“Let’s get this over with.”
Julian grinned at his friend Michael Blake’s grim pronouncement. “Those aren’t the words one usually uses when they are about to meet their future bride.”
Michael glared at him as they strode through the theater, on their way to a private box that held Julian’s old friend, Lady Jane Bennett, and her companion, Miss Emma Marks. “I’m not in the mood to be teased about this.”
Julian tried to hold back his mirth because he knew just how badly Michael dreaded meeting Miss Marks, the American heiress who was the key to his family’s financial difficulties. However, he’d always enjoyed poking fun at his straight-laced friend. “You never know. You might actually like her. You should at least give her a chance before you fall into despair.”
Michael sighed and swept an errant strand of blond hair out of his eyes. “Sorry. I suppose you’re right. I just hate being backed into a corner like this.”
Julian gave him a sympathetic glance. Despite his amusement, he felt a bit cornered as well. He hadn’t seen Jane Bennett in seven years—not since he’d walked out on her after her father’s death. In fact, he hadn’t even known she was in London until Michael had asked for an introduction earlier this evening.
Michael had remembered that Julian’s country estate had bordered Jane’s father’s, and he’d thought Julian the perfect person to arrange his first meeting with Miss Marks. Julian had to admit that the prospect of speaking with Jane again both thrilled and terrified him. He was trying to act supremely confident about the matter, but he had no idea how Jane would react to him after all these years. He’d treated her so poorly...
No, if he were being honest with himself, he had to admit that his actions had been worse than deplorable. He’d broken her heart. He’d held her that first day, when her grief over her father’s death had been fresh and traumatic, but the next morning, he’d made an excuse to go to London, where he’d lost himself in drinking and whoring, trying to forget how much he’d disappointed her.
Weeks had passed, and one morning he’d woken with a pounding headache and a heart full of regret. He’d stayed away too long, and he’d known nothing he could say at this late date could make up for what he’d done. He’d failed her so terribly that it was much easier to stay in London and pretend she’d never meant anything to him. In fact, after a few years, he managed to put all thoughts of her away and convince himself that she was simply the first of the many women who would come in and out of his life. He’d comforted himself with the thought that she’d surely wed a staid country lord and was happy and content raising children and dogs in some country pile, having forgotten all about him.
But in all the years since, he’d never felt so comfortable, so much himself, around any other woman. He’d known none of the women who graced his bed actually cared about him. They simply liked the things he could give them—the power of his wealth and rank.
As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, Michael had also revealed that Jane was apparently sponsoring the American girl, allowing Miss Marks to live in her Mayfair home while she introduced her to society. Rumor had it that she was being paid handsomely for this service. He hated to hear that she’d been reduced to such dire straits. She was the daughter of a marquess, for God’s sake! Why hadn’t she married? Even though her father had gambled away her dowry, he’d assumed someone else would be thrilled to make her his bride.
He took a deep breath, shaking his head to clear it of his riotous thoughts, then stopped before the footman who stood on their side of the heavy velvet partition. “Please tell Lady Jane that Lord Basingstoke would like to speak with her.”
However, before the man could announce them, Jane swept back the curtain. Her eyes widened, and her face went blank when she saw who stood on the other side. “Lord Basingstoke,” she said, her voice utterly emotionless. “What are you doing here?”
Julian met her direct blue gaze, and something deep inside him, something he’d thought long dead, came roaring back to life. She still had the power to take his breath away, something he hadn’t anticipated. “Good evening, Lady Jane. I’ve come to arrange an introduction between my friend Lord Sherbourne and your lovely companion Miss Marks.”
Jane recovered quickly from her surprise. Whatever she might feel about seeing Julian after all these years, she was keeping it to herself. She stood slightly aside and gestured behind her. “Lord Basingstoke, Lord Sherbourne, may I present Miss Emma Marks of New York City?”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lords.” The dark-haired beauty behind Jane stood and curtsied gracefully. Julian didn’t know what Michael was so worried about. The girl had perfect manners.
Sherbourne stepped forward in resignation. “The pleasure is mine,” he murmured, his voice clipped. Taking her gloved hand, he brought it briefly to his lips. Then he stepped back, and an awkward silence fell upon the group.
Wincing inwardly at his friend’s deplorable lack of charm, Julian smiled at the heiress, determined to smooth things over and save Michael from himself. “Are you enjoying your visit, Miss Marks?”
“I’m enjoying London very much,” she responded brightly, obviously as determined as he to make polite conversation.
“I hear you’re quite the world traveler.” Though Julian continued speaking to Miss Marks, he stared at Jane out of the corner of his eye, wishing she’d look at him, give him some clue how she was feeling. “Tell us about your journeys. Have you been anywhere fascinating and exotic?”
“I’ve traveled extensively on the Continent during the past two years. I must admit, however, to being a bit of a history enthusiast, the older and dustier the better. I’d love to visit Egypt, but I haven’t yet had the chance.” Miss Marks’ enthusiasm for the subject was clear, and Julian suddenly felt more confident about the possibility of a match between Miss Marks and Michael.
“What a coincidence.” Julian glanced quickly at Michael, hoping he’d jump on the topic. “Sherbourne is an amateur archaeologist. He’s fascinated by all things Egyptian. In fact, he’s sponsored several expeditions and has an amazing collection of artifacts.”
Emma turned to Michael, sudden excitement sparkling in her eyes. “Have you been to Egypt, Lord Sherbourne? Have you seen the great pyramids and the Sphinx?”
“I’ve never left England,” Michael admitted, and Julian knew how much the fact pained his friend, who had an adventurous streak he’d never been allowed to indulge. “My responsibilities don’t allow for frivolities such as travel.”
Though she obviously understood that he’d meant to rebuke her, Emma smiled. “Well, no wonder you collect Egyptian artifacts. Everyone needs a little something exotic in their lives. I’d love to see your collection.”
Jane gasped audibly at Emma’s forward behavior, but Julian merely chuckled and gave her a covert wink. He liked this girl.
Michael looked slightly stunned, as though he had no idea what to make of her. “I keep my artifacts in the country, at Sherbourne Hall, but perhaps something can be arranged.” He took a deep breath, as though girding himself for something unpleasant. “In the meantime, would you allow me to call on you? At your earliest convenience?”
“Of course, you may call upon me,” Miss Marks replied graciously. “I’d be delighted.”
“Excellent. You may expect me tomorrow morning.” Bowing stiffly, Sherbourne turned and left their box.
Julian smiled and shrugged. “What can I say, Miss Marks? He’s an acquired taste.” Hoping Michael hadn’t ruined his chances with the heiress, he finally turned his entire attention to Jane “It was a pleasure to see you again, Lady Jane. You’ve been absent from Society for far too long.”
