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Seeing the wistfulness on Julia's face, Arlyss leaned a hip against the dressing table and stared at her sharply “What's theproblee?”
“He's not my lover At least not anymore I've…” Julia hesitated and chose her words carefully “I've made certain the relationship is over”
“I don't understand why He's handsoentleman—”
“I've realized that I have no future with him”
“Even if that's true, why can't you just enjoy the affair while it lasts?”
“Because I' that it would be extre in Arlyss if she wished to keep it private But she felt driven to tell someone The unspoken words seemed to burn on her lips
“What is it?” Arlyss asked, frowning in concern “You can tell me, Jessica”
Julia lowered her head and stared at her lap “I' to marry Mr Scott”
Arlyss's eyes widened “I can't believe it Why in the world would you do that?”
All Julia couldin reply
“You don't love hi financial troubles? Are you doing it for your career?”
“No, it…just seems the best choice”
“You'reawith Mr Scott When were you planning to marry him?”
“The day after tomorrow”
“Thank God there's still time to call it off”
So a friend about her decision ht ease some of the depression and heaviness inside Her hopes deflated rapidly as she realized that no ae the situation “I can't do that,” she said softly, and gave the silver half-coin back to Arlyss She picked up a daes of rouge
Arlyss contemplated Julia while her nimble mind raced fronant, are you?”
Julia shook her head, her throat squeezing hard against an upswell of e like that It's just that I can't have the man I want, for too many reasons to explain And if a life with hiht as well marry Mr Scott”
“B-but,” Arlyss spluttered, “you're the one who's always telling me to choose a man for love and no other reason! You told me—”
“I htly hoarse “Unfortunately some dreams aren't possible for everyone”
“ThereI can do to help”
Reaching out to touch her friend's hand, Julia s suddenly “No,” she murmured “But thank you, Arlyss You're a dear friend, and I'm happy for you”
Arlyss didn't reply, a preoccupied expression stealing over her face
There was an unreal quality about the Duke of Leeds's private funeral, attended by only a few relatives and close friends It was difficult for Damon to understand that his father had finally been laid to rest, that there would be no uments and frustrations and a at his brother's tense face, Da the same mixture of sadness and bewilderment
After the coffin had been lowered into the cold autulossy wooden surface, the mourners left to return to the castle and partake of refresh legs matched in a leisurely stride
A breeze whipped through Dareen landscape around theht of the castle, serene and stalwart as always, and he felt a flicker of pride that through his own efforts the estate had been kept in the faes Still, despite the duke's selfish whierous habits, there was no trace of satisfaction in his passing Da to miss his father…in fact, he already did
“Father had a hell of a good time, didn't he?” William murmured “He did whatever he pleased and damned the consequences If he hasn't ed to teame of cards by now”
Dae
“I'm too much like him,” William continued bleakly “I'll end up exactly as he did, alone and chortling overto pinch the housemaids as they pass by”
“You won't,” Damon assured him “I wouldn't let that happen”
Williah “Precious little you've done to stop ot to do sohtskirts and spend my allowance on drink and clothes and horses”
“You're not the only one who has to change”
Upon hearing Daaze on hi to yourself? You're conscientious, responsible You have no bad habits—”
“I' as hell I try to make everyone else fit into the patterns I've devised for them”
“I've always assu the elder son Some people would make a virtue of it”
“Julia isn't one of those people”
“Well, she's not the usual sort of felanced at the castle before thereat stone arches reflected in the silver lake below “Can you i so far removed from the amusements of London?”
As a matter of fact, Da with hih the hills and woods that surrounded the estate, her blond hair wind-tousled…or acting as hostess at a dance in the great hall, her slender figure illu with hiether as the sun rose
Daes of Julia as he and Willia in the parlor and dining room, they headed to the library, where Mr Archibald Lane awaited them Lane was a lawyer Damon had eh so in ent He was only slightly older than Daave him an appearance of quiet maturity
“My lord…I mean, Your Grace…” Lane murmured as he shook Damon's hand “I trust all is ith you? That is, as well as could be expected?”
Damon nodded and offered the lawyer a drink, which he declined “I assume there are no surprises inat the neat sheaf of papers on the desk nearby
“Nothing that appears to be out of the ordinary, Your Grace However, before we attend to that, there is so…” An uneasy expression crossed Lane's narrow face “Recently I received a copy of a letter which pertains to the matter of Mrs Wentworth and the circue”
Damon stared at him alertly