The Lady Behind the Masquerade by Diane Gaston

Author:Diane Gaston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-04-20T13:28:42+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

That evening Brighton’s gentlemen and ladies strolled to the Theatre Royal on New Street for the play, The Tragedy of Jane Shore. Wolf’s father begged off, citing fatigue, but assuring Wolf he was not unwell. Wolf’s mother insisted Wolf escort her.

He was glad to do so. Gravier was sure to be there.

After his conversation—altercation?—with Juliana, Wolf had searched for Gravier, but he did not seem to be among the ton, as was typical of him. He’d thought about calling upon the man at the Black Lion but thought better of it. Gravier was not near Charlotte that afternoon, so there was no reason to be hasty.

As Wolf and his mother made their way to the theatre, he found himself searching the crowd for Juliana. They had been almost cordial to each other at the Circulating Library that morning. Until it became clear she would hide the truth about her and Gravier.

Was he threatening to expose her? That was what she implied.

Even though matters were inexorably altered between them, the essence of her still hovered inside him, waiting for a chance to flash a memory of her smile, her touch, her scent.

His mother spoke. ‘I presume you have a seat, Wolf dear. I am to be a guest in Lord Lymond’s box.’

He stopped. ‘Lord Lymond’s box? I thought you and Father had a box of your own.’

She laughed. ‘Oh, my, no. Your sister would consider that an unnecessary extravagance. But you need not escort me home. Lymond will do so, I am sure.’

Wolf frowned. Charlotte was not the only one who needed a warning.

‘I do not think it prudent you spend so much time with Lymond,’ he told his mother. ‘He has a terrible reputation. No good can come of it.’ Besides, the man was a good fifteen years younger than she.

She pulled away from him. ‘I do not need to be scolded by my son! Besides, Lymond’s reputation is no worse than Lady Holback’s, and I don’t see your father worrying over that!’

Memories from childhood rushed back. The shouting. The tears. The accusations. The desire to run as far away from it all as he could get.

‘Take care, Mother,’ he retorted. ‘You can still be hurt.’

She pushed his arm away and strode ahead of him without another word.

He watched to see her walk safely through the theatre door before turning back the way he’d come.

Neither of his parents would listen to reason. Had he not always known that? He could not wait to return to Paris—

But returning to Paris meant leaving Juliana.

A shaft of pain pierced his chest.

But leaving her was inevitable, was it not?

Wolf walked only a few steps before spying Lord and Lady Ashcourt in his path. Gravier was with them, like a leech attached to their skin. Although this time he walked next to Lord Ashcourt. Juliana walked with Charlotte.

Juliana looked like a beautiful painting, framed by the people around her. All the colours around her suddenly intensified.

Charlotte noticed him first, skipping ahead of her parents. ‘Wolf, you are here!’

Gravier reached him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.