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“I have spent twenty years wondering what happened to you” He had spentthe blame “One more day won’t make a difference”

She muttered incoherently, clearly displeased at his response

“Forgivethe need to explain, to make her understand just how her absence had affected hi alone, one develops a need for caution”

His ain “You don’t need to be alone anymore, Lucius”

He should have pictured a fa table where Julia Fontaine spoke of her son’s quirky habits as a boy Instead, he pictured hiled liled to catch their breath

Lucius forced a s house, or hotel?”

“I’ out of town Old habits die hard, and I fear your father will make a sudden recovery and learn of my unexpected arrival” She paused “I followed you froht A friend told me you live there”

Strange that he hadn’t noticed her lingering in the shadows He was usually quite thorough when it ca the street for pot

ential threats

“I own the house, though have never received an allowance from the duke” Oddly, he had always hoped his refusal to accept the devil’s charity would ht a coacy”

Her dull blue eyes widened “The duchess despised me I’m surprised to hear she made provisions for you”

“I speak of your mother, Katharine Fontaine, not the duchess”

“My mother?” Her look of surprise turned to disbelief Perhaps Katharine Fontaine had believed her daughter was dead, too Perhaps they were estranged Perhaps Julia knew nothing of his grandift “I had not spoken to her for some years before her death”

“I should like to learn more about her eexplanations for the bequest “Coht”

She inclined her head “Until tomorrow then”