at Julia and quirked his ruddy brows inquiringly “Shall we undertake a scene from my new play, Mrs Wentworth?”

Juliathat he had been planning on it Once or twice a season, Logan launched a play he had written, always a social satire loaded it and charan was a clever writer with a sure instinct for what the audience desired His newest creation, My Lady Deception, was the story of a nobleh a set of i as their own servants; he as a footman, she as a housemaid Naturally they met and fell in love, and their subsequent efforts to maintain their deceptions and stay true to each other produced ently teased the aristocracy for its narros and suffocating social rules

It was hardly originalfresh and entertaining Julia liked the story of two people discovering each other without the constraints of their usual lives Logan hadn't yet decided to give her the leading role in the stage production It was clear that he would choose between Julia and Arlyss Barry, another young actress in the company Julia wanted the part for herself, but she knew it depended on whether Logan liked Julia's romantic approach, or Arlyss's , it would sway his decision in her favor

When the group had settled around the rooan stepped forward and introduced himself and Julia Briefly he described the scene they were about to perforuests' entertainment, and mentioned that if they cared to see the entire play, it would be shown at the Capital Theatre later in the season

As Logan spoke, Julia sorted through lines of dialogue in her e shiver of nerves all across her back, and her concentration was ruined as she sensed the dark presence of Lord Savage nearby Like a aze was drawn to the corner, where he was seated in the company of Lady Ashton

Savage sees stretched before hiht chatter But his gaze was fastened alertly on Julia Her heart pounded as she realized that he was as unwillingly fascinated by her as she was by him Perhaps he was soed between the the course of both their lives

Julia had never i while he watched She had perforan or the other actors There was a farto such a se, there was less need for voice projection, and she could use a estures and facial expressions Usually she enjoyed situations such as this…but not now It seemed that every trace of her ability, and every word she had memorized, had completely vanished

Logan motioned for Julia to join him at the front of the room She tried to obey, but for the first time in her life, she froze Her feet had no sensation, save for an icy prickling around her ankles, and her chest was filled with panicked druo on with the scene She knew Logan could see the color drain from her face He showed no reaction except for a pleasantly encouraging srip that had the effect of restoring her senses somewhat

“Do you want so, her to the front of the room

It took all her strength to e a whisper “I-I don't know”

Loganit appear to the others in the roo her advice His words, however, were anything but soothing “Listen tothrough your blasted mind at the moment All I care about is the play andto do the damned scene as we rehearsed it You're an actress Do what I've hired you to do”

Julia nodded stiffly, feeling the warh the scene, no an's quiet bullying reminded her of all the work she had done to become Jessica Wentworth She couldn't ruin it all now

“Tell me my first line,” she whispered unsteadily

“For God's sake…” LoganJust try to follow along”

Julia went to a spot a few yards away fro for his first words The scene depicted the moment at which the two lovers discovered the other's true identity As she stared at Logan, she saw his face change, and he began to speak to her as if he were a man in love She felt herself slide into the role without effort, alht She was more focused than she had ever been in her life Dimly she sensed the thrill of exciterossed to dwell on it

As the characters uncovered their -fast chain of reactions; disbelief, outrage, defensiveness, relief, and helpless passion Logan's antics sent the shter, but only with the balance of Julia's sweetly ro depth of tenderness

Da It seemed as if each ere spontaneous, as if the actors were living the scene rather than perfor a piece that must have been rehearsedlook effortless It was clear that Jessica Wentworth was an actress of extraordinary talent

“My God, they're both wonderful,” murmured Pauline, as never moved to praise anyone unless she could somehow include herself