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Hearing Julia approach the stage, Logan turned to face her, see unsurprised by her early arrival He helped her up to the boards easily, his grip hard and reassuring before he released her hand “You look like hell,” he said

“I couldn't sleep” Julia forced a tired smile to her lips “My conscience was troubled”

“You'd do well to dispense with your conscience altogether,” Logan advised “I did years ago, and I've slept like a babe every night since”

“You

“Some other time I have soe was sent to the Capital for you and forwarded here Apparently there's an illness in your family”

“My mother,” Julia said automatically, while her heart beat out a worried staccato

“Your father, I believe I'm not aware of the particulars”

“My father…” Julia shook her head in confusion “That can't be true He's never ill, he…” She fell silent, staring blankly ahead, all words sputtering into silence ThereEva would never have sent for her otherwise It was iine her father ill, confined to his bed Throughout her childhood, she had never seen him afflicted with so much as a head cold

“Are you planning to go to hian asked without inflection

“I can't…there's no tiht…”

“I'll cancel to Tuesday evening”

Bewildered, Julia looked into his vivid blue eyes Logan never canceled a performance—it was one of his strictest codes “Why?” she asked softly

He ignored the question “Will you be able to return by Tuesday?”

“Yes, I think so” She was touched by his unexpected kindness “Most o I never would have expected this”

Logan shrugged casually “If I forced you to stay, you'd be in no condition to give a decent performance”

“You could give the part to Arlyss,” Julia suggested “She knows all of ht”

“The role is yours No one else could play it as you do”

“Thank you, but—”

“Go to your father Try to make peace with him And come back soon…or I'll dock your salary”

“Yes, sir,” Julia said obediently, though she wasn't deceived by Logan's atterateful s you're a kindanyone”

Chapter 10

As Julia undertook the half-day journey to the Hargate estate in Logan Scott's wine-red lacquered carriage, she debated with herself about whether she should have infor Bath She was troubled by the nagging feeling that she should have confided in hi of her to want his comfort? More than anyone else, Das toward her father

The recollection of their bitter parting made Julia wince and set her jaw stubbornly Damon wouldn't offer comfort; he would probably make some scornful remark and tell her she elcome to shoulder her burdens alone It would be hypocritical of her to rand statements about her freedom and independence, and then turn to hin of trouble

As the carriage and acco outriders traveled across the hilly countryside and approached the Hargate estate, Julia's urgency changed to apprehension She realized she was afraid of what sheher father ill, and certain that he would order her off the estate as soon as he saw her The tall house perched anificent with its towers stretching toward the sky

The vehicle stopped before the front entrance A pair of foote, while other servants came to take the horses and show the driver to the stables and carriage house Before Julia had reached the top step, the massive door opened and the butler was there to welcome her inside

In aJulia in her arms

“Maainst the pleated blue linen of her reatly, she had never appeared as well as this Soth and sense of purpose she hadn't displayed in years She was still far too thin, but the bones were no longer starkly proleam of tranquillity in her brown eyes It appeared that Eva took well to the unusual situation of being needed by her husband For once he was the invalid and she was the head of the household

“I'lad you came,” Eva murmured “I was afraid your schedule wouldn't allow a visit”

“How is he?” Julia asked, walking with her through the entrance hall to the stairs It see was unnaturally quiet and still

Eva replied calmly, her face tense orry “Your father took to his bed with a fever several days ago It was a very bad one—the doctor says it weakened all his organs We weren't certain he would live, but now it seems the worst has passed”

“Will he recover fully?”

“The doctor says he'll never be quite the sah to have killed a lesser th”

“He won't want to see s

“That's not true He's been asking for you”

“Why?” she asked warily “If he wants to express his opinion that I've ruined raced the family, I'm already aware—”

“Give hih an ordeal, Julia, and he wants to see his only child I don't knohat he wishes to say to you, but I entreat you to go to hiiveness”

Julia hesitated before replying “I'll try”

Eva shook her head ruefully “If you only kne like hi, but you won't set aside your pride long enough to admit it”